LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 185
Two days later, Princess Mingyang came again. She subconsciously protected her abdomen with both hands, her face rosy and radiant, with a hint of smile at the corners of her eyes and lips.
Jiang Yuqing set down his teacup and invited her to sit. "Is it good news coming closer?" he asked.
She nodded and then excitedly began to speak, her gestures animated. "You won't believe it. When I told that fool that I was pregnant with his child, he was completely dumbfounded."
Princess Mingyang gestured with her hands, "He dropped the large bowl he was holding, and it crashed onto his foot. It was so hilarious, hahaha."
"Tell me, what happened next?"
"Well, then... we, you know." Suddenly, Princess Mingyang blushed. Jiang Yuqing understood instantly and responded with a meaningful "Oh," followed by a teasing smirk.
"How does it feel to be in love?"
Princess Mingyang proudly declared, "As the birds wish to be paired in the sky, so do we wish to be united on the earth."
"Hmm... If my teeth fall out today, it must be because of your sweetness. We should hurry and make it official," Jiang Yuqing suggested, emphasizing the need to get married soon.
Today is the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, and it's definitely too late to get married before the new year. They could only choose a date in the first lunar month. Otherwise, it wouldn't look good when her belly grew bigger after the new year.
Jiang Yuqing immediately summoned an official from the Imperial Astronomy Bureau to calculate the auspicious wedding date for Princess Mingyang and her husband. The wise astrologer determined that the best day would be the eighteenth day of the first lunar month next year, as their birth charts were also perfectly matched.
Princess Mingyang agreed, and they settled on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month.
The following matters were easily handled. After receiving the approval and blessings from the Emperor and Empress Dowager, Jing Yan issued an edict for the grand wedding of Princess Mingyang and Yang Changyu on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month next year.
People couldn't help but be curious about Princess Mingyang's husband. Upon investigation, it was discovered that he was merely a steward at the Tai'an Farm, a commoner from a poor background. What's more, he was disabled, having lost an arm.
News spread, and discussions were abound. Some said Yang Changyu was climbing the social ladder, while others criticized Princess Mingyang for debasing herself. Opinions varied.
Regardless of what outsiders said, Princess Mingyang paid them no mind. During her over ten years in Tubo, she had heard all sorts of offensive remarks and endured numerous hardships. Such trivial gossip was nothing to her.
Thus, she focused on nurturing her unborn child while actively preparing for her wedding.
The Emperor and Empress Dowager attached great importance to Princess Mingyang's wedding. They had treated her poorly in the past and now sought to make amends by organizing a lavish and grand ceremony, which Princess Mingyang declined.
She desired a simple yet warm wedding, without the need for extravagant displays. Having Jiang Yuqing's support, she believed that the significance of the day was determined by their personal experiences, not by the opinions of others.
On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, Princess Mingyang was married.
Before she stepped into the bridal sedan, Jiang Yuqing held her hands firmly and solemnly said, "Wishing you eternal happiness!"
With tears in her eyes, Princess Mingyang nodded and replied, "I will achieve it!"
After bidding farewell to the Emperor and Empress, Jiang Yuqing raised her head proudly and walked out under the radiant sun, descending the lofty white jade steps.
Once, she had no choice, but now she lived only for herself.
As she watched the bridal sedan slowly depart, Jing Yan placed his hand on her shoulder and said, "Let's go too. Let's wait at the Princess's residence!"
"Alright!"
The Princess's bridal sedan was carried out from the palace and made a half-circle around the imperial city before entering Mingyang Princess's residence. It was personally escorted by Prince Fu.
The former Emperor and Empress Dowager, various imperial concubines, the noble and prosperous Da Chang Princess's family, Prince Fu's family, the Second and Third Princess's families, and all the members of the imperial family were present.
Many influential figures from the capital also attended, such as the Jiang family and the Pingyang Marquis's mansion. Additionally, representatives of the old soldiers from Tai An were present.
