Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

The carriage couldn't possibly go directly into the Crown Prince's residence; instead, it went to Shen Qingchen's residence.

After a brief rest, the three secretly returned to the Crown Prince's residence.

Ling Yan is currently still recuperating, which is why she hasn't made a public appearance for the past six months.

Therefore, when she returned to the Crown Prince's residence, Yunmeng immediately went to greet her with joy and excitement.

Knowing that Lingyan had traveled a long and tiring journey, Chu Xiyao and Shen Qingchen prepared a hot bath for her after they left.

After Lingyan had a comfortable bath and lunch, she lay down on her long-missed bed and fell soundly asleep.

Yunmeng quietly stood guard beside her to prevent anyone from disturbing her.

Xiao Muyao was still in the palace dealing with a mountain of official documents.

Emperor Jingzhao's health is not as good as before, so he has to help with many court affairs every day.

When Mu Feng came to report that Ling Yan had returned to the capital, the brush in his hand suddenly stopped, and the ink smeared on the paper, but he seemed not to notice.

The next moment his eyes widened instantly, disbelief filling his deep eyes, as if it were just a hallucination he had when he was tired.

But soon, disbelief was replaced by ecstasy.

He instantly disregarded everything and abruptly stood up, knocking the chair to the ground with a dull thud.

Then he strode out of the hall, his steps hurried and flustered, completely lacking his usual composure.

The palace maids and eunuchs had never seen His Highness the Crown Prince so out of control.

A bad feeling crept into their minds.

I heard that the Crown Princess has been seriously ill in bed for the past six months and has been unable to see anyone.

His Highness the Crown Prince is in such a state now; if it's not that the Crown Princess's condition has improved, then it must have worsened.

Hopefully it's good news.

………………

As soon as Xiao Muyao left the palace, he immediately mounted his horse, and the steed seemed to sense its master's anxiety and galloped away.

Pedestrians on the street only felt a gust of wind whistling past, and Xiao Muyao's cloak fluttered wildly in the wind.

At this moment, Ling Yan's image kept appearing in Xiao Muyao's mind—her gentle smile, her lively eyes—each scene making his heart clench even tighter.

He longed to fly to her side immediately and hold her tightly in his arms.

Finally, the majestic gates of the Crown Prince's residence came into view.

Xiao Muyao didn't wait for the horse to come to a complete stop before leaping off and striding towards the mansion.

Along the way, the servants were stunned and stood there in astonishment when they saw the Crown Prince's anxious appearance.

But Xiao Muyao had no time to pay attention to their reactions.

He walked through the courtyard, and the beautiful scenery he usually admired was now just a blur in his eyes.

Then he finally arrived at the bedroom, the carved door now seeming like the gateway to the sacred place he longed for most.

His hand trembled slightly as he placed it on the doorknob and gently pushed the door open.

Inside the bedroom, Lingyan lay quietly on the bed, like a sleeping fairy.

Her long hair cascaded down the pillow like a waterfall, and her serene face appeared even more beautiful and captivating in the sunlight.

When Yunmeng saw Xiao Muyao return, she immediately bowed and quietly withdrew.

Xiao Muyao's steps became exceptionally gentle at this moment.

He slowly approached the bedside, his gaze fixed on Lingyan, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

Looking at Ling Yan's peaceful sleeping face, Xiao Muyao could no longer suppress his excitement.

His breath hitched, and his heart pounded wildly in his chest, as if it were about to burst out.

Then, he couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke Lingyan's cheek.

As he approached her, his hand trembled slightly, as if afraid that this was just a dream, afraid that it would vanish the moment he touched her.

His throat was dry, and he managed to squeeze out a low call: "Yan'er..."

The voice was filled with longing, pain, love, and the joy of regaining what was lost.

His eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at Ling Yan, as if trying to etch her image deep into his soul.

Then, without noticing, a tear fell onto Lingyan's neck.

Lingyan was awakened by the sudden cold touch.

She opened her eyes groggily and saw Xiao Muyao standing in front of her.

She was taken aback at first, then a gentle smile appeared on her face.

