Chapter 136 Things Have Changed

Leaving the hustle and bustle of the palace, the Regent's carriage did not return directly to the residence, but instead turned a corner and headed towards the ancient and solemn Prime Minister's residence in the east of the city.

He hasn't returned for five years.

The streets of the capital seemed wider, and the shops on both sides had new signs. Even the two stone lions at the entrance of the Prime Minister's residence seemed to have had their edges worn away by time, looking somewhat weathered.

"Mom, is this Grandpa's house?"

Nine-year-old Tuantuan carried the heavy sword on his back, with a gold brick at his waist, and peered curiously at the slightly mottled "Jiang Mansion" plaque.

"yes."

Jiang Mianmian looked at that familiar door and suddenly felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

Is this what they call "feeling apprehensive as one nears home"?

I wonder how the old man is doing. Although we exchange letters every month, I know his nature of only reporting good news and not bad.

I heard that his health has been poor these past few years, and he's wanted to resign for a long time, but the young emperor absolutely refused, insisting that he remain in the court as a pillar of stability.

Shen Jin held her hand and gently squeezed it:

"Let's go in. My father-in-law... should be waiting for us."

...

The Prime Minister's Residence, Back Garden.

The desolation of late autumn is vividly displayed here. The fallen leaves are scattered all over the ground, and a few old locust trees stand bare, pointing towards the sky.

An elderly man with white hair and beard lay on a deck chair in the garden.

He was covered with a thick blanket and holding a bird teaser, casually teasing a myna in its cage.

"Call her...call her 'Mianmian'...call her 'daughter'..."

The old man's voice was somewhat hoarse, revealing an undeniable sense of age and loneliness.

"Master, it's getting windy, let's go back inside," the old butler advised softly. "Your leg ailment can't withstand the cold."

"I won't reply."

The old man stubbornly waved his hand, "The magpies are chirping today. I have to wait here. What if... what if that heartless girl comes back today?"

“Master…” the butler sighed, “Miss is still traveling. Didn’t the last letter say she was in the Western Regions? She won’t be back so soon.”

The old man paused, and the light in his eyes dimmed slightly.

"Yes...the Western Regions...that's so far away..."

He put down the bird toy, closed his cloudy eyes, as if he were asleep, or perhaps he was reminiscing.

Jiang Mianmian, who was standing not far away, burst into tears upon seeing this scene.

That's her father.

Jiang Zhan, the prime minister who once angrily rebuked the court officials and dared to slam his fist on the table with Shen Jin to protect her.

That old man who used to be full of energy and would often blow his beard and glare.

How...how did you get so old?

That head of hair, which was once just gray, is now completely white. And that straight back, even when lying down, still shows the hunchback.

[The old man...]

How come you... have aged so quickly?

[Are you missing me? Am I being too unfilial? For the past five years, I've only cared about my own pleasure, leaving you alone in the capital...]

Jiang Mianmian covered her mouth, not daring to cry out loud, afraid of disturbing him.

Shen Jin stood behind her, gently patting her back, a hint of sadness in his eyes.

The cruel hand of time never spares anyone.

"father!"

Jiang Mianmian wiped away her tears, composed herself, put on her brightest smile, and rushed over with a shout.

"Old Jiang! The sun's already high in the sky! Still sleeping!"

Jiang Zhan, who was on the recliner, shuddered.

He suddenly opened his eyes and looked in disbelief in the direction from which the sound came.

When that familiar figure in fiery red came into view, the old man's hands began to tremble violently, and he even dropped the bird-teasing stick he was holding.

"Mian...Mianmian?"

He tried to stand up, but stumbled because of his leg injury.

"Ouch! Slow down!"

Jiang Mianmian rushed over to him, grabbed him, and knelt down beside the recliner, burying her head in the blanket on his knees.

"Father...your daughter is back. Your daughter is unfilial..."

Jiang Zhan's hands trembled as he stroked his daughter's hair, tears streaming down his face.

"It's good that you're back...it's good that you're back..."

"Father thought... thought he would never see you again in this lifetime..."

The father and daughter embraced and wept bitterly.

The butler standing nearby also wiped away tears.

Shen Jin led Tuan Tuan over and bowed deeply to Jiang Zhan:

"Your son-in-law greets your father-in-law."

"Grandpa!"

Not to be outdone, Tuantuan shouted back. His voice was so powerful that it shook the last few leaves off the tree.

Jiang Zhan then came to his senses, wiped away his tears, and looked at the chubby-faced boy standing next to Shen Jin.

"This...this is Tuan Tuan?"

Jiang Zhan's eyes lit up, as if he had been instantly injected with energy. "Wow! You've grown so tall! Quick! Let Grandpa give you a hug!"

Tuantuan looked at Jiang Zhan's old bones, then at her own muscular physique, and hesitated.

"Grandpa, I'm very heavy."

Tuantuan said honestly, "I'm afraid I'll crush you."

"nonsense!"

Jiang Zhan, refusing to admit his age, said, "Back in my day, Grandpa could draw a bow with a draw weight of three stones! Holding a little baby like you was a piece of cake for me! Come here!"

