Chapter 06
Just his side profile alone was breathtakingly handsome, possessing an ethereal elegance and a cool, peerless beauty.
At some point, the fruit in Zhou Qiao’s hand had slipped to the ground. Her thoughts had already drifted after that figure dressed in white.
After all these years, there was actually someone like this in the palace!
But…
Zhou Qiao tilted her head.
Why did he look a little familiar?
She saw Dugu Linzhou kneel and salute.
“Your son greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress!”
The man beside the Sixth Prince, however, did not kneel. He merely inclined his head slightly.
Zhou Qiao’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Zhan Lanze, hostage prince of Southern Chu, greets Your Majesty.”
“It’s him?!”
Countless memories flooded into her mind at once. The astonishment in Zhou Qiao’s eyes was instantly swept away by indignation.
“Didn’t he become a monk?!”
Chapter 3: Peeping
“Qiao’er, what’s wrong?”
Seeing Zhou Qiao staring fixedly in the direction of the Sixth Prince’s table, Zhou Li gently squeezed her hand.
Only then did Zhou Qiao snap back to reality.
“Big Sister, that manâ”
Zhou Li followed her gaze, but Dugu Linzhou and Zhan Lanze had already taken their seats. As the music and dancing resumed, they were hidden from view.
When the performance ended, the Emperor nodded to the Chief Grand Eunuch, Eunuch Deren.
Holding the imperial decree, Eunuch Deren stepped forward. All the officials rose and knelt to receive the decree.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decreesâ”
“Grand General of Cavalry Gu Shengyuan personally led the Yanlin Army in defending Hujiang for seven years, allowing Northern Jin to recuperate and prosper in peace. In recognition of the Gu family’s outstanding achievements, Gu Shengyuan is hereby promoted to Grand Commandant of Military Supervision, with a rank equal to that of a Marquis, and shall oversee Northern Jin’s military affairs.”
“His son, Gu Tingwei, whose valor surpasses even that of his father, is hereby promoted to General Yunhui and appointed Deputy Commander of the Yanlin Army!”
“Deputy General Li Yunlan repeatedly infiltrated enemy camps alone, helping our forces overcome countless obstacles. He is hereby granted the title of General of Tiger Might and awarded a Grand General’s Manor!”
The rewards continued according to military rank until it was finally Zhou Qiao’s turn.
She straightened her back and looked excitedly at the imperial decree in Eunuch Deren’s hands.
“Mounted Archery Commandant Zhou Qiao, whose courage rivals any man, whose arrows never miss even from a hundred paces away, and who single-handedly shot and killed the enemy deputy commander during the Battle of Biting Pavilion through both bravery and strategy, has brought honor to her family’s military legacy. She is hereby promoted to Lieutenant General of the Yanlin Army, awarded ten thousand taels of gold, and granted a fief of one thousand households!”
Zhou Li had never imagined that Zhou Qiao was truly this capable. She had always believed General Gu merely took extra care of Zhou Qiao out of respect for their late father.
Now, Zhou Qiao had earned these honors through her own merit, bringing glory to the family. Zhou Li felt both immense pride and heartache, wiping away tears again and again. Once Zhou Qiao had thanked the Emperor alongside the other officers, she intended to ask all about the battles and, more importantly, carefully check whether her sister had suffered any injuries.
Yet Zhou Qiao remained kneeling upright, her face filled with dissatisfaction.
“Your Majesty, Zhou Qiao refuses to accept this!”
“Oh?”
The crowd instinctively parted, allowing the Emperor to see the stubborn, proud young woman before him.
“So it’s the youngest child of the Zhou family. Rise and speak. I have bestowed countless rewards upon you. Why are you still dissatisfied?”
Zhou Qiao stepped forward into the center of the hall and declared, word by word,
“Why has Your Majesty not granted me the title of General? We all defended Hujiang. We all fought on the battlefield. Everyone else has been made a General, so why is Zhou Qiao the only one who has not?”
The question was so direct and forceful that everyone present drew in a sharp breath.
Below, Gu Shengyuan slapped his thigh in frustration.
He had spoiled this girl too much. Being blunt in the military camp was one thing, but now she was speaking to the Emperor in the imperial court with the same reckless candor, showing not the slightest hint of tact.
Whispers immediately spread throughout the hall.
Even the legitimate imperial princesses would never have dared challenge the Emperor so openly.
What respectable family’s daughter didn’t remain within the inner quarters, devoting herself to music, chess, calligraphy, painting, embroidery, and weaving?
Yet this young woman had spent years living and eating alongside men in the military camp, and now she even intended to compete with them for military honors and official rank.
