In November, amidst the internal strife in the Huhar nation, Yan military leaders began their triumphant return to the capital. Civilians lined the roads to welcome them, and the soldiers experienced unprecedented warmth from the people. Bold young women even gave embroidered handkerchiefs and sachets to their favorite soldiers, not caring about the soldiers’ reactions.

Many soldiers had never encountered such scenes. This battle allowed them to vent long-suppressed grievances, and now, being welcomed so warmly, they couldn’t help but smile broadly.

Wang Shijing, Shao Yunan, and their family were among the returning troops. They rode in a carriage, showered with flowers and fruits. Shao Yunan, witnessing such a scene for the first time, felt a surge of pride. His father, uncle, and brother were the leaders of this war, and the key weapons were designed by his son. How could he not feel proud? At this moment, Shao Yunan truly felt integrated into society and his identity.

Wang Qing and Nizi were also extremely excited. Nizi happily picked flowers from the carriage floor and made garlands, placing the first on Little Dad’s head and the second on Brother Moxi. Wang Qing picked up an apple, wiped it on his clothes, and bit into it without minding the dirt. Although these apples were small and sour, Wang Qing who was already used to the apples from the space, didn’t mind. Sharing the joy of victory outweighed any taste. Even Jiang Moxi, with his stoic expression, showed a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

The common people saw that there were children in the carriage and threw even more gifts onto it. Nizi unabashedly picked up a pastry and ate it, even feeding her big brother Moxi. The happiness of the three children made Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan, who were covered in flowers and fruits, smile broadly. Victory should indeed be celebrated in this most direct manner.

At the end of November, the victorious generals returned to the capital city. Emperor Yongming rewarded them based on their merits. He allocated some of the gold and silver treasures looted from Huhar Country as rewards for these generals. This time, all the soldiers from the special forces who penetrated into Lan Cheng received generous rewards. Dai Zhanxiao and Dai Zhanli were promoted to the rank of third-grade military officials, while Dai Mingjun and Dai Mingrong were granted the title of second-grade marquis. For military officials, having a title meant the utmost honor. Despite these titles being symbolic due to Emperor

Kangsheng’s suppression, the elder generals of the Dai family had never been granted such titles.

As for Wang Shijing, Emperor Yongming also conferred upon him the title of “General Hongwei,” similar to the titles granted to Dai Mingjun and Dai Mingrong. Although it did not come with actual military authority, Wang Shijing was exceptionally pleased, even more so than when he was awarded the title of Loyal and Brave General. However, none of these compared to the astonishment it caused in the palace and the lively discussions among the people of Great State of Yan. What truly stunned them was the appointment of Jiang Moxi, who was only ten years old, to the Ministry of Works as an attendant. The genius of Jiang Moxi had already become widely known. It could be said that without Jiang Moxi, Great State of Yan would not have won so easily in this war.

Jiang Moxi’s talent was incomparable to anyone, including Shao Yunan, Wang Shijing, or anyone else. Jiang Moxi was a true genius, a prodigy. Though there were voices of opposition, they were all suppressed by the returning generals. Forget about the Deputy Minister of Works, even appointing Jiang Moxi as the Minister of Works was appropriate!

At ten years old, Jiang Moxi’s appointment as Deputy Minister shocked the court even more than Jiang Kangchen becoming an inner official. If Jiang Kangchen was an inner official and Jiang Kangning was Minister of Revenue, it could be said the Jiang family was rising. Jiang Moxi’s entry into the court directly indicated that the Jiang family was soaring to new heights. With the loyal and valiant Duke behind them, as well as King Luo Rong, who gained Emperor Yongming’s favor due to Crown Prince Murong, stepping into the ranks of the powerful, what could this Jiang family be if not rising to the top? What they didn’t know was that Jiang Moxi also held the title of head of a private workshop. If they did, the court would have been even more turbulent.

Many regretted not attempting to win over the Jiang family when their influence was weak, nor advancing their interests before Jiang Moxi was engaged to the daughter of Loyal and Brave Duke. Now that Jiang Moxi was engaged, attention turned to Jiang Kangchen and Jiang Kangning, who were still single. Many matchmakers vied to propose matches for them, crossing the thresholds of their mansions countless times.

In his heart, Jiang Kangchen only had eyes for the improving health of Wu Jian. Upon Wang Shijing’s return, he immediately sent Wu Jian to Jiang Kangchen’s mansion. Jiang Kangchen was straightforward, saying he would not marry again unless his son agreed, no matter whether to marry or to wed. Matchmakers dared to make trouble with Jiang Kangchen, but didn’t dare to say more to Jiang Moxi. With his poker-faced expression, Jiang Moxi could scare people away with just one glance. Jiang Kangning was equally decisive. The army’s victory allowed the Ministry of Revenue to breathe a sigh of relief, and Jiang Kangning approached his adoptive father. He had long admired his senior sister, Weng Yao, but since Weng Yao was already married, he could only suppress his feelings. When Weng Yao discovered her husband had an affair, she slapped him with a divorce decree. Now, the Weng family’s status had improved dramatically, and Weng Yao was determined to divorce. The other side dared not to defy, and there were many people waiting to watch the Weng family’s drama. As a result, Weng Yao returned to her mother’s home for not even two months before Jiang Kangning proposed.

