Chapter 116 The good fortune of the young master Zhengqing is yet to come.
Yang Lingyi, unaware of the outcome of the battle, looked at the sky ablaze with fire and couldn't help but start to have wild thoughts, fearing that Yuan Yan might be injured as a result.
Fortunately, someone soon came to inform the Prince's residence that His Highness Prince Qin was safe and sound.
Yang Lingyi breathed a sigh of relief, told everyone in the palace to return to their places, and continued to stay there, sending people out of the palace to relay messages at any time.
The sound of horses' hooves approached.
As Yuan Yan stepped into the mansion, Yang Lingyi looked up as if sensing something, and their eyes met.
Gazing at the figure she had longed for day and night, Yang Lingyi's eyes trembled involuntarily.
His heart, which had been taut for a day and a night, suddenly relaxed at this moment. Forgetting everything else, he strode forward and called out, "Sister Yan!"
Yuan Yan strode forward and caught Yang Lingyi.
"Yi'er, I'm back." Her voice sounded slightly tired, but very gentle.
Yang Lingyi's hand was being held tightly by her. Just as she was about to speak, she noticed the bloodstains on Yuan Yan's armor.
He opened his mouth, and almost immediately became nervous.
"Sister, are you injured?" Yang Lingyi subconsciously grasped Yuan Yan's hand, tightening her grip slightly. Her pupils widened, a hint of worry appearing in her eyes.
Yuan Yan followed his gaze downwards and noticed the mottled bloodstains on his body, probably from the earlier fight with Yuan Jing's men.
"Yi'er, don't worry, I'm not hurt. This is all the enemy's blood."
Yang Lingyi was still worried after hearing this. Fearing that Yuan Yan would only report good news and not bad, he did not relax.
"Really? Let me see, sister."
Yuan Yan smiled helplessly as he watched Yang Lingyi insist on examining him, and let her lead him back to the courtyard.
"I'm still dirty from killing enemies, Yi'er, stay away from me, don't get it on you."
However, Yang Lingyi, who is usually very clean, didn't care at all at this moment and focused all her attention on Yuan Yan.
"It's fine if it gets dirty, I'll help my sister wash it."
Let's... take a shower together?
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yan had a sudden thought and immediately swallowed back what he was about to say.
Since Yi'er was being so generous, she naturally wouldn't refuse.
After taking a bath, Yuan Yan felt much refreshed.
Once the two were lying on the couch, Yuan Yan began to recount the palace coup.
Fearing that Yi'er would worry, she skipped the thrilling parts and only told her the final result.
When Yang Lingyi heard that the Imperial Noble Minister was killed by Feng Qing, her breath caught in her throat, and she immediately looked at Yuan Yan's expression.
Although Yang Lingyi had heard of many cases of infighting within the inner quarters that resulted in death, the eldest prince had protected her very well, and Yang Lingyi herself had never witnessed it firsthand.
Upon hearing Yuan Yan reveal this secret, he was initially shocked, but his eyes involuntarily reddened.
"Sister..." Yang Lingyi's voice became very soft, and she couldn't help but want to comfort Yuan Yan.
"How could Feng Qing be so vicious?" he murmured, embracing Yuan Yan and pressing his face against her chest, as if trying to transfer all his warmth to her.
This was Yan's father, Qing. Everyone thought he died of illness, but it turned out he was murdered.
How heartbroken her sister must be tonight to hear this news so suddenly. Yang Lingyi thought, and unconsciously hugged herself tighter.
"Yi'er, I'm fine." Yuan Yan put his arm around his back and patted him gently.
"Now that Feng Qing is dead, my father has avenged his great enemy, and his spirit in heaven can rest in peace."
Yuan Yan felt the slight dampness on his chest, and his expression softened.
"Mmm..." Yang Lingyi was held in Yuan Yan's arms. Hearing the strong beating of her heart, she finally stopped crying and responded softly with a nasal tone.
The two absorbed each other's warmth, clinging tightly together.
The system glanced at it secretly.
Tsk tsk, look at how lovey-dovey the host and her husband are... Judging from this scene, anyone who didn't know better would think that Yang Lingyi is the one who needs to be comforted.
Yang Lingyi, who had been on tenterhooks all day, gradually relaxed under Yuan Yan's gentle caresses. She whispered to Yuan Yan about the events that had transpired in the manor. After a while, she finally succumbed to her fear and fell asleep in Yuan Yan's arms.
...
The first light of dawn.
Lu Lingyue and the others, like Yang Lingyi, waited anxiously for most of the night until the guards reported that His Highness had suppressed the rebels and returned home safely. Only then were they able to relax a little.
Shen Lianzhou originally intended to stay in the front yard and wait for Yuan Yan to return, but Yang Lingyi, seeing that the crisis had been resolved, ordered the two men to go back first.
Therefore, it was only at this moment that Lu Lingyue and Shen Lianzhou finally met Yuan Yan.
Yuan Yan entered the hall. "Lian Zhou, Yi'er has already told me. You have all done a great deal of work in raising military provisions. You have worked so hard these past few days."
Looking at the smile on Yuan Yan's face, Lu Lingyue felt as if something extremely light yet extremely hot had struck her heart, followed by a warm and tender feeling.
This was the first time in a long time that Yuan Yan had shown him such an expression.
That smile was not the distant, indifferent smile that never reached the eyes, nor was it a mocking sneer; rather, it was a serene smile.
This gentle expression, which he hadn't seen in a long time, stirred up waves in Lu Lingyue's heart.
While he was still in a daze, Shen Lianzhou had already started talking to Yuan Yan.
"It is my duty to share Your Highness's burdens; there is no need to talk about hardship."
"Your Highness is fighting bravely for the people on the border, which is the real hardship. We servants in the palace have only done our best. If we can help Your Highness in the slightest, we will be satisfied."
