Chapter 281: The City Welcomes in Full, A Sea of People

Cicada cries rose and fell, the locust‑tree leaves at the bridgehead hung quietly, occasionally turning over to reveal their silvery‑white undersides.

Today is a rare fine day in June, neither stuffy nor sweltering.

Even the heat was largely washed away by last night's brief rain, leaving only a thin, just‑right warmth.

Now, the official road from Yongding Gate to Lugou Bridge is packed on both sides, countless commoners pressing shoulder to shoulder like a tide.

There are gentry riding sedan chairs in silk, scholars and Imperial Academy students riding donkeys in blue robes, and old soldiers and ordinary townsfolk walking in coarse short tunics.

Men, women, young and old, a sea of people clamoring, a noisy crowd that stretches a dozen‑plus li in a long line along the road from Lugou Bridge.

Many townsfolk know that today is the triumphant return of the current Lord Jing, Champion Grand General Jia Jing, and they have been waiting eagerly.

They also want to see what the new‑generation Da Han Empire war god Jia Jing, who has won ten battles in ten days, whose might shakes the world and whose name spreads across the seas, truly looks like.

The official road is already filled with Yulin Guard clad in iron armor and Imperial City Guard dressed in dark robes.

A roughly ten‑zhang‑wide gap in the middle serves as a dividing line, splitting the forces east and west, arranged in tight formation.

On the east side of Lugou Bridge stands a bright‑yellow imperial canopy.

In front of it is an imperial seat, with an incense table before the seat; the table is covered with yellow silk and set with three sacrificial animals, a wine goblet, an incense burner, and a candlestick.

Under the canopy, Jing Sheng Di stands with his hands behind his back, the jade beads of his crown tassels hanging before his eyes, motionless.

The twelve‑tassel crown presses against his brow ridge, shrouding half his face in jade shadows, revealing only a slender jaw and tightly pursed lips.

Jing Sheng Di's complexion is good today, his gaze carrying an inexplicable exhilarated hue.

The reason is not only that Jia Jing is about to return, but also because joyous events have been unfolding at court these days.

First, the recent Jingying rebellion was completely quelled by Marquis Wei Ning's forces, and the three surrounding prefectures of Shenjing remained undisturbed by rebels, lifting his spirits!

Later, in Liaodong, Qin Qiong led his army to a massive defeat of False Qing's tens of thousands of troops, and False Qing has already sent envoys willing to accept Da Han Empire's peace terms, further buoying Jing Sheng Di's heart.

When the good news arrived, Jing Sheng Di could not help but think to himself: Marquis Wei Ning and Qin Qiong truly are the capable generals Zi Jie speaks of; even leading troops alone they can achieve victory, a martial skill far surpassing that of some civil officials who have never seen battle.

Behind Jing Sheng Di, two eunuchs hold up yellow silk canopy covers; the edges are draped with a ring of golden‑yellow ornaments, casting a circular shade over his head.

Next to the eunuchs stand Imperial City Guard officers, knives in hand, their armor flashing cold light in the sun, standing upright in silent rows from the yellow canopy all the way to the bridgehead.

Jing Sheng Di's eyes keep gazing westward, his look filled with obvious anticipation and urgency.

The dozens‑of‑li road is bleached white by the morning light, its far end disappearing on the line where heaven meets earth.

Beside Jing Sheng Di stands the current Crown Prince Zhu Yunbiao.

Zhu Yunbiao is Jing Sheng Di's legitimate eldest son, fifteen this year, wearing a blue python robe, a jade belt, his face like a crowned jade.

At this moment his face is tightly set, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, his gaze revealing a hint of excitement and enthusiasm.

Behind Zhu Yunbiao are the Retired Emperor's son Yi Wang, Zhongshun Wang, and other royal relatives lined up in order.

The civil and military officials stand on both sides of the canopy, divided left and right, arranged by rank.

Civil officials on the left, from Grand Council ministers to the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers, the Ministry of Communications, the Court of Judicial Review, the Censorate, and the Office of the Imperial Historian, line up awaiting.

Although the civil officials stand straight, their expressions all betray apprehension and solemnity.

Imperial Censors such as Sun Jiacheng occasionally glance toward the Ministry of Rites and the musicians of the Honglu Temple, looking as if about to speak but holding back.

The military officials on the right, from Prince Nan'an, Prince Bejing, to the Five Military Governor's Office and the lineages of Kai Guo and Jing Nan, await anxiously.

By Jing Sheng Di's decree, among the thousands of officials in the capital, essentially everyone who could attend has arrived!

Not far away, by a willow grove near the Yongding Riverbank, countless carriages bearing bronze plaques of Shenjing's various offices are parked.

The carriages are filled with the families of Shenjing's civil and military officials; many are there for the spectacle, and quite a few young ladies have come specifically for Jia Jing.

On one carriage bearing the Nian family's bronze plaque,

Nian Shilan and her sister‑in‑law Li Shi sit inside; Nian Shilan wears a pomegranate‑flowered jacket, her bright face full of burning hope, her hand clutching and re‑clutching a handkerchief!

Li Shi, seeing her childlike demeanor, can't help but lift the corner of her mouth and say with a smile:

"Lord Jing's recent victory and return to the capital, with the border passes free of conflict for the time being, he should take up residence in Shenjing City and intimidate the night‑crawling riff‑raff."

"He is now of age, so his marriage matters should be settled!"

"In a few days, my mother and I will take you to Rong Guo Mansion for a visit; whether it works out depends on whether you have fate."

Hearing this, Nian Shilan's delicate face could not help but show a hint of nervousness.

She lightly placed both hands on her lap and said shyly:

"These days his power grows ever more eminent; others say he should marry a princess or a county lady!"

Originally, matters of marriage should keep a maiden modest and not speak much.

But since it concerns the happiness of the rest of her life, how can Nian Shilan remain completely indifferent and calm!

Li Shi, hearing this, pondered:

"In any marriage, the families should be well‑matched; then both spouses have confidence and can treat each other with respect."

"Given Lord Jing's current status, marrying a princess or county lady is indeed more fitting."

"However, according to our dynasty's rules, a son‑in‑law or county‑son‑in‑law cannot hold real power; even if the Son of Heaven favors them and breaks precedent, it would not be a good choice for Lord Jing!"

"Our family, being a top‑rank official lineage, does have some gap with Lord Jing's household, but the gap is not large."

"Moreover, in our customs, women should aim high, so in terms of family background you are not overreaching!"

"But a young celebrity like Lord Jing, even if he is unique across the world, the ultimate outcome is anyone's guess!"

Li Shi, as the official wife of Nian Xiyao and also from a great household, naturally has her own perspective.

The more insight she has, the more she understands how rare a figure like the young Lord Jia Jing, ennobled at such an age, truly is!

If Nian Shilan truly becomes Jia Jing's principal wife, the Nian family would truly have secured a foothold among the Da Han Empire's top families!

One must admit, Nian Gengyao's impeachment by the Imperial Censors has given the Nian family a hint of crisis, making them even more eager to seek a marriage alliance with Jia Jing!

Not far from the Nian family carriages, the Prince Bejing's carriages are parked.

Princess Bejing's consort, Zhen Shi, has already become a married woman, so she need not hide herself as strictly as the inner‑chamber maidens.