Chapter 627 - 231: Capital City

Chapter 627: Chapter 231: Capital City

Suying was sensible and tactful, and she was genuinely close to Mrs. Guo.

Mrs. Guo truly treated her like a daughter. Back when Xu Su Ying went missing, Mrs. Guo was so anxious and overwhelmed with distress that she ended up bedridden for two months before she could finally force herself to get up.

But what did it matter? In the end, they still hadn’t been able to find her.

Over the years, Mrs. Guo never missed making offerings during every major festival and seasonal holiday. Even when she went to the temple to offer incense, she always made sure to donate extra Incense money, hoping that Buddha would guide her and bring her home quickly.

Fortunately, the tragedy of their separated blood relatives had finally come to an end. From now on, their family could be warm and close together again.

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the carriage. Outside, with Xu Shiling and Chen Song guarding them, no one else dared to approach. However, as their group passed by, the pedestrians they brushed past would always stop to take a look.

Once they saw what they were looking for, a carriage driver would quickly tell his master inside, "You definitely wouldn’t guess this, but that carriage that just went by belongs to the Xu family."

The master inside whipped the carriage curtain open with a SWISH. "Are you sure?"

"I still have a good eye for these things. That carriage bears the Xu family crest. Everyone says the Xu family’s long-lost daughter has been staying at the post station, and since we aren’t far from there, it must be their group."

The inside of the carriage instantly grew lively as the occupants chattered away. "To survive a great disaster means great fortune is sure to follow. It truly is the Bodhisattva’s blessing."

"Just wait. The Xu family will definitely host a banquet. When the time comes, we’ll go together to celebrate and have some wine."

"Given Xu Su Ying’s age, if she’s still alive, she must be married by now. Missing and far from home without any relatives, who knows what kind of family she could have married into? If she was just randomly matched with some poor man, the Xu family probably wouldn’t be able to bear the shame."

The people gossiping on the road were just a small fraction. By the time they reached the city gates and lined up to enter, the voices of the crowd surged like a tidal wave. Those lining up to enter the city, those waiting to leave, and even the gate guards busy with inspections—despite their busy hands, everyone’s eyes kept darting toward this particular carriage.

"Is it confirmed? Is that the Xu family’s carriage?"

"Do we even need to confirm it? Xu Shiling is standing right there beside it."

"This is truly a rare spectacle. It’s enough for people to talk about for a whole year."

"What’s one year? If they write it into an opera and put it on stage, the commoners of the entire Wei Dynasty will have something to talk about for years."

"Mr. Chengyi really shot himself in the foot this time, but he deserves it! Trying to act virtuous while doing such shameless deeds—he’s the first of his kind I’ve ever seen!"

"Let’s not talk about him, it’s just bad luck!"

The Xu family’s carriage entered the city. Just as the convoy was about to brush past the surging crowd, Xu Su Ying did something completely unexpected.

She lifted the window curtain, glanced outside, and said, "How lively!" Then, she slowly let the curtain fall back down.

Seeing this, Mrs. Guo asked in surprise, "What are you doing?"

Xu Su Ying crossed her legs and said, "I was worried there might still be people who didn’t know I was back. I just wanted to add a little more fuel to this lively atmosphere."

The old lady patted her, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "Qing’er is right here. Look at how you’re acting! You’re a mother now, can’t you be a little more mature?"

"Being mature doesn’t put food on the table. Naturally, I’ll act however makes me comfortable. Oh, Mother, please don’t lecture me. Like you said, my daughter is right here."

The old lady poked her lightly, showing an expression of sheer helplessness.

Mrs. Guo laughed at the sight and said to Chen Wanqing, "See that? Your mother was exactly like this when she was at home. She only listens to your grandfather; no one else can control her."

Xu Su Ying’s ears twitched. She immediately turned her head and asked Mrs. Guo, "Today isn’t a rest day. Father shouldn’t be at home, right?"

Not only was today not a rest day, but it was also the day of the grand morning court assembly. All Capital Officials of the Sixth Rank and above were required to enter the palace for an audience today.

Old Sir Xu was the pillar of the Xu family and the undisputed titan of the Royalist Party. He held the position of Vice Minister in the Cabinet. Although he was only the Vice Minister, the Grand Secretary had been forcefully pushed into power by the Empress Dowager. Whether in terms of seniority, political maneuvering, or ability, the Grand Secretary was far beneath Old Sir Xu, which spoke volumes about the old man’s status.

Old Sir Xu had gotten up at the third watch today to enter the palace. Normally, at this time, he would be in his Cabinet office handling government affairs, meeting with courtiers, or having an audience with the Emperor or the Empress Dowager. However, it wasn’t certain today.

"After all," Mrs. Guo said, "when we left the city, Shiling urgently had someone deliver a message to the palace. As long as Father can spare the time, he will definitely be waiting for you at home."

Xu Su Ying muttered, "Then he’d better not wait for me. I’ve always felt that Father isn’t as easy to fool as Mother."