Chapter 374

Qin Jiu chatted and laugh with Yun Jiao as they continued to ride their horses into the city, and soon parted ways with the convoy as they went to their respective destinations.

After they each returned to their mansions, on that same day, Yun Jiao asked her maidservant to book a reservation at their restaurant and also made sure to hang a plaque on the second floor, which says’ “Lanxiang Room” that was engraved with orchid.

In the next few days, the good news about Minzhou’s victory spread throughout the capital, and the topics of conversations in the streets and alleys were about its victory, this made the capital lively as New Year.

The common people all felt that Daqi was flourishing day by day. Firstly, in just half a year time, Yu Fuyun took over three cities from Northern Yan, forcing Dayan to cede land and pay compensation. And now, it was also the County King who pacifies the Minzhou, which was a sign of national prosperity and people’s peace.

This lively atmosphere continued until August of 29th, the day the army returned to the capital in triumph.

Early in the morning, Qin Jiu took Qin Zeyu out with her and went directly to Yunwei Restaurant, where Yun Jiao reserved the “Lanxiang Room” for Qin Jiu and the “Bamboo Xiang Room” for her own family.

The Yunwei Restaurant was filled with people just as Yun Jiao had said before, it was so full that at least five to six people crowded around a table in the lobby on the first floor. The streets on both sides were also filled with people, all spontaneously ready to welcome the soldiers.

Qin Jiu and Qin Zeyu had just had a sip of tea when they heard a commotion coming from the street outside.

“They’re coming!!!”

“They already arrive outside the city gates!”

“I heard that the sixth prince went out of the city to pick the County King on behalf of the emperor.”

“…”

The chatter of the people outside the restaurant could be heard loudly, Qin Jiu and Qin Zeyu stretched their necks and looked towards the city gate but from where they were, they couldn’t see the parade and could only vaguely hear the sound of horse hooves, outside the city gate.

Looking at the people below who were eagerly waiting, Qin Zeyu suddenly said confidently, “Sister, don’t worry, you still have a chance in the future!”

Qin Zeyu has great confidence in himself. After being supervised by his sister for so long, he would definitely become an excellent official someday. He could govern the country with literature, and he could be a great general with his martial arts. He would definitely be the one who enters the city on a horse next time.

Qin Jiu: “?”

“A’Yu!” At this time, several familiar faces peeked out from the opposite restaurant’s elegant rooms and waved at Qin Zeyu, stealing Qin Zeyu’s attention.

“Sister, I’ll be right back.” Qin Zeyu ran away in a huff before he could finish what he wanted to say.

At the same time, the streets became increasingly lively, and excited shouts echoed one after another, causing the people to boil like boiling water.

The thunderous sound of horse hooves gradually approached, shaking the ground as if it were trembling.

After a while, a group of soldiers wearing bronze helmets and iron armor rode their horses and marches into the city gate mightily, looking tall and majestic while the people on the side of the road burst into warm cheers.

At the forefront of the procession was a young man wearing silver armor. He had a handsome face and a warm temperament, with a slight smile on his lips, his black crow-like feathers hair was tied high with a silver crown, making a stark contrast to his silver armor. He had a silver sheath sword hanging from his waist, and his frost cloak flew with the wind.

Under the golden sunlight, his armor reflected a dazzling silver glow, and his handsome and dignified appearance was not like any mortal, so much that the crowd’s eyes fell on him.

Gu Zezhi finally came back. Qin Jiu looked at him from afar, with a smile on her lips.

“That is the County King, right!” In the private seat next room, it was unknown who let out a fervent gasp.

Another young girl asked eagerly, “Sister, where are the flowers? Where are the flowers I prepared?”

“Aiya, the flower basket is still in the carriage, I’m going to get it!”

The sound of hurried footsteps came from the private room next door, and it so happened that Yun Jiao, who had just come in, also heard it and snorted with laughter, “What a witty next door!”

But the conversation next door also reminded Yun Jiao, she hurriedly asked. “Xiao Jiu, are your flowers ready?”

“Flowers?” Qin Jiu looked at Yun Jiao with a question mark hovering on her head.

Yun Jiao didn’t bother to answer and just quickly instructed the maidservant to go find the shop assistant and get some flowers.

There was no need for Yun Jiao to explain as people outside have already answered Qin Jiu’s question with their actions. All the women and ladies excitedly threw out the flowers in their hands and rained them down on the soldiers marching on the street, they also included some fruits, handkerchiefs, scented sachet, and so on.

Looking at this scene, a passage depicting the beautiful man came to mind: “An Ren is so beautiful that every time he walks, the old woman throws a cart full of fruit.”

Qin Jiu couldn’t help but burst out laughing as she looked down at Gu Zezhi, unblinking.

Huh?!

Qin Jiu suddenly narrowed her eyes slightly and noticed that so many flowers and sachets were being thrown at Gu Zezhi, but he didn’t even touch a single one. Occasionally, a flower almost brushed his cloak but was lightly flicked by the horse’s tail.

As if she had discovered some secret, Qin Jiu’s smile widened even more, her heart was full of joy, and her eyes were full of smiles.

Amidst the noise, Gu Zezhi below seems to sense something, he slightly raised his eyes, and his gaze collided with Qin Jiu at the window, two pair of eyes gazing each other.

***