Chapter 176 A Joyful Reunion
On this day, the warm sunlight shone through the carved window lattice of Chengqian Palace, casting dappled light and shadow on the floor of the inner hall. Lu Zhaoxue was sorting through a medical book by the window.
Suddenly, a series of hurried and slightly chaotic footsteps came from outside the hall. Lu Zhaoxue was a little curious. Why didn't any palace servants announce the arrival of the people?
Before Lu Zhaoxue could even raise her eyes to make a closer look, a familiar figure had already stepped into the hall. The person in the lead was dressed in palace attire, with bright eyes and brows. It was none other than her younger sister, Lu Zhaoxing, whom she hadn't seen for many days. Behind her, however, were two figures that Lu Zhaoxue longed for.
Mr. Lu, whose temples were slightly gray but whose composure remained, and Mrs. Lu, whose eyes held a smile but could not hide her excitement.
The book in Lu Zhaoxue's hand fell to the ground with a "thud," her pupils contracted sharply, and she stood there stunned. She raised her hand to rub her eyes, fearing that all the longing she had endured over the years had turned into a beautiful but illusory dream.
After a long silence, Lu Zhaoxue finally dared to open her lips tremblingly, her voice shaking uncontrollably: "Mother... Mother?" "Father... Father?"
Upon hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Lu's eyes reddened, and they both rushed forward. Mrs. Lu even embraced Lu Zhaoxue.
The three embraced and wept, their joy of reunion echoing in the hall. Lu Zhaoxing stood to the side, watching this scene, and couldn't help but wipe the tears from the corners of his eyes with his handkerchief again and again.
After an unknown amount of time, the crying in the hall gradually subsided. Lu Zhaoxue, supporting her mother's arm, turned to look at Lu Zhaoxing, her eyes filled with urgency and confusion: "Zhaoxing, what... what exactly happened?"
Lu Zhaoxing took a deep breath before slowly recounting what had happened.
It turns out that when Lu's father was exiled, he noticed someone secretly following him halfway through the journey. It was an assassin secretly sent by the late emperor. Fortunately, Lu's father was always cautious and noticed the shadowy figure following him. He cleverly avoided the pursuit by taking advantage of the thick fog in a mountain stream.
When he was at his wit's end, he unexpectedly ran into his childhood best friend, who was a reclusive master. Without saying a word, the friend took Lu's father to his secluded Lotus Pier.
Lotus Pier is a secluded paradise hidden deep in the mountains and clouds. Surrounded by mountains and water, it is isolated from the world, and ordinary people cannot even find the entrance.
After settling down in the dock, Mr. Lu was worried day and night about Mrs. Lu, who was left in the capital, fearing that she might also have been poisoned. When his friend found out, he secretly plotted and found a "fake death drug" that was so realistic that it was hard to believe. He also found a reliable person and, under the cover of night, secretly sent Mrs. Lu, who had taken the drug and was now lifeless, out of the capital and escorted her all the way to Lotus Dock.
In the years that followed, Lu's parents lived in seclusion in Lotus Pier, planting in spring and harvesting in autumn, eating simple meals. Although their lives were peaceful, they never stopped thinking about their two daughters.
They tried countless times to go down the mountain to find their relatives, but were stopped by their friends, who said that the emperor's heart was unfathomable and that since the emperor had already decided to kill them, their existence was a disaster. If they were not careful, they would not only be in danger themselves, but they might also endanger their daughters' lives.
Lu's parents endured this torment for many years. One day, a weary figure arrived at Lotus Pier. This person was Pei Yuanzheng.
Lu Zhaoxing paused slightly at this point, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Back then, Pei Yuanzheng was hit by several arrows, and everyone thought he had already died.
But little did they know that it was all a scheme by Pei Yuanzheng and Chu Siheng. Although it was a scheme, Pei Yuanzheng's injuries were real. After surviving, he changed his name to "Feng Xunxing," meaning that Pei Yuanzheng wanted to find Lu Zhaoxing.
