After returning from Yong'an Town, those who were meant to stay behind all remained, significantly reducing the size of the main group.
Once the assigned personnel for the last town had also taken up their posts, only Su Muqing, Huo Qiyuan, the others from the Cold character squad, and Chen Wenyi were left.
As the weather had turned cool, the group's journey was no longer as urgent. They traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently. Occasionally, they would hunt on the mountains, and when they found a scenic spot, they would rest, truly feeling like they were sightseeing.
However, this pleasant life was only something they could enjoy during the return journey.
After slowing down their pace for about ten days, the group arrived in Chehe City in early October.
Several months had passed, and Chehe City had already undergone significant changes. After the initial destruction of the city, Su Muqing and her companions had arranged for captured soldiers to carry out the repairs.
However, by the time they left for the capital, with a large amount of manpower and resources, Chehe City had already been repaired to about seventy to eighty percent completion. During their absence, those people had meticulously organized and tidied up the remaining aspects of the city.
Therefore, upon their return, Chehe City could be described as having a completely new look.
Although the common people of Chehe City had not yet emerged from the shadow of war, people always look forward.
When the people saw that the leaders of the Huaxia Dynasty had not treated them differently but had instead spared no effort in helping them rebuild their homes, they largely accepted the fact that they had become Huaxia people, and gradually, life began to return to normal.
Su Muqing and her group stayed in Chehe City for two days, making systematic arrangements for all matters there. Then, they picked up Xu Fu and Madam Zhou and set off for Yaojing City.
Knowing that Leng Ren had married a wife on this trip, they were all genuinely happy. Huo Qiyuan and the members of the Cold character squad were like their juniors, having watched them grow up. They were no different from their own grandchildren.
Now that each of them had found their own place and the person they loved, they could finally rest assured.
What they were most concerned about and most eager to ask about was how the matters concerning Mr. and Mrs. Huo Sizhun had been resolved.
Because they were still two separate countries before, the relationship between Dayu and Huaxia was tense, so events happening in the capital did not reach this side.
Xu Fu and Madam Zhou did not hold back; they directly inquired of Huo Qiyuan about how the matters of the Prince of Bing's mansion were finally resolved and whether they had avenged the old Prince and Princess.
Huo Qiyuan gave them an affirmative answer.
Upon learning that Huo Qixiao had been executed by a thousand cuts, Emperor Rui had abdicated and taken his own life, and that everyone involved in the evil deeds had received their due retribution, they excitedly exclaimed, "Excellent! This is truly heaven's justice; it neither wrongs a good person nor spares a wicked one."
When they learned that all matters concerning Mr. and Mrs. Huo Sizhun had been properly handled, they were even more overjoyed, tears streaming down their faces.
Huo Qiyuan's biggest worry had been resolved. Not only him, but everyone was in high spirits. Therefore, on the road back to the capital, they did not rush their journey as they had before.
On their way back, they stopped in Sian Prefecture for a few more days.
Sian Prefecture had changed even more. Not only was the entire prefectural city brand new, but the common people's faces were also filled with happy smiles, indicating their satisfaction with their current lives.
By the time they returned to Yaojing City, a month had passed. During this period, they had visited other towns. Although they couldn't attend to every place, they made an effort to address any problems they encountered promptly.
The weather in Yaojing City today was clear. After several overcast days, the sun finally reappeared. At the East City Gate, Leng Kui and a group of ministers, along with civil and military officials, stood to welcome them. Su Cuiping, holding her child, also waited with the officials' wives nearby.
Beside the main procession, a few familiar faces were craning their necks, eagerly looking towards the official road, hoping to see the people they longed for the next moment.
Knowing that officials and common people were waiting to welcome them, Su Muqing and her entourage changed into ceremonial attire about ten miles outside the city.
If it were in the past, Su Muqing would have entered the city quietly, as she always did, and would not have agreed to such a grand display.
However, times had changed. They had incorporated Dayu's territory without shedding a single drop of blood. Though they had not fought a battle, their fame had spread far and wide.
Now, Su Muqing had truly become the monarch of a great nation, so the appropriate prestige and momentum needed to be displayed; otherwise, they would be looked down upon by other countries.
This time, even Huo Qiyuan, who had always preferred to keep a low profile and disliked ostentation, agreed that she should return home with great fanfare as the supreme leader of a great nation. Therefore, Su Muqing no longer hesitated.
It was precisely because of this grand occasion that Su Muqing felt for the first time that she was truly a ruler of a country. It seemed that in the past, she had indeed been too low-key. Apart from being able to make all decisions, she had never done anything special.
Civil and military officials stood at the gates of Yaojing City to welcome them, and the roads on both sides were filled with common people who had come to greet them.
Everyone was full of enthusiasm. Upon seeing the ceremonial procession, the common people spontaneously knelt and prostrated themselves, shouting "Long live!" their voices so loud that they seemed to pierce the heavens. Their enthusiasm could be felt from afar.
After the grand and magnificent welcoming ceremony, Su Muqing, seated in her sedan chair, waved to the crowds. When she saw two familiar faces, especially one who was excitedly jumping around, the smile on her face deepened.
Upon returning to the palace, the old emperor and the empress had also returned from Tianzhao Kingdom. Standing beside them was the current King of Tianzhao Kingdom, Kebite.
In fact, when Su Muqing saw Kebina and Wan Yan'er at the city gate, she had already guessed that they should have returned. However, she hadn't expected that Kebite, who had already ascended the throne, would also be there.
