Chapter 155 Breathtakingly Beautiful

Seeing her so full of enthusiasm as she introduced it, Lie Chang'an was piqued with interest. With a gentle smile and a silent nod, he followed her up the city wall.

The moment they reached the top, the biting wind was so freezing that it made them instinctively shrink their necks. Yet, both of their hearts were burning with warmth, and they felt no cold at all; the moment they got up, they were busy overlooking the magnificent night view.

Indeed, it was just as described.

Standing here, the entire imperial palace could be seen at a glance. The once crimson walls and green tiles, solemn and majestic, were now covered in a world of pristine white snow—a scenery entirely different from ordinary days.

As for the capital on the other side, one could see festive lanterns strung along both sides of the wide avenues, with the ten-li long street shining brightly and bustling with the roaring sounds of the cheering crowds.

On the stone bridge spanning across the moat, hundred-flower lanterns hung from the trees at both ends, casting their radiant glow and adding a touch of vernal charm to the welcoming Spring Lantern Festival.

The sails on the river had already been lowered, and fishing lights flickered on the masts like a red star rising in the distant sky.

It was truly a scene of ten thousand household lights, breathtakingly beautiful.

Guli, upon seeing this magnificent spectacle, could not help exclaiming with emotion, "So this is the prosperous golden age of the dynasty that my Imperial Father hoped for and toiled to maintain. Truly, it is a time of tranquil years, peaceful lives, and boundless prosperity."

Seeing this, Lie Chang'an was also deeply moved and gratified. "His Majesty is a wise ruler of a generation. He governs the state with skill, attends diligently to state affairs, and cherishes the people. Naturally, the present era is tranquil, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the realm thrives in prosperity."

Guli smiled, raising her dainty and charming face. "A share of the credit belongs to the General as well. Only by charging into battle, galloping across the horizons, safeguarding the country, and resisting foreign foes can you protect this land of ours and its countless generations of subjects."

Hearing these words, Lie Chang'an felt a warm glow stir deep within his heart.

Similar sentiments had actually been expressed to him by many people, yet none had ever given him such a direct and passionate sensation that made his blood surge and stirred a speechless, profound emotion within him.

Perhaps it was because the person who uttered those words was her.

No amount of praising and affirming words could ever rival a single light, gentle smile from her, paired with those sincere eyes.

Lie Chang'an smiled, his ink-black, starry eyes gazing at her with an indescribable gentleness. "No matter what, it is solely due to His Majesty's appreciation and trust that this humble subject has been given a place to put his abilities to use."

Guli blinked her eyes. "Do you truly think so? Do you really believe my Imperial Father is a wise ruler of a generation?"

Lie Chang'an was slightly taken aback, finding it strange that she would ask such a question. "Could it be that the Princess does not think so?"

"Of course I think so, but you know about the remnants of the previous dynasty, don't you?"

Guli had heard that the Crown Prince had recently asked him to thoroughly investigate the remnants of the previous dynasty, as well as the various rumors about the map of the previous dynasty's treasure that they had heard all along the way to Huai County. She believed Lie Chang'an must have also caught wind of the truth behind those rumors.

"This humble subject is aware."

Guli nodded, her clear eyes gazing toward the distant, bustling capital. "My Imperial Father raised an army in rebellion to seize the throne. He was once the Prime Minister of the previous dynasty, standing above ten thousand people with only one person above him. He was originally a loyal minister, deeply loved by the people and trusted by the previous dynasty's Emperor. Yet, in the end, he succumbed to his own greed and ambition, gradually beginning to manipulate the imperial court and wield absolute power. In the end, he exploited the previous dynasty Emperor's trust to launch a rebellion, forcing his way into the palace and usurping the throne without spilling a single drop of blood. He drove the entire former royal family to total extinction, sparing neither the infants in swaddling clothes nor the elderly Dowager Consorts."

As Guli spoke of these things, her gaze grew distant and hazy, and her tone turned sorrowful. "Although I did not personally experience that cruel battle of palace usurpation, I know full well that when Imperial Father drove the former royal family to annihilation, the imperial palace that very night must have flowed with rivers of blood, shrouded beneath mournful wails and the stench of carnage."