The Blessed

Yan Shengrui temporarily had no idea what had happened in his mansion. Compared with that Ling Jingxuan got picked on as he came to the capital for the first time, Yan Shengrui’s return with gongs beating and banners flying was greatly different, even the emperor and empress led the all civil and military officials to greet them outside the east city gate to welcome him back. Everyone was shouting Long Live His Highness Sheng. News that Yan Shengrui led the army to storm the enemy’s den and captured those princes of them had already spread through the streets, even a three-year-old child knew. That was absolutely unprecedented meritorious service. Their Qing Kingdom finally erupted.

"His Highness Sheng is here!”

Historically, only the officials had to wait for the emperor, no one dare to let the emperor wait for him, but today was different. Having been waiting outside the city gate for long, His Highness Sheng still hadn’t come back. Instead of feeling anxious, both the emperor and empress were sitting in the dragon sedan quietly, those civil and military officials dare not make any sound, even not a fart. Under such solemn atmosphere, the cheering outside the city gate apparently was extra loud, and attracted everyone’s attention.

On the official road outside the city gate, a few quality horses were galloping, several general-looking men turn dismounted from the horses and knelt down on one knee, followed by a mighty team that gradually came into sight. Yan Shengrui all in black armor was riding a high and strong horse, the guards on both of his sides, except Yan Si, it was those generals, each person, young or old, were all in high spirits, looking so radiant. Of course, the most prominent one today should be the leading role Yan Shengrui.

The emperor and empress went down under the support the eunuchs, at the same time, the large army also arrived in front of the city gate, all kneel down, and Yan Shengrui dismounted, strode to them.

“My greetings, Your Majesty!:

"Save it!"

As Yan Shengrui was about to kneel down on one knee, Yan Shengzhi stepped forward and duly held up his hands, and Chu Yunhan behind couldn’t help looking behind Yan Shengrui, as if looking for someone, after a while, he withdrew his eyes disappointedly. He thought Ling Jingxuan would come with him, but no.

"My younger brother, you have set up a great service this time, I must reward you heavily."

Holding Yan Shengrui’s hand, Yan Shengzhi praised him before everyone. To Yan Shengrui, he both loved and feared of him. His achievements in the wars had undoubtedly made those who were eyeing them have no balls to take action. After giving the nomads a heavy blow this time, in a few years, they wouldn’t dare offend them again. But the more he was shining with his exploits, the more he felt scared, although he knew he had no heart for the throne, he still couldn’t help but guard against him everywhere.

"Your Majesty, please reward my soldiers as much as possible. Without them, I could not win the battle alone."

A slice of displeasure flashed across Yan Shengrui’s eyes, and his tone was a little tough, he did not know what had happened in his mansion, but he had already known that the memorial asking him to confer Ling Jingxuan as his legitimate wife still hadn’t been approved. So now, he still had complains in the heart, only thinking that he should force him to issue the decree to approve it while no one was around.

"Haha, of course, of course."

Since the two of them were brothers, how couldn’t Yan Shengzhi notice his anger? After a brief daze, Yan Shengzhi laughed, and the hands holding his tightened, he was also afraid. This younger brother was unreasonable since he was little. If he waved his hands off in front of everyone, as the emperor, he’d feel so humiliated. He had done that before, so he had to be extra aware.

"Shengrui, congratulations again for making such great achievements!"

Seeing here, Chu Yunhan showed a trace of slight sarcasm at the corner of his mouth, then put on a decent smile looking at Yan Shengrui, while the latter’s eyes blinked, and he slightly nodded, "My greetings, imperial sister-in-law!"

"Save it. I’m good. Thank you for the concern."

Seemingly a very common dialogue, in fact, Chu Yunhan was telling him, don't worry, at least I can handle it myself so far.

"Congratulations for Uncle Shengrui’s big exploits!"

"Congratulations, Your Highness. Long live Your Highness!”

"Long live!”

Under the lead of the big prince Yan Xiaolan, over a dozen princes congratulated him, seeing that, all the civil and military officials also congratulated him, and the civilians all shouted long live Prince Sheng, which lasted a long time. Yan Shengzhi looked a bit awkward, but should not say anything, so he simply grabbed Yan Shengrui to face thousands of generals and soldiers, "Generals, good job. I have prepared a banquet at the palace, and there will be a formal celebration banquet three days later. I will reward you for your unbeknown achievements. Back to the palace!"

In a few words, the credit of Yan Shengrui got shared by those generals. Yan Shengzhi pulled Yan Shengrui and direct stepped on the dragon carriage. Chu Yunhan quietly ordered the shadow guards who dressed in a servant’s appearance, and threw Yan Xiaoming an appeasing look in the eyes, then gracefully followed up.

"Long live Prince Sheng! Long live Prince Sheng!”

"Long live Prince Sheng! Long live Prince Sheng!”

Along the way, from the east city gate to the palace, the civilians’ cheering had never stopped, Yan Shengrui was fine with it, as early as after entering the dragon carriage, he had already shaken off Yan Shengzhi’s hand. At this moment, his glistening but terrifying eyes were staring at Yan Shengzhi, making him so uncomfortable, while Yan Shengzhi kept winking at Chu Yunhan, but the always shrewd Chu Yunhan was like blind at this time, obviously not on the same channel with him. Yan Shengzhi felt both anxious but helpless. In such a tense and weird atmosphere, the dragon carriage drove into the palace gradually.

