Chapter 136

When they first arrived in the Shu region, every household kept their doors tightly shut. But the day they were set to leave, the people lined both sides of the roads to see them off, their wails and shouts shaking the very heavens.

"Goddess, are you really leaving the Shu region so soon?"

"Goddess, what are we supposed to do once you're gone? Waaaaaah!"

"Goddess, please stay a little longer!"

"Goddess! Goddess!!!"

The entire main street was packed so tightly not a drop of water could seep through, and the long procession of troops could barely move forward, with common folks crowding every inch of the surroundings.

Some people grabbed the imperial guards and Dragon Shadow Guards two at a time, trying to block the team's advance. Others laid down right on the front of the road, clearly aiming to stage a deliberate "accident" to stop them. A few even scrambled up onto the carriage roof, sprawling across it spread-eagled, snot and tears streaming down their faces.

"Goddess, if you're leaving, take this commoner with you! Waaaaa!"

As he wailed, he was so overcome with emotion that he thumped hard on the carriage roof, making a loud clanging racket that left both Tu Shanjin and Yun Yaoyao inside the carriage with buzzing, throbbing heads.

Tu Shanjin closed his eyes, wearing a deathly cold smile as icy chill radiated off his entire body. "Yaoyao, can I take him away for good?"

Yun Yaoyao knew perfectly well the "take away" he meant was not the kind that let the man tag along.

But what harm could these common folks possibly have? They were just a group of people with bold, straightforward folk customs, a little humorous and unreserved, and their hearts were entirely in the right place.

She poked Tu Shanjin's forehead with her finger. "No."

Then she lifted the carriage curtain and made a gesture toward Niu Xiu'er standing outside.

Niu Xiu'er took a deep breath and roared at the top of her lungs toward the sky.

"I am the Mount Shu Goddess!!!"

The entire scene fell dead silent in an instant. Under Niu Xiu'er's overwhelming bloodline pressure, the procession finally got moving again.

On this trip, Yun Yaoyao had also recruited many talented people. Some of them stayed in the Shu region, while others were brought back to the capital to put their skills to good use.

Even now, when she thought back on the two months she had spent in Shu, Yun Yaoyao felt a great sense of accomplishment.

The only regret she had was that they had missed the New Year's festival amid the war.

The New Year's Day had fallen exactly on the day they attacked Guangyuan. Everyone had been fully focused on the battle, and after they broke into the Shu region, they had been busy chasing down the rebel forces and rooting out remaining insurgents.

By the time the chaos in Shu had gradually settled down, they suddenly realized in a daze that this year's New Year's had already long passed.

Yun Yaoyao propped her chin up, her bright eyes gazing far off into the distance as she sighed softly. "What a shame. The Spring Festival is practically written into the DNA of every descendant of Yan and Huang..."

Beside her, Tu Shanjin listened to her sigh and sank into deep thought.

Meanwhile, the capital was also bustling with excitement.

On the streets, every commoner wore a smile on their face, full of energy as they rolled up their sleeves to get work done.

"His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress are coming back soon! Every household has to make sure their front steps are spotless. Replace any broken plaques, touch up any dirty walls, we absolutely can't let Their Majesties come back to see anything unsightly!"

"And that crooked old tree has to come down too! I've never liked the sight of it. Dig it up and plant a tall, beautiful new one in its place!"

"Hey hey hey, you there with the bird's nest hair! When are you going to get that mess cut? Do you want Their Majesties to get a fright the second they step into the capital?"

"Whose big yellow dog is this? It's pooping in the middle of the street again! Plug its butt up!"

"Woof woof woof woof! (Grumbling nonstop)"

"Everyone, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‍hurry up! Once we finish cleaning up our homes and the streets, there are still tasks His Majesty left for us to do!"

The court officials who heard the news were all beaming with joy too.

Hehe, Their Majesties are finally coming back.

It's been so long since we saw His Majesty's handsome, majestic face, we actually kind of missed it~

It's been ages since His Majesty last chewed us out, and we're even a little nostalgic for that~

It's been forever since we last had to attend court, and that's... wait a second, court!

The moment they thought about morning court, the officials' eyes went wide and clear.

Back in the day, we had to attend court every single day and we didn't think much of it. But ever since His Majesty left the capital and we didn't have to show up anymore, we've all gotten lazy little by little.

At first, we still woke up early just like we did on court days. But then one day, we started hitting snooze, then we slept in a little later, then later still...

Before we knew it, all of us realized that sleeping in is absolutely wonderful! Pure bliss! The greatest joy in life!

Now that His Majesty is coming back, we're going to have to drag ourselves out of bed before the sky even gets light to go to morning court again.

What a tragedy! What a pain! The worst possible hardship in the world!

Ah well, ah well. Once you step into the imperial court, a good night's sleep becomes a stranger.

His Majesty also secretly left us an important task to take care of first. Let's get that done first!

More than half a month flew by in the blink of an eye. When they had left the capital, the ground had still been covered in cold snow, but when they returned, spring had arrived and the flowers were all in full bloom.

The large procession slowly reached the outskirts of the city, and not far ahead, the grand, majestic city walls of the capital came into view.

Yun Yaoyao hopped excitedly off the carriage, and the very first thing she did was empty her stomach all over the land beneath her feet.

"Blegh!!!"

Beside her, Tu Shanjin carefully wiped the corners of her mouth with a silk handkerchief, then handed her a cup of water, patting her back gently with a look of deep worry on his face.

"You've suffered so much along this journey. Once we're back in the palace, you'll be able to rest properly."

Right after he said that, Tu Shanjin suddenly thought of something, and his expression shifted slightly.

