Chapter 222: Chapter 222: Meeting
Reunited after so many years, there was no distance between them. Zhu Qingqing was both crying and laughing.
Yu An learned that Zhu Qingqing was now the Inspection Envoy of Han Ling City, responsible for maintaining peace and order within its walls.
Bai Ruo’s family still lived in the Giant Stone Tribe, and the two families often got together to stay close.
"Sister An’an, Rongrong and I were just talking about you a few days ago. You’ve been gone for so long, we were about to go to Beast Emperor City to find you."
"Well, I’m back now, aren’t I?" Yu An patted her hand. "How are Aunt Bai and Aunt Su? And Uncle Han, where is he living these days?"
"Uncle Han is in the Giant Stone Tribe," Zhu Qingqing replied. "Ever since the New City Lord took office, Uncle Han handed over his duties and moved to the Giant Stone Tribe. He said it’s more lively there and a good place to spend his retirement."
"That’s perfect. We can all get together when we go to the Giant Stone Tribe later."
Zhu Qingqing linked her arm with Yu An’s. "Sister An’an, you must be exhausted from the road. Why don’t you rest at my home for the night before you go?"
"Today is the day the Giant Stone Tribe goes out to gather and hunt, so Rongrong and the others probably aren’t there."
"Alright," Yu An nodded. "I’ll introduce you to some new friends when we get back. Oh, right. Little Serpent, Little Wolf, Fuzai, this is your Aunt Qing."
The three little ones chorused, "Auntie!" Only then did Zhu Qingqing notice the three small children, and she delightedly hugged each of them in turn.
Of course, Da Hu and the other two weren’t left out either.
"Let’s go," Zhu Qingqing said cheerfully, picking up Fuzai. "Come on home with Auntie. I’ve prepared so many gifts, just waiting for you all to return!"
The group headed toward the Su Mansion. Inside the mansion, while the Su Family Master was handling official business, Housekeeper Su came bounding in.
"Family Head, Princess Yu An has returned!"
The Su Family Master was pleasantly surprised. "The Young Mistress is here?"
’What about the Princess? Did she come back too?’
She hurried outside and was met with the sight of Yu An’s party approaching.
When she didn’t see the familiar face she was looking for in the crowd, the light in the Su Family Master’s eyes dimmed.
"Aunt Su," Yu An said, walking quickly toward her. "I have good news! Female Mother is back!"
The Su Family Master’s eyes instantly lit up. "The Princess has returned? Where... Where is she?"
"In the Imperial City," Yu An said with a slight cough. "My aunt refused to let her leave, and Female Mother couldn’t argue with her, so she didn’t come back with me."
Just as the Su Family Master was starting to concoct theories about what Yu Tinglan was planning to do to Yu Huang, Yu An quickly explained all the misunderstandings from the past few years.
Afterward, the Su Family Master’s expression softened a little. She then asked Zhu Qingqing to host Yu An and her group.
Zhu Qingqing was puzzled. "Female Mother, where are you going?"
"To pack," the Su Family Master said, patting her hand. "Qingqing, you’re a big girl now and can take care of yourself. Female Mother is leaving for the Imperial City. If you need anything, find Old Su."
Housekeeper Su quickly interjected, "Family Head, I’ll go with you too."
The Su Family Master corrected herself, "In that case, if you need anything, solve it yourself. If you can’t, go find the City Lord."
Qingqing: "..."
The Su Family Master was remarkably efficient, packing her bags and setting off that very same day, leaving a speechless and exasperated Zhu Qingqing behind.
That night, they stayed at the Su Mansion. Zhu Qingqing cajoled Yu An into letting her sleep in the same bed. Besides the two of them, there were also the six Zaizai.
Fortunately, her bed was large enough. The two of them talked all night long, so much so that even Fuzai, the best at staying up late, couldn’t keep up.
The next day after their meal, the group left the city and headed for the Giant Stone Tribe. Zhu Qingqing went on ahead to prepare a surprise for Bai Rong and the others.
Yesterday had been the Giant Stone Tribe’s gathering and hunting day. Bai Ruo, Bai Rong, and the tribe’s other females were responsible for gathering, while the males went hunting in more distant lands.
