I am the champion of palace intrigue, and even the proud prince bows his head in submission.

Chapter 482 flashed by some fragmented images.

Xie Jue looked at the stack of calligraphy practice books on the table and carefully picked out the page that she had practiced the most neatly over the past two weeks.

I flattened it again and even wrapped it in a clean piece of paper.

He tiptoed and peeked at the door, then excitedly sat back down.

Hehe, he's going to show his best calligraphy practice book to his father later, and he'll definitely praise him!

Inside the room, Xie Jing sat with a teacup in his hand, but he was drinking absentmindedly.

"Mother, when is Father coming back today?" Xie Jing asked.

Qin Jiuwei shook her head. "I don't know either. After returning to the capital, he will first go to the palace to report to the Emperor. He will only go home after the matters in the palace are settled."

"This has always been the case when military generals return to the capital."

But just as Qin Jiuwei finished speaking, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from the courtyard gate.

"lady."

Qin Jiu was startled and turned around abruptly.

The sun was shining brightly outside the door, and a tall, upright figure stood against the light.

Xie Yanli wore a black battle robe embroidered with silver thread patterns, and his silver armor was still on his chest. Even though he was covered in dust, it could not hide his heroic spirit.

Her eyebrows were sharp as swords, her gaze was calm, and her deep phoenix eyes held a turbulent mix of emotions.

He walked towards her step by step.

Qin Jiu stared at him blankly, as if she had suddenly forgotten how to breathe.

For the past six months, the figure that has appeared in her dreams every night has been vividly present before her eyes.

Was it a dream?

Until he walked up to her, standing within arm's reach, he whispered and called her again, "Madam."

Her eyes suddenly reddened.

Only then could I believe that he had really come back.

Xie Yanli reached out and gently took Qin Jiuwei's hand.

It was a hand with thin calluses and old wounds, the palm slightly warm, carrying real strength.

Qin Jiuwei felt a stinging sensation in her nose, and tears welled up again without warning.

"Why are you crying?" Xie Yanli asked softly, his eyes so tender they seemed to melt away all obstacles.

He raised his hand and gently wiped away the tear stains from the corner of her eye with his fingertips.

She was about to speak when she suddenly heard a boy's urgent voice behind her: "Mother!"

Qin Jiuwei subconsciously turned her head and saw Xie Jingchun in military uniform.

He has clearly shed his youthful naiveté, and the heroic bearing of a young general is becoming increasingly evident.

Her long hair was tied up with a black ribbon, and she was taller than she had been six months ago. Her cheekbones had become more defined, and her facial features were more distinct.

He strode forward, his voice filled with barely suppressed joy.

"Mother, I'm back."

The wind blows through the magnolia tree in front of the courtyard, causing the petals to flutter.

Xie Jingchun looked at the familiar figure in the room, and her eyes instantly reddened.

"Big brother!"

Xie Jue pounced on him, crashing into Xie Jingchun's arms like a little deer, hugging his legs tightly, his eyes shining with excitement.

Xie Jingchun lowered her head, suppressing the tears welling up in her eyes, and gently rubbed his head.

"How come you've grown so much in just a few months?"

At this moment, Xie Jing also stood up from the table.

Xie Jingchun stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said with great satisfaction, "You've grown taller too."

"Brother, why did you only say this one sentence?" Xie Jue suddenly asked.

After saying that, he chuckled and said, "Big brother, you've grown taller too."

Xie Jingchun's eyes curved into a smile, her gaze softening.

Qin Jiuwei burst into laughter through her tears.

Home is best when it's lively and bustling like this.

Immediately afterwards, Qin Jiuwei was startled and looked up to ask as if she had just realized what was happening.

"Didn't you say you were going to the palace to report back? Why did you come straight back?"

Xie Yanli looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"Because I miss you and want to see you right away."

Qin Jiu was slightly stunned, and a faint blush rose to her face.

Just as he was about to say something, Zizhu's voice came from outside the door, "Young Master, it's time to go."

Xie Yanli ignored him, his gaze remaining fixed on Qin Jiuwei's face.

He took a step closer, took her hand, and whispered something in her ear.

Then he suddenly leaned down and kissed her.

"what--"

Xie Jue's eyes widened, and he was so shocked he almost jumped up.

Xie Jing almost choked on his tea.

Xie Jingchun was also stunned for a moment, then coughed and simply walked towards the door, saying, "Father, I'll wait for you at the door."

Qin Jiuwei's face burned as if she were on fire, her ears turning bright red, and she glared at Xie Yanli.

Xie Yanli chuckled softly, then turned and left.

In late spring and early summer, the locust flowers begin to bloom.

Before the procession had come to a complete stop, Shen Xingjian leaped off his horse, disregarding the welcoming ceremony, and headed straight for the Shen residence.

"The general is back!"

The entire Shen household was immediately in an uproar.

He had no interest in pleasantries and strode straight to the inner courtyard.

The moment the courtyard gate was pushed open, Jiang Yunzhu was sitting by the window, dressed in plain clothes and a wide robe, her belly protruding, staring blankly out the window.

She seemed to sense something and suddenly stood up.

I had only taken two steps when a figure blurred before my eyes, and I was suddenly pulled tightly into a pair of hot and strong arms.

"Yunzhu!" Shen Xingjian's voice trembled, "I'm back!"

He held her tightly, as if afraid that it was all just a dream.

Jiang Yunzhu's eyes reddened.

"Are you pregnant?" He looked down, his voice trembling violently.

Jiang Yunzhu's tears rolled down her cheeks immediately, and she nodded: "Yes, it's been seven months."

Shen Xingjian's throat tightened, and he hugged her even tighter, murmuring softly over and over again, "That's great...that's great..."

He survived the war, fought his way back from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, all for this moment.

I saw her, and there she was, with the child by her side.

He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, solemnly saying, "I swear, I will never let you live in fear alone again."

Jiang Yunzhu smiled, her eyes red, and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

From this day forward, the three of them will never be separated again.

The palace gates stood tall. The four men dismounted, and the imperial guards in armor were already waiting outside the gates. After bowing respectfully, they led them into the palace.

Xie Yanli and Xie Jingchun walked at the front, Shen Xingjian followed closely behind, and Meng Ze walked at the very back.

He was still wearing the human skin mask; it was the face of a middle-aged man with no distinguishing features.

His features were not very distinct; at first glance, he appeared to be just an unknown staff member.

He has not yet revealed his identity.

Meng Ze, the prime minister of the Great Liang Dynasty, vanished from the face of the earth.

He paused for a moment as he stepped through the palace gates.

The majestic palace wall before us suddenly became blurred in the sunlight.

Some fragmented images suddenly flashed through his mind.

The wind chimes under the eaves swayed slightly, and the young man, dressed in a black robe with a jade pendant around his waist, sat upright in the hall.

Although only seven or eight years old, he stood tall with a calm and composed demeanor.

He was listening to his teacher explain etiquette; he learned manners much earlier than all the other princes around him.