The young lady is delicate and soft, yet she criticizes the powerful minister for bowing and scrapin

The entire Marquis's mansion had been hoping for a great victory at the border, believing it would be the dawn of a new era for the family.

Who knew it would turn out to be a bolt from the blue.

The young general from the Northwest was still on his way back to the capital, and before he could even be seen, he had already become a great hero praised by everyone in the capital.

Even Wei Jun's withered bones needed the light of others to return home.

In the days that followed, the entire Marquis's residence was shrouded in somber hues; there was no joy of good news, but rather a pervasive sense of oppression.

"It's time to prepare for what happens after I'm gone," Qi Yunli said to Rufeng.

Ru Feng had followed his master's blade and tasted blood; he had never felt fear or hesitation for a moment.

But at this moment, she couldn't help but shed tears.

While Qi Yunli was taking care of Wei Jun's funeral arrangements, she also stayed by the bedside of the old lady.

She had to stay calm and make arrangements.

The Third Master and Third Madam of the manor were extremely grieved and took turns caring for the old lady, which gave Qi Yunli some time alone at night.

She sat in Jingchen Courtyard, gazing towards the border.

Jingchen Courtyard encompasses every moment of her and Wei Jun's lives.

She had longed to escape from here; every moment she spent in Jingchen Courtyard was excruciating for her.

But at some point, this torment slowly disappeared.

What comes is natural, simple, comfortable, and peaceful.

"Sister," Qi Yunsi called out hesitantly.

"Ah Si, why aren't you asleep at this hour?"

Qi Yunli quietly moved aside, and Qi Yunsi sat down next to her.

"If you want to cry, then cry."

Qi Yunli listened and stared at him blankly.

"My cousin used to treat my sister badly, so I don't like him," Qi Yunsi said earnestly. "But if my sister changes her opinion of him, I will change my opinion too."

"Why is he so young and not studying, spending all his time thinking about me?"

Without saying a word, Qi Yunli flicked him on the forehead.

"I'm not young anymore," Qi Yunsi retorted. "In another two years, I'll be old enough to get married and have children."

Qi Yunli had been holding back her tears in front of others, but when her younger brother suddenly became sensible and matured, she couldn't help but shed tears.

He said through tears, "You're not allowed to get married until you've graduated from high school."

"That's ridiculous."

Qi Yunsi wiped away her tears and mumbled something.

In the middle of the day, the imperial decree was suddenly delivered to each household.

They marched through the streets and alleys with gongs and drums, announcing their arrival.

"The general returns to the capital tonight. The emperor will host a banquet in the imperial garden, inviting all civil and military officials, along with their wives from prominent families, to celebrate the great victory at the border."

The news caused quite a stir in the capital.

However, the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree went directly to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence to deliver it.

The old lady was still ill, but she had no choice but to kneel down to receive the imperial decree.

"Father-in-law, are we going along too?"

While others celebrated the great victory at the border, the entire Marquis's mansion prepared to mourn the Marquis.

If they went to the palace banquet, should they put on a happy expression or be unable to hold back their tears of sorrow?

The eunuch, with his nostrils flared, said in a shrill voice:

"Of course, His Majesty personally ordered it. How could we not be absent when Marquis Dingyuan was willing to sacrifice his life to protect the border?"

He chuckled and said, "Besides, the young general is carrying the body of the Marquis of Dingyuan on the road. Shouldn't one of your wives go and collect the body for the Marquis?"

His words were dripping with sarcasm.

The fact that the Emperor allowed the Marquis's family to attend the banquet is already an immense favor; these people should be extremely grateful.

Upon hearing this, the old lady felt even more unwell, but she could only endure the pain and kneel down to receive the imperial decree, her face turning deathly pale.

After the eunuch delivering the imperial decree left.

Qi Yunli supported the coughing old lady, her face calm:

"Grandmother, I'll go. You and Third Aunt stay home."

"This is outrageous... This palace banquet is being held on the blood of Nian'an. Our Marquis's residence should be holding a funeral, why are we being forced to come and join in the celebration?"

