Chapter 30: Nothing happened to childhood friends, just using magic to defeat magic. ...
The Northwestern Army returned triumphantly to the imperial court. Emperor Jingwen was delighted and ordered Crown Prince Jiang Fu to come out of the city to receive him. Dressed in splendid embroidered robes, the hems embroidered with intricate golden dragons, Crown Prince Jiang Fu, accompanied by a group of attendants, waited respectfully for a long time.
Jiang Fu had never seen Fang Yilan, but she had seen her father Fang Canghong. The image of the tall, strong and rough man with an unshaven beard and a weathered face unconsciously emerged in his mind. In addition, the people of Xiling have always called Fang Yilan a "female Rakshasa". A tiger father will have a dog daughter, so Fang Yilan's appearance is probably not pretty.
I also heard that Fang Yilan forcibly took prisoners of war as his male concubines, and often used some strategies that were not worthy of being displayed in a formal setting on the battlefield. This shows that he must be a vulgar and low-moral person at heart.
After thinking about it, Jiang Fu suddenly felt sleepy. He couldn't help but cover his face with his hands and yawned loudly.
Finally, I saw a group of people marching towards the city wall in the distance. At the front of the team, there was a person wearing a dark suit and iron-black armor. A red cloak fluttered in the wind behind her, and a few strands of hair flew freely in the wind, which made her look even more heroic.
She was talking to her subordinates beside her with a smile on her face. Her eyebrows were curved and full of liveliness, and she was surprisingly pretty.
He was so fascinated by the sight for a moment that he completely forgot the etiquette of going down to the city to greet him.
At the foot of the city wall, it was Zhuang Gu who was communicating with Fang Yilan: "General, where is Young Master Zhao? Why don't we see him today?"
"Ahem, he caught a cold yesterday and is in the carriage at the back." Fang Yilan thought of yesterday's absurdity again, rubbed his nose guiltily, and looked up at the sky.
Finally, his sight fell on the city wall. Seeing the man in gorgeous clothes on the wall, he asked Zhuang Gu beside him with some disdain: "Is this the prince?"
How come her temperament and demeanor are not as good as Zhao Huaixu's?
Zhuang Gu was terrified. "General, be careful with your words and actions! It would be bad if the prince's men heard it."
Fang Yilan pouted and said nothing more.
The city gates slowly opened, and Fang Yilan, leading his men, marched steadily into the city. The clatter of horse hooves drew the attention of the people lining the streets. Shangjing was vastly different from the northwestern regions. Shangjing was bustling with people, surrounded by shops and vendors, and bustling with activity.
Many young ladies who usually stay at home looked at Fang Yilan, who was standing at the front of the team with a slender figure and heroic spirit in every gesture. They had never seen such a dashing figure. Their cheeks flushed, they covered their faces with handkerchiefs, hid behind the crowd, and couldn't help but secretly look at him.
Jiang Fu finally descended the city wall and arrived late. "General Fang's triumphant return is truly a blessing to our dynasty. My father has already prepared a celebration banquet in the palace and has specially ordered me to come and welcome the general into the palace."
Fang Yilan dismounted and bowed slightly. Although he was performing the formalities of a subject, he did not show any flattery. "Thank you, Your Highness."
She looked at the man in front of her calmly, not even raising her chin. In fact, she was complaining in her heart. Maybe it was because she had spent too much time in the northwest, surrounded by tall men. In addition, Zhao Huaixu was always hanging around in front of her, with his broad shoulders and thin waist...
Ahem, my thoughts are starting to wander again.
The prince looked at Fang Yilan and saw a flash of embarrassment on her face. Although she quickly retracted it, he still noticed it. Could it be that Fang Yilan was doing this to him... ?
But it’s not strange to admire him. Who wouldn’t like a future emperor?
With such speculation in mind, on the way to the palace, the prince looked out the car window seemingly casually, but from the corner of his eyes he would secretly glance at Fang Yilan beside him from time to time. It was hard not to notice the scrutiny he gave, as his gaze made people feel uncomfortable.
Fang Yilan has never been one to tolerate others. She crossed her arms, looking Jiang Fu up and down carefully with a playful look in her eyes.
Jiang Fu felt a little uncomfortable being stared at, so he asked complacently, "General Fang, why are you staring at me like this? Is there something important?"
"Nothing, just using magic to defeat magic."
The two of them, each with their own thoughts, soon arrived at the imperial palace, its vermilion walls ablaze with splendor. Fang Yilan followed the crown prince through the numerous palace gates and arrived outside the Golden Throne Hall. Inside, Emperor Jingwen sat upright on the dragon throne, flanked by civil and military officials in neat rows.
Emperor Jingwen was delighted: "General Fang, this time you led the Northwest Army to a great victory over the enemy and achieved great military feats for our dynasty. I am deeply pleased."
Fang Yilan knelt on one knee and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty is wise. This is the result of the soldiers' bloody battles. I dare not take credit for it."
Emperor Jingwen nodded with satisfaction. After his gaze lingered on Fang Yilan for a moment, he turned to Jiang Fu and said, "Prince, you must learn from General Fang and learn the art of commanding an army. In the future, this country will need your help in protecting it."
Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Jiang Fu stepped forward and said, "Father, I believe General Fang has made great contributions this time and should be rewarded generously."
Emperor Jingwen's smile froze for a moment, but soon returned to normal. He smiled and nodded, "Your Highness is absolutely right. I will give General Fang a thousand taels of gold, one hundred rolls of silk, one hundred South China Sea pearls, and a set of jade-inlaid auspicious animal ornaments."
"Thank you, Lord."
Emperor Jingwen waved his hand and said, "All right. Tonight is the welcoming banquet for Marquis Ding'an. Everyone, please move and prepare for the arrival of the emperor."
The crowd went to Songlin Garden in a mighty procession. The pavilions and towers were luxurious and elegant, with shadows dim in the moonlight, and melodious music was heard. Fine wine and delicious food were served continuously.
As the protagonist of this celebration banquet, Fang Yilan was toasted by the ministers one after another. The wine was mellow and smooth, with a strong aftertaste.
After drinking for more than thirty days, even Fang Yilan, who could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, gradually couldn't hold on any longer.
The Minister of War staggered, clearly drunk. He pulled a young man over from nowhere, grabbed Fang Yilan's arm, and shouted, "General Fang, come here, let me introduce you. This is Zhou Ting'an, a young and promising Minister of the Court. His father and your father were close friends. Maybe you were engaged when you were young."
Minister Zhou, who was brought over, was wearing a moon-white robe with a green silk ribbon tied around his waist. He bowed and said, "General Fang, I have long admired you."
Fang Yilan then turned her gaze to the young man in front of her who was as handsome as the breeze and the bright moon. After looking at him carefully, she had some impression of this man in her memory. She did not take it to heart. She just raised her glass and nodded in return, then tilted her head back and drank the wine in the glass.
She put down her wine glass and was about to turn around to talk to others, but suddenly she caught sight of a jade pendant tied around Minister Zhou's waist. It looked so familiar that she was startled and leaned over to look at the mutton-fat jade pendant around her waist.
Her mind began to recall the past. Wait, if she remembered correctly, this Minister Zhou seemed to be her original self's childhood sweetheart?
What about this jade pendant?
...
After the banquet, Fang Yilan was helped into the carriage by her attendants. The carriage hadn't been going for long when it suddenly stopped with a creak. The driver hurriedly got out to check and reported that the axle was broken and could not go any further.
Fang Yilan frowned slightly. She was still in the palace and had no way to call a carriage, so she had to lift the curtain and stagger out of the carriage.
On the palace road, another carriage slowly approached. As it approached, a corner of the curtain was lifted, revealing a face as gentle as jade. It was Zhou Ting'an, the Minister of Revenue.
Zhou Ting'an saw the problem and suggested, "How about I give the general a ride?"
Fang Yilan felt so dizzy that she just wanted to go home and have a good rest. Looking at the eunuch who hurried back to report, and thinking of the prince's annoying face, she felt annoyed.
After thinking for a moment, he nodded and said, "Then I'm sorry to bother Minister Zhou."
The airtight compartment seemed frozen. Fang Yilan secretly groaned, feigning drunkenness. Her right hand gently pinched the bridge of her nose, her head slightly lowered, seemingly leaning lazily against the wall. In reality, her left hand was quietly tugging at her cloak, trying to conceal the jade pendant at her waist.
Fortunately, Zhou Ting'an remained silent all the way, just looking out the window, his profile looking particularly cold in the interweaving of light and shadow.
After about an incense stick of time, the carriage stopped at the gate of Ding'an Marquis Mansion. Fang Yilan said hello and walked out of the carriage. She looked up and saw a slender jade-like hand extended to her. Looking along the jade-like arm, she saw the person she had been expecting to see.
"Yu'an," Fang Yilan used his strength to lightly jump off the carriage. When he landed, his feet were unstable and his body fell forward, just in Zhao Huaixu's arms. One arm hooked around his neck: "My dear, how did you get out?"
Fang Yilan, who reeked of alcohol, had a dazed look in his eyes and smiled foolishly: "Are you worried about me?"
Zhao Huaixu held the body that could not stop falling into his arms, tilted his head and whispered in her ear: "General, you have been sent back safely, right? There is nothing for Yu'an to worry about."
As he was speaking, his eyes also lifted up.
The carriage curtain was half-drawn, and the person inside had been observing them for who knew how long. When their eyes met, Zhou Ting'an lowered the curtain, the wheels rolled over the ground, and hurried away.
Fang Yilan was drunk, but his mind was surprisingly bright at the moment: "My goodness, are you jealous?"
He rubbed his head against Zhao Huaixu's chest a few times and waved one hand in the air: "I was really drunk. I just wanted to go home as soon as possible. I won't dare to do it next time."
"There's a next time?"
Fang Yilan immediately got off Zhao Huaixu, stood straight in a military posture, and saluted him: "I promise there won't be a next time!"
Zhao Huaixu looked at her posture, which she had learned from nowhere, and stretched out his hand with anger and amusement: "Come here."
Fang Yilan obediently hung back on him. Zhao Huaixu pulled her into his arms, hugged her tightly and walked towards the hospital.
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