Chapter 662 - 662: Resistance
When the previous emperor was still alive, he conferred Tang Guixi as the County Lord and divided Xiangtai into her fief.
Ever since the war with the Chen Nation, everyone had called Tang Guixi General Tang.
It had been a long time since she had heard the title of County Lord Xiangtai.
At this moment, Wei Liao called her County Lord Xiangtai to remind her not to forget her original identity.
After Wei Liao finished speaking, he waited for Tang Guixi to kneel and listen to the decree.
In the end, Tang Guixi had no intention of kneeling at all.
She extended her right hand, her expression normal. “Give it to me.”
Wei Liao said, “That’s against the rules.”
Wei Liao looked at her steadily for a moment.
Just as Yu Niaoniao thought that they would fall out, Wei Liao suddenly smiled. “Alright, since County Lord has said so, we’ll do as you say.”
He handed over the Imperial Edict.
Tang Guixi took the Imperial Edict with one hand and unfolded it on the spot, reading everything at a glance.
There were many words written in the imperial edict, most of which were useless nonsense. In the end, there were three points—
First, the emperor was grateful that Tang Guixi had led troops to defeat the Chen Nation Army and rewarded her with two thousand taels of gold. She was conferred the title of princess and asked to return to the capital as soon as possible for the reward.
Secondly, she was a woman after all, so it was not appropriate for her to wield military power. The Imperial Court would send someone to take over the Eastern Expedition Army and Liaodong County and ask her to prepare for the handover in advance.
Third, Xiao Juan and Yu Niaoniao were wanted criminals by the Imperial Court. Tang Guixi should have been severely punished for hiding fugitives, but on account of Tang Guixi’s contribution in leading troops to stop the enemy, the emperor could let bygones be bygones as long as she could send the two fugitives to the Imperial Court.
Wei Liao clearly already knew the contents of the Imperial Edict. He cupped his fists and said politely.
“Congratulations, County Lord. You’re going to become a princess soon. When you reach the Imperial Capital, the emperor will reward you even more.”
“From now on, you will enjoy all the glory and no longer have to take the risk to fight on the battlefield. If Old General Tang was still alive, he would definitely be relieved for you.”
Unexpectedly, Tang Guixi casually threw the Imperial Edict at Wei Liao’s feet.
“I appreciate the emperor’s kindness, but I’m sorry. I’m already used to living in Liaodong County and don’t plan to move. Please go back with the Imperial Edict and don’t come again.”
Wei Liao couldn’t help but frown and remind her in a low voice, “County Lord, this is an Imperial Edict. Resisting it is a capital crime!”
Tang Guixi seemed to have come back to her senses and said in realization,
“That’s right. As a subject, you can’t disobey the emperor’s decree.”
Wei Liao bent down and picked up the Imperial Edict. He brushed off the dust on it and offered it again with both hands. “Since County Lord knows, please do as I say.”
Tang Guixi smiled. “Then I won’t be a subject.”
Wei Liao was stunned. “What did you say?
Tang Guixi took a step forward and enunciated each word.
“Back then, Shen Zhuo took the initiative to give up the Eastern Expedition
Army and Liaodong County. Now, he wants to take them back with an Imperial Edict? Dream on. Go back and tell him that since he has already decided to give them up, don’t think about taking them back. From now on, Liaodong County is my territory. I have the final say here.”
Wei Liao’s expression turned ugly. “You want to rebel?”
Tang Guixi imitated Yu Niaoniao and spread her hands.
“If you insist on thinking that way, there’s nothing I can do.
Wei Liao had already expected that this trip would not go smoothly, but he did not expect Tang Guixi to be so unyielding. Not only did she resist the decree, but she also wanted to rebel.
Wei Liao continued to pressure her.
“You have to think carefully. Even if you have the military power of the Eastern
Expedition Army, you only have slightly more than 100,000 troops left. If the
Imperial Court wants to send troops to suppress you, can you really withstand
Not onlv was Tang Guixi not afraid. but she also smiled confidentlv.
“Then fight. Let’s see who wins in the end.”
Her attitude made it clear that she would not look back.
It was useless to say anything else. Wei Liao put away the Imperial Edict and prepared for the worst.
“County Lord probably won’t let me return to the Imperial Capital alive if she tells me such an important thing.”
Tang Guixi said, “Don’t worry, don’t worry. You let Niaoniao and Xiao Juan off previously. They owe you a favor. I won’t kill you today. Treat it as repaying you on their behalf. Leave. Go back and tell Shen Zhuo on my behalf that Liaodong County won’t be under Dayan’s control in the future.”
At this point, she paused. Since Liaodong County had already been separated from the Dayan, it could no longer be called a county.
She turned to look at Yu Niaoniao and asked, “Let’s change the name of
Liaodong County. What do you think it should be called?”
Yu Niaoniao recalled the red flag fluttering on the city wall. On the flag was the word “Tang”.
“The word Tang is very good. Our place is on the east side of the Dayan. Let’s call it East Tang.”
Tang Guixi’s eyes lit up. “Alright, let’s call it Eastern Tang!”
Then, she looked at Wei Liao again.
“Did you hear that? In the future, this place will no longer be Liaodong County, but the Eastern Tang Empire. It’s my territory.”
Wei Liao was dumbfounded
At this moment, his emotions were very complicated. He did not know if he should be angry at Tang Guixi’s rebellion or complain about their childish naming method.
Tang Guixi sat on the main seat and raised her right hand. “Lord Wei, please leave.”
Wei Liao knew that he couldn’t stay here for long.
But he didn’t move.
He looked at Yu Niaoniao and asked, “Can we talk in private?” Xiao Juan frowned. “Can’t you say anything here?”
Wei Liao ignored him and looked at Yu Niaoniao steadily.
Yu Niaoniao did not want to cause unnecessary misunderstandings, so she said, “It’s the same here.”
Wei Liao said, “Don’t you want to know how your father and siblings are doing?”
Yu Niaoniao pursed her lower lip and hesitated.
She really wanted to know how Yu Sheng and Yu Pingping were doing now.
Tang Guixi interrupted, “If you really want to say it, it’s the same if you say it here. Why do you have to pull Niaoniao elsewhere to talk? Aren’t you deliberately making things difficult for the couple?” Yu Niaoniao nodded, indicating that Guixi was right.
“Just say it here.”
Wei Liao’s lips twitched as he laughed at himself.
“You really don’t give me any hope. Alright, I’ll tell you. For you, the emperor sent someone to monitor the Yu family, but he didn’t harm them.” Yu Niaoniao said, “Thank you.”
Wei Liao said, “Actually, the emperor didn’t want to send me to Liaodong County this time. I took the initiative to do it. I just wanted to see you and ask you if you had any regrets for a moment after going through life and death from the Imperial Capital to Liaodong.”
Yu Niaoniao gave an answer without hesitation. “No.” Wei Liao exhaled softly as if he had been relieved of a burden.
“That’s good.”
With that, he took a step back. “My mission is completed. Farewell. Goodbye.” Wei Liao turned around and left, striding out of the front hall.
Yu Niaoniao seemed to have thought of something and quickly chased after him.
“I forgot to tell you. Thank you!”
Wei Liao stopped in his tracks, but he didn’t turn around.
He waved an arm to show he had heard, then continued striding forward..