Four tall horses entered the village, and two of the riders were particularly familiar, causing the people of Jiuping Village who saw them to be startled.
Back then, images of An Jing were posted everywhere in Xiyun, so they naturally knew that An Jing was the Queen, and An Jing and Xiao Changyi were husband and wife, clearly implying that Xiao Changyi was the King of Xiyun.
Those who saw An Jing and Xiao Changyi were not only surprised but also imdiately knelt down in fear, though they had no ti to shout ’Long live the King,’ Xiao Changyi and his group had already ridden past them.
The way they had treated An Jing and Xiao Changyi initially had left them anxious ever since knowing Xiao Changyi was the King of Xiyun, fearing that Xiao Changyi might behead them. Now that An Jing and Xiao Changyi had returned, their fear increased, and soon, the news of An Jing and Xiao Changyi’s return spread throughout Jiuping Village.
Shi Xiaolan’s family was sunbathing in the courtyard when they heard the sound of hooves. Curiously, they looked up and saw four horses stop in front of their house. On two of the horses were riders who made Shi Xiaolan exclaim with surprise: "An Jing! Brother Xiao!"
Imdiately, Shi Xiaolan realized the situation, turned pale, and hurriedly knelt down with Wu Xiaoshan along with the elderly and children in the family.
"The commoners pay respects to the King and Queen!"
"Please rise." An Jing stepped forward swiftly, smiling as she helped Shi Xiaolan up. "Although you know now that I am the Queen, you’ve always been my best friend, so don’t be so formal. Just behave as we did before."
Despite An Jing’s words, Shi Xiaolan remained very timid and dared not act as she did in the past.
"You all can stand up as well." An Jing also invited Wu Xiaoshan and his group to rise. Then she said to Shi Xiaolan, "I ca back this ti specifically to see you. We haven’t seen each other for so many years. Have you been well?"
Shi Xiaolan was extrely fearful of An Jing and Xiao Changyi’s current status, barely managing a smile, "Thanks to you... thanks to the King and Queen for renting those dozens of acres, life has improved greatly; we even built a house, it’s just this."
An Jing glanced at the several rooms of Shi Xiaolan’s house, which were quite good for a farr’s ho, and smiled nodding, "It’s good your life is improving. How is it, you won’t invite us in for a seat?"
Shi Xiaolan imdiately said fearfully, "Please, please, please." After entering the house with An Jing, she again said, "The room is simple, the King and Queen will have to make do for now."
"What do you an by making do?" An Jing, with a full smile, pulled Shi Xiaolan to sit together on the long bench by the table, "This is quite nice." She paused, "Xiao Lan, I asked you to act as before, why are you being so distant with ?"
Shi Xiaolan dared not sit with An Jing, but having to give the Queen face, she sat awkwardly, her body stiff and visibly uneasy.
Wu Xiaoshan and the others were also extrely deferential, staying outside, not daring to enter.
Hearing An Jing ntion the distance, Shi Xiaolan forced another smile, "The Queen is now the Queen, etiquette cannot be abandoned, and I, as a commoner, naturally cannot behave without decorum as I did previously."
Seeing Shi Xiaolan’s legs trembling constantly, An Jing glanced at the bench she sat on, knowing Shi Xiaolan hadn’t truly sat down. She gently sighed, understanding that certain things had fundantally changed. Then, she released Shi Xiaolan’s hand, no longer pushing her.
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