CHAPTER 344: CHAPTER 341: JOY

Welcoming the returning home team were not only villagers from several villages, but also officials like the Zhenzhou County Magistrate and the County Magistrate.

Qu Chengmei stood at the forefront, and when he saw Chen Yongsheng and others, he quickly took a few steps forward.

Everyone bowed to County Magistrate Qu.

Qu Chengmei’s gaze fell on Xie Shao Yuan: "Is this Old Master Xie?" He had received the news in advance and recognized the villagers and merchant teams from Zhenzhou heading to the Eight States, except for this unfamiliar person beside Miss Xie, who must be the never-before-met Xie Shao Yuan.

Xie Shao Yuan stepped forward and bowed to Qu Chengmei again, but Qu Chengmei was too polite to accept, fortunately his waist was still flexible, and he bowed even lower than Xie Shao Yuan.

"General Song’s report stated that winning this battle was due to the equipment everyone transported." As the parent official of Zhenzhou, although there were some things General Song shouldn’t show him plainly, he could still detect some clues from the documents exchanged. The Pseudo King intended to spread some information, and rumors about the Chen Family Village and Miss Xie were heard by quite a few.

Qu Chengmei wouldn’t seek the truth at such a time. For secrets like these, it becomes clear when the time is right. He just had to do what he needed to do.

He was so respectful to Xie Shao Yuan, partly due to this secret, but more because the Chen Family Village stood up at a crucial moment.

"Father."

"Big Brother."

Cheers came from around, and everyone’s faces were full of joy.

Qu Chengmei saw this and felt a bit emotional. Fortunately, no one was missing, although they looked a bit thinner, like refugees, a few good meals and sleep would make them better.

Continuing forward, Xie Liangchen soon saw Old Mrs. Song’s carriage.

Old Mrs. Song and Old Mrs. Chen were helped down from the carriage.

Xie Shao Yuan put away the modest smile on his face and walked step by step toward Old Mrs. Chen.

Chen Yongyi wanted to follow but was pulled back by Chen Yongsheng. At a time like this, they shouldn’t disturb.

Xie Shao Yuan first bowed to Old Mrs. Song and Old Mrs. Chen, then solemnly addressed Old Mrs. Chen: "Mother."

Old Mrs. Chen’s eyes sparkled, and she smiled with her toothless mouth: "It’s good to be back, it makes me feel at ease."

Xie Shao Yuan extended his hand to help Old Mrs. Chen, seeing Liangchen he felt as if the child had grown up in a blink. Seeing Old Mrs. Chen at that moment, his heart ached, suddenly realizing how old she had become, her back hunched, teeth gone, face full of wrinkles, looking short and thin.

Xie Shao Yuan suppressed the sourness in his chest, realizing over the years he had lost not just time, but also his family beside him.

"They’ve traveled a long way to return, don’t hold them here talking anymore," Old Mrs. Chen instructed, "return to the village and let them rest properly."

Knowing the returning team would arrive today, several villages discussed and prepared food in Chen Family Village.

With Old Mrs. Chen’s words, the people of Chen Family Village didn’t dare delay, promptly arranging everyone to enter the village.

"Liangchen," Old Mrs. Song held Xie Liangchen’s hand, "you’ve lost weight."

Thinking this, Old Mrs. Song was dissatisfied with her grandson, not knowing how he was cared for, luckily, he didn’t seem to be injured.

Xie Liangchen smiled and said, "I walked a long way, a few days’ rest will be fine."

Xie Shao Yuan thanked Old Mrs. Song: "Sorry to trouble you for coming to greet us."

Old Mrs. Song smiled and said, "Now coming to Chen Family Village is like returning to my own home, with the children coming back home, I took this chance to step out."

Recalling what Song Xian said, Xie Shao Yuan thought that Old Mrs. Song was indeed aware.