Yang Changyu's family also came.
Yang's mother couldn't believe that her youngest son would one day marry a princess. Tears of joy streamed down her face.
Yang Changyu's elder brother was also delighted for him. His brother became disabled while fighting on the battlefield for him, so he always felt guilty. Now that he had finally settled down, marrying a princess no less, he was genuinely happy for him, feeling that his hardships had finally paid off.
On the night of Mingyang Princess's wedding, Jiang Yuqing was in high spirits and drank a few extra cups. Upon returning to the palace, she actively sought kisses from Jing Yan.
As her wife initiated, Jing Yan naturally didn't let the opportunity slip by, wholeheartedly cooperating with her every move, allowing her to do as she pleased. He even deliberately found the Chart to Avoid Conception, guiding her actions, displaying utmost tenderness.
Because they stayed up too late, neither of them managed to wake up the next morning. Fortunately, they didn't have to attend court today; otherwise, they would undoubtedly face some criticism from the ministers.
After getting up, Jing Yan accompanied her for breakfast before heading to the study to handle state affairs. Jiang Yuqing finished dealing with palace matters and, with nothing else to do, left the palace with Bai Xiaoshi.
She didn't go to He An Hospital but aimlessly strolled the streets instead. It had been a long time since she had gone out for a walk.
Nowadays, the capital of Da Xia was even more bustling. Even in the freezing cold of the first month, the streets were still crowded with people coming and going.
When passing by a small eatery with Northwestern flavors, Jiang Yuqing was drawn in by the aroma. She went inside and ordered a bowl of lamb and bread soaked in soup.
As she broke the bread into small pieces in her hand, the curtain at the entrance lifted again, and two thin men entered. They called out to the waiter and ordered two extra-large bowls of lamb and bread soaked in soup.
While breaking the bread, one of them shouted, "After we finish eating, let's go to the Immortal Pavilion and get some Divine Ointment to smoke. After taking that stuff, you feel like you're ascending to heaven, completely ethereal."
The other person said, "Otherwise, why would they call it Divine Ointment? It must be because after smoking it, you can become immortal."
Jiang Yuqing frowned, having a strong intuition that this Divine Ointment was not something good.
Jiang Yuqing slowly ate the Pao Mo brought by the waiter. After the two men finished their meal, Jiang Yuqing settled the bill and discreetly patted a invisibility charm on herself, quickly following them.
She wanted to see what this so-called "Immortal ointment" really was.
The two men walked through the streets and alleys, taking numerous twists and turns for almost half an hour until they finally arrived at a very hidden small alley.
They reached a house at the end of the alley and knocked on the door. After a moment, the door opened from the inside, and the two men entered.
Jiang Yuqing followed them into the courtyard.
Passing by a screen wall and through a small courtyard, they entered a main hall. On both sides were side rooms with large beds. Several men were lying on them, puffing on opium pipes and exhaling smoke.
At first glance, Jiang Yuqing concluded that this so-called "Immortal ointment" was opium, commonly known as "da yan" or "big smoke." And this so-called "Immortal Inn" was an opium den.
The two men were obviously regular visitors here, as they lay down on the bed as soon as they entered.
The waiter expertly presented the opium pipes, lit the tobacco, and the two men sighed with satisfaction, joining the others in puffing on the pipes and enjoying themselves.
Jiang Yuqing approached and carefully examined the opium. She discovered that the purity of this opium was not high; it was of inferior quality.
It seemed that the person responsible for producing this poison was still in the early stages, with crude techniques.
Jiang Yuqing clenched her fists, seething with anger. Who could have brought these harmful substances into Da Xia?
After looking around inside, Jiang Yuqing left the opium den and immediately contacted Jing Yan, explaining the situation to him.
She also detailed the dangers of opium to the human body and the heavy price paid by ancient China in the Opium Wars.
