194 Chapter 194 Her Return, His Harem (1/2)
'Almost two years.' These thought flowed in Lin Xulian's mind as she blankly stare at the Gonglu country capital's gates. Peeking through the thin material of the curtain covering her inside the carriage, her sight observed the line of people going in and out of the capital. Across her inside the carriage, Gu Kei can feel her gloomy mood. So the excitement she expected to feel on this journey dulled.
As to why they are currently using a carriage, it is the arrangement that Lin Xulian prepared. Back in Xing Guang's manor, Lin Xulian got Fei to deliver her instructions to Xiao Tianshi. There are only four people, or two couples who knew that she is alive. The Xiao sisters, Xiao Tian and Xiao Tianshi and their respective partners Hao Yuwen and Feng Jun Yao.
Lin Xulian instructed Hao Yuwen to prepare a merchant carriage for her to use. She wanted to enter the capital legally so she also asked Feng Jun Yao to prepare her and Gu Kei's identity tokens. Of course she used the name Gu Lian given by Clan Head Gu Lingdao. They met in the nearest town from the capital with about ten miles in distance. Luckily, Liu Yeyin didn't put up a guard against the fourth prince so Lin Xulian's entrance went smoothly.
As for Xing Guang and the other Mercenary Clan members, One of Gu Rin's subordinate escorted them toward their base. Lin Xulian didn't follow just yet. There are things she had to do openly in order to gather enough information to guarantee the success of her plans. After all, Lin Xulian acknowledges Liu Yeyin's ability. She could never be too cautious.
Seeing the familiar street of the capital, Lin Xulian couldn't help but feel nostalgic. Then when the carriage turned, Lin Xulian was able to take a glimpse of the palace's gates. The place where she spent five years of her life. The place where she experienced the most thrilling time of her life. She experienced happiness, excitement and also fell in love. But she also experienced painful betrayal and lies. Her eyes rippled with emotions under her mask.
With another turn, Lin Xulian couldn't see the palace anymore. And as if nothing had happened, her expression became calm as a still water. The carriage then stopped at the back entrance of the Caoyao Pavilion. The moment she stepped down from the carriage, Lin Xulian was greeted with warm hugs from her two sisters, the Xiao siblings. The two wept and voiced out how much they missed their boss. Luckily, Hao Yuwen dismissed all the servants in order to protect Lin Xulian's identity. Or else the sisters will unknowingly spill the beans.
Aside from the two, Hao Yuwen and Feng Jun Yao also welcomed her with relieved and happy smiles. Although they knew that she is alive, seeing Lin Xulian at this moment still felt like a dream. After all, they also wept and mourn when they heard about her death.
Hao Yuwen then led Lin Xulian and her companion Gu Kei inside a private hall on the second floor of the establishment. In there, the dishes are already prepared for them. The room became lively at once. The six of them celebrated and shared everything and anything that had happened during the times they were apart. Gu Kei was able to get along well with them as well.
However, one of them is obviously not on a celebratory mood. The fourth prince Feng Jun Yao, who is usually the noisiest and outgoing one is surprisingly quiet the whole time. And Lin Xulian noticed it so she asked worriedly. ”Your highness, is there something wrong? You seemed awfully down.”
Hearing Lin Xulian's familiar voice calling him formally, Feng Jun Yao looked at her with a perplexed expression. ”Why are you calling me so formally sister-in-law? You can casually call my name without any salutations just like you used to.”
Lin Xulian seemed to realize something so her mood dampened considerably. Everyone in the room noticed the change in her too so the air suddenly became awkward.
”This one wouldn't dare, your highness. I am just a foreign visitor and not anyone's sister-in-law.” Lin Xulian said seriously with a hint of finality.