Back in the village, Xie Liangchen was busy paying respects to Mr. Dongli and Xu Tingzhen, grateful for their help in managing affairs during their absence from the village.

Chen Yongsheng, seeing Mrs. Gao’s red eyes, gently squeezed her hand when no one else was looking: "Why cry? Haven’t we come back safe and sound?"

Chen Yongyi also went aside to talk with his wife.

Miao Zigui met with his aunt and then found Chen Yuyu in the crowd. Just as Chen Yuyu was about to step forward to speak, she was pulled away by the village’s womenfolk.

Although Miao Zigui was a bit disappointed, he still felt happy.

Chen Chuchu and Chen Zhongdong also reunited with their family, Chen Zhongdong’s mother felt her son was speaking fewer words: "What’s wrong? Surprised on the battlefield? At night, I’ll plea to the Broom Spirit to gather your soul."

Tian Chengyou recounted the thrilling journey to Tian HuiZhen and the staff at home.

All in all, everyone had endless things to say.

Avoiding the crowd, Old Mrs. Chen and Xie Shao Yuan entered the house, Chen Zigeng saw his grandmother holding a little stick and quickly went out to close the door.

With no others in the room, Xie Shao Yuan lifted his robe and knelt down, Old Mrs. Chen’s little stick landed on Xie Shao Yuan.

Old Mrs. Chen’s eyebrows stood up: "Since there’s nothing wrong, why haven’t you returned home? Are you not acknowledging me as your mother?"

Xie Shao Yuan said hoarsely: "No, it’s not."

Old Mrs. Chen struck him again, the stick waved with vigor: "I’m this old, seen so many storms, why should I be afraid of being implicated by you? Hiding yourself away for what? Still thinking of assassinating Xiao Xingzong?"

Xie Shao Yuan said in a low voice: "Mother, I was wrong."

Old Mrs. Chen huffed: "You’re wrong! You’re my son-in-law, still Liangchen’s father, Zigeng’s uncle, so many people in the village miss you. At such an age, behaving so foolishly, not valuing your own life, if you really died unfounded outside, don’t even think I’ll acknowledge you as my son-in-law anymore."

Xie Shao Yuan, feeling anxious, couldn’t help coughing, finally steadying his breath: "It won’t happen again, mother don’t be angry, it would harm your health."

Old Mrs. Chen wiped her eyes, placed the wooden stick on the table, her face full of authority: "The family still has so many juniors, is this how you set an example? If I find you fooling around again, don’t think you can kneel before me."

Xie Shao Yuan bowed respectfully to Old Mrs. Chen: "I won’t dare again."

Only then did Old Mrs. Chen’s anger subside a bit: "Get up and straighten your robe, don’t go out making a fool of yourself."

Xie Shao Yuan responded.

Old Mrs. Chen finally walked out with hands behind her back.

Watching the back of Old Mrs. Chen, Xie Shao Yuan felt an immense warmth in his heart at this moment, this was the mother-in-law he was familiar with. The blows looked severe, but they were light when landing, her stern words full of concern. Only at home could he be so cared for by such an elder, he was a fortunate person.

Old Mrs. Song smiled as she watched Old Mrs. Chen return with hands behind her back, seemingly the family’s issues were resolved. When Old Mrs. Chen sat down, Old Mrs. Song handed over the hot water: "Have a drink!"

After speaking, Old Mrs. Song sighed.

Old Mrs. Chen couldn’t help but ask: "What’s troubling you?"

Old Mrs. Song laughed: "Seeing the bustling Chen Family Village is wonderful, while my house is still a mess, I don’t know when it will clear up, thinking of this, I don’t want to go back."

Old Mrs. Chen understood the issue between Mrs. Rong and Song Yu: "Every family has its own difficulties."

Old Mrs. Song’s eyes deepened: "It also depends on who is taking charge. The matter with Mrs. Rong and Song Yu is beyond help, but if someone could help manage, the family may not be far from celebrating joyful events."