The Seven Princesses' Journey Across Time

As Qing'er entered the palace, she saw the old man, his eyes filled with anticipation, gazing out the door. A warmth welled up in her heart, and tears welled up in her eyes. Over the years, despite all the hardships and exhaustion she had endured, she had never shed a single tear, but now she felt tears welling up in her eyes.

Qing'er quickly ran to the old man and knelt down to greet him: "Old Buddha, Qing'er greets you."

The old lady hurriedly helped her up and said distressedly, "Hurry up and let me take a good look at you. You, child, have been gone for so many years and you didn't even come back to visit an old woman like me."

Qing Er held the old lady's hand tightly, tears in her eyes: "Qing Er is unfilial and made the old lady worried."

The old lady patted Qing'er's hand gently and said softly, "It's good that you're back. It's good that you're back. You must have suffered a lot during these years outside the palace, right?"

Qing'er smiled and shook her head gently, with gratitude glittering in her eyes: "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Buddha. Qing'er is doing well."

The old lady patted Qing'er's hand gently, and the two began to chat. Qing'er picked up interesting things on the battlefield to tell her, and then the two recalled the past. They talked about those good times and shared each other's joys and sorrows.

Finally, the Empress Dowager earnestly instructed Qing'er to diligently assist the Emperor and dedicate herself to the country and its people. She also told her to return home and rest after the banquet, and not to return early to pay her respects. She told Qing'er to return when she was well enough rested. Qing'er nodded solemnly in agreement, a resolute look in her eyes, reassuring herself that she would not disappoint the Empress Dowager's expectations.

When the palace maid came in to report that the emperor had asked the prince to attend the celebration banquet, Qing'er stood up and bowed to the old Buddha to take her leave.

The emperor hosted a grand banquet, inviting the many heroes who had contributed to the expansion of the territories to celebrate the victory. Qing Shu (Qing'er), dressed in magnificent attire, arrived with his subordinates. The palace was ablaze with lights, melodious music filled the air, and the atmosphere was warm and joyful.

The emperor was overjoyed when he saw Qingshu (Qing'er). He highly praised Qingshu's achievements and bestowed upon her generous rewards, including precious jewelry and gorgeous clothing. Qingshu (Qing'er) knelt respectfully to express her gratitude, then stood up and sat in her seat.

After the banquet, Qing'er returned to her childhood home - Prince Yu's Mansion. Since she was named the Prince Yu's Heir, the Emperor returned the mansion to her, and even the people who had lived in the mansion before returned.

Qing'er looked at the maid she had left behind in the palace, Qingyao, who was sobbing as she made her bed. She said helplessly, "Qingyao, please stop crying. Isn't your princess fine?"

Qingyao: "Princess, you have worked hard. I feel so useless that I can't even take care of you. Unlike Qingxue and Qingyue, who are highly skilled in martial arts and can fight alongside you and take care of you from outside."

Qing'er: "Qingxue and Qingyue were originally assigned to me by Uncle Huang from the Secret Guards, so they are naturally highly skilled in martial arts. They are different from you. They are taking care of me outside, and when they come back, it will be your turn to take care of me."

Qing'er smiled and comforted her, "Okay, don't cry. I'm fine. Besides, everyone has their own strengths. You keep the house in perfect order, which makes me feel warm every time I come home. This is also an important contribution."

Qingyao burst into laughter after hearing this, "Princess, you are right. It is I who am narrow-minded."

Qing'er patted Qingyao's shoulder gently and said with a smile, "Well, don't say that again in the future. By the way, is the hot water I asked you to prepare ready? I'm tired all day and want to wash up and rest early."

Qingyao nodded quickly and replied, "It's ready. Please wait a moment, my lady. I will go get you some water." After saying that, Qingyao turned around and walked outside.

After a while, Qingyao led a few people to the bathroom, carrying buckets of steaming hot water. After everyone left, Qing'er slowly walked to the bathroom door.

After Qingyao helped her take off her clothes, Qing'er slowly sat in the tub, exhaled a long breath, and said with emotion, "Finally, I can relax." She closed her eyes and quietly enjoyed the comfort brought by the hot water, as if all her fatigue and stress gradually dissipated with the hot water. Qing'er immersed herself in the tranquility and beauty of this moment, feeling happy and comfortable.

Qing'er looked at Qingyao who was wiping her arm and said, "Qingyao, I've been fighting outside for many years and know very little about what's happening in the capital. Can you tell me about it?"

Qingyao smiled and nodded, replying, "Of course, Princess. The capital is very different now than when you left. Many ordinary people have begun to study, and the tuition fees for colleges are very cheap. Almost all families, unless they are extremely poor, are willing to send their children to school. Furthermore, becoming an official is no longer limited to the imperial examination; other talent selections are also available. For example, those with exceptional mathematical prowess will be assigned positions as long as they pass the assessment. People now have various ways to improve their lives, and no longer rely solely on boring academic studies to succeed. Furthermore, if someone can research something new and beneficial to the country, they can receive generous bonuses from the Ministry of Works! Furthermore, merchants are managed by a dedicated department, and prices won't be arbitrarily raised due to natural or man-made disasters..."

Qing'er asked curiously, "Are there any interesting gossips? Like the romantic affairs of the nobles?"

Qingyao looked at Qing'er in surprise and said, "Which princess would ask about this?"

Qing'er explained with a smile, "Over the years, I've been busy fighting wars, and my life has been very boring. Listening to these stories can help me relax a little."

Qingyao: "If that's the case, then I really have some gossip to share with you."

Qing'er: "What? What? Tell me, tell me."

Qingyao: "She is the daughter of Concubine Lian who was brought back by the Emperor fourteen years ago - Princess Ziwei. Although Concubine Lian was brought back and given the title of Concubine, she has not been favored over the years, so Princess Ziwei is still her original name, and Concubine Lian was the one who taught her everything.

Later I heard that she had somehow become very close to the eldest son of Grand Secretary Fulun, and that they had already secretly decided to spend their lives together. Perhaps it was because the son of the Fu family was the Fifth Prince's study partner, so she was now very close to the Fifth Prince.

So they would occasionally go out of the palace with the Fifth Prince to play. Not long ago, they met a chivalrous woman who robbed the rich and helped the poor. I think her name was Jiangnan Xiaoxia. I heard that the two of them almost became sworn sisters, but they were stopped by the Young Master of the Fu Family. After all, Princess Ziwei is the Emperor's daughter, and sworn sisters can't be done privately. Although Princess Ziwei is not favored, she is still a princess. Unless the Emperor agrees, she can't do it. What's more, not only is she close to the Young Master of the Fu Family, but the sister she met is also very close to the Fifth Prince!