Regardless of Weng Yao’s feelings towards Jiang Kangning, Weng Yao and Jiang Kangning were preparing to get engaged, waiting only for Loyal and Brave Duke family to return. With only one daughter, and no further children planned, but Jiang Kangning had already indicated that he did not care if he had his own offspring. The Jiang family had Jiang Moxi to inherit, and he felt no pressure to leave behind heirs. Weng Yao, who took her daughter back to the scene, was most grateful to Jiang Kangning on this matter.

In the palace, Emperor Yongming hosted a banquet for the generals after the success, followed by a family dinner at Jingyou Palace with Loyal and Brave Duke. Wasn’t it just a family dinner? The two-month-old Crown Prince had been out of the capital for seven months now and didn’t even recognize his own father and “mother.” Fortunately, the child was still young and forgetful, and as long as Emperor Yongming and Empress spent more time with him, he would become familiar. After all, he was the biological father and mother, and blood relations were there. However, they regretted not seeing the Crown Prince’s first turn and first climb, and the Empress and Emperor Yongming had some regrets, so Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan came back, and Shao Yunan had to stay in the palace for a while and wait for the Crown Prince to get used to his mother before returning to Loyal and Brave Duke Mansion.

The two children played “You roll me” with the golds on the side, pushed by the claws of the golds, and laughed happily. The little prince was raised by Shao Yunan with white flesh and was as cute as possible. The emperor was filled with happiness and joy. This meal was personally cooked by Shao Yunan, and Emperor Yongming and the Empress were not polite to him. Wang Qing, Nizi, and Jiang Moxi were all present. Jiang Moxi was part of the Jiang family, but he was also part of the Wang family. He had to attend this family dinner.

“I haven’t eaten Yunan’s food for almost a year. I really miss it,” Emperor Yongming said with satisfaction. After Shao Yunan became pregnant, the Empress didn’t let him cook. Emperor Yongming, who was always so determined to eat, couldn’t help but be greedy. Shao Yunan laughed at this, and the Empress said: “You are all safe back. The Empress and I can finally sleep peacefully. This time, thanks to you two.”

Wang Shijing shook his head: “Thanks to Moxi. If it weren’t for him, who knows how long this battle would have lasted.” With his and Yunan’s brains, even if there were books, they couldn’t have done much. Not to mention explosives, which had no books at all. Shao Yunan only remembered a rough material, how to match it, how to make it was all done by Jiang Moxi alone, and that was a very dangerous thing.

Emperor Yongming liked Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan’s attitude of not seeking merit and not being greedy for power, and Jiang Moxi focused on eating without saying a word. Emperor Yongming also liked his response very much.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shao Yunan said: “Emperor, Uncle, after the new year, we want to take the children back to Loyal and Brave Village. The ancestral temple of Loyal and Brave Duke has been built and we need to go back to open the temple.”

Emperor Yongming immediately said: “You should go back. I approve.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

In fact, Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan wanted to go back quietly. Jiang Moxi was the Deputy Minister of Works, but Emperor Yongming did not require him to sit in court every day or attend court. He only needed to be in charge of the Ministry of Works when necessary. In other words, Jiang Moxi was simply a senior technical expert.

Wang Shijing asked: “If we are not here this year, will the business of tea and wine be affected?”

The Empress replied: “Guo Ziyu is good. Spring tea, autumn tea, and milk wine have not been delayed. However, the auction house has been somewhat affected by the absence of tea and wine from Loyal and Brave Duke’s residence. However, with the wealth brought back from Huhar, it has been enough to make up for the loss.”

Shao Yunan said: “Emperor, Uncle, what my brother and I can do is just tea, wine, and so on, but for the real development of the country’s economy, these alone are far from enough. I once discussed with my eldest brother about the economic development plan of our country. This time I plan to write a more detailed one, but the specific implementation requires the coordination of various departments. These plans are just talk on paper, and I don’t have the ability to implement them.”

Emperor Yongming immediately said: “Your intention is enough.”

The Empress hinted: “The Emperor knows what you two are asking for, and won’t make things difficult for you.”

Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing both understood very well why Emperor Yongming and Empress trusted them so much. By saying these words, it also meant that their attitudes towards power would not change, no matter how great their contributions were. After the family banquet, Wang Shijing took three children and the two Gold back to their mansion. Brother Tiger and Shao Yunan stayed in the palace with two younger children. Before the Lunar New Year, Shao Yunan took Wang Xingyi back to the Loyal and Brave Duke mansion. Brother Tiger stayed temporarily in the palace to accompany the little crown prince, so he wouldn’t feel uncomfortable without familiar people around. Before returning home, Shao Yunan handed Emperor Yongming two thick volumes of detailed plans.

