Yang's return
Xie Sili received news of Yang's entry into Chang'an four days later.
She dressed neatly and waited for them at the city gate with Xie Jingche and Xie Jingyan.
"Auntie, are Uncle Si Chuan and Aunt Si Chu arriving?"
Hearing their voices, she looked down and nodded to them.
“Then are my great-grandfather and great-grandmother coming back too?” Xie Jingyan’s eyes lit up with joy. “Before we returned to Chang’an, my great-grandfather and great-grandmother said they would come back to Chang’an for the New Year this year.”
Noticing Xie Jingche and Xie Jingyan's actions, Xie Sili reached out and patted their heads.
Before long, a carriage slowly approached.
Xie Sili had excellent eyesight and could see at a glance that the driver was An San. He was driving the carriage with a carefree expression, but his hand movements were not at all ambiguous.
Noticing An San's gaze, Xie Sili waved to him.
Before long, the carriage came into view, getting closer and closer.
With a tug, the carriage came to a steady stop in front of her.
"Girl, mount your horse." An San said, extending his hand to Xie Sili.
Xie Sili first helped Xie Jingche and Xie Jingyan onto the carriage, and then, with the help of An San, got into the carriage himself.
"Sister Li." Madam Yang looked at her with a gentle smile in her eyes, "Why did you come to pick me up in person?" After she finished speaking, she quickly poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to her, "The weather is so cold, take care of yourself."
"Second Aunt, don't worry." She looked at Madam Yang and comforted her, "You must be tired from the long journey. Get some rest when you arrive at the Prime Minister's residence."
Thinking of Huang's face, she turned her gaze to Yang, "Second Aunt, did you tell Huang about your return to Chang'an?"
“My husband sent a letter home a few days ago, so I think my sister-in-law should know about it.” Madam Yang’s tone was gentle, with a serene smile on her face. “You also know that I have been doing quite well in Yuzhou City all these years and do not care about these superficial things.”
Xie Sili nodded to Yang Shi, then reached out and hugged Xie Sichuan and Xie Sichu.
“Achuan and Chuchu have both grown up quite a bit.” As she spoke, she took out a delicate bracelet from her sleeve and put it on Xie Sichu’s wrist.
"Thank you, sister." Xie Sichu looked at the bracelet and shook it, the tinkling sound of the bracelets jingling together was particularly pleasant.
Noticing Xie Sichuan's gaze, she reached out and patted his head, "I'll send you a set of writing implements from the storeroom later."
She had barely finished speaking when Xie Sichuan's voice rang out, "Thank you, sister!"
"You silly child, why do you want all of Li Jie'er's things?" Madam Yang said, tapping Xie Si Chuan's forehead. "Don't forget the important matter of returning to Chang'an."
Xie Sichuan rubbed his forehead and smiled at Madam Yang. "Mother, don't worry, I remember what Mr. Zhuge instructed, and I would never dare to forget it."
Upon hearing the term "Mr. Zhuge," Xie Sili turned his gaze to her. "What are your instructions, Mr. Zhuge?"
"Mr. Zhuge said that A-Che and Yan-Yan should not fall behind in their studies in Chang'an City, and that A-Che should participate in the imperial examination next year."
“I think that although A-Che is very intelligent, he must not become just another ordinary person because he is eager to achieve quick success.” Xie Sichuan looked at Xie Sili with a serious expression.
“Of course.” Xie Sili said, patting Xie Sichuan’s head again.
When the group arrived at the Prime Minister's residence, they found that the gate was deserted, as if no one had noticed anything amiss about her absence.
Xie Sili sneered, and was about to speak when she heard Yang's voice, "Li'er, don't worry. Before we returned to Chang'an, my husband told me about this and told me not to take it to heart. We've only spent a few days together, so there's no need to delve into it."
Seeing Yang speak, Xie Sili looked helpless. "Second Aunt is kind-hearted and doesn't want to have any disputes with her. I know that."
After Xie Sili jumped off the carriage, he helped Yang Shi down. Xie Sichuan, Xie Sichu, and the other two all jumped off the carriage.
When Xie Sili knocked on the door, he felt that this was Huang's way of showing Yang a warning.
Huang tried to manipulate Yang, but Yang simply wouldn't listen to her.
Xie Yi was the prefect of Suzhou. He had been living in Suzhou for many years, and Yang and her two children lived with them. Xie Sichuan and his sister could be considered half disciples of Master Zhuge.
The moment the gates of the Prime Minister's residence slowly opened, the gatekeeper was seen drooling. "The Third Miss is back," he said, revealing a simple, honest smile.
The person who came to open the door was the old housekeeper's son. It is said that he suffered brain damage from a high fever when he was young. He survived, but he is mentally challenged.
Huang gave him enough money, which allowed the couple to reluctantly raise their mentally challenged son.
After nodding to the servant, Xie Sili led Yang and the others into the Prime Minister's residence. They had just entered the front courtyard when they saw Huang Shi, who had arrived late.
"So it's your wife who's back." Madam Huang smiled apologetically. "I'm so sorry, sister-in-law. I was just packing and forgot for a moment."
"Sister-in-law, what are you saying?" Madam Yang said with a smile. "Thank you for tidying up the courtyard for us to live in."
Noticing the emotion on Huang's face, Xie Sili said, "Madam, Second Aunt and the others have had a long journey, so let them rest well. If there is no courtyard ready, they can stay at my Li Residence for the time being."
