Chapter 781: We

The two little ones walked into the house.

The interior had already been swept clean and tidy.

Tuan Tuan curiously poked this and that, sometimes climbing up, sometimes crawling down; in places she couldn't reach, she even rode onto Xiao Er's shoulder to reach.

The inner attendants stared dumbfounded: "Lord, Princess, this place has been thoroughly cleaned; there's no junk left."

Wang Jingning's heart relaxed: "Tuan Tuan, my brother said that onmyoji is very sinister; imagine, he can make the dead walk out—how terrifying!"

"What good things could he leave behind…"

"Found it!" Tuan Tuan exclaimed joyfully, picking up a piece of black jade from behind a cabinet leg.

She held the fingernail‑sized black jade up to Wang Jingning: "Is this something from your family?"

Wang Jingning examined it carefully: "No, I've never seen this in the Palace."

Tuan Tuan happily untied the Embroidered pouch and put it inside: "Then I'll take it."

She grabbed Wang Jingning's hand: "Let's go! Let's check other places!"

"Oh," Wang Jingning, looking bewildered, followed her out: "Where else to go, Tuan Tuan? My home isn't big; we've already been to almost every spot."

Tuan Tuan blinked: "Go to your brother's place; he's a Prince, so he must have lots of good junk. Come on, let's pick it up!"

Wang Jingning: "……"

Xiao Er: "……"

Miss, have you been picking up junk all the way into the Great Khan's house?

A few days later, over a thousand warships of the Fiery Nation moored at the shore.

Feng Zhou staggered off the warship: "I'm dizzy to death from this journey, it's so uncomfortable."

Zhao Tieshan looked at him: "Lord Feng, are you seasick too?"

"Exactly!" Feng Zhou stamped the deck: "Commander Zhao, why does it feel like I'm still on the ship after stepping down? It's so swaying."

Zhao Tieshan laughed: "It'll pass after a few days."

"Come! I'll escort you to the royal palace; the Prince and the others are waiting for you!"

"Alright." Feng Zhou took a few steps out, then slapped his forehead: "Damn, I forgot a crucial little thing!"

"What thing?" Zhao Tieshan asked, "Shall I send someone to fetch it from your cabin?"

"No, no," Feng Zhou bolted back onto the ship, "It's the princess's treasure; I must take it myself!"

The group arrived at the royal palace.

Upon hearing that people had come from Jingcheng, everyone gathered in Xiao Yuanhang's room.

Tuan Tuan saw Feng Zhou and ran toward him: "Feng Zhou! You finally made it!"

"Princess! Look what I've brought!" Feng Zhou lifted his hands, which had been hidden behind his back.

A fluffy snow‑white ball burst out, its four short legs kicking wildly as it rushed straight at Tuan Tuan.

Tuan Tuan's eyes widened: "Xiao Feifei! It's Xiao Feifei!"

Xiao Feifei slammed into her arms, letting out a long "yeng" howl, its big tail whirling like a wind‑mill.

Tuan Tuan scooped it into her arms, burying her face in its long fur and inhaling deeply: "I missed you so much, Xiao Feifei! How did you get here?"

"No choice, Alliance Leader," Feng Zhou said, rubbing his nose, "Before we set out I stopped by the Prince's Mansion; it wouldn't let go of my trouser leg. Princess Consort said you should take it; it misses Tuan Tuan."

Tuan Tuan kissed Xiao Feifei's ear: "I miss you too!"

Feng Zhou took a rosewood box from a following soldier, grinning so his eyes became slits: "Princess, His Majesty has a verbal edict."

Tuan Tuan looked up, her face still dusted with Xiao Feifei's white fur: "What's a verbal edict?"

Feng Zhou: "……"

Xiao Ningxun laughed: "A verbal edict is just something His Majesty says."

"Oh," Tuan Tuan understood, "That's fine; I can't even read an imperial decree. From now on, just have Imperial Uncle give me verbal edicts!"

Everyone: "……"

Feng Zhou crouched, looking level with Tuan Tuan's eyes: "His Majesty says, 'Tuan Tuan, I miss you greatly. Not only I, but the Elder Princess, Consort Rong, Noble Consort De, Old Seven, Eleven, and Twelve think of you all day.'"

