In late June of the first year of the Yongjia era, the emperor and empress returned to the palace.
All the civil and military officials received the notice early in the morning and were waiting at the city gate.
"The troubles in the southern borderlands aren't that serious, so why does His Majesty insist on leading the expedition personally? I just don't understand," an old minister sighed, shaking his head.
"That's right. You know, our country is currently at war with two major powers, the Northern Moon Kingdom and the Eastern Martial Kingdom. Instead of staying in the palace to oversee things, the Emperor has gone off to quell the rebellion. Who can't quell this rebellion? Sigh."
The person next to him chimed in, "They're probably taking this opportunity to eliminate the remaining factions. Didn't you notice that during the time the Emperor and Empress were away, there were quite a few big moves in the court, a lot of them, all by that person in the palace?"
"The court today is not what it used to be, that's obvious."
"Shh, stop talking, the Grand Tutor's face has turned dark," a minister whispered, head bowed.
Everyone looked up slightly and saw the Grand Tutor staring at them with a dark expression. Feeling guilty, they lowered their heads.
The Grand Tutor turned his head, looked at the official road in the distance, and sighed.
Han Yixuan, who was standing to the side, turned his head and asked, "Why did the Grand Tutor sigh?"
The Grand Tutor shook his head, stroked his beard, and said, "I'm getting old, useless, and haven't done a good job."
Han Yixuan comforted him, "Grand Tutor, you've done very well."
When he first met the old man, he thought he was a kind-hearted scholar, but he turned out to be decisive and ruthless, no less so than a military general on the battlefield.
Besides Mo Beichen and Yun Qingluo, the Grand Tutor was the third person he admired the most.
The sound of horses' hooves came from afar, and all the civil and military officials looked toward the source of the sound, where a carriage gradually came into view.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the city gate.
As soon as Yun Qingluo and Mo Beichen stepped out of the carriage, they were greeted by the homage of all the civil and military officials.
Mo Beichen's expression was indifferent, and his voice was very calm as he said, "My beloved subjects, rise."
Mo Beichen took a few steps forward, respectfully helped the Grand Tutor up, and said sincerely, "You've worked hard these past few days, Grand Tutor."
The Grand Tutor quickly waved his hand, "This old minister only did what he should do; it was mainly His Majesty's brilliant strategy that mattered."
Before the emperor left the palace, he specifically asked me to have a talk with him and then gave me a letter, saying that if I encountered any difficulties, I could open it and take a look.
Later, he encountered several of the Empress Dowager's henchmen who were indeed difficult to deal with. When he opened the letter, he discovered that the Emperor had known about all of the Empress Dowager's henchmen all along and had written down countermeasures in it.
However, it would be inappropriate for the Emperor to handle these matters, as it would invite criticism. Therefore, it would be best for someone else to take charge.
Mo Beichen said a few words to the civil and military officials on a symbolic basis, and then, at Han Yixuan's suggestion, went into the palace.
When Yun Qingluo heard about going to the palace, a hint of disappointment appeared in her eyes. She wanted to see Zeyan and Qianyue.
Just as Yun Qingluo had mentally prepared herself to make plans for later, she saw Yun Tao and Yun Xin standing behind the ministers, waving at her.
Yun Qinglu raised an eyebrow slightly. With years of tacit understanding between mistress and servant, she understood Yun Tao's implication: the child was already in the palace.
Yun Qingluo was eager to return to the palace at this moment.
After returning to the palace, Mo Beichen led the civil and military officials to a summary meeting, while Yun Qingluo couldn't wait to return to Chengqian Palace.
Yun Tao supported Yun Qingluo, her eyes filled with unconcealed heartache. "Your Majesty, why have you lost weight again? I asked you to take care of me and Yun Xin back then, but you wouldn't. Look at you, you've lost so much weight."
When Yun Tao saw Yun Qingluo at the palace gate, she had already shed tears once, but because there were commoners and ministers present, she only cried silently. Now, she cried without any restraint.
Yun Qingluo sighed and had to stop her hurried steps. She took Yun Tao's handkerchief and wiped her tears. "Oh dear, why are you feeling so aggrieved? Don't be sad, Yun Tao. It's just that it's easier to do things with fewer people. Besides, I can only feel at ease leaving Zeyan and Qianyue in the care of Mother and the two of you. Mother wrote to me saying that it's all thanks to your help. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to take care of the two children by herself."
"Speaking of which, I should also thank you. I brought you a lot of things. Come on, let's go back first. With so many people coming and going, people who don't know better might think I'm abusing my personal maid. Don't cry, okay?" Yun Qingluo continued to coax.
Yun Tao pouted, feeling wronged. "Hmph, you always say you'll take me with you in the future, but you've never done it."
Yun Qingluo admitted her mistake with a headache, "Yes, yes, it's my fault, it's my fault." Her attitude in admitting her mistake was very good, after all, she noticed that the two little girls had also lost weight.
Yunxin nudged Yuntao's arm. "Alright, stop crying. Her Majesty is back safe and sound. Besides, the Emperor and Empress traveled together. It would be too much of an eyesore to have you with them. They should have some time alone together too."
Yun Qinglu glared at Yun Xin. This girl came from the Valley of Divine Doctors. She was tough since childhood, easily moved to tears, and very lively.
However, it was fortunate that Yunxin was there, and Yuntao had a companion. Having gotten used to the two of them, she was actually quite unaccustomed to leaving the palace.
"Alright, alright, Yun Tao, I'm so tired. My whole body aches from sitting in the carriage. Can you give me a massage?" Yun Qingluo tugged at Yun Tao's sleeve and shook it, pleading with her.
Yun Tao was still feeling very upset, but seeing that Yun Qingluo looked alright made her feel a little better.
"Your Majesty, you're always changing the subject." Yun Tao wiped away her tears and helped Yun Qingluo continue walking back.
Yunxin followed behind with a smile, "Only Your Majesty could stop Yuntao from crying with just one sentence."
Yun Tao awkwardly looked away. "No, I didn't."
As soon as Yun Qingluo stepped into Chengqian Palace, she heard a childish voice with the retroflex ending "er". The tender voice made Yun Qingluo's heart ache.
She unconsciously slowed her pace, held her breath, and walked inside, the sounds from inside growing closer.
“Gei gei.” A soft, sweet voice rang out, carrying a hint of urgency.
"Call me brother! Not 'give me'..." A clear, childish voice rang out, filled with helplessness and dissatisfaction.
"Here, brother... food... food."
Yun Tao lifted the curtain, and Yun Qingluo stepped across the threshold. She saw a fluffy little head gripping the corner of a stool, taking shaky steps and walking purposefully to one side.
The little girl was wearing a bright red new dress, her hair was tied in a small bun, and her face was rosy, like a doll in a New Year's painting.
Yun Qingluo stopped and looked to the side, where she saw her youngest son sitting there without any regard for his image, eating a piece of watermelon in one hand and teasing Qian Yue with a small piece of watermelon in the other.
When the palace maid and other palace servants saw Yun Qingluo, they were about to bow when the palace maid's eyes reddened, and her face showed surprise and joy.
Yun Qingluo raised her hand to stop them, watching the scene silently.
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