Chapter 764 764 Deep Longing
After the main troops had left the city, Li Yaotian exchanged a few brief words with Li Qingyun before ordering a few vice generals and him to the Imperial Palace to claim the reward.
After all, in a place like the Imperial Palace, it's impossible to gather tens of thousands of soldiers. What would happen if a thousand buildings were blown up?
"Li Qingyun, you rascal! I've been waiting for you so long. Mother!" Li Qingyun saw Ye Feifei running back. He immediately dismounted, saluted respectfully, and spoke with deep longing in his tone.
Ye Feifei lifted Li Qingyun up and looked him over from head to toe. With a long sigh of relief, she said with pain in her voice, "Stay strong, my boy! Look at you, all blackened! The main troop—is the march still exhausting, or is it bearable now?"
Li Qingyun adjusted the cloth tied around his head and replied, "Not tired, not tired—everything went as planned, and I had my brothers take good care of me! But I have to admit, I do miss the present..."
The other soldiers remained silent. Normally, they didn't feel much about home, but once they were truly away from it, they began to deeply understand its warmth.
It's only in moments like these that the thought of home resurfaces in dreams.
For a while, the atmosphere grew a bit heavy.
During this time, siblings Li Qingyun and Li Qingyun greeted each other several times, but Li Qingyun hardly paid Li Qingyun any attention. Instead, he excitedly chatted with Li Qingyu, his darkened face showing both embarrassment and joy.
Nonetheless, he dared not show even a hint of irritation. In truth, ever since he was a child and bullied by Li Qingyu, he'd been utterly terrified of his elder brother. Besides his mother Tea Feifei, Li Zangfeng most feared this mighty figure in the family; in some ways, his elder brother was even more intimidating than their father, Li Yaoyi.
Finally, Li Qingyun patted Li Qingyu's shoulder and then turned to Ye Feifei. "Mother, the brothers are eager to return home. I'll take them to the military platform to hand in the armor and weapons, and once everything is settled, I'll come find you at the Imperial Palace!"
"Come on, brothers! Move out!" Li Qingyun shouted as he mounted his horse, leading the soldiers towards Lu Dasi's main barracks.
Watching Li Qingyun's retreating figure, Li Qingyun couldn't help but marvel at the miracles wrought by time.
It could transform a person's immaturity into maturity, even alter one's very disposition and emotions, as if nothing in the world couldn't be changed by the passage of time—it was merely a matter of duration.
Yet, to Li Qingyu's relief, his eldest brother remained the steadfast figure of his memories. This kind of familial bond didn't change with the sands of time, and thus it should endure.
Of course, his second brother Li Zangfeng? He hadn't changed, either.
This realization brought pain to Li Qingyu's heart; he even felt he should find an opportunity to have an earnest conversation with his second brother. After all, they were family—must we hurt each other this way?
Though Li Qingyu could now forcefully counter Li Zangfeng's provocations, he believed that family ties and individual excellence should prevail.
This was his chance!
Ye Feifei poured tea, smiled, and headed to the Imperial Palace with her brothers. After all, the palace was a place of high pressure—ordinary people couldn't come and go as they pleased. But she thought to herself, if entry were freely granted, the palace might as well topple.
Mother, did you bring Li Yanran along? What's her reason for being here?
Li Qingyu glanced at Li Yanran, who nervously lowered her head, her shoulders tense, clutching some item tightly.
Wasn't Li Yanran supposed to be the future daughter-in-law?
The topic turned to familial discussions as the father returned. Bonds of trust among people seemed fragile—a reason to play together peacefully, wasn't it?
Li Zangfeng quietly moved ahead of the two, his silent demeanor unreadable, though his strong reaction to a dog made him appear rather judgmental.
But the wild beast flaunted its bright eyes, leaping directly onto Li Huaran's arm and pawing at him relentlessly.
Li Qingyu felt intense disapproval and anger at the situation. His expression darkened. He hadn't expected the beast to act this way—to treat his future husband so offensively. How dare it?! Completely contrary to its nature! It left him speechless.
Immediately, Li Qingyu grabbed the creature, his pained expression turning serious as he walked up to Li Zangfeng. "Second Brother, handle your beast properly!" Without waiting for Li Jianfeng's reaction, he shoved the creature back into his arms.
Li Zangfeng: "…"
Meanwhile, Li Yanran's gaze contained puzzlement and subtle disdain. Li Jianfeng wanted to cry but found himself speechless. How many times had he tried explaining this? How many times had they ignored him? Couldn't anyone understand? That peculiar beast wasn't even his to start with!
The little monster's persistence irked even him greatly. Each time it tried something more ridiculous, Li Qingyu was prepared for confrontation, preventing further mishaps.
With a grave demeanor, Li Qingyu declared, "Second Brother, take responsibility for this monster!"
Li Zangfeng: "…"
"Alright, Yanran, stick close. I'll protect you!" Li Qingyu shamelessly pulled Li Yanran to his side, glaring at Li Zangfeng like a thief anticipating trouble.
Ye Feifei entered the palace's rear garden, where people had gathered earlier.
Adults and children separated themselves—partly due to lacking a common language, partly out of childlike shyness and restraint.
The adults and children formed scattered groups throughout the garden, chatting and laughing. The mood was light.
"Keep yourselves organized and avoid trouble!" Ye Feifei instructed a group of elegantly dressed women, her manner indicating similar noble origins.
Li Zangfeng searched for Zhao Wuji.
"Brother Zangfeng, when did this cow business happen?" Zhao Wuji asked playfully, peering at Li Zangfeng's peculiar little creature.
Li Zangfeng sighed deeply. "It's not mine—it found me, this darn beast..."
"Not your monster?" Zhao Wuji teased. "Then what's your claim to it?"
Fine, your argument made sense...
Li Zangfeng frowned but dared not retort. With so many illustrious individuals around, would an unruly monster matter?
Nevertheless, if anything truly went wrong, heaven forbid, he'd be held accountable first.
Helplessly, Li Zangfeng lamented in a timid voice, "Words aren't so easily exchanged!"
"Brother, whisper as you may—you're still avoiding meaningful conversation!"
Li Qingyu chuckled, leading Li Yanran toward a quiet corner. "Could you imagine me talking like that? Now, I'll find someone myself to converse with!"
Li Yanran glanced at him skeptically. "Actually, it's because Xiao Yu doesn't have friends outside."
Such an observation rang almost hopeful...
Li Qingyu certainly lacked external connections; his reserved nature kept him even from venturing near Li Mansion's gates, much less befriending strangers.
He coughed awkwardly, "Who said I don't have friends? Not only friends, but even beautiful women!"
Leave me be, you think I won't blind myself to deny you further?
"Look here—the proof arrives!"
Li Qingyu barely finished speaking when Xili Yanran appeared, her presence sparking surprise. She approached joyfully with a radiant smile. "I see—I wasn't lying earlier!"
Li Yanran's gaze revealed wonder mixed with suspicion toward this woman, whose bold charm matched Xiao Yu's brotherhood club—a subtle rivalry ensued.