When the sun was high in the sky, cheers gradually drifted in from the city gate.
Everyone rushed to the window, craning their necks to look into the distance.
The streets below were packed with people, as if the entire city had come out.
"The Northern Expeditionary Army is mighty!"
"Lord Marquis, you are mighty!"
"The hero who slew the barbarians has returned!"
Everyone was flushed with excitement, shouting at the top of their lungs in extreme fervor.
The Li family was also excited. Cat Boy practically leaned half his body out of the window, asking, "Where's my fourth uncle? Why hasn't he come yet!"
Grandma Li was afraid her grandson would fall, so she held onto him with one hand and held onto the window with the other, her expression more worried than happy.
It's good that the Northern Expeditionary Army has high prestige, but such a grand welcome by thousands of people is too much.
What if someone were to say something malicious and stir up trouble, and it reached the Emperor's ears...
Jiayin also thought of this and frowned, but not wanting her grandmother to worry, she whispered, "Grandma, my godfather is very capable. He will definitely have a way to deal with this."
Before her words had even finished, the people below changed their slogans.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live Tianwu!"
Jiayin quickly looked out, and immediately beamed with joy, all her worries gone.
It turned out that a thousand Northern Expeditionary Army soldiers, exuding an aura of iron will, were marching majestically from afar.
Protected in the middle was a snow-white steed, upon which rode the emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe.
Lord Hou and Li Laosi rode black horses, half a horse's length behind, guarding the Emperor on both sides!
All the glory of the Northern Expeditionary Army was given to the Emperor at this moment, while the true heroes remained hidden from public view.
Faced with the people's cheers of "Long live the Emperor!", the Emperor couldn't help but blush with excitement and nodded to the crowd from time to time.
The people became even more excited, and someone took the lead and knelt down.
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live Tianwu!"
"The Northern Expeditionary Army is mighty!"
The emperor, flattered, straightened his back even more, becoming even more spirited.
The Marquis and Li Laosi exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with understanding and amusement.
Just then, someone by the roadside suddenly called out, "Father, Godfather!"
The two turned their heads quickly upon hearing the sound and saw the whole family waving and shouting vigorously from the window of the cyclamen restaurant.
"Fourth brother, Lord Marquis!"
"Fourth Uncle, Lord Marquis!"
Lord Hou and Li Laosi laughed and waved their riding whips.
Before the Li family could get excited, a woman in the next private room screamed in alarm.
"Ah, look! The Marquis is looking at me, looking at me!"
"And who's that next to him? That general is so imposing! Mother, arrange a marriage for me, go arrange a marriage for me!"
"Shut up! Don't you care about your reputation? Keep your voices down!"
The Li family members were completely dumbfounded.
Aren't young ladies supposed to be reserved and demure? But judging from the situation next door, it looks like they're about to kidnap a bride right there in the street!
Tao Hongying's face darkened with anger, and she immediately rolled up her sleeves.
Jiayin laughed until her stomach hurt, and quickly stopped her mother, saying, "Haha, Mom, I didn't expect my dad to be more popular than my godfather!"
"Go home and have a good talk with my father. Tell him to behave properly and make sure he doesn't talk to anyone. Otherwise, there are so many women out there, and you can't beat them all up one by one, Mother!"
"Fine, we'll wait for your dad to come home!" Tao Hongying said through gritted teeth.
This caused everyone to burst into laughter...
Just as Li Laosi was riding on horseback and about to speak to the Marquis, he sneezed twice, and the hairs on the back of his neck immediately stood on end.
He turned his head and looked around, not understanding where this inexplicable sense of crisis came from...
The Marquis asked with concern, "Are you dressed too lightly? You can go home and soak in the hot springs."
Li Laosi shook his head and said in a low voice, "The Marquis will be going to the palace soon, so I won't accompany him. I'll go somewhere first!"
The Marquis understood and nodded.
When I arrived at the dock last night, they heard everything that had happened at home.
They were naturally aware of Jia Yin's assassination and Jia Yi's killing in the street.
Being away on campaign and unable to care for their families, causing them to suffer injustice, both of them were burning with rage.
