Entering the city, on the ancient and quaint streets, the common people, undeterred by the severe cold, greeted the Emperor's triumphant return to the capital with great enthusiasm.
"Husband, the ministers wanted to come out and welcome you, but I excused them. You can see you tomorrow in the morning court, why bother with this brief moment!"
Hearing this, Fan Zehao gently tapped her nose, "It's good that you did. Traveling for a month has been too tiring. I truly have no mood to deal with those ministers. I just want to go home, take a bath, and sleep with you!"
"How old are you, be serious!" Zhao Jiaqi scolded him a few times with a blushing face.
The children were almost eleven years old after the New Year. He was becoming more mischievous as he got older.
He pouted aggrievedly, speaking the truth, but to his wife, it became improper words.
He had grievances he couldn't express!
The Imperial Palace.
Yu Meng, who had specifically taken leave to return, was waiting at the palace gate, her eyes scanning the distance. Her father was returning today, and these few brats were the happiest, each one eagerly looking towards the cleared road in the distance.
If their mother hadn't forbidden them from leaving the palace to greet him, they would have run a hundred miles outside the capital to welcome their father.
"Brothers, look, it's Father, Father is back!" Yu Meng's eyes were sharp. After shouting, she rushed out.
Fan Yao and Fan Sen followed behind. The three little ones sprinted towards Fan Zehao, which delighted him immensely.
After dismounting with his wife, he opened his arms to welcome his eldest treasure. "Chun Meng, Dad missed you so much. Come, give Dad a hug!"
Yu Meng hugged Fan Zehao's neck, rubbing her head against his chest, and pouted, "Meng Meng missed Daddy so, so much, I even cried in my dreams!" This made Fan Zehao's heart ache and warm at the same time. He picked up Yu Meng, held Fan Yao's hand, while Zhao Jiaqi held Fan Sen's. The family of five was very warm and loving.
Tian Tian, leading her two younger sisters, searched for their father in the crowd. However, the generals and their deputies had returned, but their father hadn't. The three of them were very disappointed.
Guanju Palace.
Fan Zehao saw Pingting and said, "Fan Lao Er didn't return this time. I've kept him behind to handle some matters. After the New Year, I will send some people to escort you to your fiefdom to reunite with him. You ladies will have to endure for now!"
Pingting understood her elder brother's intentions. Fan Xudong had also written to her, saying that his fiefdom had gained several more cities. He was staying behind to deal with the restless people in the Jin Kingdom. After the spring, Fan Xudong would return to pick them up. Winter was here, but spring was not far away.
"Elder brother, I understand, you don't need to worry about me. But this time when I return to my fiefdom, can I ask my mother to accompany me and stay in the fiefdom?" Pingting asked carefully.
It was against the rules for the Empress Dowager to leave the Imperial Palace and reside permanently in her daughter and son-in-law's fiefdom. Although Pingting knew her elder brother would agree, she still asked cautiously.
Fan Zehao readily agreed without much thought, "I have no objections, as long as the Empress Dowager is willing to go, anytime!" If Huangfu Yifan hadn't posthumously conferred the title of Empress Dowager upon Huang Tai Guifei, Yao Jingyun would have gone to reside in Pingting's fiefdom long ago. However, Yao Jingyun lived a very comfortable life. She could go to the fiefdom to see Pingting whenever she pleased and stay for two or three months without anyone bothering her. This was also thanks to Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi's lenient nature.
In the evening, after a warm interlude, the two lay in bed. Fan Zehao shared some good news with her.
"Huangfu Xian has returned with me this time. I've already written the imperial decree of abdication. After tomorrow's court session, it will be announced. Then, our family can leave this Imperial Palace and return to the princely manor for the New Year. Aren't you happy!"
She was more than happy; she was almost ecstatic. She nodded quickly, "That's wonderful! After the decree is read tomorrow, let him ascend the throne immediately and dump all those troublesome matters on him to worry about!" They had ruled the Huangfu family's empire for so long, as outsiders. They had pacified the Jin Kingdom and resolved many beneficial matters for the country, truly pouring their hearts and souls into it. Returning the Yun Kingdom to the Huangfu family was only right and proper.
The couple had been making good plans, but the next day, everything was delayed. Zong Han arrived, his carriage carrying a vast amount of goods, with boxes and chests stretching for several kilometers. Escorting these goods alone required two thousand cavalry, not including the ordinary soldiers accompanying them!
Upon entering the court, Fan Zehao was met with concern from the various ministers. Few spoke of important matters. Finally, they discussed the arrival of the King of the Zongsheng Kingdom and speculated about his intentions. Watching the ministers below guess wildly, with all sorts of theories being proposed. Fan Zehao sat on the dragon throne, listening quietly, inwardly chuckling. He knew why Zong Han had come, but he wouldn't say it. Let them guess. Since there was nothing else to do, let them guess for fun!
In the harem, Ren Junying was summoned back by Zhao Jiaqi.
Inside Guanju Palace.
Zhao Jiaqi was having a heart-to-heart talk with Junjun, and also told her truthfully about Zong Han's affection for her and his desire to marry her and bring her back to the Zongsheng Kingdom.
"Junjun, your father and I wish for your happiness. As long as you don't like Zong Han, you don't need to worry about anything. I will directly refuse him!" Zhao Jiaqi said, holding Junjun's cold little hand. Junjun was an understanding child. Perhaps due to experiencing many things since childhood, she saw things clearly and thought deeply. Zhao Jiaqi feared that Junjun might be willing to marry into the Zongsheng Kingdom for the sake of the Yun Kingdom, making any sacrifice for the sake of friendly relations and peace between the two countries. However, Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao did not think this way. They only wanted their children to be happy and find someone they loved, not to settle for a lifetime.
"Junjun, your father and I will not let you and your sisters marry for political alliance. Our Yun Kingdom is already very strong, and the Zongsheng Kingdom will not start a war because of your refusal. You can rest assured about this!" Zhao Jiaqi was afraid Junjun wouldn't understand her intentions, so she explained it to her again.
Ren Junying raised her head with a smile. Her rosy cheeks carried a hint of shyness, but she was not coy. She generously admitted her feelings. "Mother, your and Father's intentions are understood by your daughter. However, Junjun also likes little brother Xiao Ba in her heart and wishes to grow old with him. But... if he cannot promise Junjun a monogamous relationship for life, Junjun would rather keep him in her heart and never marry!" Zhao Jiaqi smiled, a smile from the heart. She also disliked fighting with others for a husband and found living a quiet life more comfortable. Since her child knew what she wanted, the elders naturally wouldn't stop her.
Fan Zehao returned from court. Zhao Jiaqi told him Junjun's thoughts, and he agreed. "Our daughter is like you, both of you are petty and can't tolerate any sand in your eyes. But..." He then frowned, his eyes slightly drooping, and his brow furrowed tightly.
"What is it? But what?" Zhao Jiaqi stared at him nervously. She rarely saw him with such an expression and couldn't help but feel anxious!