Chapter 5

The people of Xiyuan did not know Qi Xinglan and easily ignored him, looking at their king with admiration.

Qi Xinglan stole a glance at him, then turned back to Lin with a blank expression, calmly facing the love his people showed him.

No wonder he could hold such a high position. It turns out he is not surprised by honor or disgrace, Qi Xinglan thought.

The group arrived outside the gate of the royal court, and all the ministers of high rank stood there, looking at the army's whereabouts from afar.

Qi Xinglan naturally saw the huge group of people from a distance, but she did not see anyone dressed as a concubine. She was still suspicious, but when she returned to Lin's harem, none of the concubines came out to greet her.

When the troops arrived, the officials standing in front of them knelt down to greet them and said in unison: "Greetings, Your Majesty! We welcome Your Majesty back in triumph!"

He returned to the forest and dismounted his horse, then stood there waiting for Qi Xinglan until Qi Xinglan walked up to him and then they went over.

Naturally, none of the ministers in Xiyuan had ever seen Qi Xinglan, but they all knew that the king had sent a letter saying that he wanted to marry a young man from Central Plains as his queen.

Seeing that he had a handsome appearance and indeed did not look like a Xiyuan person, I began to have some ideas in my mind.

Doesn’t this mean that their Xiyuan royal family may no longer have a legitimate prince!

But then he thought again, it's not a big deal, it's not like he can't take a female concubine. At most he can make a concubine the prince. If that doesn't work, there are still fertility medicines. The king is 22 years old and it's hard to be tempted.

In the final analysis, as long as the king likes it, that's fine.

"Everyone, get up."

"Your Majesty, you must be exhausted from the journey. Please do not stay outside for long. Please go to the royal court as soon as possible. The Queen Mother is waiting for you in Chongyun Palace." Prime Minister Zhao stood up, folded his hands in front of his forehead and bowed.

The Queen Mother was not in good health and did not come out because of the cold weather.

"Okay," Hui Lin turned around and said to Qi Xinglan, "Lan'er, come with me."

Qi Xinglan glanced at the Prime Minister, then looked back at Lin and found that he was looking at her expectantly, "Okay."

We will meet sooner or later anyway, so why not wait for a day?

"I'm going too!" Yan Cheng strode over from behind, shouting, "I haven't seen my aunt for a long time."

Qi Xinglan was a little surprised. He just realized that Yan Cheng and Hui Lin were actually cousins ​​according to their generation. No wonder he was always so presumptuous in front of Hui Lin.

Hui Lin turned his head and glanced at him, then Yan Cheng put down his raised hand in disappointment.

"Go ahead." Yan Cheng replied to Lin Songkou and grinned again, "Then your Majesty, let's go quickly!"

The Queen Mother was happy and quiet, so Chongyun Palace was also clean. The palace maids who were sweeping outside the palace did not make much noise until the eunuch shouted "Your Majesty, return to the palace" and someone ran in to report.

The Queen Mother had been sitting in the main hall waiting for a long time. She had read in the letter that her son had brought back his sweetheart from the expedition.

"Mother, I am back."

Hui Lin stepped into the hall in black boots, followed closely by Qi Xinglan and Yan Cheng.

"Alin!" The Queen Mother stood up immediately, tears welling up in her eyes.

Hui Lin strode closer and stood there for the Queen Mother to see. The Queen Mother touched his shoulder and looked at him carefully. After a long while, she said, "You are not that thin, just darker."

"However, fortunately, you have lived up to your father's wishes and successfully recovered the lost territory. Your father's spirit in heaven would also be proud of you."

"I am fortunate that I have fulfilled my mission." When Huilin saw that the Queen Mother had started coughing again, he quickly helped her sit on a chair.

"Mother, I..." Hui Lin turned around and pulled Qi Xinglan over, "This is Lan'er, the one I mentioned in the letter."

Only then did the Queen Mother shift her gaze to Qi Xinglan's face, and Qi Xinglan naturally looked at her as well. The woman in front of her had a kind face and gentle features. The Queen Mother had the most beautiful eyes, and Hui Lin's eyes were exactly the same.

The Queen Mother waved at him, "Come here, child!"

Qi Xinglan did not hesitate to see this, and generously walked closer to let the Queen Mother see him. The Queen Mother took his hand, looked into the boy's eyes and smiled, "What a handsome boy from the Central Plains, a perfect match for A-Lin."

"Thank you for the compliment, Queen Mother. Indeed, many people have praised me for my good looks since I was a child." Qi Xinglan was not modest at all and said whatever she wanted to say, which made the Queen Mother laugh continuously.

"Lan'er, what you said is right. Ahem... just don't call me Queen Mother. Our Xiyuan is not as strict as your Great Zhou. You can just call me Queen Mother."

Before Qi Xinglan could say anything, Yan Cheng came up and said, "That's right, Wang's wife! I always call you aunt."

Qi Xinglan looked back at Lin again and found that he was also smiling, as if he also felt it was appropriate. Qi Xinglan then spoke, but her voice was much more reserved, "Mother."

The Queen Mother was delighted to hear this. "Hey! Wait a few days, when the Ministry of Rites has prepared everything, you two can get married. It's a good opportunity to take advantage of the victory we just won and the people are so happy."

"Hehe...I always listen to my mother." Qi Xinglan scratched his head, his face flushed.

"Well, don't stand here anymore, go back and settle down first. Ah Cheng will stay and talk to me later."

"Okay!" Yan Cheng answered happily.

After returning to the forest, he took a few steps back, bowed to the Queen Mother, and then left with Qi Xinglan.

