Here, Xuan Yuan City rides on horseback, his expression serious as he says to the people behind him, Nan Feng and others: "You go back to the mansion and rest. I will go to the palace to meet the emperor."
Nan Feng and the others answer in unison, "Yes, master!"
He then turned his horse around and galloped towards the direction of the Qin Mansion.
Xuan Yuan City continued to gallop towards the palace, the sound of hooves echoing through the streets of the capital.
Soon, he appeared at the Xuan Wu Gate.
He dismounted and adjusted his robe before stepping into the palace.
The Imperial Study.
Xuan Yuan City kneels down on one knee, bows his hands and says, "Your Majesty, my lord and master, long live!"
Xuan Yanzan sees him, excitedly rises from the throne and steps down, taking both of his hands to lift him up, jokingly says: "Brother Cheng, please rise. It's rare for you to be so formal."
Xuan Yuan Cheng rises with the motion, giving a faint smile: "As a subject, though I am close to my brother the king, I must still observe proper etiquette."
Xuan Yanzan smiled and nodded, his inner attitude towards him was quite satisfied. He said with a smile: "This time you led your troops to break through the Western Regions and incorporated it into the territory of our country, it is an unprecedented achievement. You wouldn't be interested in such rewards as jewelry, good fields, and palaces."
He pauses for a moment, looks at Xuan Yuan Cheng and says: "I decide to make you the Iron Hat King, an hereditary position that cannot be replaced, and also award you a piece of 'Immortal Life Shield'."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan Cheng was taken aback and quickly knelt down to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great favor. Such an immense reward is something I, the subject, dare not accept."
Xuan Yanzan again helps him up, saying: "Brother Cheng, you must not decline. Your military achievements this time are indeed worthy of such rewards."
Xuan Yuan Cheng rises, with a serious expression, saying: "The deep favor shown by the eldest brother is deeply appreciated. I shall dedicate my life and soul to protect the vast land of our country."
Xuan Yanzan chuckles, "I believe in you. Go back to your mansion and rest well. In a few days, I will host a victory banquet for you. On that day, I will celebrate with you and the soldiers."
Xuan Yuan Cheng gives a slight smile, bowing respectfully and saying, "The subject will comply with the command. Thank you, eldest brother."
He then exits the Imperial Study, quickly leaving the palace.
A gentle breeze rustled, and Xuan Yuan Cheng returned from the palace. The clear sound of horse hooves broke the tranquility in front of the mansion.
In front of the mansion, Yu Yao was waiting there with her belly, wearing a light purple embroidered lotus skirt, light twists of black hair, and a biflower hairpin of water lilies in her hair.
Although she is pregnant with twins, her belly is extremely large, yet there is no common edema associated with pregnancy.
Furthermore, she doesn't have any spots or pimples, and her skin is so smooth that it seems like it could be touched and make water droplets form.
Her beauty remains shocking, adding a touch more charm to her appearance.
Under her arched willow eyebrows, her beautiful eyes betrayed a keen hope.
Along with her, the other concubines who had not been favored for a long time stood here, each dressed beautifully, eagerly looking forward.
They all hope that when the prince returns, his first glance will fall upon them.
This is a rare opportunity for them to see the prince, so almost none were missed, and they were all there.
The Imperial Messenger, Li Fu, also had the servants of the mansion waiting here in an orderly manner.
Shortly after, Xuan Yuan Cheng arrived on horseback, the horse kicking up dirt and neighing, its mane fluttering.
Yu Yao saw Xuan Yuan Cheng appear, a look of joy flashing in her eyes. She nodded slightly in respect and said in a soft voice, "I greet Your Highness as you return victorious."
The voice is gentle, like a clear spring in the mountains.
"I greet Your Highness as you return victorious."
The women in the mansion who had never been honored with a night at the palace also bowed, their voices sweet and tingling.
Their flirtatious gazes were one after another being thrown at Xuan Yuan Cheng's body.
As if afraid he wouldn't notice her.
The Imperial Messenger Li Fu shuddered all over, subtly glancing at those women, thinking to himself: No wonder the prince doesn't like it; this is too exaggerated.
Although he thought this, he still quickly bowed with his servants, saying, "The servants congratulate Your Highness on your safe return."
Xuan Yuan Cheng dismounts gracefully, his movements agile and stylish.
His gaze directly fell on Yu Yao's face, and when he saw her bowing with a large belly, his eyebrows flickered.
He walks quickly over, gently lifting her up, scolding, "Why did you come out with a big belly? Just wait at home for the prince."
