In early August, those who had once fled in haste returned to the capital. The sealed gates of the Jiang residence reopened, and the palace doors, long closed, swung wide once more. Han Xiao, Yun Lanqing, and others arrived, weary from travel, and greeted Li Huaiyu at the palace gates.

“Your Highness, Lord Ziyang!”

Huaiyu turned and laughed when she saw Xu Xian. “General Xu, why haven’t you shaved your beard?”

His face was covered in a thick beard, obscuring his features.

Xu Xian wiped his face and smiled. “I was too busy traveling to bother. We’ve brought the documents from the main city of Danyang for Your Highness, and the thirty thousand Danyang troops are stationed outside the city.”

“Good,” Huaiyu clapped her hands. “But let’s not rush into anything. Everyone should return to their residences and rest first.”

Xu Xian nodded and turned to see Xu Chuniang standing nearby. He looked her up and down and smiled. “Thank you, Your Highness, for taking care of my daughter. She doesn’t look worn out from the journey.”

Xu Chuniang stepped forward to greet him and then stood behind Xu Xian, ready to return home with him. Chijin glanced at them, pursed his lips, but said nothing.

Huaiyu gave him a sidelong glance and smiled. “It wasn’t me who took care of her. The General should thank Chijin.”

Xu Xian turned to Chijin and said, “Speaking of which, the Zhuang family sent a letter recently, asking about your well-being.”

Chijin bowed to him. “Thank you for your concern, General.”

“Not at all,” Xu Xian chuckled, stroking his beard. “Now that you have military achievements and an official position, I can give Brother Zhuang a satisfactory account. Once you’re settled, come to my residence for tea.”

“Yes,” Chijin replied, lowering his eyes.

The Jiang family had returned to their residence, and Jiang Xuanjin went to oversee things. Li Huaiyu decided to have the nurse take the two little ones back to Feiyun Palace first.

Feiyun Palace was unchanged, except for a thick layer of dust. Qingsi gathered a few palace maids to clean it thoroughly before Huaiyu and the two little ones entered.

Looking at the wooden carvings and clay figures on the shelf, Huaiyu murmured to the little rascal in her arms, “Things have changed, but people have not…”

The little rascal didn’t understand what his mother was saying, staring with wide eyes and blowing a small bubble. Huaiyu looked down and couldn’t help but laugh softly. She took a deep breath and exhaled, “It’s fine. People must always look forward.”

“Master,” Qingsi entered and said, “Lord Yun sent a message that all the feudal lords in the capital have gone to the Jiang residence.”

Startled, Li Huaiyu turned. “Did Lord Nanping go?”

“It seems his name wasn’t mentioned. It was Lord Changlin who led the way.”

Handing the little rascal to Qingsi, Huaiyu said seriously, “I’ll go take a look.”

She had overlooked the presence of the feudal lords when no one stopped them from entering the city. Although Lords Changlin and Pingling hadn’t contributed much in the recent battles, they had played a part. Now, as it was time to share the spoils, they would inevitably cause trouble. With Jiang Xuanjin’s temperament, he was sure to be bullied!

The more she thought about it, the faster she walked. Li Huaiyu moved swiftly, and upon leaving the palace, she mounted a horse and rode straight to the Jiang residence.

“Third… Third Young Madam?” The servants at the Jiang residence’s gate saw her from afar and rushed to stop her. “Please rein in your horse!”

Ignoring them, Huaiyu spurred her horse and galloped through the gate.

“Ah—” The servants and maids scattered in fright. She flicked her whip, catching a maid, and asked, “Where is Jiang Jie?”

The maid trembled, nearly in tears. “Jiang Jie… who is that? I don’t know…”

Her mouth twitched, and she changed the name. “Jiang Xuanjin.”

“Ah… the Lord, the Lord is in the main hall discussing matters…”

Discussing matters? More like being besieged! Li Huaiyu’s eyes narrowed, and she released the maid, pulling the reins to charge toward the main hall.

Lord Changlin was chatting with Jiang Xuanjin, praising “your wife for her virtue and grace,” when the door suddenly burst open with a loud bang. The finely carved door slammed against the back wall, swinging wildly.

“Jiang Jie!” The intruder reined in her horse, which neighed loudly, raising its front hooves. She dismounted with a nimble flip and swept into the hall like the wind.

Jiang Xuanjin’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t move, allowing her to crash into his arms.

With a thud, Lord Changlin sighed. Only the Lord of Ziyang could withstand such a force, like a young bull.

Rubbing her forehead, he asked expressionlessly, “Doesn’t it hurt?”

Grimacing, Li Huaiyu replied, “Who cares about pain? I’m here to stand up for you!”

With that, she rolled up her sleeves and glared at Lord Changlin and Pingling. “If you have something to say, say it to me!”

