By mid-April, they had returned to Chang'an along the same path they had taken.
As the convoy approached the village entrance, several children, who had been playing with mud and urinating, turned their heads and saw the banner of the Heavenly Fire Army. In an instant, they jumped up and ran into the village.
The Marquis is back!
The Marquis is back from war!
They shouted loudly as they ran towards the Fang residence.
In a moment, the entire village became lively.
The villagers came out to greet them.
Upon hearing the news, Chai Yue threw down what she was holding and rushed out of the Fang residence.
Xiao Qing, seeing this, also hurried out.
They hadn't run a few steps out of the Fang residence when they saw the armored vehicle roaring towards them. The two quickly moved to the side of the road and stood there quietly, waiting.
Seeing the two standing by the roadside, Fang Er slammed on the brakes.
Screech~~~!
The tracks of the armored vehicle made a piercing sound, leaving inch-deep marks on the concrete road.
Bang!
He jumped out of the vehicle, kicked the door shut, extended his arms, and looked at Chai Yue with a smile.
Chai Yue's pretty face flushed red, and she felt a bit embarrassed. There were so many people outside!
Madam, hurry up!
Xiao Qing nudged her from behind.
Chai Yue stumbled forward a few steps, unprepared, and so she simply ran towards Fang Er with the momentum.
Fang Er hugged her tightly, smelling the fragrance of her hair: So fragrant! Did you miss your husband?
Chai Yue let out a barely audible "Mm."
Hahahaha! Let's go home!
After letting go of Chai Yue, he took her small hand and walked towards the Fang residence.
As he passed Xiao Qing, he reached out his right hand and flicked the bridge of her nose.
Girl, your master is back, come on! Let's go home!
After saying that, he also took Xiao Qing's hand.
He stepped over the threshold of the Fang residence, holding both their hands.
The commotion outside had been heard by the maids in the house, and they all put down their work and gathered in the front courtyard to wait.
Seeing Fang Er, they all saluted in unison.
Welcome master home!
Fang Er nodded with a smile, then grabbed a handful of lollipops from his pocket and threw them over.
You all may go back to your work!
Thank you for the master's reward!
The maids will go prepare water for the master.
The maids took the lollipops, their faces beaming with joy, and walked towards the kitchen, chatting and laughing.
After the maids had left, he pulled Chai Yue to sit in the courtyard and talked about matters on the grassland.
Xiao Qing served tea on the side, standing quietly behind and listening.
Upon hearing Fang Er say that all the tribes on the grassland, except for those that had been annihilated, had submitted to the Great Tang, Chai Yue covered her small mouth in surprise.
Oh! Husband, is it true?
Hahahaha, how could this be fake? When the weather turns cool, your husband will take you to ride horses on the grassland!
As they were chatting, Xing'er walked over.
Master, the water is ready. Do you want to wash now?
Fang Er sniffed his clothes and looked disgusted.
Wash, if I don't wash, I'll stink.
After saying that, he brazenly walked into the room.
As soon as he closed the door and prepared to undress, he saw Xiao Qing and Xing'er push the door open and walk in.
Master, we maids are here to serve you with your bath.
Fang Er was stunned for a moment. He didn't mind Xiao Qing serving him a bath; he was already used to it.
But what about Xing'er?
Xiao Qing walked to Fang Er's side and whispered, "Marquis, it was Madam's request."
Could Fang Er refuse?
After the incident of him abandoning Xing'er at the restaurant last time, if he refused this girl again, she might think he truly disliked her.
So, he accepted it generously.
Lying in the bathtub, enjoying the kneading from the four small hands behind him.
Fang Er actually fell asleep without realizing it!
This put the two maids in a difficult situation. If they didn't wake him up, he would surely get sick when the water cooled.
But they couldn't keep adding water.
So, they could only work together to pull him out.
Fang Er was also sound asleep. After more than two months of travel, he was utterly exhausted and completely unaware of what was happening behind him.
When he opened his eyes and woke up, the sky was already getting dark.
My husband is awake.
Chai Yue, who had been sitting in the room reading, heard the sound of Fang Er getting up and came over to help him with his clothes.
Uh~~ Hiss~~~ Ha, how long have I been asleep?
Fang Er stretched and asked Chai Yue.
It's already酉时. You've slept for two hours, and your lunch is still saved for you.
Here, you've just woken up, rinse your mouth.
After fastening his clothes, Chai Yue turned and poured Fang Er a cup of warm water.
Gulp gulp gulp~~ Hissing~~~ Ptooey!
Spitting the water in his mouth out into the courtyard, Fang Er looked at the sky.
Ask Bao Ju to prepare a banquet. I want to invite Zhao Gang and Old Ma over to discuss matters.
Mm.
After Chai Yue left, Fang Er went outside and asked Su Mu to send for people.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Wang Wu, Li Shun, Hua Niang, Ma Tongyuan, Old Ma Tou, Liu Lao Si, Yuan Tiangang, and Sun Simiao all arrived one after another.
Hahahaha, they say absence makes the heart grow fonder, my friend. You've just returned and instead of being intimate with your wife, you've called this old Daoist over. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?
Do you have some kind of ailment?
Yuan Tiangang teased Fang Er with a smile, then turned his head and looked at Old Sun in a serious manner.
Fellow Daoist Sun, quickly prescribe some potent medicine for our young friend, so that Duke Chai can embrace his grandson soon!
Fang Er was speechless by Old Yuan's words.
But what made Fang Er even more speechless was that this fellow's hair had grown significantly longer, and he had even styled it with a middle part!
Hmm~ My friend, your facial features don't seem quite right!
Old Sun stared at Fang Er's face and said seriously.
Old Yuan, come and take a look quickly!
You two, stop teasing this boy. Come, come, please sit down and talk.
Li Shun, all of you sit down as well. Tell me about the matters in the village.
Fang Er saw them getting carried away and took it as a joke, not taking it seriously. He pointed to the table laden with food and wine and said to them.
After hearing Sun Simiao's words, Yuan Tiangang's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Fang Er's face with some doubt, and then his expression changed.
After carefully looking a few more times, he patted Sun Simiao's arm: No matter, it's still early. We won't discuss it today.
His voice was very low, and Fang Er didn't notice it at all. He thought the two old men were talking privately.
After everyone was seated, they first toasted Fang Er, celebrating his triumphant return.
After three rounds of wine, they began to report on the current situation in the village.
ps: Third update.