This smile made everyone a little stunned. Qin Shuhuai rarely smiled. Even his subordinates had never seen their master smile. But Qin Peng was different. In her memory, Qin Shuhuai often smiled. He usually liked to pretend to be serious, but when he wanted to smile, his eyes and eyebrows were full of smiles, and he couldn't suppress the corners of his lips.

He was particularly afraid of people touching his crease. When they used to have a fight, she liked to touch his crease, which would make him laugh out loud and roll around on the bed begging for mercy.

It's just that this smile hasn't been seen for many years. Now that he suddenly saw it, Qin Peng couldn't help but look at it a few more times.

The other party raised her eyebrows and met Qin Peng's gaze, with a bit of nostalgia in her eyes: "Princess, if you want to be the eldest princess of the town, then it's fine. But you can only be the eldest princess of this town," Qin Shuhuai raised the corners of his mouth: "Don't cry."

"Your Highness, you are joking." Qin Peng looked at the other person's smile and licked the corner of his lips. His tongue pouted out, making people's mouths dry. Everyone around him couldn't help but feel their hearts beat faster. Only Qin Shuhuai remained calm, as if he hadn't seen anything. He turned around and said to Li Shu, "Then, Queen Mother, is this settled?"

"If you have decided, then just do it." Li Shu was not too happy, and said with some reluctance in her expression: "As a woman, what can I say?"

Qin Shuhuai didn't answer, but lowered his head and drank a sip of tea. Qin Peng didn't say anything either, but lowered her head and adjusted her skirt.

The two of them tacitly avoided Li Shu. Li Shu felt even more unwilling and wanted to say something, but Qin Peng stood up and said, "Since the matter has been finalized, let's do it this way. Mother, my mother-in-law has some things to do at home, so I will take my leave first."

After saying that, Qin Peng walked out gracefully, swaying her waist. Qin Shuhuai put down his teacup and stood up: "Since your majesty has agreed, I will ask the eunuch to draft the decree. If your majesty thinks it is okay, please stamp it. It is getting late today, so I will take my leave."

"Okay..."

Li Shu's answer was a bit difficult, so Qin Shuhuai followed the basic courtesy and turned and walked out.

After leaving the Changle Palace where the Queen Mother was, Jiang Chun finally expressed his doubts that he had been holding back for a long time: "What were you laughing at just now, my Lord?"

"I saw her shadow," Qin Shuhuai said softly, "and I felt happy."

Jiang Chun has been working for Qin Shuhuai for almost ten years, following him from Beiyan to Daoqi State, so he naturally knows who the "she" Qin Shuhuai is talking about.

There was only one person in Qin Shuhuai's heart from beginning to end, but that person left too early.

In the first few years after she left, Qin Shuhuai sealed up everything related to Zhao Peng, as if by doing so he could forget that person.

But the result was that he couldn't sleep all night and lost weight rapidly. Jiang Chun was so scared that he moved the things out of the warehouse and put them away. Qin Shuhuai saw that the room was full of that person's things and burst into tears on the spot.

She cried like a child in the lobby, hugged the other person's tablet and refused to let go, even sleeping with it, so that she could finally fall asleep and not completely die.

Then he began desperately collecting things related to that person. But apart from things, he hated anyone who was similar to Zhao Peng.

Some officials heard that he loved Zhao Peng deeply, and sent many women who looked like Zhao Peng. Some of them looked like her, and some had similar personalities to her...but they were all fired by Qin Shuhuai.

But as time went on, that person's things became fewer and fewer, and Qin Shuhuai could no longer find any trace related to that person.

From panic to habit, and then to indifference.

Then one time a girl fell down, and despite Qin Shuhuai's cold personality, he actually helped her up for the first time.

Jiang Chun thought it was strange at the time, and Qin Shuhuai explained to him: "When she fell, she looked a lot like Pengpeng when she was a child."

"Doesn't your Excellency always dislike these girls who look like you?"

"I used to hate her," Qin Shuhuai said with bitterness in his eyes, "but there are too few traces of her. I can't find her or catch her. What can I do?"

