While the returning families approached the massive crowd that awaited them as they entered the Imperial City, a voice suddenly sounded over the ancient voice projecting device sounding throughout every corner of the Imperial City. It was the voice a Eunuch that said, "We asked for a moment of everyone's attention. The Emperor will now address the Imperial City regarding the event of the Imperial Dragon Victorious Fireworks."
The Emperor along with the Grand Prince, Wang Fèn Yǒng, and Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā were all surrounded by the Emperors massive entourage and the Wang Royal Manor's House Guards. The Emperor began to speak into a weird-looking device and address the Imperial City.
"I would like to ask each and every citizen help me welcome the returning Four Martial Families back to the Tolling Lands." The Emperor said into the device with Imperial command and authority.
A massive overwhelming roar of cheering shook the Imperial City as the citizens of the Tolling Lands took to the streets and ran back and forth in the streets, cheering the return of the four families. Many of the citizens joined the Officials, Nobles, Generals, Commanders, and Ministers who flocked to the Emperor's location.
Jiang Tài Píng, Wēi Wò Yàn, Wēi Yǒng Měng, Jūn Zhōng Xīn, and Měng Tiān Cái entered the Imperial City under a roar of cheering citizens and Imperial Dragon Victorious Fireworks. They received a victorious warrior's welcome.
Jiang Tài Píng, Jūn Zhōng Xīn, and Měng Tiān Cái rode on beautiful horses in the middle of fifty Liu Residence guards. Wēi Wò Yàn and Wēi Yǒng Měng rode in the carriage with Hòu Dao who carried Commander Jiangs, son. Wēi Yǒng Měng and Wēi Wò Yàn had opened the windows of the carriage to look out and see what was going on.
"Eight years ago, our beloved Four Martial Families were schemed against." The Emperor said. His voice rang throughout the Imperial City, cutting into the cheering crowds of people that welcomed the return of the Imperial Families. The Emperor's voice bought a halt to the cheering and a temporary halt to the fireworks. "The innocent Wēi family, Měng family, Jūn Family, and Jiang families were charged with a crime they did not commit. They suffered the injustices that landed on their doorsteps instead of rebelling. I, the Emperor of the Tolling Lands, have come to welcome the returning Four Martial Families home personally." The Emperor couldn't care less that he broke all Imperial protocol with this grand welcome.
Although the Emperor rarely abused his authority. Today he decided to go all out and do whatever he wanted to welcome his friends home. Four eight long years, he missed his friends. For eight years, the Emperor searched high and low for evidence to prove the innocence of his friends and their families. He also worked hard to catch the perpetrators that cause his Imperial Father's death. So for today, the Emperor decided he would do whatever he wanted in welcoming his friends home. The Emperor was determined to celebrate their return. Whoever didn't like it, too bad for them.
The Emperor welcomed the returning families as he walked to the front of the massive crowd. The Grand Prince, Wang Fèn Yǒng, Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā followed at his side. The Emperor's entourage and the Wang Royal Manor Guards followed him and the Lord Lady, and Heir of the Wang Royal Manor. The nobles, officials, and ministers followed the Emperor's entourage and Wang Royal Manor Guards. The Emperor stood at the forefront of the massive crowd with the Grand Prince, Wang Fèn Yǒng, and Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā and welcomed the Four Martial Families.
The Liu Residence Warriors and the Four Martial Families' progression came to a stop in front of the massive welcoming crowd that continually seemed to swell by the second as more and more people came to welcome and celebrate the return of the Four Martial Families.
"We have come to welcome the returning Four Martial Families. We have also come to extend our deep regret, sorrow, and sincerest apologies for misunderstanding the misjudging the Wēi family, Měng family, Jūn Family, and Jiang families who, for centuries, stood guard over the Tolling Lands." Deep shock and gasps rang through the gathered crowd. Complete utter shock shook the hearts of the people as they witnessed the emperor, the Grand Prince, Wang Fèn Yǒng, and Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā bowed deeply to the returning Four Martial Families and held their bow.