"Yaoyao, your vomiting has gotten worse ever since we left Shu. Could it be that..."

Hearing those words, Yun Yaoyao's face also changed. "Quick, call the imperial physician!"

The imperial physician who received the order hurried over immediately. Facing two sharp, intense gazes fixed right on him, he couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat off his forehead, closed his eyes, and carefully felt her pulse.

Once he finished the examination, the physician tensed up even more. "Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress is just suffering from travel vertigo. The bumpy carriage ride on the way back to the capital has naturally aggravated her symptoms."

The physician had thought he was in for a world of trouble, but to his surprise, both of them heaved a sigh of relief.

Tu Shanjin wrapped an arm around Yun Yaoyao's waist, his large hand rubbing gently over her lower belly in slow, soft strokes. He lifted his chin proudly, his tone full of unyielding dominance.

"Good for it. I haven't spent nearly enough time with Yaoyao yet. How could some little thing get ahead of us?"

The physician shuddered at those words, and the little man in his head was screaming at the top of his lungs.

Your Majesty, that is no "little thing"! That would be your future imperial prince or princess!

If those imperial censors in the court heard you saying you'd rather have the Empress than an imperial heir, they'd write memorials to impeach you for ten days straight without stopping!

But to the physician's shock, the Empress nodded in complete agreement, and even teased him back. "I don't think you have the skill to hit the mark on the first try anyway."

The physician shuddered again. Your Majesty, you really do say whatever you want, this lowly official is in total awe!

Tu Shanjin's eyes darkened a little. His large hand was still drifting lazily over Yun Yaoyao's waist, but the pressure of his touch carried a hint of desire only the two of them could understand. "Oh?"

"We didn't get the chance to properly fulfill my duties as your husband during our time in Shu. It seems Yaoyao is upset with me. Once we get back to the palace, this husband will put in all his effort, day and night without rest, to make sure Yaoyao is completely satisfied."

Those bold, uninhibited words made Yun Yaoyao's face burn bright red. "You!"

Then for no reason, a silly competitive streak flared up in her. As a modern person, how could she ever lose a dirty joke contest to an ancient emperor?

"Fine then." Yun Yaoyao chuckled, her slender white fingers hooking playfully under Tu Shanjin's chin. "Day and night without rest. Your Majesty, don't end up going from rich creamy cheese to watery, tasteless rice water by the end of it."

The physician: AAAAAAHHHHH! I'm still standing right here! The life of a lonely single person matters too!

Seeing that the situation between Their Majesties was about to blow up like lightning striking dry tinder, he quickly spoke up. "This lowly official takes his leave." He turned and scurried away as fast as he could.

Right then, the massive city gate in the distance slowly began to creak open.

A group of imperial guards cleared the path as all court officials poured out and knelt on the ground in solemn, respectful unison.

"Welcome Your Majesty back to the capital! Welcome Her Majesty the Empress back to the capital!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long live!"

"May Her Majesty live a thousand years! A thousand years! A thousand more years!"

The sound of ceremonial music from the city drifted over at that moment, mixed with the cheers of the common people.

Tu Shanjin finally set aside his little playful thoughts, his features turning cold and solemn as he said faintly, "Rise, all of you."

The court officials got to their feet, and Minister Ning personally led two horses over, respectfully handing the reins to the two of them. "This humble official welcomes Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress back to the capital!"

One horse was silver-white, the other pure black. They were the fine steeds the two had picked out during a past autumn hunt. Back then, Yun Yaoyao was still in Tu Shanjin's body, and she had tamed the black horse, naming it Rice Bucket.

Yun Yaoyao was just about to take the reins of the white horse, when the black horse glanced at Tu Shanjin, turned its head and trotted in a circle, then came right over to Yun Yaoyao's side.

Rice Bucket proudly lifted a hoof to nudge Yun Yaoyao, then snorted through its nose.

Biped, don't think just because you swapped bodies I can't recognize you. I can smell that distinct scent of you never bothering to do any proper work.

Hop on, and remember to give me a treat later. I'm sick of grass, get me something that you two-legged folks like to eat this time.

Yun Yaoyao burst out laughing, stepped her foot into the stirrup, and swung herself lightly onto the horse's back. "You silly horse."

"Extra snacks for you when we get back!"

Yun Yaoyao, Tu Shanjin and the whole entourage entered the capital in grand procession. Common people lined the streets to welcome them, every face lit up with a smile.

The streets were spotlessly clean, the market stalls neat and tidy, every alleyway bright and uncluttered. Even the dogs by the roadside were dressed in new clothes, as if the entire city was joining in the celebration of the Emperor and Empress's return.

Yun Yaoyao couldn't help but be infected by the crowd's cheerful mood, a soft smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

But as she kept smiling, Yun Yaoyao started to sense something off.

Why did it feel like some of the common folks were whispering about her?

Not sure, let's take a closer look.

After watching for a bit, Yun Yaoyao was certain. They really were whispering about her.

But why?

Was there food stuck in her teeth?!

Yun Yaoyao immediately pretended to adjust the reins and hung her head, then quietly ran her tongue over every surface of her teeth to check.

Once she confirmed there was no food stuck between her teeth, she lifted her head again and kept smiling.

As long as it wasn't something as embarrassingly unforgettable as having food stuck in her teeth, they could whisper all they wanted.

But soon after, Yun Yaoyao noticed the court officials were whispering about her too. They gathered in twos and threes, glancing over at her every now and then with meaningful, knowing grins on their faces.

Yun Yaoyao could barely keep her composure anymore.

What on earth were they whispering about her?!