CHAPTER 403: CHAPTER 400: HOME

Song Xian and Xie Shao Yuan rode at the front.

Though the weather was so cold, and they were delayed by heavy snow for several days on the road, everyone was happy.

For the first time, Song Xian walked so slowly on the road, but he didn’t feel the time was lengthy at all; instead, he wished to go on like this. However, there was a downside as official documents piled up like snowflakes. While everyone else was resting, Song Xian was still handling the documents under candlelight.

Xie Liangchen watched the bright lamp with a reluctant heart and secretly went to the post house kitchen to cook some food for Song Xian and took it over.

After walking and stopping, the group finally returned to their beloved Zhenzhou.

Chen Yongyi sent a letter back in advance, and Chen Chuchu led the people from Chen Family Village to welcome them, surrounding the horse and mule carriages while chatting and laughing.

Seeing Xie Liangchen in the carriage, many in the village were stunned.

"Well... The Capital City’s feng shui must be good, Miss Chen seems to have become a different person."

"Yes, Sister looks even more beautiful than before."

Although Chen Yuyu had known that Xie Liangchen used something to cover her face before, she was still surprised now. Their Sister Chen was so beautiful, her skin snow-white, her eyes clear and bright, like... Chen Yuyu used all the words she learned from her teacher, overall Sister was more beautiful than the people in paintings, the most beautiful person she had ever seen.

"How was it in the Capital?"

"Back so soon? I thought we’d have to wait for a while until the weather warmed up..."

Old Mrs. Chen smiled to everyone, "What kind of year could it be without coming home? We wanted to return to Zhenzhou before the New Year, but one thing after another came up."

"Nowhere is better than home."

Zheng thought first: "Is our Liangchen now a Commandery Princess?"

At Zheng’s words, everyone quieted down, looking at Old Mrs. Chen.

Old Mrs. Chen laughed, "Yes, Princess Jia’an, the granddaughter of Prince Guangyang."

"Oh, that’s good."

Everyone struggled to express their joy.

"I heard Brother-in-law got an official post too?"

Mrs. Gao stood silently next to her, knowing all words should be left for the aunt to say at such times.

Old Mrs. Chen said, "Standard Fourth Rank General Zhongwu, also called Zhongwu Lang, he will have a salary in the future."

After asking about Xie Shao Yuan and Xie Liangchen, Zheng continued, "And you, Aunt? The village chief wrote back saying you are now an Imperial Decree Lady."

Old Mrs. Chen revealed her missing teeth with a smile, "Don’t joke with me, this title was all thanks to the son-in-law and granddaughter pleading with me, what lady this or that, how could I deserve these."

Mrs. Jiang beside Zheng said, "These years, with war and famine, our village depended on the village chief and aunt to endure until now. Now that aunt became a lady, the entire Chen Family Village is proud. How should we address according to the Capital’s way? Should it be Old Madam Chen?"

Everyone followed suit, addressing Old Mrs. Chen like this.

Old Mrs. Chen waved her hand, "Don’t say that, calling me a lot makes me feel uneasy. Let’s keep it the way it was, no generals or princesses, we’ll act as we did."

Everyone knew Old Mrs. Chen’s nature, not declining out of modesty but truly not liking these titles.

"Alright," Mrs. Gao said, "Publicly we’ll address you so, privately it’s still Aunt closely."

"Second sister-in-law is right, Aunt sounds close."

As they walked forward, more people came to greet them, Tian HuiZhen also brought people over. She hadn’t seen Xie Liangchen for a long while, so she simply got into the carriage and laid her head next to Xie Liangchen to chat endlessly.

Qu Chengmei seeing Song Xian seemed as if catching the true doctrine and seeing The Buddha, spoke next to Song Xian, eager to report all about Zhenzhou’s recent situation.

Qu Chengmei achieved great merit in Zhenzhou and was promoted to Prefect of Zhenzhou by the court, his advancement came from Song Xian personally writing a memorial.

Qu Chengmei saw this noted in the Ministry of Personnel’s official document, feeling indescribable gratitude. His first meeting with Song Jiedu was not pleasant; he even held his office without fulfilling his duties. Fortunately, Song Jiedu gave him a chance, and he vowed to be more devoted and worthy of Song Jiedu’s trust.

While everyone was talking, Xie Liangchen saw the Song Family Steward and household general, surely sent by Old Mrs. Song and Song Qizheng.

Song Xian only briefly spoke a few words with them before protecting the carriages to continue towards Chen Family Village.

The villagers of Zhenzhou came to welcome them, and by the time they arrived at the entrance of Chen Family Village, the procession had become quite vast.

Chen Yongsheng greeted several village chiefs, "Long time no see, let’s all return to the village with us, gather for a chat."

The village chiefs came precisely for this, all cheerfully agreeing.

Xie Liangchen supported Old Mrs. Chen down from the carriage, seeing the familiar village and all the faces, Old Mrs. Chen finally felt secure at this moment.

"Let’s go, back home." Old Mrs. Chen released Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng, walked ahead with her hands behind her back.

The entire Chen Family Village was even livelier than during New Year.

Zheng said, "Without you, the New Year wasn’t good, food prepared beforehand wasn’t touched, just waiting for you to come home and celebrate together."

"Was the Capital lively during New Year’s? But although the Capital is good, without many people, it’s surely quiet."

Mrs. Gao nodded repeatedly, "The mansion given to Brother-in-law and Miss Chen by the Emperor is huge, you can hear the echo of footsteps in the long corridor. What you said is right, too few people. Moreover, we all worried about the village, wondering how you were."

Walking ahead, Old Mrs. Chen suddenly stopped, staring at the newly built yard next to her own: "What’s going on? Why has this piece of land next to my house been cleared out, piled with so many bricks and wood, what’s the plan?"

Zheng glanced at Xie Liangchen not far away: "Heard the Emperor gave a marriage decree to Liangchen and General Song, Song Family people said Liangchen and General Song would often stay in Chen Family Village in the future. The two couldn’t stay in Aunt’s yard, so we allocated this land, exactly next to Aunt’s to build a house."

"These things, all sent by Song Family, are prepared well, once the weather warms the house can be built."

Zheng recalled Song Family’s urgency, if not for the cold, the house would be built already.

Tian HuiZhen whispered in Xie Liangchen’s ear, "Is your wedding date set? Everyone’s saying it looks like Song Family wants to welcome you before the spring planting."

Though Song Xian stayed in the Capital, his mind was known even in Chen Family Village in Zhenzhou.

"It’s cold, let everyone come inside, Aunt and them can rest their feet," Chen Yongsheng said, "Too many things to say, let’s sit and talk slowly."

Xie Shao Yuan walked into the yard, remembering something he turned to look at Song Xian: "Shouldn’t you return to Song Family? You’ve been out for so long, surely your grandmother is waiting."