184: What a grand display!

“Xiao Yu, don't be nervous!”

Nangong Ruoxue held Nangong Yu's hand and explained softly, “Nothing happened. I just forgot to tell you that a month ago, Imperial Father abdicated in favor of Jingqi, and has now left the Mortal Realm.”

Hearing this, Nangong Yu was slightly startled. “Imperial Uncle left?”

“Mhm!”

Nangong Ruoxue nodded. “I also heard Venerable Zhang mention it earlier. Jingqi is currently on the throne!”

Hearing this explanation, Nangong Yu nodded slightly and smiled wryly, “Sister Xue, we really had a blast on this trip!”

“Tell me about it?”

Nangong Ruoxue shook her head slightly and smiled, saying, “Alright, let's hurry up and go!”

“Okay!”

Nangong Yu nodded.

Everyone quickly stepped onto the Teleportation Array, dropped Spirit Stones, and activated the teleportation!

...Outside Qingyou Imperial City.

The sun set in the west, slowly unfolding across the horizon like a golden scroll painting.

Its afterglow, like ten thousand golden arrows, pierced the clouds and scattered across the earth.

The entire world was dyed orange-red, seemingly covered by a layer of warm gauze.

The distant mountains, illuminated by the setting sun, had clearer outlines and appeared particularly magnificent.

At this moment, on the Teleportation Plaza, banners fluttered, and the Imperial City Guard troops were neatly lined up, their golden armor gleaming under the sunset's afterglow.

Nangong Jingqi was dressed in a magnificent Dragon Robe, standing facing the Teleportation Array, his expression serious and solemn. The hundreds of officials, wearing their respective official robes, stood respectfully behind him.

Standing beside Nangong Jinglin were three women, all of peerless beauty!

The woman on his left was wearing a bright yellow Phoenix Robe and Crown, a slight smile gracing her beautiful Face, her gaze mostly fixed on Nangong Jingqi.

Judging by her attire, demeanor, and gaze, she was undoubtedly the current Empress.

She was holding the hand of a two or three-year-old boy, whose eyes were bright and full of curiosity.

To the right of Nangong Jingqi stood a Woman in Green Robes with golden embroidery, and a bright-eyed, clever, and mischievous Girl in Blue Robes.

And these two were none other than Imperial Grand Consort Qin Anlan and Grand Princess Nangong Ruoshui!

Seeing this grand display, the spectators in the distance were all astonished and began discussing amongst themselves.

“The Emperor is personally leading the hundreds of officials in welcome, accompanied by the Empress, the Imperial Grand Consort, and the Grand Princess. What a massive display! Who are they welcoming?”

“I don't know. The last time I saw such a display was perhaps a decade ago, when the Former Emperor welcomed the Grand Consort of Zhenbei and the Prince of Zhenbei, right?”

“Yes, I wonder who it is this time?”

“I heard that the members of the Qingyou Imperial Family who went to the Seven Emotions Secret Realm are due back in the next couple of days. Could they be welcoming those people?”

“No way. Even if Imperial Family members return, it wouldn't warrant the Emperor leading the hundreds of officials to greet them.”

“Then who do you think it is? It couldn't be to welcome a Great General or Prince stationed outside, could it? We haven't heard of any recent conflicts!”

“You wouldn't know this, would you? I heard a rumor that the Grand Princess and the Prince of Zhenbei are coming back!”

“The Grand Princess? The Prince of Zhenbei?”

“Holy cow, are you talking about Grand Princess Nangong Ruoxue and Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, whom the entire nation searched for six years ago?”

“Who else could it be besides them?”

“If it's them, then such a grand display isn't surprising.”

“Exactly!”

“It's said that the current Imperial Grand Consort's biological daughter is Grand Princess Nangong Ruoxue. Plus, considering they are the current Emperor Your Majesty's Imperial Eldest Sister and cousin, this kind of display is indeed not strange!”

