Chapter 0162 A Difficult Task

Chapter 0162 A Difficult Task

Two days later, Xiao Rong kept his promise and sent Sun Renluan and his family across the Yellow River.

Originally, he had said he would personally escort Sun Renluan back to his hometown, but because Xiao Rong did not want to bring Qu Yunmie along, Qu Yunmie refused to let him go alone to Pingyang. They compromised, and the journey that would normally take nearly seven or eight days was shortened to four hours. They left early in the morning, saw Sun Renluan off on the boat, and then Xiao Rong had to rush back immediately, lest Qu Yunmie come chasing after him. ...

Fortunately, after the fall of the Yong Dynasty, Sun Renluan's mindset had become more open. He did not care where Xiao Rong would send him; even if Xiao Rong did not accompany him, he would have no objections.

Most of the Sun family members left with Sun Renluan, while a few who wanted to take a chance chose to stay in Chenliu. The brave man who opened the city gates, Sun Renluan's nephew, whom Xiao Rong had intended to grant the title of First Rank Duke and send to an unimportant place to live out his days, did not require Xiao Rong's efforts. Sun Renluan took care of things behind closed doors, and today, this General Su appeared in the Sun family's convoy. He sat in the carriage without coming out or making any noise, which made Xiao Rong worry that he might be dead. ...

Opening the city gates was indeed a great feat, and the new dynasty should treat General Sun well. However, this kindness had depleted the Sun family's future prospects. With the entire family gone, leaving only General Sun in the new dynasty, his lack of intelligence could lead to him being caught by officials for minor mistakes, resulting in execution and confiscation of property.

Xiao Rong respected Sun Renluan but would not protect General Sun. In fact, he might be the one to personally throw General Sun into prison.

At this point, Sun Renluan had nothing else to desire. His sister was still on the run, but the Northern Pacification Army had already found her trail and would likely catch her soon. Since he forced He Fu to write the abdication decree at swordpoint, he knew their familial ties were severed. Over these days, his old friends either died, fled, or submitted to the new order. The Northern Pacification Army's actions were justified; winners and losers are clear. Qu Yunmie fulfilled his promise, ensuring that those who were not truly irredeemable or stubborn would find their own path.

To be fair, if he were in their shoes, Sun Renluan doubted he could act as honorably. Thus, he admitted he could not match these two young men.

Thinking about it, Sun Renluan couldn't help but smile inwardly.

He had heard about the recent turmoil and even attempts to incite him, suggesting that Qu Yunmie and Xiao Rong were turning against the heavens. Some urged him to take another chance. For such obviously disruptive suggestions, Sun Renluan remained indifferent. He also did not care much about the complex relationship between Qu Yunmie and Xiao Rong.

What he cared about was Qu Yunmie's statement that day. Qu Yunmie had said that they built this world together. ... A bit envious.

This path of hardship, he had walked alone for decades, and only he understood its true nature. He thought anyone reaching this position would become like him, but here came someone different so quickly. ... Annoying.

Thinking "annoying," Sun Renluan felt a sense of detachment. After all, he had retired, and whatever happened to the world from now on was no longer his responsibility. Besides, Qu Yunmie and Xiao Rong were strong young men. Although they might stumble initially, he believed they would figure things out.

With this relaxed mindset, Sun Renluan stepped down from the carriage. They had arrived at the riverbank, where the official boat waited. Once he crossed the river, he and Xiao Rong would be in different worlds. Their next meeting would likely be when Sun Renluan passed away and Xiao Rong wrote his eulogy.

Turning around, facing this young man he had met only a few times, Sun Renluan felt curious. Though he did not know Xiao Rong well, he expected him to try persuading him again in the carriage. Instead, Xiao Rong remained quiet throughout, making Sun Renluan feel self-conscious.

In mid-February, the wind was still cold, but the river surface had thawed. Large chunks of white ice floated downstream, creating a grand sight. As Sun Renluan prepared to bow to Xiao Rong, Xiao Rong gently supported him, like a younger generation member. Xiao Rong smiled at Sun Renluan and said, "The journey is long, Grand Chancellor, please take care."