The New Year celebrations that year were the liveliest in the Dai household. After years stationed on the border, Dai Mingjun and Dai Mingrong returned. Unless there was another urgent military situation at the border, both of them could stay in the capital city. Dai Zhanxiao and Dai Zhanli were the same. Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan did not spend the New Year at the Loyal and Brave Duke mansion; they celebrated the New Year together with the Cen family at the Grand Marshal’s mansion. It had been so long since the Dai family had celebrated New Year’s together that no one could remember the last time.

On the night of New Year’s Eve, Dai Mingrong and Dai Mingjun got drunk. Drunk Dai Mingjun shed some manly tears while holding Shao Yunan. Wang Shijing quickly escorted him back to their room. Dai Zhanxiao and Dai Zhanli were already unconscious from drunkenness.

On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, a banquet was held at the Grand Marshal’s mansion. Emperor Yongming and Empress attended, not for anything else but to hold a wedding ceremony for Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan. The wedding was not extravagant but sufficiently grand. Elder Weng officiated the wedding. Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan earnestly kowtowed to their elders and served tea. Su Chenyi’s tears never stopped throughout the ceremony, and many in the Dai family were also moved to tears, especially Dai Mingrong. Even Wang Shijing was extremely excited. This was no longer the chaotic and reluctant wedding; it was a genuine union of two people in love. After this day, Shao Yunan truly became the legitimate wife of the Brave and Loyal Duke.

On the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, with Emperor Yongming’s approval, all the Dai family members left the capital city and returned to Loyal and Brave Village with the Loyal and Brave Duke family. Dai Mingjun and Dai Mingrong both wanted to visit, so they decided to go as a family. Old General Dai had never been there before, and both the Lord and Lady missed the leisurely life there.

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, firecrackers resounded outside the ancestral hall of the Loyal and Brave Duke. As the first head of the Dai family to return to Loyal and Brave Village, Wang Shijing held a brush and inscribed his name on the brand-new genealogy.

Head of the Family – Wang Shijing, Wife – Shao Yunan. Beneath their names were listed their eldest son, Wang Qing, eldest daughter, Wang Jingyan, and second son, Wang Xingyi.

All the villagers of Loyal and Brave Village witnessed the opening of the ancestral hall of the Loyal and Brave Duke and the glory bestowed upon the first generation of the Dai family.

On the first day of the third lunar month, Dai Mingjun and Dai Mingrong returned to the capital city. The court was once again astonished as Dai Mingjun and Dai Mingrong handed over the commands of the Flying Eagle Army and the Tiger Army. Emperor Yongming approved and rewarded the two generals generously. No one knew that this was Shao Yunan’s suggestion. Dai Mingjun and Dai Mingrong pleaded with the Emperor to let them go to Loyal and Brave Village to live a simple rural life with their wives, to make up for the years of neglect towards their families. Emperor Yongming granted their request. At the end of March, Dai Zhanli and Dai Zhanxiao returned to the capital city. Dai Zhanxiao asked Emperor Yongming to propose marriage to the Great King of Great Mountain Tribe on his behalf. He wished to marry Princess Wu Uzhen, and Emperor Yongming joyfully agreed. On the 20th of April, Dai Zhanxiao and the marriage proposal envoy sent by Emperor Yongming escorted Princess Wu Uzhen back to Great Mountain Tribe. In July of the same year, Princess Wu Uzhen returned to the capital city. It turned out that Dai Zhanxiao and Princess Wu Uzhen had already held a wedding ceremony in the Great Mountain Tribe. Shortly after returning, Princess Wu Uzhen was found to be pregnant. The wedding in Yan Nation was scheduled for October. Some people who had been staying in Loyal and Brave Village returned to the capital city for Dai Zhanxiao’s wedding preparations.

Many things and many people were progressing in a positive direction. After Dai Zhanxiao and Princess Wu Uzhen’s wedding ceremony, a grand ceremony was held in the palace. It was the wedding anniversary of Emperor Yongming and Empress Consort – their sixth sugary anniversary. The previous year, Shao Yunan was stationed on the border due to military affairs and couldn’t organize the wedding anniversary as planned for Emperor Yongming and Empress Consort. This time, having spent half a year in Loyal and Brave Village, Shao Yunan did not forget this occasion. This wedding anniversary was unforgettable not only for Emperor Yongming and Empress Consort but also for all the ministers and their families who attended. The attire of the Empress was as exquisite as the wedding attire of King Rong and Guo Zimu. It was the only one of its kind in the world, both magnificent and supremely noble. This ceremony made up for Emperor Yongming’s debts to Empress. From then on, every year, Emperor Yongming and Empress would hold a wedding anniversary ceremony, though none would be as grand as this one. Thus, celebrating wedding anniversaries became a custom in the Great State of Yan and gradually spread to other countries.

Edited by: Jaisland

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