Lord Pingling turned pale, and Lord Changlin shivered, instantly sitting quietly, not daring to speak.

They just wanted some benefits from the Lord of Ziyang. Everyone had a hard time in the war, right? It wasn’t an unreasonable request. Why was the Princess so fierce…

Jiang Xuanjin couldn’t help but smile, quickly suppressing it. He pulled her to sit in the main seat and said to Lord Changlin, “You can continue what you were saying. The Princess is here too.”

With this little tyrant sitting here, who dared to say more? Lord Changlin swallowed, his momentum waning. “Three thousand soldiers and armor might be a bit much, right? After the war, everywhere needs to recuperate. How about two thousand five hundred?”

The Changlin Army suffered significant losses in the war. Jiang Xuanjin had planned to compensate them with some soldiers and armor. Three thousand wasn’t much, quite reasonable, but now that they asked for five hundred less, he had no objections.

“Alright,” he nodded.

Lord Changlin was delighted and quickly bowed. “The Lord is generous.”

Listening, Li Huaiyu realized something was off. She had thought these feudal lords would demand land and gold, or even seize the throne amidst the chaos. But they were surprisingly honest, only asking for soldiers and armor.

Realizing her misunderstanding, she couldn’t admit it, so she maintained her fierce demeanor, listening to them discuss provisions and trade.

In less than half an hour, the feudal lords quickly slipped away.

Relaxing her tense body, Huaiyu rubbed her shoulder and muttered, “Are people so content these days? I remember Lord Pingling being quite greedy. He didn’t even dare ask for a salt well this time.”

Jiang Xuanjin gave her a deep look. “Thanks to you.”

“Hmm? Really? I don’t think I said anything,” Huaiyu scratched her head, embarrassed. “I just listened, like a vase.”

Pulling her into his arms, Jiang Xuanjin said, “You’re much more useful than a vase. Just sitting here can hold the fort.”

Flattered, her tail wagged again, and Huaiyu grinned. “Of course, I have presence!”

Jiang Xuanjin pursed his lips, holding her as he walked out.

“Hey, where are we going?” Huaiyu clutched his clothes, a bit panicked.

He answered seriously, “To use you as a house guardian.”

“Stop joking. I don’t want to meet your family,” Huaiyu pouted. “Everything’s settled here. I need to go back to the palace to hold the children.”

“Join me for dinner.”

“No…”

“Please?” He softened his tone, his nose gently brushing her cheek.

Li Huaiyu froze, then said angrily, “Using your looks is shameful!”

Knowing she couldn’t resist his charm, he kept using this trick. It was too much!

Jiang Xuanjin felt no shame, only pride. “Thank you for your love, my lady.”

Huaiyu was exasperated, but what could she do? She had no self-control. Fine, she’d have dinner, just bury her head and eat.

Old Master Jiang stood in his room, looking stubborn.

Jiang Chong, knowing he wanted a way out, smiled and said, “We owe our return to Third Brother and the Princess.”

Old Master Jiang snorted. “Loyal bones fear no burial in foreign lands!”

“Why be buried when you can live?” Jiang Shen also smiled. “Now that our family is reunited, it’s a blessing. Some things should be let go, don’t you think?”

Turning his head, the old master pouted. “No!”

Jiang Chong, amused and exasperated, was about to persuade him further when the steward ran in excitedly, shouting, “Old Master, Old Master! She agreed to stay for dinner! The kitchen has added dishes. Do you want to…”

Old Master Jiang glared at him, but it was too late to stop him.

The room fell silent for a moment, then the two Jiang brothers couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny!” The old master, embarrassed and angry, stomped his dragon-headed cane. “This is how the Jiang family treats guests!”

Jiang Shen laughed until tears came, leaning on a chair. “When… when did you know the Princess was at our residence?”

Glaring at the steward, the old master huffed. “She rode in and broke the gate. Who else would do that? With such a commotion, I’m not deaf!”

“Father is wise,” Jiang Chong said. “Shall I have them add two more dishes?”

The old master remained silent, and when Jiang Chong reached the door, he spoke in a low voice, “Invite two more people.”

…

In the familiar courtyard, Jiang Xuanjin strolled, saying 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 tightly gripping his sleeve. “So, can you let go?”

Her hand stiffened, and Huaiyu turned her head. “I… I’m afraid of getting lost.”

Understanding, Jiang Xuanjin said, “Just follow me.”

Ahead was the old master’s Hongyuan Pavilion. Li Huaiyu pursed her lips, feeling isolated and vulnerable. What if she got scolded once inside? She instinctively glanced back.

What she saw startled her. “Jiu Wu, Qingxian?”

Walking through the moon gate towards them were Jiu Wu and others. Seeing her truly there, their expressions relaxed, and they bowed. “Your Highness.”

Huaiyu looked worried. “Are you here to crash the party?”