CHAPTER 468: CHAPTER 405: PRINCELY HEIR RETURNS TO THE MANSION

Upon seeing this, a hint of coldness flashed in Yu Wenye’s eyes.

But he said nothing, lowered the curtain, while Shang Ruyi slightly furrowed her brows and said, "Didn’t elder brother already return home before? Why is it so grand this time?"

"..."

"Could it be because he has finally let go of worldly possessions and stopped practicing?"

Yu Wenye replied, "Perhaps."

As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage jolted and came to a stop.

Their carriage was at the back, still some distance from the main gate, so they had to disembark there; just as Yu Wenye was holding Shang Ruyi’s hand to step down, he looked up to see Yu Wenqian also alighting from the carriage, standing at the entrance of the mansion, with a look of almost dazed expression on his handsome face as he looked at the gate.

A gust of wind blew through his garments.

The flowing robes were elegant and light as clouds, yet no matter how ethereal and otherworldly the white clouds had been, at this moment, they finally settled to the mortal world.

At this moment, a voice filled with trembling excitement sounded beside them—

"Eld... Eldest Young Master!"

Yu Wenye slowly lowered his head, only to see Aunt Hui walking up with red eyes. She was dressed in her finest clothes that she usually couldn’t bear to wear, even adorned with a head full of pearls and jade, appearing dignified and majestic, but now was so excited she could barely speak, saying, "You, have finally, fully come back..."

Finally, fully...

These words brought another wave of bewilderment to Yu Wenqian’s expression.

He glanced at the entrance once again, then smiled, bowing his head to Aunt Hui and said, "Aunt Hui, I’m back."

"Yes!"

Aunt Hui nodded heavily but turned to glance back; the gatekeeper waiting at the door immediately raised his voice to the mansion, calling out, "The Princely Heir has returned to the mansion!"

With this loud call, two young servants who had been prepared rushed out, lifted long bamboo poles, and lit the two lanterns at the gate. Instantly, the light poured down like a large net, illuminating everything before them.

It also lit up the open courtyard inside the gate.

As the lights came on, the servants inside the gate followed up with shouts, "The Princely Heir has returned to the mansion!"

Their calls were like an invisible wind, sweeping across the lanterns hanging in the long corridors on both sides, causing those lanterns to swing into light; next, it spread to the entrance hall, the second gate, each courtyard, everyone who heard "The Princely Heir has returned to the mansion" also raised their voices to shout "The Princely Heir has returned to the mansion," voices like tides, surging and roaring, and all the lanterns in the mansion lit up, as if ignited by the words "Princely Heir."

The entire Duke Mansion suddenly bloomed like a lotus flower in the darkness, dazzling and spectacular.

The brilliant lights also illuminated Yu Wenqian’s face.

As he was still a bit shocked and even more surprised, not having time to react, all the servants stepped forward and bowed in unison to him, saying, "Welcome home, Princely Heir!"

"..."

This time, Yu Wenqian did not speak again.

He just widened his eyes, those transparent, bluish-grey pupils reflecting countless lights, for the first time showing a solemn expression, and the figures of these people, along with the light, all merged into those eyes.

At this moment, besides his footsteps, his eyes too finally touched the worldly dust.

He remained silent for a long time, and then the corners of his lips, always slightly upturned, pressed together again, a faint smile appeared at the edges, and he softly said, "Aunt Hui, it’s too much."

Aunt Hui hurriedly wanted to say something.

But before she could speak, a tall figure had already approached; it was Yu Wenquan. He too looked up at the brightly lit Duke Mansion, the lights so dazzling that they masked any emotion in his eyes.

Yu Wenqian said, "Father, these things—"

"No matter,"

Before he could finish, Yu Wenquan had already waved his hand with a laugh and then looked at him, saying, "You haven’t been home for so many years—now you are finally, fully back, there should be some ceremony. I, as a father, feel that this is not much."

"Father..."

"Qian’er, as long as you are willing to lay down the Buddhist Scriptures, what is there in the world that you cannot take?"

"..."

These words seemed to strike like a hurricane.

Even the two large lanterns under the eaves flickered, and the candlelight reflected in the eyes of everyone present, flickering with different expressions, different brightness and darkness.

Yu Wenqian was silent for a moment, finally saying, "Thank you, Father."

After they finished speaking, Aunt Hui then turned back to look at Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi who had been standing quietly at the side all along.

Her face still bore that affectionate, solicitous smile, as she came over to bow slightly and said, "Second Young Master, Young Madam, you’ve finally come back too. I’ve been worrying about you two the whole day."

Yu Wenye calmly looked at her and said, "Thank you, Aunt Hui, for your concern."

"No need."

Hearing their conversation and looking at the brightly lit Yuwen Mansion, Shang Ruyi finally understood why, even though Yu Wenqian had already returned to the Yuwen Mansion earlier, Aunt Hui still arranged such a grand welcome this time, not just because he finally set aside the Buddhist Scriptures and his practice, formally returning to the Yuwen Family.

But because, last time, Yu Wenye was not there.

She wanted everyone to see that the brilliance of the Duke Mansion was lit by the "Princely Heir," not by the Second Young Master.

"Let’s go, into the mansion, back home!"

At this moment, Yu Wenquan looked at his eldest son, then back at his second son and daughter-in-law, his face full of satisfaction, as if all his life’s battles and many victories did not bring him as much comfort and joy as this moment. He raised his hand, leading everyone happily into the mansion.

Back at the mansion, it was actually just approaching dusk.

But everyone was somewhat exhausted, having prepared for this ceremony for a long time and expended much energy. Aunt Hui, although she had already prepared a family feast in the mansion, still let everyone return to their rooms first, providing hot water for them to wash and bathe, and rest a little before gathering again.

Thus, Shang Ruyi also followed Yu Wenye back to their room.

Both were somewhat exhausted.

But this time, Yu Wenye did not rush to bathe but let her go first, while he sat by the low table in the room, his expression somber as if pondering something. When Shang Ruyi finished bathing and returned with her hair still wet, his posture did not change, nor did the gravity in his gaze fade.

Shang Ruyi sat down gently beside him.

The sensation of the warm, moist fragrance came over, softening even his aura. Yu Wenye lowered his head and saw Shang Ruyi sitting beside him, half leaning against him, her bright eyes also gazing at him.

Yu Wenye asked, "What is it?"