Chapter 1456 - 1364: The Future (Grand Finale)

Zhao Mingming imitated her mother’s posture, straightening her back and standing with a solemn expression alongside Fu Tinghan at the city gate to welcome Zhao Hanzhang’s return to court.

Today is the nineteenth day of the first lunar month, and the weather is clear with beautiful sunshine.

A quarter past 7 a.m., the sunlight began to shine brightly, its pale golden rays descending from high above, making it seem as if people themselves were glowing.

Civil and military officials waited quietly behind Zhao Mingming, daring only to lift their eyes slightly for a quick glance, and upon catching sight of the majestic figure on horseback, they promptly lowered their heads with even more respect.

Only Zhao Mingming strained her neck, watching her mother ride forward like a heavenly deity.

Fu Tinghan was momentarily stunned as well, but he quickly regained his composure, signaling Zhao Mingming to step forward, and caught a glimpse of her with her mouth open, utterly amazed and motionless.

Even though the person in question was his wife, seeing his daughter looking like that still made Fu Tinghan embarrassed to the point of curling his toes, inexplicably feeling somewhat ashamed.

He discreetly tapped her shoulder with his fingertip and whispered, "Quick, go forward!"

Zhao Mingming came to her senses, swallowed, and without turning around, suppressed the urge to look back even though she couldn’t resist wiping her mouth. Her eyes sparkled as she stepped forward, emulating Wang Hufeng’s instructions from yesterday by raising her hand, stepping forward slowly, kneeling, and loudly saying, "Your daughter Zhao Renjia leads the civil and military officials in welcoming Your Majesty’s return!"

The civil and military officials knelt in unison, shouting words of welcome, and Zhao Hanzhang reined in her horse with a slow smile, saying in a clear voice, "Rise."

She dismounted, stepped forward, and gently lifted Zhao Mingming up. Seeing her half-bundled hair like a little adult, she patted her on the head and said, "Not bad, the Crown Princess truly resembles me."

She also addressed the officials, "I appreciate the hard work of all my beloved officials over these days."

Ji Yuan, Zhao Ming, and a few others standing at the front remained silent, but the ministers behind them couldn’t help but grumble internally, wondering why she couldn’t provide some advance notice before her departure.

During the New Year, a rare time when people could relax, eat, and drink without fear of causing trouble by oversleeping or getting drunk, everyone thought they’d celebrate with family. Yet, the emperor suddenly appeared nearly a thousand miles away in Ba Shu, and you tell me, isn’t that shocking?

Zhao Hanzhang is the emperor, though a Crown Princess has been established, she is still very young. Zhao Hanzhang is the foundation for national stability, and she just left like that.

The officials raised their heads slightly, casting dissatisfied glances at Zeng Yue standing behind Zhao Hanzhang, then shifting their gaze to Fan Ying and Xun Fan beside him.

Someone capable of advising must always be by the emperor’s side. Although Zeng Yue is loyal, he won’t admonish the emperor, and who knows how much more outrageous behavior he will tolerate from her in the future.

The officials truly wished to replace Zhao Hanzhang’s head of the Imperial Guards, yet...

Few could interfere with Zhao Hanzhang’s control over the military. While the court’s troops may seem unified on the surface, in reality, factions still exist in different regions.

Beigong Chun’s Xiliang Army and Zu Ti’s Jizhou Army have their names privately, yet across the realm, the largest, most well-equipped, and comprehensive army remains the Zhao Family Army!

The Zhao Family Army had long discarded the "Zhao" name, now collectively referred to as the Imperial Army, but privately everyone knows that the "Zhao" is the court, and for at least the next decade, this "Zhao" still means the Emperor’s Zhao.

The civil and military officials aren’t fools. Even the most naive among them dare not meddle with the emperor’s military power.

Therefore, they can only express dissatisfaction with Zeng Yue through their gaze, not daring to genuinely propose, Emperor, please appoint a different head.

One who can advise you, disclose your whereabouts to the court.

Even thinking it through with one’s toe would know it’s impossible.

Zhao Hanzhang led the officials back to the palace and dealt with state affairs before Zhao Mingming, releasing the ministers to leave only after noon, then returned to the inner palace with her family.

Today, Zhao Mingming didn’t feel sleepy at all. Wearing the Crown Princess’s ceremonial attire didn’t seem burdensome as she lightly followed her mother’s side, continuously praising her, "Mother, you looked so beautiful today."

"I almost didn’t recognize you when you rode the horse, you descended like an ethereal fairy; I was dazzled."

Seeing her mother’s face beaming with a sunshiny smile, Zhao Mingming spilled compliments as if they cost nothing, continuing to gush, "You still look beautiful now, your smile is truly lovely, you can see Father was stunned by it."

Zhao Hanzhang turned her head to look, and Fu Tinghan, with a slightly reddened face, nodded solemnly, gazing ahead with a proper demeanor, though his hand couldn’t resist giving Zhao Mingming a light pat on the head.

Zhao Mingming covered her head and exclaimed, "Father is too shy to admit it!"

Fu Tinghan’s face wasn’t red this time. He took a deep breath and told Zhao Hanzhang, "This child’s courage is becoming more like yours."

Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily, "Being courageous, she can achieve great things in the future."

After laughing, her expression turned serious, and she looked down at Zhao Mingming, saying, "However, if one only has courage without wisdom and integrity, it becomes a great harm."

Finally, she reached out to stroke her head as before, softly saying, "Mingming, you must be a wise ruler, not a reckless one, understand?"

The history of Cheng Country and Li Xiong revealed to her that a heroic father does not guarantee a heroic son.

The importance of a successor determines the continuity of national policies, the lifespan of a dynasty.

Even without her additional twelve hundred years of historical memory, the history of Huaxia in the three thousand years up to the Wei Jin period clearly illustrates the significance of successors.

The Crown Prince and grain have always been regarded as foundational to a nation, implying that a successor is akin to grain.

Losing a successor is like losing grain; people starve.

If a successor is foolish and cruel, it is akin to poisonous grain, which not only fails to satiate but also hastens death.

Zhao Hanzhang, holding Zhao Mingming’s hand, explained these principles, "You are not just my daughter, but also the Crown Princess of Hua Country. As my daughter, all you need is health and happiness, but as a Crown Princess, you have many responsibilities."

Young Zhao Mingming asked in confusion, "Mother, can I choose whether to do it or not?"

"No," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "From the moment you were born, your destiny was set, but you can choose how broad the path to your destination is, how beautiful and colorful the scenery is."

Zhao Mingming seemed thoughtful.

Fu Tinghan, standing on her other side, said, "Mingming, you are already luckier than the majority of children in this world. Everyone is born with a sense of purpose: Why am I here? What can I leave behind for this world?"

"Your mother and I are doing our best to contribute to this world, but we will eventually grow old. The path this world takes in the future depends on your generation and your descendants."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded in agreement, looking at her with anticipation, "Mingming, the future of this nation depends on you."

Zhao Mingming’s eyes shone brightly; she felt her parents’ expectations and reliance, she heard the intense beating of her heart, clearly sensed the exhilarating rush of blood through her veins. She cherished the way her parents looked at her, their approval.

"Alright!" Zhao Mingming nodded proudly and confidently, embracing the challenge without any fear, "Mother, just watch me!"