Chapter 61: Brother Xuan, you've changed

  Ye Xuan slowly stood up and secretly glanced around, wanting to see what his uncle looked like in this time and space.

  When he glanced at the brilliant eyes, a young man in a bright yellow dragon robe was sitting on the Panlong Treasure Seat, with eunuchs standing on both sides of the throne. Cao De wore the official uniform of the Ministry of War and stood respectfully beside him.

  Wang Dou knew that the one sitting on the dragon throne was the current Emperor Xu Jun, who was also his uncle in this time and space. With that one glance, he saw his uncle's appearance and was secretly shocked in his heart.

  Ye Xuan saw that his uncle's temples were also gray, he ascended the throne at twenty years old, and now should be less than forty years old, yet he looked so old. His expression had a kind of fatigue emanating from the bottom of his heart, but he was just barely holding on.

  Chong Xu Jun carefully sized up Ye Xuan. After a long time, Xu Jun slowly opened his mouth and said: "Nephew, I haven't seen you for a long time, probably about ten years. I heard that in these 10 years, you have become loyal and brave, worthy of praise. I heard that now you are training soldiers and horses in Hebei, governing the military farms, with considerable success. My heart is very pleased."

  Ye Xuan said: "This is all due to the emperor's great fortune, and the supervision of officials such as the governor and other high-ranking officials who have taught me diligently. As a humble commoner, I dare not speak of my achievements."

  Xu Jun was very satisfied with what Ye Xuan said. He looked at Ye Xuan again and again, feeling more and more that Ye Xuan and Ye Wei were like the same person.

  Ye Xuan stood here, just like his big brother Ye Wei had come back.

  Suppressing his own inner sorrow, he said to Cao De: "Help me find back my nephew, Cao Ai, your merit is great."

  Cao De was also very pleased in his heart and said: "To serve the country with loyalty is the fundamental duty of a minister."

  Xu Jun nodded slowly and looked at Ye Xuan, asking: "Xuan'er, how's your mother been lately?"

  When Ye Xuan finished telling his experiences over the past few years, Xu Jun couldn't help but sigh repeatedly and feel regretful.

  ……

  After comforting Ye Xuan, Xu Jun asked again: "I heard that my nephew is training troops in Hebei, governing the prefecture, accumulating a lot of grain, and intending to instruct the nine borders to follow as an example."

  Ye Xuan listened and knelt down, nodding repeatedly: "Your Majesty's love is so thick, even if I were to die a thousand times, it would not be enough to repay the kindness of Your Majesty."

  Emperor Xu Junhuan is in a good mood today. He said, "My nephew has traveled far to come to the capital, and I intend to hold a banquet in the Imperial Garden to entertain him."

  "This is a rare honor, the emperor's special favor, Ye Xuan also knocked his head repeatedly: "Thank you, Your Majesty.""

  The emperor strolled west to Cuihua Garden, chatting with Cao De as he walked. Ye Xuan followed respectfully behind them.

  Ye Xuan found that his uncle walked very slowly, and could be described as slow. When he walked, his waist and back were slightly curved, as if something heavy was pressing on his waist and back, making it impossible for him to stand up straight.

  It seemed that Cao De said something, and Xu Jun became excited, quickening his pace by a few steps.

  Ye Xuan widened his eyes and found that the cold wind lifted Uncle's hem, a shirt floated up, revealing several patches inside. It was rumored that Emperor Xu Jun was very frugal, and it was indeed true.

  In the Huayuan Pavilion of Cuihua Garden, Emperor Xu Jun gave Cao De and Ye Xuan food and drink. There were four small dishes, a bowl of coarse rice, and a pot of wine, none of which contained meat. Looking over at the emperor's side, it was the same. Ye Xuan held his bowl, dazed and somewhat distracted.

  Looking at Dao Ye Xuan's appearance, Xu Jun felt somewhat strange: "Nephew, what's wrong with you?"

  Cao De coughed softly beside him, reminding Ye Xuan not to lose his composure.