Sun Renluan nodded, and Xiao Rong continued, "You need not worry about matters of state. I and Prime Minister Gao will manage the Goose Dynasty well, restoring its ancient glory."

Sun Renluan: "..."

Shouldn't it be "you and Qu Yunmie" in such statements?

Ignoring Sun Renluan's complex expression, Xiao Rong continued, "After the coronation ceremony, I have many plans, such as recasting currency, integrating border tribes, repairing salt roads and dams, expanding markets, and revising laws."

Sun Renluan listened, feeling skeptical. These were major undertakings, both laborious and time-consuming. Was Xiao Rong planning to exhaust himself? Even if not, he would certainly tire himself out. Long-standing systems were not easily changed.

Despite this, Sun Renluan did not think Xiao Rong was unrealistic. These plans would not shake the foundation of the state. If Xiao Rong wanted to tangle, he could do so alone. After all, he was young and willing to try.

But what came next was increasingly unsettling.

Xiao Rong: "One month after the coronation ceremony, I will announce a selection examination for officials in autumn. Those who perform best will become new officials. Additionally, I plan to establish schools in each province and county, from six-year-old children to thirty-year-olds. After passing school examinations, they can continue their education. Graduates can work in county offices, and if they excel in the selection exams, they can move up."

Sun Renluan looked at him in shock. Xiao Rong smiled and added, "To support these initiatives, I plan to establish publishing houses throughout the Central Plains. Anyone who can afford books can learn to read and write, and thus enter the government. This is my ambition. What do you think, Grand Chancellor?"

Sun Renluan's mouth hung open. After a long pause, he asked, "What about the privileges of noble families...?"

Xiao Rong blinked. "Privileges? Of course, they will be abolished."

Sun Renluan: "............"

Looking at him, Xiao Rong smiled radiantly. "I am doing this for the people. They will appreciate my efforts, and ministers will understand my intentions. Even if they don't, the emperor listens to me. Whatever I want to do, he will support me, even if it means opposing the whole world."

With that, Xiao Rong stepped back. "Well, I won't delay you further. Farewell, Grand Chancellor. May your journey be smooth, and may you live a long and healthy life."

He left, leaving Sun Renluan with a stunned expression. Sun Renluan forgot to stop him.

Sun Renluan: ... With your methods, the country will surely descend into chaos within three years! How can I have a peaceful life?

Sun Renluan stood there in confusion, eventually boarding the boat at the urging of his servants. His calm demeanor was shattered, and he worried about Xiao Rong destabilizing the Goose Dynasty.

Xiao Rong left the carriage for Sun's family and rode back on horseback. Feeling the spring breeze, he recalled Sun Renluan's expression and burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha... Giddyup!"

Amidst the complex emotions of the courtiers, the imperial wedding date was set. However, it was not as Qu Yunmie had envisioned, combining the coronation and wedding ceremonies. Doing so would have overwhelmed the embroiderers in Chenliu.

The coronation ceremony was scheduled for the second day of February, and the wedding ceremony for the third day of March.

Qu Yunmie strongly resisted this arrangement, but after spending half a night with Xiao Rong, he changed his mind the next day.

Courtiers discovered the power of the empress's pillow talk for the first time and realized that the empress was not aligned with the emperor but rather supported them.

Not only regarding the wedding date, but the empress was also more rational than the emperor in many matters. She managed to balance the appointment of officials, while the emperor struggled to recognize everyone. His list of civil officials was haphazard, causing headaches.

Even before the official wedding, people began to see the benefits of following Xiao Rong. Sometimes, when Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie sat together, people felt Qu Yunmie was the real troublemaker, as he would complain to Xiao Rong whenever someone annoyed him, sometimes exaggerating or twisting facts to get his way.

