Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside. Meng Zhao looked in the direction of the sound and saw that it was Madam Gu who had heard from Granny Sun that many carriages had arrived at the Meng residence. She guessed that it was Meng Dashan and his wife who had arrived, so she changed her clothes and rushed over.
Just as Meng Dashan was about to call out "In-laws," Xu Yunrong stopped him. She quickly stepped forward and took Gu's hand, saying, "Lanying, it's been so many years since we last met!"
Madam Gu gripped her hand tightly in return. "Yes, it's been about two years. Seeing you all so suddenly, I felt like I was back in Qingshi County." With that, she raised her hand and gently wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.
Seeing this, Xu Yunrong covered her mouth and chuckled, "Why are you still so prone to tears? You should be happy to see each other again after so long."
Madam Gu nodded repeatedly, her tears turning into a smile: "Yes, yes, you're right. I should be happy; I'm truly overjoyed."
Standing all the time wasn't tiring enough, so Meng Zhao led everyone to sit down in the main hall. Meng Dashan insisted on going out to watch the guards unload the goods. Meng Zhao wanted him to rest, but Xu Yunrong said, "Don't mind him. He just can't sit still. He's checked the goods countless times along the way, afraid that the bottles and jars might get bumped or damaged."
They brought a lot of things with them on this trip, including wine that Meng Zhao had brewed before, as well as products from the Treasure Pavilion. Because many of the things were in ceramic jars, they couldn't travel fast in the car. Otherwise, they probably would have arrived long ago. Meng Zhao wouldn't have had to arrange for people to keep watch at the city gate every day, afraid that they wouldn't be able to find the place.
As evening approached, Shen Qingze and Shen Qingyu returned from school, and the presence of two teenagers in the yard made it even more lively.
When Granny Sun saw that the Shen family had all come over, she went to ask Madam Gu and Meng Zhao what they thought, and then went back to call over the old woman in charge of cooking for the Shen family, and added a few more of her signature dishes.
Meanwhile, Shen Qinghe was busy with official business at the Hanlin Academy. When he returned, it was already dark. After entering the courtyard, he went straight to his room. Afu parked the carriage and thought of asking someone to prepare hot water for Shen Qinghe to wash up. However, after calling several times, no one responded. He was shocked and ran to find Shen Qinghe, "My lord, my lord, there is no one in the mansion. I don't know where they went!"
Shen Qinghe frowned slightly upon hearing this, only then realizing that the mansion was indeed unusually quiet today. He hurriedly left the mansion without even changing his official robes. As soon as he knocked on the gate of the Meng mansion and stepped into the courtyard, he heard bursts of laughter and cheerful voices coming from inside the hall.
Hearing the sounds inside, Shen Qinghe's cold and stern face softened slightly. He straightened his clothes and pushed the door open.
With a creak, everyone in the room stopped eating and turned to look at the door. Madam Gu was the first to come to her senses, and she slapped her forehead in annoyance: "Oh dear, Qinghe, it's all my fault for forgetting to tell you that there was no food prepared at the manor today. You came back so late, did you eat at the yamen?"
The large round table inside was packed with people, and it was laden with all sorts of food. When Shen Qinghe saw it, he shook his head slightly. Perhaps it was because of the candlelight, but Meng Zhao could detect a hint of grievance on his usually composed face.
Meng Dashan quickly stood up, about to speak, but his gaze fell on Shen Qing and his dark blue official robes, and his tone immediately became more reserved: "...Lord Shen?"
"Uncle Meng," Shen Qinghe quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply in the manner of a junior, "Please don't call me that. Just call me Qinghe as usual."
As he straightened up, his gaze inadvertently swept over Meng Zhao before quickly returning to the two of them, saying, "Uncle Meng and Aunt Xu have come from afar. Qinghe should have returned earlier to pay his respects, but I was truly tied up with official duties, which is why I am late. Please forgive me."
Seeing this, Xu Yunrong smiled and smoothed things over: "Qinghe, this child, is now an official of the imperial court, yet he is still so polite. Don't stand there, sit down and eat with us."
Shen Qinghe then took off his official hat and sat down opposite Meng Zhao. At first, Meng Dashan and Xu Yunrong were a little reserved because of Shen Qinghe's official status, but after a few cups of osmanthus wine and talking about the past of Qingshi County, the atmosphere at the table quickly warmed up again.
"Uncle, Aunt," Shen Qinghe poured wine for the two elders and said gently, "There are many fun places in the capital. After you two have rested for a couple of days, I'll show you around, okay?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhao immediately replied, "That won't be necessary. I'll just take my parents out for a walk."
Shen Qinghe looked up at her, his eyes filled with a deeper meaning: "Sister's Treasure Pavilion and Tea House will be opening in a few days, I'm afraid you won't be able to spare the time, will you?"
Meng Zhao had no idea what he was up to, but she just didn't want him to have too much contact with his parents: "Isn't the Hanlin Academy's official business even busier? Where would you find the free time?"
"Just ask for leave." Shen Qinghe continued calmly serving food to Meng Dashan and Xu Yunrong, "Nothing is more important than spending time with my aunt and uncle."
Before the two could reach a conclusion, Shen Qingze interjected, "Sister, Second Brother, have you forgotten about us? We know best where to go in the capital. Why don't we take Uncle and Aunt out for a stroll?"
Shen Qingyu nodded in agreement: "Yes, we have a couple of days off, so we can take Uncle and Aunt to see more places."
Before Shen Qinghe could speak, Meng Zhao nodded, "That's a good idea. Then I'll trouble you two young men. After I finish dealing with the shop, I'll make some good food to reward you."
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