Chapter 984: Chapter 980: The End of the Story (24)
Old Madam Shen held Shen Ji’s urn, sitting dazedly in the study where her son often stayed at home. She sat there for two days without eating, drinking, or moving, and no matter how Madam Shen called at the door, there was no response.
Two days later, Madam Shen broke down the door, only to find Old Madam Shen dressed in the palace gown from Emperor Wen’s era, solemn and dignified, sitting upright behind the desk, holding her son’s urn in her arms, staring ahead with her eyes wide open, motionless...
"Mother." Madam Shen sensed something was wrong: "Mother?" She shook Old Madam Shen, and saw a tear fall from her widened eyes, her body collapsing in the direction Madam Shen shook her.
Madam Shen rushed forward: "Mother." She supported Old Madam Shen: "Mother, don’t scare me. Please wake up..."
Back then, Princess Changting, who was favored by Emperor Wen and protected by Chengzong, had endured through three reigns without waning, and thus quietly passed away in her residence. Yet this news was drowned in the excitement of the Eldest Prince’s return to the capital.
Xiqiu pulled Ruan Jingliu into the door: "You’ve had a hard time on this trip." She said gratefully: "You’ve been busy for so long!"
Ruan Jingliu took a sip of tea from her cup, nodded and said, "You indeed owe me thanks. It’s quite difficult running around outside in this heat." With that, she handed the teacup to Xiqiu.
Xiqiu smiled softly, took it and refilled it for her, sincerely asking, "How should I thank you?"
Ruan Jingliu drank another cup, feeling much refreshed. Her once porcelain-like face had tanned and thinned a bit due to the days of traveling. She frowned and thought seriously, saying: "When I was in your estate in Shandong, the medicinal herbs were growing well, but the area was a bit small." She paused and then said: "Why don’t you find a way to buy the 800 acres next door, as a thank-you gift for me."
The field next door? She had always had this thought. When Zhu Sancheng left, she mentioned it, but it’s been so long, and there’s still no indication of them wanting to sell: "I had the same thought, but if they’re not selling, we have no way." She paused and asked: "Do you have a way?" Xiqiu tilted her head to look at her.
Ruan Jingliu replied: "You don’t have a way, but Fourth Master Xiao does. If you ask her for help, it’s surely feasible."
Xiqiu couldn’t help but look at her suspiciously, somewhat puzzled by Ruan Jingliu’s attitude. However, Ruan Jingliu was straightforwardly bringing up the Shen family matters, and only after a long time did Xiqiu realize that she indeed had "ulterior motives."
"Old Madam Shen has passed away?" Ruan Jingliu leaned back on the cushion. Xiqiu nodded, replying, "She was found two days later."
Ruan Jingliu paused her gaze, mockingly shaking her head: "It’s the end she deserved." After saying this, she added: "Where’s Zhi? I haven’t seen him for a long time. I really miss him!"
"He’s having classes in the outer court. He’ll be home for lunch with the other children." Xiqiu said smiling, suddenly recalling that Fourth Master Xiao mentioned Second Young Master Qin, so she asked: "I heard that when you went, there was also a Second Young Master Qin with you?"
"Don’t mention that person." Ruan Jingliu changed the subject, yet unlike before, didn’t speak ill of Second Young Master Qin, but said: "I’ve agreed to Wan’er and Tiancheng’s marriage, she herself has no objections. Choose a date for Tiancheng to propose marriage." She thought for a moment and added: "After the marriage, they’ll live at my place. Wan’er still needs to assist me and can’t leave yet."
Xiqiu nodded with a smile: "Tiancheng’s mother, and his father haven’t been seen in years. I’ll ask Nanny Cen to arrange the proposal."
Ruan Jingliu had no objections.
A month later, as the first ray of sunshine pierced through the morning mist, there was already a bustling, booming crowd outside.
The people’s subdued murmurs merged into a buzzing sound, a dense crowd rejoicing, eagerly looking toward the city gate, waiting for the long-lost Eldest Prince, the posthumous son of the late Empress, to return to the capital.
This Eldest Prince, with his legendary experience and life, aroused curiosity since the day Commander Shi returned with news of his victory.
At this moment, as the thunderous horse hooves approached, the curiosity reached its peak!
"Here it comes, here it comes!"
"Haha, the Eldest Prince has returned!"
"Don’t push! Those in the back, stop pushing and let me see..."
At this moment, at the city gate, the roar of horse hooves was deafening. The endless procession of guards entered the city proudly, all their eyes fixed on the young man at the forefront—He rode at the head, back straight in the saddle, in a straight, pressed python robe of dark red, with python designs and gold-thread embroidery exuding an extraordinary aura of royal majesty!
Clamor immediately followed.
Almost instantly, on both sides, waves of people knelt in submission, forming a domino-like, undulating arc among the dragon-like crowd: "Greetings to the Eldest Prince!"
"Greetings to the Eldest Prince!"
"Greetings to the Eld..."
Wherever the procession went, the sound echoed, waves crashing like a tsunami! Yet the young man on the horse remained steady-eyed, face smiling slightly, exuding a royal dignity neither excessive nor deficient, always exhibiting unparalleled royal grace.
Suddenly, he seemed to feel something and lifted his head.
He saw on the pavilion to the left, a man and a woman leaning against the railing looking at him. The man’s phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, features handsome and spirited, the woman’s almond eyes smiling warmly, filled with love. They looked at him without speaking, nor with the excited gestures of others, yet the warmth and motivation they brought him were endless.
How fortunate to have them guarding me in this life!
He will always be ranked third in the Xiao family genealogy, adored by the Marquis Mansion, the cherished and loved Xiao Huaimin, Min!
He didn’t smile, but his eyes were full of smiling intent.
As the procession slowly passed out of sight, Fourth Master Xiao softly said: "They’ve passed, stop watching." Then, leaning close, she whispered in her ear: "Tomorrow night, you can see him again!"
"Really?" Xiqiu’s smile broadened, when suddenly a small figure dashed over quickly from the other side, imitating them to lean out and look, disappointedly saying: "I missed it, didn’t see it!"
Fourth Master Xiao rubbed Zhi’s head, chuckling as she drew Xiqiu into her embrace, the three of them watching as the distant figure on horseback faded, sunlight spilling gently through the window, painting a warm picture.
Xiqiu looked forward smiling, her mind drifting back to the day she gave birth, to what Ruan Jingliu whispered in her ear.
"Do you miss home? If you die, I’ll accompany you back!"
She didn’t answer at that time, and afterwards they never discussed whether they were both transmigrated women, but now she wanted to tell her.
She does not miss home.
Her delicate hand tightened around the large hand beside her, Xiqiu’s eyes full of tenderness.
Here is her home.
