Chapter 149: Personally Going to Yanjing

Morning light sprinkled on the blue‑brick floor inside the front hall of Weiyang Palace, adding a touch of softness.

Liu Ju prepared to personally go to Yanjing to select a site.

At this moment he was bidding farewell to the pregnant Li Yan; looking at the strong Han woman radiant with maternal brilliance, his gaze instantly softened like water.

Li Yan wore loose robes, her belly slightly swollen; with one hand she gently stroked her belly, with the other she tightly gripped Liu Ju's sleeve, her eyes full of reliance and reluctance.

"Your Majesty, the journey to Yanjing is far; you must be extra careful."

Her voice was soft, with a slight tremor.

Liu Ju gently took Li Yan's hand and soothed, "Yan'er, rest assured, I will return safely. Since you are pregnant, you must take good care of yourself."

He leaned slightly and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Li Yan slightly raised her head, tears glimmering in her eyes, and said, "Your Majesty, Yanjing is remote and the conditions harsh; while away you must watch your diet and avoid catching cold. On this arduous journey, if you feel any discomfort, you must rest promptly."

She said this while gently adjusting his collar with her hand.

Immediately Li Yan clung tightly to Liu Ju's embrace and whispered, "Before Your Majesty leaves, you should still visit the Empress Dowager."

Liu Ju gently patted her back, they held each other for a long time until the sound of guards urging them came from outside the hall.

Liu Ju gave Li Yan another deep look, then proceeded to the Pepper Chamber.

Stepping into the Pepper Chamber, Liu Ju saw Empress Wei Zifu seated dignifiedly on the main seat, her expression gentle and compassionate.

Shi Liangdi stood to one side, dressed in a simple gauze skirt, her posture graceful.

Seeing Liu Ju enter, she lowered her head slightly, a blush rising on her cheeks.

Liu Ju stepped forward a few paces, bowed respectfully to Empress Wei Zifu, and said, "Empress Dowager, your subject is about to set out for Yanjing to select a site; I have come specially to bid you farewell."

Empress Wei Zifu nodded slightly, her eyes full of concern, and said, "Ju, the road to Yanjing is long; you must be extra careful. Yan'er is pregnant and cannot accompany you; after much thought I believe Liangdi can stay by your side. She is gentle and virtuous, and will surely look after you on the journey."

Liu Ju blinked slightly, his gaze turning to Shi Liangdi.

Shi Liangdi felt Liu Ju's gaze, lowered her head further, and unconsciously clutched the hem of her clothes.

Liu Ju understood: Shi Liangdi had been in the palace for a long time, yet this was their first meeting; evidently Empress Wei Zifu and Li Yan had tacitly agreed to this.

Li Ju found this arrangement quite proper.

"Thank you for your instructions, Empress Dowager."

Liu Ju replied.

Shi Liangdi, hearing this, slightly bent her knees in a salute, her voice soft as a mosquito's hum, saying, "I will devote myself wholeheartedly to serving Your Majesty."

Looking at Shi Liangdi's appearance, Liu Ju couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.

He spoke softly, "Liangdi, you need not stand on ceremony; if you feel any discomfort on this arduous road, just let me know."

Shi Liangdi lifted her head slightly, glanced quickly at Liu Ju, then lowered it again; her cheeks grew ever redder, and she replied softly, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Empress Wei Zifu watched the two, gave a slight nod, and a flicker of relief passed through her eyes.

"All right, Ju, you may go. I will await your good news in the palace."

Liu Ju bowed again to Empress Wei Zifu, then left the Pepper Chamber with Shi Liangdi.

On the day of departure, Liu Ju's procession was grand and mighty.

Accompanying him were many officials, artisans, and a convoy laden with supplies.

Upon hearing that the emperor would personally go to Yanjing, the common people spontaneously came forth, bringing their families and simple bundles, joining the migration.

Along the roads, crowds surged, wheels rolled, kicking up clouds of dust.

