Chapter 1279 - 327: The Mystery of the Imperial Princess Shocks Heroes, Dian Nan Candle Shadows Disturb the Monarch’s Heart (Part 3)

As the bloody battle ended, the sunset dyed the sea into a blood-red glaze. Shi Feiyang looked at the newly refurbished warship of the Ryukyu Sub-Branch, his skin like glaze reflecting a comforting radiance: "Brother Wu’s iron arm skill is worth more than a thousand troops."

He turned to Lu Chengfeng, speaking in a deep voice: "Strengthen the defenses; the Wokou won’t give up easily. If we fight, we must fight for two hundred years of peace, making the Wokou too afraid to invade for two centuries. We shouldn’t have to always clean up after those Wokou troubles."

Lu Chengfeng gripped the Azure Dragon Saber, the blade reflecting his determined face: "Rest assured, Grand Squad Leader! As long as we are here, Ryukyu will be an impenetrable iron gate for the Wokou!" The sea wind howled, lifting everyone’s robes, and the flag of the Heroic Sakura Association flapped vigorously above Ryukyu, as if proclaiming the indomitable spirit of Central Plains Martial Artists, declaring to the eastern sea tribes: This sea is inviolable!

A few days later, Shi Feiyang left the heroes to tour and visit Ryukyu, cooperating with the Ryukyu Sub-Branch to combat pirates and Fusang Wanderers, while Shi Feiyang himself led Xie Wen, Shi Xiong, and Bai Zhi to the Capital to inspect the situation of the three Capital Sub-Branches of the Heroic Sakura Association.

As dusk permeated the streets of the Capital, Shi Feiyang pushed open the intricately carved wooden door of the "Tingxue Inn," and the familiar fragrance of incense floated in with the chime of the bronze bell.

In the front hall, the candlelight flickered, and Lu Hongye reclined on the Xiangfei Bamboo Couch, her moon-white gown embroidered with twin lotuses flickering in the candlelight, and as she gently waved her round fan, the twisted gold bracelet Shi Feiyang brought back from Persia last year was revealed on her wrist.

"Heartless thief, you finally decided to come back?" Her eyes sparkled, but a smile played at her lips. As she stood, her wide sleeves swept over the green porcelain teacup on the table, "I’ve been warming this pre-rain Dragon Well tea in various ways every day."

Before the words were out, Yang Xue’Er darted into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest, the scent of jasmine in her hair mingling with the unique sweetness of a young girl: "Husband, since you left, Xue’Er has been counting the rain drops on the roof eaves every day, and finally, today you have returned!"

Shi Feiyang embraced the two around their waists, the glaze-like radiance from the Bright Jade Technique enveloping them.

The laughter of children suddenly echoed from the corridor, as three children carved of jade and powdered with rouge ran holding paper kites. The eldest daughter’s pigtails were tied with pearls he brought back from Ryukyu, exclaiming sharply: "Daddy, look, we painted the Heroic Sakura Association’s totem on the kite!"

Shi Feiyang crouched down and held his youngest son on his knee, his chin nestling into the child’s cheek, making him giggle, while Lu Hongye leaned against the door frame, her gaze so tender it could melt. As the watchman’s night drums sounded three times, Shi Feiyang had just lain down when he heard the gentle rustling of curtains.

Yang Xue’Er slipped inside, wrapped in a crimson robe, her hair still damp: "I found a new scar on your back while bathing..."

Lu Hongye’s voice suddenly came from the outer room: "Stop saying silly things. Our husband is immune to all poisons, and he never gets injured." She entered carrying a steaming bowl of medicinal soup, the silver hairpin in her hair swaying lightly with her steps, "Drink this bowl of soup first."

Seeing Shi Feiyang intending to get up, she sat directly by the bed, stirring the soup with a spoon: "Open your mouth." As the soup neared his lips, she suddenly took a sip herself, her scarlet lips pressing against his, the medicinal aroma mixed with the sweetness of rouge flowing straight down his throat.

Seeing this, Yang Xue’Er playfully pounced over, and in the ensuing laughter and chaos, the soup bowl was overturned.

Lu Hongye feigned anger as she got up to clean, but Shi Feiyang’s long arm drew her back into his embrace, his glaze-like skin pressed against her burning cheek: "This time I return to make up for all the time I missed."

Outside, a fine rain began to fall, rustling against banana leaves. Lu Hongye rested her head on his arm, gazing into his nearby eyes: "Do you know, these past few months, I’ve watched by the window every day, hoping to see the silhouette of your robes..."

Yang Xue’Er curled up on the other side, her small hand tightly clutching his hem: "Next time you leave, you must take me and sister with you, or else..."

She lifted her head, tears welling in her eyes, "Or I’ll train to become the world’s greatest master and chase after you to smack your backside!"

Shi Feiyang laughed, holding them tighter, his warm breath dispelling the night’s chill.

In the distance, the long sound of the night watchman’s drum drifted in, filling the inn with warmth, touching hearts in this corner of the Capital.

In the late spring Capital, willow catkins fluttered like snow.

Shi Feiyang stood atop the eaves of the Heroic Sakura Association’s Capital Sub-Branch, the Bright Jade Technique flowing through him, his glaze-like skin radiating a warm luster in the twilight. Xie Wen leaped beside him like a nimble cat, his hawk-like gaze scanning the streets: "Grand Squad Leader, all three sub-branches have been reorganized, but..."

Before he could finish, Shi Xiong strode forward holding the White Rainbow Sword, its tassel sweeping away dust from the eaves: "I’ve heard that the Eastern Depot has been active in the west of the city lately, likely with new movements."

Bai Zhi gently stroked her jade flute, its silver bells jingling softly: "Shi Lang, since we’ve dealt with the sub-branch matters, why not return to Jiangnan early." She looked at her husband’s brow, where worry faintly lingered, feeling a twinge of unease.

But Shi Feiyang gazed toward the Forbidden City, his eyes deep as an abyss: "I suddenly remembered something from the past and must enter the palace. Wait here, do not act rashly." With that, his figure vanished like a ghost into the night.

Inside the palace walls, the cold moon was silent. Shi Feiyang used the "Thousand Li No Trace" Lightweight Technique, evading layers of sentries, and stopped before an abandoned palace garden. Amid the crumbling walls, only a few old plum trees still bloomed.

Suddenly, broken strains of music came, mournful, like crying and lamenting. Shi Feiyang’s heart trembled, and he pushed open the mottled palace door to see a plain-clothed woman sitting by the window, her eyes covered with a white silk, it was Consort Gong, Lady Wang.

"Is...is that you?" Lady Wang’s voice trembled like autumn leaves, and the strings of her zither suddenly snapped.