A few days before General Ye’s army and the foreign guests entered the capital, many people had already reserved spots in advance at taverns and teahouses along the streets. Even if the prices were ten or twenty times higher than usual, they did not hesitate, all to witness this grand occasion with their own eyes.
The Drunken Immortal Tavern had the best location, and their rooms were booked early. However, the best private room of the Drunken Immortal Tavern was reserved for Yang Mengchen, not only close to the street but also with a corridor outside that had a perfect view of the entire street.
Long Xuanmo and Yang Chengyou were ordered to receive the triumphant army and the foreign guests. Yang Mengchen and Fu Chuyan brought along maids and sisters to catch a glimpse of their second brother’s valiant figure, and they also invited a few closely related ladies.
Twelve children stood on the corridor, each holding a telescope improved by Yang Mengchen, looking in the direction of the approaching army with maids, sisters, and guard lads taking care, so the adults were not worried.
Xiao Yichen suddenly shouted excitedly, "Second Brother, I see Second Brother!"
"It’s really Uncle Yang!" Min Ruochen and Min Ruomeng exclaimed in unison, "Uncle Yang looks so handsome!"
The three sons of the Luo family, Luo Wenyu, Luo Wenmin, Luo Wenjue, Nangong Lingfei’s son Nangong Bairong, Situ Wenkai’s son Situ Jing’an, Situ Wenzheng’s son Situ Jingxiang, Prince Kang Long Yiyou’s son Long Muye, and Prince Ning’s grandson Long Zhenkai, all chimed in with joy.
Unlike the other, younger children who either yelled or jumped while waving their hands, the normally calm and restrained Xiao Huaichen simply watched with bright eyes and a lifted corner of his lips, clearly just as happy.
Seeing the children’s high spirits, the adults couldn’t contain their joy and followed them onto the corridor.
General Ye, clad in dark blue armor, led at the forefront, followed by Yang Chengning on a white steed, then the Bloodied Seven Eagles, the Taji Chang chieftain Laksh and Prince Batelgen, with Princess Higuirre alongside on the right. After them came five thousand Dong Chu soldiers in black armor, as well as one hundred Taji Chang soldiers.
Among them, Yang Chengning stood out the most. He wore a silver-white interlocking armor designed by Yang Mengchen and personally crafted by Yang Chengyu, adorned with Black Iron at the shoulders, chest, and abdomen. The imposing tiger heads on the shoulders looked lifelike. He wore a silver tiger head helmet with red tassels, boots of cowhide with silver tiger heads, with a defined and handsome face, thick brows, and bright eyes. He seemed like a war god descended, his demeanor bold and his presence commanding.
Seeing the handsome Yang Chengning, ladies and maidens in the taverns and teahouses along the street were dazzled; all sorts of feminine trinkets, like purses, handkerchiefs, and ornaments, were thrown at Yang Chengning, nearly engulfing him.
Who would have guessed that Yang Chengning would not only ignore these ’attacks,’ but also dodge left and right to avoid them, which made Yang Mengchen laugh and feel a sense of pride.
As if connected by a sixth sense, Yang Chengning turned to look their way.
The years of military life had honed Yang Chengning into an even more resolute figure. He usually kept a stern face, with a dignified and commanding presence, showing his softer side only to his sister and family.
Even from a distance where the features were not clear, Yang Chengning recognized the woman in a light purple dress on the distant corridor as his sister. He relaxed the hard lines of his face slightly, raised his lips in a smile, and nodded to his sister, clearly in a good mood.
The maidens’ hearts fluttered at the sight, captivated by such a gallant, promising man who seemed so hard to find. The unmarried maidens became even more frenzied.
Soon, purses, handkerchiefs, and ornaments rained down on Yang Chengning like droplets, and not only him, but many of the soldiers behind him also ended up with some articles on them, caught in the crossfire.
"So you can smile?" Princess Higuirre said, surprised as she looked at Yang Chengning.
All along the way, she had tried every possible way to get close to Yang Chengning, but he had been as indifferent as a block of wood, not showing the slightest hint of flirtation.
She had thought that was just Yang Chengning’s nature, but now seeing him smile, though slight, was a smile indeed, and she was incredulous.
Regarding Princess Higuirre’s question, Yang Chengning turned a deaf ear and withdrew the curve at the corner of his lips, returning to his imposing and aloof manner.
Princess Higuirre, accustomed to this by now, asked no more questions and instead looked in the direction Yang Chengning had gazed, only to see many people, including children, without being able to discern whom exactly Yang Chengning was looking at. She could only give up in disappointment.
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