Chapter 125: Palace Change 2 She deeply felt the desolation and ruthlessness of time...
It takes three days to travel from Lizhuang to the capital by express horse.
But Su He couldn't ride a fast horse, so he could only take a carriage, which slowed down the journey.
In addition, the weather was bad in the middle of winter, and the carriage had to stop and go on the road. The three-day journey was delayed day by day, and it took a full seven days.
During these seven days, whether staying in a hotel or resting, Xie Wuhen never showed his face in front of Su He again.
Wu Sheng became a mouthpiece, having to pass on messages from time to time.
For example: "Princess, the boss said that if you feel tired from traveling, we can stay in the town ahead."
For example: "Princess, the boss said that if you want anything to eat or drink, just tell me and I will find a way to get it for you."
For example: "Princess, the boss said that if you feel that riding in the same carriage with your aunt is too crowded, the boss will rent another carriage for you."
Wu Sheng found an opportunity and did not forget to retort Fang Yichen: "We at the Dali Temple are here to escort the princess to the capital on the orders of the emperor. I wonder if Mr. Fang is too idle or too bored that he followed us all the way." His words clearly implied that he wanted to drive the man away.
Fang Yicheng remained unmoved: "I am not following the Dali Temple's officers. I am just following the young lady and protecting her along the way."
Wu Sheng sneered: "With your mediocre skills, do you think you can protect the princess?"
Fang Yicheng also smiled meaningfully: "Whether I can protect the young lady is up to her, not you."
Wu Sheng choked and rolled his eyes in dissatisfaction: "You can be so proud, I wonder how long you can be so proud."
Fang Yichen's expression also turned cold and he ignored him.
It was the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month when they arrived in the capital.
As the New Year approaches, the city is filled with joy.
Every household hangs colorful lanterns that symbolize good luck and fortune, and paper-cuts are pasted on the windows.
There seemed to be twice as many vendors on the street as usual, and the new vendors’ New Year goods were displayed in a dazzling array on their stalls.
The children were holding candied haws and running through the crowd, shouting, "Happy New Year, eat delicious food, Happy New Year, wear new clothes."
Su He remembered that it was still autumn when he and Zhang Xiuhua left the capital.
When she returned, it was already the middle of winter; when she returned, she was pregnant and poisoned, and Zhang Xiuhua was also unconscious.
At a certain moment, she deeply felt the desolation and ruthlessness of time.
Wu Sheng came again with a message: "Princess, it's getting late today. We must find a place to stay first. The boss said... if you don't want to return to Chunhua Courtyard, he can find you a comfortable inn to stay in. After he goes to the palace to meet the emperor, the emperor will summon the princess and assign her a residence."
Su He replied: "There's no need for him to arrange an inn. I'll go back to the Tzu Chi Home in Ping An Lane and stay there first."
Wu Sheng said, "Oh," and then said, "The boss also said that the princess's identity must be kept secret until the emperor issues an imperial decree to confirm it before it can be announced to the public. This way, we can avoid being coveted by evildoers."
Su He smiled slightly: "I understand, thank you for your parents' reminder."
Hearing the words "your master", Wu Sheng felt very uncomfortable, but he nodded and said, "Princess, you are too polite."
When Su He returned to Ping'an Lane, the people at the Tzu Chi Institute had just finished their dinner.
There was a charcoal stove burning in the main room. Uncle Qing was dozing in front of the fire, while the women and children were spinning yarn in front of the fire. The children, who were not afraid of the cold, were playing in the yard and having snowball fights.
When Su He pushed the door open and walked in, a group of children gathered around her, shouting happily: "Miss is back, great, Miss is back..."
The shouting startled Uncle Qing, who was dozing off. He hurried out to greet her, with mixed feelings: "Miss is finally back. I'm glad you're safe. I'm glad you're safe."
The last time Su He came to say goodbye, although he didn't ask much, he was very anxious in his heart. Now that he saw her come back again, he was greatly relieved.
