Chapter 186

Chapter 186

Early in the morning of the fifth day of the New Year, Tong Sui woke up before dawn, but reluctantly lingered in bed, knowing that even if she got up, they couldn’t leave immediately.

As she turned over for the second time, Xiao Zhen wrapped his arms around her from behind, “What’s got you so worked up?”

Tong Sui: “If Grandfather had agreed to send Third Brother to the post station last night to pick them up, I would have gone too.”

She missed her parents, her younger brother, her aunt, Liu Chu, Lin Ningfang, her two children, and even Madam He and Xiao Yuchan.

Xiao Zhen kissed her neck, “The ones I miss the most are already by my side; I’m not as restless as you are.”

Some people yearn to be together every day, while others miss them without losing sleep.

Xiao Zhen couldn’t soothe the longing in Tong Sui’s heart for reuniting with her family, so he could only keep her temporarily distracted.

“Did you miss me this much when we were apart before?”

“We’ve never been apart for so long.”

“How much longer? Even if we don’t see each other for three days, you’d cry all night.”

“……”

——

There was a small court meeting today, so Xiao Mu and Xiao Zhen left for the palace early.

Tong Sui, Xiao Ye, Xiao She, Xiao Shouyi, and Xiao Yan had breakfast at the Duke’s residence. After the meal, as everyone came to the gate of the Duke’s residence, they found a group of familiar faces who were joining them to welcome the families outside the city. The closest was Zhou Gui. Sun Dian and his brother, Tong Gui, Qiao Changan, Zhang Wengong, and Pan Dai, who lived south of the Luo River, also chose to gather at the Duke’s residence first since they would be leaving via the East Gate.

Zhou Gui couldn’t ride a horse when she was in Wei County, but after following the army for so long last year, she had learned. Now, she followed Tong Gui, while her fiancé, Zhang Wengong, stayed by Qiao Changan’s side, maintaining a proper distance.

As the young people greeted Xiao Shouyi, Sun Dian asked Xiao Yan, “Everyone else is wearing casual clothes to pick them up, so why are you in official attire? Are you really that eager to show off?”

Xiao Yan glared at each of the brothers before riding off ahead of them.

Xiao Shouyi shook his head helplessly and followed his son. The father and son were taking the Dingding Gate to the south.

Qiao Changan: “Hey, can Third Brother really hold back?”

Xiao Ye: “When Grandfather forbids it, he has to endure even if he doesn’t want to.”

Tong Sui glanced at the two and said, “Stop teasing your Third Brother. Since everyone’s here, let’s depart!”

The previous day, the group of family members from Wei County had arrived at a town twenty miles northeast of Luoyang. Because the elder had told them not to rush, they stayed at an inn nearby. Now, with the upcoming reunion and the prospect of moving to the capital for a prosperous life, everyone was so excited that they slept late and woke up early, continuing their journey at dawn.

As Tong Sui’s group ran ten miles along the official road, they spotted a convoy ahead. There were ten mule carriages for passengers and three more filled with chests, with ten guards stationed around them.

Tong Sui’s group hesitated to confirm their identity, but suddenly, a guard shouted excitedly, “It’s the Second Madam!”

Upon hearing this title, it confirmed their guess. Tong Sui and the others rushed forward like horses in a race.

The people in the carriages also couldn’t wait, sticking their heads out of the windows. Xiao Yuchan and Tong Shan even disembarked from the carriage first.

Tong Sui didn’t even spare a thought for the Xiao family members and ran straight to her parents. She cried in her mother Zhou Qing’s arms, while Zhou Gui tightly hugged her mother Jiang. Tong Shan, who was fourteen, wanted to embrace his older sister like he used to, but seeing that she seemed a little shorter than him now, he felt a bit reluctant to hug her.

Tong Gui pulled his younger brother in front of him, sizing him up with a smile, “Not bad, you’ve grown quite a bit this year.”