What can he do?

I can only lower my bottom line and be extra gentle and tolerant towards everything related to her.

I am happy because of the chance encounter with people and things related to her, and I am happy because of the chance discovery of memories related to her.

So when he first saw Qin Peng in Huguo Temple, he had extra patience towards her. This patience came from that person. In his heart, he could give preferential treatment and tolerance to anything that touched that person.

Now that he saw that she was becoming more and more like that man, he actually didn't mind.

There is Peng Peng's shadow again in this world. He knows that his Peng Peng is gone, but he feels very happy to have this little comfort.

Seeing the tenderness in Qin Shuhuai's eyes, Jiang Chun felt indescribably uncomfortable. Qin Shuhuai didn't notice the mood of his guards, pulled his clothes, and said calmly: "Let's go."

Qin Peng went back home, feeling extremely happy. After visiting Old Lady Wei, she asked someone to bring her food and went into the house to eat.

When she entered the room, she saw Wei Yan lying on the couch reading a storybook. She walked over, took the book away from Wei Yan, and knocked on his head, saying, "You are such a lazy guy. Why don't you come to eat?"

Hearing this, Wei Yan was a little unconvinced and stood up and said, "Sister-in-law, what you said is wrong. Why am I not making progress? Am I not reading a book?"

"Reading some boring folk stories?" Qin Peng sat down at the table and raised his eyebrows: "A general on the frontier reads these things every day. It's not shameful for you, but I am ashamed for you."

"Isn't that because these are all you have in your room?" Wei Yan followed him to the table, picked up the chopsticks, and said impatiently, "I was just taking a look, and the result was quite interesting."

"Interesting?" Qin Peng was a little surprised: "What do you think is interesting?"

"It's... that kind of love between two people for a lifetime," Wei Yan said with emotion, "I saw it written in the script that the girl waited for the general to come back until her hair turned white, and then the general came back. They met and looked at each other, and then the girl asked, 'How are you?' I almost cried when I saw it!"

Wei Yan took a bite of food and continued, "If there was a girl who treated me like this, I would be willing to die!"

Qin Peng sneered and said while eating: "Look at what you have accomplished! Haven't I been waiting for your brother for ten years?"

After hearing this, Wei Yan's heart moved. He looked up at Qin Peng. Qin Peng's eyes were gentle and calm as she ate the food bite by bite. There was an indescribable atmosphere of peace surrounding her, which made him feel for the first time that he was home.

Returning to a place where I can eat with that person, chat with him/her, and joke with him/her, it is peaceful and beautiful.

He had thought about this scene countless times.

But since he was fourteen, he seldom went home. When he did come back, the old lady Wei made the house like Chinese New Year, lively and noisy, but lacking a bit of peace and warmth. Now, for the first time, he had an ordinary meal with a person like a family, and a strange emotion surged in his heart.

Deep down, he always wanted someone to stay with him and protect his feelings. This...

Qin Peng has been waiting for his elder brother for ten years.

Maybe I will continue to wait throughout my life.

He felt a little jealous and bitter, and was about to ask something when Qin Peng said, "But I don't have any feelings for your elder brother. We only met once when we got married, and he left that night. So I tell you, don't think too much. Sometimes a woman may wait for you for a lifetime, but she may not love you."

"Then... what else could it be?" Wei Yan felt that Qin Peng had somewhat impacted his values. Qin Peng raised his head and thought for a moment: "Maybe she just doesn't want to get married. It's good to be a widow."

Wei Yan: “…”

He suddenly felt that his sister-in-law had many stories.

"However," Qin Peng took a bite of food, glanced at Wei Yan's unhappy expression, and said, "There are still many girls who do it for love. Don't be discouraged. It's good to be innocent."

Wei Yan: “…”

Qin Peng hid Wei Yan in this way, and then asked around for information.

Qin Shuhuai's troops have been guarding Xuanjing. Wei Yan's troops will not arrive for another five days. Qin Shuhuai's men are still searching for Wei Yan everywhere. Once Wei Yan's troops arrive, Wei Yan can show up openly.

