Chapter 273 Xuanyue Kingdom

Ali smiled and replied, "Yes, this world is really small! It's amazing to run into you here. How did you end up in this place?"

She smiled slightly and explained simply, "We are going to Xuan Yue Kingdom to do some business."

Upon hearing this, Ali couldn't help but feel doubtful: "It's already winter, what kind of business can we still do?"

She chuckled softly, a glint of cunning and shrewdness in her eyes, and replied, "Winter is precisely when our business is at its most prosperous."

In winter, no one can resist the temptation of hot pot.

She had mentioned this to Lan'er before.

Furthermore, since Yinxian Manor also has business dealings with Xuan Yue Kingdom, it would be a rare opportunity to do some "small business" here.

Ali nodded repeatedly, expressing his great admiration for her: "People from Jingyuan really know how to do business! Look at these caravans coming and going, most of them are from Jingyuan."

At this moment, Qin Xiaolin also walked over. Hearing the two chatting so happily, he seemed a little displeased. But he still said politely, "Brother Ali, I really didn't expect to run into you here."

Ali was also pleasantly surprised to see Qin Xiaolin: "Master Feng, so you're here too."

Li Xi was completely taken aback that the two of them knew each other. "You two know each other?"

Qin Xiaolin smiled faintly and said, "We've met a few times. Brother Ali is a straightforward person, and I admire him very much."

Ali scratched his head and smiled somewhat embarrassedly, "Master Feng, you flatter me. I'm just a roughneck, there's nothing to admire about me."

The patrol team temporarily set up camp here.

The group sat around the campfire, roasting meat, drinking wine, and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.

As the first rays of sunlight touched the earth, the patrol team members packed their gear and continued their patrol.

Li Xi and his companions set off shortly after having breakfast.

Ahead lay a vast, boundless plain; once across it, one could reach the border of the Xuan Yue Kingdom.

Everyone was in high spirits, their steps firm and powerful, as if they had forgotten the fatigue of the journey.

After handing the document to the soldiers at the border, a commotion soon arose, and a group of soldiers in armor emerged from inside the pass.

Leading the way was a general with an upright posture and a commanding presence.

He led the group behind him forward quickly and stopped in front of the convoy.

Then, he respectfully bowed deeply to the convoy and shouted loudly, "Your humble servants and others are here to await the return of Her Highness the Princess! We also extend our warmest welcome to the Emperor Emeritus, the Empress Dowager, and His Highness Prince An."

Its voice was loud and clear, like a bell, resounding through the sky, fully demonstrating respect for guests from afar.

The retired emperor and his entourage were invited into the general's mansion.

"Guards, quickly prepare a banquet to welcome the Emperor Emeritus, Empress Dowager, the Eldest Princess, and Prince An!"

At the general's command, the servants immediately sprang into action.

At that moment, the general turned around and walked towards the retired emperor and his entourage with a smile on his face.

"Your humble servant Lu Zhan pays respects to the Emperor Emeritus, the Empress Dowager, Her Highness the Princess, and His Highness Prince An."

He bowed deeply again, his attitude extremely respectful.

"General Lu, you may dispense with the formalities."

The retired emperor raised his hand to signal him to stand up, while carefully examining him.

The general in front of me looks to be only in his early thirties.

But with a firm gaze and imposing presence, he was clearly a battle-hardened general.

Moreover, he was tall and strong, with an upright posture, and full of power.

"General Lu is young and promising; he is truly a blessing to the Xuan Yue Kingdom."

The Emperor Emeritus praised it sincerely.

"Your Majesty flatters me. I am merely fulfilling my duty and doing my part for our country."

Lu Zhan responded modestly.

"Haha, good, what a dutiful duty!"

The retired emperor was very satisfied with his attitude and praised him repeatedly.

Afterwards, everyone moved to the main hall.

Lu Zhan personally served tea and water to the Emperor Emeritus and others, his attitude respectful and considerate.

Xuanqing was depressed after entering the pass.

Meng Zhelan asked cautiously, "Princess, are you feeling unwell? Would you like me to examine you?"

The two were kindred spirits, and felt they had met too late in life.

Xuan Qing was somewhat downcast: "Lan'er, do you know? After entering the pass, I will no longer be myself."

She recalled seeing the eldest princess galloping on horseback.

Yesterday, she was dashing and carefree, as if the whole world was under her control.

Now that she's back in Xuan Yue, she's the high and mighty princess, and what she doesn't want is what others crave but can't have.

Meng Zhelan looked at Xuan Qing, a hint of pity flashing in her eyes.

She said softly, "Princess, no matter when or where, staying true to your original aspirations is the most crucial and important thing."

Xuan Qing nodded slightly. "Lan'er, I know it's difficult for you to come this time. But the Empress Dowager..."

“I understand, there’s no need to worry,” Meng Zhelan replied softly, then said no more.

Not far away, Prince An gazed silently at her back, his eyes seemingly concealing countless complex emotions that were impossible to fathom.

Sitting opposite Prince An, Li Xi inadvertently caught this scene and a cold smile welled up in her heart. She thought to herself: Is he feigning deep affection? Or does he want to have women on both sides? What a pipe dream!

Qin Xiaolin noticed Li Xi's unusual behavior and gently touched her arm, signaling her to watch her words and actions.

Li Xi snapped out of her daze, took a deep breath, and suppressed her dissatisfaction.

She understood that she couldn't act rashly now; in front of the powerful and influential, she needed to be cautious in everything she did.

"Brother Feng, would you choose a woman who can help you as your wife for the sake of power?" She was somewhat sullen, afraid that Lan'er would be dragged into it.

"I don't know how to answer that question. Power is nothing but an external thing to me. But what I want to find is a woman who understands me and will stay with me through thick and thin."

Qin Xiaolin looked at her intently, and Li Xi felt a little embarrassed by his gaze, so she lowered her head.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, everyone was slightly tipsy and left.

The journey back to the capital from the border was long, taking about half a month. So they set off early in the morning. Winter had arrived, the cold wind howled like a demon, and the weather grew colder and colder.

The officials who were sent to Jingyuan were eager to return home, having been away from Xuanyue Kingdom for three months.

Seeing the familiar scenery at this moment, everyone felt as excited as if a raging sea was churning within them.

The whip flew like a shooting star, and they finally returned to the capital before the twelfth lunar month.

At this moment, the first snow of the year began to fall, with snowflakes drifting down like willow catkins.

The emperor of Xuan Yue Kingdom, accompanied by his empress, personally received the retired emperor and empress dowager.