Chapter 62 Reunion Hope you’re happy.

Chapter 62: Reunion - Hope You're Happy.

Zhong Shu and Xu Su had followed General Qin to Xujiang River after the Lunar New Year, and including the time they were captured by bandits, the two had been gone from the capital for over six months.

As far as they knew, no one knew they had been brought to Wuyin Mountain by Dou Wu, so for a long time, they could only try to save themselves and wait for the imperial court to send another force to suppress the bandits.

After their rescue yesterday, one had his arm hurt by Xie Chi, and the other was dazed from the bandits' mistreatment, so they hadn't gotten a chance to ask why Zhong Yao was here with Xie Chi.

They never expected their families to come for them, so when Xu Guozhu and Zhong Huaizhi appeared before them, they were naturally slow to react.

Only when Zhong Yao shouted "Father!" did the two recognize the arrivals, and in an instant, the hall filled with cries and joyful sobs.

Zhong Yao had long known from Xie Chi that her father would come. She'd planned to act calm and inscrutable when her father and second brother were shocked, and if that failed, she'd throw a fit.

But when it actually happened, the second she called out "Dad," all the grievances, fears, bitterness, and struggles of the past half-year surged up.

Her eyes stung, and tears welled up instantly.

After that, she just buried her face and cried with her father and brother, forgetting all her earlier plans and tuning out everyone else around her.

Xie Chi knew that although Zhong Yao had never complained, she had truly been exhausted during this time.

In body and mind.

With what had happened in her family, inner pain was unavoidable, but the physical exhaustion she went through was his fault.

It shouldn't have been this way.

When Xue Fang suggested bringing Zhong Yao along to Wuyin Mountain that day, Xie Chi should have flat-out refused.

But people are selfish by nature.

At that moment, he gave in to his selfishness, cooked up an excuse with Xue Fang's help, and agreed to bring her along, making her endure fear and hardship the whole way.

He was selfish and wanted to be close to her, so that day at the inn, he fell victim to the bandits' knockout drug and crossed a line with her, something she still doesn't know about.

He figured since he'd done it, he had to take responsibility, and then he blurted out inappropriate things and did many foolish things...

Maybe that's just how guys are—once they get involved in romantic feelings, their true, lowly nature shows.

His grandmother was spot on.

Xie Chi glanced at Zhong Yao—but couldn't get a look at her.

Zhong Huaizhi was a scholar from a poor family, but he wasn't frail. Zhong Shu was thin but tall. The father and son completely blocked Zhong Yao; Xie Chi could only see one of her slender shoulders shaking as she sobbed.

He watched for a second, then glanced at Xu Su, who was on his knees crying and apologizing to his grandpa, before walking out of the hall.

Outside, he looked at Jiang Xia behind him and told the guard, "Go get Shu Feng."

After Xie Chi left the hall, it was a good while before the crying of the Zhong and Xu families died down.

Zhong Shu being here was surprising, but with some thought, you could guess why.

But Zhong Yao was supposed to be resting at the Marquis of Yong'an's estate outside the capital with his adopted daughter, so her being here was the biggest shock.

Zhong Huaizhi had been in shock ever since getting Xie Chi's letter, and now, finally getting his excitement under control, he looked at Zhong Yao sternly and said, "A Yao, don't you think you owe your father an explanation for being here?"

"Yeah!" Zhong Shu cut in, "I asked her last night, and she told me to mind my own business. Father, Little Sister is getting more disobedient by the day—you need to teach her a lesson!"

Zhong Huaizhi turned to him, hesitated, and, remembering this son had just been found, held back from hitting him.

When he looked back at Zhong Yao, he saw she wasn't pretending to cry or acting obedient, but was looking around the room.

Tears still clung to her cheeks, making her look pitiful.

Zhong Huaizhi's heart softened immediately, and he slapped Zhong Shu instead, saying, "And you dare to stir up trouble? If not for you and your elder brother being so useless, would a seventeen-year-old girl like A Yao have to come to this godforsaken place with the troops?"

Zhong Shu: "..."

Luckily, he was used to it.

Rubbing the spot where he was hit, he retorted, "That's one slap. I'll remember it. When we get back to the capital, Father, you have to hit Big Brother the same number of times—keep things fair."

At this, Zhong Huaizhi's sympathy for this son was completely exhausted.

Ignoring Zhong Shu, he saw Zhong Yao trying to leave and quickly grabbed her, saying, "I'm not scolding you, am I? From today on, you're not going anywhere!"

Zhong Yao finally heard what her father was saying and replied, "I'm not going anywhere—I'm looking for Heir Xie. Where is he?"

Zhong Huaizhi then remembered that in his focus on his children, he had forgotten to greet Xie Chi first.

Beside him, Xu Guozhu, still wiping tears, also remembered he hadn't thanked Xie Chi. Dabbing his eyes, he leaned on Xu Su and turned to ask the guard at the hall entrance, "Where is Heir Xie?"

The guard said, "The heir left quite a while ago."

Because of the rumor spread by the bandits that Zhong Shu had killed Xu Su, Xu Guozhu had been targeting Zhong Huaizhi, and without solid evidence, he would have already taken action.

After receiving Xie Chi's letter and learning that both his grandson and Zhong Shu were alive, he realized it was a misunderstanding.

Now that the feud between the two families had dissolved, Xu Guozhu thought for a moment, looked at Zhong Huaizhi, and said, "Shall we proceed as discussed on the road?"

Zhong Huaizhi bowed and replied, "I'll follow Lord Guozhu's lead."

Xu Guozhu stroked his beard and nodded, then ordered, "Go invite Heir Xie over."

The guard went, but didn't bring Xie Chi—only Shu Feng.

Shu Feng bowed to the two elders and said, "The mountain bandits haven't been fully cleared. The heir had originally planned to go into the mountains this morning to continue the purge, but delayed half a day upon hearing that you two lords were arriving. Now that you've arrived safely, he has returned to the mountains."

No one expected Xie Chi to have already left; both elders were momentarily stunned.

The three younger ones weren't stunned, but unfortunately, Zhong Yao was too slow, and Xu Su spoke first.

"Heir Xie went to hunt bandits? Why didn't he take me? I spent months there—I know the area. I could help..."

He was cut off by Xu Guozhu.

Xu Guozhu said sternly, "You're not going anywhere! You're coming back to the capital with me immediately, and you're never leaving home again!"

Xu Su clearly didn't want to, but seeing Xu Guozhu's face, much older than half a year ago, he opened his mouth, sighed, and didn't argue.

"I'll go! I can help! Let me earn some merit, or I won't have the face to return to the capital!" Zhong Shu thought he could do it and discussed with Zhong Huaizhi, "Father, I can go, right? I still have Big Brother above me..."

Zhong Huaizhi wanted to hit him again.

Fortunately, Shu Feng declined on their behalf.

"Both young masters are kind and righteous, but the heir said that Jiang Xia is enough. You two have been away from home for many days; it's best to return to the capital and rest."

At that, Zhong Huaizhi and Xu Guozhu shot up from their seats. "No way we're sending a helpless girl into the mountains while we kick back at home! I'm heading to see the Heir!"

They wouldn't let it go, so Shu Feng came clean. "About those hideouts you two mentioned... Miss Jiang Xia said they're traps the bandits set for you—just poison and snakes, no place to hide."

These two couldn't risk another incident, so Shu Feng, afraid they'd refuse to head back to the capital, spelled it out.

"Miss Jiang Xia went into those mountains to wipe out the bandits for the court. She already knows them inside out, and she really doesn't need your help. You two are dead weight to the Heir, so don't stick around and mess things up."

Being told straight up they were worse than a girl, the two men started to argue but went quiet, totally deflated.

"Good," Xu Guozhu said, satisfied. "Then I say we don't hang around. We head back to the capital right now. What do you say, Minister Zhong?"

They'd already decided: this place was a mess, with bandits on the loose, and once they found the people, they weren't sticking around.

Zhong Huaizhi said, "Riding back with you, Minister Xu, is an honor."

And just like that, the plan was set.

Xu Guozhu grabbed a dazed Xu Su and dragged him out, while Zhong Huaizhi grabbed one kid in each hand—but couldn't budge them.

"We're leaving already?" Zhong Yao was the most confused.

She knew staying would just make her a burden on Xie Chi, and she was supposed to go back with her dad, but she didn't think it'd be this soon.

She hadn't even said goodbye, hadn't asked if he really liked her, what he liked about her, and if so, if she could pinch his face back someday...

"...I haven't packed yet," Zhong Yao stammered.

"Forget it. We'll buy you new stuff when we're back in the capital," Zhong Huaizhi coaxed, not even asking how she'd fooled her mother into letting her come. "This place is too dangerous. Let's head back first. We'll talk about everything at home. Xiao Yao, be a good girl."

"But... but..."

But Zhong Yao didn't want to leave yet, and she couldn't think of a reason to stay.

Only Zhong Shu had a clue what she was thinking, but even so, he couldn't let her stay in a place like this.

So Zhong Shu kept quiet, even when Zhong Yao looked to him for help, acting like he didn't get it.

Zhong Yao gritted her teeth, turned to Shu Feng, and asked, "How long ago did the Heir leave?"

"Fifteen minutes," Shu Feng replied.

After a pause, she added, "But the Heir did say he'd check the gate defenses before leaving..."

So he might not be far yet.

Zhong Yao spun around and tugged her father's sleeve. "Let's go, Dad. Right now!"

Zhong Huaizhi had a feeling something was up, but his daughter agreeing to go back was all that mattered. He grabbed Zhong Yao's hand and Zhong Shu's with the other. "Let's go, now!"

They'd planned to leave the second they found them. The carriages hadn't even been unharnessed, still waiting at the government office gate with guards.

Soon enough, everyone piled into the carriages and rolled out in a big procession toward the city gate.

Before leaving, Zhong Yao asked Shu Feng if she was going back too. Shu Feng said she'd come for Zhong Yao, but since she was here, she wanted to help out, so she wasn't going back.

It was afternoon by then. Zhong Yao lifted the curtain and saw three layers of guards around the carriage.

Just like Xie Chi said, Xu Guozhu had brought a ton of people to make sure they got back safe.

Traveling with them was the safest bet.

Xie Chi had a lousy temper, always pinching her face and teasing her, but he was thorough and thoughtful.

Zhong Yao thought Xie Chi might really like her.

If he liked her, why'd he leave without a word? Not even a proper goodbye.

Zhong Yao started to wonder if Xie Chi actually liked her at all.

Lost in thought, Zhong Shu noticed her anxious look and said to Zhong Huaizhi, "Dad, I have a feeling I won't be the most troublesome one in the family anymore."

Zhong Huaizhi, busy calculating the trip to get the kids home fast, replied, "If you're not, who is? Your big brother's the steadiest, and Xiao Yao is... most of the time, Xiao Yao's obedient. Only you, with all your schemes, are the one who worries me."

Zhong Shu said, "That title's about to change hands."

Just then, the carriage reached the city gate.

Zhong Yao lifted the curtain and asked the guard, "Have you seen the Heir?"

The guards mostly knew Zhong Yao. "Miss, the Heir just left... If you go up on the wall now, you might still see him."

Zhong Yao thought a moment, then lifted her skirt to step down.

Thanks to Zhong Shu's earlier jab, Zhong Huaizhi reacted fast, grabbing her wrist. "Yaoyao, what are you doing?"

Zhong Yao answered honestly, "I want to say a few words to the Heir."

"He's already gone. Be good, and let's go too. Whatever it is, wait till he's back in the capital."

Zhong Yao didn't want to.

Xie Chi had said he'd be gone a long time.

That meant their next meeting would be way, way off.

Just as Zhong Yao was about to refuse, Zhong Shu suddenly clutched his head and groaned, startling Zhong Huaizhi.

The moment he let go to check on Zhong Shu, Zhong Yao slipped out of the carriage.

Zhong Shu immediately recovered and pointed at her. "See? I told you, little sister's the most troublesome one."

Zhong Yao had already jumped off, smiling at the two inside. "Dad, I'm not being good today."

With that, she ran toward the city wall. The guards not only didn't stop her but cleared the way.

Once on the wall, she followed the guard's pointing finger and saw Xie Chi's figure on horseback.

He wasn't too far. If she shouted loud, he might hear.

But should she shout?

If she did, everyone would hear. What would she say?

Zhong Yao hesitated.

Counting it up, this was their third parting.

The first time, Xie Chi had unilaterally cut ties with her, but it didn't stick, and it left her stuck with that awful nickname, "humble woman."

The second time around, Xie Chi had learned his lesson and said a proper goodbye to her face-to-face. Zhong Yao accepted it and even gave him a parting gift.

But in the end, they still couldn’t part.

This was the third time now…

“Heir Xie—”

Zhong Yao cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted toward the figure on horseback ahead.

Her soft voice swelled, turning a bit shrill, and the wind carried it to Xie Chi’s ears.

Xie Chi thought he was hearing things. He reined in his horse and looked back. It wasn’t until he spotted Zhong Yao on the high city wall that he knew it was real.

He frowned, turned his horse, and rode back, reaching the base of the wall in no time.

“Why aren’t you heading back to the capital with your dad like a good girl, and instead climbing up that high to yell for me?”

He didn’t go up, and she didn’t come down either.

Leaning against the cold stone of the wall, she looked down at Xie Chi on his horse. For some reason, the nerve she’d worked up to shout suddenly fizzled out.

A little embarrassed, Zhong Yao lowered her voice and said, “I wanted to say goodbye.”

Xie Chi was confused. “Didn’t we already say goodbye?”

Zhong Yao paused, realizing he meant that cool, moonlit night.

“That doesn’t count,” she said. “Today’s the one that counts.”

Xie Chi replied, “Then I should thank you for not saying the times you helped me don’t count as repaying a favor.”

Zhong Yao chuckled.

Looking down at him from up high, she knew this wasn’t the time for personal stuff.

With so many eyes on them, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

She also knew, like her dad said, that it was best to wait until Xie Chi got back to the capital to talk.

“I’m heading back to the capital, Heir Xie. I…” She paused, then said, “I hope you’re safe.”

“…” Xie Chi felt a warmth in his chest, along with a hint of weirdness.

He took a moment to steady himself and asked, “Yaoyao Zhong, why are you so weird today?”

In her daze, Zhong Yao caught a really weird way of being addressed.

It sounded normal coming from her little brother, but from Xie Chi’s mouth, it was as bizarre as the Fourth Prince becoming emperor.

She looked at him, confused.

Xie Chi cleared his throat and said, “Forget it, you’re always weird… So I’ll say goodbye again, Zhong Yao. I hope you…”

He hoped Zhong Yao would go back to the chubby-cheeked face he hadn’t seen before, hoped she’d have no worries, no unnecessary suffering, hoped everything would go smoothly for her…

…Why did that sound so sentimental?

He paused, then said, “I hope you’re happy.”

Zhong Yao laughed again, charmingly.

Xie Chi held the reins and looked up at her, taking a few extra glances, then asked, “Anything else?”

“No,” Zhong Yao said with a smile. “Farewell, Heir Xie.”

The original plan had already been delayed by half a day, and Xie Chi couldn’t afford to linger.

Besides, Zhong Yao was returning to the capital with her father, back to the place that was safest, most comfortable, and most relaxing for her—there was nothing to worry about.

Going back sooner was best for her.

“Farewell,” Xie Chi said.

With that, he turned his horse, took a few steps, and was about to raise his whip to set off, when he turned back and pointed a finger at Zhong Yao from a distance, as if silently instructing her about something.

But before Zhong Yao could understand, he turned around, cracked his whip, and rode off into the distance.

This time, it was truly a farewell.