During this period, Grand Secretary Zhang Ying brought people to find Qin Shuhuai many times, asking him when he would withdraw his troops. Qin Shuhuai just said lightly - Your Majesty has ascended the throne, the situation is stable, and the troops will naturally be withdrawn.

This was well said, so Zhang Ying had no choice but to urge the people in the Ministry of Rites to hurry up and advance the date of Qin Ming's enthronement by ten days.

Qin Peng was very happy when he got the news. He held the letter and said to Wei Yan, "Look, the people in the Ministry of Rites are like cotton. They can be fat or thin depending on whether they are squeezed or not. I went to ask, and they told me that the preparations for the coronation ceremony will take at least half a month. Now Zhang Ying asked, and they said it will be ready the day after tomorrow."

"Most of the people in the six ministries are Zhang Ying's people," Wei Yan smiled, "Sister-in-law, don't be angry. They are just like that. If you get angry with them, you will die of anger."

"Why am I angry?" Qin Peng raised his eyebrows and glanced at Wei Yan. That look was full of charm, which made Wei Yan's heart jump and he turned away hurriedly. Qin Peng didn't know that he had been a master at flirting for a long time, and was still wondering why Wei Yan was hiding. He continued, "I'm embarrassed by my anger, and they can't afford it."

"That's right, sister-in-law."

Wei Yan hurried to flatter Qin Peng, fearing that if Qin Peng suddenly became unhappy and started crying, he would be in trouble.

Thanks to Zhang Ying's promotion, the coronation ceremony was held the day after tomorrow, which happened to be the day when Wei Yan's troops arrived in Xuanjing.

The night before the coronation ceremony, Wei Yan's soldiers arrived. The Wei family troops were stationed outside the city. When they put up the "Wei" flag, the city was in a panic. Zhang Ying came to the Wei family in person. At this time, Wei Yan had already received a group of Wei family generals. When Zhang Ying arrived, he met Zhang Ying in the room.

Qin Peng sat lazily aside and listened to their conversation. Zhang Ying saw this and frowned, saying, "Your Highness, I am discussing state affairs with General Wei. Can you please avoid us?"

Hearing this, Qin Peng sneered.

She thought to herself that she should just stay away from him now while she was at home. When she was in charge of government affairs, Zhang Ying would probably spit at her to death.

But she didn't want to conflict with Zhang Ying at this time, so she got up and went into the house.

As soon as she entered the house, Qin Peng realized something was wrong. She felt a warm current flowing out from under her body. She took a breath of cool air and said to Chunsu, "Quick, bring me my menstrual belt!"

Qin Peng had been in poor health since childhood. She had been drinking only pure water in Huguo Temple for a long time and had not taken good care of herself. When her period came, she felt severe pain, especially on the first day.

Qin Peng felt some pain that night, and she curled up in bed, her breathing a little unstable. When Wei Yan went to pick her up the next day, he saw that her face was pale, and couldn't help but ask, "Sister-in-law, are you okay?"

Qin Peng held the heater in his hands, waving his hands weakly without saying a word.

Wei Yan and Qin Peng drove a carriage to the altar early, but other officials arrived earlier. When they arrived, a large number of lower-ranking officials had already arrived. Qin Shuhuai, who always came early, had already stood on the steps in front of the altar.

Wei Yan is the only official in the Wei family now. Most officials do not know the news of Wei Yan's return, and are not familiar with Qin Peng. When the Wei family's carriage arrived at the altar, many people were still a little slow to react. They didn't know which adult was in this carriage that made everyone give way.

Because no one knew where the carriage was, it attracted extra attention. Everyone looked at it and waited for it to stop.

The carriage drove all the way to the place closest to where the high officials of the altar were standing, and then stopped. Then the driver got off the horse, put the footstool on it, and said respectfully: "Master, we have arrived."

After he finished speaking, a hand reached out from inside.

It was a man's hand, broad and slender, with a thin ribbon around it, and it was obvious that he had practiced martial arts for many years.

