Before we knew it, it was the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, the day before Lunar New Year's Eve.
Rong Qingqing was still asleep when she was suddenly woken up by Xiao Tao, "Princess, the Prince is back."
Rong Qingqing was lying in bed, still feeling a bit sleepy. Upon hearing this, she asked hesitantly, "Who?"
"This servant was saying that His Highness has returned," Xiao Tao said, sighing. "The ground is frozen over, yet His Highness still managed to come all the way back from Suzhou. I heard from the guards who accompanied him that His Highness traveled day and night, braving wind and snow, to get back before New Year's Eve. He even changed horses several times along the way. His Highness has traveled so far and endured so much hardship to come back; it goes without saying that he came back especially to spend the New Year with you."
Rong Qingqing blinked, finally fully waking up.
Is Dad back?
She knew the weather was like this; in such cold weather, traveling day and night, one could imagine how arduous it must have been, but her father still rushed back, just to spend the New Year with her.
Her heart was filled with unspoken warmth and emotion, and she said softly but with surprise, "My dad's back?"
“Yes, the prince has been back for a while now. He just came by, but seeing that you were still asleep, he went back first,” Xiao Tao said.
Upon hearing this, Rong Qingqing quickly pulled back the covers and got out of bed, then hurriedly washed up and changed her clothes.
Xiao Zhen was organizing letters in his study when a guard came to report, "Your Highness, the Princess has arrived."
"Let her in quickly." A look of joy flashed across Xiao Zhen's face. As he spoke, he tossed the letter in his hand aside and, unable to wait any longer, went out first.
Just as Rong Qingqing was about to enter the house, she saw Xiao Zhen come out.
"Father," she called out joyfully.
"Girl!" Upon seeing his beloved daughter, Xiao Zhen's solemn and cold face instantly softened.
At this moment, he was no longer the iron-blooded general who struck fear into the hearts of the Xiongnu, but just an ordinary father.
Looking at his daughter, Xiao Zhen suddenly frowned. "Why do you look thinner? Are you not comfortable living in the manor?"
"Where are you thinner?" Rong Qingqing said, both amused and exasperated, pulling at her own cheek. "You're clearly very fat!"
Xiao Zhen disagreed, saying, "You're so skinny you could be blown away by the wind. Where's the fat? Have you not been eating properly?"
Rong Qingqing was a little helpless, and joked, "No way! You probably don't know how much I can eat. I can eat two bowls of rice every meal." As she spoke, afraid that he would say she was thin again, she quickly changed the subject, "By the way, Father must not have eaten yet, let's go eat together."
"Alright." Xiao Zhen readily agreed. Looking at his daughter, who barely reached his chest, he couldn't resist reaching out and ruffling her head.
Rong Qingqing smiled sweetly, showing no sign of dislike.
The next day was New Year's Eve, and red lanterns were hung up early in the mansion, making everything look brand new.
That evening, the Emperor hosted a banquet for his officials and their families, and Rong Qingqing accompanied Prince Su into the palace.
When the father and daughter entered the hall, they attracted the attention of many people.
Seeing Rong Qingqing standing tall beside the powerful Prince Su, everyone was quite surprised. It was only then that they realized she was quite different from the rumors.
The image of the weak and cowardly Miss Rong in my memory seems to be completely different from the Princess of Su's Mansion in front of me.
Xiao Zhen noticed the gazes fixed on Rong Qingqing, frowned, and subconsciously turned to the side to block those prying eyes from her.
Just as he and Rong Qingqing were about to sit down, Guo Ziyi, the Minister of Rites, came over with his son, Guo Luolin.
"Prince Su, how have you been?"
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