The Princess, along with her husband and the Second Young Master Ye, had played a brilliant game of chess. Ye Xiang, Zhang Yun, and others became chess pieces strategically placed to create deception on the board, and court officials, once they understood, unanimously thought that with the Minister’s Residence held in such high esteem by the Princess, with such harmony between the sovereign and his ministers, how could Nanchu not prosper?
Su Rong would never let the Ye Xiang Residence become another Nangong Family. Standing with integrity and loyally supporting the ruler, it also would not become the second Nangong Family.
In just two and a half months, as the first snow of winter began to fall, the rebellion was thoroughly quelled. However, Zhou Gu and Guixue still had to stay behind to handle the post-war affairs in the Southern three states and could not return to the Royal Capital for the time being.
The Old Duke of Protectorate, Grand Princess Sheng An, and others, arrived at the Nanchu Capital at the onset of heavy snow.
Su Rong, having received the news beforehand, along with the Nanchu King, Duke Cui, Xie Yuan, Ye Xiang, and others, braved the snow to greet them outside the city. The Lady of the Minister Ye, missing her granddaughter, also accompanied them.
The group met the Old Duke’s fleet ten miles outside the city.
The Old Duke of the Protectorate was in conversation with Grand Princess Sheng An at the time, "We timed our arrival well, reaching the Capital just before heavy snow sealed the roads."
Grand Princess Sheng An nodded, "I wonder if Brother Gu has managed to resolve his issues and return."
Their conversation had just concluded when they heard from a guard that a welcoming party was approaching. They both quickly peered out, and hearing Grand Princess Sheng An exclaim, "Oh!", the Old Duke immediately ordered the carriage to stop.
The group hurriedly freshened up and exited the carriage. In a short while, those who came to meet them arrived. The Nanchu King was the first to speak, "Old Duke, Grand Princess, it’s been many years. After such a long journey, you must be exhausted. Xiaoqi and I welcome you wholeheartedly."
The Old Duke looked at the Nanchu King with emotion, "When I first met His Majesty, he was young and elegant, a commanding presence. Nearly twenty years have passed; I have aged, and His Majesty is no longer young."
The Nanchu King nodded, "But you remain vigorous despite your age, and I am not yet as hearty as you, to my embarrassment."
The Old Duke laughed, "But His Majesty has a wonderful daughter."
The Nanchu King also laughed, "And I have a great son-in-law."
In just a few short exchanges, they spoke warmly. Su Rong stepped forward and took Grand Princess Sheng An’s arm, smiling, "Grandmother, you must have had a tiring trip. I should have come to meet you and Grandfather further out, but as soon as I stepped out of Capital City, I was chased back by others. I hope you and Grandfather understand."
Three days ago, she had received the news and indeed she was supposed to personally welcome them. However, just as she left the city, Zhang Yun had intercepted her and told her that the Ministry of War had developed a new version of the crossbow that needed her inspection to see if it met expectations. If it did not, it would need further improvements. If it did, it could be mass produced.
Su Rong hadn’t expected that so much progress would be made in such a short time at the Bow and Crossbow Workshop of the Ministry of War, so she went with him to see it. Finding it unsatisfactory, she decided to join Zhang Yun and others at the Ministry of War to continue the research.
This research unexpectedly took two days, and just when she planned to leave on the third day, Ye Xiang pulled her back, saying that the Observatory Bureau had observed celestial signs indicating an imminent heavy snowfall. This year might see substantial snowfall, and preparations needed to be made quickly.
Su Rong was annoyed at the time, "How accurate is the Observatory Bureau anyway? They predicted heavy rainfall this year, but I haven’t seen much rain, have I? Now they claim a heavy snowfall is coming, calling it a once-in-a-century event. I hope it’s not another exaggeration."
Ye Xiang hurriedly reassured her, "No, no, it’s not an exaggeration. This year did see heavy rains, they just fell on Dawei instead. Dawei experienced continual downpours, not us. Thanks to your blessed influence, even the heavens favor us. This heavy snow, however, is likely accurate, even Master Xie thinks big snow is coming."
Su Rong could not believe in the Observatory Bureau, but she had no choice but to trust Ye Xiang and Xie Yuan; she helplessly and angrily returned.
Thus, the delay lasted until today, and she could only go out to meet them ten miles away.
The Eldest Princess Shengan looked at Su Rong, who now appeared so noble and glorious, a far cry from her days in the Daliang Capital City. This was the image she had envisioned of a Princess in control of the imperial court, even better than she had imagined. High positions truly refine a person, there was no doubt about that. This fullness of noble dignity was unparalleled amongst women.
She smiled broadly and patted her hand, "What greeting? No need for greetings, you are the Princess, already entangled in court affairs. We have arms and legs; we can come ourselves."
Although Su Rong and Zhou Gu had not yet had their Great Wedding, Zhou Gu had long been calling the Nanchu King "father-in-law," and Su Rong had also been calling various relatives such as grandfathers and cousins; now calling her grandparents was very natural.
After the Nanchu King and the Old Duke of Protectorate had reminisced, Ye Xiang, Duke Cui, Xie Yuan, and others also came forward to either catch up with or greet the Old Duke of Protectorate.
The Old Duke of Protectorate and Duke Cui were in-laws, and both Ye Xiang and Xie Yuan, when younger, had met the Old Duke of Protectorate. For a moment, everyone was chattering, creating a lively atmosphere.
Among the women, after speaking briefly with the Eldest Princess Shengan, Su Rong then turned to look at The Lady of the Duke and the Eldest Lady of the Su Family. She smiled at The Lady of the Duke, calling her "mother" and asked if she was "well? Tired?" on the way. Hearing her call her "mother," the Lady of the Duke felt a warmth in her heart, her eyes reddening as she repeatedly said it was all well. Su Rong then turned and smiled at the Eldest Lady, likewise calling her "mother" and cheekily asked, "When you left Jiangning County, did father cry because he couldn’t bear to part with you?" The Eldest Lady laughingly rebuked, "That old fool, don’t even mention him."
The Eldest Lady looked at Su Rong, witnessing her noble appearance and innate authority permeating her every move, all of which were undeniable, even now as she deliberately reined it all in; still, she was extraordinarily different from before. Almost unrecognizable as the naughty brat she used to chase around with a broom.
In a daze, she said: "Incredible, I can hardly recognize you anymore."
Su Rong grabbed her hand, "Should I pinch me?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
Looking at her delicate face, the Eldest Lady actually felt a strong urge to pinch her, but now that she was a Princess, an heir to the throne, many were watching her every move. She muttered, "I’d rather pinch myself."
Su Rong burst out laughing, stomped her feet twice, "It’s too cold today, the snow is getting heavier, let’s hurry along. It’s definitely more comfortable to talk in a warm room than standing out here in the wind and snow."
When she finished, she instructed, "Come on, let’s hurry back to the city."
She led the Eldest Princess Shengan, the Lady of the Duke, and the Eldest Lady to her carriage.
Just then, a child’s crisp and plaintive voice said, "Fourth Aunt, you forgot about me."
"Hmm?" Su Rong turned around.
The Eldest Princess Shengan gasped, "Oh, indeed, you forgot your great-grandson." She smiled at Su Rong, "This is your brother’s son, Zhou Rui, who insisted on coming with us, so we brought him along too."
Su Rong looked at the little boy in front of her, around three or four years old, with a pouting chubby face, the crybaby who loved riding horses as described by Zhou Gu. She laughed, promptly picked him up and said, "Oh, little Zhou Rui, Fourth Aunt is at fault, how could I forget you? Welcome, welcome, come, let’s ride in my carriage together."
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