Xiaolian followed Su He out and saw Zhang Xiuhua being carried on Fang Yicheng's shoulders. She was startled and asked, "Auntie, what happened?"
Uncle Qing then noticed the person behind Su He and was also shocked: "What...what on earth happened?"
Su He comforted her: "It's nothing, auntie was just frightened and unconscious for a while."
Uncle Qing asked, "Have you hired a doctor?"
Su He replied: "I've consulted the doctor. His life is not in danger, but I'm not sure when he will wake up."
Uncle Qing said "Oh" and couldn't help but look at Fang Yichen.
Su He hurriedly introduced him: "His name is Fang Yicheng, he's from the same hometown as my aunt, and he's also my friend."
Uncle Qing smiled broadly, "So we're all family. Come on, stop standing outside in the cold wind and come inside to warm yourself by the fire."
Several people then entered the house one after another.
Xiaolian hurried to make the bed and then placed Zhang Xiuhua on it.
Although the Tzu Chi Center is extremely simple, it is large and has many rooms, so everyone can gather together and it feels warm and cozy.
While Su He was drinking tea by the fire, she briefly recounted her whereabouts in recent days. Of course, she did not mention anything about blood donation, her identity, or Xie Wuhen.
Uncle Qing has always been tactful and never asks too many questions. He just listens to whatever she says.
But today he murmured, "There's something... I don't know if I should say it or not."
Su He smiled slightly: "Uncle Qing, if you have anything to say, just tell me directly."
Uncle Qing spoke truthfully, "To be honest, during the time the young lady was away, the Shaoqing often sent people to visit. Sometimes he brought some precious food to the children in the courtyard, and sometimes he gave some silver to everyone. Adding up all the silver he sent, I estimate it is over a thousand taels. This is not a small amount. I refused several times, but the Shaoqing insisted on doing so. I really had no choice but to inform the young lady."
Su He suddenly recalled that he had given her his own private savings of over a thousand taels, asking her to help the Tzu Chi Institute. She did not spend his money at that time, but moved it into the warehouse.
Now that she has left the Xie family, he once again handed the thousand taels of silver to Uncle Qing.
She said, "Since he wants to give it to you, Uncle Qing can just accept it. It's fine."
Uncle Qing nodded and said "OK".
Seeing that it was getting late, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.
Su He still lived with Zhang Xiuhua, and Fang Yicheng sent her to the door of the house.
There is no moon on a snowy night, but the light from the snow makes the surroundings bright and clear.
A gust of cold wind blew, taking away the warmth created by the charcoal fire on my body.
He looked hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Su He asked, "Master Fang, do you have anything to say?"
Fang Yicheng glanced at her and finally spoke, "Have you let go of the Shaoqing, young lady?"
Su He didn't expect him to ask so directly.
She smiled, and under the light of the snow, the smile looked particularly pale: "How about asking a different question, Mr. Fang?"
He asked, "Why?"
She replied: "Because I can't answer it."
She really couldn't answer it, and she couldn't always see herself clearly and deeply.
Fang Yicheng fell silent.
After a moment, he said, "How about I stay in the capital to protect you these days? Is that okay with you?"
Su He paused, feeling somewhat guilty: "If it weren't for me, Master Fang wouldn't have fallen out with Bai Jinan, and he wouldn't have been unable to find work for a while."
Fang Yicheng answered irrelevantly: "When you truly become a princess, you will naturally be surrounded by numerous guards. If you no longer need me by then, it won't be too late for me to leave."
Su He nodded: "Alright, I will pay Master Fang a generous reward when the time comes."
Fang Yicheng replied, "No thanks," and then turned around and went back into the house.
His back looked particularly tall and stubborn in the snowy night.
The next day, Su He slept until he woke up naturally.
She tucked in the quilt for Zhang Xiuhua, then got up and put on her clothes. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Chunlan standing outside.
Chunlan's eyes were filled with tears. She stretched out her arms and hugged Su He, crying and saying, "I can see the young lady now. I can see the young lady now. The young lady is finally back safely."
