Following Ling Lanqi were nearly a thousand cavalrymen, and behind them were long lines of infantry. The procession was so vast it resembled a long dragon. From afar, it shone with silver light. These men totaled perhaps 20,000 to 30,000 men. The rest were likely stationed outside the city. After all, according to the old system, returning soldiers were not allowed to bring too many soldiers into the city to prevent rebellion.
Looking at the officials standing in the middle of the road to greet them, Ling Lan raised his hand slightly, signaling the team behind to stop.
The leaders, including General Xu, Imperial Censor Lin, and Imperial Court Magistrate Song, bowed slightly and said, "We respectfully welcome General Ling back to the court!"
As soon as the words fell, the onlookers spontaneously responded, "Welcome General Ling back to the court!"
The sound was so loud that it shook the earth.
Ling Lan dismounted with a carefree and unrestrained movement. After gaining his footing, he casually dropped the reins onto the saddle, walked forward, and bowed to General Xu and the other officials, saying, "Ling Lan thanks you all for welcoming me."
Then, he bowed to the people around him and said, "Thank you."
Finally, when he saw a strong official standing behind General Xu, Ling Lan paused slightly, knelt on one knee and said to the official, "Father."
General Xu quickly stepped aside, revealing the official's figure and appearance. He was wearing a dark blue official uniform, with dark skin and some black spots on his face, but he was in good spirits and had a strong build. This person was Ling Feng, the guard in charge of the palace gates.
Lord Ling was now in tears. He strode forward, bent down, helped Ling Lan up, and reached out to ruthlessly punch Ling Lan in the chest. He wept with joy, "Good son! You really bring honor to my Ling family!"
After Ling Lan had arranged all the soldiers, he did not return to the Ling Mansion, but went to the Regent's Mansion to report.
Originally, Ling Lan wanted to go to the palace to report to Ji Xingzhi, but Lord Ling told him that the emperor was no longer in charge of state affairs, and all court affairs were handled by the regent.
When Ling Lan heard this, like many others, he was shocked, and then he felt incredible. He had just signed a peace treaty and became a good emperor in the eyes of the people, but he suddenly became licentious and immoral. It was really unbelievable.
Inside the Regent's Palace.
In the quiet study, Xiao Moyan rarely did not read, review memorials, or take a rest. Instead, he sat on the soft couch, motionless.
He wore a long, cyan robe, his long hair tied up with a silver crown, two strands of hair cascading down his chest. His eyes were slightly closed, his handsome face expressionless. He seemed enveloped in a hazy white light, emanating from within, as if blending with the air, yet distinctly different, a sacred and beautiful aura.
"Your Highness, General Ling requests an audience." Lin Feng hurried over and knocked on the door a few times.
Hearing Lin Feng's voice, Xiao Moyan's eyelashes trembled slightly, and the next moment he opened his eyes. The light on his body gradually dissipated and disappeared without a trace.
Xiao Moyan didn't say anything and took out a jade pendant from his sleeve. The pendant looked smooth all over and was engraved with strange patterns, as if it was carefully polished by a god, making the pendant extremely exquisite. Every line seemed to contain a mystery.
This is the legendary bond pendant, also known as the soul-calming jade.
Half of the bond pendant can be complete, but half of the soul-calming jade is incomplete.
Looking at the bond pendant lying quietly in his palm, Xiao Moyan's eyes flickered slightly, and he murmured in a low voice: "It is a bond, but also a calamity."
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