Despite having sacrificed a great deal for Yuan Yan, Shen Lianzhou and the Shen family had given up most of their wealth. Yet, Shen Lianzhou showed no intention of seeking credit, instead gazing tenderly at Yuan Yan and speaking to Lu Lingyue.
"Zhou'er is always so considerate and generous."
Yuan Yan smiled and grasped Shen Lianzhou's hand. "Don't worry, I won't let you suffer this loss for nothing. I will remember the Shen family's contribution."
As Shen Lianzhou's hand was held by her, a warm sensation spread through their skin, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes. "Then I will thank Your Highness on behalf of the Shen family."
Yuan Yan spoke with him for a few more minutes before turning to Lu Lingyue.
"And Lu Shifu, you also deserve credit for ensuring that the military rations were delivered to the border on time this time."
Yuan Yan was referring to Lu Lingyue's suggestion to hold a banquet to raise funds. Yi'er didn't hide anything and told her the whole story. Without Lu Lingyue's help, the necessary funds certainly wouldn't have been raised so quickly.
Therefore, Yuan Yan, unusually, softened his expression and showed a peaceful attitude towards Lu Lingyue.
Lu Lingyue lowered her head slightly, avoiding the gaze that stirred his emotions above her. Her voice was as clear as ever, but it had become inexplicably gentler.
"The matters were handled by Zhengqing and Shen Shuqing. I only did my best and didn't offer any significant help," Lu Lingyue said, her heart pounding as she tried to control the turmoil within her.
Just then, a voice came.
“Lu Shifu is too modest.” Yang Lingyi walked into the courtyard. “You have made a great contribution this time… If His Highness is to reward you, he should not forget Lu Shifu.”
As he spoke, he turned his head slightly and smiled at Yuan Yan.
At the same time, as if by accident, Yang Lingyi walked to Yuan Yan's side and took her other hand.
Lu Lingyue gazed at Yang Lingyi and Shen Lianzhou beside Yuan Yan, listening to Yang Lingyi's words, which exuded the air of a high-ranking official. Her heart, which had just begun to relax, slowly clenched again, overwhelmed by a lingering bitterness.
Yuan Yan smiled: "Yi'er is right, then I'll leave this matter to you."
...
Within a few days, the situation in Beijing was completely reshaped.
All of Yuan Jing's remaining associates who participated in the rebellion were imprisoned, including former Minister of Revenue Liu Qian and the commander of the Imperial Guards.
Including Lu Yingkan, many members of the Lu clan are also involved and are currently in prison awaiting His Majesty's judgment.
The princesses were placed under house arrest on the day Yuan Jing took control of the capital and were held in his custody.
When Yuan Jing launched his coup, a senior member of the imperial family stood alone to stop him, angrily denouncing Yuan Jing as a usurper and traitor. Yuan Jing ordered him to be executed in public as a warning to others.
The fourth princess and the others witnessed the bloodshed in the palace and feared that Yuan Jing, in his bloodlust, would indiscriminately kill them all. They lived in fear for a long time, and when they were released, they were still shaken and terrified.
Although the Empress Dowager, who was also imprisoned in the palace, was not injured, she was still quite frightened, and Yuan Yan personally went to visit her.
After leaving the Empress Dowager's palace, Yuan Yan summoned the imperial physicians from his mother's quarters.
"How is the Empress's health now?"
The imperial physician, trembling with fear, said cryptically, "If we can't find an antidote soon... it's probably only a matter of days."
"I understand." Yuan Yan was not too surprised upon hearing this. After pondering for a moment, he dismissed the imperial physician.
In other people's eyes, Yuan Yan is now a very filial princess.
Faced with his mother's serious and incurable illness, Yuan Yan not only dispatched his trusted confidants to various places to find an antidote, but also personally took care of her by her bedside without taking off his clothes.
Only after his mother finally fell asleep would Yuan Yan have time to deal with court affairs.
[Host, your level of control has been fluctuating constantly these past two days, with the values jumping around and becoming unclear.] The system said.
“It’s alright. Once I’m free to deal with Yuan Jing’s remaining followers, the situation should stabilize and things should stop.” Yuan Yan wasn’t worried about that.
Although the Empress has not yet issued an edict to pass the throne, it is almost certain that Yuan Yan will succeed to the throne.
Yuan Yan spent so much time and made great contributions, winning the support of most of the court officials.
Currently, none of the other princesses are capable of achieving anything significant. Apart from Yuan Yan, no one can control the current situation, and even if the Empress does not want to pass the throne to her, she has no other choice.
"Your Highness, shall we return to the residence now?" Yu Liu asked.
"No, let's go to the Crown Prince's residence first."
Yuan Yan closed his eyes to rest and then sat in the carriage.
Everyone in the capital knows that Yuan Yan is the one currently in power in the court.
When officials on the roadside saw Yuan Yan's carriage from afar, they immediately ordered their carriage attendants to move their own carriages to the side of the road to make way for him, as a sign of respect.
The carriage left the palace gates and stopped in front of the residence of the eldest prince.
After being surprised by the servant's report, the eldest prince came to greet him personally.
"Yan'er, what brings you here today?"
Yuan Hao is seriously ill and unable to handle state affairs; all matters, both inside and outside the court, now require Yuan Yan's decision.
Logically speaking, Yuan Yan had been too busy to spare any attention these past two days, but she came to the Changhuangnan's residence at this time, which surprised the Changhuangnan.
“The other day, the Prince of Qi’s troops besieged the residence of the eldest son of the Emperor, causing my father-in-law to be frightened. I am truly uneasy about this,” Yuan Yan said.
Author's note: In many places in the text, the character "公公" corresponds to "嬷嬷" (mama), not "纥牸" (eunuch).
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