The prince is more stable

Chapter 699 Returning Home
Carriages and horses lined up in droves, and banners fluttered like a forest.

Several days later, outside the city of Zhen Ding, a cavalry of over a thousand people slowly made their way along the road outside the city.

It was still afternoon, and people were coming and going on the main road outside the city. Many ordinary people and merchants who were entering or leaving the city were filled with awe when they saw the majestic procession of carriages and horses, and they immediately and consciously made way for them.

However, the sharp-eyed commoners noticed the banners fluttering in the wind at the front of the cavalry. After carefully examining the writing on the banners, they immediately exclaimed, "It's His Highness the Prince's entourage!"

The surrounding people were taken aback and hurriedly asked, "Which prince is it?"

"Which other princes are there in our Zhen Ding City?"

"The Prince of Hejian? Oh my! His Highness the Prince has returned!"

The common people and merchants who were originally just making way for the side immediately knelt down on both knees and bowed to the luxurious carriage surrounded by the cavalry after hearing "Prince of Hejian". Everyone looked devout and full of respect.

Before Zhao Xiaoqian even entered the city, he had already caused a commotion among the people outside. After Chen Shou reported this, Zhao Xiaoqian had no choice but to order someone to lift the carriage curtain. With Chen Shou's help, he managed to walk onto the carriage shaft and bow to the people kneeling on both sides of the road.

"My lords, you are too kind. Please don't perform such a grand ceremony. Please rise, please rise!" Zhao Xiaoqian's face was pale, and his voice was clearly weak, but it still carried a warm smile.

The people looked up, staring madly at the famous Prince Zhao Xiaoqian. However, when they saw Zhao Xiaoqian's pale and sickly face, their hearts ached, and many of the more sentimental people couldn't help but shed tears.

"His Highness the Prince has suffered for the sake of all the people!" a commoner cried out.

"I heard that His Highness was harmed by the Liao bandits and seriously injured. It's true!" Another commoner wiped away his tears and said, "Our Great Song Dynasty has a great hero that is rare even in a hundred years. How dare the Liao bandits do this!"

At this time, more and more people and merchants outside the city came upon hearing the news. When they saw Zhao Xiaoqian, they all knelt down in worship and were heartbroken by his weak appearance.

Someone, choked up, and cried out, "Your Highness, take care."

Then the people around them shouted in unison.

"Your Highness, please take care!"

Zhao Xiaoqian and the imperial guards accompanying him were deeply moved by this scene. With tears in their eyes, they made their way slowly and laboriously through the dense crowd toward the city gate.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood on the carriage shaft, tears welling in his eyes, smiling, and repeatedly bowing to the people around him.

Seeing the people kneeling in devout worship, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly understood the nature of this long-suffering nation.

For thousands of years, ordinary people have not been without faith, and their faith has not been so pragmatic or materialistic.

The person or god they believe in must be worthy of their faith.

He was loyal and righteous to the country and the people. In the eyes of the people, even though he was only a mortal, he was a god and deserved to be worshipped.

Listening to the earnest cries of the people along the way and feeling their concerned and sorrowful eyes, Zhao Xiaoqian felt a warm glow in his heart.

All that he had done for the Song Dynasty over the years, despite being driven by selfish motives, was, in all respects, a testament to his actions rather than his intentions. Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly felt that all his efforts had been fully rewarded.

With the imperial guards clearing the way, the carriage moved slowly until it reached the city gate, where it suddenly stopped.

The soldiers guarding the city gate knelt on one knee to salute, while in the center of the city gate, several stunningly beautiful women, their faces veiled with light gauze, revealed pairs of deep, affectionate eyes, gazing intently at him standing on the carriage shaft.

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly got off the carriage, and Chen Shou helped him walk a few steps with difficulty. Di Ying, Jiang Miaoxian and other women who ran over quickly surrounded him.

"Official..."

Amidst loud cries, Zhao Xiaoqian was surrounded by his wives and concubines, who clung tightly to his waists and arms as if afraid he would suddenly disappear.

"Ladies, your husband is back..." Zhao Xiaoqian comforted her with a smile.

Di Ying looked up and gazed at him with heartache, especially at his pale face, her eyes filled with even more sorrow.

"My lord, your injuries are still not fully healed. Are your wounds still painful?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore, really, it's just a small scratch," Zhao Xiaoqian tried his best to comfort him.

Di Ying wept and said, "Why do you lie to me, my lord? I have already learned from my father that you suffered internal injuries and almost died. Those Liao people are so cruel. Your soldiers should tear them to pieces!"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "It's broken, it's broken. The soldiers have avenged me. Your father personally carried the head of the enemy. All the Liao soldiers who harmed me did not escape; they are all dead."

Di Ying buried her head in his chest, gritting her teeth in hatred: "That's not enough, we should dig up their graves and whip their corpses!"

Zhao Xiaoqian chuckled: "As expected of the Princess Consort, she speaks with such ruthlessness, with that decisive and ruthless air about her."

Patting the women on the shoulder, Zhao Xiaoqian said, "Alright, with so many people watching, aren't you embarrassed? Let's go back to the manor."

Di Ying glanced around and saw hundreds of people looking at them with goodwill. Di Ying blushed slightly, but still calmly said, "I am the Princess Consort of the Prince. What's wrong with being a little intimate with my husband? It's only natural!" After saying that, Di Ying still supported Zhao Xiaoqian's arm and carefully helped him into the carriage. The women crowded into the carriage. After the curtain was lowered, the Imperial Guards entered the city and headed towards the Prince's Mansion.

