In front of the city gates, the government soldiers temporarily blocked the flow of people entering and exiting, allowing a group of mounted individuals to pass through.
This group included men and women, young and old, though most wore military uniforms.
"Who are they?"
"What's with the grand setup?"
"They're from Duke of Chengguo's residence."
"Miss Jun is here too."
Upon hearing it was the Duke of Chengguo's residence, the crowd immediately fell silent. Moreover, with Miss Jun present, the people looked on cheerfully, wondering what kind of figures warranted such a spectacle from both the Duke's residence and Miss Jun.
Seven or eight carriages came to a stop, and the crowd waiting nearby surged forward.
"Mother!" Zhao Hanqing rushed over, embracing the woman who had just stepped off the carriage.
Miss Xiao nearly lost her footing but managed to stay upright, laughing as she patted Zhao Hanqing.
"Miss Jun."
At the same time, a high-pitched female voice rang out. The crowd barely had time to react before they saw Liu'er leap onto Miss Jun, bursting into tears.
Miss Jun smiled and stroked her head.
"Liu'er's been spoiled and grown plump; you nearly knocked me over," she said, chuckling.
Liu'er broke into a teary laugh.
"I haven't grown fat! I work every day," she said, wiping her tears.
"Sister Liu'er watches *us* work every day!" the children spilling out of the carriage chimed in, giggling as they rushed toward her.
Liu'er immediately stomped her foot and glared.
"Get lost! All of you!" she retorted.
The children were undeterred by her scolding. Laughing and chattering, they ran to embrace the men and women in military attire who had come forward to greet them.
"Father!"
"Uncle Iron Foot!"
"Mother!"
Soon, both sides collided in a joyous reunion, laughter and tears blending as one.
Back in Zhangqing Mountain, those who were elderly or under fourteen years old had stayed behind, cared for by ten allocated women. Everyone else followed Miss Jun out of the mountains. Among them, many families had remained intact, while others faced the hardship of temporary separation. Now reunited, the atmosphere was naturally one of shared elation.
Not everyone was jubilant. Some silently wept—the families of those who had perished in battle. Though they had learned of their loved ones' fates much earlier, this reunion still brought an undeniable and renewed wave of sorrow.
"Miss Jun, you've lost weight," Liu'er said, studying her features. She pouted and seemed on the verge of tears. "I knew you couldn't manage without me taking care of you."
She then turned her gaze toward Zhao Hanqing.
"Look at her. She's gotten all plump herself," she added.
Zhao Hanqing wrinkled her nose at her.
Miss Xiao brushed her fingers across Liu'er's face, her eyes betraying a hint of excitement.
"Indeed, you've taken good care of yourself," she said. "I nearly didn't recognize you."
Zhao Hanqing touched her own face as well.
"Am I getting prettier?" she asked, grinning.
Miss Xiao nodded, then turned to Miss Jun.
Miss Jun also nodded, offering her a warm smile.
"Let's continue talking at home," Xia Yong called out.
Xia Yong's wife hurried to console the women and children as well.
Living arrangements had already been sorted. De Sheng Chang had begun preparations the very day Miss Jun entered the capital, purchasing an entire alleyway and refurbishing over ten residences. These were sufficient to ensure the Qingshan Army's people could settle in comfortably, as if they were in their own homes.
"Wherever Miss Jun stays, I'll stay too," Liu'er said, clinging to Miss Jun's arm as though she couldn't bear to let go, even for a moment.
"Of course," Miss Jun replied with a soft smile. "You've been slacking off long enough; time for you to get back to work."
One by one, the group boarded the carriages. Meanwhile, Zhu Zan stepped forward from where he'd been standing and approached Miss Xiao.
"My mother has already prepared everything. Please allow us to escort you to our home to rest," he said, bowing formally.
Although his expression seemed somewhat reluctant as he walked over, his demeanor and gestures were impeccably polite once he spoke.
Miss Xiao studied him before glancing at Miss Jun.
"That must be Lord Heir," she said with a grin.
Miss Jun confirmed, and Zhu Zan bowed once more.
"Since the Duchess has extended her invitation, I shall naturally accept," Miss Xiao replied. Her tone carried no trace of unease or hesitation, as though this were unquestionably the right thing to do.
It felt as natural and familiar as if she were interacting with her own family.
Miss Jun suddenly thought about leaning against Miss Xiao's other arm the way Zhao Hanqing had done moments earlier.
The thought left her feeling a little embarrassed. Though she deeply admired her mother and elder sisters, her pride had prevented her from outwardly expressing such affection. She'd always assumed life was long enough to find opportunities for such gestures later. But she'd learned there were no guarantees for "later."
She approached Miss Xiao, entwining her arm with hers and resting her head lightly on her shoulder.
"The Duchess has arranged a banquet, Aunt, to welcome you and wash away the dust from your travels," she said.
...…
...….
