Yuan Zhao's actions attracted everyone's attention for a moment.
Gan Tang Biyun hurried forward, and Qiao also called for people to clean up the broken porcelain pieces.
Huo Yan immediately checked Yuan Zhao to see if she was injured, and only stood back up after making sure she was fine.
Yuan Zhao looked apologetic, "Sorry, it's a little hot."
"Nothing, nothing." Mrs. Qiao asked Yuan Zhao to change her seat and poured her another cup of tea.
Huo Zhengze didn't expect that he would run into trouble as soon as he arrived, but he didn't know that the trouble was caused by him.
Yuan Zhao sat down again, and Huo Zhengze came forward to greet her.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Yuan Zhao stared at him intently, the waves in his heart still not calming down.
But she quickly calmed down, and nothing could be seen on her face. She just smiled and chatted with Huo Zhengze about some family matters.
Huo Zhengze stood next to Qiao, and Qiao did not notice anything unusual about Yuan Zhao.
From the conversation between several people, Yuan Zhao learned that Huo Zhengze did not pursue a career in martial arts, but in literature.
As for the reason, Qiao did not say it explicitly, but Yuan Zhao could guess a little.
Mrs. Qiao certainly didn't want her only child to die on the battlefield again.
Huo Zhengze has delicate features and a scholarly air, which is completely different from Huo Yan's aura.
He also spoke softly to Yuan Zhao and treated Qiao with great respect and love.
Yuan Zhao looked at him and understood why Huo Yan wanted to return to the Huo Mansion.
She sat there for more than an hour and suggested going to the Huo Mansion Ancestral Hall to burn some incense.
This was as it should be. Qiao took her to the ancestral hall.
Huo Yan is now her "bodyguard". Since the ancestral hall is a restricted area and it is inconvenient for him to enter, he stays outside to guard it.
Huo Zhengze also went back to continue his studies, leaving only Yuan Zhao and Qiao in the ancestral hall.
After Yuan Zhao finished burning incense, he looked up and saw Qiao staring at the tablet of Huo Pingchang in front of her, her eyes full of sadness.
Mrs. Qiao walked her to the door, and Yuan Zhao handed her a note. "Second Madam, there will be a royal spring banquet in a few days. If you'd like, you can go out and enjoy the spring scenery."
Qiao handed the post over and just forced a smile, "Thank you, Your Highness. I will go if I am free."
Judging from Qiao's appearance, he doesn't seem to be very willing to go.
Yuan Zhao didn't force her. He said goodbye to her and got on the carriage.
The carriage gradually went away. Yuan Zhao lifted the curtain and looked back, only to see Qiao standing alone at the gate of the Huo Mansion.
A gust of wind blew, as if it was going to blow her down.
She was frail, but she supported this huge and empty mansion on her own.
But he also buried himself in this mansion.
Yuan Zhao suddenly felt sad.
…
After returning to the princess's mansion, Yuan Zhao rushed into his own yard.
Huo Yan followed closely behind.
Gan Tang understood that the princess and the general had something to say, so he dismissed everyone else in the courtyard and stood guard at the door himself.
Before Huo Yan took off his mask, Yuan Zhao couldn't help but ask, "How could this happen?"
Huo Yan has now regained his composure and put the mask aside.
"Maybe it's just a coincidence... maybe not..."
"Coincidence?" Yuan Zhao sat on the couch, clutching a jade pendant around his waist, and looked at Huo Yan standing in front of him. "Do you think it's possible?"
"Zhengze and Helian Yu..." she murmured, "They look so much alike!"
If the two of them stood together, no one would believe that they were not brothers.
No wonder Huo Yan lost his composure when he saw Helian Yu for the first time. Even Yuan Zhao didn't expect it.
Huo Yan sat down next to her, their shoulders touching. His gaze fell out the window, and he asked softly, "Zhao Zhao, what do you think...what is their relationship?"
Over the past decade, Huo Yan has gradually risen to the position of general today, taking over his father's role.
Although he was not sure of victory in every battle, he never panicked.
But today, he was unusually confused.
Huo Zhengze is the child of his second uncle, and Helian Yu is from Northern Qiang.
How can they be as close as brothers when they have nothing to do with each other?
Yuan Zhao naturally thought of this as well. She turned to look at Huo Yan and noticed his helplessness.
She asked, "Ayan, your second uncle back then..."
"Zhao Zhao, I buried the bodies with my own hands." She didn't finish her words, but Huo Yan looked at her and interrupted her, "I buried the bodies of my father and second uncle, as well as hundreds of people from the Huo family army..."
After so many years, when he talked about this, sadness still flashed in his usually resolute eyes.
Yuan Zhao didn't say anything else. She reached out and held Huo Yan's hand.
Some past events came flooding back to her mind and reappeared in her mind after many years.
She stammered but didn't say it out loud.
"Maybe it's just a coincidence. In fact, if you look closely, Helian Yu is obviously from Northern Qiang, and is very different from Zhengze." She could only comfort him.
Both of them had their own guesses in their minds, but all of these guesses led to the worst possible outcome.
Huo Yan embraced her, held her in his arms, closed his eyes, and hid his expression.
"I'll check..." he whispered.
Yuan Zhao also reached out and hugged him, knowing that he didn't want others to see his vulnerability.
"Okay, it's okay, I'll stay with you."
…
The South Vietnamese delegation finally arrived in the capital half a month later.
There were many people in the delegation, but the most honorable one among them was the Holy Maiden of South Vietnam.
It is rumored that the Saint of Nanyue is unparalleled in beauty and has an extraordinary appearance.
Some even say that the Saint of Nanyue can control all kinds of poisons and is immune to all kinds of poisons.
Emperor Xuan met with the delegation alone, and the welcoming ceremony was left to Yuan Zhao's Spring Banquet.
Spring banquet has always been a custom in Dacheng.
The annual spring banquet is held in the royal gardens on the outskirts of the city for three days and two nights.
There are banquets, poetry gatherings, flower viewing in the garden, and hunting bonfires.
This will not only promote exchanges among various parties in the capital, but also make it easier for children of marriageable age to meet each other, and at the same time, they can take this opportunity to make a name for themselves.
Whether it is the noble families in the capital or the two diplomatic delegations, they are all eager to show their skills at this spring banquet.
The Spring Banquet was invited in Yuan Zhao's name, and Emperor Xuan and Yuan Cheng also gave a lot of support.
Early that morning, Yuan Zhao went to the outskirts of the city.
Huo Yan has been pretending to be her guard and accompanying her these days.
But the man in black that night never came again.
Yuan Zhao speculated that this person might take action again during the Spring Banquet.
Therefore, Yuan Cheng brought a lot of imperial guards, and the royal gardens were guarded like an iron barrel.
Yuan Zhao has Huo Yan by his side, so there is no need to worry too much.
However, there were also Yuan Nan'an's children, who rarely attended such a banquet and were extremely excited.
Yuan Zhao didn't want to spoil their fun, so considering the safety of the children, he sent out several secret guards and repeatedly reminded the young man and the young lady to be alone with them.
After giving the order, she was still a little worried.
Yuan Heng, who had arrived early, saw Yuan Zhao's worry and stepped forward, "Royal sister! I'll take them out to play, just leave them to me!"
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