When Fang Chengyu's letter left Yangcheng and headed toward the capital, two other groups of travelers were also rushing toward the capital.
The Duchess of Chengguo's convoy was the first to arrive in the capital, making the Duke of Chengguo's residence bustling with activity.
"Mother, it feels like you've brought the entire household from the northern lands with you," Zhu Zan remarked, looking at the influx of servants and maids in the courtyard, along with the chaotic assortment of items being unloaded from the carts.
"A broken home is still worth a fortune," Madam Yu said, her gaze passing over Zhu Zan. "Where's Miss Jun?"
Zhu Zan stood directly in front of her, blocking her view.
"Mother, you haven't even properly looked at your own son since you stepped inside," he complained. "Why are you so concerned about someone else's child?"
Madam Yu chuckled.
"Can you blame me? That child is simply wonderful," she said.
"Your own child isn't too shabby either," Zhu Zan retorted. "While Father isn't back yet from court, let me tell you about the thrilling things happening in the capital. Absolutely fascinating!"
"Oh, I've heard about it—how Miss Jun had thousands of people escort your father into the capital, right?" Madam Yu laughed. "I heard this story so many times on the way here, I could recite it backwards."
Zhu Zan hooked her arm and began leading her toward the main hall.
"Oh, there's much more excitement in the capital than that, Mother. There's even something that I personally—" He was animatedly speaking when footsteps interrupted him, and Miss Jun emerged from behind.
"Madam, you're here," she said with a warm smile.
Madam Yu immediately pushed Zhu Zan aside and took Miss Jun's hand.
"Were you busy?" she asked.
"Yes, applying medicine for my younger sister," Miss Jun replied.
"Then hurry and finish your work," Madam Yu urged.
"It's done already," Miss Jun said with a smile. "She'll wash it off herself in a moment."
Madam Yu didn't exchange further pleasantries.
"Alright then, come and tell me about the thousands who escorted your father into the capital," she said with a laugh.
Zhu Zan cleared his throat.
"Mother, haven't you heard that story enough already?" he asked.
Miss Jun pursed her lips into a smile, while Madam Yu glared at Zhu Zan.
"Why are you just standing there?" she said, pointing at the busy courtyard. "Make sure everything's properly packed and sorted. Without these, I'll have trouble sleeping."
"Why is it always me?" Zhu Zan said, pointing at himself.
"Who else would it be? Me?" Madam Yu quipped before ignoring him altogether. She turned to Miss Jun with a smile and took her hand. "Come, come, let's sit and chat inside."
As the two walked away, laughing and chatting, Zhu Zan stood rooted, glaring after them.
"Mother used to love hearing my stories the most," he muttered through gritted teeth.
She gets a daughter-in-law and forgets about her son—
Ack, pfft! Zhu Zan spat repeatedly, his face twisted with frustration.
This frustration wasn't born from Madam Yu overlooking him but rather from the thoughts that had just crept into his mind.
He stood there, his expression moving from anger to melancholy. He seemed lost in thought, staring blankly at the bustling servants in the courtyard laughing and chatting away. Gradually, his expression softened.
"Bring these to Madam's chamber," he said, striding over to the carts and picking things out.
......….
........
News of the Duke of Chengguo rushing back from the government office only made the mansion livelier.
"The greatest joy is seeing the return of those we love," he said. "Let's celebrate properly."
Madam Yu smiled at him.
"I want the flavors of Baozhou for dinner," she said.
"The chef from Baozhou is already in the kitchen," the Duke of Chengguo replied with a smile.
Madam Yu's smile was unabashed in its delight.
"The Duke is always so attentive," she said to Miss Jun.
Indeed.
He knew she wanted candied fruits, but he also knew she wouldn't be allowed to overindulge. So, the plate he handed over had the sweets halved, just the right amount to please her without spoiling her.
Pampering yet measured.
Miss Jun smiled and nodded, watching their every movement and word, brimming with affection. She couldn't help but think of her own parents.
Her parents were just as loving. Otherwise, when they'd had only daughters and her father fell ill, he wouldn't have ignored the Imperial Ancestor's command to take a concubine of noble birth.