The rewarding process was long and boring. In general, the empress should also be there. But after going back, Chu Yunhan claimed that he felt a little uncomfortable and didn't go to the front court with them. Compared with the formulaic rewarding, he was more concerned about Ling Jingxuan and the children. Not long ago, Lord Six sent him a letter saying that Ling Jingxuan had already been on the way back with Yan Shengrui. He thought Shngrui would take him with him, but…On a second thought, it was only reasonable, since their little son was only two months’ big, really not convenient.

"What did you say? Jingxuan almost let people tear down the gate of the mansion?"

Inside Fuqing palace, hearing the shadow guard’s report, Chu Yunhan exclaimed, Yan Xiaoming who was waiting in the palace also couldn’t help feeling dumbfounded. Wouldn’t Uncle Ling be so dope? That is the Sheng Prince's mansion, his own home, the first day he came back, he almost tore down the gate, is it possible he’d raze the palace to the ground some day?

In other words, if Yan Shengrui's attitude was not good enough, Jingxuan would really do that, right?

"Yes, when I went there, the consort was taking some rest. I heard that the maids did something to make him angry first and kept putting obstacles for him. And he even killed two of them. Till now, those maids who went to pick him up are still kneeling on the wharf.”

The shadow guard further explained the situation. Chu Yunhan’s eyes lightly sank, and then he smiled, "That’s something he would do. What’s wrong with those maids? Who gave them the balls?”

He knew that Yan Shengrui seldom returned to the capital, and even if he came back, he’d stay in the mansion for most of the time. How could he make such a mistake?

"I heard it’s Qin Yu, daughter of the late nanny of Prince Sheng. The princess even broke her hands and threw her into the wood shed.”

“Qin Yu?”

Chu Yunhan whispered her name in a low voice, no impression of such a person, but that was not his bad, after all, a maid’s daughter, still a maid. How would he the noble empress know such a minor figure?

"Uncle Ling, no, I mean, are my imperial aunt-in-law and my younger brothers all right?”

Seeing that he seemed to be thinking about what, Yan Xiaoming asked anxiously, he missed them so much, heaven knows when he learned that they returned to the capital, how excited he was, finally, finally he could see Uncle Ling and a few younger brothers, especially Uncle Ling had just given birth to the little brother, he specially prepared a lot of gifts for them.

"Back to Lord Seven, the princess and the children are all right, but they seem to be angry, the reason is that the princess learned that in the backyard of the prince’s mansion has kept a lot of beautiful women."

Not knowing whether this was something big or small, the shadow guard still reported as it was. Chu Yunhan and Yan Xiaoming both wide opened the eyes surprisingly, why didn’t Yan Shengrui deal with those women in advance? Then they coincidentally thought that Yan Shengrui did not take them as human at all, so it was only reasonable he ignored them, however…

"Hehe…it seems that Prince Sheng's mansion will be very lively later, pity that I can’t personally go, I’ll miss such a big scene."

Chu Yunhan suddenly smiled, this time it was not a symbolic one like before, but a hearty one, this is a beautiful one. He, who was already beautiful enough, now undoubtedly looked more beautiful wearing that smile, and the gorgeous dress made him even stunningly beautiful. If someone was there, he’d definitely get drown in that smile!

"What father said is absolutely right. How could Uncle Ling take with it? My imperial uncle and those women are so dead.”

Yan Xiaoming who knew why his dad was smiling also smiled. He really wished he could go take a look, since it had really been too long he hadn’t seen them.

"No, I think it is not that those women are so dead, but Lord Nine who offered those women is so dead. Giving Jingxuan’s character, he could he let go of those who piss him off so easily? Seven, ask them to make preparations. Let them figure out a way to let you live in the prince’s mansion for a few days.”

Anyhow, he had stayed with Ling Jingxuan for so long. Wouldn’t it be a joke if he said he knew nothing about him? Maybe, as he had expected in Cangzhou, soon the capital would turn lively, especially Prince Sheng’s mansion and the palace. Those two places would undoubtedly become the main ‘battlefield’, and the empress dowager and the emperor would be driven mad?

"Really? Empress father, can I really go live there for a few days?"

Hearing him, Yan Xiaoming who usually stayed composed cannot help jumping up. Heaven knows how much he missed Uncle Ling’s kids. If so, he wouldn’t have to part with them forever! But, meanwhile, he also knew that was impossible. Rather than that, as a highly controversial prince, he must keep a certain distance with his imperial uncle who had just made outstanding military exploits, otherwise, it would be more dangerous for him and his dad, or even incur father’s suspicion, then a full year’s effort they had made would go nothing, which would also indirectly bring trouble to Uncle Ling and others. So, even he was so desperate to see them, he dare not go to their place above the table. So he could only think about how to visit them in private.

"Hmm. His Majesty has already known that we knew about Jingxuan and others when in Cangzhou. So if we deliberately avoid them, it’d only make others suspicious. If so, why not above board? I guess His Majesty wouldn’t stop us. But, the empress dowager and others who have a word with Jingxuan would hate us more.”

"When did they ever like us?"

Yan Xiaoming frowned, the empress dowager, Noble Consort Xiao, Chu family and Xiao family, they had never really liked them, so Uncle Ling was their only back.

"hehe"

Chu Yunhan smiled, a little bitter. Others may think he was in such a high position, but no one knew how tired he was. The emperor’s doting to him was only out of his original heart. Once there was any sign of disturbance, he would be the first to suffer. Let alone little Seven, even he quite missed Jingxuan and those kids, missed every bit in Yuehua Manor.