Chapter 211 Women's School

The villagers, who were originally driven by anger and despair, began to waver under the dual effects of Minglan's words and Qi Heng's majesty. They saw Qi Heng wearing official robes, riding a tall horse, and there seemed to be the shadow of officers and soldiers behind him. The hoes and sticks in their hands drooped down involuntarily, and finally turned around and scattered.

Qi Heng saw the people around him disperse, quickly dismounted, and ran towards Minglan in a few steps. "Minglan!" He called, his voice full of concern and longing.

"Yuanruo!" Minglan responded almost at the same time, with surprise and emotion in her eyes.

The two called each other and looked into each other's eyes. There was no need for words, and the deep friendship was already unspoken.

"Why did you suddenly appear here?" Minglan's eyes were gentle and complicated, falling on Qi Heng's slightly tired but resolute face, and she asked softly.

"You... have lost weight." Qi Heng's voice was trembling slightly. He stared at Minglan's face that was thinner due to overwork, and his heart was filled with unspeakable heartache and pity.

The two of them just looked at each other quietly, and time seemed to freeze at this moment. All the noise around them seemed to be far away from them, leaving only each other's heartbeats and the friendship that needed no words flowing slowly in the air.

After a long time, Qi Heng finally came out of this emotion, realized his own loss of composure, and quickly found the topic: "Oh, by the way, I am here to transport the subsequent disaster relief supplies under the order of the emperor. When I learned that you were here, I hurried here, just wanting to see you as soon as possible and make sure you are all right."

His tone was full of determination and tenderness, as if no matter how difficult and dangerous the road ahead was, as long as Minglan was by his side, he would have endless strength and courage.

After saying this, Qi Heng's eyes fell gently on Minglan again, looking at her face, which was slightly haggard due to fatigue, with heartache. "You have suffered!"

Minglan shook her head and said softly, "I am not suffering. Compared with those disaster victims who really suffered, how can I be called suffering?"

But Qi Heng looked at Minglan, who was darker and thinner in front of him, and knew that she had suffered a lot, but she was strong-willed and sympathetic to the people, so she didn't feel bitter!

Afterwards, Qi Heng led the horse and walked side by side with Minglan. The two walked and talked, telling about the things that happened after they separated, as well as their respective feelings. Under the setting sun, their figures were stretched very long, as if foreshadowing that this difficult time they had spent together would become an eternal memory in their hearts. After

that, Qi Heng resolutely decided to stay and fight side by side with Minglan to jointly devote themselves to the work of settling the disaster victims. Two months passed in a flash, and as everything gradually got back on track, it was time for Minglan to return.

When Minglan was about to leave, the people learned that the Princess Protector of the Country was about to leave, and they came to see her off spontaneously. They knelt by the roadside, their eyes full of reluctance and gratitude, and kept expressing their gratitude to the princess and His Majesty. This long farewell team extended to ten miles away, witnessing the deep friendship between Minglan and the people in the disaster area. When

the Princess Protector of the Country returned from the disaster relief, the entire city of Bianjing seemed to be bathed in an atmosphere of joy and admiration. Upon hearing the news, the people were all overjoyed, spontaneously walked out of their homes, and poured into the streets, expressing their endless gratitude and love for the princess in the most simple and enthusiastic way.

On both sides of the road, flowers of various colors bloomed, and they were carefully woven into colorful flower belts, spanning the streets like a rainbow, forming an unprecedented "flower road".

As the princess's carriage slowly approached, cheers and applause rose and fell, resounding to the sky. The people either knelt on the ground or waved their hands in greeting, and everyone's face was filled with sincere smiles and excited tears. They shouted the princess's name over and over again in the simplest language, thanking her for everything she had done for the Song Dynasty and the people of the Song Dynasty.

The people followed Minglan all the way to the outside of the imperial city. The emperor and the empress came out of the palace to greet them in person. All officials knelt down, and salutes rang out. The whole imperial city was immersed in joy and peace.

After Minglan thanked him, she walked towards Baoci Palace alone. The Queen Mother

had been standing outside the palace to welcome her. When she saw Minglan, she smiled kindly and said softly, "I've been waiting for you!"

Minglan walked forward and bowed her head, "Your Majesty, I'm back!" The Queen Mother

walked down the steps, helped Minglan up personally, and looked at Minglan's face carefully, "You've lost weight! And you've become darker. You don't look like a princess from a royal family, but more like a strong general!"

After that, they both laughed. Afterwards, Minglan told the Queen Mother everything she had seen, heard, and felt during the disaster relief process.

When talking about the worries about the future of the country, Minglan hesitated for a moment and then mustered up the courage to say: "My queen, the Song Dynasty has gone through many storms and can no longer withstand more hardships." The

queen mother closed her eyes gently upon hearing this, and then slowly opened them again, with a faint smile on her lips: "I am old, and it is time for me to enjoy my peace and happiness. Your Majesty and the ministers will worry about and decide on national affairs. I just want to enjoy my grandchildren and the happiness of family life."

At this point, the queen mother changed the subject and looked at Minglan and Qi Heng with a bit of joking: "Minglan, when can you and Yuan Ruo give me a great-grandson?"

...

Three years later, the Protector of the Country Princess

Mansion Minglan had just returned from the Empress Dowager's Palace with her youngest son. Qi Heng was waiting outside the door with his eldest son. When he saw Minglan, Qi Heng gently took the child and held him up. The eldest son was so excited that he rubbed against Minglan and called sweetly, "Mother, I miss you so much!"

Minglan took the eldest son, and the family of four walked towards the Princess's Mansion with laughter.

Qi Heng said as they walked, "Mother, the eldest lady, and two sisters-in-law, the eldest lady Zhang, and several sisters have come together and have been waiting for you for a long time."

Minglan heard this and walked in faster. Qi Heng called the eldest son who was clinging to Minglan, "You can play with your brother with your father for a while, your mother has to go to discuss business." The eldest son turned his head to look at Minglan who was walking away, and reluctantly stayed by Qi Heng's side.

As she entered the garden, she was filled with laughter and joy. When everyone saw her, they called out, "Minglan is back! Come here!"

Hualan was the first to come forward and took Minglan's hand affectionately, "You are back. I have been so busy lately, and I am waiting for your advice!"

Minglan smiled and leaned against Hualan, saying affectionately, "Big sister is so capable, nothing can be difficult for you, why do you need my advice?"

Hualan He shook his head lightly, his expression slightly helpless, "Since Guifen and I have been in charge of the girls' school together, there has been an endless stream of people who want to use their connections to teach or study in the girls' school. You know Guifen's character, she is ruthless and impartial, so they all set their sights on me. I have been really exhausted during this period of time!"