"Great Khan Xilu Jifeng paid a visit, didn't see you, got angry with me and left."

"Hurry and help your father finish early and come back; I'm dying of a headache."

Tuan Tuan giggled: "I miss Imperial Uncle too! And I miss Third Elder Brother and everyone else!"

Her little head drooped: "Uncle Jifeng came? What a pity, I never got to see him."

Feng Zhou hurriedly handed the rosewood box to her: "This is what His Majesty asked me to bring to the Princess."

Tuan Tuan took it, opened the box, and looked inside.

Inside were several worn‑down ink blocks, an imperial brush with a split tip, and a paperweight with a chipped corner.

Her eyes lit up: "It's Imperial Uncle's junk!"

Feng Zhou nodded: "His Majesty says he no longer wants these; they're all given to the Princess."

Tuan Tuan was overjoyed: "Imperial Uncle is so kind!"

Feng Zhou also pulled an oil‑paper wrapper from his chest: "Princess Consort asked me to bring this; it's her newly made crispy candy."

Tuan Tuan snatched the wrapper, cradling Xiao Feifei as she ran out: "Feng Zhou, please keep that box safe! I'm going to find Jingning!"

"She'll be so happy to see Xiao Feifei!"

Xiao Er hurried after her.

Everyone smiled as they watched her run away.

Only then did Feng Zhou salute Xiao Yuanhang, clearing his throat: "Prince Ning, you've worked hard; this expedition raises our nation's prestige, and I am greatly pleased."

Xiao Yuanhang smiled while bowing: "His Majesty's praise is mistaken."

Feng Zhou turned to Xiao Ningxun: "Xiao Ningxun, your shield cart—after hearing about it I slapped the table in admiration. When you return, make one for me to see."

Xiao Ningxun, suppressing a laugh, clasped fists: "As you command."

Feng Zhou pulled a roll of schematics from his chest: "Third Young Master, about that shield cart of yours, I've been pondering it for several days and think a few parts could be improved."

"Look, this is the drawing I made."

He spread out the drawing and pointed at it: "The roof's pitch, I think it can be tweaked a bit more…"

"Lord Feng." Xiao Ningchen rolled his eyes and interrupted him, that bookworm! "Your oral decree isn't finished yet."

Feng Zhou was startled, looked down at the schematics in his hand, and smacked his forehead: "Right! How could I have forgotten!"

He looked at Zhao Tieshan: "You did well; my judgment is sharp."

The Emperor's affirmation moved Zhao Tieshan more than any reward; he replied with a trembling voice: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Feng Zhou looked around: "Where is Xiao Er?"

Lu Qi laughed: "She just went out with the miss earlier!"

"Ah? Right! How could I have forgotten," Feng Zhou said, looking at Lu Qi, "You and Xiao Er may stay off the battlefield, but you must protect Tuan Tuan well; when you return, I will grant a great reward."

Lu Qi saluted: "As you command!"

Feng Zhou turned to Chu Yuan: "National Preceptor, you have merited the nation with your protection; when I return, we will discuss the Dao again."

Chu Yuan gave a slight nod.

Feng Zhou looked again at Xiao Ningchen: "Xiao Ningchen, you have not disappointed my expectations, still the bravest among the three armies; after returning to the capital, you may select another horse from my Imperial Stables."

Xiao Ningchen grinned: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Feng Zhou's gaze fell on Xiao Ran and Chen Hao.

Xiao Ran spoke first: "Father Emperor, have you no reward for me?"

Feng Zhou, suppressing a laugh, said: "As for Lao Jiu and Chen Hao, when you return, I will settle you then."

Xiao Ran pursed his lips and muttered: "What are you going to settle? Chen Hao and I are clearly brave too."

Chen Hao's mouth twitched upward, and he patted his friend's shoulder.

Feng Zhou finally turned to Prince Ning, solemnly saying: "Prince, His Majesty said that for this eastern expedition, the required warships, sky‑fire tubes, fierce fire oil, long spears and swords, and refined armored arrows have all been shipped with the fleet."

"There are also fifty thousand elite soldiers; I await you to subdue the Eastern Seas! Protect my fiery nation for eternal peace!"

The room fell silent for a moment.

Xiao Yuanhang solemnly saluted: "Your servant, as you command!"