Chapter 78: Meeting of Relatives.

Chapter 78: Family Reunion

Huo Shiming had a good grasp of what was on Fang Shi's mind.

When it came to Fang Jianbai's marriage, he was of the same mind as Fang Shi.

A Ling had been in the palace for three years and now even had a child… No matter what, life must go on.

After arranging his affairs in advance and informing several trusted subordinates, Huo Shiming departed as soon as he received the imperial decree from the capital.

This journey to the capital made quite an impression.

To showcase the results of his military training, Huo Shiming carefully selected a hundred men from the Swallow Feather Army to form his Royal Guard, led by Fang Jianbai.

The horses ridden by these hundred men were all elite warhorses.

In Great Yan, where horses were scarce, it was extremely rare to see so many fine steeds. As the group rode off in a cloud of dust, they drew countless envious gazes.

Along the way, courier stations continuously sent updates to the palace. By the time Huo Shiming and his party entered the capital's gates, another decree awaited them.

Upon hearing its contents, Huo Shiming was overjoyed.

For Emperor Jingyuan had granted him a general's residence—the very one that had belonged to the Huo family over thirty years ago.

Eunuch Li handed the decree to Huo Shiming with a smile, saying, "Since the General has returned to the capital for his official report, it would no longer be fitting to stay at the Commandery Lady’s residence. Upon hearing His Majesty intended to grant Duke of Chengen a residence, Her Majesty the Empress personally selected this one. Does General Huo find it acceptable?"

Huo Shiming clutched the decree tightly; his chest swelled with warmth. "Acceptable? More than acceptable."

A Ling truly knew him best.

Eunuch Li asked, "Shall this servant arrange someone to guide Your Grace there?"

Huo Shiming laughed heartily. "No need, no need. I know the way back. Thank you for your kindness, Eunuch Li."

Hearing this, Eunuch Li did not insist. "Then this servant shall take his leave. Duke of Chengen had a long journey. His Majesty has decreed that you may rest well at your residence and wait until tomorrow to enter the palace."

Watching Eunuch Li depart, Huo Shiming tucked the decree into his robes, mounted his horse, rode out ahead of the group, and led the way from memory.

From afar, Huo Shiming spotted the residence he remembered.

Every time he returned to the capital, he made sure to visit it.

Sometimes it stood vacant, uninhabited; other times, a plaque bearing some other family's name hung above its gates. Each sight left him heavy-hearted.

After passing through several owners, the plaque above the gates had finally been restored to the words "Huo Residence."

The two stone lions at the entrance stood as majestically as he remembered, though thirty years of weathering had left their mark.

Huo Shiming stroked one lion's head, then slowly ascended the steps and placed his hand on the red doors.

At the age of five, when the Huo family faced imperial censure, his father, Huo Yingshao, had led him out of this residence. Looking back, all he saw were these heavy red doors slowly closing before him.

Now, nearing forty, he stood once more before those same doors. With a firm push, he crossed the threshold—rightfully, at long last.

...

The words "Huo Residence" had been written in Huo Ling’s own hand, then ordered by the Imperial Household to be crafted into a plaque before being hung in place.

As the commander of the Swallow Feather Army, Huo Shiming's stay in the capital would not be lengthy, but the court still saw fit to grant him an estate as a gesture of imperial esteem.

For other generals, Emperor Jingyuan would have made such a decision himself—after all, it wasn't a major matter. But since Huo Shiming was the biological father of Huo Ling, the emperor sought her opinion when selecting the estate.

Huo Ling understood Huo Shiming’s deepest wishes better than anyone else in the world and immediately proposed an idea to the emperor.

From Li Man’s report upon returning to the palace, it was evident just how satisfied Huo Shiming was with this reward.

...

Huo Shiming’s emotions surged throughout the night, and when he entered the palace the next day, his eyes still showed faint shadows.

Originally, Huo Shiming had planned to attend to official business first—paying respects to Emperor Jingyuan, discussing military affairs in Yanxi, and only then requesting an audience with Huo Ling.