Although Housekeeper Han was a housekeeper by title, he had been treated almost like a master in the City Lord Mansion and was accustomed to a comfortable life. Who would have thought that in his old age, he would fall in love with hunting?
He had gone along as well, and such trips lasted at least five or six days. That was why there were so few males in the tribe when Yu An and her party arrived.
A few young cubs were playing at the tribe’s entrance, and among them were the former playmates of Da Hu and his friends.
The approaching party was not quiet. The cubs’ keen hearing picked up the sound of footsteps, and at first, they thought they were under attack.
Just as they were about to turn back and alert the adults, one of the cubs spotted Da Hu.
"It’s Da Hu, Xiao Hu, and Xiao Yu... and Aunt Yu!"
The young cubs stopped trying to run back and instead rushed toward Yu An. The little friends hadn’t seen each other in so long and excitedly embraced.
The adults in the tribe heard the commotion and came out to look. They were immediately overjoyed, and someone even took off at a run to get Bai Ruo and Bai Rong.
There were fewer people in the Giant Stone Tribe than in Han Ling City, but their warmth was in no way inferior. The crowd only dispersed when Bai Ruo and Bai Rong arrived, giving them some space.
Just like Zhu Qingqing, the moment Bai Rong arrived she went around kissing and hugging all the Zaizai. Then she latched onto Yu An’s other arm and refused to let go.
Bai Ruo was ecstatic. She brought them to her home, and they ended up chatting for the entire day.
While the women chatted, Mo Yan and the others went to prepare food. The Clan Leader hadn’t gone hunting this time; upon hearing that Yu An’s family was back, he sent for the hunters to return and organized the rest of the tribe to prepare a feast.
Having rested well the previous night, tonight was for an all-night celebration. Members of the Qingyan Tribe even came over, and the two tribes celebrated Yu An’s homecoming together.
Bai Ruo watched them play, a smile on her lips. Yu An noticed her gaze drifting toward the Imperial City from time to time. ’She must be just like the Su Family Master,’ Yu An thought, ’wanting to go and see Yu Huang.’
Yu An decided to nullify the effects of the Exile Grass for Bai Ruo’s family that night. That way, they could go to the Imperial City.
The moment Housekeeper Han arrived, he spotted Han Li. He threw his arms around him and started WAILING, all while looking him up and down to see if he had gotten thinner.
Han Li’s Female Mother was perpetually in a witless state, and his two Beast Fathers were one more unreliable than the other. It was fair to say Housekeeper Han had raised Han Li single-handedly.
"I haven’t, I haven’t gotten thinner! Uncle Han, stop pinching my cheeks..."
After a great deal of effort, he finally pushed Housekeeper Han away. Seeing the old man was about to lunge again, Han Li quickly pulled his own cub forward. "Uncle Han, this is my and An’an’s Zaizai!"
A shudder ran through Housekeeper Han’s sturdy frame, and his eyes began to glow. "Little Young Master!"
With a little one around, who had time for the big one?
He was utterly smitten. Scooping up Little Wolf, he dashed off to his cave and dug out all his hidden treasures to give away.
Yu An didn’t refuse any of the gifts. She even taught Little Wolf how to act cute on the spot, a display so adorable it made Housekeeper Han part with his life savings!
Housekeeper Han had moved to the Giant Stone Tribe in the first place out of loneliness after his masters left. Now, he was firmly decided: he would go with Yu An and her group.
’I’ll just be in charge of taking care of the Zaizai. The new can’t compare to the old. A loyal, old family servant is always the most reliable!’
"Oh, right," Han Li suddenly thought of his Female Mother and two Beast Fathers. "Uncle Han, have Female Mother and my Beast Fathers ever come back?"
"No," Housekeeper Han replied without raising his head. "At least, I haven’t seen them. Don’t you worry, Young Master. They aren’t children; they can look after themselves."
With that, he spoke to Little Wolf in a squeaky, high-pitched voice, "Isn’t that right, Little Young Master?"
Han Li: "..."
’Since when did Housekeeper Han’s voice become so nauseating!’
’But Housekeeper Han was right. With two Beast Fathers to protect his Female Mother, the three of them were probably off living a happy life somewhere, having completely forgotten they even had a son.’
