Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 451: The First Birthday Grabbing Ceremony (1)

Hu Liujin entered the Imperial Palace with ease, encountering Palace Attendants scurrying about, hiding here and there. With a wave of his hand, he deployed a large number of soldiers to start capturing people throughout the entire palace. It took over an hour to clear the palace, herding all these Palace Attendants together under unified guard.

"Marshal, Emperor Ming Hong has committed suicide by taking poison," Hu Liujin reported to the Marshal with a cupped-fist salute and a bow.

"Take us there," Dugu Chen and Lou Qianyu quickly exchanged glances and followed Hu Liujin towards Jinluan Hall.

Seeing the Emperor dead in a miserable state filled Lou Qianyu’s heart with both joy and fear. He was glad that the Emperor was dead and the war had ended, and that his own country could greatly expand its territory. However, he feared that Dugu Chen might wish to annihilate Mingyi Country as well, obliterate his own. Cautiously observing Dugu Chen’s gaze, he was vigilant, continuously pondering how to ensure peaceful coexistence between the two nations.

Dugu Chen clearly felt the accelerated heartbeat of the person by his side. Glancing from the corner of his eye at his cautious demeanor, he couldn’t help but find it amusing. Allowing him to witness Ming Hong’s death had also served as an indirect deterrence.

"Carry him away and bury him properly," came a cold voice as he parted his ruddy lips.

"Yes, Marshal," Hu Liujin summoned several men to start moving the body from the Dragon Throne.

That night, Dugu Chen returned to his tent and sat down to write an exceptionally long letter, pouring out his longing and recounting recent events. He also informed his correspondent that he would return to the palace soon. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

When Feng Xuxu received the letter carried by the Fei Ying two days later, she read it several times before carefully putting it away. Her spirits lifted greatly, and her steps through the Imperial Garden became much more leisurely.

"Empress, is it not that the Emperor will be returning soon?" Mei Lenglei, following behind Feng Xuxu, saw the continuous smile on the Empress’s face and speculated that the Emperor must be coming back; otherwise, the Empress would not be so joyful,

With a chuckle, Feng Xuxu turned her head slightly to look at Mei Lenglei, "Yes, soon. When the Emperor returns, I will arrange wedding ceremonies for you all."

Mei Lenglei was momentarily stunned, offering an awkward smile, "Your Highness, I wish to serve you longer; I do not wish to marry so soon."

"How can that be? Men should marry when of age, and so should women. Moreover, your marriage is by the Emperor’s decree; how could it not happen?" Feng Xuxu replied, her slender eyebrows slightly knitted and lips curving into a smile.

With an embarrassed smile that looked more sorrowful than joyous, Mei Lenglei replied, "Your Highness, just a little later, the Crown Prince and the Princess are still young; they need people to take care of them..."

Feng Xuxu looked at her pale face with a secret amusement, "Ah, you have to let go and let others take over these tasks. Besides, even after your marriage, won’t you still be serving by my side?"

"But..."

"There are no buts. This matter is joyfully settled as such," Feng Xuxu said, then stepped away with graceful strides, leaving Mei Lenglei in disarray in the breeze.

Days passed quietly, and by mid-April, the babies were almost a week old, yet their father had not yet returned.

On May 7th, the two children would be one year old. Seeing that Dugu Chen had not returned, Feng Xuxu had no wish to celebrate. However, the Ministers submitted petitions one after another, requesting birthday celebrations for the Crown Prince and Princess Gulun. With no choice, Feng Xuxu commanded preparations to begin.

In the great hall, the long table was covered with a variety of items. Feng Xuxu glanced over the array before summoning the elderly Palace Attendants to bring the Crown Prince and Princess to her side.