The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 379: Transition from Old to New (5)_1

Chapter 379: Chapter 379: Transition from Old to New (5)_1

"Your Majesty, I am much obliged. After I arrive in the Northern Land, I will certainly not let you down." Mei Hanqing thanked the Emperor as he knelt.

Yuan Yanzhao and the others followed suit by bowing their heads in gratitude.

"Dismissed." The Emperor spoke while yawning, having been worn out after a rigorous night spent with his consort, Xiao Meiren.

The officials left the court in pairs and alone. The Prime Minister quickly caught up with the Crown Prince, "How does Your Highness perceive today’s events?"

"The climate is cold in the Northern Land. Even though the land is vast, let Chu Suifeng stir whatever he desires. Now we should guard against King Chu. However, Chu Suifeng’s elimination of dissenters is something we also need to defend against, as well as trying to find opportunities to win over Mei Hanqing and the others."

To the Crown Prince, the entire Daqin is all within his grasp for the future. With the Emperor’s inconstancies, he cannot let others disrupt his domain. Thus, his stance towards Chu Suifeng was both defensive and appeasing, above all towards to court officials even more so.

Upon returning, Mei Hanqing and the others did not cross paths, each busying themselves instructing their families to pack up their households. What could be sold was sold; what could be brought along was taken.

What reassured the Emperor and the Crown Prince was that it was said Mei Hanqing’s wife and children had caused a scene, seemingly unwilling to accompany him to the harsh Northern Land. However, Mei Hanqing had remained steadfast. After a dispute and persuasion from numerous parties, only then did his wife agree.

In fact, Yuan Yanzhao and the others, coming from humble families, had simpler backgrounds and eventually set off lightly equipped.

A few inconsequential minor officials leaving the court was not of much importance to the Emperor. The Crown Prince knew how to win people’s favor, so when those families left, he not only personally saw them off but also presented them with numerous gifts.

Both Yuan Yanzhao and Shao Liufeng were extremely grateful towards the Crown Prince, and after repeatedly expressing their thanks, only then did they leave with their families. Wa Jie, a rather crude man, was someone the Crown Prince couldn’t have a conversation with. Mei Hanqing, on the other hand, was quite aloof. If it weren’t for his wife holding onto the gifts from the Crown Prince, he would not have accepted them. Let alone feeling grateful towards the Crown Prince.

Seeing Mei Hanqing still with his proud attitude, the Crown Prince felt secretly relieved.

The Crown Prince was indeed worried. The Northern Land was dominated by the martial, and Chu Suifeng, the regional lord of this fiefdom himself was a War God. He was surrounded by many competent people, and was followed by military generals from Luo, Si, and Wu families. If Chu Suifeng had the guidance of scholar officials like Mei Hanqing and Yuan Yanzhao, the thought of it alone sent a shiver down the Crown Prince’s spine.

Then, in the future, Prince Ling of the Northern Land would be his hardest opponent.

As he watched the carriages of Mei Hanqing and the others departing, a wave of worry washed over the Crown Prince.

Chu Suifeng performed his work fiercely and resolutely. In Feng City, all criminals were executed without distinction of gender or age. Those present at the execution site reportedly could not eat or drink for several days afterwards, they were so horrified by what they witnessed. It was said that the plot of land used for executions in the Feng City market was dyed a dark red. Describing it as a river of blood would not be an exaggeration.

"Good news, good news." The villagers of Shili Village were busy in the workshop when suddenly they heard the booming sound of drums and gongs from outside.

"What’s happening?" asked Granny Bai.

"I don’t know."

"Why do I hear the sound of drums and gongs?"

...

The bearer of good news who had arrived at the village, after beating his drum and gong for quite a while and not seeing anyone coming out, wondered what made this village so peculiar. The man, standing at the village entrance with his beaten gong, scratched his head, not knowing what else to do.

"Could it be that my Zhicai has passed the examination?" Madam Yan joyously ran out to meet the news bearer. Early in the morning, Ma Zhicai had gone to the market to hear the news because the results were to be announced today.