We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Chapter 966 The Moon Maiden Meets the Emperor

After traveling for more than ten days, they were nearing the capital.

The roads became increasingly flat and wide, with a constant stream of carriages and pedestrians, including many merchants speaking various regional accents, exuding a vibrant atmosphere of the new dynasty.

Li Lin casually pointed to a caravan and introduced it to Luo Yueniang: "Look, that's the bookseller I told you about before, the one licensed by the imperial court."

"The imperial court provided the printing blocks, and they were responsible for printing and selling them. Apart from paying a fixed royalty, all the profits went to them."

"Nowadays, the price of a book is only the cost of a few full meals for an ordinary person, and ordinary people can afford it."

Looking at the endless convoy, Luo Yueniang finally understood why His Majesty dared to implement the imperial examination system so boldly.

Books have driven down the cost of knowledge to the bare minimum, making the monopoly of knowledge impossible.

For the first time, Luo Yueniang felt that the aristocratic family that had stood strong in this country for thousands of years was truly doomed.

With the powerful clans fallen, will the Shu region still put up a stubborn resistance?

The grand sweep of history and the fate of the people of Sichuan for the next few hundred years—aren't they a thousand times, ten thousand times more important than my own personal grudges?

Although she had not yet met Li Che, Luo Yueniang had already made up her mind.

She let out a long breath, as if expelling the last bit of pent-up frustration from her chest: "Your Highness, how much longer until we reach the capital?"

Seeing the change in her eyes, Li Lin knew the time was right and smiled slightly: "Soon, we will be able to see the capital city walls by noon tomorrow."

The following day at noon, the majestic city wall indeed appeared on the horizon.

The magnificent aura was overwhelming, far surpassing anything found in Chengdu. Luo Yueniang subconsciously straightened her back and took a deep breath.

There was neither a grand welcome nor deliberate neglect.

Under Li Lin's arrangement, Luo Yueniang was temporarily placed in a quiet inn near the imperial city.

Li Lin did not accompany them any further, but hurriedly returned to the Prince's Mansion to be with his wife.

He returned to the capital ahead of schedule, bringing with him a beautiful widowed general. He had to explain things properly to the Princess Consort of Yan.

Luo Yueniang settled down at the post station and first made sure her personal guards were settled in.

Afterwards, he washed and tidied himself up, took off his military uniform, and changed into a more formal dark-colored casual outfit.

In the afternoon, a palace attendant came to deliver an imperial decree: "His Majesty has decreed that Luo Yueniang from Shu be summoned to the Jiying Hall for an audience."

Jiying Hall? Luo Yueniang remembered that it was where the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) received their awards.

The fact that His Majesty did not choose to receive the emperor in the Xuanzheng Hall indicates that this was a private meeting rather than an official summons.

Luo Yueniang's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a little nervous.

"Father-in-law, you've worked hard." Luo Yueniang took out a small piece of gold from her bosom.

The eunuch smiled and waved his hand, saying, "General Luo is His Majesty's honored guest; I cannot accept this money."

Seeing that Luo Yueniang was somewhat at a loss, the eunuch comforted her, saying, "General, don't worry. His Majesty has repeatedly emphasized that no one in the capital would dare to make things difficult for you."

Luo Yueniang breathed a sigh of relief: "Then thank you very much, Father-in-law."

"General, this way please."

Luo Yueniang followed the eunuch into the imperial city. She was not strictly guarded along the way. The imperial guards who guarded the imperial city only conducted routine checks. They even brought in a female soldier from the medical corps to search her.

Luo Yueniang was moved. If all of this was the emperor's prior arrangement, then His Majesty was truly thoughtful.

Upon entering the Hall of Heroes, Luo Yueniang understood why His Majesty had summoned her there.

The hall was spacious and bright, with only one large room, leaving absolutely no room for hiding swordsmen and axemen.

His Majesty was telling himself to relax and that there was absolutely no intention to harm him.

It's no wonder she was born with the body of a succubus; she's incredibly thin.

At that moment, Li Che was standing in front of a map of Daqing's territory, with his back to the door. Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around.

Luo Yueniang quickly looked up and sized up the young emperor, her beautiful eyes narrowed, and she felt a little short of breath.

What a handsome young emperor!

He had a handsome face and clear, deep eyes, without the expected hostility or youthful arrogance.

It makes people feel good about it and even subconsciously trust it.

But she quickly came to her senses and was about to perform a grand salute according to etiquette when Li Che raised his hand to help her up, saying, "General Luo, you must be tired from your journey. There is no need for such formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Huai'en, please have a seat and serve tea."

After repeatedly declining, Luo Yueniang finally sat down below Li Che, and Huai En served her tea and snacks.

Li Che picked up the teacup in front of him, blew on it gently, and said as if chatting casually, "This is the Shu Mountain Cloud Mist from this spring. I specially had it prepared for you, General. Please have a taste."

Luo Yueniang was slightly taken aback, not expecting this to be the opening remark.

She picked up the teacup as instructed, took a sip, and then said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, this humble general cannot taste it."

"Hmm?" Li Che put down his teacup, his gaze falling on her. "Why is that?"

Luo Yueniang replied, "This tea is tribute tea. It is sent to the capital every year after it is picked. I have never tasted it in all these years in Sichuan."

Li Che was slightly lost in thought, then said helplessly, "I understand."

He couldn't help but recall his past life, when commodities like Wuchang rice and Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs were in high demand but scarce, yet the market was overflowing with them.

I recalled a scene from a TV series I watched in my past life, where Emperor Qianlong was eating taro from Lipu.

At the time, I felt that it was a foolish thing for the emperor to waste money and resources just to eat a bite of taro.

But now that he is the emperor, his thoughts are completely different.

It's quite ironic that the people of Sichuan, who live in Sichuan, can't even drink the tea produced there.

But Li Che would not allow them to stop offering tribute tea, not because he loved luxury, but because this route supported countless mouths of tea farmers, tea merchants, and caravans.

If the tribute tea is stopped, I will gain a reputation for diligence and thrift, but all these people will lose their jobs.

That's how things are in this world; what seems unfair is actually the fairest thing that can be achieved.

Li Che stopped beating around the bush and slowly said, "I have heard about Wei Xun's matter, and it pains me deeply."

"Minister Wei is a talented individual for the court. I have long held a high opinion of him and intended to summon him to the capital to entrust him with important responsibilities, but unexpectedly..."

Li Che's words were sincere and heartfelt, and Luo Yueniang did not detect a trace of falsehood in them. This young emperor truly admired her husband.

Thinking of him, her eyes reddened, and her feelings for Li Che grew even stronger.

"My late husband also praised His Majesty's policies on many occasions, calling His Majesty a wise ruler, and many of his views coincided with his."

Upon hearing this, Li Che felt even more bitter.

It's such a pity that such a talented person died so young.

I was just about to give Wei Xun a more important position, even though he came from a prestigious family, but I never expected... It can only be said that heaven is jealous of talent.

Fortunately, he left me with a very capable widow.

Hmm? That sounds a bit strange.