Chapter 470 King Wu Returns to the Capital

On this day, flags were waving at the east gate of the capital.

The emperor personally led all civil and military officials and stood solemnly under the city wall.

Welcome King Wu back to the capital after he defended his country and fought for Dayan.

The news had already spread, and the people in the city spontaneously lined the streets to welcome them, and the streets were deserted.

However, when King Wu's iconic rugged image appeared at the city gate, everyone couldn't help but glance at his horse's back.

Two handsome young men were tied firmly to his horse's back, one on the left and one on the right.

His hair was messy from the wind, his face was pale, and his eyes were closed.

As the warhorse swayed and rocked, he looked quite miserable.

Xiaoxiao and Xiongxiong tried hard to cover their faces with their sleeves, but their hands were fixed in front of their bodies, making the movement difficult.

It’s… so embarrassing! The two of them wailed inwardly.

In order to see the Grandmother as soon as possible, they accepted being tied up and forced to travel!

But...but now that we have arrived in the capital, can't your uncle just put them down first?

This scene that attracted the attention of so many people... How are they going to survive in the capital from now on? ! !

At the foot of the city wall, Yan Shixu and Prince Lin received pitiful looks from their son.

The corners of their mouths twitched imperceptibly, and then they looked up at the sky in tacit understanding.

It’s not that Dad doesn’t want to save you, it’s just that your great-uncle is too powerful and we can’t afford to offend him!

King Wu dismounted from his horse with the agility of a tiger.

He strode towards the emperor, lifted his robe, and knelt on one knee.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you! Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"

Two hundred dusty elite personal soldiers followed closely behind him.

Yan Shixu stepped forward quickly and personally helped up the emperor's uncle who had made great contributions to Great Yan.

"Uncle Wu, you've had a long journey! Please get up quickly! Upon learning that you've arrived in the capital today, the Empress Dowager has become much more energetic and is eager to see you. We will enter the palace immediately."

Upon hearing this, King Wu's eyes filled with tears and he nodded heavily.

The group quickly passed through the solemn crowd and noisy streets and headed straight for the palace.

Xiaoxiao and Xiongxiong were paraded through the streets all the way until they entered the palace, where they were untied by King Wu and casually handed over to the palace servants who had been waiting for them to help.

As soon as their feet touched the ground, their calves were still shaking, their faces were still pale, and they were half-supported by the palace servants as they followed behind.

The main hall of Cining Palace.

Almost all the royal family members gathered together, sitting quietly in order of seniority.

The Queen Mother and the Empress served beside the Grand Empress Dowager.

The Grand Empress Dowager insisted on staying in the hotel today and changed into a court dress that was solemn and luxurious, but obviously empty and ill-fitting.

Her silver hair was neatly tied up behind her head.

The sunlight shone through the window lattice and fell on her obliquely.

The heavy brocade of the gorgeous clothes absorbed most of the light, making it look a little gloomy.

The emerald feathers and oriental pearls of the phoenix hairpin on her head reflected a faint but persistent warm golden light under the light, illuminating her unusually clear eyes.

However, everyone in the hall knew the truth.

This was just a brief glimmer of hope, a facade the old man forced himself to maintain out of joy at his son's return.

When the tall, burly, and dusty figure of King Wu strode into the palace threshold along with the emperor, everyone's eyes were focused on him.

King Wu's gaze fell directly on his mother.

I haven't seen my mother for just a few years, and she, who used to be pretty strong in my memory, has become so old and weak!

"Mother——!" The cry with a heavy sob tone could no longer be suppressed.

This iron-blooded man who made the enemy tremble in fear on the battlefield is now like a lost child returning home.

He rushed forward in a few steps and knelt down heavily at the feet of the Empress Dowager with a plop.

The Empress Dowager burst into tears instantly, and the turbid old tears slid down her wrinkled cheeks.

She stretched out her skinny hand tremblingly, and eagerly, almost greedily, touched her son's face, which had become even tougher and darker due to the wind and frost.

"Wu'er... my Wu'er... has become thinner... darker..." Every word was filled with heartbreaking pity.

King Wu buried his face deep in the brocade quilt covering his mother's lap. The years of suppressed longing and the grief at this moment burst like a flood, and he cried bitterly:

"I am an unfilial son! I haven't been at my mother's knees for many years, causing her to worry and work hard! I am an unfilial son—!"

The Empress Dowager held up her son's tear-stained face and burst into tears.

"Silly child...what nonsense are you talking about..."

Her voice was choked, but she tried to put on a proud smile.

"You defended our country at the border, expanded the territory for Great Yan, and made outstanding military achievements... This achievement will be recorded in history!"

"Besides, the Queen Mother has so many people around her who are taking good care of her. Why would she need you to stay by her side and show your filial piety?"

"My son is a great hero, an eagle soaring freely on the frontier! Queen Mother... is truly... truly... proud of you! Proud!!"

At the end of her speech, the Empress Dowager burst into tears again.

Behind this pride lies the guilt and heartache hidden deep in my heart.

This son, due to palace strife, was not able to be raised by his side since birth, and suffered from neglect and pain in the palace of Concubine Duan.

He joined the army when he was in his teens, fought bloody battles in the bitter cold border area, and suffered untold hardships.

After decades of busy military service, the only time he truly enjoyed the company of her was the short three years he spent in the capital before the attack on Beidi.

Only three years...

The time is too short, too short...

At this moment, looking at her no longer young son kneeling in front of her, the strong reluctance in the Empress Dowager's heart surged out like a tide.

She stroked her son's rough cheek over and over again, and the touch was so real, so heartbreaking.

And King Wu, this man who stands tall and upright.

At this moment, he was lying in front of his mother's knees, crying like a helpless child.

It was as if he wanted to pour out all the love and pain of separation that he had been unable to express in his lifetime.

Everyone in the hall was deeply moved by the tragic scene of the mother and son meeting each other, and they all lowered their heads and shed tears.

…