Chapter 132.1

Chapter 132.1

Luoyang.

On the seventh day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year of the Lunar Calendar, the astrologer of the Grand Ceremony declared that it was an auspicious day for all matters.

On the night before the eighth day, the Lotus Terrace was bright. Xing Xun summoned the officials serving him to hold discussions all night long. He was sitting on the high platform, looking at the four seats underneath with delight. The officials were waiting for his orders, and everyone was smiling and waiting for news.

At that moment, Secretary Wei and Gao Zhun entered hurriedly, kneeling and offering a piece of yellow silk.

When he opened it, it was the imperial edict from the young emperor, Liu Tong, to ascend to the throne. He said that he was ashamed of his weak virtue and was willing to follow the example of the ancient sages by surrendering the throne to Xing Xun and sealing it with a jade seal.

Gao Zhun also reported that tomorrow, at an auspicious time, when all the officials and the Prime Minister ascended to the Hall of a Thousand Autumns, the young emperor would personally help him to ascend the throne and read the imperial edict of enthronement. When this was declared, a lot of joy in the Lotus Terrace sounded. The officials knelt and congratulated him.

Xing Xun was pleased to accept it. Amid all the praise and glory, he saw the councilor, Zhu Zeng, standing still, looking doubtful.

Zhu Zeng was Xing Xuns old advisor, supporting him from Henan to Luoyang, who has considerable seniority. At this moment, when everyone celebrates, only he does not kneel. Xing Xun was displeased, so he asked him a question.

Zhu Zeng returned to his house, his heart disturbed. At dawn, he received a secret report that Xing Xun had listened to Miss Sus advice and was coming to arrest and kill him, so he was terrified. Fortunately, Zhu Zheng did not have many family members in Luoyang. He immediately ran away from the south city gate. He wanted to go to Wei Shao, but the thought of Wei Shaos ruthless methods of dealing with his enemies made him shudder, so he turned around and ran to Hanzhong to join the Hanzhong Marquis, Le Zheng Gong, instead.

Xiao Qiao was now in her fourth month of pregnancy and kept vomiting. At its worst, she can hardly drink water and lies in bed most mornings and evenings. Fortunately, Chun Niang was there to take care of her, and half a month ago, Old Zhong also arrived at Xindu from Yuyang.

Old Zhong said Mrs. Xu was delighted to hear the good news. She specially sent her to attend alongside Chun Niang and reminded her to take good care of her body.

With both of them taking good care of her, Wei Shao was even more thoughtful. He held her in his hands for fear of dropping and in his mouth for fear of melting. Although he was busy with military affairs recently, he returned to accompany her whenever possible. Although her body was not feeling well, Xiao Qiao was happy. She sent a letter to Yanzhou to inform her father that she was pregnant.

In the daytime, a messenger arrived from Yanzhou and sent a letter back from her father. Qiao Ping was overjoyed and urged her to nurture her body. He said that Qiao Ci was busy with his military training. When Qiao Ci returned, he would tell him the good news. He also said that everything was fine at home and that she did not need to worry and told her to get along well with his son-in-law. Xiao Qiao read her fathers letter back and forth several times.

The letter did not explicitly say that, but from her brothers involvement in military training, she could see that her fathers side had never put down what they had discussed before. Her purpose when she advised her father to be strong was to avoid being a bird in the hall and not to be aware of the future disaster.

Even with Wei Shaos reassurance, Xiao Qiao not completely removed her defenses, but she was much more relaxed. But even so, Xiao Qiao still felt that Yanzhou should be strong. In such a chaotic world, only a strong army could turn around in case of an attack, no matter who was coming. It was better than asking for help every time. After she read her fathers words, which were probably unintentional, Xiao Qiao felt a sense of peace.