I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

Traveling with Ye Feng made the last leg of the journey back to Beijing less tedious.

Ye Feng was a typical borderland man, straightforward and unpretentious. He was completely different from Xie Zhao and Lu Chengyuan, who were young masters from aristocratic families raised in the capital, but they got along surprisingly well.

Xie Zhao loved listening to him tell all sorts of strange and wonderful stories about the border, such as hunting wolves in the snow and chasing horses in the desert. He was so excited that he wished he could go to the border himself.

Lu Chengyuan was more interested in Ye Feng's military formations and strategies. The two often got together and talked for hours on end, looking at maps.

Xiao Jingshi's favorite thing was listening to Ye Feng tell stories of Ye An'an's various "glorious deeds" when she was a child.

"You have no idea how naughty that girl was when she was little. Once, in order to steal a braised pork knuckle that had just been stewed in the kitchen, she actually tried to 'fly across the roof beams' like in the stories, but she slipped and fell headfirst into the sauce vat. When we found her, she was completely covered in sauce, still clutching that big pork knuckle tightly in her hand, crying and gnawing on it at the same time."

"And another thing, when she was five years old, my father brought back a sheep that was a tribute from the Western Regions. It was incredibly fat. She was so envious that she followed the sheep around all day, feeding it the best grass and making it glossy and healthy. We all thought she just liked the sheep, but when it got to its fattest point, she grabbed a kitchen knife, went to my father, and said, 'Dad, this sheep is ready to eat.' My father was so angry that he chased her for three blocks."

Every time Ye Feng tells a story, a vivid image of little Ye An'an appears in Xiao Jingshi's mind.

She might be disobedient, not quiet, and even a bit lawless.

But she is real, lovely, and full of passion for life.

As he listened to these stories, a smile never faded from his lips. He felt as if he had participated in her childhood and witnessed every interesting moment of her growth.

This feeling is wonderful, and also...sweet.

Two days later, the group finally arrived at the last post station on the outskirts of the capital.

Ahead, the majestic outline of the capital city can already be vaguely seen.

Home is right here.

Excitement and joy were evident on everyone's faces.

"Your Highness, we've arrived!" Xie Zhao excitedly pointed to the distant city walls. "Tomorrow! Tomorrow we can go home!"

"Hmm." Xiao Jingshi looked at the familiar outline of the city wall, and his heart was also filled with excitement.

His trip to Jiangnan lasted several months, during which he encountered floods, plagues, and infighting in officialdom. It was fraught with difficulties and he narrowly escaped death.

Now, finally, we're coming back.

He completed the task entrusted to him by his father, saved the people of Jiangnan, and also... protected the people he wanted to protect.

He turned his head and glanced at Ye Feng beside him.

"General Ye," he began, "let us part ways here. You are on a secret mission to return to the capital, and it is not advisable for you to enter the city with me, lest it arouse unnecessary speculation."

Ye Feng nodded, knowing that His Highness the Crown Prince was a thoughtful person.

"Your Highness, then... I entrust my sister to you." Before parting, Ye Feng looked at Xiao Jingshi and solemnly clasped his hands in a salute.

After spending these past few days together, his initial unfamiliarity and wariness towards the Crown Prince had transformed into heartfelt respect and admiration.

He could tell that His Highness the Crown Prince truly loved his sister.

He felt at ease leaving his sister in his care.

"Don't worry." Xiao Jingshi looked at him and solemnly promised, "With me here, no one can bully her."

Ye Feng smiled, a smile that was both hearty and relieved.

He led his hundred light cavalrymen and parted ways with Xiao Jingshi's troops, taking a different path to detour towards the capital.

Xiao Jingshi, meanwhile, wrote an urgent letter at the post station to let everyone know he was safe.

"Long Pavilion".

"Your servant is here."

"Send our best scouts immediately to deliver this letter back to the East Palace and personally hand it to the Consort." He handed over the letter, which was stamped with wax seal. "Tell her it must be delivered before tomorrow morning."

He couldn't wait a moment longer.

He wanted her to know he was coming back as soon as possible.

He wanted to prepare her.

Get ready to welcome his triumphant return.

Get ready for that grand welcome banquet, just for the two of them.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The scout received the order, spurred his horse, and vanished like an arrow on the official road leading to the capital.

Xiao Jingshi stood on the second floor of the post station, gazing into the distance from the railing.

He gazed at the majestic city in the distance, its edges gilded by the setting sun, and felt an unprecedented peace and... anticipation in his heart.

He knew that in that city, in the Tinglan Pavilion of the Eastern Palace, there was a woman waiting for him.

She might be in the kitchen, making a clattering sound as she prepares some new dish.

She might be sitting in the yard, looking at the account book, smugly calculating how much money she'd made that day.

She might also be idly resting her chin on her hand, gazing at the clouds in the sky, thinking of him as well.

Thinking of this, Xiao Jingshi's heart, which had been cold and indifferent for more than twenty years, became burning hot.

He wondered what he would say when he got back and saw her for the first time.

Should we first praise her for her outstanding contribution this time?

Let's try what delicious food she's made this time.

or……

He reached out and gently touched his lips.

Or, say nothing at all.

First, give her a hug.