Tong Sui, her eyes red, straightened up from her mother’s embrace and let her gaze travel over her brother, happily saying, “You seem taller than me.”

It had been quite some time, but there hadn't been much change in father and mother. It was only my brother who had changed significantly. His height was secondary; it was his bearing that had transformed. He used to be a hillbilly from the mountains, but now he actually had a touch of scholarly air.

Zhou Qing explained, "It's because the third madam has done a great job teaching him. She not only taught Xiao Shan to read but also trained him in all sorts of etiquette and rules. But this rascal usually pays no attention to me, yet he becomes a well-behaved student in front of the third madam."

Tong Shan blushed and said, "Since the third madam is willing to teach me, how could I not behave? If I don't, you, my sister, would be the first to beat me up."

Tong Sui said, "That's right. Among us, you’re the luckiest. First, you studied diligently under Chancellor Song for a whole year, and then you were personally tutored by the third madam for over a year."

Tong Gui added, "Exactly. Xiao Shan, you must pass the imperial examination for our family, or at the very least a scholar, to live up to your two great teachers."

Tong Shan smiled and said, "Alright, I'll do my best!"

Zhou Qing glanced at the Xiao family members ahead and gestured for her daughter to go see them.

Tong Sui wiped her eyes and walked over.

Xiao Yuchan, upon seeing her, deliberately said, "Oh, isn't this the Lady Anguo personally appointed by the Emperor? You don’t look like our second sister-in-law at all anymore."

Tong Sui looked her up and down and said with a smile, "Your appearance is as smooth as jade and as round as pearls."

With her round face and full figure, standing under the sun, she looked so radiant that people might believe she had been raised in luxury her whole life.

Xiao Yuchan blushed and said, "You’re being evasive. You can just say I've gained weight."

Madam He said, "I've told you before to do more chores. You wouldn't listen, so don't blame your second sister-in-law for teasing you."

Tong Sui said, "I'm not teasing. I'm sincerely complimenting you. Aunt, don't you think so?"

Aunt Xiao said, "Yes, our Yuchan is blessed with good fortune. Not only are her grandfather, father, and brothers capable, but the sisters-in-law that her brothers married are also top-notch." She then asked, "By the way, did Aman get hurt on this trip?"

Tong Sui smiled and let Aunt Xiao take a good look at her. After chatting with the elders, she finally approached Liu Chu and her daughter.

Mianmian was already ten years old and had inherited Liu Chu's apricot eyes and peach blossom cheeks. She was clearly a beauty in the making.

Liu Chu nodded towards a nearby carriage and whispered to Tong Sui, "Ever since we crossed the river, she hasn't shown her face much, except for when we stop for lodging or meals."

Tong Sui said, "She's feeling nervous about going back home. I'll keep her company on the way back."

In addition to the Xiao and Tong families, Tong Sui also needed to greet the elders from several other families.

The Sun family was represented by Mother Du, the mother of the two brothers, Sun Dian’s son Dalang, Sun Wei’s wife Li, and their two children.

Tong Sui asked, "Uncle Sun, why didn't you come? The old man was hoping to drink with Uncle Sun."

Mother Du smiled and said, "He's just like Wen Gong's father. They both can't let go of the duties of the village head. He'd rather stay at home. I just missed these two brothers too much, so I came to take a look. I'll return after staying for a while."

Tong Sui looked surprised, and Sun Wei explained, "Our father wrote to us before, telling us to settle down and take up positions in the capital city. He feels more comfortable living in the village."

Our father served as the village head in Lingshui Village for over twenty years. Apart from Elder Xiao, no one had ever overshadowed him. Wherever he went, people showed him respect. But if he came to Luoyang, although he'd be living in wealth, he wouldn't know anyone around him. On the streets, he'd likely run into officials or wealthy merchants, and he'd be the one doing the fawning.

Zhang Wengong approached with his brother, sister-in-law, and nephew. His father, Village Head Zhang, shared the same sentiment.

