Chapter 259
Today, the Tang Dynasty thrived, and its people lived in abundance. The annual occurrences of people starving to death had significantly decreased. While it hadn’t entirely eradicated these tragedies, the reduction in the number of people suffering from hunger was evident.
Thanks to Su Li, the Tang Dynasty had undergone significant improvements. Li Er couldn’t help but feel that his decision to send Su Li to the northwest might have been too hasty, even unkind. He was now doubtful about his determination to send Duke Yongle away from the Central Plains.
Outside the walls of Changan City, the commoners who had come to bid farewell to Su Li still lingered, gazing at the spot where Su Li and his entourage had disappeared into the distance. Su Li’s white dragon had the ability to travel thousands of miles in a day. If Su Li wished, he could have taken Changle and Su Che to the northwest ahead of time, a journey that would have taken only a day. The journey to the northwest took a bit longer because they were accompanied by Su Li’s 50,000 Tang Dynasty Iron Riders and the female attendants from the Princess’s Manor. After about another month and a half on the road, they could already see Shangdang Pass in the distance. Beyond the pass lay Shangdang County, now part of Su Li’s new territory.
The news of Su Li becoming Duke Yongle and receiving the northwest as his fief had already reached the Prefecture Administrator of Shangdang. As a result, the administrator and the commoners were waiting to welcome Su Li upon his arrival. The administrator greeted Su Li with deep respect and bowed, saying, “I pay my respects to Duke Yongle!”
“Your Grace,” he continued, “I have already ordered the residence where Duke Yongle will be staying to be thoroughly cleaned. You may move in at any time.”
Su Li looked at the administrator, who was oozing obsequiousness, and nodded indifferently. He then asked, “What is your name?” Su Li had come to the northwest, and now he needed someone clever and easy to manage.
The administrator quickly replied, “Your Grace, I am named Li Ling.” Li Ling dared not show the slightest disrespect to Duke Yongle. Since Li Er designated the northwest as Duke Yongle’s territory, Li Ling’s allegiance shifted from Li Er to the current Duke Yongle.
“Lead the way,” Su Li instructed. “Yes, Your Grace,” Li Ling replied and guided Su Li. Upon seeing the residence in Shangdang Prefecture, Su Li noted that it might not be as luxurious as the Princess’s Manor. Still, it had a spacious area and tall buildings with plenty of room for renovation.
Li Ling carefully observed Su Li’s expression at this moment, fearing that he might have done something to displease Duke Yongle. After all, the Duke had annihilated a four hundred thousand Tibetan army with his fifty thousand Tang troops and ruthlessly purged the aristocrats in Changan. Li Ling vowed to himself not to disappoint Duke Yongle. He said, “This residence has been unoccupied for a long time. I will send people to renovate it soon.”
Su Li nodded and gave a solemn instruction, “I entrust this task to you. Do not let me down.” At that moment, Princess Changle, who had been riding in the carriage, noticed a very familiar figure among the crowd of commoners. Upon closer inspection, she confirmed that she hadn’t mistaken the person and exclaimed, “Xueyan!”
Without hesitation, Princess Changle hurriedly descended from the carriage. She entered the crowd and quickly grasped Li Xueyan’s hand. Li Xueyan had arrived in Shangdang Prefecture slightly earlier than Su Li and the others. Princess Changle and Li Xueyan shared a strong bond but hadn’t seen each other in several years. After pinching Li Xueyan’s body and touching her face, Changle asked with concern, “Why have you lost so much weight, and your face looks so haggard? Has someone mistreated you? I’ll have my husband intercede for you!”
Li Xueyan smiled warmly, looking at the familiar Princess Changle. In her heart, she thought that Princess Changle was as kind as ever. Even after several years of giving birth to a child, her appearance remained unchanged, as if time couldn’t leave a mark on her face.
Li Xueyan felt a pang of sadness, thinking that if only a fraction of the love Su Li showed to Princess Changle could be directed towards her, it would be wonderful. “I haven’t been mistreated by anyone,” Li Xueyan replied, her voice tinged with emotion.
Seeing Li Xueyan in the northwest was surprising and joyous for Princess Changle. In this distant region, apart from the female attendants who had served her previously, she had no one close to her. Seeing Li Xueyan in the northwest filled her with happiness.
After her initial surprise, Princess Changle couldn’t help but blurt out, “Xueyan, how did you end up in the northwest?” She found it hard to believe that Jiangxia Prince would willingly send Li Xueyan to the impoverished northwest.
Faced with Princess Changle’s question, Li Xueyan hesitated, unsure how to respond. Instead, she redirected the conversation back to Princess Changle. “Changle, how have you been? Has the Crown Prince harmed you and your family?”
Li Xueyan had heard about Su Li’s appointment to govern the northwest and the recent rebellion led by the Crown Prince, which targeted Su Li’s family.
Changle shook her head and said, “With the Prince Consort by our side, no one can harm us.”
Li Xueyan breathed a sigh of relief, and then her gaze returned to Su Li, the man who had haunted her dreams for so long. After such a long time apart, the emotions she had been suppressing were almost too much to contain.
After silence, Li Xueyan finally bowed and said, “Li Xueyan pays her respects to Prince Su. How have you been, Prince Su?”
Su Li replied, “Everything is as usual. Xueyan, you and Changle are good friends. There’s no need to be formal.”
Changle and Su Li knew Li Xueyan’s feelings for Su Li. However, Su Li’s attitude towards Li Xueyan was neither warm nor cold. He treated her as a friend of Changle’s.
Changle, observant by nature, had a good idea of why Li Xueyan had come to the northwest. It was highly likely that she had come for her husband.
Although so many years had passed, Li Xueyan’s feelings for Su Li remained deep and unwavering. However, Changle didn’t feel threatened as the principal wife.
Men don’t necessarily abandon their old loves when they find new ones. Changle was confident in her husband, Su Li. Su Li had gone from being a peasant to becoming the Prince Consort and then the Duke of Yongle, and his attitude and affection towards her had never diminished.
Changle had a deep trust in her husband. She knew Li Xueyan to be a kind-hearted person without any ill intentions. Otherwise, Changle wouldn’t have maintained such a close friendship with her. As long as Li Xueyan didn’t cross certain boundaries, Changle had no intention of causing any conflicts.
Changle held Li Xueyan’s hand and led her towards the palace. She said, “Xueyan, we haven’t seen each other for a long time. Today, let’s catch up on old times.”
Li Xueyan smiled and replied softly, “I’ll follow your lead.”