Duanhua, learning that the Duchess was about to leave, felt extremely reluctant to part and spent the day in Dongsi Hutong, doting on the Duchess.
The Duchess looked at her amusingly, not leaving even when night fell, and tentatively asked, "My dear, why don’t you stay for the night?"
Duanhua immediately nodded, "I’ll sleep with you tonight."
The Duchess exclaimed in surprise, "Oh dear, I sleep restlessly. Even Xiaoqi, who sleeps with me, complains about it. She said she finally understands why her father took so many concubines - because sleeping with me is a hardship."
Duanhua looked at the Duchess, "Auntie, stop scaring me. Can your sleep be that bad?"
"Considering your fragility, darling, that may not be a good idea", the Duchess disagreed firmly. "You’re not just a princess, but also the Crown Prince’s consort. Take good care of yourself!"
Duanhua was not quite convinced, "Really? I can’t?"
"Really."
"Alright then!" Duanhua gave in, "I’ll sleep in another room then, and get up early to see you off."
The Duchess simply agreed this time, "That works."
As the Duchess set off early the next morning, not only did her six daughters and their husbands come to see her off, but Duanhua, Jiang Xing, Chen Zhou and others also got up early to do the same.
Since the old Duke, the senior princess Sheng An, and the old Duchess were all leaving together, the Crown Prince Yan Huisheng also came to bid them farewell.
Outside the city, Yan Huisheng sighed as he looked at the old Duke, "Old Duke, it’s hard for me to part with you. When will you be back?"
The old Duke was helpless, "Your highness, you still have Grand Tutor Qin, the Rui’an King, and the court officials. Don’t miss me too much."
Yan Huisheng laughed, "It seems the old Duke isn’t planning on returning any time soon."
The old Duke replied, "My relative, Mr. Cui of Qinghe, has moved his entire family to Nanchu. I haven’t seen him in a long time, so it’s only right to spend some quality time with him."
Yan Huisheng felt nostalgic, "Mr. Cui is very bold. He’s been living in Qinghe for many years. My father once invited him to court, but Mr. Cui declined. I didn’t expect Mr. Cui to move his entire family to Nanchu. It seems he highly values Xiaoqi and Zhou Gu."
First he sent his grandson ahead, then followed with his entire family. This was indeed very rare.
"Yes, he’s bolder than me. I can’t bear to leave Daliang," the old Duke said.
Yan Huisheng liked hearing this and replied with a smile, "I hope you won’t be too bold either. Return as soon as you’re ready!"
The old Duke waved his hand and got into a carriage. "Alright, I’ll look for you when I’m back for a drink."
Yan Huisheng smiled and agreed, "I’ll make sure to have the golden goblets ready for your return."
Ye Qiuying walked up to Yan Huisheng, and with tears in her eyes, she said, "Crown Prince, thank you for your care all this while. I wish you and the princess a harmonious life and eternal happiness."
Yan Huisheng smiled lightly, "I wish that you and your family reunite peacefully and live happily."
Ye Qiuying nodded firmly.
The four-year-old Zhou Rui had eagerly jumped into the carriage early on, fearing the Senior Princess Sheng An suddenly changed her mind and left him behind. He skipped bidding goodbye to his mother and just waved to her from inside the carriage, "Mom, don’t miss me. I’ll come back when I grow up."
Consort: "..."
She stared at her son, feeling a brief moment of regret and instantly got angry, "What do you mean by coming back when you grow up? You dare!"
Zhou Rui stuck out his tongue and disappeared into the carriage once again, afraid his mother might drag him down.
The consort laughed and cursed, "Little rascal, just wait until your fourth uncle disciplines you. You’ll be crying and howling to come back."
Zhou Rui could hear her clearly. The little boy thought to himself solemnly that he wouldn’t offend his fourth uncle. He would definitely be well-behaved.
After the heartfelt farewells, everyone watched as the convoy left.
Chen Zhou scratched his head, "I wonder what Su Rong would look like once she becomes a princess. I really want to see."
Jiang Xing tugged at his sleeve, "Keep your voice down. The Crown Prince is here."
Yan Huisheng clearly heard them and turned around laughing, "Are all of you thinking of going to Nanchu?"
Chen Zhou immediately stood up straight, "Not at all."
Yan Huisheng glanced at him amusingly, didn’t press him further, and walked towards a dispirited Duanhua, saying gently, "Let’s go. It’s time to go back."
Duanhua suddenly hugged Yan Huisheng, "Cousin Prince, I really want to go to Nanchu."
"Once everything is steady, I’ll take you on a tour to Nanchu if the opportunity arises." Yan Huisheng whispered.
"Really?" Duanhua looked up at him.
"Yes, really."
Duanhua immediately smiled, let him go, and murmured, "Even if we don’t go, I’m happy just hearing you say that."
"We will go."
Duanhua was even happier, "How long do we have to wait?"
"At least two or three years, as many as five years."
Duanhua sighed, but said, "Knowing there’s a possibility is better than not knowing at all. I hope time flies."
Yan Huisheng laughed, leading her to the carriage.
After the two left, Chen Zhou murmured to Jiang Xing, "The princess and the prince seem to be in a very good relationship, don’t they?"
Jiang Xing nodded.
Chen Zhou sighed, "My mother keeps urging me to get married. But as a man, shouldn’t I establish my career first before starting a family?"
"Don’t you think you’ve established your career?" Jiang Xing asked.
"Not really? I haven’t been promoted yet."
Jiang Xing started to leave, "Then you’ll just have to work harder."
Of course, Chen Zhou intended to work hard. He asked Jiang Xing, "What about you? Hasn’t your family urged you?"
"No."
"Life is indeed different for everyone." Chen Zhou mumbled, "Why haven’t your uncle and aunt urged you?"
Jiang Xing said, "I told them there’s no rush. Su Xingze hasn’t married yet, so they stopped urging."
Chen Zhou slapped his forehead, "That’s right! I should say the same. He’s our senior, and he’s not rushing. Why should I? Now that Su’s mother is going to Nanchu soon after her daughters’ marriages, no one will be there to worry about him. His marriage will be even later."
He exclaimed, "Speaking of Su’s mother, she’s really good. None of her daughters are her biological children, yet she cares for each of them deeply. The only one she doesn’t seem to care about is her biological son. As soon as she finished arranging her daughters’ marriages, she’s leaving, without caring for her son. That’s just like her."
Xie Lin, who was also there to see them off, came over and overheard their conversation. He said, "Su’s mother once said, ’Men can marry at 80, but women at 80 can only find men of their same age. So why rush?’"
Chen Zhou: "..."
That did sound like something Su’s mother would say.
He turned to ask Xie Lin, "I heard the queen is arranging a marriage for you? Is it true that it involves the fifth miss of the Duke Residence?"
Xie Lin immediately said, "Don’t talk nonsense, the arrangement is not even set in stone yet, don’t ruin the young lady’s reputation."
Chen Zhou sneered, "Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. I’m not gossiping, you just tell me if it’s true."
Xie Lin gave in reluctantly, "It’s true, but the fifth miss probably doesn’t favour me."
Chen Zhou stared at him.
Xie Lin sighed, "I have a history, trying to compete with Zhou Gu over a woman."
Chen Zhou suddenly realized, "Alright, you’re indeed unfortunate."
Xie Lin: "..."
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