The people who had hurriedly left in the past were all returning to the capital in early August. The sealed gates of the Jiang Mansion were reopened, and the tightly closed palace gates were also once again opened. Han Xiao, Yun Lanqing, and others arrived in a dusty state and bowed to Li Huaiyu at the palace gate.
“Your Highness, Jun Wang!”
Huaiyu turned around and saw Xu Xian, which made her happy. “General Xu, why didn’t you shave your beard?”
Xu Xian wiped his face and laughed. “I was too busy rushing over and didn’t have time. The documents from the main city of Danyang have been brought to Your Highness, and the 30,000 troops of Danyang are stationed outside the city.”
“Good.” Huaiyu clapped her hands. “But let’s not worry about other things for now. Let’s all go back to our respective homes and freshen up.”
Xu Xian nodded, then turned and saw Xu Chuniang standing nearby, looking her up and down. He smiled and said, “Thank you, Your Highness, for taking care of her. Miss Xu has been traveling all the way but doesn’t look tired at all.”
Xu Chuniang came forward to bow and then stood behind Xu Xian, waiting to go back home with him. Huaiyu glanced at them, pursed her lips, and didn’t say much.
Xu Xian turned his head and looked at Xu Chuniang. “Speaking of which, the Zhuang family sent a letter a while ago, asking about Young Master’s recent situation.”
Xu Chuniang arched her hand towards him. “Thank you for your concern, General.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Xu Xian twirled his beard and smiled. “Now that you have military achievements and an official position, I can explain Brother Zhuang. Once everything is settled, come to my house for tea.”
“Yes.” Xu Chuniang lowered her eyes in agreement.
All the people from the Jiang family had returned to the Jiang Mansion, and Jiang Xuanjin had also gone to check on them. Li Huaiyu thought for a moment and decided to let the nursemaid carry the two little ones back to Feiyun Palace first.
Feiyun Palace hadn’t changed at all, except for a thick layer of dust. Qing Si found a few palace maids to clean inside and out before letting Huaiyu and the two little ones enter.
Looking at the wooden carvings and clay sculptures on the antique shelf, Huaiyu murmured as she held the little troublemaker, “Things have changed, but people haven’t…”
The little troublemaker didn’t understand what his mother was saying and just stared with round eyes, blowing bubbles. Seeing this, Huaiyu couldn’t help but smile softly, take a deep breath, and blow bubbles back, saying, “It’s okay, we always need to look forward.”
“Master.” Qing Si came in and said, “Master Yun sent a message, saying that all the enfeoffed lords in the capital have gone to the Jiang Mansion.”
Huaiyu was slightly surprised and turned around. “Has Lord Nanping gone too?”
“It seems that I didn’t hear his name. It seems that Lord Changlin took the lead.”
Handing the little troublemaker to her, Huaiyu said solemnly, “I’ll go take a look.”
For a moment, they had neglected the fact that they hadn’t been stopped from entering the city. They had forgotten about the existence of the enfeoffed lords. In the past few months of war, although Lord Changlin and Lord Pingling hadn’t contributed much, they still played a role. Now that it was time to share the rewards, it was inevitable that they would come to make trouble. With Jiang Xuanjin’s temperament, he would be bullied!
The more she thought about it, the faster she walked. Li Huaiyu strode quickly, leaving the palace and riding straight to the Jiang Mansion.
“Madam San… Third Madam?” The servants at the door of the Jiang Mansion saw her from afar and were so shocked that they quickly came up to stop her. “Please stop the horse, stop the horse!”
Ignoring them, Huaiyu spurred her horse and leaped into the gate.
“Ah!” The servants and maids were shocked and screamed, scattering everywhere. She snapped her whip and grabbed one maid, asking, “Where is Jiang Xie?”
The maid trembled and looked at her, almost crying. “Jiang Xie… who is that? This servant doesn’t recognize…”
Her lips twitched, and she changed her address, “Jiang Xuanjin.”
“Ah… Your Majesty, His Majesty is discussing matters in the main hall…”
Where was the discussion? It was most likely a situation where he was being pressured! Li Huaiyu’s brows furrowed, she let go of the maid, and pulled the reins, heading straight for the main hall.
Lord Changlin was smiling and praising Jiang Xuanjin, saying, “Lady Ling is virtuous, dignified, and elegant,” when suddenly there was a loud bang. The beautifully carved door was directly knocked open, smashing against the back door and swinging back and forth.
“Jiang Jie!” The person reined in their horse, and with a long neigh, the front hooves rose high. She leaped off her horse like the wind and rushed in.
Jiang Xuanjin’s eyes flickered slightly, but he didn’t move, allowing her to pounce on him and crash into him.
With a loud “bang,” Lord Changlin sighed. Even with this calf-like strength, only the Purple Sun Prince dared to catch her.
He reached out and rubbed her forehead. He asked without expression, “Does it hurt?”
Looking up grimacing, Li Huaiyu said, “Who cares if it hurts or not? I’m here to speak up for you!”
With that, she rolled up her sleeves and looked at Lord Changlin and Lord Pingling beside her. “If you have anything to say, say it to me!”
Lord Pingling’s face turned pale. Lord Changlin trembled and quickly sat down obediently, not daring to make a sound.
They just wanted to ask for some benefits from the Purple Sun Prince, right? It’s not easy for everyone in the war, right? It wasn’t an excessive request. Why was the Princess so fierce…
She couldn’t help but lightly hook the corner of her mouth, then quickly pressed it down. Jiang Xuanjin pulled her to sit in the main seat and said to Lord Changlin, “Continue with what you were saying earlier. Princess Ling is also here.”