After the ceremonial carriage procession passed, the people on both sides of the road still stared at the carriage and the backs of the imperial guards, bowing deeply and remaining so for a long time.

After entering the city, the carriage finally traveled more smoothly.

Zhao Xiaoqian lay relaxed on Di Ying's lap, while Jiang Miaoxian and the two Japanese sisters gently massaged his temples, pounded his legs, and kneaded his shoulders.

In an instant, Zhao Xiaoqian seemed to have traveled through time and space, transforming from a commander-in-chief who fought valiantly on the battlefield into a dissolute playboy with a harem of wives and concubines, enjoying wealth and indulging in a life of pleasure.

The change in roles was so sudden that Zhao Xiaoqian felt a bit unreal being served by his wives and concubines like this, and it took him a long time to adjust.

"Madam, how is Niaoniao's pregnancy? Counting the days, she's almost eight months along, isn't she?" Zhao Xiaoqian's first concern was for his unborn child.

Di Ying rubbed his temples, rolled her eyes at him, and pouted, saying, "You don't even care about your wife, the principal wife, when you come back..."

"What are you saying? Tonight, I'll take good care of you, so much so that you're weak and crying for your parents..."

Di Ying blushed and spat, then said seriously, "My husband is still seriously injured and must not be near women!"

As she spoke, Di Ying looked at Jiang Miaoxian and the Japanese sisters with a fierce gaze and said seriously, "Listen carefully, during the days that my husband is recuperating, you are absolutely not allowed to seduce him. No matter how insistent or shameless he is, you must not give in to him. His body cannot withstand it."

The women blushed, covered their mouths, and laughed, all agreeing.

Zhao Xiaoqian stared in disbelief, and after a long while, he finally said, "Although I am seriously injured, I... can do it!"

“No, my lord, you mustn’t!” Di Ying said resolutely.

"I wasn't injured anywhere, my lord. I still carry a sharp weapon, the eighteen-foot spear. Why can't I use it?"

"Bah! Absolutely not! During the time my husband is recuperating, if anyone dares to have anything happen between them, don't blame me for using family discipline!"

Without hesitation, Zhao Xiaoqian shouted out of the carriage, "Prefect Chen, turn around and head out of the city back to Xijin Prefecture. I suddenly remembered I still have something to take care of..."

Di Ying chuckled, covered his mouth with her slender hand, and said, "Don't go! It's not easy for husband and wife to be reunited, is that all you can think about, my husband?"

Jiang Miaoxian realized that Zhao Xiaoqian's current health was not something to be taken lightly, so she became serious and chimed in, "Sister is right, is that thing... really that interesting?"

Zhao Xiaoqian helplessly slumped his head to one side and said quietly, "...Yes."

Several months have passed since Zhao Xiaoqian returned to the northern front lines from Bianjing, and he hasn't touched a woman. A man in his early twenties, at the peak of his sexual prowess, how could he have refrained from intimacy for so many days? Was it love? Was it responsibility?
No, it's because the village girls near the front lines are too ugly, too ugly!

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian's helpless expression, Di Ying chuckled and gently rubbed his face, saying, "My lord, please recover quickly. My sisters and I are right here in the manor. Do you think we'll run away?"

Then Di Ying continued, "Niao Niao is now eight months pregnant. I have asked the doctor to check her pulse every day. The doctor said that both mother and child are fine and there are no problems. She will give birth around next month. I am very happy that my husband can come back to pick up the baby."

"Upon learning that my lord was returning today, I originally intended to go out of the city to greet him as well, but seeing how hard it was for her to work with her big belly, I was afraid something might happen, so I forbade her to go out and stay at home to wait for my lord."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at her with a smile and said, "I'm very lucky to have married a wife like you. You've managed everything very well these past few years. I feel very reassured leaving the household in your care."

"Husband and wife talking like that... Oh dear, my sir, stop being so mushy!"

Jiang Miaoxian, standing nearby, said with a mischievous smile, "If you truly care about your sister, why don't you get well soon and let her get pregnant again? You have no idea how anxious she is. Our family still doesn't have a legitimate eldest son. Without a legitimate son, the family will be in chaos."

Zhao Xiaoqian winked at Di Ying: "Once I recover from my injuries, I will put all my effort into you, Madam. At that time, you don't need to be polite to me. Just treat me like an animal."

Di Ying was extremely embarrassed, but she couldn't very well hit her husband who was still recovering from his serious injuries, so she could only punch Jiang Miaoxian, who was grinning mischievously, with her two small fists.

The carriage, accompanied by bursts of laughter, drew ever closer to the Prince's residence.

Chen Shou, who was guarding the carriage on horseback, curled his lips slightly.

It seems... it's been a long time since I've seen the Crown Prince so happy and carefree. He's temporarily set aside the heavy burden of the nation and its people on his shoulders. After all, the Crown Prince is just a young man in his early twenties.

No one entrusted him with the mission of saving the world, so why should he bear so much?
Chen Shou recalled the streets of Bianjing many years ago, where the carefree Prince of Chu, along with his royal guards, swaggered down the street, as arrogant and domineering as the other playboys of Bianjing, only concerned with worldly pleasures and delicacies.

For some reason, Chen Shou deeply missed the Crown Prince of that time and sincerely hoped that the Crown Prince could return to his carefree life back then.

No one is destined to bear the so-called responsibility for the country and its people; that should not be his responsibility alone.

The carriage moved slowly through the streets of Zhen Ding City. The local people and merchants seemed to be infected by the emotions, and they all reverently gave way to the carriage and the procession, bowing respectfully.

After a long while, Chen Shou reminded him from outside the carriage, "Your Highness, we have arrived at the Prince's residence."

(End of this chapter)