After Pei Yuanzheng recovered, he silently searched for the whereabouts of Lu's parents. After going through many hardships, he finally found Lotus Pier.
Pei Yuanzheng told Lu's parents about all the changes that had taken place in the capital over the years, and then took them to the capital, where they went to Lu Zhaoxing's residence as soon as possible.
At this point, Lu Zhaoxing chuckled lightly, with a hint of helplessness, and said, "After sending his parents to the Princess's residence, he shamelessly stayed at my residence..."
Lu Zhaoxing didn't say the rest, because after Pei Yuanzheng stayed at Lu Zhaoxing's residence, he said he wanted to be Lu Zhaoxing's male concubine. Shen Minghe overheard this and got so angry that he and Pei Yuanzheng got into a fight...
Getting back to the main point, when Lu Zhaoxing saw her mother, father, and Pei Yuanzheng at the Princess's residence, she was extremely shocked. After all, these three people had all been declared "dead" before, yet now they were all appearing before her.
Lu Zhaoxing didn't have time to delve into the details. After confiding in his parents and making some quick arrangements, he hurriedly took them to the palace, eager for his sister to see her long-awaited family as soon as possible and for this reunion, which was several years overdue, to be completed.
As dusk settled, a sumptuous dinner had already been laid out in the main hall of Chengqian Palace, with a table full of tempting delicacies.
Just as they took their seats, a eunuch's high-pitched yet respectful voice announced from outside the hall: "His Majesty has arrived—the Crown Princess has arrived—"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Siheng led Chu Lingyang in, his eyes full of gentle smiles.
Upon seeing this, Lu's parents quickly rose from their seats and bowed to Chu Siheng, saying, "This humble subject pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"
Chu Siheng quickly stepped forward and steadily helped the two elders up with both hands. His tone was earnest and affectionate: "Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, there's no need for such formalities. It's so good that you could come."
Chu Siheng then looked at Lu Zhaoxue, whose eyes were red-rimmed, his eyes full of tenderness, "You should come to the palace often when you have time. If it is convenient, you can stay in the palace. Zhaoxue has been thinking about you all these years. Now her heart can finally be at peace."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoxue felt a slight pang of sadness, followed by a relieved smile. She took Chu Lingyang's small hand and said softly, "Mother, Father, this is my daughter with Siheng. Her name is Lingyang, and her nickname is Zhaozhao."
Chu Lingyang was dressed in a bright yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and her little face was particularly endearing. She looked up and greeted Lu's parents, "Hello, Grandmother! Hello, Grandfather!"
After speaking, Chu Lingyang gave a polite curtsy, displaying both impeccable manners and childlike charm.
Looking at Chu Lingyang's appearance, Lu's mother's heart almost melted. She quickly stepped forward and hugged Chu Lingyang into her arms, repeatedly saying, "Oh, good child, good child."
Mr. Lu stroked his beard, his eyes filled with a gratified smile.
Chu Siheng told everyone to sit down without further formalities, and then instructed the palace servants to add more bowls and chopsticks before sitting down next to Lu Zhaoxue. Lu Zhaoxing sat down next to Chu Lingyang and told her about the interesting things that happened outside the palace.
Lu Zhaoxue and Lu Zhaoxing both smiled and put food into their parents' bowls. Lu Zhaoxing kept saying, "Dad, Mom, try this crystal shrimp. The imperial chefs in the palace are much better than those outside."
“Yes, you should eat more,” Lu Zhaoxue added.
Mr. and Mrs. Lu looked at their two daughters, then at Chu Siheng and Chu Lingyang, their lips curled into uncontrollable smiles, and they repeatedly agreed, "Okay, okay, we'll all try some."
The family sat together, chatting about the little things that had happened over the years, and a warm atmosphere filled every corner of the palace.
The table was laden with steaming delicacies, and the hall was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation. This reunion feast, which was several years overdue, finally warmed everyone's hearts.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com