Following the Emperor, Lord, Lady, and Heir of Wang Royal Manor's example, all the gathered Nobles, Generals, Commanders, Ministers, and Officials bowed in apology to the returning four families. A weird, unnatural silence gripped the Imperial City as the Citizen witnessed the humbleness of their Emperor and the Wang Royal Manor. All of the Emperor's court also bowed deeply. For how could they stand if their Emperor was bowing?
This ceremonious bow even shocked and shook the hearts of Jūn Zhōng Xīn, Měng Tiān Cái, Jiang Tài Píng, Wēi Wò Yàn, and Wēi Yǒng Měng. All the Youths and children of the Four Martial Families were forced by their families to make a promise in their respective family's shrines. They had to vow before their Elders and Ancestors not to seek revenge before they were allowed to escape.
However, that didn't stop them from feeling deep rage and fury over the injustice their families suffered. That rage and fury intensified as they were hunted down like dogs. It magnified as they learned that they were the only returning descendants to return when over three hundred of them escaped.
However, how could their hearts remain cold when their friends, who were the only ones who believed in their innocence, bowed? One was now Emperor and the others were of the Wang Royal Manor. Nonetheless, they fought for the lives of the Four Martial Families as they heavily grieved their Imperial fathers' death.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
The Emperor had run out of his palace, and the Lord, Lady, and Heir of Wang Royal Manor had also hurried over to welcome them home. How could their hearts remain cold as their friends humbly apologize and bow for something they had no part in and fought hard to prevent?
Jūn Zhōng Xīn, Měng Tiān Cái, and Jiang Tài Píng climb down from their horses. Wēi Wò Yàn and Wēi Yǒng Měng climbed down from the carriage. As one, they approached the Emperor and Lord Lady and Heir of Wang Royal Manor, who still held their bows. Wēi Yǒng Měng grabbed his friend's arm and pulled him up, using the energy he barely managed to gather. The Emperor rose from his bow, which also allowed the Lord, Lady, and Heir as well as the Emperors Imperial court to rise too.
"Your Majesty, if there is one of us who should be bowing, it is me." Wēi Yǒng Měng said and bowed. Jūn Zhōng Xīn, Měng Tiān Cái, Jiang Tài Píng, and Wēi Wò Yàn bowed with him.
"I don't dare to accept that bow," The Emperor said, pulling Wēi Yǒng Měng up. The Emperor looked at Wēi Yǒng Měng and barely managed to cover the heart shaking deep shock that he felt at Wēi Yǒng Měng condition.
Jiang Tài Píng and Wēi Wò Yàn had followed Liu Tián Qǔ's advice and bought new, extremely expensive clothing for everyone. Everyone had carefully cleaned and groomed themselves well. However, it couldn't hide their condition. Every one of them except Jiang Tài Píng looked too thin and unhealthy. It grieved the Emperor's heart to see his friends who once strong mighty and strong look this way.
'Wēi Yǒng Měng condition was deplorable. He belonged in a bed, not here bowing all over the place.' The emperor thought to himself.
Tears drip down from the eyes of Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā as she thought to herself, 'Not one of them except Commander Jiang looks well. Although they were very well attired, they all seemed very tired, painfully thin, and world-weary. It pained her heart to see them look so.
The Grand Prince barely kept tears from leaking from his eyes as he looked at the men who seemed to have barely managed to return. They once shined so brightly in the Tolling Lands everyone of the except Commander Jiang and Wēi Wò Yàn were once-promising young Generals. However, now they look to barely be holding themselves together. It grieved his heart to see such a sight. At the same time, the Grand Prince was so happy they made it back.