“Doesn't this mean that the Prince of Zhenbei is once again receiving the grand spectacle of being welcomed by the Emperor and hundreds of officials, fourteen years later?”

“Highly likely!”

“This honor truly inspires envy!”

“Envy what? Envy is useless!”

“...”

The crowd in the distance discussed in low voices, and the hundreds of officials standing behind Nangong Jingqi also secretly shook their heads.

As court officials, they naturally knew who Nangong Jingqi was welcoming today.

To be honest, they also felt Nangong Jingqi was making a mountain out of a molehill, but they didn't say anything.

“Imperial Brother, when are Imperial Elder Sister and Xiao Yu arriving? We've been waiting here for over half an hour!”

Nangong Ruoshui glanced at the motionless Teleportation Array and casually asked.

She had been on the fence about coming, but Nangong Jingqi had insisted she come along.

The pretext was that Imperial Eldest Sister and Xiao Yu had finally returned, and they had to be welcomed!

Hearing her question, Qin Anlan also asked casually, “Jingqi, do you know where they are now?”

Nangong Jingqi shook his head slightly. “Let's wait a bit longer. Calculating the time, they should be arriving soon.”

As his voice fell, a flash of white light shimmered on the Teleportation Array, indicating someone had been teleported over.

Seeing this, everyone quickly looked over.

After the faint light of the Teleportation Array faded, a group of people appeared before everyone's eyes.

It was none other than Nangong Yu and his group!

At this time, the group was led by Prince Qin. To his left stood the Two Great Venerables, and to his right stood a pair of young man and woman with extraordinary temperament. Behind them were the Imperial Family members who had gone to the Seven Emotions Secret Realm this time.

Seeing the arrivals, Nangong Jingqi instantly smiled and quickly stepped forward to greet them.

“Greetings, Fourth Imperial Grandfather, and all Venerables. You have all worked hard!”

Nangong Jingqi greeted Prince Qin and the others, and the crowd quickly bowed slightly in salute.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

“Please rise, everyone!”

Nangong Jingqi nodded slightly, his gaze falling upon Nangong Ruoxue and Nangong Yu.

“Imperial Eldest Sister, Xiao Yu, you've finally returned!”

Saying this, he stepped forward and lightly hugged Nangong Yu, then pulled Nangong Yu and said, “Come, I have prepared a banquet at the Hall of Supreme Harmony to welcome you back!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Nangong Yu said casually, a trace of surprise on his Face.

“We are brothers, why stand on ceremony?”

Nangong Jingqi looked slightly reproachful and laughed, “I specially prepared this banquet because I heard you and Imperial Eldest Sister were returning. Firstly, to welcome you back, and secondly, to celebrate the smooth journey of Fourth Imperial Grandfather and the others in the Secret Realm.”

Nangong Yu nodded, said nothing more, and walked alongside Nangong Jingqi, deliberately staying half a step behind him.

After all, this Imperial Brother is the Emperor; he should save him some Face in front of outsiders!

Qin Anlan and Nangong Ruoshui also walked up. “You two Little Fellows, you certainly stayed away from the palace for a long time this trip!”

Nangong Yu quickly paid his respects. “Greetings, Imperial Aunt! Greetings, Second Imperial Sister!”

“Mother Consort!”

Nangong Ruoxue also quickly bowed, then linked arms with Qin Anlan and smiled sheepishly.

“Oh, you!”

Qin Anlan reached out and poked Nangong Ruoxue, her expression a mix of helplessness and doting affection.

“Alright, let's return to the palace first!” Nangong Jingqi said with a smile.

Everyone quickly nodded in agreement. “We shall obey Your Majesty's command!”

Subsequently, Emperor Nangong Jingqi and Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, walked hand-in-hand into the city gate, followed closely by the Imperial Grand Consort and the hundreds of officials.

The common people along the streets were all surprised, their gazes filled with astonishment as they looked at Nangong Yu.