As there were too many people outside the palace for them to speak, everyone gathered in the imperial palace at this time. After Su Muqing dismissed the officials, she eagerly returned to her sleeping quarters to reunite with her family and old friends.
After not seeing each other for several years, Kebina was mostly the same as before, still that carefree, cheerful, and sunny young man. However, Wan Yan'er, compared to a few years ago, appeared much more mature and steady.
Besides the overflow of happiness on her face, there was also an aura of authority that she hadn't possessed before, no longer the appearance of an inexperienced young lady.
It was at this time that Su Muqing learned that Kebina and Wan Yan'er had married a year ago. At that time, the old emperor and empress had gone to Tianzhao Kingdom for a family visit, and by chance, they had coincided with their grand wedding.
Leng Kui, holding his son in one arm and embracing the pregnant Su Cuiping with the other, approached hesitantly after Su Muqing and the people from Tianzhao Kingdom had finished their pleasantries and left, leaving only the members of the Cold character squad in the hall.
It turned out that Leng Feng had been brought back under escort for nearly three months. Leng Kui knew that he had made mistakes and had hurt the prince and his brothers.
However, after all, they had grown up together. Seeing him now in such a pathetic state, his heart felt an indescribable pain. After much consideration, he decided to plead for Leng Feng.
Huo Qiyuan remained silent for a long time after hearing this. Although Leng Ren and Leng Nuo did not speak up to plead for Leng Feng, they indicated that they had forgiven him for injuring them.
Su Muqing knew that regarding this subordinate, Huo Qiyuan actually felt more sorrow and sadness. However, as the Regent of Huaxia, his words could not be easily retracted.
In the end, Su Muqing released the aura that suppressed Leng Feng's internal energy. However, having harbored thoughts of betrayal, he could certainly not remain in the Cold character squad.
Su Muqing gave Leng Feng a pill. After taking it, all his previous internal energy would be abolished, but it would not harm his body.
Although he would no longer have internal energy, Leng Feng's body was healthy, and his martial arts skills remained, which would ensure that his future life would not be greatly impacted.
Leng Feng left the imperial palace on the third day. Although Huo Qiyuan did not kill him, he stated that he could not appear in Yaojing City again.
When he left, the members of the Cold character squad all came to see him off. They also pooled some silver for Leng Feng, enough for him to live an ordinary life for the rest of his days.
Leng Feng looked at his brothers with whom he had shared life and death. His lips trembled, and his eyes reddened, but in the end, he said nothing. A wrong step meant a lifetime of regret; this was his own choice, and he couldn't blame anyone.
As he turned, he knelt and kowtowed several times towards the east of the city tower. Then, he wiped his face with the sleeve of his robe and quickly walked away.
Huo Qiyuan and Su Muqing stood on the city tower, watching the receding figure with an indescribable sense of emotion.
Leng Feng ran for several miles before stopping to gasp for breath. Suddenly, he straightened up and asked, "How long do you intend to follow?"
Hearing Leng Feng's words, Su Cuiling slowly emerged from the nearby bushes. She had arrived in Yaojing City much earlier but had not been able to enter the city due to her exposed identity, so she couldn't gather any news about Leng Feng.
She had stayed outside the city for more than a month and finally found an opportunity to blend in with the crowd on the day Su Muqing and her group returned to the city.
After learning that Leng Feng was to be expelled from Yaojing City, she waited outside the city in advance and, after three days, finally waited for him.
Su Cuiling walked forward step by step. The two were guided by a special scent. As she approached, Leng Feng's heart still uncontrollably quickened.
Whether it was acceptance of fate or true affection, the two eventually left Yaojing City together and never reappeared...
A few more days later, Lin Rongrong and Leng Nuo also got married. They were supposed to get married much earlier, but due to Huo Qiyuan having important matters yet to be resolved, it had been postponed.
Time flew by, and soon a month had passed!
In early November, Yaojing City welcomed its first snow. This day was also the grand wedding day of Su Muqing and Huo Qiyuan!
The entire Yaojing City was decorated anew, and the faces of all the city's residents were filled with excitement and joy.
The wedding was extremely grand. In the end, outdoors, they walked hand in hand towards the Golden Throne Hall. Snowflakes fell upon them, symbolizing their journey together until old age.
...
Ten years later
In the first eight years of this small world, it had gone through countless major and minor calamities. Only when the spatial system indicated that the SSS-level mission had been completed and upgraded did the two wait for another two years, and only after confirming its complete stability did they feel at ease.
All members of the Cold character squad had found their own happiness. Over the ten years, Xu Fu and Madam Zhou had passed away successively. Their greatest regret was not being able to see Huo Qiyuan and Su Muqing have their own children.
Su Muxuan, at this time, had also become a handsome and elegant seventeen-year-old young man. Over these past ten years, no matter how busy their work was, Huo Qiyuan and Su Muqing had never stopped teaching him.
Su Muxuan did not disappoint; at a young age, he displayed exceptional intelligence and wisdom. Today was his wedding day, and also the day he officially became the new sovereign of the Huaxia Dynasty.
However, on the second day, when Su Muxuan, accompanied by his Empress, came to pay their respects to the two, he discovered that his elder sister and brother-in-law had left him a letter. Then, they departed from Yaojing City with Feila, Heixiong, and Lao Ying.
The sky was clear and vast. Su Muqing and Huo Qiyuan sat on the back of Lao Ying, flying towards the other side of the sea, embarking on their new, unknown journey...
--End of the entire text--