Chapter 671

First Volume, Chapter 671: The Night of Reunion

Qin Xiaofu stamped his feet in frustration, utterly powerless to stop Qin Feng.

Even if Qin Feng now holds great power, he cannot speak recklessly.

At the very least, some basic rules must be observed.

If those words from just now spread, they would surely be criticized, and he might even be branded a "treacherous and sycophantic minister."

No matter one's status, one must always practice cautious speech and restrained conduct.

But…

Qin Xiaofu had followed Qin Feng for so long.

He understood Qin Feng's character too well.

When Qin Feng let loose, no one in all of Heaven was more unrestrained than him.

Conversely, when Qin Feng was cautious, no one was more cautious than him.

He was the union of two extremes.

And this flaw would never change.

Qin Xiaofu sighed and gave up dwelling on it, adding offhandedly:

"Master, there's another matter to inform you of.

"Third Miss will be leaving the palace soon—she should arrive within one Envoy.

"Should you prepare something…?"

Before Qin Xiaofu finished speaking, Qin Feng had already jumped up excitedly.

"What? Third Sister is coming back?

"Wonderful!

"Prepare a full table of dishes—tonight, we're holding a family banquet!"

Qin Xiaofu replied and immediately went to arrange it.

Qin Feng sat back down on the Stone Stool, unable to hide his excitement.

According to the timeline, Li Xiaolan would still need to remain in the palace for another month before she could come and go freely, as only then would it conform to propriety.

Yet now, Li Xiaolan was leaving the palace early.

It meant she had given the Liang Emperor face while also asserting her own stance.

Compared to the Li Imperial Clan, Li Xiaolan cared more about the Qin Family.

Or rather, only the Qin Family was Li Xiaolan's true home.

Today, a foolish "New Noble Consort" in the Hou Gong went looking for trouble.

Li Xiaolan seized the opportunity to adapt and used it as an excuse to leave the palace.

"Tsk tsk tsk—no wonder she's Third Sister; her mind is so sharp!"

Not long after, news of Li Xiaolan's departure from the palace spread.

Liu Hongyan heard the news and was naturally delighted; she hurriedly ordered servants to hang lanterns and decorations, making a grand display.

Qin Feng sent word to his father, Qin Tianhu, who had been busy with state affairs at the Ministry of War.

Although his mother and Elder Sister and Fourth Sister were still in Beixi County.

A full family reunion was still far off.

But for the Qin Family,

having half the family gathered together was already extremely difficult.

So naturally, it must be treated with great importance.

Not only was Old Man Qin summoned, but also Xie Bi and Xie Yun'er—after all, they would all be family soon.

Don't think that's all.

When Ning Hu and Zhao Yulong heard the news, they too brought their families to join the celebration.

One Envoy later, everyone stood outside the Gate waiting for Li Xiaolan.

They had expected the Princess's procession to be grand and elaborate.

But the outcome surprised them all.

The Da Liang Ming Yue Princess, dressed in the Liushi Jin Heifeng Robe, elegant and magnificent beyond measure, arrived with only Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng—just three people—walking calmly forward.

Still ten steps away, Li Xiaolan bowed respectfully to Qin Tianhu.

"Daughter Xiaolan bows to Father."

Though Qin Tianhu was Li Xiaolan's adoptive father, this father-daughter bond existed only while she lived among the Folk.

Now that Li Xiaolan has returned to the Imperial Ancestral Hall and become the famed Mingyue Princess,

this father-daughter relationship ends here.

Even if Qin Tianhu were the most bold, he could never challenge the Liang Emperor for the title of "father."

It would violate propriety and the distinction between ruler and subject.

Yet as he looked into Li Xiaolan's sincere eyes and felt the filial devotion of a daughter,

even Qin Tianhu, who had weathered countless storms, could not help but feel his eyes grow moist.

"Good, good, good—Xiaolan has returned, that's all that matters.

"Now that you are the Mingyue Princess, you need no longer address me as Father.

"As long as I hold you in my heart and you hold me in yours, that is enough."

Hearing this, Li Xiaolan's gaze grew even firmer.

"I have two fathers: one by blood, the other by true fatherhood. This will never change."

As she spoke, Li Xiaolan bowed again.

Qin Tianhu closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and kept his tearful emotion from spilling over.

At that moment, Qin Feng took three steps as one and rushed forward.

He grabbed Li Xiaolan in a tight embrace.

"Third Sister, I've missed you so much!"

Qin Feng didn't care about propriety—he spun Li Xiaolan around in circles right in front of everyone.

Li Xiaolan didn't resist; after all, this brat had always been this rude, and she was long used to it.

Thanks to Qin Feng's antics, the atmosphere instantly came alive.

Following etiquette,

everyone first bowed to Li Xiaolan, speaking in unison.

"Your Highness."

Then, like reunited family, they warmly led Li Xiaolan back inside.

Liu Hongyan held Li Xiaolan's hand, her face beaming.

"Xiaolan, now all our family in Jingdu are here."

"We're just missing Mother, Elder Sister, Fourth Sister, and Xu Mo… Lin Quqi, the Prince Ming and his son…"

As she spoke, Liu Hongyan fell silent.

The list of absent ones kept growing.

Everyone knew well that this was a reluctant necessity forced by circumstances.

After all, the saying goes: don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Nearby, Xie Yun'er asked curiously.

"Third Sister, how long do you plan to stay at home after leaving the palace?"

Li Xiaolan sighed lightly: "I must return to the palace tomorrow—too many eyes are watching me.

"Ever since I bore the title of Princess, it's been like wearing shackles—I'm not free at all.

"I'd rather have lived back in Beixi County, unrestrained and carefree."

Everyone couldn't help but sigh.

Qin Feng let out a disgruntled yell.

"Why bring up such things on such a happy day?"

"One day, all of us family will be reunited."

Saying this, Qin Feng pulled Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng into his arms, grinning mischievously: "You two little brats—did you miss me?"

Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng instantly blushed bright red, yet nodded in unison.

Watching these shy girls, Qin Feng liked them more and more.

If Li Xiaolan weren't alone in the palace with no one to rely on,

Qin Feng would never have let them go.

That night, Mingyue Zhai was more lively than ever before.

Qin Feng and his friends and relatives exchanged cups, chatted and laughed, feeling as if they'd shed all their fatigue and were utterly at ease.

Such good days were precious indeed.

Just as Mingyue Zhai was filled with warmth and joy,

three Black-Clothed Men silently infiltrated the Western City Post House in Jingdu.

Han Yuming, from Gaoshan Country, always slept lightly—he awoke instantly at the slightest disturbance.

Seeing three dark shadows cast against his door, Han Yuming frowned…

Looking up, the three dark shadows cast on the doorframe made Han Yuming frown...