But when he arrived at the imperial study, he nearly jumped in surprise.

What was A Ling doing here?

When Huo Ling wrote letters to Huo Shiming, she couldn’t openly state, "I am allowed to observe state affairs in the imperial study," so Huo Shiming remained far less informed about this matter than the capital officials.

By now, officials in the capital hardly reacted when they saw her in the imperial study.

As if it were perfectly natural for the empress to be present there.

After recovering from his initial surprise, Huo Shiming promptly performed the ceremonial bow. "Your subject, Huo Shiming, pays homage to Your Majesties."

Emperor Jingyuan gestured. "General Huo, be seated."

Once seated, Huo Ling greeted him first. "Father, did you not sleep well last night?"

Huo Shiming smiled. "I spent the entire night touring the Huo estate and lost all sense of time, delaying my rest."

"As long as Father is satisfied," Huo Ling said, looking him over carefully. "It has been three years. Father looks even more spirited—though also more weathered."

Before Emperor Jingyuan, Huo Shiming remained somewhat reserved. "In recent years, I've been fully occupied training troops and enduring the elements on the frontlines, hence the darker complexion. As for Her Majesty, she has grown ever more radiant. Indeed, the capital’s environment nurtures people better than Yanxi ever could."

Huo Ling remarked to Emperor Jingyuan, "You see? The imperial study clearly isn’t the place for casual conversation. Even someone as serious as my father can flatter me so boldly without batting an eye."

Emperor Jingyuan laughed heartily and asked Huo Shiming, "Did you have a smooth journey, General Huo?"

Huo Shiming replied awkwardly, "Thanks to Your Majesties’ benevolence, everything went smoothly."

However, after Huo Ling’s teasing, Huo Shiming eased up a little. He could tell that Emperor Jingyuan had no objection to Huo Ling chatting casually with him in the study.

Emperor Jingyuan said, "Then, General Huo, please give us your report on the situation of the Swallow Feather Army."

As Huo Shiming delivered his report, he kept glancing at Huo Ling, and the buried surprise from earlier resurfaced.

Yet faced with the emperor’s inquiries, Huo Shiming couldn’t afford to be distracted. He quickly composed himself and devoted his full attention to the discussion.

At the end of the previous year, Huo Shiming had been officially appointed as commander of the Swallow Feather Army.

He couldn’t even bring himself to celebrate the New Year, devoting himself completely to organizing the army.

Once spring arrived and the roads became passable, the Ministry of War delivered substantial shipments of weapons and armor, while the Ministry of Personnel ensured the arrival of key officials at the frontlines.

As for the warhorses required for the cavalry, officials from the imperial pastures arrived to oversee the transfer to Huo Shiming.

Starting in March, Huo Shiming began selecting veterans while simultaneously recruiting new soldiers in Yanxi.

The Swallow Feather Army had a full strength of thirty thousand, but you can't immediately raise a full army from scratch. Initially, Huo Shiming only selected five thousand soldiers, training them while gradually expanding the ranks.

Now, after over half a year, the Swallow Feather Army had grown to eight thousand.

These points had already been covered in Huo Shiming’s memorials to Emperor Jingyuan, but now he went into greater detail for the emperor’s inquiry.

Emperor Jingyuan was reasonably pleased with this progress.

According to Huo Shiming, given another one or two years, the Swallow Feather Army would reach full strength.

Of course, it was unclear how battle-ready an untested army would be. At the very least, the foundation was laid, and they could focus on refining training methods later.

Huo Ling, born into a military family and well-read in strategy, had never gained firsthand experience in building a cavalry force from nothing—something no military manual covered.

Thus, she saw it as an opportunity to broaden her knowledge and listened with keen interest.

Seeing that Emperor Jingyuan and Huo Shiming had talked long enough, Huo Ling gestured to Li Man.

Li Man quietly withdrew and soon returned with three bowls of pear paste.