An issue that could undermine the foundation of the country was not something Jing Yan dared to neglect. He immediately mobilized the military and closed down this opium den, while launching a comprehensive search throughout the entire capital city.
The innkeeper, the waiter, and the opium users were all arrested and subjected to rigorous interrogation.
The investigation revealed a shocking truth: not only were there seven opium dens in the capital city, but also nearly 130 people involved in the trafficking and addiction to the "Immortal ointment". And these were just the ones who were caught or known of.
This severity was confined to the capital city alone. How many people in all of Da Xia were addicted to the "Immortal ointment"? No one knew.
The situation was dire. The following day, Jiang Yuqing appeared in the court for the first time in her capacity as the Empress of Da Xia. She educated all the ministers about the dangers of the "Immortal ointment".
The ministers, drenched in cold sweat after hearing her, changed their initial perception that the Emperor was overreacting. They unanimously decided to ban the "Immortal ointment".
It must be prohibited!
Not only banned, but also a thorough investigation into the masterminds behind it. What kind of intentions did those who brought this substance into Da Xia harbor?
On that same day, Jing Yan issued a nationwide ban on the "Immortal ointment". Anyone involved in cultivating, manufacturing, transporting, or selling the "Immortal ointment" would be executed along with their nine generations.
As for the users, they would receive fifty lashes and three years of penal servitude. If they were government officials or had achieved fame and status, all their titles and positions would be stripped, and they would be permanently disqualified from public office.
The imperial decree was swiftly disseminated throughout the country at the urgent speed of 800 miles, allowing anonymous reports from the populace. Those whose reports were verified would receive hefty rewards.
Accompanying the decree was a colored portrait of opium plants meticulously copied by palace painters under Jiang Yuqing's orders. The following day, the headline of the front page of the Capital News featured this decree, occupying an entire section. It also published an article authored by Empress Jiang Yuqing.
In plain and understandable language, the article provided a detailed explanation of the dangers of consuming the Divine Elixir to individuals, families, and the nation. Illustrations were included to enhance understanding.
Consequently, everyone learned that His Majesty had banned this Divine Elixir, originally known as opium, also referred to as poppy or lotus.
It was an addictive substance that, once consumed, was difficult to quit. It could cause harm to oneself and, at worst, lead to the destruction of families and the nation—a genuinely calamitous drug.
It was derived from the fruit of a plant called the poppy.
Meanwhile, major academies, crowded taverns and restaurants, and theaters dispatched dedicated personnel to spread awareness about the hazards of the Divine Elixir.
Even He An Hospital displayed prominent billboards at its entrance, promoting anti-drug knowledge about the Divine Elixir. They even assigned specialized medical staff to explain the matter to the citizens seeking medical treatment.
The people gathered around the bulletin board, listening and cursing, "These heartless scoundrels! Just as our lives were improving slightly, they bring such things to plague us in Da Xia.
His Majesty and Her Majesty have done well; they should banish and exterminate these miscreants and their entire families."
Jing Yan acted with great determination, employing various measures simultaneously.
One month later, reports from all over the country indicated that a total of 49 Divine Elixir dens had been sealed, with over ten thousand kilograms of finished product seized, and a total of 2,375 individuals involved in drug production and trafficking apprehended.
The main concentration was in the economically developed prefectural cities along the coast, while the central and western regions had yet to witness the emergence of the Divine Elixir.
For all those involved in drug-related activities, those deserving of execution were executed, and those deserving of punishment were punished. There would be no tolerance.
At the same time, the origin of this substance was also uncovered. It was brought in by an unscrupulous merchant named Lao from Taizhou Prefecture along the coastal region.
In addition to distributing the refined Divine Elixir, he even introduced the plant itself to Da Xia. He went as far as purchasing a vast estate of over ten thousand acres for cultivating poppies.
For a person like him, only by eradicating him and his entire family could the people's anger be appeased. Jing Yan issued a direct order to confiscate their property and exterminate their entire clan.