Chapter 522: Chapter 353: From This Day On, Year After Year

"Indeed, it seems some people can’t sit still any longer..."

Gu Lan tossed the note taken from the pigeon’s leg to Rong Heng, a playful smile at the corner of her lips.

After reading it, Rong Heng tore the note to shreds, a faint smirk on his lips: "Rong Qichun? Does he think the book is ending and if he doesn’t make an appearance now, he’ll miss his chance?"

Gu Lan couldn’t help twitching her mouth at his words.

How many books did Brother Hang read back then just to understand her?

She was wrong; she owed him an apology.

The pigeon returned from outside the Capital City, bringing news from the Dark Hall of the Marquis Mansion.

Rong Qichun, the deposed Crown Prince who was in Qingliang Temple in Lu State praying for Dayan, somehow learned of Prince Xiang leading the army back to the Capital City. And somehow, he plotted with Fan Hongyan, the Minister of War, who was supposed to deliver an imperial decree to Marquis Gu in the Northern Territory.

Marquis Gu never had any intention of rebelling, yet Fan Hongyan took the initiative to abandon his mission, leading five thousand imperial guards to conspire with Rong Qichun.

The two, under the guise of serving the king, with the support of the governor of Lu State, led an army of ten thousand heading back to the Capital City.

Rong Qichun had calculated well, wanting to let Rong Heng bear the infamy of treason so he could then emerge as a savior, rescuing Rong Jing from crisis, and in the process, eliminate the Emperor’s trusted foe, the Gu Family.

If Rong Jing were still alive, Rong Qichun could seize this chance to reclaim his position as Crown Prince;

If Rong Jing were dead, he could legitimately ascend the throne, and Fan Hongyan would become a key minister. The civil and military officials, invited tonight to welcome Prince Xiang into the city, might change their minds and choose to support him, the once Crown Prince.

But...

"Rong Qichun’s status as Crown Prince was nullified by Rong Jing himself. He’s been reduced to a commoner and without Rong Jing’s decree, he cannot leave Qingliang Temple, and since Rong Jing hasn’t passed away yet, he is the real traitor now."

Gu Lan lazily said, holding a hand warmer.

Rong Heng lowered his gaze, calculating the time it would take for Rong Qichun to reach the Capital City, and said:

"There’s no way he could be faster than the Dingyuan Army, so in that case, Lanlan, why don’t we first celebrate New Year’s Eve."

After midnight, the moon reemerged from behind the clouds, casting its clear moonlight over the entire Prince Mansion.

In the courtyard, two lanterns hanging from the eaves glowed warmly and invitingly, the red tassels below dancing in the wind, with snow forming crystal-clear ice, dripping from the tile gaps or pine branches to the bluestone below, making a tinkling sound in the quiet night.

Against the black night sky, occasional clusters of fireworks soared up, with the crackle of firecrackers - reminders from the bold citizens that New Year’s Eve had arrived.

No matter how bleak and harsh the place, there’s always an inexhaustible hope.

Gu Lan smiled, her vermillion headband outlining her exquisite and graceful features, her eyes sparkling with captivating light.

She raised her hand and gently caressed Rong Heng’s sharp brow bone, saying, "Happy New Year’s Eve, Rong Zichan, may you be happy every year, this year, next year, and forever."

Gu Lan knew Rong Heng had endured too much hardship and thus hoped he would live every year after, with joy and happiness.

"Lanlan, I also wish you health and happiness year by year."

Rong Heng said tenderly, as this was the best wish he could think of.

Thankful for her appearance, which allowed this once humble, mundane soul to embrace the warmest sun in the sky, to never forget.

Rong Heng couldn’t imagine what he would be like had he not met Gu Lan. She was his love, hate, anger, foolishness, and the sanctuary and solace of his soul.

* 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

In the morning, a line of pale gold swallows the last hint of white at the horizon as the cold winter recedes and the sun begins its rise.

Birds circled above the blue sky, their chirping clear and delightful to hear.

Xuanwu Gate of the Imperial Palace remained tightly shut; flames leaped high into the sky, while shouts of battle rocked the heavens and earth.

The Dingyuan Army and the Pingnan Army both returned to the Capital City, once renowned as Dayan’s two mighty forces, probably never expecting that one day they would converge here to fight side by side in this manner.

Facing them were countless imperial guards and Imperial Guards clad in golden armor.

Song Zhi had first positioned a thousand imperial guard archers at the passageway, supported by an equal number of sword and axe bearers as cover. At the end of the passage was the tightly closed palace gate; although the Dingyuan Army was courageous and skilled, their cavalry was unsuitable for such narrow combat areas.

At Rong Heng’s command, Mu Jun led the Dingyuan Army to retreat, choosing to stand guard on the perimeter to prevent the imperial guards from breaking through.

Soon, the young General Geng Gong, clad in heavy armor, appeared outside the passageway, holding a shield and a long knife in hand.