Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 434: Chapter 196: The Journey Home (Part 2)

Just as they were speaking, the sound of light, quick footsteps approached the courtyard gate, followed by a familiar voice calling out, "Aunt, I got some newly arrived fine cotton. It’s so soft! I brought some for you to make an undergarment..."

Before she could finish, Yang Huien stepped over the threshold with a bright smile, a small cloth bag slung over her arm.

When she looked up and saw Chen Qing standing in the room, she froze on the spot. Her eyes flew wide, and the cloth bag nearly slipped from her hand.

"Ah... Ah Qing?!"

Yang Huien’s voice was filled with incredulous joy. Her gaze swept over Chen Qing from top to bottom, as if to confirm he wasn’t a hallucination. "You... when did you get back?"

Chen Qing turned, a gentle smile on his face. "Cousin, I just arrived."

Yang Huien hurried closer and circled him, her eyes sparkling with delight as she murmured, "You’re different, really, completely different..."

The Chen Qing before her now stood as straight and tall as a pine. Though he wore only a simple green robe, he carried himself with a certain air.

"How am I different? I’m still me."

Chen Qing chuckled softly and asked, "How have you been, Cousin? Is everything going well at the cloth shop?"

Snapping back to the present, Yang Huien nodded eagerly, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "Yes, everything is good! Thanks to you, the young master has been taking good care of me, and things are going very well at the shop."

She paused, her tone laced with emotion. "Life has gotten much easier. A while ago, with the help of the Wu Family Steward, I was able to purchase a small, two-courtyard house in the Inner City... well, in a spot near the edge. We finally have a proper home of our own."

Chen Qing understood as soon as he heard.

’This must be Wu Manqing’s doing,’ he realized. ’She repaid a debt and maintained appearances, all while handling the situation with perfect tact. She solved Yang Huien’s family’s predicament without seeming overly eager or crossing any lines. Everything was just right—truly flawless.’

Listening from the side, Ms. Han took Yang Huien’s hand. "Hui Niang is destined for good things."

As she spoke, an idea seemed to strike her. "Hui Niang, you should go back right now and bring your father and mother over!" she suggested enthusiastically. "Ah Qing is back! This is a joyous occasion. Our whole family should have dinner together tonight!"

Yang Huien’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, clearly tempted. But she didn’t agree immediately. Instead, she instinctively looked to Chen Qing, her gaze questioning.

Things were different now. She knew very well that her cousin’s status and wishes were what truly mattered.

Chen Qing nodded. "Go on. It’ll be nice to have everyone here."

With Chen Qing’s approval, a radiant smile bloomed on Yang Huien’s face. "Okay! I’ll go right now!" she replied brightly.

She then turned and ran out, her figure showing the giddiness of a young girl.

About half an hour later, Yang Huien returned with Chen Jinhua and Yang Tiezhu.

Yang Tiezhu had the same simple, honest look about him. When he entered and saw Chen Qing, he just smiled in his simple, somewhat reserved way and stood quietly off to the side.

Chen Jinhua’s expression, however, was far more animated.

The moment she walked in, her eyes locked onto Chen Qing, and her face immediately broke into a wide smile.

"Oh! My dearest nephew! You’re finally back! Your aunt missed you to death!"

Chen Jinhua’s voice rose several pitches as she scurried over to Chen Qing. "Look at you! Just look at this impressive air about you! I knew it. Our Chen Family ancestors must have truly blessed us to produce someone as incredible as you, Ah Qing!"

Once she started, she couldn’t stop, a non-stop barrage of praise and flattery pouring from her mouth. Thinking of the Chen Family’s current glory, she, as his aunt, felt she shared in it.

Chen Qing listened with a placid expression, giving a faint nod now and then without adding to the conversation.

He had long been familiar with his aunt’s character: shrewd and opportunistic.

To him, her fawning was nothing more than an insignificant interlude on his journey home—something to be heard and then forgotten.

"Mother, that’s enough," Yang Huien whispered from the side.

"I’m just telling the truth."

Chen Jinhua puffed out her chest and said, "I haven’t seen my dear nephew in years. Can’t I praise him a little?"

Dinner proceeded in this somewhat peculiar atmosphere.

Ms. Han and Yang Huien chatted about everyday matters, while Yang Tiezhu kept his head down and ate, occasionally chiming in with a word or two.

Chen Jinhua, on the other hand, spent nearly the entire meal focused on Chen Qing, squeezing in expressions of her concern and pride at every possible opportunity.

For the most part, Chen Qing simply ate in silence, offering only a few words in response here and there.

After the meal, Yang Huien helped Ms. Han clear the dishes.

Chen Jinhua seemed to want to say more to Chen Qing, but seeing that he had already risen and looked ready to rest, she swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue. In the end, she had no choice but to say her goodbyes and leave with Yang Tiezhu and Yang Huien.

After Yang Huien’s family left, tranquility returned to the courtyard.

DRIP, DRIP. Rainwater fell from the corner of the eaves, splashing onto the stone slabs below.

Once everything was tidied up, Ms. Han sat down across from Chen Qing.

Mother and son chatted about family matters until late into the night.

After a lull in the conversation and a brief silence, Ms. Han suddenly began to wring her hands nervously on her apron. "Ah Qing," she asked in a low voice, "this time you were away... was there any news of your father?"

Seeing the faint glimmer of hope in his mother’s eyes, Chen Qing took a deep breath. "Mother, I had Captain Pang investigate thoroughly. He checked the rosters of those conscripted for labor at the Qianren Canal three years ago back and forth several times. There were no omissions or errors in the records, and no one has seen Father since. There’s been no word for all these years..."

As his voice trailed off, a deathly silence fell over the room.

Ms. Han sat there in a daze and let out a soft sigh. "...I understand."

She didn’t ask another question, but simply rose slowly to her feet.