CHAPTER 1617: CHAPTER 1617: SECRET

In the Zhou Hou Residence, Zhulan sent away the people gathering news and could only imagine, "There’s even talk that the Emperor wants to arrange a marriage for Yu Wen."

Lady Li handed a cup of tea to her mother-in-law, "Clearly, Yu Wen received the reward for free."

Zhulan sipped her tea, "Even if I say so, who would believe me!"

But the truth was simple; the Emperor couldn’t reward Lin Xi alone and conveniently rewarded her too. It’s not that complicated.

Lady Li chuckled, "Yu Wen doesn’t even know about the rumors outside."

"That girl wouldn’t care."

She was the most laid-back girl she had ever seen.

With the explanation from the Zhou Hou Residence, the rumors subsided somewhat, yet made some with ulterior motives even more nervous, fearing the Emperor really would arrange a marriage.

In the afternoon, when Zhulan got up, she saw Yu Yi and Yu Jiao talking outside, "When did you two arrive?"

Yu Yi replied, "We just sat down not long ago."

Zhulan knew her granddaughters were filial; from the sunflower seed shells, she could tell they had been here for a while. She walked over and sat down, "You sisters came together, looking for Grandma about something?"

Yu Yi nodded, "Grandma, the three of us siblings want to go to Ningzhou Province to visit our parents."

Yu Jiao chimed in, "Dad and Mom went to Ningzhou, we’re a bit worried."

Zhulan had thought about it before, and now hearing her granddaughter’s words, she didn’t object, "The journey is a bit long."

Yu Yi clutched her handkerchief, "Grandma, I am already engaged. After my coming-of-age ceremony, we need to discuss the wedding date. I want to accompany my parents before getting married."

Dad couldn’t come back, just like Grandma said, the journey was too far. She hadn’t seen her parents for years, and the longing was overwhelming her.

Zhulan saw Yu Yi’s eyes turn red; her granddaughter’s words made her heart ache. Yu Yi could get married when Lady Dong could return, but Chang Lian still couldn’t, "Alright, alright, Grandma agrees."

Yu Yi’s eyes smiled brightly, "Thank you, Grandma."

Zhulan wasn’t comfortable with the three siblings going, so after thinking it over, "Ming Hui will go with you. If Ming Hui is with you, I’ll feel more at ease."

Going out requires someone responsible, and Ming Hui has experience of leaving the capital, making him reliable.

Yu Yi, "Would it be a bother for Brother Ming Hui?"

Zhulan smiled, "He’s eager to go out."

Yu Yi also smiled; Ming Hui indeed loved to play around, which reassured her. Brother Ming Hui was actually very stable.

Zhulan continued, "Start packing your bags; I’ll arrange the guards. You’ll leave after the imperial examination results are out."

Yu Yi and her sister exchanged excited glances, "Yes."

After they left, Zhulan said to Qing Xue, "The third couple also misses their children."

Qing Xue, "Third Master is unable to help himself."

Zhulan laughed, "The whole family can be reunited now; it’s a pity that Chang Lian still can’t come back to see his daughter getting married, nor to see his father and me."

Though Bookworm didn’t say it, every time he would read over Chang Lian’s letters several times, missing his son.

The third house’s siblings going to Ningzhou, the others quickly learned about it. Yu Die and Yu Wen were reluctant but understanding.

Ming Hui returned from the Academy to take the assignment, feeling overjoyed. Since he got into trouble, he had been well-behaved. Not only could he sightsee, but also stay in Ningzhou for a while; it was a good task.

Old Zhou knocked on his son’s head, "You need to take good care of your sisters and brother."

Ming Hui covered his forehead, "Dad, I will take good care of them."

Ming Teng supported his brother, "Dad, Ming Hui is quite reliable."

Old Zhou sighed, "I’m worried about something happening, not being able to account to your third uncle. Your third uncle has just those three children; each one is precious."

Ming Teng thought for a while, "I’ll arrange for four guards to go with them. They’ve followed me to the prairie."

