My vicious dog, my horse, I can do whatever I want with it

The second day of October.

The Zong Yan Mansion was filled with distinguished guests, and the carriages arriving outside the gate were more luxurious than one another, parked in a long line outside. Such a grand display attracted the attention of the common people. When they found out where these dignitaries were going, they found out that they were General Zong Yan, now at the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion. It all of a sudden seemed reasonable.

Zong Yanli and his nephew Zong Yanfeiyi were outside receiving guests. When Long Feiguang, Meng Qi and others arrived, they were all dressed decently. How could they look like the rough men they had in the military tent?

"General." When Meng Qi saw Zong Yanli, he wanted to step forward, but seeing that Zong Yanli was surrounded by dignitaries in gorgeous clothes, he didn't want to be impolite and be outdone by others, so he forcibly restrained his aggressive walking posture, and followed Long Feiguang stiffly, bowing to greet him.

"Are you here? Come in and sit down." Zong Yanli's face was almost frozen with smile. Even if he just greeted everyone, he would still be thirsty from all the busy work.

"My lords, please take a seat. My brothers from my tent are here. I'll go and entertain them first." When Zong Yanli saw Meng Qi and the others, it was as if he had seen his family. He used them as a shield without hesitation, leaving all the guests in the room and pulling Long Feiguang and the others into the house.

"General, are you following us now?" Monk stared in surprise. If he was not mistaken, the Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor were sitting outside, but they were just left like that?

Zong Yanli went inside and sat down on a chair. He raised his hand to pour himself some water, and after gulping down a few mouthfuls, he said, "It's just a pretense, so it doesn't matter."

Zong Yanli let out a long sigh and asked everyone to sit down. This was the first time he saw his brothers gathered together not wearing heavy armor, but dressed so fancy. He glanced at them one by one, and everyone Zong Yanli saw nervously tugged at their sleeves or collars.

"What we are wearing is okay, right?"

"It was specially made by someone, and it cost a lot of money..."

"See that sachet hanging on my belt? They say it's for removing odors!"

"The crown on my head is made of real gold and silver."

"..."

Everyone was talking at once, as if they were showing off their full strength. Monkie even complained bitterly, "I went to the bathhouse and rubbed myself three times!"

Everyone burst into laughter when he said this, and the atmosphere relaxed for a moment. In fact, they were also nervous, fearing that they would make mistakes and lose face for the general. They had all been in the military for decades, so how could they understand the etiquette of aristocratic families?

There are many guests in Zong Yan's mansion today, and each one of them is of prominent background. Although they are rough and brave, they also know that they must not lose face at a time like this.

Zong Yanli looked at them with a smile, and at this moment he seemed to finally feel truly relaxed.

Lu Hao was showing his pure gold eyepatch to Monkie, Jie Hu was smoothing out the wrinkles on his hem over and over again, Sha Haoqian sat up straight, the brothers Yan Yingshan and Zhu Jin were arm in arm with each other and praising each other, Fu Jiashi and Sang Caijie were holding teacups and whispering to each other.

Zhan Haoyue and Zhuang Chengbi were drinking tea and praising the works nearby. Lu Peibai was looking around at the paintings and calligraphy on the wall with a little curiosity. Pei Liang and Huo Wenqi were smiling but saying nothing. Zhou Cang was as silent as ever.

Panshi sat next to Long Feiguang. Xiao Tianhe held Gongsun Pu's jade flute in his hand and rubbed it gently, seeming to be distracted...

Zong Yanli's straight back relaxed, as if at this moment she had briefly unloaded the burden of more than twenty years. Her body leaned back slightly, and the brightness in her eyes was so eye-catching that she would perhaps remember this moment forever, fresh, warm, and eye-catching.

The Zongyan Mansion was extremely lively that day, and the banquet had already begun when He Honglang arrived.

Just as Zong Yanli expected, He Honglang did not disturb anyone. He changed out of his dragon robe, entered from the side door wearing an elegant brocade dress, and told the housekeeper that he came to congratulate his teacher.

After Zong Yanli heard the news, he went to look for him immediately. At this time, He Honglang was standing in the small pavilion outside the elegant room, looking at the pool of clear water, wondering what he was thinking.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Zong Yanli walked into the pavilion and bowed to greet you.

"Teacher, you are welcome. I am here to congratulate you today. I am just your student, not the emperor." He Honglang stretched out his hand to help him up, and said with a bit of helplessness on his handsome face: "State affairs are complicated, and it took me some time to leave the palace to come here. Fortunately, I made it in time."