Chapter 258 Arrival
A few days later, on a bright and sunny morning.
After leaving court, Huo did not go to the imperial study to review memorials as usual.
He turned and went to Weiyang Palace.
Jiang Huan was tending to several newly transplanted plants with a small hoe, completely unconcerned about the mud spots on her skirt.
Jiang Huan was somewhat surprised to see Huo Lin.
She dusted off her hands and stood up: "Your Majesty? What brings you here?"
Huo Lin approached and reached out to gently brush the blades of grass from her hair, his gaze tender.
"Pack your things, I'll take you somewhere."
Jiang Huan's eyes lit up: "Where to?"
Huo Lin, however, kept everyone in suspense: "You'll find out when you get there."
He paused, then added, "Change into something more ordinary."
Jiang Huan instantly understood; it seemed they were about to leave the palace!
She immediately dropped the small hoe and pulled Huo Lin into the hall.
"Quickly, quick! Xiao Zhao, bring me my pale yellow dress, the one with a simple pattern, nothing too complicated."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhao immediately went to make preparations.
Half an hour later, a carriage quietly drove out of the side gate of the palace.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Huan couldn't help but ask again, "Where are we going? Why are you being so mysterious?"
Huo Lin then revealed the answer: "At the dock, your maternal grandfather's family is arriving in Beijing today."
"What!"
Jiang Huan stood up abruptly, forgetting that she was in a carriage.
Thump—
With a dull thud, she crashed into the roof of the car.
"Ouch!" Jiang Huan covered her head and shrank back.
Huo Lin quickly pulled her back to sit beside him, his large hand naturally covering her head, gently rubbing it, with a hint of helplessness in his expression.
"Slow down."
[That sounds painful. Next time, we'll have to ask the Imperial Household Department to raise the roof of the imperial carriage.]
"Why didn't you say so sooner? I wasn't prepared at all."
Jiang Huan, ignoring her headache, grabbed Huo Lin's sleeve.
Although they were relatives of this body, to her it was almost as if they were meeting for the first time.
When her maternal grandparents see her, will they think she's different from before?
And those three cousins, I wonder if they'll be easy to get along with.
Huo Lin watched as the expressions on her little face changed frequently, finding it all quite amusing.
[Usually fearless, but now you're nervous?]
He patted her hand reassuringly: "Don't be nervous, I'll take care of everything."
As Jiang Huan felt the warmth from his palm, her somewhat uneasy heart gradually settled down.
Yes, that's true, he's here.
Moreover, the original owner's parents were very nice, so the maternal grandfather's family shouldn't be too difficult to get along with either.
She took a deep breath and tried to relax.
"Um!"
Huo Lin looked at her eyes, which had brightened again, and felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
She looks better when she's smiling.
He thought to himself silently.
The carriage soon arrived at the canal wharf in the capital.
This place is bustling with people and incredibly noisy.
Huo Lin got out of the car first, then turned around and reached out to Jiang Huan, carefully helping her down.
Although the two tried to keep their attire simple today, their overall demeanor was undeniable.
Huo Lin was tall and handsome, and even though he was wearing an ordinary brocade robe, the imperial air between his brows was hard to ignore.
Jiang Huan stood beside him, her bright eyes and white teeth, lively and charming. The composure and nobility she had cultivated in the palace made her stand out in the crowd.
Many passersby secretly glanced at them, wondering whose young master and lady they were.
Huo Lin seemed oblivious to this, only carefully protecting Jiang Huan to prevent her from being bumped by pedestrians.
There are so many people here. I should have sent someone ahead of time to make arrangements.
However, she enjoys a lively atmosphere; a quiet place would be boring.
Listening to Huo Lin's thoughts, Jiang Huan had to admit that Huo Lin understood her.
If the marketplace is cleared out, what's the difference between that and the inner palace?
That's exactly the kind of lively, bustling atmosphere we're looking for—it's vibrant and alive.
The two waited on the shore, and soon a passenger ship slowly docked.
On the deck, a group of people were preparing to disembark.
The leader was an elderly man with white hair and beard. Although he was dressed simply, he had a refined and scholarly air about him. He was Xu Zhengqing, Jiang Huan's maternal grandfather.
Beside him was a sprightly old woman, Song Zhihua, Jiang Huan's maternal grandmother.
Behind the two, three young men stood tall and had distinct personalities; they were Jiang Huan's three cousins.
Xu Zhengqing was about to disembark with his family when his gaze inadvertently swept across the dock and suddenly froze.
The man stood tall and straight, exuding an air of refined elegance.
He felt a chill run down his spine; the keen insight honed through years of political maneuvering allowed him to make a judgment instantly.
This man possessed extraordinary bearing, clearly not an ordinary wealthy young man; his imposing presence seemed to...
He looked to the man's side, and his pupils contracted again.
Those eyebrows, that smile, were clearly those of his beloved granddaughter, Jiang Huan.
She seemed even more radiant and beautiful than when she was young, like a pearl that had been carefully nurtured, its brilliance understated yet gentle and captivating.
"Huan'er." Xu Zhengqing murmured unconsciously, his steps halting.
As he stopped, his family members behind him followed his gaze.
Song Zhihua first saw Huo Lin and was startled by the young man's aura. Then her gaze fell on Jiang Huan's face, which was full of joy.
"It's Huan'er! Master, it's our Huan'er!"
The three Xu brothers also saw Jiang Huan at the same time.
Xu Zhiyuan's eyes widened immediately, and he blurted out in a low voice, "Little sister?"
The little cousin they remembered was beautiful, but she always seemed a bit timid; when had she ever shown such radiance?
His imposing presence was so striking that it was almost impossible to look directly at him.
And the man beside her...
The three brothers exchanged a glance, and were all shocked.
Although they had never met Huo Lin, his imposing aura made them instantly understand his identity.
Jiang Huan looked at the unfamiliar faces of the elderly and young people, and listened to their calls out to her, her feelings were complicated.
This is the maternal family that the original owner longed for; they all seem to be very kind people.
Having taken over this body and enjoying the familial affection that originally belonged to Jiang Huan, she felt she should at least do something.
Now that her maternal grandparents' family has moved to Beijing, she will try her best to help take care of them.
Jiang Huan quickly adjusted her mindset, forced a smile onto her face, and pulled Huo Lin along to greet him.
"Grandfather, grandmother, cousin!"
As soon as Jiang Huan finished speaking, the Xu family members seemed to be awakened.
Xu Zhengqing was the first to come to his senses, his gaze lingering briefly on Huo Lin.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, he already understood and led his family to bow in respect.
Huo Lin shook his head almost imperceptibly and raised his hand in a gesture of support: "No need for formalities when we're out."
Xu Zhengqing paused for a moment, then straightened up as if to comply.
"Yes, young master."
He turned to look at Jiang Huan, his eyes full of affection, "Huan'er, it's been a long time. You've grown up and become even more beautiful."
Song Zhihua could no longer contain himself. He stepped forward, took Jiang Huan's hand, and looked her up and down carefully: "Good, good, you look so healthy. It makes me feel at ease."
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