The heir apparent was not a sociable person. He usually only associated with a few other sons of marquises or marquises. After claiming illness and not going out, each of the marquises sent people over with some gifts and then stopped bothering him. However, the eldest prince's retainer tried to enter the mansion to visit him, but was stopped by the gatekeeper of the marquis's mansion. Everyone knew that the heir apparent's illness was strange, and since he could not see him, he had no choice but to give up.
On the morning of Laba Festival, Xu Zhi got up early and cooked a pot of thick and sweet eight-treasure porridge with Granny Lu. After sending some to each household, the family gathered together for breakfast.
Zhang Zhaoci had received a letter from the Zhang family saying that the old master and mistress of the Zhang family had arrived at Tongzhou Wharf and would be able to reach the capital tomorrow.
Zhang Zhaoci had been praying to the gods for the past few days, begging that it wouldn't snow so that the Zhang family could safely reach the capital. Perhaps the heavens sensed Zhang Zhaoci's sincerity, for the past few days had indeed been sunny. After breakfast, Zhang Zhaoci went to the courtyard, saw the clear sky, sighed, and said to Xu Di, "Xu Di, send someone to check again to see where your maternal grandparents are."
Xu Di said, "Mother, you can't rush things."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "You have to understand. Those are my own parents. I haven't seen them for many years. Right now, I wish I could be in front of them right away, take a good look at them, and talk to them."
As Zhang Zhaoci spoke, her mood became somber. Xu Di, seeing this, immediately understood why his mother was suddenly in such a bad mood.
Zhang Zhaoci's parents passed away early, and she grew up with her aunt. Later, her aunt helped her with everything from taking the college entrance exam to getting married. Zhang Zhaoci's aunt was a very loving person who treated children very gently. Xu Di had never seen her lose her temper. After Xu Di grew up, this great-aunt took him to Zhang Zhaoci's parents' graves several times and carefully instructed him to come and properly pay respects to his maternal grandparents during festivals.
It was at that time that Xu Di realized that his maternal grandparents had been in a car accident with his mother, Zhang Zhaoci, and the couple had held their child in their arms and managed to keep him alive.
Because of this, Zhang Zhaoci couldn't get over it for a long time. It was only with her aunt's meticulous care that Zhang Zhaoci regained her cheerful personality, her academic performance steadily improved, and she eventually got into the best medical university. After graduation, she became a surgeon dedicated to saving lives.
The aunt once told Xu Di about Zhang Zhaoci's inner conflict. She felt that if her parents hadn't tried to save her, they might have survived. It was because of this inner conflict that Zhang Zhaoci chose surgery and aspired to become the best surgeon.
Zhang Zhaoci's parents were a source of deep regret. Now that she had the chance to be filial to them again, she naturally wanted to make the most of it. So she kept urging Xu Di to go and see where her parents were. Zhang Zhaoci had already planned to take the children to the outskirts of the city early the next morning to welcome her parents.
Xu Di gently pulled Zhang Zhaoci into his arms and said, "I understand, I understand everything. Don't worry, I'll send someone to inquire carefully right away. If you're really worried, we can make arrangements to stay at an inn outside the city for the night, and then bring Grandpa and Grandma back tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhaoci's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Would this work?"
Xu Di said, "Sure, why not? If you don't want to stay at the post station, we can stay at the manor for just one night."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "The village won't do, it's too cold. It needs to be cleaned again. Go find your uncle and tell him I want to stay at the post station for one night. Wait there tomorrow and see what your uncle thinks. If he's willing to come along, then come along too."
Xu Di said, "Okay, I'll go and make the arrangements right away."
Zhang Zhaocheng was speechless after hearing Xu Di's words, and said, "Your mother is something else. She's waited for almost twenty years, what's one more night?"
Xu Di said, "Uncle, you have to understand my mother. She wishes she could fly to my grandparents' side right now."
Zhang Zhaocheng had no choice but to temporarily suspend the children's studies, have the guards in the manor protect them, and then, with the children in tow, meet up with Zhang Zhaoci, who was accompanied by Granny Xu Zhilu, at the city gate before heading to the post station twenty miles away from the city.
The post station was the only way to enter the city from the south. Zhang Zhaocheng had already sent someone to deliver a message to the Zhang family members who were traveling from Tongzhou to the capital, saying that he and Zhang Zhaoci were waiting at the post station outside the city with the children.
The post stations in the capital were the best in terms of scale, decoration, and service. After all, this was the capital city, and the people coming and going were all high-ranking officials. The postmaster was also a very shrewd person. In order to make this group of people comfortable, Xu Di bribed the postmaster with a lot of money. With Xu Rao's reputation, the postmaster managed to arrange a small courtyard for them.
Although it was winter, the kang (heated brick bed) in the bedrooms of the small courtyard was warm, and hot water, soup, and food were served continuously, so it wasn't inconvenient at all.
At the end of the year, the post station was very busy. Whether it was people from various places who were working in other places returning home for the festival, or servants from various households returning to their masters' homes to deliver things, it was really not easy for the postmaster to find such a small courtyard.
The four boys in the Zhang family were all lively and active. With the even more lively Xu Bai by their side, they climbed and explored all over the yard, having a wonderful time.
Zhang Yuyuan, having grown up alongside several children of similar age, has become much more cheerful. Now, he is served by people carefully selected by the Empress and the Emperor, and he is slowly coming to understand many things. Most importantly, he has seen a different world outside, and he feels that his life will be different from before. Zhang Zhaoci, standing at the door, saw Zhang Yuyuan holding Xu Bai's hand, following behind his older brothers, shouting happily.
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