"Mother, we've been waiting for you."
After traveling for several days, they finally arrived at the capital city. Seeing the city gates in the distance, Liu Rou Niang was quite excited. This was the first time she had ever seen the capital city. Not only her, but the children were also extremely excited, chattering and discussing it all the way.
At this moment, a man quickly rode forward, dismounted, and came to the front of Madam Liu's carriage, where he respectfully bowed.
Looking out the car window, Liu Rou Niang saw that the man was dashing and handsome, clearly a military officer. Judging from his address, she thought that this must be the uncle her younger uncle had mentioned.
Liu Rou Niang's guess was correct; this person was indeed Liu Zhong, the eldest son of Old Madam Liu.
Liu Zhong was born out of wedlock. When Old Lady Liu married General Liu, she had not conceived for three years. Although the Liu family had a pure family tradition and General Liu had said he would not take a concubine, he was the only son in the Liu family at the time, and he often went to the frontier. So Old Lady Liu herself promoted her head maid to concubine and had General Liu take her to the front lines.
Thus, Liu Zhong was born. Unfortunately, Liu Zhong's mother was short-lived and passed away when Liu Zhong was five years old. With her last bit of strength, she entrusted Liu Zhong to Old Madam Liu.
Madam Liu always treated Liu Zhong as her own child, raising him with proper manners, teaching him to read and write, and instructing him in martial arts. Later, Madam Liu gave birth to her own children, but she never mistreated Liu Zhong.
However, her two children suffered this misfortune when her daughter was about to come of age and her youngest son was still a minor. As a result, Madam Liu fell ill and was bedridden for many years. Later, she returned to her hometown to recuperate, intending to spend the rest of her life in this way.
Unexpectedly, her youngest son returned before she died, which cheered her up. Now that her granddaughter has also returned to her side, she mustered her spirits to return to the capital to pave the way for her daughter's only child, fulfilling her last wish and making up for what she owed her daughter.
"Didn't you already write a letter home? Why are you waiting here so early in the morning?" Old Madam Liu felt a pang of sympathy for Liu Zhong.
Since losing her two children, she hasn't cared about Liu Zhong as much as before. Perhaps she was too in pain. Later, she returned to her hometown and stopped interfering in Liu Zhong's affairs. Fortunately, she had chosen a good wife for Liu Zhong before that. Zhou Ya Hui, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Liu family, was very reliable and she was very satisfied and at ease with her.
Liu Zhong said with a smile, "I was very happy to know that Mother was coming, so I waited here early, thinking that I could see Mother sooner."
Madam Liu was also somewhat moved. After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Rou Niang and the others got out of the carriage, and Liu Zhong greeted Rou Niang and the others with pleasantries once again.
The large group of people entered the capital together.
"Madam, General Liu, we bid you farewell here. We will certainly pay you a visit another day." Mo Bei stepped forward to take his leave.
Liu Rou Niang was somewhat reluctant. Were she and Mo Bei going to separate again? Perhaps the shadow of their last separation was too great, making her afraid of parting with Mo Bei now.
Mo Bei gave her a reassuring look, and Zhang San and Zhang Niangzi followed Mo Bei away.
And so, Liu Rou Niang led the children back to the Liu family mansion with Old Madam Liu. The two stone lions at the gate of the Liu family mansion were majestic and imposing, and a group of women, all dressed in gorgeous clothes, stood at the gate.
Just like the characters in the story, Rou Niang never imagined she would be associated with such a person. The woman at the head of the group was exceptionally dignified and gentle.
As soon as Madam Liu got off the carriage, she stepped forward and said, "Mother, you've finally returned."
The other women also came forward to greet her. Rou Niang was dazzled by the sight of them all and couldn't quite tell who was who. She only noticed that they were all dressed in luxurious clothes.
After greeting them one by one with a smile, Madam Liu said, "You're all gathered at other people's doorsteps. Let's go inside and talk."
So the crowd surrounded Old Madam Liu, and a large group of people walked in. This Liu mansion was much larger than the one in Fucheng. Upon entering, the carved dragons and painted beams were completely different from the one in Rou Niang.
Indeed, the servants were dressed in a disciplined manner, each behaving with impeccable manners, bowing and greeting with measured grace, without showing the slightest sign of panic. Despite their large number, none of them appeared flustered, showed curiosity, or pointed and whispered.
After everyone was seated, Madam Liu and Liu Rou Niang introduced themselves to each other.
"This is your maternal aunt, Zhou."
Looking over, Liu Rou Niang saw the woman who had just stepped forward to greet her, dignified and serene.
"Auntie." Liu Rouniang stepped forward and bowed, and the three children followed their mother to greet her as well: "Greetings, maternal great-grandmother."
Great uncle and great-aunt?
This was the first time Zhou Ya Hui had been addressed like that, and knowing it was a source of worry for her mother, she quickly responded.
Because the letter from home had mentioned that she would be bringing Liu Rou Niang and the children, she had prepared gifts in advance. She hurriedly ordered someone to bring them over, but before Rou Niang and the others could accept them, her maidservant had already taken them for them.
"This is your aunt."
The maternal uncle then introduced his aunt, Wu Yingmei, who was also Liu Fufeng's wife.
However, he is somewhat unsteady, with a playful and cute demeanor, yet he also possesses a heroic and dashing air, making him appear like a military general. Sure enough, his words were also straightforward and confident, but not as gentle and demure as a noblewoman.
Wu Yingmei and Rou Niang greeted each other and immediately recognized that Yu Yan had the potential to learn martial arts. They smiled and said, "This little girl seems quite promising. Come to your maternal grandmother's place sometime, and I'll teach you a couple of things!"
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