  Ye Xuan sighed: "Nephew thinks that Your Majesty is too hard on yourself, you must take care of the dragon body!"

  Xu Jun stared at his nephew in surprise for a long time.

  At this imperial banquet, Ye Jiajun's identity was finally recognized, and Ye Xuan was also appointed as the Taishou of Xiude.

  After leaving the imperial garden, Cao De was still in an excited mood. The emperor's comfort and encouragement were more than enough, and he was also given wine and food. Lu Cao De felt that even if he were to sacrifice his life, he would have no way to repay the emperor's kindness.

  He instructed Ye Xuan in detail: "The emperor's kindness is profound, and the emperor attaches great importance to you. Brother, you must work harder and not betray the imperial grace."

  Ye Xuan nodded, and the two of them followed the eunuch out. Suddenly, they saw a palace-dressed young girl approaching from the opposite direction; several palace maids surrounded her. Seeing this girl, Cao De hastily paid his respects, saying: "Your humble servant Cao De, Commander-in-Chief, pays his respects to Princess Qian Xing."

  Ye Xuan hastily followed behind him and paid his respects. However, upon hearing the name of Princess Qian Xing, Ye Xuan slightly froze, feeling that this name seemed somewhat familiar.

  Ye Xuan took a closer look at the girl, who was only eleven or twelve years old, yet had a elegant and beautiful appearance. Her slender figure gave people a feeling of weakness, she smiled and bowed, saying "Director Cao is polite".

  Upon seeing the young girl and hearing Cao De's words, Ye Xuan suddenly realized that this wasn't the little girl who always followed him around like a tail when they were younger, just like Chen Fei?

  Qian Xing Gongzhu said a few words with Cao De, and noticed Ye Xuan behind him. She asked: "Who is this gentleman?"

  "Your humble servant is Ye Xuan, Commander of the Garrison, and I have come to pay my respects to Your Highness."

  "Ye Xuan?"

  Qian Xingxiu's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Ye Xuan: "You're the one who easily defeated the barbarians at Luoyun Fortress, the leader of the Ye family army? I've even heard Father mention your name within the palace."

  Ye Xuan Dao: "Your Majesty's kindness is overwhelming, I am deeply moved to tears."

  Qian Xing Gongzhu asked: "I've heard that the slave thief is extremely ferocious, when you fight with the thief, aren't you afraid?"

  Ye Xuan Dao: "For the country, killing the enemy, life and death are long placed outside of consideration!"

  Qian Xing Gongzhu bowed to Ye Xuan: "Sir is so loyal and righteous, the palace admires you, please accept a bow."

  "Your Highness mustn't say such things, you're killing me!" Ye Xuan hastily said.

  When Ye Xuan was about to leave, he heard Qianxing Princess muttering: "Xuan brother, you've changed!"

  Ye Xuan let out a bitter laugh and didn't say anything, silently thinking to himself: Perhaps this is the price of growing up?

  ……

  When Ye Xuan and Cao De came out, they faintly heard Xu Jun's imperial voice: "Niece, how did you come here?

  Zhu E'ni said: "Father Emperor works day and night for the country, I will enter the temple today to pray for Father Emperor's blessing. May Heaven protect..."

  Several days later, Ye Xuan returned to Hebei. At this time, the new soldiers of the Ye family army had already been trained, and each person's temperament had undergone a drastic change. From lazy, numb, and weak military households, they became warriors who showed their bravery in every move.

  Looking at these newly trained soldiers, Ye Xuan was also very satisfied. He thought it was time for them to go out and see some bloodshed.

  Not long ago, Ye Xuan held a grand military parade. On that day, the training ground was filled with flags fluttering in the wind. The sound of "Ten Thousand Victories" shook the sky and earth. Ye Xuan and other officers drew their swords and pointed them at an angle, as row after row of neat formations marched past them. Those neat footsteps represented a force, a force that swept everything before it.

  Watching the warriors passing by in waves, Ye Xuan's heart was filled with pride. With 5,000 elite soldiers at his command, he felt that great things could be accomplished.