When Xiao Muyao saw Ling Yan wake up, he felt both excited and apologetic.

She quickly said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Yan'er, I couldn't control myself and woke you up."

Lingyan gently shook her head after hearing this, her eyes filled with tenderness as she said, "It's okay, I miss you too."

Her voice was soft and melodious, like heavenly music, melting Xiao Muyao's heart.

He didn't say anything more, but simply sat down gently on the edge of the bed, then stretched out his arms and hugged Lingyan tightly.

His embrace was warm and strong, as if he wanted to protect Lingyan forever within it.

His arms seemed to have a mind of their own, tightly encircling Lingyan, every inch of their skin pressed together.

He was like an ancient tree deeply rooted in the earth, stubbornly and firmly holding onto Lingyan, unwilling to let go for even a moment.

Then he buried his face in Lingyan's hair, took a deep breath, and felt incredibly at ease with that familiar scent.

His heart was filled with love and longing for Lingyan. He whispered in her ear, "Yan'er, do you know how much I've missed you these past six months? You've filled my dreams, and I've been hoping for your return every day. Now that you're back, I'll never let you leave me again."

Lingyan nestled in Xiao Muyao's arms, holding him tightly in return.

Gently stroke his back, feeling his warmth.

Hearing his sincere words, she replied with a heart full of sweetness and happiness, "I missed you so much, Yao, I'm back."

...............

He Jingchuan was training soldiers in the drill ground at this time.

When he received the news that Lingyan had returned to the capital, the spear in his hand fell to the ground with a clang.

He stood frozen in place, staring blankly ahead, his sharply defined face filled with astonishment.

A moment later, he realized what was happening, and his originally cold and stern face was instantly filled with intense emotions.

Without the slightest hesitation, he instantly mounted his horse and galloped away.

He rode recklessly back into the city and returned to his residence, where he had his horse tied up.

He then secretly rushed to the Crown Prince's residence.

Upon finally arriving at the Crown Prince's residence and meeting Lingyan, his steps became somewhat unsteady as he moved forward.

Every step felt like walking on clouds, or like stepping on the tip of his turbulent heart.

When he was only a few steps away from Lingyan, his throat felt as if something was blocking it, and he couldn't make a sound.

His eyes were now blurred with tears, which kept swirling in his eyes as if they were about to burst forth at any moment.

He stood there quietly, looking at Lingyan, as if trying to etch every detail of her into his mind.

Those familiar eyebrows and eyes, that slightly upturned corner of his mouth—every detail made his heart clench.

Finally, He Jingchuan could no longer hold back. He rushed forward in a flash, his speed as fast as lightning.

He approached Lingyan, his hands trembling slightly, as if hesitating whether to touch the person he had been longing for day and night.

But in the end, strong emotions prevailed.

He suddenly reached out and hugged Lingyan tightly, with such force that it seemed he wanted to meld her into his body.

His voice was hoarse and choked with emotion, filled with boundless joy and excitement: "Ah Ling, it really is you, you're really back."

Before he could finish speaking, the tears that had been building up for so long began to fall like beads from a broken string, rolling down his angular face.

The tears fell onto Lingyan's undergarment, so hot they seemed to burn her skin.

The emotions that had been suppressed for half a year surged forth like a flood bursting its banks.

Then he reluctantly let go of her, his gaze fixed on her, as if afraid that she would disappear the moment he looked away.

His tears flowed more and more freely, and his face was now soaked with tears.

His heart was filled with love for Lingyan, a love so intense and passionate that it seemed to set him on fire.

Then he suddenly pulled Lingyan into his arms, the embrace so tight it seemed he wanted to make up for the six months they had been apart.

At that moment, he felt as if he had embraced a rare treasure that he had lost and then found again.

His arms were like iron hoops, tightly encircling Lingyan in his embrace.

The force seemed to want to merge Lingyan with itself.

He maintained that embrace for a long time, showing no sign of letting go.

At this moment, his heart was filled with happiness, the happiness of something lost and then regained, the happiness of finally being reunited after endless longing.

His tears gradually stopped, but his love burned brighter and brighter in his heart like a raging fire.