"You're right, Elder."
Di Qing nodded, agreeing with the Verdant Green Maiden.
Half a month later, orders arrived from the court in Bianjing, commanding Di Qing to lead his army back without the slightest delay.
The summons was urgent, as though they feared Di Qing might stay in the Hexi Corridor and carve out a domain of his own.
"Perfect timing. I'm heading back to the Western Regions too!"
"The current emperor... what was his name again? I remember... Zhao Zhen, right?"
Zhao Qingyu looked at Di Qing and asked him this question.
"..."
Di Qing silently nodded.
The Verdant Green Maiden quipped, "You can't even remember your own nephew's name, and you call yourself his aunt."
Zhao Qingyu was helpless too. "I remember he used to be called Shouyi. Who told him to change his name after taking the throne? Come to think of it, these last few emperors of the Great Song have all been odd. Every one of them changed his name after ascending the throne. Who could remember them all?"
She had never cared about such things.
"It probably makes observing the naming taboo easier."
The Verdant Green Maiden spoke slowly.
Zhao Qingyu added, "Naming taboos? I don't think they should exist at all. What, will saying his name take a year off his life?"
The Verdant Green Maiden laughed. Truly, that was Zhao Qingyu for you.
Only she could say something like that.
But hearing these remarks, Di Qing kept feeling that he should not be there.
Was this sort of grumbling within the imperial family something he was allowed to hear?
"Heh..."
"All right, all right. Let's each be on our way!"
The Verdant Green Maiden waved her hand and told them both, "Thank you for reclaiming Hexi."
"Oh, listen to you!"
Zhao Qingyu