The elder Zhang daughter-in-law peeked at Zhou Gui in the distance and said to Tong Sui with a smile, "My husband's legs aren't convenient, so we originally didn't plan to come. But we thought we should help Wengong with the wedding preparations, so we decided to come along. After the wedding is done, we'll return to Wei County with Mother Du."

Zhang Wengong's ears turned red as he said, "Why is Sister-in-law bringing this up?"

Tong Sui understood the implication. The Zhang family's house in Luoyang was earned by Zhang Wengong, and his brother and sister-in-law didn't intend to take advantage of him.

For Zhou Gui, this was a rare and harmonious relationship with a sister-in-law.

Tong Sui replied with a bow, "The Wen family’s house is quite spacious. You could all come to live there, and there would be enough space. There's no need to go back. You should persuade Uncle Zhang to come too. It would be wonderful for the whole family to be in Luoyang, so you wouldn't have to worry about each other."

Zhang Jia's sister-in-law said, "It's hard to leave one's hometown. We are more used to country living and might not adapt well here."

Pan Dai had also brought his family.

Both Pan Yong and his father lived in Luoyang, and naturally, Pan's elderly mother, Madame Wang, and Pan Yuerou, like the families of Xiao and Tong, had fully settled in Luoyang.

The three of them smiled and greeted Tong Sui.

Tong Sui helped the elderly lady to her feet and said, "We share a bond with Uncle Pan and Ah Dai that has been tested through life and death. Please, don't be so formal."

Madam Pan expressed her gratitude, "My husband and son owe their official positions to the Duke and Marquis. The immense kindness the Xiao family has shown us will never be forgotten by our family in this lifetime."

Wang Shi added, "Yes, even when we were still in the village, the Duke took care of our family. We are fortunate to come and enjoy these blessings. So many people in the village and county envied us."

Pan Yuerou smiled and advised her mother-in-law and aunt, "Madam is easy to talk to and doesn't like hearing such empty words. Let's not dwell on it. If we keep talking, we’ll only delay Madam from reuniting with her family."

Tong Sui said, "Yuerou is right. Let's head back to the city first and then gather properly once we've settled down."

After the rounds of greetings, the convoy was ready to set off again.

Tong Sui bid her parents farewell and came to Lin Ningfang's carriage. Ah Zhen had been standing by the carriage, and as she helped Tong Sui up, Ah Zhen, with red eyes, said, "Please don't blame our Madam for her lack of courtesy. Seeing every single thing here saddens me. If Madam were to get out of the carriage, she might lose her composure, which would only spoil the joy of our reunion."

Tong Sui couldn’t bear to blame Lin Ningfang; her heart was filled with compassion.

Ah Zhen sat on the front of the carriage, and Tong Sui bent down to enter the carriage. As she looked up, she saw a dignified young lady sitting inside, like a magnolia blossom. It seemed she wanted to smile at Tong Sui, but two clear teardrops silently rolled down her cheeks.

Tong Sui felt a pang of sorrow.

She hadn’t seen her mother for a year, and despite the joy of their reunion, she couldn’t hold back her tears. Lin Ningfang had lost her mother over two years ago, and now that she was finally able to return home, her parents and siblings were no longer there.

Tong Sui sat next to Lin Ningfang, drew her into her arms, and gently patted her back as she softly comforted her, "Go ahead and cry. It's alright to cry. You'll feel better after letting it all out."

The slender back beneath her hands trembled slightly as Lin Ningfang cried, then took out a handkerchief and gently placed it on Tong Sui’s shoulder. When Tong Sui felt the dampness again, she took out her own handkerchief and replaced it.

As the carriage neared Luoyang, Xiao Gumu reminded Xiao Yuchan to pull her head back inside the carriage. Tong Sui asked the now calmer Lin Ningfang, "Should we go to the Duke's residence first, or Jingshan Ward?"

Tong Sui had already explained the situation at the Lin residence to Lin Ningfang.

Lin Ningfang smiled and said, "There’s no rush to go there. Let's go home first."