Chapter 718: Chapter 718: Deep Affection and Loyalty

When Qin Yuan and the others escorted the carriage back to the palace, the sky was already bright.

As the entourage passed through the ashes-blackened city gates, the excitement from watching an exhilarating night of polo gradually subsided. Only then did everyone realize that a ferocious battle had occurred here last night, and many lost their lives and their ancestral homes in this chaos.

Qin Yuan lifted the carriage curtain and carefully observed the dilapidated city gates in the morning light, soldiers standing solemnly at the side with red clothes stained by gray ash. The autumn morning was indeed chilly.

After this night, many things had changed.

The carriage stopped at the palace gate.

The Empress Dowager, who had kept her eyes half-closed, maintaining her dignity by adhering to the philosophy of "what is out of sight is out of mind," finally opened them and instructed the Chief Palace Maid beside her to convey a decree: "Let everyone disperse, all the duchesses are not young anymore, time spares no one."

These words were spoken with great empathy.

The duchesses were very grateful.

Empress Lin alighted from the carriage, her steps lacked strength after a sleepless night. The Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "You should go rest first, no need to serve today; keep a closer watch on the Crown Prince, as his health is frail."

Empress Lin gratefully bowed and waited until the Empress Dowager entered Cining Palace before leaving.

The exhausted and sickly Crown Prince returned to the Eastern Palace, and before he could lie down, Empress Lin and Cheng’en Marquis arrived one after another.

Cheng’en Marquis lamented, "There was public talk about the promise from years ago by that Pan in broad daylight. I’m afraid uncle won’t be able to go to court tomorrow to fight for his nephew. The Lin family has lost face, and who wouldn’t look down on us in the future? Uncle suffered a hard life when he was young, enduring hunger and bullying before finally living a good life. Uncle doesn’t care about anything else; he cares about the Crown Prince’s dignity."

The Crown Prince’s chest heaved violently, revealing his heart full of resentment.

Empress Lin sighed, "Son, your uncle is just confused with anger, saying these misguided words. It’s a done deal. What’s most urgent now is the disappearance of King Jin last night, with no word from Black Wind Village’s men..."

The Crown Prince’s face grew paler, and he persevered, "Mother, Uncle, please be patient. I’ve already sent people to search for him. During the palace banquet yesterday, he left midway and didn’t reappear. His guards are also searching for him everywhere..."

Before he could finish speaking, he began to cough violently.

Empress Lin hurriedly stroked his thin back, softly coaxing him, "Son, you should rest. Leave the other matters to Mother and your uncle. King Jin acts prudently and is usually reliable. Perhaps something detained him yesterday. You needn’t worry."

Though he felt uneasy, his eyelids were heavy as if they weighed a thousand pounds, entirely unresponsive.

The Crown Prince could only nod: "I’ll trouble Mother and Uncle, then. Your son will take a rest first."

Despite Cheng’en Marquis’s anxiety, he had to hold his tongue.

The Crown Prince’s health was fragile, yet he was the Lin family’s only hope.

As long as there are green mountains, there’s no fear of running out of firewood.

After leaving the Eastern Palace, Empress Lin coldly said, "Drop this idea. More than half of the civil servants in the court are that old man’s dogs. Even if the Emperor wishes to protect you, it’s futile."

Cheng’en Marquis stomped in frustration: "That old thing never said a word, I thought he was good, treated him respectfully, repeatedly showcasing our goodwill. Truly, a silent dog bites the hardest."

He stopped for a moment and said furiously, "Obviously, he’s never regarded us highly."

Empress Lin said angrily, "Enough, go and ensure what you need to do is done properly."

Cheng’en Marquis’s anger suddenly lost its vigor: "Would Brother-in-law forgive me for my sister’s sake?"

Empress Lin lowered her eyelids: "In the past, maybe, but now it’s hard to say. Love fades with age; you, being a man, should know that a man’s nature is to fancy the new and tire of the old... The Emperor wasn’t less fond of the previous one either."

Cheng’en Marquis unknowingly felt a chill.

The Yuan Royal Family was already gone, only Prince Qi and Princess Fuyun were still living.

He said, "I understand."

The carriage reached Dingbei Marquis Mansion, and from afar, Han and Housekeeper Cao were seen standing at the mansion entrance to greet them. Despite the exhaustion on their faces, the joy was evident, and Qin Yuan knew all was well.

All was well, indeed.

Qin Yuan smiled as she helped Old Madam Gu out of the carriage. After accompanying her to the main room and sitting for a while, she returned to Wutong Garden.

"Miss, Miss, you’re finally back!"

Hong Ye shouted from a distance.

Her voice was crisp and bright.

Qin Yuan shook her head slightly.

Yang’er and Hehua laughed, "Hong Ye has been anxiously waiting; finally, the Madam returned. I wonder how they coped in the mansion last night."

Qin Yuan said, "Perhaps they were tense all night. The city was chaotic yesterday, with those bandits causing havoc; it’s inevitable to worry."

Within a few words, Hong Ye had already run over, "Miss, last night was extremely thrilling, like something out of a storyteller’s tale. Luckily, the mansion was well guarded; otherwise, I’m afraid it would have been burned down already!"

Qin Yuan acknowledged her words and asked, "Are Brother Cheng and Sister Yu well?"

Hong Ye stomped and squeezed beside Qin Yuan, holding her hand, "How could they not be? They’re perfectly fine."

She laughed and said, "Last night, Hong Mian hosted, inviting everyone from the garden and those grannies for a drink. Mrs. Wang was reluctant about the expenses but said nothing. Hong Mian was worried they might run around, fall or get hurt, so she burned more frankincense, ensuring they slept peacefully. Last night, that Mrs. Zhao sneaked over, and they didn’t wake up, so much effort in vain, mother and son didn’t meet."

From her tone, it was clear she was very pleased with Hong Mian’s actions.

"Oh," Qin Yuan asked again, "Drinking here last night didn’t scare you, did it?"

Cui Ming also walked over and winked, responding, "With Gu Shiliu here, how could we be scared? Just when the drinking game was at its peak, there was commotion outside. Gu Shiliu specifically came over and said, we should just enjoy ourselves and not worry about matters outside the garden. Later, we found out that several groups of bandits came to the mansion last night and were captured, one of which included Mrs. Zhao’s group."

"So Shiliu was back?" Qin Yuan was surprised.

Hong Ye said, "Miss kept it a secret from me, but now we know that Shiliu was outside all along."

The one in the mansion wasn’t actually Sixteen.

Upon seeing Gu Shiliu last night, the first thing he did was explain this matter.

Only then was Hong Ye’s worry eased.

Even seeing Hong Mian didn’t feel as jarring now.

Qin Yuan laughed, "Since entering the palace yesterday, I haven’t had a moment of rest. I was still worrying about your safety, but it’s clear I was foolish. Now, in your eyes, only Shiliu is our own, and the rest of us are outsiders."

Cui Ming couldn’t help but laugh as well.

Hong Ye blushed, "What is Miss saying? Even after a sleepless night, she still has the energy to tease me. I was just worried you’d not rest well."

She then asked, "Why didn’t the Marquis come back with you?"

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