The hand rolled up the curtain, revealing the person inside.

He was wearing a purple official robe with a majestic unicorn embroidered on the front. On his waist hung a badge that allowed him to walk freely in the palace. One glance showed that he was of high status.

He was extremely handsome, unlike the delicate appearance of the scholars in Xuanjing. Instead, he had a bit of northern wildness and a pair of natural smiling eyes. When you looked at him, you could not tell whether he was smiling or not.

The officials present, even those who had never seen Wei Yan, had all heard of his name. The purple robe with a Qilin embroidered on it was the attire that only the first-rank generals of Qi State could wear. And there were only two young first-rank generals of Qi State, one of whom was Qin Shuhuai, who was well-known and standing above, and the other one...

It was Wei Yan of the Wei family.

As soon as this man came down, everyone was secretly shocked. Then they thought of the extra soldiers outside the city last night and immediately understood what had happened.

It’s Wei Yan who’s back.

Not only did he come back, he also came back with troops!

Having just experienced a palace coup, all officials were extremely sensitive to this. They stood by the altar, feeling very uneasy, their eyes all on Wei Yan, not daring to move away for a moment. They looked at this general who had suddenly returned, wondering what his intention was in returning to the capital this time.

Wei Yan got off the carriage, but he did not walk towards Qin Shuhuai as they expected. He stopped beside the carriage, bowed slightly, raised his hand respectfully, and said, "Sister-in-law, we're here."

sister in law?

Everyone was confused again, but they reacted quickly.

Who is Wei Yan’s only sister-in-law now?

Isn’t that the young emperor’s biological sister, the fourth princess Qin Peng!

Wei Yan's call of "sister-in-law" reminded everyone of this long-forgotten woman, and also explained to them why he appeared in Xuanjing.

The young emperor is not without any support. The Wei family is the support of the sixteenth prince who has been unknown for such a long time!

With this layer, when Qin Peng leaned out of the carriage, everyone's evaluation of this woman was completely different.

She is not only a princess and a widow, but also one of the power centers of Qi State in the future.

Qin Peng naturally knew what these people were thinking. She smiled and stuck her head out. Seeing Wei Yan's outstretched hand, she knew that he was paving the way for her, so she put her hand in his palm and stepped out of the carriage.

Her movements were elegant and noble, her expression was dignified and generous, and there was a faint smile on her lips. When she looked over, she looked like a blooming peony, dignified and gorgeous.

Wei Yan was always humble beside her, giving her enough face. She walked up the steps to Qin Shuhuai with the help of her maid. Qin Shuhuai looked at the woman in gorgeous and complicated palace clothes and heavy hair walking towards him, and for a moment he was a little dazed, as if it was the day when he married Zhao Peng at the age of sixteen, when that person was wearing a fiery red wedding dress, supported by a maid, and walked towards him step by step.

But this thought only lasted for a moment. When Qin Peng walked up to Qin Shuhuai and said with a faint smile, "My Lord, I am at peace." Qin Shuhuai came back to his senses, nodded calmly, and replied, "My Princess, I am at peace."

One of them was the designated regent, and the other was the designated princess of Zhenguo. They served as assistants in government affairs, standing on the steps below the altar, one on the left and one on the right, waiting for Qin Ming to come as the emperor.

Qin Peng had a severe stomachache, but luckily she was used to pretending, so it was hard to tell. Qin Ming hadn't come yet, and the place was in a mess. Qin Shuhuai glanced at her and asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"

"Ah... huh?!" Qin Peng was a little bit incredulous. She was confident that she had pretended very well, but she was still seen through by this person? !

Qin Shuhuai saw her doubt, lowered his eyes and said, "You always raise your hand to tie your hair."

This is Zhao Peng's habit.

When she is nervous or uncomfortable, she likes to play with her hair, a habit she is not even aware of.

He knew about her little habit, but he didn't remind her. She always pursued perfection in everything she did, and hated it most when there was something that was not done well. If she wanted to pretend that nothing happened, she had to make everyone think that nothing happened.