Once this little tyrant sat down, who would dare to say anything else? Lord Changlin swallowed hard, and his momentum weakened. “Three thousand troops might be a bit too much, right? After the big battle, we all need to recuperate. What do you think about… two thousand five hundred?”
The Changlin Army had suffered some losses in the big battle. Even if he didn’t mention it, Jiang Xuanjin had planned to compensate him with some troops and armor. Three thousand wasn’t too much; it was quite reasonable. But now that they wanted to reduce it by five hundred themselves, he had no objections.
“Alright.” He nodded.
Lord Changlin was delighted and hurriedly bowed. “Your Majesty is generous.”
Li Huaiyu listened and also realized something was wrong. She thought that these enfeoffed lords would want land and silver, and she even thought that someone might try to seize the throne in the chaos. However, these people unexpectedly behaved honestly, only asking for some troops and armor.
Knowing that she had misunderstood, but not willing to admit it, she maintained her fierce appearance and listened to them discuss military and trade matters.
In less than half an hour, the major enfeoffed lords left quickly.
Relaxing her tense body, Huaiyu rubbed her shoulders and muttered, “Are people nowadays so content? I remember Lord Pingling being quite greedy, but this time he didn’t even dare to ask for a salt well.”
Jiang Xuanjin gave her a deep look. “Thanks to you.”
“Huh? Really? I don’t remember saying anything.” Huaiyu scratched her head embarrassedly. “I just listened to them, like a vase.”
He hugged her and lifted her. Jiang Xuanjin said, “You’re much more useful than a vase. Just sitting here can hold the scene.”
Being praised, her tail was raised again. Huaiyu grinned, “Of course, I have presence!”
Jiang Xuanjin pursed his lips, carried her, and walked out.
“Hey, where are we going?” Huaiyu grabbed his clothes, a little flustered.
He answered seriously, “To guard the house.”
“Don’t joke around, I don’t want to see your family.” Huaiyu pouted. “Things are fine here. I have to go back to the palace to hold the children.”
“Accompany me for dinner.”
“No…”
“Please?” He softened his tone and gently rubbed her cheek with his nose.
Li Huaiyu was stunned, and said angrily, “Using seduction is shameful!”
Knowing she couldn’t resist his charm, yet still using this trick, was too much!
Jiang Xuanjin felt proud rather than ashamed. “I’m honored by Madam’s favor.”
Huaiyu was so angry, but there was nothing she could do. Who told her she was so weak? If he wanted to have dinner, then let’s have dinner, and just focus on eating.
Old Master Jiang stood in his room, looking stubborn.
Beside him, Jiang Chong knew he wanted a way out, so he smiled and said, “We were able to come back thanks to Third Brother, and also thanks to Princess Ling.”
With a humph, Old Master Jiang said, “Loyal bones are not afraid of being buried under a mountain!”
“If you’re alive, why would you want to be buried?” Jiang Shen also laughed. “Now that our family is reunited, it’s a blessing. There are some things we should let go of, don’t you think so?”
The first time they parted, Old Master Jiang pouted, “No!”
Jiang Chong couldn’t help but laugh and cry. He was about to persuade him again when the steward ran in happily from outside, shouting, “Old Master, Old Master! She agreed to stay for dinner! The kitchen has already prepared more dishes. Please see if there’s anything else you need…”
Old Master Jiang gave the steward a series of meaningful glances. But by the time the steward realized his mistake and stopped talking, it was already too late.
The room fell into a moment of silence. After a while, the two brothers of the Jiang family couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“What are you laughing at?” Old Master Jiang was furious and embarrassed. He stomped his cane and said, “This is the way our Jiang family entertains guests!”
Jiang Shen was almost laughing with tears in his eyes. He supported the chair next to him and asked, “When did you know that Princess Ling came to our house?”
Glaring at the steward, Old Master Jiang said coldly, “She broke the door by riding a horse. Who else but her could make such a commotion? I may be old, but I’m not deaf!”
“Father is wise.” Jiang Chong said, “Shall I ask someone to add a few more dishes?”
Old Master Jiang’s face darkened, and he didn’t say anything. When Jiang Chong retreated to the door, he spoke in a low voice, “Go and invite two more people.”
…
In the familiar courtyard, Jiang Xuanjin strolled. He said to Li Huaiyu, “You don’t need to be nervous.”
“How could I be nervous?” Huaiyu snorted. “They should be nervous!”
Nodding in agreement, Jiang Xuanjin turned to look at her who was tightly holding onto his sleeve. “So can you let go first?”
Her hand froze, and Huaiyu turned her head away. “I… I’m afraid of getting lost.”
Nodding in understanding, Jiang Xuanjin said, “Just follow me.”
Ahead was the Hongyuan Pavilion where Old Master Jiang was. Li Huaiyu pursed her lips, feeling isolated. What if she was scolded again when she went in later? So she subconsciously turned her head to look behind her.
Without looking, it wouldn’t have been scary, but when she did, she was startled, “It’s Jiu Wu and Qingxian?”
Walking towards them from afar after passing through the Moon Gate was indeed Wu and his companions. Seeing her here, the expressions of several people relaxed. They came over to bow, “Your Highness.”
Huaiyu looked worried, “Are you coming over to cause trouble?”