CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 79: RETURNING TO THE CAPITAL, BAO SHU MEETS QIANQIAN_2

The eunuch presented the military report to the young Emperor.

The report clearly stated the size of the army—over a hundred and twenty thousand men, of which more than twenty thousand were new recruits. This meant that not only were casualties minimized in this campaign, but many fresh soldiers had also been successfully integrated.

Since the death of Chu Grand Marshal, the border had not seen such a grand success.

However, the report only briefly summarized the victory; the detailed military merits would be elaborated once the Grand Commander returned to the Capital City and announced them publicly.

General Yao cleared his throat and said, "Old General Song was once a subordinate of King Chu. Later, he followed Chu Grand Marshal in campaigns across the land, achieving countless merits. In this expedition, as the commanding general, he naturally led the charge and devised brilliant strategies!"

The crowd nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Indeed, it must have been Old General Song’s brilliance in warfare, while Lu Yuan merely followed behind to reap the credit!

The young Emperor then asked, "What about Yin Hu?"

The Imperial Guard replied, "Yin Hu was rescued and brought back to the camp by General Lu, but unfortunately, his injuries were too severe and he passed away. However, it’s said that before his death, he passed the Yin Hu Emblem to someone else."

General Yao blurted out, "Who?"

The Imperial Guard shook his head, "That’s unclear."

The Minister of Ceremonies said, "Is there even a question? Of course, it’s General Lu! General Lu has ties to the Shen Hou Guard and is also Yin Hu’s savior. Who else could he entrust his mantle to?"

The crowd nodded in agreement, reasoning it made perfect sense.

Lu Lingxiao was young and accomplished, and he had deep ties to the Twelve Guards. Who else could be qualified to become the next Yin Hu?

The young Emperor’s face lit up with delight, turning to Lu Xingzhou and saying, "Beloved Minister Lu, when General Lu returns to the Capital, I shall personally host a banquet in his honor."

Lu Xingzhou lifted the hem of his robe, holding his tablet as he bowed deeply, "Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"

As he left the Jinluan Palace, Lu Xingzhou soon found himself surrounded by officials.

A young official exclaimed, "Lord Lu, congratulations! First, your son achieved great merit, and now he has become the new commander of the Yin Hu Guard. Such talent and promise at such a young age—he is a model for us all!"

"When the daughter of Shen Hou gives birth to a son, he’ll surely inherit the emblem too! The Lu Family would then have two Black Armor Guard leaders in its ranks!"

"Congratulations again, Lord Lu!"

"Oh, no, no, we’ll still have to await my son’s return to confirm everything."

Lu Xingzhou cupped his hands humbly, though his words were modest, his heart brimmed with certainty—this position as Yin Hu Commander undoubtedly belonged to his son.

Even though he had failed to eliminate Lu Yuan, becoming the Yin Hu Commander would be no lesser a feat!

The news spread quickly, and by the time Lu Xingzhou returned to the Lu Family estate, the matriarch had already heard it from others.

The old lady hastily summoned Lu Xingzhou to her courtyard: "Is it true that Xiao’er has become the Yin Hu Commander?"

The appointment of a new Yin Hu Commander meant the previous one had died. Yet the old lady showed no concern for the deceased, caring only for her grandson’s future.

Lu Xingzhou couldn’t restrain his smile, "It seems almost certain."

The old lady clasped her hands together in prayer, "Ah, bless the Bodhisattva!"

Nanny Wu chuckled, "Before the expedition, Miss Lin said that Young Master would return unscathed and achieve great merit!"

The old lady nodded, "Indeed! This time, we owe a great deal to Wan’er. She even gave Xiao’er her father’s keepsake meant for safeguarding lives—it was a tremendous help to Xiao’er. She’s far better than that jinx surnamed Meng! That wench only brings shame upon Xiao’er, unlike Wan’er, who helps him achieve glory! When Xiao’er returns, I’ll ensure their marriage is celebrated in grand style!"

That cursed jinx dared to publicly announce a divorce. Let’s see how the Lu Family humiliates her this time!

Wan Hua Pavilion.

Lady Yan sat despondently in the dusty main hall, looking as if her soul had fled her body.

"Pavilion Master."

A maid hurried over.

Lady Yan rested her cheek on one hand, asking lifelessly, "So, what did they destroy today? The Oiran’s room?"

"The Oiran’s room was destroyed three days ago."

"Liuying’s?"

"That was ten days ago. It was fixed five days ago, and then wrecked again yesterday."

"Fengxian’s?"

The maid fell silent, looking weakly at Lady Yan.

Lady Yan was on the verge of tears. All these girls, nurtured with care, and now their homes were being smashed to pieces by that tiny demon, so much so that they might as well live in a pigpen!

The maid gave an awkward chuckle, "Pavilion Master, actually, she didn’t smash anything today."

Just as she spoke, a vase fell from upstairs and struck the Wan Hua Pavilion signboard, which, having been hit seventeen or eighteen times before, finally gave up and fell with a thud.

Lady Yan trembled as she covered her face with her hands, gritting her teeth, "Lu, Yuan! If you don’t come back soon... I... I’ll tear down your entire Governor Mansion!"

The maid hesitated to speak.

Lady Yan snapped impatiently, "What is it?! Speak!"

The maid shivered. The Pavilion Master was about to snap!

Lady Yan: Is there any parent who remains sane while raising a child?!

The maid stammered, "T-the Grand Commander has returned to the Capital."

Lady Yan’s eyes lit up with renewed vitality, "Returned? Where is he now?"

The maid replied, "It seems he’s nearing the city. I just ran into Steward Cen, who mentioned it."

Tears welled up in Lady Yan’s eyes as she dashed upstairs without another word, flinging the door open with a bang: "Little devil! Your father is back!"

Bao Shu, in the middle of wreaking havoc, turned her little head with a defiant humph!

She grabbed a box of rouge worth a hundred gold coins, digging it out chunk by chunk.

The maid seemed to recall something and said, "Oh, yes, I heard from Steward Cen that the Meng girl whom the Pavilion Master saved also went to the border. She’ll be returning alongside the Grand Commander."

Bao Shu immediately flung the rouge aside, scrambling away with both hands and feet! Zip, zip, zip—she sped off!

Before she could get far, Lady Yan grabbed her up by her collar.

"Girls! Out of the city to welcome the returning guests!"

The sharp chill of spring lingered, but the snow-covered grass by the roadside had begun to sprout fresh green shoots.

Meng Qianqian had changed back into women’s clothing and sat quietly inside the carriage.

At the city gates, crowds of officials and commonfolk had already gathered to welcome Lu Yuan and the returning soldiers.

The Haitang Courtyard was likely unaware of her return, and thus, wouldn’t have come to meet her.

She touched the Yin Hu Emblem in her hand, her demeanor calm as a gentle breeze.

Suddenly, an urgent, high-pitched little voice came from afar.

She hastily lifted the curtain.

Bao Shu was crawling on all fours, searching from carriage to carriage.

"Waaah?"

The little one, failing to find what she was looking for, was on the verge of tears.

Meng Qianqian felt her chest tighten. In a flash, she leaped down to Bao Shu’s side.

Bao Shu raised her small face, sitting on the ground, staring pitifully at Meng Qianqian.

And then, with her grievances overflowing, she burst into tears with a loud wail!

Meng Qianqian scooped the crying Bao Shu into her arms, gently pressing her cheek to the little one’s head. "I’m sorry for coming back so late."