Huo Ling pushed one bowl toward Emperor Jingyuan. "Your Majesty, you've been speaking at length. Take a break and drink something to soothe your throat."

The winters in the capital were dry and cold. Emperor Jingyuan had spent too much time outdoors a few days prior, leaving his throat somewhat raw—though not serious enough to require a physician’s prescription.

Huo Ling had therefore instructed the attendants to keep nourishing, throat-soothing drinks on hand, offering them to the emperor from time to time.

Having asked all he needed, Emperor Jingyuan fell silent.

After Huo Shiming took a few sips and set his bowl down, Huo Ling spoke again. "It's been three or four years since I last returned to Yanxi. Father, could you tell me what changes have occurred there in recent years?"

Huo Shiming didn’t take this as mere small talk between father and daughter. He racked his brain to recall Yanxi’s developments while answering.

Without substantial imperial investment, even three or four years—let alone thirteen or fourteen—wouldn’t produce noticeable changes to Yanxi’s towns.

Huo Shiming quickly came up short.

Huo Ling prompted him. "How has Yanxi’s horse administration been over the past year or so?"

Huo Shiming perked up and quickly replied, "The Swallow Feather Army has had frequent dealings with Yanxi’s Pasturage Commissioner. In my opinion, the Pasturage Commissioner is highly capable, running everything with precision. Every warhorse sent to the army has been well-tended."

"However, aside from the Swallow Feather Army, nearly all other Yanxi troops still face a shortage of horses."

This time, without further prompting, Huo Shiming elaborated in detail.

Emperor Jingyuan laid down his spoon and suddenly asked, "General Huo, have you had much contact with the Qiang Rong leader, Li Yichun?"

Huo Shiming replied carefully, "We have had some interactions."

Emperor Jingyuan said, "Tell me what you make of him."

Resisting the urge to glance at Huo Ling, Huo Shiming recounted his observations plainly.

Emperor Jingyuan showed interest. "You say he greatly admires Great Yan’s culture?"

Huo Shiming nodded. "He has a Han tutor in his retinue, whom he holds in high regard."

Emperor Jingyuan gave a slight nod and turned to Huo Ling. "An Er should be up by now."

"He should be," Huo Ling replied. "Father hasn't met An Er yet. Why not join His Majesty and me at Fengyi Palace to see him? No need to rush off before lunch."

When Huo Ling was away from Fengyi Palace, Wu Mo would personally attend to the crown prince.

At this moment, the crown prince had just finished nursing and was lying in his crib, clutching a small cloth ball in his right hand. Under Wu Mo’s playful teasing, he cooed a little.

As if sensing Huo Ling's arrival, he suddenly looked behind Wu Mo and grinned.

Wu Mo turned around. "My Lady, you're back."

Huo Ling said, "Bring An Er here. My father has arrived."

A five-month-old is utterly charming when quiet and happy. Bundled in a red padded jacket, he was held in Huo Ling’s arms, grabbing his own feet with his hands. His bright eyes darted about curiously, occasionally breaking into a grin.

Huo Shiming stared at the child’s eyes and paused for a moment, visibly moved. "An Er looks so much like you did as a baby."

Huo Ling glanced at Huo Shiming.

"When you were born," Ho Shiming continued, "I was too busy in the military camp to spend time with you. I had to leave you with wet nurses and maidservants. Every night when I came back from the camp and went to your room, you'd look at me like that and grin nonstop."

Huo Ling lowered her gaze to the child in her arms.

The crown prince looked up at her and smiled.

Brushing her fingers against the baby's cheek, Huo Ling asked Ho Shiming if he would like to hold him.

Ho Shiming carefully took the child into his arms.

Knowing that father and daughter had private matters to discuss, Emperor Jingyuan had stepped out of the hall.

After playing with the child for a while, Ho Shiming said to Huo Ling, "Your mother and A Ze want to visit the palace to see the baby. Jian Bai has also arrived in the capital."