The old lady, burdened by days of worry, almost couldn't catch her breath and coughed until tears streamed down her face.

"Grandmother, be careful what you say." Qi Yunli patted the old lady on the back.

night.

This was Qi Yunli's first time stepping into the palace, with Ru Feng and Ting Yue by her side.

Along the way, ladies from different noble families stopped their sedan chairs at the palace gate and walked together into the long palace road.

They clearly saw Qi Yunli, and there were also many ladies who had met her at the engagement banquet.

But they didn't dare to go up and greet them. Knowing that they were being cautious, Qi Yunli walked alone at the very back, keeping her head down and not saying a word.

After walking for a long time, we finally arrived at the Imperial Garden where the palace banquet was being held.

The Imperial Garden was illuminated by thousands of candles, making it as bright as day.

The seat in the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence was in the far corner of the corridor.

The other people's tablecloths complemented the surrounding scenery, creating a vibrant and colorful scene.

However, the tablecloth in front of Qi Yunli was plain, making her stand out from the crowd.

Qi Yunli sat upright in the room, dressed in a modest and unassuming dress, with little jewelry adorning her hair.

The civil and military officials brought their families to the banquet, all in pairs, while Qi Yunli was alone, and they couldn't help but glance at her a few more times as they passed by.

The ladies of each family were surrounded by jewels and ornaments, and occasionally they would gather in twos and threes to chat and laugh.

Qi Yunli received their gazes, filled with mockery, pity, and disdain.

"The Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion is becoming increasingly dilapidated. The Marquis is gone, and the mistress is dressed like this to attend the banquet, as if she has come to mourn."

"I heard that this Qi family originally came from a humble background, and the Marquis had no choice but to take her in. But now that the Marquis has passed away, the Marquis's days are numbered."

Qi Yunli had heard these words countless times, but she seemed not to hear them at all.

She only looked towards the palace gate, waiting for the final result.

The emperor sat high on the dragon throne, and not far away there was an empty chair, which was specially reserved for the young general who had returned from the war.

Xie Dongpo also came tonight. He looked at Qi Yunli several times and made eye contact with her, but his colleagues from the Ministry of Personnel kept pulling him into conversation.

The Emperor was old and his health was not good, so he left his seat midway through the night. His personal eunuch accompanied him to the side of the civil and military officials.

When the young general returns, we can inform the emperor in time.

Before leaving, the Emperor gave Qi Yunli a meaningful look, gave the eunuch some final instructions, and then departed.

And so, the people in the Imperial Garden waited from dusk until the moon was high in the sky, until the laughter gradually faded away.

The originally lively palace banquet, however, became tiring as time went by, and everyone's face showed signs of fatigue, but they still persevered.

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, when the Emperor returned to his seat, he couldn't help but ask:

"Go to the city gate again and find out why they haven't arrived yet."

The head eunuch bowed and accepted the order. Just as he was about to leave, a deafening sound of horses' hooves came from outside.

The Imperial Guards' chanting, coming from afar, was powerful and resounding.

"We eagerly await the General's return to the capital—"

The people in the Imperial Garden fell silent and all looked toward the palace gate.

The Emperor was overjoyed and personally stepped down from his seat.

All the civil and military officials rose to their feet.

A figure dismounted and strode in.

"Your subject Li Ce has fortunately fulfilled his mission and repelled the Northern Di."

He looked travel-worn, his eyes darting around, utterly exhausted.

"Good, good!" The Emperor personally helped him up.

He patted him on the shoulder and praised him repeatedly.

Li Ce had injured his shoulder, and when the Emperor patted it, he frowned, clearly in pain.

"My dear subject, you are a young hero!"

The Emperor's thoughts went far beyond this, and he asked:

"Wei Jun died with honor, but what about his body?"

Li Ce stepped aside to make room for him.

Qi Yunli peeked out; there was no obstruction from her position.

Soon you will see the coffin behind Li Ce.