After everyone left, the Queen Mother pulled Yan Cheng aside and asked him about the couple.

"Ah Cheng, how did your cousin and Lan'er know each other? Do they get along well? Tell your aunt in detail."

The Queen Mother was too embarrassed to ask more questions in front of Lan'er.

"Aunt, if you talk about this, I don't want to leave. The two of them..."

Yan Cheng took a long time to tell the story of the two of them. It was so vivid that he almost wanted to perform it himself.

"And the way they get along! My cousin is so nice that he's afraid he'll melt in your mouth, but my cousin-in-law is really a good person, good in every way."

"Not only is she good-looking, but she's also good at martial arts!" Speaking of martial arts, we have to bring up the night attack by the remnants of the Xiongnu.

"That kid is so good, it's no wonder that Ah Lin is attracted to him."

"I just hope they can live well and support each other and live a good life."

At this point, Yan Cheng hesitated. He asked tentatively, "Aunt, my cousin's wife is a man, and they don't have their own children. Do you want my cousin's wife to take the harmful fertility drug?"

Yan Cheng himself didn't care about these things, but those old and pedantic ministers would probably force Lin Na to take back his concubines. If that didn't work, they would force Qi Xinglan to take fertility medicine. Although Yan Cheng had never seen that thing, he had heard that many dignitaries in the capital city married male wives to pass on their offspring.

It is also said that they would force slaves to eat this in order to satisfy their pleasure in playing with men.

The Queen Mother was not worried. "If Ah Lin didn't have the ability to shut up his subjects, he wouldn't be sitting in this position today. Ah Cheng, don't worry."

"By the way, your cousin is getting married soon, what about you? I don't care about you, but that doesn't mean I will accept that you can live alone for the rest of your life."

Yan Cheng is only three years younger than Hui Lin, and he is already nineteen years old this year, which is not too early even for getting married.

Yan Cheng wailed, "Aunt, I really don't have anyone I like. My father also said that if I don't care about these things, he will be annoyed to death. Fortunately, he was sent to Yanning, otherwise he would have to nag me."

The Queen Mother looked at him deeply before saying, "Then your idea has failed. He will come to the royal court tomorrow."

"Ah?" Yan Cheng stood up suddenly, "Then I'd better go back first, my mother is still waiting for me at home."

Without waiting for the Queen Mother's response, he fled.

He had to hurry back and make arrangements with his mother so that he could find a "powerful helper" when he was scolded.

Hui Lin turned around and took Qi Xinglan to the Lanquan Palace, which was not far from his own Hengyi Palace.

There is a courtyard of pear blossoms inside the palace, and the roof is covered with glazed tiles and orchids in rows, which is indeed very different from the style of Shangjing.

Hui Lin took his hand and went inside again. The inner wall was painted with pepper, and the aroma overflowing from it filled his nose.

"Is this...for me to live in?" Qi Xinglan had already guessed it in her heart.

"Yes, how about it, do you like it?"

"This place used to be where the queen lived, but now it's yours. It's not far from the Hengyi Palace, so I can come and see you anytime."

Qi Xinglan thought of the tall palace wall she had just passed by, perhaps that was the Hengyi Palace.

Qi Xinglan turned around and looked at him, her eyes clearly showing, "Why... aren't you leaving yet?"

Hui Lin laughed, "So you're letting me go?"

"What else..." Before Qi Xinglan could finish her words, her lips were blocked by someone.

Hui Lin was very nervous and it took a long time before he let him go.

The man stroked his lips again and said softly, "Okay, I'm leaving. The maid I chose for you was from the Queen Mother's side. She is diligent and honest. If there are any maids in the palace that you don't like, you can replace them at will..."

"I know! Just go quickly." Qi Xinglan urged.

Hui Lin was helpless and hugged him again before she was willing to go back.

The palace servants were all very considerate. They had just been walking around in the courtyard, and only came over after the king had left.

"My lord, I am Fuwen, the one chosen by the king to stay by your side." A palace maid in blue clothes leaned forward to salute, her face round enough to show dimples when she smiled.

The remaining few also stood up one by one and introduced themselves to Qi Xinglan.

Qi Xinglan had no other reason to keep them around, so after giving them a few instructions, she let them do their own work.

A little palace maid followed Fu Wen and whispered, "The future queen is so beautiful. Where in Xiyuan can we find such a handsome young man?"

"Stop talking nonsense." Fu Wen has rules, and they are not allowed to talk about their master in private.

But what he said was not wrong. Qi Xinglan was wearing a black dress today, with sword-like eyebrows and upturned eyes. Her eyebrows and eyes were delicate but not feminine. She looked just like Master Zhang Yang in the storybook.

Qi Xinglan didn't recognize her bed and had a good rest that night. She wanted to sleep with Hui Lin, but it was against the rules. Qi Xinglan was happy and comfortable.

The next day, Qi Xinglan finally remembered to go see the king whom she was unable to see the day before. However, when she arrived at Hengyi Palace, she heard that he had gone to Zichen Hall to discuss matters right after the morning court session.

Qi Xinglan was bored, so he sat in the side hall of the palace, where Hui Lin often stayed. He took a book from the shelf to read when he heard some noise. He thought it was Hui Lin, but when he looked up, he saw a strange man.

The man looked to be in his forties or fifties, with his hair braided into small pigtails and tied up, not fat and with a beard. Qi Xinglan stood up, trying to guess his identity.

The man was surprised to see a handsome man from the Central Plains in the house. He sat down next to Qi Xinglan and asked him, "Where are you from?"