Harem Daily Life

Chapter 498 General Rong Returns to Beijing

General Rong's return to the capital this time was grand and eye-catching! When the mighty team of the Rong family army just stepped into the gate of the capital, it immediately attracted countless people to line the streets to welcome them.

People flocked to the streets, vying to witness the old general with great military achievements and the brave and capable soldiers under his command.

The streets were crowded with people, cheering and applauding. The people nodded in praise, their eyes showing deep respect for General Rong's many years of guarding the border.

Someone couldn't help but sigh: "The Rong family has been guarding the capital's periphery for many years, and General Rong hasn't returned to the capital for many years! I wonder if he will no longer go to that difficult border area when he comes back this time?" As soon as these words came out, the people around them immediately fell into a heated discussion.

"I heard that Rong's eldest son has inherited his father's business and continues to guard the border. I think the old general can stay in Beijing and enjoy his old age."

"The Rong family has truly devoted themselves to the Great Zhou. Such a good general is truly a blessing for our Great Zhou."

"I don't know how His Majesty will reward General Rong. Should he be conferred a title of nobility?"

"The Rong family has a virtuous concubine, and has given birth to a prince, so it is only natural that she should be given a marquisate."

The shouts of the people were rising and falling like a surging tide. General Rong was seen riding a tall and mighty horse, like a god of war descending to the earth. He held his head high and strode forward, his posture was vigorous and upright, his face was cold and stern, he never smiled, and exuded an unparalleled aura of majesty.

He walked slowly and steadily past the bustling crowd without looking around. Wherever he went, people unconsciously stepped aside, full of awe for this veteran with such great military achievements.

At the same time, inside the magnificent imperial palace, the emperor and his civil and military officials had been waiting for a long time.

General Rong arrived at the palace gate, dismounted from his horse, and quickly removed his weapon and handed it to the guards beside him. Then, he walked into the hall with steady and powerful steps.

At this time, he was wearing a neat military uniform. Although his face was covered with deep and shallow wrinkles after years of vicissitudes and the baptism of war, it was clear that he had been through a lot, but this could not hide the heroic spirit in General Rong. His eyes were firm and sharp, and his every move revealed an innate heroism and domineering.

The court officials all turned their eyes to this old friend whom they had not seen for many years, with different thoughts in their minds.

Ningyuan Hou was once a famous general. He was born into a famous military family. His family had guarded the borders for the country and resisted foreign invasions for generations. However, after his sister disappeared 20 years ago, he inherited the title. In addition, his father and mother died of illness one after another. He ended his border guarding career early and chose to stay in the capital to serve the court loyally.

At this moment, when seeing General Rong's domineering and heroic figure standing firmly in the court, Ning Yuanhou's eyes couldn't help but dim slightly.

Thinking back on the past, especially the fact that the Rong family had quietly placed many of their own people in various departments of the military camp in recent years, his heart felt increasingly heavy, as if a huge rock was pressing on him and he could hardly breathe.

After all, the rise and fall of power in the military is often related to the stability of the court, and the Rong family's current actions undoubtedly make Ning Yuanhou full of worries about the future situation.

Especially now that his beloved niece is pregnant with twins and is a noble concubine, Ning Yuanhou is even more worried. The Defei in the palace has already given birth to the eldest prince, which means that there are already two powerful forces in the harem. If the niece successfully gives birth to a prince this time, there will definitely be a fierce contest between her and the Defei.

Even if their dear niece doesn't fight for it, the Rong family won't let her go for peace of mind.

My dear niece is my sister’s only child and she is so young. If her uncle doesn’t protect her, who can she rely on?

Whenever he thought of this, Ningyuan Hou was worried. His Majesty is now very fond of his dear niece, but it is hard to predict whether this favor can be maintained for a long time. Moreover, after His Majesty is gone for a hundred years, if Yan Yan does not firmly grasp the power of the harem in his hands, how can he protect himself at that time?

Therefore, in order to ensure that Yan Yan and her children can live a safe and smooth life in the future, it is only appropriate for her to ascend the throne of the queen. Only by firmly grasping the power of the harem and holding the Phoenix Seal, and letting her son inherit the throne and become the queen mother in the future, is the only way Yan Yan should go. Power is the most powerful protection for them mother and son.

Ningyuan Hou had a lot of thoughts in his mind. His Majesty was listening attentively to General Rong's report on border affairs. He stood silently aside, thinking about future matters.

"General Rong, you have been exhausted from the journey. You should return home to rest for a few days. In a few days, I will follow Concubine De's arrangements and your family can come to the palace for a gathering."

After hearing the emperor's words, General Rong said gratefully, "Yes, Your Majesty, I thank you for your consideration. When I took my eldest son away from the capital to guard the border, the eldest prince was still in my belly and had not yet been born. I have missed him very much for many years, and now I finally have the opportunity to meet the eldest prince."

He Linzhang smiled and said, "Ye'er is already six years old, lively and cute, hug him more when you see him."

After saying this, He Linzhang withdrew from the court. The court officials respectfully saw the emperor off before gathering around General Rong to chat. Some invited General Rong to their homes as a guest, while others were so excited that they wanted to hug General Rong and express their longing for him.

General Rong waved his hand domineeringly: "I just returned to Beijing, and I have to go home first, so I won't chat with my colleagues." After that, he glanced at Ning Yuanhou who was not far away, and walked straight to Ning Yuanhou: "Brother Gu, I haven't seen you for many years. I hope you are well."

Ning Yuanhou said excitedly with a smile on his face: "Brother Rong, I have been looking forward to your return for a long time. Are you not going back this time?"

General Rong showed a hint of surprise, but soon smiled and said, "How can I not go back? But my health is indeed not as good as it used to be. There is a lack of medical care and medicine at the border, and I have many chronic diseases. This time I just want to go back to Beijing to recuperate so that I can continue to be loyal to the Great Zhou!"

Ning Yuanhou showed concern on his face: "Then we should indeed ask a doctor to take a good look. Our families are not far from each other, why don't we go back home together and take my carriage, so that we two brothers can chat more."

Ningyuan Hou was so enthusiastic that General Rong actually got into the carriage with him.

Lord Tao and the Minister of Revenue walked behind the two of them. The Minister of Revenue looked at Ningyuan Hou, then looked at Lord Tao, and whispered, "Brother Tao, this General Rong is Concubine De's father. Is Ningyuan Hou... abandoning your Tao family and getting close to the Rong family?"

Tao Qian's mouth twitched and he coughed lightly: "They are old friends and have a deep friendship. Besides, we in the Tao family don't need to form cliques or parties, we don't have any ambitions."

The Minister of Revenue curled his lips and rolled his eyes at him: Your daughter is a concubine, and you say that your Tao family has no ambitions? I don't believe you!