AUBTN -Chapter 341 A Brief Period of Peace

Have Lin Wei risk his life on the frontlines while keeping the eldest son of the Xiao family in the capital as a hostage—quietly reclaiming the military authority of the Southern Border back into the hands of the central court!

“Good!” The young emperor slammed his palm against the imperial desk.

“We shall proceed exactly as my two beloved ministers suggest! Issue the decree!”

That very night, an urgent imperial edict, along with half of the tiger tally, was delivered into Lin Wei’s hands.

At the same time, the Xiao family’s eldest son, now the new Prince of Zhennan, entered the grand residence bestowed by the emperor in the capital carrying the ashes of his father and younger sister, overflowing with gratitude.

A feudal rebellion that had nearly plunged the realm into bloody chaos was dissolved soundlessly before it could erupt.

A few days later, outside the capital at the Ten-Mile Pavilion.

A small cavalry squad was preparing to head south.

Dressed in plain mourning clothes, Lin Wei sat atop his horse and looked back once at the prosperous yet cold capital city.

He touched the half of the tiger tally resting against his chest, and that frail yet stubborn figure once again surfaced in his mind.

“Young General… do you see it? I protected the Southern Border for you.”

Lin Wei suddenly cracked his whip, eyes reddened, and galloped away into the distance.

Meanwhile, atop the lofty city walls—

Su Hewan and Yu Qing stood side by side, watching the departing riders.

【Xiao Yuyao, he understood your command. Your soldiers… he protected them.】

Su Hewan spoke silently in her heart. The breeze brushed past the loose strands of hair on her forehead, her eyes filled with tenderness for the women of this era.

【Here’s to you, Goddess of War. In another world free of prejudice, may you ride fierce horses, draw your bow freely, and live without restraint for your entire life.】

Yu Qing sniffled and very seriously made a salute gesture in her heart.

Not far away, hidden within the shadow of the city wall—

Lu Yan and Shen Jue, for once, did not mock each other.

It felt as though everyone was fighting with all their strength for this flourishing age.

With Lin Wei returning to the Southern Border, the case of the Prince Zhennan Manor was finally sealed away completely within the archives.

The storms of bloodshed that had lingered for days finally dispersed, and the skies over the capital at last cleared.

Over the past few days, however, the atmosphere within the rear residence of the Prime Minister’s Manor had undergone a rather bizarre transformation!

Smack!

A crisp sound of a judge’s block echoed through the spacious flower hall of the manor—though in reality, it was merely a fine rosewood paperweight.

Yu Qing sat upright in her chair, every inch of her expression radiating the authority of a proper matriarch of the household.

Below her, the steward matrons, accountants, and servant girls stood in two neat rows, all holding their breath in utter silence.

“Madam Liu,” Yu Qing said as she set down her teacup, smiling pleasantly at an old woman dripping in gold and silver jewelry.

“You claim that because the bird’s nest purchased was of poor quality, there was a thirty percent loss in silver?”

Relying on her status as an old servant of the manor, Madam Liu forced a dry laugh.

“Replying to Your Highness, that is indeed the case. The goods on the market these days—”

“Cut the nonsense about market prices!” Yu Qing slammed the table fiercely.

“I already sent people to check the East Market yesterday. For bird’s nest of the exact same quality, the amount you reported is double the market price! What, was your bird’s nest lined with gold? Or does eating it let people ascend to immortality on the spot?”

Madam Liu’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to her knees with a thud.

“Starting today, the Prime Minister Manor’s inner court will implement a KPI evaluation system!” Yu Qing rose to her feet, the wide hem of her dress sweeping out an elegant arc.

“In other words—performance evaluations! Those who do well will get double monthly wages, plus year-end bonuses! Anyone caught embezzling, slacking off, or lining their own pockets will have their entire year’s wages deducted and be kicked out immediately! Understood?!”

“U-Understood…”

The troublesome servants, shaken by these unprecedented thunderous methods, kowtowed repeatedly. Looking at this young madam—who normally cried and caused a fuss all day—they now felt as though they were staring at a living bodhisattva.

No… a living King of Hell.

