Chapter 780: I want to go see what junk I can pick up

That night, the palace was ablaze with lights.

The main hall of the Goryeo palace was small, even smaller than the main hall of a prince's mansion in Lieguo.

But at this moment, bathed in the hall's candlelight, it appeared solemn and warm.

Wang Jingzhao sat in the seat of honor.

To his right were Wang Jingning, Wang Cheng'an, and several leaders of the Goryeo righteous army.

To his left sat Xiao Yuanhang holding his daughter, Chu Yuan, and the Lieguo generals in order.

Wang Jingzhao raised his wine cup toward Xiao Yuanhang: "Your Highness Prince Ning."

Seeing this, Xiao Yuanhang also raised his cup.

Wang Jingzhao lifted his cup toward everyone present: "Generals."

Everyone raised their cups.

Wang Jingzhao tried to keep his voice steady, but could not hide his excitement: "I could return to the palace only thanks to your bloody struggle."

"On behalf of all Goguryeo people, I offer you a cup."

Having said that, he drained his cup.

Xiao Yuanhang raised his cup in return: "Your Majesty, you overpraise."

"Our victory came from the soldiers who feared no death, and from the Goguryeo people united in heart and strength."

Having spoken, he drank the cup dry and gently set it on the table.

Tuan Tuan curiously took it, sniffed, and her little brows immediately furrowed.

Xiao Yuanhang smiled faintly, silently taking the cup from his daughter's hand and moving it farther away.

Wang Jingzhao set down his cup and looked at Wang Cheng'an.

Wang Cheng'an understood and said: "Your Highness Prince Ning, although the royal city has been recovered, remnants of the Dongying troops still roam other cities."

"After consulting with General Zheng, we agreed that the subsequent mop‑up would be handled entirely by the Goguryeo army; the Lieguo soldiers, after successive bloody battles, should also rest and recuperate."

Zheng Wucheng clasped his fists: "Your Highness! I pledge to clear all Dongying remnants from Goguryeo territory within a month!"

Xiao Yuanhang gave a slight nod: "General Zheng, with such determination, I naturally feel at ease."

"Issue the order: effective immediately, the entire army will rest, treat the wounded, and tend to the warhorses."

Zhang Wu'an grinned: "At last we can get a sound sleep."

Xiao Er nodded, a carefree smile spreading across his dark face.

Wang Jingzhao ordered: "Bring them up!"

Several eunuchs carried in a few wooden chests.

They set the chests on the ground and lifted the lids.

Everyone saw that inside lay neatly stacked brocade, ginseng, a few Goguryeo waist‑blades inlaid with gems, and several boxes of jewels.

Wang Cheng'an said: "These blades may not match your country's refined steel, but they are the heart and blood of Goguryeo craftsmen."

"His Majesty presents these to you generals as a token of his sincerity; I hope you will not decline."

The Lieguo generals all clasped their fists: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous gift."

Wang Jingzhao waved his hand, rose, and walked straight to Chu Yuan, performing a proper salute.

"Honored National Preceptor," he raised his head, eyes full of respect: "Had it not been for your intervention during the night of a hundred ghosts, the army's morale would have shattered and there would be no siege today."

"Moreover, in today's assault you used white mist to shield the siege wagons and broke the Dongying yin‑yang master's poison barrier; I am deeply grateful."

"Without you here, I do not know how many more soldiers would have been lost."

Chu Yuan rose to return the salute: "I merely did my duty; the true credit goes to my little disciple."

He glanced at Tuan Tuan, cheeks bulging as she ate: "If not for her, I could not have handled this so easily."

Tuan Tuan lifted her head: "Those gray mists are annoying! I just let the wind blow them away!"

A low chuckle rippled through the hall.

Wang Jingzhao also laughed, waved his hand, and a eunuch hurried over, presenting him with a sandalwood box.

Wang Jingzhao opened the box; inside lay a yellowed ancient scroll, its paper darkened, edges slightly curled—clearly aged.

"Honored National Preceptor, this is a Daoist scripture treasured by the Goguryeo royal house, said to have crossed the sea from Zhongyuan long ago."

"Today I present it to you, National Preceptor, wishing the Taoist Priest eternal longevity."

Chu Yuan received it with both hands, gave a slight nod: "Your Majesty's thoughtfulness is appreciated; I thank you."

Wang Jingzhao turned to Tuan Tuan: "Princess, on behalf of all Goguryeo people, I thank you for saving my life."

Tuan Tuan lifted her little face to him: "You don't need to thank me!"

"My father and brothers, my uncles are all fighting; of course I have to help!"

