Chapter 173: It is my great fortune to have you in this life

That day, Lu Haozhi didn't come over from Zhonghe Hall until dusk.

Meng Yan greeted them at the door and bowed.

Lu Haozhi leaned over, helped her up, and said, "From now on, when there are no outsiders in the room, there will be no need for these false formalities between us."

Meng Yan raised her eyebrows and smiled, "That won't do. Who knows, one day the Emperor might get angry with me again, and when he thinks about these things, he'll get even more angry and punish me!"

Seeing her playful smile, Lu Haozhi knew she was just joking, so he squeezed her hand and said with a smile, "You have so much to say. If it were someone else, they would have been overjoyed."

Meng Yan glanced at him, her eyes slightly turned up, and she said with a half-smile, "Since Your Majesty has said so, then why don't you find someone else?"

Lu Haozhi looked at her charming and charming appearance, and felt a little itchy in his heart. He pinched her slender waist and scolded her with a smile, "You naughty little girl, you know I can't leave you, and yet you still say this."

Meng Yan giggled and dodged away.

After laughing for a while, Lu Haozhi's fatigue was swept away.

After entering and sitting down, Meng Yan brought over a cup of Yu Lu tea, placed it next to him, and sat down beside him to accompany him.

Lu Haozhi picked up the tea bowl and took a sip, playing with the lid of the tea bowl. After a while, he said, "Yan'er, I have something to tell you." He stopped talking as soon as he opened his mouth, and just stared blankly.

Meng Yan looked at him, a hint of fatigue between her handsome and dashing brows.

I guess Chaoshang is worried about something again.

Although there are experiences from the previous life to compare with, there are many variables in this life, and many things do not go according to the previous life.

After a moment, she spoke softly, "Your Majesty, if you have anything to say, just say it. I can bear it."

Lu Haozhi put down his tea bowl, as if he had made up his mind, and said solemnly, "Your brother has led his army back to Beijing, and the army has now reached the Zhili area..."

Upon hearing this news, Meng Yan was overjoyed and said with a smile, "So, my brother is coming back soon?" As she finished speaking, she saw Lu Haozhi's sword-like brows furrowed tightly, and his expression was strange. Her heart skipped a beat. After pondering for a moment, she suddenly remembered that Lu Haozhi had told her privately a few days ago that when Meng Changyuan arrived in the capital, he would lead the entire court to personally welcome him. Thinking about the current situation, she guessed something and asked, "Is the emperor worried? There is an epidemic in the capital now, and the arrival of a large army might cause tensions?"

As she spoke, she smiled slightly, "That's easy to do. All we need to do is order the army to stay in the capital's vicinity and not enter the city. As for my brother, Your Majesty, don't worry too much. My brother has a straightforward and cheerful personality and won't take such a trivial matter to heart."

After finishing his speech, Lu Haozhi's expression did not relax at all.

He looked up at Meng Yan, his eyes suddenly fluctuating slightly, as if something extremely difficult was happening.

After a long while, he continued, "Yan'er, your brother led his army back to the capital, and an epidemic broke out in the army..."

As soon as these words fell, Meng Yan felt a buzzing in her ears, her vision went dark, her body swayed, and she fell to one side.

Lu Haozhi rushed forward, hurriedly supporting her body, and whispered, "Yan'er, don't worry. Meng Changyuan is not sick, but there is an epidemic in the army. He hurried to the capital to ask for my instructions. I am undecided, and I remember that he is your brother after all, so I want to discuss it with you..."

Meng Yan's heart was still beating wildly. When she heard the news, only one thought came to her mind.

Does the plot still refuse to let her and her family go?

My brother returned safely from the Western Expedition, so we have to let him get sick?!

No, she would never allow the person she cherishes to be hurt again!

Meng Yan tried her best to calm her mind, breathing lightly, "So, what is the emperor's plan?"

Lu Haozhi pondered, "Of course the army cannot enter the city, but the army cannot be without a commander for a day. Moreover, your brother has been leading the army for a long time, and those soldiers only obey him. At this critical juncture, if the commander is changed in the middle of the battle, there may be a mutiny. Therefore, I..."

Having said this, he paused slightly and looked at Meng Yan, "I think we should let Meng Changyuan lead his troops to be stationed in the Zhili camp for the time being. We will make plans after the epidemic subsides."

Meng Yan had expected Lu Haozhi's words.

After all, Meng Changyuan had led the army for several months and was already familiar with the officers and soldiers. If he were replaced, the new commander might not be able to control the army. If the army lost control and soldiers deserted, the epidemic might spread, or even a mutiny or rebellion would be even worse.

No matter how you look at it, this is the best option.

Meng Yan closed her eyes and meditated for a moment before opening them and nodding, "Your Majesty has thought it through. I will do as Your Majesty says."

Lu Haozhi pinched her soft little hand and whispered, "Yan'er, do you blame me? Your brother has been away for months, fighting for the country, risking his life. He finally came back, but he can't be reunited with his family, and he has to take on this heavy responsibility..."

The man's voice was a little hoarse, and there was a hint of bitterness in his cautiousness.

Meng Yan listened and couldn't help but smile, gently covering the back of his hand with her backhand.

"Your Majesty, this is a matter of national importance. I believe my brother understands the importance of this matter."

At this point, her expression became solemn, and she continued, "Your Majesty, you are the ruler of a country. You should put the country and the people first in your heart. You cannot always let me and my family hold you back. Without a country, there is no home, and there is no place for me to stay. I and my mother's family hold high positions and are supported by the people. In times of crisis, we should stand up."

Perhaps because of what happened in his previous life, Lu Haozhi is always more cautious around her.

If they were just an ordinary couple, it might be sweeter, but she didn't want Lu Haozhi to be so hesitant when dealing with state affairs.

Once the king has concerns in his heart, it will be a disaster for the country.

Lu Haozhi gently hugged her, buried his head in her shoulder, and sniffed the sweetness of her body. He said vaguely, "Yan'er, I am very lucky to have you in this life. But, don't you feel wronged?"

"I feel wronged. How can I not feel wronged?"

Meng Yan gently stroked the man's back, raised her head and smiled, "I still often think that it would be great if I could marry a gentleman as beautiful as jade from an ordinary wealthy family. We could stay together forever, take care of the daily necessities, and have a gentle and considerate husband, without having to worry about so many troubles..."

"Yan'er!"

Before she could finish her words, Lu Haozhi became anxious and hugged her waist tightly, almost making her unable to breathe.

Meng Yan laughed and continued, "But I've already followed the Emperor, so what else can I do? I have no choice but to assist the Emperor with all my heart and soul, lest I be branded a scoundrel and evil concubine. Even after my death, I'll be cursed in history books for thousands of years. I won't accept that!"