Although it's a scolding tone, his eyes are full of concern and worry.
Yu Yao rises with the motion, looking up at Xuan Yuan Cheng and giving a faint smile, "I wanted to see Your Highness earlier, so I waited here."
"You..."
Xuan Yuan Cheng can only shake his head helplessly, chuckling with a soft and indulgent gaze in his eyes, "Don't stand outside in the wind. Go inside."
Having said that, he looked around at the crowd and said, "All of you may rise."
As for those women, he didn't even glance at them, as if they were like air, non-existent.
"Prince..."
Li Youyan exclaimed unwillingly, her expression filled with resentment.
Xuan Yuan Cheng, however, seemed not to have heard, already leading Yu Yao into the mansion.
"Prince, it's really a shame that you can't see me at all?"
Li Youyan was angry and stamped her foot, constantly tearing and adjusting the handkerchief in her hand, making her face look quite unwell.
"I knew it would be like this, I shouldn't have come out, it's better to sleep in the room."
Someone in the crowd muttered under their breath, filled with complaint, and quickly turned and walked away.
The other women looked at each other, seeing the complaint in their eyes and feeling helpless and sympathy.
Soon, the crowd dispersed, no longer standing at the door.
The warm sun of autumn leisurely shines on the front yard of the prince's mansion. A gentle breeze blows, and golden leaves float gently, covering the ground with a soft, golden carpet.
In the middle of the front yard, there is a pond where lotus leaves sway slightly. A few silkfish frolic in the clear water, stirring up ripples.
Xuan Yuan Cheng carefully supports Yu Yao, and the two of them walk slowly along the path made of blue stone slabs in the courtyard, heading towards the inside of the house.
Dappled shadows from the trees fall on them, casting scattered silhouettes.
His brows are furrowed, and he stares at her huge belly that's bigger than those of women about to give birth. He is worried and astonished, unconsciously swallowing his saliva: "If I'm not mistaken, you've been pregnant for seven months or so. How can it look much bigger than those who are about to give birth? Is it because it's a twin pregnancy?"
He looks puzzled, for indeed, he has never seen such a large belly before, giving a sense that the skin might burst.
"Prince, the servant doctor said that there may be three children in my belly."
She gently strokes her belly, her lips curving upwards, and her eyes glinting with mischief. With a smile, she looks at Xuan Yuan Cheng and says.
"What? Three? Am I that good?"
Xuan Yuan Cheng was immediately stunned, and his feet stopped without him realizing it. His eyes widened round, and his expression was extremely shocked.
He just stared at her belly, meaning that he would soon have three children?
Three at a time?
He feels so proud and confident about it that he laughs aloud, looking up proudly.
Yu Yao watched the man's expression, rolling her eyes inward in disbelief.
It's not that she took a pregnancy-inducing pill, or even if she did, she would have none.
Of course, she would not say this out loud. Her face still bears a gentle smile.
Xiang Ling and Xiang Ju, their expressions were relatively normal.
The other servants were all stunned, their mouths slightly open, and their eyes staring straight at Yu Yao's belly.
Li Fu is the first to react, his face filled with joy. He quickly exclaims, "My goodness, what a piece of wonderful news! The prince has great fortune!"
The other servants also began to chattering in agreement.
Some nodded repeatedly, while some couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Xuan Yuan Cheng, listening to the congratulations from the crowd, was naturally overjoyed. He waved his hand grandly and said loudly: "Today's great joy in the mansion, every servant will receive an extra 3 months of wages!"
"Yes, the masters will also be rewarded."
Thinking of the concubines in the mansion who have never been favored, he added another sentence.
The servants hear this and kneel to express their gratitude, "Thank you very much, Prince, for your generous gift. May the prince have great fortune!"
The news spread to the back courtyard, and the concubines who had not been favored were experiencing a mix of emotions.
They were as sour as a rotten batch of vinegar. It's hard to describe how sour it is. Some secretly cursed, while others looked sad and heartbroken, with tears in their eyes, sighing at their fate.
Yu Yao doesn't know about any of this, and the two quickly entered the house.
"There are books on the shelf, feel free to take one if you like. I'll go take a bath first."
Xuan Yuan Cheng takes off his armor and simply gives a brief instruction before turning around and going to the screen to take a bath.
The maids have already prepared hot water, with flowers scattered in it, emanating fragrance.
He steps into the bath tub, closes his eyes, and the warm water soothes his tense muscles, washing away the fatigue and dust from the battlefield.