So, when they said her father had succumbed to his illness and her mother had followed him in death, though heartbroken, she never doubted it.
She had never doubted her mother's deep devotion, but thinking about how that love had been exploited for a sinister scheme was truly heartbreaking.
"Father, Mother, let's eat. I'm starving. Save the conversation for later," Zhu Zan suddenly interrupted.
Madam Yu smiled and said no more.
"Alright, let's eat, then," said the Duke of Chengguo. "Let's dine in Luyun Building."
The maids and servants immediately responded, hurrying to prepare. The Duke and Duchess headed off to change and freshen up.
Miss Jun remained where she was, watching them leave.
"What are you thinking about now?" Zhu Zan's voice rang in her ear again.
Miss Jun smiled lightly.
"Just thinking how beautiful this world is," she said. "To preserve that beauty forever, no price is too high to pay."
Zhu Zan rolled his eyes.
"Can't you ever talk properly?" he sneered.
Miss Jun gazed at him.
"Which part of what I said wasn't proper? Everything I said was serious—it's you who refuses to listen properly," she said, her lips curving into another soft smile. "For example, I am Princess Jiuli."
Zhu Zan scoffed and strode off in big strides.
Though the table wasn't heavily populated, it was lively. Madam Yu sat in the middle with Miss Jun on one side and Zhao Hanqing on the other.
"Let me see. It's much better now. If I don't look closely, I wouldn't even notice," Madam Yu said, examining Zhao Hanqing.
Zhao Hanqing had forgone her veil and faced the Duke's family with calm composure.
Though her face was still marred by scars, it had improved significantly compared to when she was on Zhangqing Mountain, though it wasn't entirely unnoticeable.
Zhao Hanqing nodded, not considering Madam Yu's comment an exaggeration.
"My sister says it'll only get better," she said.
"Still missing a few ingredients," Miss Jun said. "They're rare and hard to come by."
Madam Yu nodded thoughtfully before turning to look at Zhu Zan.
Sitting at the opposite end of the table, Zhu Zan immediately straightened up.
"Given how complex things are in the capital now, Father, has the court said anything about your future appointments?" he quickly asked, turning to the Duke with a serious expression. "Let me handle the matters of lobbying and talking where discretion is needed."
The Duke of Chengguo smiled warmly.
"No rush," he said.
Madam Yu was about to say something when a maidservant entered, glancing at Madam Yu and the Duke before ultimately focusing on Miss Jun.
"Miss Jun, Young Master Seven of Chen is here," she said.
What Young Master Seven? The Seventh Chen of Jiuling Hall, now even the maids in the Duke's residence referred to him as "Master." Zhu Zan rolled his eyes again, glancing at the way she bypassed the Duke and Duchess entirely to report directly to her. If one didn't know better, they might think she was the master of the household.
Too bad, the other four at the table didn't find anything amiss.
"I'll go take a look," Miss Jun said.
Madam Yu stopped her from rising.
"What's there to see?" she asked. "Invite him in."
She motioned to the maidservant.
"Ask if he's eaten yet."
The maidservant quickly complied and went out, returning shortly with Seventh Chen, who entered cheerfully.
"Many thanks to the Duke and Madam," he said, bowing directly. "I've already eaten."
The Duke of Chengguo smiled warmly at him.
"If there's something, you two can go discuss it," he said.
Miss Jun was about to rise, but Seventh Chen spoke first.
"I came to tell Miss Jun that Madam Xiao and Liu'er have arrived," he said joyfully.
Zhao Hanqing immediately shot to her feet.
"My mother's here!" she exclaimed, dashing outside.
Miss Jun followed close behind.
Madam Yu and the Duke of Chengguo also stood up.
Seeing his parents follow suit, Zhu Zan begrudgingly got to his feet as well.
"Quick, let's go greet them," Madam Yu said.
Greet who? Sister-in-law's mother? Zhu Zan glared. That's not how this works!
........
...…..
(Let's all sleep well tonight and wait for a delightful surprise, friends.)