They’ve killed quite a few under the knife, emitting a menacing aura.

Ming Hui said gratefully, "Second Brother is still the best."

Ming Jung wasn’t pleased, his mouth could hang a teapot, "I also want to go."

Lady Li mercilessly patted her youngest son’s head, "Stop thinking about it; stay at home obediently."

Ming Jung looked eagerly at his father, but his father ignored him, getting even angrier.

The second house, Chang Yi returned to the residence and heard about this, waiting for his wife to return from the warehouse and said, "The people by my side are those who have traveled with me across the south and north, protected me in crises many times. They have great skills; I’ll select some to escort Yu Yi and the others to Ningzhou."

Zhao Shi, "Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I was going to. Having a few children on the road is worrying."

Chang Yi was also worried, as the third house had just those three seedlings and his third brother said not to have more, "Mom and Dad will also arrange it. More hands make it safer."

Zhao Shi, "I just picked out some materials from the warehouse for the younger brothers and sisters, which Yu Yi and the others can take."

"Hmm."

The fourth house, Chang Zhi was eating while watching his quiet son, "Do you want to go to Ningzhou?"

Ming Jia put down his chopsticks and shook his head, "I don’t want to, Dad, I’ve already made plans for this year."

Chang Zhi gestured to his son to continue eating, sighing in his heart. His son was chatty as a child but grew up less talkative and liked to plan everything strictly, more disciplined than himself as the father.

After the meal, Chang Zhi said to his wife, "Do we have too few children in our house? I’m missing out on the joy of being a father!"

Su Xuan rolled her eyes, "How much have you cared for two children? Now that the children have grown and settled in their ways, you feel regretful?"

Chang Zhi touched his nose, "Thanks to my wife for the hard work."

Su Xuan continued, "With Yu Yi and the others going to Ningzhou, I don’t know how the first and second houses are arranging, but I plan to cover some of the travel expenses for the children."

Chang Zhi touched his own purse; it didn’t have much silver, feeling uncharacteristically guilty, "Thank you, my dear."

In the blink of an eye, it was the day the examination results were released; whether they could attend the imperial exam depended on today.

Chang Xhong always carried himself like an elder. After breakfast, he went to the Jiang Residence to pick up his nephew and niece’s husband. Just as he reached the entrance with Ming Rui, he saw Yu Wen waiting at the door.

Chang Xhong, "..."

Yu Wen turned her head at the sound of footsteps, "Third Sister and Fourth Sister made plans with their fiancés, Yu Jiao isn’t interested in the results, Uncle, I want to go and see."

Ming Rui, "??"

Is this really his sister Yu Wen? It’s surprising she got up at such an hour and wants to go see the results?

Chang Xhong found it hard to put into words. His mother and fourth sister-in-law were so concerned about Mr. Gu, yet this girl had no reaction at all, and here she was waiting, "Hmm."

As they got on the carriage, Ming Rui waved a hand in front of Yu Wen, "Are you really awake?"

Yu Wen, "..."

Chang Xhong burst into laughter, and in a moment, his heart sank, "Stick close to me when we’re there."

Yu Wen nodded, "Hmm."

Ming Rui felt a bit excluded, "Uncle, you guys have secrets, huh."

Chang Xhong didn’t speak, Yu Wen started first, "I’ve taken a liking to a young gentleman’s face and today I want to see if he’ll leave with someone else."

Ming Rui’s pupils shrank for a moment, turning to look at his uncle, "Is this true?"

Chang Xhong covered his face with his hand, "She even came along, how could it be fake?"

Ming Rui quickly composed himself; back in the day, the story of Fourth Aunt and Fourth Uncle was well-known among their generation, "How come I haven’t heard any news?"

Chang Xhong pointed at Yu Wen, "She’s not concerned, is she? If she hadn’t come today, even I would think I was overthinking."

Yu Wen said lazily, "I’m quite well-behaved."

Ming Rui was too curious; his lazy sister was quite prominent at home, being the most individualistic, "Which family’s young gentleman is it?"