The streets were filled with people, so crying as they were already aware of the death of their loved ones in the army and others happy that their loved ones had survived.
They were also so people, who had nobody in the army, but were very happy that the nation was safe once more.
He Yuan looked out of the window at the commotion outside. They were still so infatuated young ladies throwing scented sachets and handkerchiefs at the soldiers.
Once they arrived at the imperial palace, general Shang, the Eastern, Western and Southern deputy generals, Cao Luoi and He Yuan all walked into the palace. Jiang He had stayed behind as he claid he was a wandering doctor and wanted nothing to do with the imperial palace of any nation.
The emperor was seated high on his throne with Yu Ming a seat below, it seed he had been made the crown prince in their absence. The ministers were also present and Cao Long eagerly searched around until his eyes found Cao Luoi and he smiled brightly as he released a breath of relief.
Although they'd had been exchanging letters, seeing for himself that his daughter was alright was a relief. His eyes finally moved to He Yuan and he offered a small nod, which He Yuan completely ignored.
"Long live the emperor," The newcors all greeted collectively.
The emperor laughed. "You may all rise. Zhen is very happy..." And then he went on to praise every single one of them to the high heavens before he began bestowing rewards.
He also made preparations so send rewards to the soldiers and compensation to the families of the ones who died. When it was Cao Luoi's turn to receive her rewards, she shook her head and knocked it against the hard floor.
"Your majesty, t-this lowly one does n-not want... the rewards," She said and everyone gasped. It was a cri to reject a reward from the emperor. Cao Long looked between Cao Luoi and the emperor fearfully and He Yuan arched a brow as he watched the show.
"Th-this lowly one has a... request to make instead," She continued and everyone sighed in relief. It was not unheard of for people to exchange their rewards for a request as long as it wasn't too outrageous.
The emperor nodded. "Go on, Zhen is listening."
"...This lowly one wants to call off her engagent with the first prince," She stated finally and everyone gasped once more, this ti, more dramatically and even Yu Ming's eyes were as wide as saucers.
It was unheard of for a woman to be the one to cancel her engagent and even more unheard of if it was with an imperial family mber. They all looked to Cao Long who was frozen in shock. Just what did the Cao family teach their ladies?
The emperor narrowed his eyes. "Zhen thought your relationship with the crown prince was good? So why? Or-" He swept his eyes across the general and deputy generals present. "Did you fall for soone else?"
Cao Luoi's head, which was still pinned against the ground, shook violently from side to side. "No! This lowly one does not dare."
The emperor glared. "So, you want to cancel the engagent for no reason. Are you looking down on the imperial family?"
At this point, Cao Long fell to the ground and knocked his head repeatedly in fear. "Never! This lowly minister's family would never look down on the dragon family." He had no idea why Cao Luoi was doing this but he had to ensure she got out of this alive!
The emperor looked at the place where Cao Long was bleeding from his forehead and sighed. This was one of his most loyal officials. Honestly, he also didn't want Cao Luoi to marry the crown prince.
Even if Cao Long was one of his most loyal officials, the amount of allies the man had in court was not small. The Cao family also had establishnts and settlents in various states making them one of the richest families in the capital.
If Cao Luoi had married the crown prince then the power in court would tip in the left pri minster's side, completely ruining the balance. The only reason he'd agreed to the marriage was because of how much Cao Long loved this daughter of his.
He was well aware that with Cao Luoi in the hands of the imperial family, Cao Long would not dare do anything that was too excessive but if he could keep Cao Long from having too much power in the first place then that would be great.
He was a cautious emperor after all.
"Cao Long, you are one of zhen's beloved officials. No need to continue harming yourself. On behalf of the fact that Cao Luoi had perford ritorious service and all the years of your hard work, zhen shall grant you this favour."
Cao Long and Cao Luoi thanked the emperor repeatedly and Yu Ming stared at his father with dissatisfaction but he was soone who was going to be emperor so he quickly composed himself and hid away his emotions.
Next the emperor and Cao Long planned the breaking of engagent in a way that would not affect both the crown prince and Cao Luoi's reputations too much.
