CHAPTER 360: CHAPTER 357: BROADEN HORIZONS

After Song Xian arrived, everything regarding food, clothing, living, and travel was managed by Song Xian, leaving the eunuchs and the Palace Department with nothing to do, so they smoothly escorted everyone to the capital.

With only ten miles left before entering the capital, the little eunuch went ahead to return to the palace to report.

Before leaving, the little eunuch respectfully said, "The house bestowed by the Emperor has been prepared. Old Mrs. Chen, Old Master Xie, and Miss Chen only need to bring their people to settle there, and servants have been arranged in the house to serve them."

Old Mrs. Chen nodded, "Thank you for arranging this for us."

The little eunuch hurried to return the courtesy, "You are too kind."

Chen Zhongdong watched the eunuchs leave and strained to look into the distance, "How lively must the capital be?" In such cold weather, there were people coming and going on the official road; not to mention Zhenzhou, even Xingzhou could not compare. Without uncle and sister, they would never have had the chance to see the sights of the capital.

Chen Zhongdong suddenly grabbed Chen Yongsheng, "Second Uncle, I’ve been wanting to ask you something."

Chen Yongsheng replied, "You child... hasn’t your stutter gotten better? Why are you still afraid to speak?"

Chen Zhongdong looked at the stick in Chen Yongsheng’s hand, "Isn’t the capital quite dangerous? Just like what those peddlers say, if you’re not careful, you might run into servants coming out to beat people up?"

Chen Yongsheng couldn’t help but laugh, "What? Are you afraid before even entering the capital?"

Chen Zhongdong hadn’t replied yet when Chen Zigeng chimed in, "Afraid of what?"

"Not afraid, not afraid," Chen Zhongdong quickly explained, "I’ve seen the battlefield, what’s there to be afraid of? I just find Second Uncle strange."

Chen Zigeng carefully examined Chen Yongsheng.

Chen Zhongdong pointed at the stick in Chen Yongsheng’s hand, "Since General Song came to welcome us, Second Uncle has been holding onto a stick and hasn’t let go. Moreover, since then, he hasn’t liked to speak and always stays behind."

"Second Uncle, to be honest, is there something troubling you?"

After Chen Zhongdong pointed this out, Chen Zigeng noticed too, "Second Uncle, what’s really going on?"

"It’s nothing," Chen Yongsheng shook his head, "What are you two kids thinking about? We have an imperial mission and General Song escorting us all the way, what’s there to worry about?"

Chen Yongsheng had a bitter secret he couldn’t share; the stick was given to him by his brother-in-law. The reason he lingered at the end was because he didn’t dare get close to General Song, fearing his brother-in-law would make him fulfill a promise.

Chen Yongsheng thought that perhaps with the escort all the way, his brother-in-law might forget about it, especially considering he only had one arm, which looked quite pitiable.

The carriage entered the city gate.

Xie Liangchen noticed people on both sides of the road watching. It was obvious they had heard the news beforehand, and many eyes were on her. These people followed them all the way to East City.

"This is it."

The person from the Palace Department stepped forward to report to Old Mrs. Chen.

Song Xian, Xie Shao Yuan, and Xie Liangchen dismounted.

Old Mrs. Chen finally got off the carriage. The first thing she did was stretch her old back and move her limbs.

Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng approached to support Old Mrs. Chen, but she waved them off saying, "No need for you two, I can walk myself. My feet finally touch the ground, a little walking will do me good."

"Aunt," Mrs. Gao suddenly pointed at Old Mrs. Chen’s feet, "Your shoes... haven’t been changed yet."

Old Mrs. Chen forgot about that.

"It’s fine," Xie Liangchen said, "We’re already here, we can change anytime, no rush."

Her granddaughter understood her heart well, allowing her to constantly ponder on whom to see, what clothes or shoes to wear; it was indeed troublesome. It felt more comfortable this way. After all, what’s wrong with old shoes? Can’t they tread on the capital’s ground? Old Mrs. Chen thought as she led everyone into the house.

Upon reaching the doorstep, Old Mrs. Chen turned to Xie Shao Yuan, "Are you sure this place is for us to stay?"