Liu Ju and Shi Liangdi rode together in a spacious, comfortable carriage; at first the atmosphere inside was somewhat stiff.

Shi Liangdi sat quietly in a corner, her hands folded on her knees; she occasionally glanced up furtively at Liu Ju, then quickly lowered her head.

Liu Ju tried to break the silence, gently asking about her situation; Shi Liangdi replied softly, her voice pleasant to hear.

As the carriage jolted along the rough road, Liu Ju lectured Shi Liangdi on his plans and hopes for Yanjing; she listened attentively, nodding now and then, her eyes full of admiration.

Upon reaching the banks of the Weishui River, everyone transferred to large boats.

The boats were broad, beautifully decorated, with sails hoisted high.

Liu Ju stood at the prow, gazing at the mighty fleet and the crowds lining the shore, his heart full of emotion.

The fleet proceeded along the waterway and arrived at Wuqing.

Liu Ju led everyone ashore to rest briefly.

Two days later, Liu Ju's party, after enduring a long journey, finally entered the Yanjing region.

The outline of this future secondary capital had long been clear in his mind; now, determining the best site for the imperial palace had become the utmost priority.

The Governor of Jicheng, Li Wan, came from afar to the Wuqing region to personally welcome the emperor's procession.

He had carefully chosen the widest, flattest official road in the Wuqing area as the welcoming site, organizing the city's artisans and common folk to sweep the road spotless.

When Liu Ju's procession appeared in the distance, Li Wan promptly adjusted his attire, donned fresh official robes, put on a black gauze hat, fastened a jade belt, and solemnly led the officials in kneeling to welcome him.

Behind him stood neatly ranked soldiers, clad in bright armor and holding long spears, displaying military might.

As Liu Ju's carriage slowly approached, Li Wan shouted loudly:

"Governor Li Wan of Jicheng, leading the officials and commoners of Wuqing, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty's imperial carriage! May Your Majesty live ten thousand, ten thousand, myriad myriad years!"

Liu Ju lifted the carriage curtain, saw the crowd kneeling in welcome, and gave a slight nod.

Li Wan carefully raised his head, eyes full of awe, quickly stepped forward to the carriage, knelt on one knee, and presented a beautiful tray bearing a string of scent beads made from precious spices—a local specialty and his carefully prepared gift.

"Your Majesty, these are Wuqing's specialty scent beads; their fragrance is pleasant, they can dispel illness and ward off evil—I hope you will accept them."

Liu Ju took the scent beads, gave them a gentle sniff, and smiled faintly: "Li Aiqing, you have been thoughtful."

Li Wan's heart brimmed with joy; he quickly said, "Your Majesty's personal visit is a blessing for Jicheng; this humble servant will spare no effort to make thorough arrangements for Your Majesty's journey."

Thereafter, Li Wan led Liu Ju's procession toward Jicheng.

In the city, lanterns were already hung and banners strung; the townspeople stood along the roads, kneeling and shouting "Long live!"

Li Wan walked on, introducing Liu Ju to Wuqing's local customs and resources.

Liu Ju listened attentively, occasionally raising questions, and Li Wan answered each one in detail.

After Liu Ju settled in Jicheng, he expressed his desire to go incognito to search for the imperial palace site.

Li Wan hurriedly had people bring out the several sets of plans that had long been prepared, and respectfully presented them to Liu Ju.

"Your Majesty, I, your subject, know that Your Majesty cares about the construction of the secondary capital; these past few days I have worked day and night, consulted with the talented people of the city, and prepared these several sets of imperial palace site selection plans for Your Majesty. The plans have taken into detailed consideration factors such as terrain, feng shui, and transportation at each location. Your Majesty need only review them to know the merits and demerits of each place, without having to personally travel and weary yourself."

Liu Ju frowned slightly, took the plans, flipped through a few pages casually, and couldn't help but feel doubtful.