The worst it would do would be making Cao Luoi a laughingstock but it would not ruin her chances of remarrying. The only people who knew the truth of the broken engagent were the ministers and the generals present.
And of course, He Yuan, who had slipped away to the back when Cao Long and Cao Luoi began begging for the Cao family. He didn't want to be forced to join them and he was glad he didn't. Their foreheads were a bloody ss.
When they finally left the imperial palace, Cao Luoi smiled at He Yuan. "Cao Yuei, you see, I wasn't lying to you. I have broken off my engagent with the crown prince so you have to stay away from general Shang and Mr. Jiang. They're nothing good!"
He Yuan only smiled at her helplessly and lowered his eyes. Cao Luoi had given away the last of her luck so his task was complete. Forgiving Cao Luoi or not, was actually not his business. That was Cao Yuei's own problem.
He was more concerned with Cao Xiwang's reaction when Cao Yuei returns. From the events of the storyline, he knew Cao Yuei did not pay any attention to Cao Xiwang. She ignored him just like the rest of the Cao family.
After all, if she didn't, the boy wouldn't be unnad until his death. He Yuan was really worried. He hoped the kid wouldn't be too sad.
When they arrived at the Cao mansion, Cao Xiwang was squatting right at the entrance with Wu Bai by his side. When He Yuan stepped down from the carriage, he rushed over.
"Big sis!" He Yuan was tackled in a tight hug. The boy inspected He Yuan and sighed. "Big sis, you've lost so much weight. You must have suffered a lot. Don't worry, I had the kitchen prepare all of your favourites!
-I even went out with Wu Bai to get you lots of treats from the streets when I heard you guys have returned. Co, co, quickly!" He began dragging He Yuan towards Cao Yuei's courtyard.
Cao Luoi, who was about to speak, could only watch as He Yuan was dragged away. She sighed. She had to admit, she was a little envious of the bond between the both of them. She loved Cao Feng but whenever she tried to play with him, he only stared at her expressionlessly and patted her head.
Cao Xiwang kept refilling He Yuan's bowl with food. He Yuan didn't really have much of an appetite but he forced himself to eat because of the eager look in Cao Xiwang's eyes.
Imdiately he finished eating, He Yuan received a prompt. [Task Complete, Leave Task Realm Yes/No]
He Yuan choked on his emotions. "888, can I have a few minutes at least?"
The system sighed. "Sure."
Cao Xiwang was busy blabbing about all that went on in He Yuan's absence when he was suddenly pulled into a tight hug. "Big sis?"
He Yuan held the boy by his shoulders and smiled. "Xiwang, if big sis suddenly begins to act differently tomorrow, don't take it to heart okay? You're still big sis's favourite."
Cao Xiwang nodded firmly. "Of course! I already know I'm your favourite."
"Alright, now return to your courtyard. I want to rest."
Cao Xiwang pouted. "Can I stay, please?~" When He Yuan shook his head, the boy sighed and stood up. "Fine. But you'd have to spend all day tomorrow with !"
He Yuan only smiled and watched as the boy walked out happily. "888, I'm ready."
[Task Complete, Leave Task Realm Yes/No]
He Yuan walked into Cao Yuei's bedroom and clicked no and then, he fell back on the bed.
Cao Xiwang had just left Cao Yuei's courtyard when he suddenly froze, he seed to have forgotten his scented sachet. His big sis had personally embroidered it for him years ago. The workmanship was absolutely horrible but he still liked it.
He walked back into her courtyard. "Big sis?" He looked around and finally found his sister in her bedroom. She looked uncomfortable. When he got closer, he noticed she was burning up.
He quickly alerted the servants to bring him his dicine bag. It was just a fever, he could handle it. Cao Xiwang spent all night tending to his sister and fell asleep holding her hand.
Cao Yuei opened her eyes the next day. She was finally back! She went through the mories that had been left behind by the strange entity that had inhabited her body.
She soon slipped her hand out of Cao Xiwang's and clenched her fists in anger.
She wasn't happy. She wasn't happy at all!
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