Chapter 285: Today I First Realize the Duke of Jing's Grandeur!

Inside the Rong Guo Mansion carriage,

Feng Jie stared with her crimson phoenix eyes at the scene, her mouth slightly pursed, her expression full of disbelief!

She has always loved wielding power and wealth, loving the feeling of being adored by all.

In the past, being vied for by hundreds in the Rong Guo Mansion, she thought she had reached life's pinnacle.

But now she saw Jia Jing being greeted by ten thousand people bowing their heads, many of whom were senior ministers and princes she never usually saw.

She then realized her petty second‑madam's prestige in the mansion meant nothing!

In an instant, her eyes flashed, and her burning desire for power surged wildly!

She even imagined herself wearing a phoenix crown and rosy robe in Jia Jing's place, substituting herself to enjoy this spotlight of ten thousand worshippers.

If someday she could experience such awe‑inspiring grandeur, it would be worth dying for instantly!

Feng Jie's face flushed oddly, clearly having imagined reaching a cerebral climax!

Mrs. Xing at this moment leaned to the carriage window, stretching her neck long to look out, almost shouting to the surroundings, "That's my son!"

In the carriage beside them,

Baichai's round fan in her hand had stopped at an unknown time, the fan leaf resting askew on her knee.

She sat upright, eyes fixed on Jia Jing's figure outside the window, a captivating sparkle flashing in her almond eyes beneath graceful brows.

Her cheeks, white as frost, glowed crimson like sunrise, her heart pounding so fiercely it rose to her throat.

Baichai, who believes in "a good wind lifts me to the azure clouds," felt an equally turbulent heart now!

Yet, her thoughts differed from Feng Jie; Feng Jie wanted to substitute herself.

She imagined standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Jia Jing, being taken by his hand and called "princess," that would make her life worthwhile!

Baichai's almond eyes filled with tenderness, and she silently made a decision!

Daiyu's gaze beneath her misty brows showed both delight for Jia Jing and an unavoidable vague melancholy!

She thought: Third Brother's power has become ever more eminent! Yet it seems to drift farther from her!

She lightly inhaled, a trace of sourness stirring in her heart.

Yet recalling today is Jia Jing's celebratory day, she suppressed the sourness, her mouth forming a faint curve.

Though it was a smile, hidden within it was a tide known only to herself!

Shi Xiangyun sat in the carriage now, completely lacking Daiyu's and Baichai's tangled feelings.

She only wore excitement on her face, and outside the carriage Xiao Jiaoer shouted back and forth in wild cries, his candid nature unmistakable!

In the Nian family's carriage, Li Shi at this moment wore a startled face, unable to hold back a sigh and said:

"Today I first realize the grandeur of the Duke of Jing!"

Previously she had often heard Nian Gengyao and Nian Xiyao speak of Jia Jing's great power and deep imperial favor.

Yet none matched the profound impression of today's sight!

The officials bowed and greeted; such a shocking scene is scarcely found even when thumbing through histories.

She even doubted whether this was a proper tribute a minister could receive.

Nian Shilan stared straight at the figure in the red robe.

Though at a distance and unable to see the face clearly, the composure, grandeur, and majestic bearing were truly heart‑captivating!

No wonder Second Brother praised him as a living marvel; indeed, beneath the great name there is no empty talent.

Such a person could truly become my future…!

In Princess Zhen Shi of the Northern Tranquil King's carriage, the curtain was half‑drawn!

She leaned against the carriage wall, her posture now perfectly upright.

She is a princess, having seen countless grand scenes, yet now she was still stunned!

Her eyes glazed, and she couldn't help murmuring:

"Duke of Jing! What a Duke of Jing! Overwhelming officials, surpassing all peers! If such a figure were born in chaotic times, then…"

Even the Dragon Throne could be sat upon!

Zhen Shi did not utter the words, merely lowering her eyelids, lifting the cooled tea beside her, suppressing the agitation in her heart!

While countless people showed varied expressions and thoughts, Jia Jing was already only ten steps away from the imperial canopy.

At this moment a clean whip crack sounded again from Xia Shouzhong's hand.

Jing Sheng Di, with a delighted expression, led the Imperial Eldest Son Zhu Yunbiao briskly out of the imperial canopy, apparently unable to wait and intending to greet Jia Jing himself.

Jia Jing's eyelids twitched; ten steps away, he hurriedly knelt on one knee, clasped his fists in salute, and loudly said:

"I, Jia Jing, by imperial decree campaign westward, relying on Your Majesty's heavenly might, with soldiers united, all exerting effort, fortunate not to disgrace the command. Now leading the triumphal soldiers, I present the completed decree!"

As Jia Jing's salutation rang, the triumphal soldiers a hundred paces behind also simultaneously fell to their knees, the clashing of armor like rolling thunder echoing across the earth!

"Your Majesty, long live, long live, ten thousand years!"

The roar of over twenty‑thousand shouting "long live" thundered like a quake, shaking the area around Lugou Bridge, the momentum like a mountain collapse!

This was naturally Jia Jing's prearranged protocol, ensuring no "disarming" incidents would occur!

At the same time, Jing Sheng Di lavished him with utmost favor, and he naturally repaid it with military spirit!

At this moment, the over twenty‑thousand triumphal soldiers' grand tribute to Jing Sheng Di signified the loyalty and obedience of the northwest's two hundred thousand army and Ba Shang's forces to the emperor.

It represented Jia Jing's absolute support and reverence for Jing Sheng Di!

This incorporated the military prestige forged by the triumphal soldiers in the northwest campaign into Jing Sheng Di's imperial authority,

both averting the danger of over‑achievement threatening the ruler and adding further sovereign majesty to Jing Sheng Di!

As Jia Jing and his army paid such homage to Jing Sheng Di, the civil and military officials present couldn't help their expressions change.

With such a continuously victorious mighty force backing him, Jing Sheng Di's reputation as a reviving ruler was fully cemented, and his imperial authority now rivaled that of Emperor Chengzu.

Henceforth, with heavenly might looming, who dares to offend!

Some officials who want to plot the restoration of the Supreme Emperor or are dissatisfied with the New Policies now wear faces full of fear and frustration, and can only bow their heads deeply, covering the complex expression on their faces.

The Prince of Yi and other descendants of the Supreme Emperor now show no expression on their faces, but in their eyes there is both gloom and fervor!

The gloom naturally comes from them not seeing the imagined scene of Jia Jing being overbearing and rude, and then the emperor and his ministers suspecting each other.

The fervor is that such a mighty army, if it could be controlled by their own Supreme Emperor, or by themselves.

Then those who wish to restore the throne or even directly ascend the imperial throne will find it a hundred times easier!

Before the imperial canopy,

Jing Sheng Di looks at the kneeling Jia Jing and the more than twenty‑thousand elite soldiers of the Han Army, his expression also roiling with satisfaction,

feeling that after ten years on the throne, the years of burning the midnight oil and striving to govern have not been in vain, and all the results are repaid at this moment!