These days she had been living a life of ups and downs and fear, and she had even prepared herself to die. Unexpectedly, she could see the young lady again and be with her again. How could she not be excited?
Su He pulled her into the house, comforted her and asked her a lot of questions.
Chunlan recounted in detail how Li Shuli was discovered, imprisoned in an underground secret room, and ultimately died tragically in the Li family.
She witnessed some of the processes with her own eyes, but heard some of them from Wu Sheng.
She said, "Li Shuli definitely deserved to die. I heard from Mr. Wu that she not only killed Zhang Qianer, but also the elderly couple who saved her life."
She also said, "Although the son-in-law was very angry at first, he seemed to have forgiven the young lady later. He also allowed me to continue serving in Chunhua Courtyard and told him about the young lady's past every day."
Su He was puzzled: "Tell me about my past?"
Chunlan nodded: "All I can tell you is our experiences at the Li family, as well as some of the young lady's preferences and habits, etc."
She was puzzled: "He also likes to hear these?"
Chunlan replied: "That's right. Anyway, my son-in-law likes to hear anything related to the young lady."
Su He fell silent for a long time.
Chunlan probed, "Uncle must have Miss in his heart. This time...it was Uncle who asked me to come here, saying that I should accompany Miss well. Could it be that Miss...really doesn't plan to return to the Xie family?"
Su He breathed a sigh of relief and answered irrelevantly: "From now on, you should call him 'Master Xie'."
Chunlan replied "yes" but in her heart she couldn't help feeling sorry for the young lady and asked, "Is the young lady really a princess?" She had of course heard this shocking news from Wu Sheng.
Su He replied: "From Xie Wuhen's tone, it should be certain."
Chunlan was filled with emotion and joy, and then talked about Zhang Xiuhua.
She said, "Miss, don't worry. I will talk to you every day, give you a massage every day, and try to wake you up as soon as possible."
Su He smiled with relief: "Thank you for your hard work."
While Su He and Chun Lan were reminiscing about the past, Xie Wuhen also instructed Wu Sheng: "Move all my clothes and toiletries to the study."
Wu Sheng was puzzled: "Boss, are you planning to not live in Chunhua Courtyard anymore?"
He answered irrelevantly: "Chunhuayuan remains as it is and is cleaned regularly."
Wu Sheng lowered his head and replied "yes".
Xie Wuhen then went to the main courtyard to visit Xu Nanzhi.
If I have been away for a few days, I always have to let her know I am safe.
It was freezing cold, and Xu Nanzhi hardly left the house. She stayed in front of the fire all day, eating and sleeping, and finally she recovered from her previous poor health.
Xie Wuhen walked into the house, bowed, and called out "Mother".
Xu Nanzhi told him to sit down and asked Nanny Han to serve him a bowl of ginseng soup. "I haven't seen you for a few days. You seem to have become even thinner."
He replied, "Don't worry, mother, I am fine."
Xu Nanzhi asked, "Have you found Shuli?"
He replied, "There is no beauty in this world anymore."
"Is he dead?"
"Almost dead."
"What do you mean almost?"
He remained silent and did not answer.
Xu Nanzhi didn't dare to press the issue. After all, their mother-son relationship had only just begun to improve, and it couldn't get worse. "Forget it, since the person is gone, you should just let it go and stop making things difficult for yourself."
He bowed his head and said "yes".
Xu Nanzhi glanced at his palace attire and asked, "Are you going to enter the palace?"
He replied, "Yes."
"Then go and take care of your own business, and don't waste time with me."
"Then mother should have a good rest too."
After he finished speaking, he walked out of the main courtyard and got on the carriage to leave the mansion.
At this time in Changle Palace.
Chuanzi hurried into the palace to report: "Your Majesty, Xie Wuhen has returned to the capital and is preparing to go to the palace to see the emperor."
Concubine Shu smiled coldly: "He must have taken back the dragon seed and wanted to report to the Weiyang Palace. We must not let him see the emperor."
Finally, he ordered: "Hurry and act before he enters the palace!"
Chuanzi replied "yes" in a deep voice and turned to leave.
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