As Princess Zhaoning’s cries grew louder.
Xiao Jingyun understood that half of Princess Zhaoning’s crying was feigned, but upon careful consideration, the princess was also right.
She was his only sister. If she were truly to be married off to the Great Tu Kingdom, after his father’s passing, she would be the only relative he had in this world. It would take at least several months to see her.
Moreover, after the incident of Zhu Meng’s rebellion at Qingniu Mountain, he felt his sister had matured a lot. In the past, she always went against him and argued with him, but now her words were much more respectful.
With this thought, Xiao Jingyun had an idea.
“Since you want to go to Qingniu County, I will issue a decree tomorrow, ordering you to guard the dragon脉 of our Great Cang Kingdom.”
“However, we must make three conditions.”
Upon hearing his agreement, Princess Zhaoning immediately jumped up, “That’s easy, that’s easy. Not to mention three, even thirty, I’ll agree to them.”
Xiao Jingyun held out three fingers, “First, upon arriving in Qingniu County, you must not oppress the common people and must obey the local laws.”
Princess Zhaoning nodded repeatedly, “Brother, you can rest assured, I will.”
Xiao Jingyun looked at the princess and continued, “Second, you must have my people accompanying you. They will report your every move to me at all times. You must not have any ulterior motives.”
“Brother, why don’t you trust me? I really just want to go…”
Xiao Jingyun raised his hand, “These are my conditions. You can refuse, but if you refuse, then I refuse.”
Hearing his words, Princess Zhaoning could only sigh helplessly.
“Alright, everything is up to you. Do as you wish, that should be fine now, right?”
Xiao Jingyun nodded with a smile, “That’s more like it, that’s more like a sister.”
“Then tell me, what is the third condition?” Princess Zhaoning rolled her eyes at him.
Xiao Jingyun, however, played coy, shaking his head with a smile, “For the third condition, I haven’t thought of it yet. I’ll tell you when I’ve figured it out.”
Xiao Jingyun had clearly left himself an escape route, but Princess Zhaoning was furious but helpless. Who told her she had already agreed?
However, she clearly had her own ideas, “Since Brother has said this, then I must also make a condition.”
Xiao Jingyun looked at his sister, a strange sense of affection rising within him. He remembered the little girl who used to be so unreasonable, crying easily.
“Alright, then tell me, as long as it’s not excessive, I’ll agree to it.”
“Brother, can you get me some land in Qingniu County? I want to farm.”
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun burst into laughter, “You are a princess, there are ten thousand ways for you to get what you want, why do you need to find me?”
Princess Zhaoning looked at him, “If everyone knows I’m a princess, it won’t be fun. I want to live in anonymity.”
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun was stunned, “Then how about this, when you get to Qingniu County and find a piece of land you like, I’ll reward it to you.”
Hearing this, Princess Zhaoning chuckled, “Brother, you said it yourself, don’t go back on your word then.”
Princess Zhaoning skipped away, but Xiao Jingyun suddenly had a bad feeling. His sister, going to Qingniu County, might very well cause him some trouble.
As the saying goes, some are happy and some are sad. At this moment, the previously desolate Feng Manor was filled with joy.
Feng Pengju, who had suffered hardship at the border, had returned.
Upon receiving the Crown Prince’s decree, he truly rode his horse like lightning, rushing back day and night. By the time he returned to the capital, Feng Xiaoyue had already tidied up their former home.
Knowing that her father was returning today, Feng Xiaoyue went to the market early in the morning, buying a variety of chickens, ducks, and fish. She was busy in the kitchen with everyone, preparing to personally host a banquet to welcome her father’s return.
Feng Xiaoyue had worked as a supervisor in a restaurant before, so she was very clear about kitchen matters. The newly hired servants worked in an orderly fashion under her command.
Just then, Fang Jun rushed in and pulled Feng Xiaoyue outside, “Quick, quick, Uncle Feng is back.”
Feng Xiaoyue heard this, quickly put down what she was doing, and rushed to the main entrance with Fang Jun.
Indeed, several swift horses had arrived at the main entrance.
The person in front, though dressed in rags, had a clean face and his hair was neatly combed, showing that he had cleaned himself up before entering the city.
Looking at his graying hair and slightly aged face, Feng Xiaoyue’s tears instantly flowed down.
She stepped forward and knelt before the horse, “Unfilial daughter Xiaoyue, pays respects to my father.”
Feng Pengju, on the horse, moved his lips a few times, his fingers trembling. He dismounted shakily and stepped forward to help Feng Xiaoyue up.
“My child, get up quickly, get up!”
As he spoke, Feng Pengju’s tears also flowed down. They hadn’t seen each other for several years; it felt like a lifetime ago.
Feng Xiaoyue threw herself into her father’s arms and wept.
After crying for a while, Feng Xiaoyue suddenly remembered something. She broke free from her father’s embrace.
Her eyes searched eagerly behind him. After looking around, she suddenly grabbed her father’s arm, “Father, where is Mother?”
Feng Pengju patted her shoulder, signaling her not to worry.
“Your mother is not feeling well and cannot ride. I hired a carriage for her, and she will arrive in two more days. The Crown Prince ordered me to return to the capital urgently, so I could only return ahead of time.”
After speaking, Feng Pengju turned to look at the two constables beside him.
“Xiaoyue, don’t worry, with several officials accompanying her, nothing will go wrong. Wait patiently for two more days, and you will see your mother.”
Feng Xiaoyue nodded, took out two pieces of broken silver from her sleeve, and handed them to the two constables, “You two have worked hard. Please take this to buy some tea.”
The two constables repeatedly waved their hands, “Miss Feng, you must not. Congratulations to Lord Feng on clearing his name. We will go back to report.”
After the two finished speaking, they turned and left. Only then did Feng Pengju turn to Fang Jun beside him, clasped his fists, and said, “Nephew, you have worked hard. Please tell the old Prime Minister for me that once my matters are settled, I will definitely visit him to express my gratitude.”
Hearing her father say this, Feng Xiaoyue became a little displeased. She looked at her father, “Father, look at you, you want to send Brother Jun away as soon as you arrive.”
“Today, to welcome your return, Brother Jun has been busy running around…”
Seeing Feng Xiaoyue’s expression, Feng Pengju suddenly realized something. He slapped his forehead and burst into laughter.
“Oh, Xiaoyue, you misunderstood. How could I mean that? Look, I was so focused on wanting to deliver the good news to the old Prime Minister that I forgot about this.”
Feng Xiaoyue’s pretty face blushed and she moved aside, “Father, let Brother Jun keep you company. I’m going to the kitchen, the meal will be ready soon.”