Chapter 538 Return to the Palace

Yan Xiuyun ordered his men to search the foot of the mountain for a day and a night, but just as the guards had said, they did not find the bodies of Xiao Yuan and the assassin.

I only found Xiao Yuan's sword by the river.

Yan Xiuyun also asked people nearby villagers and learned that the river was extremely turbulent and there were many hidden reefs underground.

Not to mention being seriously injured, even for someone familiar with water, it would be difficult to survive if they fell into this river.

Since the search was fruitless, Yan Xiuyun had no choice but to give up and continue his journey back to Beijing with Xiao Yuan's sword.

…

On the day when the emperor returned to the capital, all the civil and military officials in the capital went out of the city to welcome him.

The people lined the streets to welcome him and praised his bravery.

To celebrate the end of the war and completely annihilate the Zhenbei King's forces that had been entrenched in the northern border for a long time, Yan Xiuyun ordered a general amnesty and the people rejoiced.

Zhu Lan led the ministers in writing a congratulatory letter. Emperor Yan Xiuyun was very pleased and bestowed many rewards in the palace.

…

harem.

Behind Dong Lanxin, Qin Yuwei and other concubines came in their best attire to congratulate Yan Xiuyun on his triumphant return.

After a series of ceremonies, Yan Xiuyun couldn't help but look at Qin Yuwei a few more times. However, due to etiquette, he still stayed in Fengyi Palace and had dinner with the queen.

Qin Yuwei was naturally gentle and understanding. She gave the purse she had embroidered herself to Yan Xiuyun to express her longing for him during his absence, and then left sensibly.

After the concubines left, Dong Lanxin said softly, "Your Majesty, I have something to apologize to you for."

Yan Xiuyun glanced at her sideways with a strange look in his eyes and asked her what was wrong.

Dong Lanxin knelt down and said:

"Earlier, you had confined Concubine Rong to Jingxin Garden, but the baby in her belly was getting bigger and she was about to give birth.

As the head of the harem, I have the duty to protect the six palaces. Although I have some disagreements with Concubine Rong, I am also worried that her depression will harm the heir to the throne, so I lifted her house arrest.

I acted on my own initiative, Your Majesty, and I ask you to punish me."

Yan Xiuyun said "Oh", and the strangeness in his eyes disappeared, and he said lightly:

"The queen is broad-minded and puts the heir first. How can it be a crime? Get up."

After Dong Lanxin stood up, Yan Xiuyun dismissed the other servants in Fengyi Palace, but Yan Ning walked in at this time.

Yan Ning had grown a few inches taller and was now a big fat boy. He came over with a pile of things in his arms and said respectfully:

"Father, this is my son's homework these days. I have not slacked off at all. Please take a look at it."

Yan Xiuyun flipped it open and took a look, then nodded and said, "It seems that Master Xu has put in a lot of effort."

"Not only Master Xu, but whenever Minister Zhu comes to the palace, I will also ask for her advice."

"Oh? How does Minister Zhu compare to Grand Tutor Xu?" Yan Xiuyun asked.

Yan Ning replied in a serious tone:

"I think that both Grand Tutor Xu and Minister Zhu have their own strengths.

Taifu Xu was well-versed in the classics, history, and literature. There was nothing he didn't know as long as it was in the books.

But Zhu Zhongcheng knows a lot of things that are not written in books. No wonder Sister Jing always has many strange ideas when talking to me, which I have never heard of. "

Yan Xiuyun couldn't help laughing and said:

"Well, Father and your mother still have something to say, you should continue to review your lessons."

Yan Ning was somewhat disappointed with Yan Xiuyun's reaction. He glanced at Dong Lanxin and saw her nod slightly to him, then he bowed and left.

Dong Lanxin glanced at Yan Xiuyun's expression calmly, and vaguely realized that what he was about to say might be very important, otherwise even Yan Ning would not have been sent out.

Dong Lanxin didn't ask any questions, but just smiled and poured two cups of tea.

"Your Majesty, please try this. This is the Mantingfang tea that I asked someone to send from Longyou. It is the first crop of this year and it has a very elegant taste."

Yan Xiuyun took a sip and said, "Hmm, it is indeed elegant."

"Your Majesty has had a hard time on this journey and must have encountered many dangers. I heard that Your Majesty was also injured on the battlefield. Is the injury serious?" Dong Lanxin asked softly.

"Not bad." Yan Xiuyun put down the teacup and said lightly: "By the way, I brought back something."

He called out to the outside of the hall, and Manager Zhao came in, holding a long object wrapped in black cloth in his hand.

"What is this?" Dong Lan asked curiously.

Yan Xiuyun let her see for herself.

Dong Lanxin took the object and felt it was heavy. It should be something made of iron.

When she untied the black cloth, her eyes suddenly widened and her heart seemed to be hit hard!

"Xiao Yuan is dead." Yan Xiuyun said.

Ding——!

The sword in Dong Lanxin's hand fell to the ground.

Yan Xiuyun stared into her eyes closely, not missing a single change in her expression.

"How could it be..." Dong Lanxin staggered a step, her nose feeling slightly sore. She used all her strength to suppress her tears.

"I encountered an assassination attempt on my way back to the capital. Xiao Yuan and the bandit leader died together and fell into a valley. No trace of their bodies was left.

He died protecting his master, which was considered loyal. I will build a tomb for him and posthumously confer him the title of general. The queen does not need to be so sad. "

Yan Xiuyun's tone was so calm that not a single trace of something unusual could be heard.

Dong Lanxin realized her own gaffe and forced herself to put on an ugly smile.

“I and Commander Xiao…are from the same hometown after all, and he has served Your Majesty loyally for many years, so we are quite familiar with each other.

It is really a pity that he passed away at such an early age..."

"Yes, I think so too, so I can't help but tell you." Yan Xiuyun took the teacup in his hand and played with it for a while, but found it boring and put it back on the table in annoyance.

When he stood up, his eyes were like the abyss.

"Queen, please take a rest. I will go see Concubine Rong."

Yan Xiuyun walked out without looking back.

After Yan Xiuyun left, Dong Lanxin held Xiao Yuan's sword in a daze, her eyes blank.

She knew she couldn't cry.

Not even a tear can be shed.

But she couldn't understand. Xiao Yuan had clearly promised her that no matter what happened, he would live well for her and Ning'er.

Even if Yan Xiuyun was assassinated on her way back to the capital, she didn't believe that the assassins had the ability to really kill the emperor with so many guards.

Why did Xiao Yuan choose to die together with the assassin?

He obviously didn't have to die!

Why is this?

At this time, the voice of the personal maid sounded beside her:

"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine is outside the palace and said she wants to see you for something."

Dong Lanxin closed her eyes and shook her head. She was so upset that she didn't want to see anyone.

"The Imperial Concubine said...it was related to Commander Xiao's death."