Huo Ling was surprised. "Cousin Jian Bai is in the capital?"

Ho Shiming nodded. "Yes. I'm not sure if it's appropriate for you to see him."

Huo Ling caught the odd note in his tone. "Has something happened to Cousin Jian Bai?"

Ho Shiming hesitated. "Let your mother explain tomorrow. Hear what she has to say first, and if you think it suitable, then meet Jian Bai."

From Ho Shiming’s reaction, Huo Ling understood this was personal business that could wait. She didn’t press further. "Then let Mother and A Ze come to the palace tomorrow."

This was the first time Fang Shi and Huo Ze were visiting the palace. Fortunately, both had seen much of the world, and Wu Mo himself had gone to escort them, so they managed to keep their composure.

However, when they stepped into Fengyi Palace and saw Huo Ling seated casually in the hall, they instinctively paused.

At home with family, Huo Ling dressed for comfort—her long hair simply pinned up with a feather hairpin.

Yet inexplicably, Fang Shi and Huo Ze both felt an unspoken authority radiating from her.

This made the otherwise poised pair nervous, worrying they might offend without realizing it.

"We pay our respects, Your Highness," they hurriedly bowed.

Huo Ling invited them to sit and studied Huo Ze with a smile. "You've shot up."

Huo Ze was now sixteen. After three years away, he had grown tall—now towering over his older sister.

Wu Mo walked back to Huo Ling's side and replied, "I got quite a shock too when I saw the young master just now."

Huo Ling said, "He's just too thin—looks a bit fragile."

Huo Ze finally regained some of the familiar ease he used with his elder sister and chuckled, "Don't worry, sis. I eat a lot of meat every day now, so I'll be strong soon enough."

"You should eat more," Huo Ling smiled, then turned her gaze to Fang Shi and asked with concern, "The journey in this snowy weather—was your health up to it, Mother?"

Fang Shi pulled herself together, pushing aside the lingering apprehension in her heart, and smiled, "I'm fine. Your servant wouldn’t have dared come to Fengyi Palace if she were unwell."

Huo Ling said, "We're family meeting in private; there's no need for such formalities."

Huo Ze took a sip of tea just served by a palace maid and looked around eagerly, both excited and puzzled. "Sister, why haven't I seen An Er yet?"

"He should still be asleep," Huo Ling replied. "How about Wu Mo takes you to see him first? If he's awake, you can stay and play with him for a while."

Being a restless young boy, Huo Ze couldn't sit still and happily followed Wu Mo off.

Once Huo Ze had gone, Huo Ling turned to Fang Shi and spoke gently, "Father said you wanted to talk to me, Mother."

Fang Shi wrung her handkerchief and glanced at the palace maids standing near Huo Ling.

Huo Ling waved her hand slightly, and the maids retreated.

Fang Shi let out a quiet breath. Though she had rehearsed what to say beforehand, now that she faced Huo Ling’s steady gaze, she felt strangely nervous. "It's... it's about Jian Bai's marriage."

Huo Ling's face betrayed nothing as she listened quietly.

Now that she'd started, Fang Shi closed her eyes briefly and pressed on.

"...Your father, his parents, and I have all tried countless times to persuade him, but he simply won't listen."

"I was hoping..." Fang Shi's voice dropped into a plea, "I was hoping Your Ladyship could help convince him."

Huo Ling fell silent, surprised by the request.

Truthfully, it put her in a difficult position.

To summon Fang Jianbai to court and urge him to obey his parents' wishes regarding marriage, knowing exactly why he refuses to marry...

If Fang Jianbai gave in, would it be her persuasion that moved him—or merely to spare her embarrassment?

"Such matters are better left to elders. My involvement wouldn't be proper."

Seeing Fang Shi begin to look anxious, as if she might interrupt, Huo Ling gave a slight downward gesture with her hand, motioning for her to be patient.

"Still, it has been a long time since I last saw Cousin Jian Bai. Since he's come all the way to the capital, I must see him."