Outside the flower hall, Lu Yan had just returned from duty and stood with his hands behind his back, listening to the sharp reprimands echoing from inside.

His face was filled with indulgent affection.

A softness flickered through Lu Yan’s eyes as he strode into the flower hall.

“Your Highness!” The servants reacted as though they had seen their savior and hurriedly bowed.

Yu Qing’s expression changed in an instant. Her earlier arrogance vanished completely as she scampered over and threw herself into Lu Yan’s arms, her voice sweet enough to melt water.

“Husband~ You’re finally back! These people are bullying me because I can’t calculate the accounts properly. They’ve given me such a headache from anger!”

Lu Yan indulgently flicked her nose.

“With the way you were acting, who would even dare bully you?” he said as he naturally wrapped an arm around her slender waist.

But his cold, sharp gaze still swept over the trembling servants.

“Everything in the Prime Minister’s estate is under the Princess Consort’s authority. Anyone who dares disobey openly while complying in secret can prepare themselves for the torture instruments of the imperial prison at any time.”

The servants shook like leaves and scrambled out in terror.

All of them felt that their young master had truly changed. In the past, when had he ever spoken so harshly to the servants?

Looking down at the smiling girl in his arms, Lu Yan suddenly felt that the once cold and oppressive Prime Minister’s estate finally carried the warmth of real life.

Meanwhile, back at Yu Garden, after Yu Qing moved out with Lu Yan, Su Hewan devoted nearly all her energy to studying ancient texts, occasionally helping Yu Qing manage the merchant guild’s affairs as well.

To everyone’s surprise, Shen Jue had actually requested an extended leave from the young emperor.

The morning marketplace buzzed noisily with activity.

Su Hewan held a small notebook in her hand, carefully selecting medicinal herbs.

And behind her followed a tall, elegant man.

In his hand was a bamboo grocery basket that completely clashed with his refined temperament.

“Boss, this danggui isn’t high enough quality, and it hasn’t aged long enough either. According to the Han Dynasty preparation methods, the medicinal effects would be greatly reduced. At most, it’s worth twenty copper coins.”

Su Hewan calmly bargained with the herbal shop owner, her logic so airtight that he had no room to argue back.

Standing beside her, Shen Jue watched quietly. The usual sharpness in his peach blossom eyes had long since melted into helpless indulgence and tenderness.

After buying the herbs, the two of them picked up some fresh meat and vegetables, looking exactly like the most ordinary loving couple in the capital.

Once they returned to Yu Garden, Shen Jue unexpectedly rolled up his sleeves and walked into the kitchen.

Half an hour later—

Bang!

A muffled explosion came from the kitchen, followed by billowing smoke.

Startled, Su Hewan rushed inside, only to find Shen Jue holding a spatula blackened by soot.

Two streaks of ash smeared across his handsome face as he stared at the unidentifiable lump in the wok that emitted a horrifying burnt smell.

Su Hewan suddenly burst into laughter, bending over from laughing too hard.

“Your Highness, I truly think cooking just doesn’t suit you. Please show mercy to the kitchen!”

Shen Jue stiffened awkwardly and coughed lightly.

Then he tossed the spatula aside.

“My wife is right. How about… we just go eat at Tianxiang Tower instead?” Shen Jue attempted to salvage the last shred of his dignity.

After laughing enough, Su Hewan walked over calmly, picked up a pair of chopsticks, grabbed a charred piece of potato, and placed it into her mouth.

Shen Jue’s heart instantly leapt to his throat.

“It’s actually not bad.” Su Hewan maintained a perfectly straight face as she took a bite.

Watching her desperately chew, Shen Jue felt both amused and heartbroken.

He snatched the chopsticks from her hand, then pulled out a spotless white handkerchief from his robes and gently wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth.

“Don’t eat it anymore, silly girl,” Shen Jue sighed softly as he pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin atop her head.

“In the future, we’ll leave cooking to the chefs. My life belongs to you, but I can’t let you lose yours over my cooking.”

Leaning against his chest, Su Hewan let out a soft laugh.

No matter what—

days like this were truly wonderful.