Wang Jingzhao untied a jade pendant from his waist and held it before Tuan Tuan.

The pendant was entirely green jade, carved with a blooming hibiscus.

Wang Jingzhao said: "This jade pendant is a heirloom passed down through the Goguryeo royal line; my father entrusted it to me when he died for the nation."

He paused: "Today I bestow it upon you, Princess."

"From now on, whenever you set foot in Goguryeo, it will be as if I myself were there."

"The Goguryeo people will never forget your kindness."

Tuan Tuan took the pendant, examined it, and lifted it to show her father: "Dad, look, there's a beautiful flower on it!"

Chu Yuan smiled faintly: "That is Goguryeo's national flower, the hibiscus."

Xiao Yuanhang also smiled: "Accept it, Tuan Tuan; this is the king's heartfelt gift."

Tuan Tuan carefully placed the jade pendant into her little sachet, patted it gently, and said: "I've got it safe! Thank you, Sister Jingning's brother!"

Wang Jingzhao blinked, then burst out laughing: "Hahaha, 'Sister Jingning's brother'—well said!"

Wang Jingning looked at Tuan Tuan and couldn't stop smiling lightly; this little companion not only is so capable, but constantly thinks of me—how wonderful!

Xiao Ran almost spat out his drink, and Chen Hao hurriedly patted his back.

Xiao Ningchen leaned back against the chair, a slight smile at the corner of his lips.

Xiao Ningxun laughed, shook his head, and gave his sister a thumbs‑up.

Xiao Er and Lu Qi exchanged a glance: How can the miss be so cute!

Wang Jingzhao walked back to his seat, sat down, faced Xiao Yuanhang, and straightened his attire.

"Prince Ning, I have written the state letter and present it to His Majesty the Emperor of the Fiery Nation."

The inner attendant hurriedly handed over a scroll of yellow silk, which was spread out on the desk.

Wang Jingzhao read aloud in a clear voice: "King of Goryeo, Wang Jingzhao, reporting to His Majesty the Emperor of the Fiery Nation, the Eastern Sea has invaded, the state is on the brink of collapse, the former king perished for the nation, and the people are being slaughtered."

"Fortunately, His Majesty the Emperor has shown mercy, sending Prince Ning to lead the heavenly troops across the sea to help me restore the nation; this grace will be remembered by Goryeo for generations."

"From today onward, Goryeo wishes to submit to His Majesty the Emperor of the Fiery Nation, forever becoming a vassal."

He rolled up the yellow silk, hand‑delivered it to Prince Ning: "Here is the state letter; please, Prince Ning, forward it to His Majesty the Emperor of the Fiery Nation."

Xiao Yuanhang rose, took the state letter with both hands, his expression solemn: "I, the king, will certainly present the letter to His Majesty."

Wang Cheng'an raised his cup: "This restoration of the nation is thanks to the heavenly troops of the Fiery Nation, to the sage rulership, and to all the generals! Everyone, please enjoy!"

"Cheers to the sovereign! Cheers to Prince Ning! Cheers to the Fiery Nation and Goryeo!"

The ministers responded in unison, the hall filled with the scent of wine and bursts of laughter.

Early the next morning, Xiao Yuanhang personally wrote the battle report, and together with Wang Jingzhao's state letter, dispatched a swift boat to deliver them back to Jingcheng.

Wang Jingning took Tuan Tuan and ran around the palace.

Tuan Tuan found everything she saw fresh and exciting.

She stared at the half‑moon wig on Wang Jingning's head: "Jingning, why do you wear such a big thing on your head?"

Wang Jingning lifted his hand and touched it: "This, you see, is called a hair coil, used for arranging hair."

Tuan Tuan stuck out a finger and poked it: "Isn't it heavy?"

Wang Jingning nodded: "It is heavy, but it must be worn."

She pointed at the hairpin on the hair coil: "Look, the silver hairpin with plum‑and‑bamboo pattern is the mark of a princess."

"Oh," Tuan Tuan said gratefully, "good thing I don't have to wear one."

"Jingning, do your ministers also have to wear them? They're big and heavy, that's why they're called ministers."

Wang Jingning: "…"

Xiao Er: "…"

The two chatted and laughed as they arrived at the entrance of a side hall.

The attendant who followed replied: "Princesses, this is where the Eastern Sea yin‑yang master previously resided."

Xiao Er's expression darkened at the words.

Wang Jingning shrank a bit, pulling Tuan Tuan's sleeve, unwilling to go in: "Tuan Tuan, this place is terribly scary; let's not go inside."

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Great! I want to see what junk I can pick up!"

Wang Jingning: "…"