However, these things are not urgent.
They're back, and they have plenty of time to slowly resolve things and seek justice for each case!
When the northern expeditionary force was victorious, the emperor went out of the city to personally welcome them and receive the congratulations of the people.
The expressions of the civil and military officials who were originally waiting at the palace gates when they received this news were truly fascinating.
Some admired the Marquis's thoughtfulness, while others secretly cursed him as treacherous.
Of course, those petty people who secretly wanted to sow discord were left with nothing but disappointment.
Soon, the Northern Expeditionary Army arrived at the palace gate, where officials knelt and kowtowed to welcome them.
The Emperor, hand in hand with the Marquis of Xinting, entered the palace gates, followed by civil and military officials.
Using the excuse of changing clothes, the Marquis of Xinting and the Emperor had a short break. They sat in the back hall, drinking tea and chatting.
The Emperor felt guilty and knew that what had happened in Xindu over the past six months could not be kept secret, so he spoke first: "Cousin, did you see Fu Niu'er and the others by the roadside just now?"
The Marquis nodded. "I see. Fu Niu'er was chubby no matter what she ate when she was little, but now that she's a young lady, she's getting thinner and thinner."
The Emperor coughed lightly and said, "It was my negligence that caused this child to suffer injustice and fright."
The Marquis frowned and replied, "Your Majesty is too kind. That was an accident. No one could have imagined that the Empress and the Wu family would believe such an outrageous rumor."
The Emperor felt a little better, but when he thought of the Empress and the Wu family, his face darkened again.
“The Wu family is indeed incredibly stupid; they couldn’t even see through such an obvious trap. I have already begun investigating who is behind this, and I have just made some progress. But the Empress cannot be deposed yet.”
The Marquis glanced in the direction of Shou Kang Palace and asked, "Was this the work of that person?"
The Emperor snorted coldly, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, and lowered his voice, "Besides that person, who else could possibly cause trouble in the palace?"
"Similarly, we can't touch her for now, but we can't let those traitorous fools outside live. We should make an example of them and give that old vile woman a warning!"
The Marquis bowed and said, “Your Majesty, I let it go before, but now that I have returned, please do not hesitate to send me if I am needed.”
The Emperor smiled and nodded, "My cousin is my source of confidence, but since he has just returned, he should rest for a while. There's no rush for anything else."
After saying that, he stood up first, "Let's go, the civil and military officials are still waiting ahead."
After the Marquis, Steward Yi, smiling and attentive, quickly went to the front.
Leaving aside the joy in the imperial court over the victory of the northern expeditionary force, let's just say that in front of the side gate of the Jingzhao Yin's office, two bailiffs were leaning against the wall, yawning with nothing to do.
One of them, perhaps having lost money gambling last night, was listless and grumbling, "I've really had terrible luck lately, I've stepped in dog poop."
"Those dice are like they've grown eyes, they're just deliberately going against me!"
"I yelled 'big,' and it played 'small.' It made me so angry I wanted to flip the table."
His companion laughed heartily, gloating, and said, "You should just marry the dice; once she's your wife, she'll naturally be obedient!"
"Bullshit, you're the one who should marry a dice!" the officer who lost the bet laughed and cursed, and the two started arguing.
Just then, a dozen or so fast horses suddenly came galloping from afar.
A general, fully armored and imposing, appeared on horseback, inspiring awe in passersby who quickly gave way.
The two constables watched with extreme envy.
Although they carry waist knives and hold public office, when they go out, everyone curses them as mangy dogs.
Forget about being so powerful and respected by everyone; it's a miracle they don't talk behind their backs.
The two were pondering this when the troop of men stopped in front of the gate. The general immediately dismounted and strode over...
My darlings, two updates today, four more tomorrow to make up for it. The reason is simple: I've been put on five days of quarantine! I almost took the kids to the centralized quarantine facility, thankfully it was just a matter of sealing the door. In these extraordinary times, safety first, everyone! Stay home and avoid gatherings. Staying home reading and watching shows is perfectly fine too! Love you all!
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