A crown princess who doesn't do infrastructure construction isn't a good doctor.

When they had traveled a short distance, Hua Yuanshan stopped his horse and raised his hand to shout, "Stop!"

The deep voice carried directly to the end of the line, and everyone stopped in their tracks. The resounding footsteps echoed like a lingering melody, deeply moving everyone.

Then, Hua Yuanshan and the other two men on horseback dismounted.

"Your subject, Hua Yuanshan, led an expedition to the northern regions and has fortunately fulfilled his mission, returning to the capital with the elite troops of the Zhenbei Army!"

Next, the official in charge of the welcoming ceremony spoke in official jargon for a while. Then, the third-ranking prince among the princes, but now the eldest remaining prince, Prince Ning, spoke words of praise on behalf of the emperor. After that, Hua Yuanshan and the two highest-ranking generals besides himself were led to the Taiji Hall to receive their titles as representatives of the soldiers. The remaining soldiers, after going through this formality, were to return to their camp outside the city.

On the way into the palace gate, Lu Xi looked at the three people who had put down their weapons and walked ahead for a while, and asked Qin Suiyou, "Youyou, which one is the Xu Huai that Gao Yu mentioned? I didn't see their faces when they came over just now."

Qin Suiyou replied in a low voice, "The one on the right, the thinner one."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xi asked curiously, "How are you so sure? Did Gao Yu tell you about his physique?"

"According to established ancient custom, the commander-in-chief is in the center, the deputy commander-in-chief is on his left, and the strategist is on his right."

"Oh, I see. What does Xu Huai look like?"

Qin Suiyou tilted his head slightly to look at Lu Xi and asked, "Why are you curious about this?"

When Gao Yu and Lu Xi were talking about their childhood, Qin Suiyou wasn't present. He only learned about Xu Huai from Lu Xi, so he didn't know why Lu Xi was so curious about someone she had never met.

Lu Xi rolled her eyes and said teasingly, "When Gao Yu mentioned Xu Huai, his whole demeanor was very unusual. There's definitely something fishy going on between them. I have to find out more about it. Gao Yu is one of us, so we can't let him find a scoundrel."

Although Lu Xi didn't say it explicitly, Qin Suiyou understood what he was trying to say based on his understanding of him, and at the same time, he felt very helpless about Lu Xi's tendency to worry unnecessarily.

"Wait a while, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to see, no need to rush."

"alright."

When they entered the palace to receive their titles, Qin Suiyou waited with Princess An in a side hall. This time, because the protagonist was Princess An's father, she was able to enter the palace and participate in the welcoming banquet. Therefore, there were only the two of them present, and the whole waiting process was very harmonious.

Inside the Taiji Hall, a group of officials, both civil and military, stood on either side of the hall. After the welcoming officials and several princes entered the hall, Hua Yuanshan and his two companions arrived.

The three walked to the center and knelt on one knee in unison.

"See you, Your Majesty, long live my Emperor!"

On the dragon throne at the head of the table, the man in the bright yellow dragon robe was none other than the current Emperor of the Northern Qian Dynasty, Beitang Zhen. Although he was nearly sixty years old, his figure was still firm, and his eyes still revealed the depth and unfathomable nature of a ruler.

Beitang Zhen raised his hand and said, "My dear minister, please rise."

The three men thanked the Emperor before rising.

"Your merit in conquering the Northern Region is immense and deserves a good reward."

Upon hearing this, Hua Yuanshan clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. The subjugation of the Northern Region was not achieved by me alone. In addition to the Prince of An, who fought against the leader of the Northern Region with his own serious injuries, there were also the generals and soldiers who charged into battle. They are all meritorious."

Beitang Zhenlang laughed a few times, seemingly very happy.

"Yes, I also have a good grandson, and the brave and skilled soldiers of Beiqian. You are all great contributors, and I will never forget you. Huang Ming, announce the decree."

Then, Huang Ming, the eunuch who had previously delivered the imperial edict to Prince An's residence, took a few steps forward and unfurled the bright yellow scroll in which the imperial edict had already been written.

A slightly shrill voice resounded throughout the Taiji Hall, slowly and clearly announcing the emperor's rewards for his meritorious officials.

Hua Yuanshan had basically reached the pinnacle of his military career, so he was granted the title of Duke of Ying. As for the others, it was much simpler; they were simply awarded titles based on the size of his military achievements. However, Xu Huai, whom many people had heard rumors of and thought would receive a personal title from the Emperor, was categorized as an ordinary soldier and his rewards were issued by the Ministry of War according to regulations.

Even if the emperor himself issues the decree, he might not bestow excessive rewards. However, the effect of the decree coming from different people is always different. Those who wanted to win him over basically backed down.

The announcement that followed was the same one that had been mentioned on the day of Beitang Yan and Qin Suiyou's wedding: the title of General of the Cavalry and the fiefdom in the south, located in Yuchuan City.

After Hua Yuanshan and the other two, along with Prince An, received the imperial decree on behalf of Beitang Yan, Beitang Zhen asked, "Is Minister Qin of the Ministry of Rites here?"

When his name was suddenly called, Qin Yong was unprepared, but he still calmly walked from the group to the center of the hall.

"The minister is here."

"Two months ago, I followed the Taoist priest's prophecy and betrothed your nephew to the Prince of An. Now that Yan'er has awakened as he wished, you have also done a great service, and I will reward you."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yong bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty is too kind. To be able to form a marriage alliance with the Crown Prince is a blessing that my Qin family has accumulated over a hundred generations. I dare not accept such a reward."

"This is all rightfully yours, my dear minister, there is no need to refuse it any further."

After saying this, Huang Ming stepped forward to announce the Emperor's decree, bestowing upon the Qin family one hundred taels of gold, twenty bolts of brocade, and a pair of luminous pearls. He also rewarded Qin Suiyou with a pair of thousand-year-old ginseng.

After finishing his speech and concluding the investiture ceremony, Beitang Zhen instructed the Ministry of War to distribute the rewards. He then said, "Tonight, I will hold a welcoming banquet at the Linde Hall to reward the Zhenbei Army. I hope all my ministers will join in the celebration."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hua Yuanshan and the two men beside him knelt on one knee again, and Hua Yuanshan said loudly, "On behalf of the soldiers of the Zhenbei Army, I thank Your Majesty for your great favor!"

After the court session ended, Beitang Zhen had Huang Ming summon Hua Yuanshan to the Imperial Study, while Prince An went to the side hall to find Princess An and Qin Suiyou.

Seeing her husband approach, Princess An stood up.

"Will it go smoothly?"

After all, it was in the palace, with many people and eyes watching, so Prince An didn't say much, only saying: "It went very smoothly. After the Emperor bestowed titles and rewards upon the Zhenbei Army, he also gave Minister Qin many gifts, and Suiyou also received a pair of thousand-year-old ginseng."

Upon hearing that he had been mentioned and had received a reward, Qin Suiyou asked, "Why did the Emperor bestow a reward upon me?"

"It is because after you married Yan'er, you fulfilled the Taoist priest's words and Yan'er did indeed wake up. We must remember your merit."

That means keeping quiet about how he had previously sent Physician Liu to Prince An's residence and given him medicine.

The group tacitly agreed that they had originally planned for Princess An and Hua Yuanshan and his daughter to meet and have a good talk, but this could not be done because Beitang Zhen had summoned Hua Yuanshan to the Imperial Study. They didn't know when Beitang Zhen would release him, so they returned to the Prince's Mansion first and would go to the palace later to attend the welcoming banquet.