Leng Qingning's team traveled day and night, arriving in Dayue ahead of the other teams, about ten days ahead of schedule.
At this time, the young men of Langya Mansion were unaware that their mistress was about to return.
A few days later, on the fifth day of the eighth lunar month
"Changfeng, have someone follow him."
"Yes, my lord."
Lu Shiyi got up very early and went out in high spirits.
He spent the entire day shopping, visiting every shop in Chang Le City, big and small, and buying all the gifts he could for Yao Yao's twentieth birthday.
Finally, we visited gold shops and pharmacies, and only returned home after having dinner...
After dinner, Wen Yanche went to Hehuan Pavilion alone to visit Lu Shiyi and sat in the flower hall for three hours.
They showed no sign of leaving.
“These things are all exquisite and valuable, but if you buy so many at once, Yaoyao probably won’t be able to use them all even after more than ten years,” Wen Yanche asked meaningfully.
"I didn't think too much when I bought them; I just bought them because I thought they looked nice," Lu Shiyi replied absentmindedly.
"That's too much..."
"Not much, I'm afraid it won't be enough for you." At this moment, Lu Shiyi tried his best to smile as he replied, but there was a hint of impatience in his eyes, and he seemed preoccupied.
"My lord, it is late. You have a lot of affairs to attend to tomorrow. Please get some rest."
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Wen Yanche asked in surprise.
"That's not what I meant. I was just worried that Young Master Xuxu would be left without anyone to take care of him."
Hearing this, Wen Yanche decided not to keep him any longer. "Very well, I should indeed go back now. You may rest."
Lu Shiyi got up to see him off, and as he was leaving, Wen Yanche turned around and gave him a meaningful look.
"Shi Yi, I hope you and Yao Yao will get better and better."
Lu Shiyi was slightly taken aback. "Yes."
After seeing Wen Yanche off, Lu Shiyi returned to the nursery. He had a lot to say to Yaoyao. He took out a stack of letters and wrote down his thoughts one by one, feeling more and more regretful as he wrote.
The entire night felt like he had accompanied his child through a long life with the letter. He was grateful that at least he still had time to say goodbye.
One letter after another was packed up, and dawn was breaking.
Finally, he wrote a letter to Wen Yanche, entrusting Yaoyao to him.
He forced his tired eyelids open and came to Yao Yao's bedside, gazing at her peaceful sleeping face as he fell into deep thought.
"My lady, if you had been there then, those people probably wouldn't have said those things about our Yaoyao, right?" He gave a bitter smile.
He could never forget those words; they were like thorns piercing his heart, constantly tormenting his will.
But soon, he thought of Gu Nanshu again, and of that day when he fled in panic. He gave a self-deprecating laugh, "If you were here, would you believe me? My wife, would you protect me and Yaoyao?"
Thinking of Leng Qingning, his eyes softened, but deep doubt lingered within that tenderness.
Even now, he still can't be sure if the other person loves him.
He took one last look at the child, his eyes filled with deep reluctance.
He got up and went back to his bedroom, called Xiao An to help him wash up, tidy his appearance, and change into his favorite blue robe.
After doing all this, he made up an excuse to send Xiao An away and locked the door from the inside.
Then he took out a medicine bottle from the back of the cabinet, mixed it with half a pot of wine, and put the two together.
Without the slightest hesitation, he drank the poisoned wine down his throat.
He sat calmly on the edge of the bed, awaiting death.
City gate
Leng Qingning's entourage slowly entered the city.
The people who were heading to the early market in the city immediately stopped to watch.
"Your Highness? It's the young king who has returned."
As soon as he shouted, the crowd erupted in cheers.
"Your Highness has returned in triumph! The soldiers are back!"
"Wasn't it said that you wouldn't arrive until mid-August? Why did Your Highness return early?"
"Soldiers, you've worked hard. It's good to be back."
In an instant, the people were filled with righteous indignation, and they made way for Leng Qingning and his soldiers, kneeling down in unison to pay their respects.
"Welcome back to the city, young king. Welcome back to the city, soldiers."
Thank you everyone.
The people were emotional, and some had already begun to cry. Seeing the emperor's face was the greatest honor of their lives, especially since Leng Qingning had returned victorious. The people of Yue Kingdom had been waiting for this moment for a whole year.
With a smile on her face, Leng Qingning rode at the forefront, leading the group slowly through the street, followed by Xiao Ning, Cang Yuan, and other generals and soldiers.
Wherever they went, the people knelt down, and the streets suddenly became lively.
The Empress quickly received the news and promptly ordered the royal eunuch to go out of the palace to fetch the person.
Although Leng Qingning was homesick, she did not forget to follow etiquette and led the soldiers to circle the city.
When they finally reached the palace gate, the royal attendant invited them all into the palace.
The Empress hadn't seen Leng Qingning for a year, and she was so excited that her tongue was tied in knots. It was hard to imagine that even a monarch could stutter.
"My son... has not failed in his mission, good... very good." The Empress was extremely pleased.
"Thanks to the Empress Dowager, I have successfully completed my mission."
Cangyuan and Xiaoning were both quiet and reserved, so they sat quietly and listened to the mother and daughter talk.
“My son, I knew you would be able to subdue Qi Huai and bring glory to my Dayue.”
The two exchanged pleasantries for a long time, and before they knew it, it was afternoon. The Empress and the Emperor invited them to dine in the palace, and the Emperor wept uncontrollably…
………
Langya Prefecture
Lin Xianzhi led the child into Hehuan Pavilion.
"Your Excellency, what brings you here?" Xiao An greeted him.
Lin Xianzhe said with a smile, "It was thanks to the Lord's special pardon that I was able to come and visit Brother Shiyi. How have you been, Brother Shiyi?"
Wen Yanche returned home last night and immediately issued an order that, starting today, the young men of the manor would be allowed to visit Hehuan Pavilion.
Lin Xianzhi received the news at noon and rushed over immediately.
“Our Lord…” Xiao An’s expression was complicated, and she didn’t know what to say for a moment. “Lord, please come with me.”
"good."
Seeing his expression, Lin Xianzhi couldn't help but feel worried.
He sighed inwardly, "It's been several months since I last saw you. It seems Brother Shi Yi hasn't been having an easy time." He thought to himself that he should comfort him properly later.
The group arrived at the door of the main bedroom. Xiao An stepped forward and gently knocked on the door. "Master, Minister Lin has come to see you."
No one answered from inside the room.
Xiao An looked at Lin Xianzhe with unease, recalling Lu Shiyi's unusual behavior this morning, and said anxiously, "Lord Minister, our master hasn't come out since this morning, I'm very worried..."
"He's been inside the whole time?"
"Yes," Xiao An nodded firmly.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xianzhe had a bad feeling. He took a few steps up the stairs, raised his hand and knocked on the door, "Brother Shiyi, are you taking a nap? Open the door."
After waiting for several minutes, there was still no response.
At this moment, everyone became anxious. Xiao An, remembering Lu Shiyi's unusual behavior that morning, quickly said to Lin Xianzhi, "Minister, our master has been in poor spirits lately. Could he be thinking of doing something foolish?"
Hearing Xiao An say this, Lin Xianzhi felt even more uneasy. He quickly instructed Xiao An, "Quickly, find someone to break down the door."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