Helpless, Tuantuan could only walk over and carefully... offer one of her hands to Jiang Zhan.

"Grandpa, please shake hands."

Jiang Zhan grasped that small but firm, calloused hand, squeezed it, and was immediately overjoyed:

"Good! Good lad! You've got a strong physique! Just like me! Not like your pretty-boy father!"

Shen Jin: ...

[Father-in-law, whatever makes you happy.]

Just as the grandparents and grandchildren were reunited in this heartwarming moment, a sudden gust of cold wind blew out from behind the artificial hill in the garden.

"It seems we're too late."

A cold, hoarse voice, yet with a hint of eerie gentleness, rang out.

Jiang Mianmian shuddered.

This familiar feeling...

She turned around and looked.

A beautiful couple emerged from behind the artificial hill.

The man was dressed in a bright red official robe, his face pale and gloomy, and he was twirling two... human skull walnuts in his hands.

The woman was dressed in a black outfit, her long hair tied up high, her eyes were as cold as ice, and she was carrying a... autopsy kit that she had just brought back from the Dali Temple.

It was Jiang Li, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Leng Wushuang, the wife of the Minister of Justice.

Among them was a little girl who looked about three or four years old.

The little girl was wearing a pink dress and had two little pigtails; she looked incredibly cute. However… what she was holding wasn't a doll, but a lifelike… human skeleton model.

"aunt!"

The little girl wasn't afraid when she saw Jiang Mianmian. Instead, she held up the small skeleton in her hand and sweetly called out, "Daddy said Auntie is back! Guoguo missed Auntie so much!"

Jiang Mianmian: [...]

Is this the legendary "everyone's a villain" family version?

Brother, sister-in-law, could you please buy some normal toys for the child?

"Brother! Sister-in-law!"

Jiang Mianmian stood up and gave Jiang Li a big hug.

Jiang Li stiffened for a moment, then slowly hugged her back.

Five years had passed, and the gloom in his eyes seemed to have faded somewhat, but the stubbornness ingrained in his bones remained.

"You've lost weight."

Jiang Li patted her back, frowned, and looked at Shen Jin, "You didn't feed her?"

He stood silently, gazing at the sky.

Is this what you call being thin? She's just dieting to fit into her old clothes!

"Alright, alright, stop fighting the moment you see each other."

Jiang Mianmian smoothed things over, looking at the little girl holding the skeleton, "Is this Guoguo? So cute! Come here, let Auntie give you a hug!"

She picked up Guoguo and casually pushed the skeleton aside.

"Cousin!"

Guoguo, nestled in Jiang Mianmian's arms, looked at Tuantuan on the ground and her eyes lit up. "Do you want to play with me? We can play with bones together!"

Tuantuan looked at the skeleton, then at the gold brick at her waist.

He thought that picking up bones was too boring, so he might as well crack walnuts.

"I have gold bricks."

Tuantuan patted her waist. "I can help you smash that bone... into powder."

Guoguo: "..."

Two children with extreme hobbies fell into an eerie silence upon their first meeting.

The adults laughed.

The banquet was held in the main hall of the Prime Minister's residence.

The family sat together, with Jiang Zhan in the main seat. Looking at his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson on his left, and his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter on his right, a long-lost, heartfelt smile finally appeared on his aged face.

"Okay...okay..."

Jiang Zhan picked up his wine glass, his hand trembling slightly, "Our family is finally reunited."

"For the past five years, I have been hoping day and night. Now that I see you all are well, I can die in peace."

"Father! What are you saying!"

Jiang Mianmian picked up a piece of braised pork for him, saying, "You're going to live to be a hundred! You're going to watch Tuantuan and Guoguo grow up!"

“Yes, Father.” Jiang Li rarely spoke up, “I’ve saved your money for your funeral, there’s no rush to use it.”

Jiang Zhan smacked his son on the head with his chopsticks: "If you can't speak properly, then shut up!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

After several rounds of drinks...

Looking at her father's full head of white hair and deep wrinkles on his face, Jiang Mianmian felt a mix of emotions.

Things have changed, people are gone, and all is lost.

Five years have passed, and so much has changed. Dad has grown old, my brother has started his own family, and we've changed too.

But... some things will never change.

[For example, the braised pork on this table, the laughter filling the room, and... this deep-rooted family bond.]

Shen Jin took her hand under the table.

He heard her heartfelt words and felt her sadness.

"Mianmian".

He said in a low voice, "This time we're back, let's stay a few more days."

"Um."

Jiang Mianmian nodded, "I'll stay until... I've eaten all of Dad's secret stash of money!"

Jiang Zhan, with his sharp ears, heard this and immediately protected his purse:

"You unfilial daughter! You've only just returned and you're already eyeing my savings for my funeral!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Laughter echoed from the mansion, drifting through the night sky of the capital.

On this late autumn night, the lights in the Prime Minister's residence were warmer than ever.

This is home.

No matter how far you go, no matter what you become, as long as you come back, that light will always be shining for you.