The carriages proceeded and split into two groups. Xia Yong led the Zhangqing Mountain people onward, while Miss Xiao, Zhao Hanqing, and Liu'er rode in the Duke of Chengguo's carriage.
Miss Jun discreetly pressed her cheeks with her hands, feeling the residual warmth there and wondering if anyone had noticed she was blushing.
Her impulsive action earlier had taken her somewhat off guard. Even though she'd done it in front of so many people, fortunately, everyone had been engrossed in the joy of reunion and had paid little attention.
Someone nearby let out a quiet scoff.
Miss Jun glanced over. Zhu Zan raised his eyebrow at her.
"You're beaming with joy now that you've got someone backing you up?" he said.
A "backer," huh?
Miss Jun's smile widened, her eyes curving beautifully.
"Absolutely. Jealous, aren't you? Envious, perhaps?" she teased, raising her eyebrow in return. "Scared, are you?"
Zhu Zan snorted softly.
"What's there to fear? Let me tell you, it's all pointless," he said. "Put an end to any thoughts you shouldn't be having—better to avoid making a scene in the end."
Miss Jun cupped her face with her hands and smiled at him.
"How could I possibly make a scene when I'm this pretty?" she retorted. "Didn't you say I was lovely?"
Zhu Zan huffed sharply and turned on his heel. Miss Jun chuckled as she followed him, the two mounting their respective horses.
Seated inside the carriage, Miss Xiao withdrew her gaze with a faint smile.
"Miss Jun and Lord Heir seem to get along quite well," she remarked.
"Of course—my sister is so wonderful; who wouldn't like her?" Zhao Hanqing responded.
Liu'er eagerly nodded in agreement.
"Exactly, exactly! Anyone who doesn't like my Miss must be a bad person," she added.
Miss Xiao couldn't help but laugh heartily.
It was rare to see her laugh so freely—in fact, it had been a long time since she'd done so. She'd gone years, even decades, without such joy. And yet, a hearty laugh could come so easily. How contradictory and yet content human existence is.
She looked at Zhao Hanqing, now unburdened by the veil that had once concealed her face. Though it still appeared somewhat peculiar, it no longer evoked fear. Then she glanced at Liu'er. She reached out and touched both their heads.
"Absolutely," she said. "Anyone who dislikes her is certainly a bad person."
...…
....
The Duke Mansion's family banquet was warm and lively. Miss Xiao interacted with the Duke and Duchess of Chengguo with composure and ease. They treated her equally kindly, avoiding any mention of past hardships and instead focusing on the present, praising both Zhao Hanqing and Miss Jun. All attendees enjoyed dinner thoroughly—except for Zhu Zan.
When the banquet ended, the Duke excused himself, and the Duchess instructed Miss Jun to arrange for Miss Xiao to rest.
"It's best to stay here for the night before leaving," she said. "We'll select a few maidservants to accompany her."
Miss Xiao graciously accepted without making any polite refusals.
"I truly enjoy speaking with people like you—there's no needless prattling or scheming," Madam Yu remarked cheerfully, patting Miss Xiao's hand. "I knew it... birds of a feather flock together."
Zhu Zan coughed lightly, seemingly choking on his tea.
Madam Yu completely ignored him.
"Miss Jun shares a similar disposition with you," she continued. "Miss Xiao, you're already aware the engagement is merely a formality. It's been unfair to Miss Jun."
Miss Xiao shook her head with a calm smile.
"Big achievements require a disregard for small inconveniences," she said. "It's no hardship."
Zhu Zan bobbed his head in agreement.
Madam Yu chuckled and nodded emphatically.
"Well said," she replied, patting Miss Xiao's hand again. "Then I'll go ahead and call you family."
Wait, that logic isn't right… Zhu Zan froze.
"Mother, Mother, don't start declaring random kinships!" he exclaimed hurriedly.
Madam Yu shot him a glare.
"Why are you interrupting women's conversation?" she snapped under her breath. "Go choose some maidservants to serve Miss Xiao."
But isn't picking maids a woman's task?! Why are you asking me? Zhu Zan opened his mouth to protest but ultimately didn't dare defy his mother. He walked off in frustration.
"You have a fine son," Miss Xiao remarked with a smile.
Madam Yu laughed, unabashed.
"Yes, I do," she replied.
Saying goodbye to Madam Yu, Miss Jun accompanied Miss Xiao and Zhao Hanqing to her own quarters to rest.
"Go inform your Second Uncle Xia that I'll stay with your Sister-in-law Xia. I don't want to sleep alone; it feels too lonely," Miss Xiao suddenly said to Zhao Hanqing. "Make sure to let him know beforehand. I don't want to end up switching again."
Zhao Hanqing cheerfully obliged and left the room.
Only Miss Xiao and Miss Jun remained inside.
Miss Jun poured tea.
"Aunt," she said. "Is there something you'd like to ask me?"
Madam Yu turned to look at her.
"When did he die?" she asked.
Miss Jun's hands holding the tea cup momentarily froze.