Xie Shao Yuan responded, "Mother, rest assured, it’s arranged for us by the court."

Old Mrs. Chen nodded, and let Xie Liangchen support her as she walked into the courtyard.

Song Xian began to unload the luggage from the carriage.

Hei Dan held a blue cloth bundle, amazed at the sight of the mansion. His mouth hung open for a long time, stunned, before he tugged Mrs. Gao, "Mom... can we really live here? Really?"

Mrs. Gao nodded, "Yes, I’ve heard there are quite a few rooms. Your sister said we’ll all live together."

Hei Dan muttered, "It’s a pity even Fourth Uncle couldn’t come to see."

Mrs. Gao gave Hei Dan a pull, "Didn’t your sister say we’d also be selling goods here later? Your Fourth Uncle and the others will have plenty of chances to come to the capital."

"Alright," Hei Dan nodded, "When I grow up, I’ll bring them."

Mrs. Gao didn’t know what to say to her son; waiting for him to grow up? How many years would that take? In her eyes, with Miss Chen leading everyone, it wouldn’t take years before coming to the capital might become a regular occurrence for them. Not that she was ambitious, but perhaps one day, mentioning going to the capital won’t even matter to anyone, like going to a market, it wouldn’t seem novel at all.

Old Mrs. Chen first took a look in the hall.

Seeing numerous vases and jars in the room, a shiver went through her heart; the earlier unperturbed demeanor immediately dissipated, and she quickly grabbed Chen Zigeng, "Tell Hei Dan and the kids not to touch anything in the room."

She remembered these items were precious, and if broken, they couldn’t afford to compensate.

After saying this, Old Mrs. Chen strolled around curiously, clicking her tongue continuously. In the past, Brother Li often said the most frightening thing was receiving something for nothing without reason; what if one day there was a change of heart, not only would these things be taken back, but they might also have to add a little something else.

"Grandmother, please take a rest!" Xie Liangchen helped Old Mrs. Chen into a chair.

Old Mrs. Chen touched the rosewood chair, and thought that the wood must be precious, shining from afar, but it wasn’t as comfortable as her big kang bed, nor as cozy as the stool Yongyi made for her.

Old Mrs. Chen settled herself and called to Mrs. Gao and the others standing in the courtyard, "Why are you all standing outside? Come in and sit down."

Mrs. Gao and the others exchanged looks, feeling that even the floor of the room seemed to shine, fearing they’d dirty it by simply walking in.

"Second Aunt," Xie Liangchen approached, "Aren’t we the same people no matter where we go? Is there any difference?"

Mrs. Gao held Xie Liangchen’s hand, "Maybe we should wash first before..."

"These are all inanimate objects," Xie Liangchen stated, "Are they more precious than people? Are you going to stand there freezing after traveling all day?"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Gao nodded and led Hei Dan and the young boys inside the house.

Old Mrs. Chen noticed Mrs. Gao’s restraint, "Is a house scaring you all?"

Mrs. Gao sat on a chair, observing Old Mrs. Chen’s upright posture, musing inwardly that Mother-in-law might just say this, but her heart must also feel uneasy, or she wouldn’t sit so properly.

Despite thinking this, observing Old Mrs. Chen, Xie Shao Yuan, and Xie Liangchen’s natural demeanor, Mrs. Gao’s own high-strung nerves relaxed a little.

Indeed, how could they be so easily cowed? Someday they too could earn silver and buy a grand house.

Song Xian and Chen Yongsheng, after settling things, entered the house as well.

Song Xian first glanced at Xie Liangchen, then saluted Xie Shao Yuan, "Before long, surely someone will come with invitations; Old Mrs. Chen, Uncle, you’ll need to be prepared."

The arrival of the descendants of Prince Guangyang in the capital was a major event, known to all prominent figures in the capital, and some were bound to test the waters of Chen Family Village.

Xie Shao Yuan was well aware of this.

However, the visitors were evidently more urgent than expected.

Before many words were exchanged, the steward of the house came to report, "Old Mrs. Chen, Old Master Xie, the Xu Family from the Imperial Uncle Mansion has sent an invitation."