Both Shen Qingping and the carrier pigeon had two legs, so they arrived in the Northern Desert almost simultaneously.
At that time, Song Yu and Song Shihuan were just preparing to lead the troops back to the capital.
"How did you get here?"
Both were extremely surprised to see Shen Qingping.
"To pick you up," Shen Qingping said with a smile. Gu Mingning couldn't help but take several steps away from him. When someone who rarely smiles suddenly does, it's truly unsettling.
Song Shihuan successfully received the signal Baoxia was trying to convey, then turned a beaming smile towards Shen Qingping. "The martial arts routine Master specially wrote for you, Teacher—I suppose you haven't been practicing it these past few days on the road?"
The smile on Shen Qingping's face instantly froze.
Baoxia!!!
"Here, let me show you how it's done, Teacher. Baoxia must have missed the key points."
Shen Qingping nodded, feeling somewhat comforted.
There's no student who can't be taught, only teachers who don't know how to teach!
Song Shihuan studied the routine for a while, then picked up a brush and began making some adjustments, changing the instructions into phrasing that sounded simpler but still described the same set of movements.
Sure enough, Shen Qingping learned it after just three repetitions.
One could say he thoroughly washed away his previous shame.
"Teacher, you must remember to do this every day. It can help you live to a hundred."
Song Shihuan's expression turned serious, with a clear trace of worry visible in her eyes.
If Master personally wrote a martial arts routine for him, then Teacher's physical condition must indeed be serious enough to affect his lifespan.
"Don't worry, Princess. Now that I've learned it, I'll practice it every day."
"This prince and Ah Huan are destined for a thousand years. If you don't even make it to a hundred, it would be far too embarrassing," Song Yu snorted coldly, then pointed at Shen Qingping. "Ah Huan, shouldn't he make up for the days he missed these past few days?"
"He should."
And so.
On the wide-open ground, the imposing Shen Qingping diligently practiced his martial arts routine. Having grasped the essentials, his movements became increasingly fluid, even carrying a faint hint of killing intent.
Gu Mingning, passing by: "..."
Even when performing an ordinary exercise routine, the great demon lord looks like he's about to kill someone!
...
In early March, the group set off to return to the capital.
On the journey back to the capital, they happened to pass through Song Yanhong's fiefdom. Song Yu and Song Shihuan exchanged a glance and decided to pay him a visit.
Having received the news, Song Yanhong stood at the city gate every day, craning his neck to look outside. Song Xiling stood beside him, her expression equally expectant.
"Elder Brother, it's been several years since we parted. I've only heard of the Princess's deeds through rumors, and I've been longing to meet her."
The present-day Song Xiling was no longer the girl who lived under the shadow of the Princess of Chu. In the fiefdom, Song Yanhong never restrained her or demanded she live a certain way, giving her the confidence to grow freely.
Thus, Song Xiling's brow now carried the brightness of a young maiden.
She had begun to idolize Song Shihuan through various tales.
"Yes, I've also been looking forward to seeing the Princess."
Suddenly, Song Yanhong's expression shifted. "They're here! They're here!"
As soon as Song Yu and Song Shihuan alighted from the carriage, they were surrounded—or more accurately, Song Shihuan was surrounded.
"Princess, have you been well lately? I've had some excellent fruits prepared. Please try them later. If you like them, feel free to take some back to the capital."
"Princess, I heard you oversaw the campaign against Great Yue, and also in the Northern Desert. You're truly amazing!"
Song Yanhong and Song Xiling chattered away like a pair of magpies.
Song Shihuan looked at the two before her and slowly smiled.
These two seemed to be living much better than they had in the capital.
"No need to address me so formally as 'Princess'."
"Ah Huan," Song Yanhong ventured cautiously.
"Elder Sister," Song Xiling, seeing that Song Shihuan didn't object, happily rushed over and hugged her. "Elder Sister, I admire you so much!"
"Ahem—"
Song Yu cleared his throat.
"Uncle, you look even more dashing than before! A top scholar and the Crown Prince—it's truly unprecedented!"
Song Yanhong delivered an extremely successful piece of flattery. Song Yu's gaze towards him changed.
"Good lad. Come, let your uncle see how you've been managing your fiefdom!"
Song Yu pulled Song Yanhong along as if he had made some firm resolution.
Song Yanhong, however, twisted his body, stretching his hands out longingly towards Song Shihuan.
No, he didn't want to go with Uncle.
Song Xiling laughed, clutching her stomach, then linked arms with Song Shihuan. "Come, Elder Sister, let me show you around."
...
"Xiling, why don't I see the Princess of Chu?"
Mentioning the Princess of Chu, Song Xiling's expression didn't change in the slightest.
"At first, Elder Brother handed all the affairs of the Chu Prince's household over to Mother. But gradually, she kept pushing for Elder Brother to marry, even finding some distant branch descendant of the Sun family from who-knows-where and forcing Elder Brother to marry her."
"Elder Brother then bestowed that Sun girl from the distant branch to Mother as a personal maid, completely breaking with her."
Song Shihuan raised an eyebrow. Fourth Brother indeed knew how to counter the Princess of Chu.
"Elder Brother confined Mother to the residence, forbidding her from managing household affairs or interfering in his and my marriages."
"And the internal affairs of the Chu Prince's household..."
Hearing Song Shihuan's question, Song Xiling puffed out her chest with some pride. "I handle them all!"
"I manage everything in perfect order. Elder Brother often praises me."
"That's wonderful," Song Shihuan said sincerely.
If Song Xiling had never been constrained by the Princess of Chu from the start, she would likely have lived an even better life.
"Oh, that young lady up ahead is the eldest daughter of the Tian family. Her father is a famous calligrapher," Song Xiling said, winking at Song Shihuan. "Elder Brother has taken a liking to her."
Following Song Xiling's gaze, the young woman resembled a noble lady from a painting, her face like a jade plate, her eyes clear and bright. With one glance, Song Shihuan could tell she was an exceptional young woman.
"If the Tian family is also willing, send me a letter. I'll have His Majesty bestow a marriage upon Fourth Brother."
"Alright."
Song Xiling nestled close to Song Shihuan. "Elder Sister, what I did in the past was wrong. I apologize to you. As a princess of the imperial clan, my perspective shouldn't have been so narrow. I should live my life well and protect the people of Great Qi."
"Just like Elder Sister."
Song Shihuan patted the back of Song Xiling's hand. "It's all in the past."
Hearing this, Song Xiling sniffled. What she could do now was help her elder brother manage the fiefdom well, so His Majesty wouldn't have to worry.
"There will be fireworks tonight, specially prepared by Elder Brother for you."
Song Xiling took Song Shihuan's hand and broke into a light jog. "We need to hurry and get some snacks, or we won't have time to eat them once the fireworks start."
At the same time.
Sandwiched between Song Yu and Shen Qingping, Song Yanhong scribbled furiously.
Tears streamed in his heart.
Who he wanted to welcome was the sweet, gentle Princess, not these two imposing figures before him.
"Hurry up, or you'll miss the fireworks."
"Can't you even sort out these few cases?"
The light before him was blocked. Song Yanhong looked up in despair to see Gu Mingning's impatient face.
Great. Now there were three imposing figures.
