Su Qingyao smiled as she opened the rouge box that Nianli had given her. Seeing the exquisite rouge, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. "Wow, what a beautiful color!" she exclaimed. "Nianli still understands my elder sister's heart the best." As she spoke, she gently pinched Nianli's little face. Nianli giggled and snuggled up to her. Young Marquis Su scratched his head and saw that Siyan had already put away the abacus. He said a little embarrassedly: "Siyan, I'm sorry for what happened just now. I will give you the three taels of silver." Siyan nodded seriously and said: "Remember not to cheat when the time comes."
Prime Minister Su watched the children interacting with each other, a pleased smile on his face. He turned to Su Jinli and Jiang Yan and said, "Come on, let's go inside and talk. We're tired from the journey, so let's rest up." Led by Prime Minister Su, the group slowly entered the Prime Minister's Residence. Everything inside the residence was still familiar: the carved beams and painted buildings, the antique furnishings, all seemed to tell stories of the past. However, for Su Jinli, the experiences of the past three years had given her a different feeling about the place.
Entering the main hall, everyone took their seats. Maids brought tea and snacks, and Su Jinli took a sip, savoring the aroma. Liu sat nearby, her eyes occasionally drifting towards Su Jinli and Jiang Yan, as if observing their changes over the past three years. Su Jinli noticed Liu's gaze, but ignored it. Instead, she chatted with Su Xiang, Su Qingyao, and the others about the interesting experiences of their three years of travel.
"Dad, you didn't see that when Nianli was in Yangzhou, she dragged us through several streets just to eat that authentic Yangzhou fried rice!" Su Jinli said with a smile, her eyes full of nostalgia for that experience.
"Yes, yes," Nianli said quickly, "There was a very long queue at that store, and I was almost getting anxious waiting! But when I put it in my mouth, I felt it was all worth it!" Everyone couldn't help laughing when they heard it.
Jiang Yan also added, "And Si Yan, he helped someone solve a complicated accounting problem at a bank in Yangzhou, and the boss even gave him a lot of money." Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Su's eyes were full of pride. He looked at Si Yan and said, "You are worthy of being a child of our Su family. You are so capable at such a young age!" Si Yan lowered his head a little embarrassedly and said, "It's not that difficult, actually."
Amid the laughter and cheer, Liu's smile seemed increasingly out of place. She mused to herself that Su Jinli had become more confident and carefree during her three years away, and that the family she had brought with her were no pushovers. She looked at her illegitimate son, huddled aside, with little promise, and felt a surge of anxiety. She knew that her and her son's status within the family would likely undergo subtle changes with the return of Su Jinli and her family.
However, Su Jinli paid no attention to Liu's thoughts. She was immersed in the joy of being with her family, recounting every detail of her journey. They had admired the blooming lotuses by West Lake, the picturesque scene still vivid in her mind; they had sampled a variety of spicy delicacies in Shu, the pungent flavors still leaving her with a lasting aftertaste; they had encountered fascinating critters in the mountains, and had wonderful encounters with them. Each story fascinated Su Xiang, Su Qingyao, and Young Marquis Su, as if they had also experienced those rich and varied three years alongside Su Jinli and her family.
As time passed, the sky gradually darkened. Lanterns lit up in the prime minister's residence, and the soft light illuminated every corner. Su Jinli looked at this familiar scene, her heart filled with emotion. These three years of travel made her understand the true meaning of home. No matter how wonderful the outside world was, home was always the harbor of her soul. And this time when she returned, she also hoped to use her own strength to make this home warmer and more harmonious. Although she knew that the Liu family might become an obstacle in this process, she was not afraid. She believed that as long as the family was united, no difficulties were insurmountable.
After dinner, Su Jinli and Jiang Yan returned to their room. The layout of the room remained the same as when they left, as if time had stopped here. Su Jinli walked to the window, looked at the moonlight outside the window, and her heart was full of tranquility. Jiang Yan walked behind her, gently put his arms around her waist, and said, "Jinli, how do you feel about being back?" Su Jinli turned around, leaned in Jiang Yan's arms, and said, "It feels very familiar, but also a little strange. However, as long as you and the children are here, I feel very safe." Jiang Yan gently kissed her forehead and said, "Don't worry, no matter what happens, I will always be with you."
On this quiet night, everyone in the prime minister's residence drifted off to sleep, each with their own thoughts. And the story of Su Jinli's family will continue within this ancient mansion. In the days ahead, they will face numerous challenges and opportunities, but they firmly believe that as long as the family supports and cares for each other, they will be able to overcome all difficulties and usher in a brighter tomorrow. Moonlight shone on the roof of the prime minister's residence, as if draping it with a silver veil, guarding everyone here and witnessing their laughter and tears, happiness and growth.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the cracks in the window, gently shone on Su Jinli's face. She slowly opened her eyes, looking at the familiar room, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. Beside her, Jiang Yan was still sound asleep, a serene smile on his face, as if he were dreaming a beautiful dream. Su Jinli gently stood up, afraid to wake him, then walked to the window and pushed it open. Fresh air blew in, carrying a faint floral scent, making her feel relaxed and refreshed.
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