"The innocence of the Four Martial Families was clear to me from day one." The Emperor said to Wēi Yǒng Měng, "The Grand Prince, Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā, and I refused to give up. Four eight long years, we continuously search for proof of the Four Martial Families innocence, and finally, we were able to find it. I am just so happy we were able to find it. At the same time, I feel such sorrow, loss, and regret that there was a need for it. Too much has been lost that can never be regained." The Emperor said. The conversation of the Emperor and Wēi Yǒng Měng was carried to every corner of the Imperial City. Every citizen of the Imperial City heard the sorrow, loss, and regret in the voice of the Emperor.
This startled the Emperors officials and ministers. This was the first many of them heard of this. They didn't know that the Emperor, Grand Prince, and Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā secretly continued their investigation and search over these past eight years. It caused wariness to spring up into the hearts of all of the Emperors officials, ministers, commanders, generals, and nobles. The Emperor's words confirmed the beliefs in everyone's heart that a major change was coming to the Tolling Lands with the return of the Four Martial Families.
The Emperor was genuinely concerned for Wēi Yǒng Měng. He wanted to hurry and get Wēi Yǒng Měng to his destination so he could rest. Wēi Yǒng Měng suffered too much to come this far. It would be a shame if he would to expire now from fatigue.
"Our returning heroes have suffered much. I hereby command everyone to grant them the peace and quiet they need to heal and recuperate. Anyone found guilty of disturbing their peace will be punished heavily." The Emperor said into the device and turned to look at the Officials, Ministers, Generals, Commanders, and Nobles who chased him all the way from his palace.
Liu Tián Qǔ, who listened to the Emperor's speech from her residence, almost expire from joy when she heard those words from the Emperor. The Emperor just bought her a bit more time.
However, the members of the Emperor's Imperial court were not happy. The look in the Emperor's eyes froze the hearts of the Officials, Ministers, Generals, Commanders, and Nobles. Many of the Officials, Ministers, Generals, Commanders, and Nobles gathered were the same people who pushed for the punishment of the Four Martial Families. Many of the veterans gathered began to wonder if those actions were going to come back to haunt them now. From the look the Emperor gave them, he was clearly very unhappy with them.
With that said, the emperor said. "I will now personally escort the returning four martial families to the place where they will rest and recuperate for a while. Citizen of the Tolling Lands help me we welcome the returning Four Martial Families," the Emperor said into the device with Imperial command and authority. The cheering of the citizen once more shook the air and very foundation of the Imperial City as they once again begin to welcome the returning Four Martial Families. Once more, the Imperial Dragon Victorious Fireworks covered the skies of the Imperial City.
The Emperor turned off the device and passed the device to a nearby Eunuch. Turning to Wēi Yǒng Měng, who was one of his best friends. The Emperor said, "Yǒng Měng you look like you desperately need rest. Why did you come down from the carriage?" Grabbing Yǒng Měng arm, the Emperor began to escort him back to his carriage.
"How could I sit comfortably in the carriage while the Emperor bowed to me?" Wēi Yǒng Měng said. He gently reminded the Emperor that he was not only a friend. He was also an Emperor.
Hou Dao had also climbed down from the carriage with the assistance of one of the new Liu Residence house guards. She didn't approach the emperor with the returning families. She had stabilized Wēi Yǒng Měng to the best of her abilities. There was no more she could do for him. Since she was the only woman amongst them. Hou Dou temporarily to over the care of the Commanders Jiang baby. Surrounded by Liu Residence guards, Hou Dou stood with the sleeping baby in her arms. As everyone made their way back to the carriage, Hou Dao stayed among the guards. The guards surrounded her, creating a human shield for the baby in her arm.
The Emperor personally assisted Wēi Yǒng Měng over to the carriage and helped him climb up. The Emperor followed Wēi Yǒng Měng into the spacious regal carriage. Jūn Zhōng Xīn, Měng Tiān Cái, and Jiang Tài Píng also climbed up behind the Emperor. The Grand Prince and Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā also follow.
The Emperor was greatly surprised when he saw how the regal-looking carriage was able to comfortably seat all seven people and even had space for a couple more people.