CHAPTER 324: CHAPTER 324 STAYING IN BEIJING FOR THE NEW YEAR

After saying this, he nodded to the envoy behind him, and those accompanying him immediately presented the gifts.

Eight chests of gold, silver, and jewels, full of the unique features of Xidi.

Whether to fill the National Treasury or reward the harem, they are all top-notch items.

Among them, however, there was one item that quickly caught the Emperor’s eye.

The large ruby in the center was dazzling and eye-catching.

Amidst the congratulatory gifts, it stood out distinctly.

When the ruby caught the Emperor’s eye, the first thought he had was to make a stunning phoenix crown for Lin Wanyi. If reshaped and set upon it, it would undoubtedly be beautiful.

Thus, with a smile reaching his eyes, he spoke to the Second Prince, Sang Deng.

"Second Prince, you’re too kind. This gift deeply pleases me. As a token of Da Wei’s sincerity, I have also prepared some gifts for you to take back to the King of Xidi when you return."

"Thank you for the gifts from the Emperor of Da Wei. I will certainly deliver them."

The Second Prince looked rough, but he was very amiable.

As the father-in-law, Prince Zhan had never had such close contact with his son-in-law.

Hearing these words today, he was quite satisfied.

He initially intended to say something, but the Emperor spoke again.

"Since you’ve returned, stay for a few more days. The Princess Consort must have missed her family for many years. It won’t be too late to leave after the Lantern Festival."

It was now late November, not far off from New Year’s Eve.

It’s just a little over two months, so Sang Deng looked at the Princess Consort, Yu Wenjie, beside him.

Though she hadn’t spoken, her slightly red eyes and trembling hands made her excitement apparent.

The Second Prince, being deeply affectionate with his wife, naturally did not miss this scene.

He originally planned to leave after delivering the festive gifts in a fortnight at most.

But now, for the Princess Consort’s happiness, he decided to stay.

"If that’s the case, I shall gratefully accept. The Princess Consort has indeed been away from her homeland for many years; staying a few more days won’t hurt."

Seeing the Second Prince readily agree, Prince Zhan seized the opportunity.

With a comforting look, he said, "I’ve been hoping for years, and finally, you have returned. You must come back to the manor later for a lively gathering."

The Second Prince had few impressions of Prince Zhan.

If not for noticing a resemblance between his brows and those of his wife, he might not have guessed his identity.

He must have been her "good father-in-law."

The Second Prince smiled but did not respond.

Instead, the Second Princess Consort, Yu Wenjie, showed no regard for her own father, acting as if she didn’t hear, making no response whatsoever.

The brief silence left Prince Zhan feeling quite embarrassed, and just as he couldn’t bear it much longer,

the Emperor spoke up, directly inviting Prince Sang Deng to watch a play.

Prince Sang Deng was more fascinated by Da Wei’s opera than by his pretentious father-in-law.

He intended to take his Princess Consort and children to watch, but Yu Wenjie, who had been silent for some time, spoke up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but I wish to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. I have been away from home for over a decade; the Empress Dowager has yet to see the children."

Having said this, the Emperor naturally couldn’t insist further.

So in the increasingly dissatisfied gaze of Prince Zhan, the Second Princess Consort Yu Wenjie took her two children to the harem.

In Cining Palace, Yu Wenjie had once been taught by the Empress Dowager for several months before her marriage.

Therefore, she always held it in her heart with gratitude.

Since she had come today, it was natural for her to bring the children to greet the Empress Dowager.

But another reason was her dislike of having any contact with that so-called father.

She thought after all these years, any hatred or resentment would vanish.

But upon meeting him, she realized.

Some wounds last a lifetime, they are indelible.

They don’t fade over time; rather, they become more pronounced when faced with the cause.

On the road to Cining Palace, looking at the now unfamiliar flowers and trees, Princess Consort Yu Wenjie sighed deeply.

The Cining Palace was just as before, with a sense of luxury intertwined with ease and tranquility.

Yu Wenjie thought to greet the Empress Dowager properly.

But upon entering, she immediately saw a face she was familiar with and missed for many years.

She couldn’t contain her excitement any longer and spoke out directly.

"Mother!"

Then she disregarded palace protocol, rushing forward like a child running into her mother’s arms.

The Princess Consort Zhan, who caught her, was already in tears, crying uncontrollably.

Yu Wenjie was only seventeen when she married; now, returning, she was in her thirties.

From a girl to a matron, she spent these long years away from the place she knew.

Now she finally had the chance to set foot on this familiar land again; naturally, she was thrilled.

But she was also sad.

The same was true for the Princess Consort Zhan.

Upon seeing her daughter for the first time, tears flowed unceasingly.

At first, it was just a drop, and then it became a stream.

The two cried, not noticing others present in the palace.

"Mother, mother..."

Calling out, as if trying to express all the years of longing in words.

"My child, you have suffered."

Hearing this, Yu Wenjie held onto the Princess Consort Zhan tightly, crying loudly without restraint.

The Princess Consort Zhan had poor eyesight to begin with.

Now it was even blurred with tears, but she couldn’t suppress her emotions.

Every time her daughter called, her heart ached once more.

All these years of praying were for her two children to live comfortably.

Anyone watching felt moved by the scene.

Even the Empress Dowager found it touching.

Had Yu Wenjie not been sent, it would have been Princess Hui Yue who married for peace.

She disliked her daughter’s arrogance and feared her going might affect the longstanding friendship and peace between Da Wei and Xidi.

But if forced by circumstances to leave her homeland for over a decade, she too would have returned weeping alongside her mother today.

Thus, she watched quietly from the side, saying nothing to disturb anyone.

Accompanying the Princess Consort Zhan into the palace was the Fourth Prince Consort.

At this moment, she repeatedly wiped her tears with a handkerchief, her nose sore and uncomfortable.

Princess Consort Yu Wenjie cried sorrowfully, oblivious to the two children following her.

Now feeling a bit uneasy.

After all, they had never met those present, connected only by a tenuous bloodline.

They didn’t understand why their mother was so upset and crying.

Haji, aged four, held the hand of his fourteen-year-old brother, Bu Rao, tilting his head in curiosity.

In a soft voice, he asked his brother, "Brother, why is Mother Consort crying so sadly? Does she not like it here?"