Bai Yiran got off the carriage and was about to salute the prince, but the prince treated him politely and refused to do so.
Chu Chengping looked at Gu Yichen and Lin Jinan. The three of them looked at each other without speaking. They just nodded, and smiles spread from their eyes.
After everyone greeted each other, the prince walked up to Gu Ruizhou again and looked up and down with concern:
"Thankfully General Anbei is fine, otherwise it would be a huge loss."
Chu Chengye also followed up, patted Gu Ruizhou on the shoulder and smiled heartily:
"Not only was it not calculated, but it actually became stronger. It's embarrassing to say that I am also a general, but I have never been on a real battlefield. I will have to ask General Anbei for advice when I have time in the future."
Gu Ruizhou saluted respectfully: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highnesses. I fell into a trap this time and almost couldn't come back. How can I still have the face to bear the advice of Your Highnesses?"
Chu Chengye: "Hey, General Anbei is so humble. You are willing to risk your life to save the people, and you are able to escape unscathed after falling into a trap. You are really a model military commander."
Chu Chengyao stood aside with a warm smile and did not interrupt. The prince did not want to listen to Chu Chengye and turned directly to Gu Hongzhang:
"Thank you, General. When I see my father and the queen, I will definitely thank you for the Gu family."
Gu Hongzhang was neither humble nor arrogant, and said in a respectful tone:
"Thank you, Your Highness, the Crown Prince. As a military general, it is your duty to guard an area. I would like to thank you, Your Highness and Your Excellency, for your troublesome trip."
"A general who works hard for his country is the one who deserves the most merit."
"A great shogun and an important minister of the country should wait no matter how long it takes."
"Yes, we all feel honored to be here to greet the general."
Gu Hongzhang thanked the minister who spoke and then said:
"Since His Majesty is waiting, we should enter the palace first."
With the consent of the prince, Gu Hongzhang ordered the soldiers to take the Dingbei army back to the camp to settle down, and then followed everyone into the city and the palace.
As they passed in front of the people, the cheers of mountains and tsunamis rose and fell. The people followed them until they arrived not far from the palace before stopping.
Lin Jinan was not allowed to enter the palace because he had no official position. He separated from Gu Hongzhang and others at the gate of the city and returned to the Lin Mansion to report that he was safe.
Before he even got off his horse at the door, the porter smiled and said hello and ran inside to report the news to his master.
After Lin Jinan dismounted and handed the reins to his servant, he lowered his head and patted the dust on his body, and walked quickly towards the mansion.
When he stepped on the steps at the door of the mansion and raised his head, he saw a bright girl standing inside the door, looking at him with a bright smile.
Lin Jinan stared at the girl, slowed down his pace, his puzzled expression gradually turned into surprise, opened his mouth and shouted loudly: "Yan'er?!"
Lin Jinyan smiled from her eyes: "Brother."
Lin Jinan strode forward, holding Lin Jinyan's shoulders and looking up and down:
"It's really you! When did you come back? I was still thinking that after I returned home to report to my grandparents and cousins that I was safe, I would go to Cangsheng Mountain to pick you up! Was it safe on the road? How are you? Why are you standing here?"
Listening to Lin Jinan's ecstatic and incoherent questions, Lin Jinyan felt warm in her heart. She raised her hand and took out a handkerchief to wipe the slight sweat on Lin Jinan's forehead and said with a smile:
"I've been back for a few days. I'm fine on the road and in good health. I'm just waiting here for my brother to come back."
Lin Jinan bent down slightly and squinted his eyes to let Lin Jinyan wipe away the sweat, and grinned:
"Yan'er, you look so beautiful now, like a fairy."
"Didn't I look good when I was a kid?"
"Good-looking, good-looking, Yan'er always looks good!"