"What are you saying, Sister Li? How could your sister-in-law not have a courtyard to live in when she comes back?" Madam Huang said with a smile. "I instructed the maids in the mansion to prepare it a few days ago. It's the courtyard next to the west side."
As soon as Huang finished speaking, Xie Sili sneered inwardly and looked up at Huang, "Mother, you may not know, but Second Aunt's health has always been poor and she is not suitable to live in such a place. The climate in Yuzhou City is pleasant."
Noticing the emotion on Huang's face, Xie Sili continued, "Second Aunt, you can stay at Li Residence for now, and move in after the courtyard is tidied up."
She didn't give Madam Huang a chance to speak and continued, "Stepmother, Grandfather and Grandmother will be coming back in a few days. We must tidy up the courtyard and wait for them to move in, otherwise Liju will definitely not be able to accommodate them."
After respectfully bowing to Madam Huang, Xie Sili turned and left with Madam Yang and the other two.
Noticing Huang's gaze behind him, Xie Sili's lips curled into a cold smile.
Ever since learning that Yang was coming back, Xie Sili had instructed Luo Mei and the others to air out the quilts they had brought, and to clean the house they were staying in.
“Ah Li, even though you don’t like her, it’s still a shame to openly oppose her like this…” Madam Yang looked worried.
“Aunt Yang, you don’t know this, but when we returned to the manor earlier, Madam…” Luo Mei leaned down to speak to Madam Yang.
"Is this true?" Madam Yang covered her mouth in surprise. "How could this be! She is, after all,..." But she couldn't bring herself to say the rest.
"She is, after all, the mistress of the Prime Minister's mansion, my legal mother, isn't she?" Xie Sili sighed. "Second Aunt, we have known each other for many years and you know my personality."
“I have always been unwilling to make enemies, and I am a Buddhist-like person who does not compete. Do you know why my father and stepmother summoned me back to Chang'an this time?”
Without receiving a reply from Yang, she vaguely guessed that her grandfather had not told Yang about the matter, or that her grandfather respected her choice.
Meeting Yang's eyes, she continued, "You must have heard about Xie Siyao's betrothal to the Fourth Prince. My purpose in returning to Chang'an is to marry the Fourth Prince in Xie Siyao's place."
"What!" Madam Yang slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "How dare she! How could she do such a thing!"
Seeing Yang's appearance, Xie Sili pulled her hand and sat her down. "Second Aunt, these are all minor matters, there's no need to worry."
“How can you not worry?” Madam Yang said with a look of exasperation. “Li’er, I know you are kind-hearted, but you don’t know the Fourth Prince’s temperament. Everyone has been talking about him all along the way. Not only in Chang’an, but even in other places, people know about the Fourth Prince’s character. He’s a spoiled brat. If you marry someone like that, your life will be ruined.” Her eyes reddened as she finished speaking.
“If your mother were still alive, how could she bear to let you marry such a man?” As Yang finished speaking, a tear fell onto the back of her hand. “My poor, wretched Li’er…”
"Second Aunt, I don't care, why do you care?" Xie Sili reached out and patted Yang's back.
Noticing Luo Mei's gaze, Xie Sili shook his head at her.
Xie Sili was well aware of Luo Mei's purpose.
Lady Yang initially thought that the "Fourth Prince" was a good man, and if she had known that the Fourth Prince was the "Fourth Prince" of Yuzhou City, she would definitely have been even more fond of him.
Unfortunately, neither the Fourth Prince nor the Fourth Young Master belonged to Xie Sili, but to the female protagonist.
She was just a cannon fodder character who died young in the original story, and perhaps no one will remember her name in the end.
The name Xie Sili had long since vanished into the dust with her death.
“Li’er, when Father and the others return, tell them about this. I believe Father would never allow my elder brother to do such a heretical thing.” Madam Yang sighed, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"Second Aunt, don't worry, take care of yourself." Xie Sili looked at Yang Shi and comforted her, "I will handle things in Chang'an, don't worry."
Seeing that Yang was about to speak, she continued, "Second Aunt, please rest well in my courtyard these few days. The quilts were brought from Yuzhou City by Luomei and the others. They are clean and safe."
"Achuan, Chuchu, I'm going back to the academy in a bit. Would you like to come with me?" Xie Sili said, her gaze falling on Xie Sichuan and Xie Sichu.
"I'll be going to school with my brother tomorrow." Xie Sichu looked at her with a sweet smile. "I'll probably still be placed in the Enlightenment Hall."
"Alright." Xie Sili smiled at the two siblings. "Just bring Mr. Zhuge's letter of recommendation when you come. The dean of this academy is Mr. Murong, whom you've met before."
Xie Sili gave Luo Mei some more instructions before taking Xie Jingche and Xie Jingyan back to the academy.
As they passed Tongfu Restaurant, they saw a crowd of people gathered there. Xie Sili led the two of them forward and saw an old man lying on the ground, already lifeless.
The surrounding people were talking about it when, just then, a disheveled girl jumped from the fourth floor, her face showing a resolute acceptance of death.
"Si Ze".
As Xie Sili's voice rang out, Si Ze appeared in front of the girl, reached out and scooped her up, hoisting her onto his shoulder.
Xie Sili stood in the crowd and looked up to see a familiar figure.
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