People have preferences, especially newcomers with little loyalty to Qu Yunmie. Realizing his unreliability, they planned to switch allegiance to Xiao Rong, hoping he would listen to them and secretly seize power from Qu Yunmie.

Xiao Rong listened to their complaints and nodded in agreement. Then, stepping outside, he reported them to Qu Yunmie with a simple phrase— "Your Majesty, I don't like them."

Qu Yunmie, unused to Xiao Rong's complaints, imagined various scenarios and ordered, "Kill them all!"

Xiao Rong: ".................."

In the end, Xiao Rong intervened, changing the punishment from execution to exile. The Central Plains were vast, and there were plenty of remote areas for them to squabble in.

Thus, people finally recognized the reality.

Their Goose Dynasty had no emperor.

They only had two troublesome empresses!!! ...

Amidst a gloomy atmosphere, the coronation ceremony arrived. Outside, all the officials had donned their new official robes. The civil officials were led by Gao Xunzhi, and the military officials by Wang Xinyong. As for Qu Yunmie, he stood in the newly built palace chambers, where Xiao Rong was giving him a final inspection.

At this moment, dragon robes came in various colors, but the most solemn color remained black. Xiao Rong's hand brushed over the dark golden dragon patterns, pausing for a moment before he curled his lips into a smile.

Qu Yunmie looked at him as if he couldn't get enough, asking softly, "What is Ah Rong smiling about?"

Xiao Rong took a gentle deep breath: "I'm smiling at how swiftly time flies and how people change."

He lifted his head and asked Qu Yunmie, "Could you have imagined today a year ago?"

Qu Yunmie also smiled silently, naturally not imagining it.

He never thought he would become emperor, nor did he think he and Xiao Rong would end up together.

But precisely because he couldn't imagine it, today felt like a beautiful dream that he couldn't wake from. Every day when he opened his eyes, the dream persisted.

Qu Yunmie gazed intently at Xiao Rong. Something seemed to be blocking his throat, making it hard for him to speak. He didn't know what to say either, but it didn't matter. Xiao Rong always understood him, from the very beginning until now.

Lifting his head, Xiao Rong initiated a kiss with Qu Yunmie. This entanglement of lips lasted only a few seconds, but Qu Yunmie felt as if he left his soul on Xiao Rong.

Seeing Qu Yunmie's distracted appearance, Xiao Rong couldn't help but smile again: "Alright, let's go. We'll miss the auspicious hour if we delay any longer."

Qu Yunmie mumbled, "If it were our wedding day, I wish you'd hurry me along too."

Xiao Rong: "..."

Though complaining, Qu Yunmie still moved forward. The palace was unlit, with the brightest spot being the entrance. It was still early morning, and as Qu Yunmie moved further away from Xiao Rong, his shadow grew longer. This time, he finally walked towards the best possible outcome.

Xiao Rong lowered his eyes, feeling a mix of emotions, when suddenly he heard Qu Yunmie's displeased voice: "You're only hurrying me along. Why aren't you moving? Are you going to back out? Xiao Rong, you said if I memorized all the blessings, you'd walk through the entire ceremony with me!"

Xiao Rong: "............"

It's because I'm afraid you'll lose patience halfway and quit! Otherwise, why would I take on this thankless task!

Holding his breath, Xiao Rong walked to Qu Yunmie's side with an annoyed expression, adjusting his splendid attire. He glared at Qu Yunmie: "Sensitive and suspicious."

Qu Yunmie retorted angrily, "You promised never to scold me again!"

Xiao Rong: "And you promised never to bring up old grievances. Did you keep that promise?"

Qu Yunmie was silenced by Xiao Rong's retort. Holding back his anger, he couldn't argue with Xiao Rong. Seeing the officials waiting outside, Qu Yunmie conceded: "…Let's go out first."

Xiao Rong also huffed, "We'll settle accounts after the ceremony."

Finally, the two walked out one after the other. The attendants behind them exchanged silent glances, feeling a sense of weariness.

Even though today was a good day, why did they feel like these dark days had just begun...

Author's note: