Chapter 146

Chapter 146: Returning to the Family Home

On the third day after the wedding, Huo Zheng accompanied Chun Zhi back to her family home.

Song An Lan and Song Wan’er had arrived early at the Mu residence. Mu Qing Shan was on a rest day, and the whole household had prepared a return-visit banquet.

When the carriage from the Prince of Chang’an Manor stopped at the gate, Mu Kai Ji, Song An Lan, and Song Wan’er came out to welcome them.

Huo Zheng stepped down holding Little Xing Hui, then turned to help Chun Zhi alight.

Little Xing Hui had been in his father’s arms every day these past few days and was already used to it.

As soon as Chun Zhi got off the carriage, Song Wan’er hugged her and said: “Sister, I missed you so much.”

Back when they lived at the Song Manor the two sisters were together day and night. Later, when Chun Zhi returned to the Mu residence, Song Wan’er also moved over and even took Madam Mu as her godmother.

After Chun Zhi married, Song Wan’er could not get used to it. Back at the Song Manor she could hardly sleep.

Song Wan’er pulled Chun Zhi along and chattered about all the ways she had felt out of sorts these last few days.

Mu Kai Ji and Song An Lan walked to either side of Huo Zheng. Both reached out, wanting to take Little Xing Hui.

But Little Xing Hui lay happily on his father’s shoulder and did not want to budge at all.

They entered the Mu residence and went into the main hall.

Mu Qing Shan sat in the Grand Preceptor chair, while Madam Mu could not help rising to greet them.

“Mother,” Chun Zhi stepped forward and made a proper bow.

Madam Mu quickly supported her and said: “We are family. No need for ceremony.”

Holding Little Xing Hui, Huo Zheng came up and saluted Mu Qing Shan and his wife: “Your son-in-law greets Father-in-law and Mother-in-law.”

“Your Highness is too courteous,” Mu Qing Shan said. Seeing how practiced Huo Zheng was at holding the child, he knew his daughter was living well in the Prince of Chang’an Manor. In the Imperial House, which prince would carry his son around in public?

It was not yet time for lunch. Missing her daughter and having much to say, Madam Mu asked a maid to take Little Xing Hui from Huo Zheng, then led Chun Zhi and Song Wan’er to the back courtyard to talk.

She left Huo Zheng and Mu Qing Shan, father-in-law and son-in-law, to chat in the main hall.

Mu Kai Ji and Song An Lan stayed with them.

In the back courtyard, the maids had already brewed tea and set out a table of pastries.

“Little Xing Hui, let Grandmother hold you,” said Madam Mu as she took the child from a maid. Sitting down, she asked Chun Zhi how life had been these two days in the Prince of Chang’an Manor.

Chun Zhi said: “Everything is good.”

Sitting beside her, Song Wan’er added: “Just by watching how Prince Chang’an holds Little Xing Hui, I can tell my sister is doing very well in the Prince of Chang’an Manor.”

A smile tugged at Chun Zhi’s lips.

Yu Zhu said: “How Prince Chang’an treats Sister Chun Zhi is far more than just ‘good.’”

Before the wedding, the Princess Royal of Anyang had sent Yu Zhu and Court Lady Cao to the Mu residence to help. After the wedding, Court Lady Cao and the others returned to the Princess Royal Manor, leaving only Yu Zhu at Chun Zhi’s side. The Princess Royal did not hurry to summon Yu Zhu back, so Chun Zhi let her stay a while longer.

These days, no one knew better than Yu Zhu how Chun Zhi was living in the Prince of Chang’an Manor. Hearing her say this, Madam Mu and Song Wan’er felt much more at ease.

After chatting a bit, Madam Mu asked: “When you and the prince entered the palace on the second day to give thanks, did Empress Wang say anything?”

Madam Mu knew Empress Wang did not like Chun Zhi as a daughter-in-law.

Chun Zhi said: “Her Majesty only told us to live well. She said nothing else.”

“Truly?” Madam Mu looked doubtful. She feared Chun Zhi had been wronged in the palace and would not say it.

Smiling, Chun Zhi said: “It seemed Her Majesty liked Little Xing Hui very much. She even asked His Majesty the Emperor to give him a formal name, Zi An. After that, she shared a few good methods for raising children.”

“I see,” said Madam Mu. “Our Little Xing Hui is indeed lovable.”

Many mothers-in-law may not like their daughters-in-law, but they like their grandchildren. With a little one as a bridge, the relationship can soften. Prince Chang’an cherished Chun Zhi, and with him and Little Xing Hui there, even if Empress Wang was not satisfied with the new Princess Consort of Chang’an at first, she would not make things too hard.

Little Xing Hui was surrounded by Madam Mu, Song Wan’er, and the others, and they coaxed him into giggles. The fair, chubby child was as adorable as could be.

“What is Empress Wang unhappy about with my sister?” Song Wan’er said: “The girl she favored from the Wang Clan, the Sixth Miss, married on the same day as Sister. When she entered her new home, she started fighting with the official wife at the door. Fighting is one thing, but she even injured Lu Jing Yun by mistake. They say he was hit on the head and is still stuck in bed.”

“There is such a thing?”

These two days Chun Zhi had been with Huo Zheng and truly did not know such a scene had happened on the wedding day.

“Sister didn’t hear?” Song Wan’er said: “This has already spread through the whole capital. Everyone is laughing at Top Scholar Lu.”

Ever since learning about Chun Zhi’s past with Lu Jing Yun, Song Wan’er felt very satisfied to see his household in chaos. But after Chun Zhi cut ties with Lu Jing Yun, she seemed to stop following news of the Lu Clan. Now, hearing that Lu Jing Yun had been hurt by Wang Yi Yue and Ji Ru Zhen by mistake, she said nothing.

Seeing this, Song Wan’er quickly changed the subject and said to Chun Zhi: “Anyway, just look at Wang Yi Yue and Ji Ru Zhen clawing at each other. It shows Empress Wang’s taste is not so great. Prince Chang’an’s eye is better.”

“You,” Chun Zhi laughed and lightly tapped the tip of Song Wan’er’s nose.

Grinning, Song Wan’er said: “Prince Chang’an likes my sister. That means his judgment is first-rate.”

Madam Mu also smiled and said softly: “Words like these can only be said at home, with our own people. Do not say them outside, understand?”

“I know,” Song Wan’er said. “I am not foolish.”

She was talkative only before her sister. With outsiders, she could still be a proper lady.

They talked on, and soon it was time for lunch.

Madam Mu had held Little Xing Hui for a long time and her arms were sore. Seeing this, Chun Zhi took the child, then led Song Wan’er and the others to the flower hall to eat.

When they reached the courtyard, Huo Zheng and Mu Qing Shan were just coming out of the main hall, still talking about measures that would benefit the country and the people.

Mu Qing Shan was an independent minister. Before, he had kept his distance from Prince Chang’an on purpose. Yet the more he interacted with him, the more he felt that among the princes, this one truly cared for the common folk.

Song An Lan had long been helping Prince Chang’an, and Mu Kai Ji had changed his view of him again and again. Now even Mu Qing Shan could not help admiring Prince Chang’an.

As they spoke, Huo Zheng saw Chun Zhi and went to her, reaching out to take Little Xing Hui.

Chun Zhi, a bit helpless, said softly: “I just picked him up.”

Lowering his voice, Huo Zheng said: “I rarely have free time. If I do not hold him more now, he will grow up in a blink.”

Chun Zhi glanced at him and said: “Then when you get tired, give him back to me.”

Huo Zheng answered with a low “Mm.” The couple walked toward the flower hall together.