He was afraid that if he told her about this habit, she would deliberately change it, which would make it even more difficult to understand her inner thoughts.

He originally thought that this habit was unique to Zhao Peng. Today, seeing Qin Peng frequently raising her hands to tie her hair, he couldn't help but ask her. When Qin Peng showed a surprised look, he knew that she was indeed feeling unwell.

He couldn't help but feel a little amused, and his heart softened. He guessed, "Does the princess have a stomachache?"

"Your Highness, you're overthinking it." Qin Peng came to his senses slowly, feeling a little flustered. He felt that Qin Shuhuai had become like an old demon after not seeing him for a few years, and could see through everything. He quickly adjusted his state and said with a smile, "I'm fine."

Qin Shuhuai nodded, ignored her lies, called the guard over, and whispered something to him.

After a while, Qin Ming's carriage was seen from afar. At this time, a maid suddenly came to Qin Peng and touched her. Qin Peng turned around and saw a bowl of brown sugar water placed upright on a tray.

"Princess, please have some." The maid said respectfully. Qin Peng glanced at Qin Shuhuai suspiciously. Qin Shuhuai put his hands in his sleeves, waiting for Qin Ming's dragon fist, and said calmly: "Drink it, I won't poison you to death here."

Qin Peng: “…”

She had a severe stomachache and thought the brown sugar water was a bit tasty, so she took a sip without hesitation.

After drinking it, she felt warm in her stomach, but for some reason, she felt a little uncomfortable.

Qin Shuhuai didn't say anything else. He just stood on her left and right, waiting for Qin Ming to come.

After Qin Ming arrived, the ceremony began with the ceremonial officer leading the way. Qin Peng stood by as a decoration, kneeling when he was asked to kneel and standing when he was asked to stand.

After the sacrifice to the heavens, the rest of the canonization ceremony was held in the palace. The group followed Long Xi into the palace in a mighty procession, to show respect and solemnity. Qin Shuhuai and Qin Peng followed on the left and right in the first row, closest to Qin Ming. Qin Peng had been standing for the whole morning, and was already a little exhausted. Now she was still walking, and halfway through the walk, Qin Peng felt dizzy. She stumbled forward, and Qin Shuhuai was quick to grab her arm, which allowed her to stand up and not fall down.

He held her arm and walked closer to her, saying calmly, "Keep walking. If you fall, I'll help you up."

This is the coronation ceremony, and any unexpected events will be considered as unknown.

Qin Peng also knew this, so she immediately straightened her back and continued to move forward.

Qin Shuhuai let go of her hand, but still stood very close to her, as if he was fulfilling his promise, which gave Qin Peng an inexplicable sense of security.

She quietly turned her head to look at the man beside her. He had handsome features and delicate eyebrows. If Wei Yan's facial features with a bit of northern wildness were handsome, then Qin Shuhuai was truly a thorough southerner, with a kind of elegance like that of a detailed ink painting, and was extremely handsome.

He stood beside her, knowing full well that he was an enemy, knowing full well that this man had poisoned her to death with his own hands, and even that her two subsequent deaths were inextricably linked to him, but she still did not learn her lesson, and felt that her heart became particularly at peace because of him.

Qin Peng's trance made Qin Shuhuai think that she couldn't hold on any longer. Qin Shuhuai said calmly: "The road of life is always difficult. Sometimes we can only grit our teeth and move forward."

"Your Highness," his voice followed the passage of time, making Qin Peng feel a little dazed, as if he had met this young man when he was fourteen years old.

At that time, he was wearing a lake blue coat and holding her, who had lost her mother, in his arms.

It was raining heavily that day, and it was the same when he hugged her in the rain as she cried bitterly.

Word by word, I told her: "This is the path you have chosen."

"You have to climb the steep cliffs and walk through the thorny fields."

"Sooner or later, it will come to an end."

The only difference was that at that time, after the boy finished speaking, he pursed his lips and whispered, "Besides, I'm with you."

But now he was with her, walking beside her, but he didn't say these words.

These words seemed to be lost in the dust of time, swallowed up without a trace.