Chapter 11: Mother, I Have Returned

Chapter 11: Mother, I Have Returned

A cold wind swept across the broad street, chilling the spines of all who knelt on the ground. Yet none dared to lift their heads, let alone steal a glance at the leading carriage.

When He Lanfang returned, he saw his guards all holding drawn swords.

The cold gleam of the blades pierced straight through to the core.

"His Highness Prince Yongning is present here. Put away your swords at once!"

He Lanfang snapped at the guards.

But every guard who had come with him knew full well that Xie Lingyu was seated inside the carriage—these words were meant for those opposite.

Even if those kneeling opposite had clung to a sliver of desperate hope in their hearts, upon hearing these words, their hopes were utterly dashed.

Not to mention, the grand gate of the palace let out a deep, heavy groan as several servants pushed it open with effort.

The main gate of the palace was never opened under ordinary circumstances—only for events like weddings, funerals, or imperial edicts from the Emperor.

And for the return of the master of the household.

"Your Highness, the main gate is open. We respectfully welcome Your Highness back to the palace," He Lanfang knelt on one knee outside the carriage.

This time, even the guards surrounding Ting He fell to their knees as well.

In unison, everyone proclaimed, "We welcome Your Highness back to the palace!"

The "low-key return" only applied before arriving—now that they were at the doorstep, it was only right for everyone to know that Prince Yongning had returned.

The previously silent carriage finally stirred. A maid pushed open the door first, then placed a footstool beneath it.

The last traces of dusk had long vanished from the horizon, replaced by a bright moon hanging high in the sky. Its silvery light cascaded down like a thin layer of frost upon the ground. A hand even paler than the moonlight lifted the curtain and slowly stepped out.

She was wrapped in a pure white fox-fur cloak, its fur immaculate without a single blemish.

A cold breeze brushed past, causing the red silk ribbons adorning the maiden’s delicate hair to flutter gently. Her sharp gaze swept coolly over the gathered crowd. Though none dared raise their eyes to look at her, they could still feel the weight of her clear, commanding presence.

"Rise," a clear, youthful voice rang out.

The crowd, still kneeling, finally rose. One daring soul glanced up at the maiden bathed in moonlight. She wore no extravagant finery—her appearance was instead strikingly simple. Yet her naturally snow-white skin and flower-like beauty, with picture-perfect brows and eyes, already possessed an unadorned, peerless grace.

Despite such breathtaking beauty, her noble bearing discouraged any untoward thoughts.

"Her Highness cuts an imposing figure," Qing Feng muttered from inside the carriage, his voice barely audible.

Xiao Yanxing gazed at the maiden under the moonlight, silver glow catching in her dark tresses. Her cold, noble figure burned into his eyes, and suddenly, vivid images flashed through his mind—

A young woman standing atop a city wall, her hair and robes fluttering as if a goddess alighting from the heavens.

But the vision lasted only an instant.

His fist clenched in shock, his dark eyes fixed intently on the maiden standing by the carriage. Yet she remained distant, not deigning to look his way, nor exerting the slightest influence upon him.

Just like that dream so vivid it felt real—the one he had before waking that day.

That familiar yet restrained address of "Prince."

Xie Lingyu glanced at the second carriage where Xiao Yanxing sat. Fortunately, despite the disturbance, he had not gotten out.

She turned to order He Lanfang, "You will drive the carriage into the manor. I must go greet the Princess Dowager first."

"Yes, Your Highness," He Lanfang immediately understood her meaning.

Xie Lingyu wanted him to keep a close eye on Xiao Yanxing and ensure no one approached him.

"Let's go," Xie Lingyu turned and walked toward the main gate.

But then, a soft and gentle voice called from behind, "Prince."

Xie Lingyu paused slightly but did not turn around.

The person behind attempted to step forward, but the guards swiftly blocked her path, preventing her from approaching Xie Lingyu.

"Please don’t misunderstand. I merely wish to apologize," the speaker hurriedly explained. "My maid was disrespectful and disrupted Your Highness’s procession. I implore Your Highness—"

Before she could finish, Xie Lingyu walked on without looking back, entering the manor without hesitation.

She showed not the slightest interest in hearing the other party’s plea.

Yet, even after such an open slight, the woman behind her dared not voice any resentment. Instead, it was her maid, Xiao Man, who stood beside her, now shaking, eyes brimming with tears, legs trembling with fear.

Only after Xie Lingyu disappeared through the main gate did Xiao Man whisper, "Help me."

Zhang Hanning stood rooted in place, her perfectly lacquered nails digging deep into her palms.

Since entering the manor, she had grown accustomed to the fawning and deference of those around her, completely forgetting the poverty-stricken girl she once was when she arrived in Chang’an seeking refuge.

At the moment Xie Lingyu appeared, she was abruptly reminded of the insurmountable gap between people.

In Xie Lingyu’s presence, she held her breath, afraid of causing offense.

"My lady, what should we do now?" Xiao Man asked anxiously when Zhang Hanning remained silent.

Zhang Hanning jolted back to reality, as if waking from a dream, and said softly, "We should go see Auntie now."

She spoke more to herself than to Xiao Man.

But when Zhang Hanning reached the main gate, the gatekeeper hesitated awkwardly. "Lady, the main gate is for Her Highness. Please use the servants’ entrance."

Normally, Zhang Hanning always used the side entrance—even her aunt, the Princess Dowager of the manor, did the same.

She had never found it unusual before, but now the gatekeeper’s words felt like a stinging humiliation.

Yet she could only force a smile and say, "My mistake."

*

Xie Lingyu entered the manor and headed straight for her mother’s courtyard. Occasionally, she encountered servants who, upon seeing such a strikingly beautiful yet unfamiliar young lady in the manor, were gaping in shock.

Even Xie Lingyu found it amusing. As the Prince of Yongning, returning home only to find that none of the servants recognized her was rather ironic.

Chun Xi and Ting He walked behind her.

Ting He seemed unable to hold back any longer and whispered, "The servants here are ill-mannered. They stare at Your Highness so openly, as if they’ve never seen you before."

Chun Xi pulled her sleeve. "It might be the dim light, and Your Highness has been away for so long. It’s understandable they didn’t recognize you."

She worried Her Highness might overhear and feel displeased, so she quickly tried to cover it up.

Ting He, recalling the earlier incident at the gate, couldn't help but say, "That maid from the carriage actually claimed our palace was her young mistress’s home. Who does she think she is?"

The more Ting He thought about how she had been humiliated by that little maid, the angrier she became.

It wasn’t entirely for her own sake—as Her Highness’s maidservant, such disrespect was like slapping Her Highness's face.

This time, even Chun Xi kept quiet.

In truth, by the end of the argument, Chun Xi had already guessed the identity of that young mistress.

She was just the Dowager Consort’s niece—Zhang Hanning.

Back when they were at Shangyang Palace, they had only heard that the Dowager Consort spoiled this girl, bringing her to palace events as if she were her own daughter. They'd thought that was exaggerated.

But now, seeing how she carried herself—surrounded by so many guards, even her maidservant acting so haughty—it was clear the Dowager Consort truly cherished her.

It was as if she were raising her like her own daughter.

At this thought, Chun Xi couldn’t help but look up at Xie Lingyu’s retreating figure; her heart went out to her mistress.

The Dowager Consort could bear to leave Her Highness at Shangyang Palace for so long, yet treated a niece so well.

If Her Highness had never returned, would someone else have taken over the palace?

When they arrived in front of the Dowager Consort’s courtyard, they unexpectedly found Zhang Hanning, who had entered through the side gate, arriving at the same time. The side gate was actually closer to the Dowager Consort’s courtyard, and Zhang Hanning, lost in thought, had hurried along and managed to arrive first.

Just as she was about to step into the courtyard, she suddenly caught sight of Xie Lingyu and softly called out, "Your Highness."

Then, Zhang Hanning obediently stepped back, yielding the path to Xie Lingyu.

Without another word to her, Xie Lingyu walked straight in.

The courtyard of the Dowager Consort was brightly lit, the palace lanterns hanging along the corridor swaying gently in the night breeze. The warm glow spilling from the windows created a cozy, peaceful atmosphere.

Xie Lingyu’s steps unconsciously slowed, hesitant as she approached home.

In her past life, her decision to drink that poisoned wine without hesitation may have been connected to her mother’s choices.

When she had been imprisoned, her mother hadn’t fought hard to save her—instead, she had sought to adopt another to inherit the princely title her father had fought to secure for her.

A maidservant standing beneath the corridor, spotting the figure entering the courtyard gate, hurried inside to announce, "Dowager Consort, the young mistress has returned."

Before long, a nanny-like woman came out with a joyful expression, smiling as she walked. "The young mistress has finally returned! The Dowager Consort has been waiting to dine with you. If you hadn’t come back, she wouldn’t have eaten a bite."

She approached cheerfully, but the moment she saw who it was, her face froze in shock and disbelief.

Xie Lingyu, however, chuckled softly. "Nanny Chen, do you not recognize me?"

"Your Highness!" Nanny Chen exclaimed. She was a longtime servant of the Dowager Consort and had practically raised Xie Lingyu. Though years had passed and Her Highness had grown into a young woman, she recognized her at once.

Xie Lingyu glanced toward the main chamber. "Is Mother inside? I’ve returned home to pay my respects to her."

Only then did Nanny Chen remember to compose herself. Though she was still shocked, she quickly adjusted her expression. "The Dowager Consort is resting in her chamber."

As soon as they entered, the Dowager Consort seated on the daybed looked up with a smile and called, "Hanning."

But the moment her eyes met Xie Lingyu’s, her smile froze.

In contrast, Xie Lingyu smiled brightly at her mother’s stunned disbelief. "Mother, I’m home."