Chapter 135 Returning to the Capital
Time flies like an arrow, and the days pass like a shuttle.
Five years have passed since that sensational "family trip" that made headlines in Beijing.
Over the past five years, countless legends about the "divine couple" and the "super-strong child prodigy" have circulated throughout Dagan's territory. Some say they've seen them riding whales and surfing in the South China Sea, others say they've seen them knocking out bandits with gold bricks in the Western Regions, and still others say they've seen them roasting bear paws around a campfire in the far north.
Although their whereabouts were elusive, every now and then, some strange and unusual seeds or improved agricultural tool blueprints would be secretly sent into the palace and into the hands of the young emperor who was gradually settling on the throne.
It was late autumn of the thirteenth year of the Xuanhe era.
Outside Deshengmen Gate in Beijing, the official road was bustling with activity, with carriages and horses coming and going.
A large carriage, though it looked dusty and worn, but was made of fine materials, mingled with the caravan entering the city and slowly drove toward the city gate.
"Mother, is this the capital city?"
The car window curtain was lifted by a slender, strong hand, revealing a handsome, extraordinary, yet somewhat unruly young face.
This is Shen An, who is nine years old, and whose nickname is Tuantuan.
After five years of "free-range" upbringing and Shen Jin's grueling training, he has shed his baby fat, grown tall, and acquired striking features, perfectly inheriting Shen Jin's good looks and Jiang Mianmian's... roguish charm.
He still had the gold brick, polished to a shine, hanging from his waist, and a heavy, unsharpened sword on his back.
"Yes, this is the capital city."
Jiang Mianmian slumped on the soft couch of the carriage, a blade of grass dangling from her mouth, her eyes somewhat dazed. "It was your father and your mother... that's where we fought."
【Oh, I'm finally back.】
It's been five years! Do you know how I've spent these past five years?
Although traveling and sightseeing are great, ... no bed outside is as soft as the one at home? And no braised pork outside can compare to the authentic taste of a chef from a royal palace?
Most importantly... I miss my "old friends." Like the Grand Tutor's beard, and... that pile of unspent silver notes.
Shen Jin sat to the side, peeling oranges for Jiang Mianmian.
Time seemed to have been exceptionally kind to him. Five years had passed, and instead of aging, he had developed a more profound and reserved demeanor. His phoenix eyes remained deep, but when he looked at his wife and children, they held an undeniable tenderness.
Are you tired?
Shen Jin fed her an orange. "It'll be fine once we get to the city. Yingyi has already come back and tidied up the yard; the floor heating is all done."
"Mmm! My husband is so thoughtful!"
Jiang Mianmian chewed on an orange, looking completely satisfied.
The carriage slowly drove into the city gate.
The capital city is now more prosperous than it was five years ago.
Shops lined both sides of the street, their calls echoing throughout. Most eye-catching of all were the ubiquitous food stalls.
"Selling roasted sweet potatoes! Authentic Goddess Brand sweet potatoes! Sweeter than first love!"
"French fries! Freshly fried French fries! Two coins a serving!"
"Potato noodles! Hot and sour potato noodles!"
Jiang Mianmian couldn't help but laugh as she looked at the "potato and sweet potato merchandise" all over the street.
[Wow, it seems my "restaurant empire," though I haven't personally managed it, has already blossomed everywhere!]
This is the allure of technology as equity! Even if I'm no longer active in the business world, my legend (and recipes) still live on!
"Dad, I want to eat that."
Tuantuan pointed to a sugar figurine stall by the roadside, "The sugar figurine that old man makes looks like you, with a stern face."
Shen Jin glanced at it and said indifferently, "That's Zhong Kui. He's the one who catches ghosts."
Tuantuan: "Oh...that's even more like it. Dad, aren't you the one who catches all those 'lazybones' and 'gluttons' in Mom's heart?"
Jiang Mianmian: 【…You little brat, are you asking for a beating?】
It seems you haven't quite mastered your "mind-reading and control" skills after all these years! I'll give you extra practice at home!
As they were talking, the carriage suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?" Shen Jin asked.
The coachman outside whispered, "Master, it seems there's a traffic jam ahead. It's...it's the imperial carriage."
"The imperial carriage?"
He raised an eyebrow with composure.
Lifting the curtain, one could see that in front of Zhuque Avenue, a yellow canopy covered the sky, and two rows of imperial guards were leading the way in a majestic manner.
At the very front of the procession, a tall horse carried a dashing young man dressed in bright yellow robes.
It was none other than the current emperor, Shen Xingchen.
Five years had passed, and the little emperor who used to cling to Jiang Mianmian's leg and cry had now grown into a true emperor. Although he wore a smile, a certain imposing aura had already appeared between his brows.
Walking beside him, side by side, was a woman with a round, cheerful face, dressed in a phoenix robe—Empress Su Xiaoxiao.
Su Xiaoxiao was actually holding a string of candied hawthorns in her hand, and was secretly munching on them.
"Royal Uncle! Royal Aunt!"
Shen Xingchen, with his sharp eyes, spotted the familiar carriage mixed in with the crowd at a glance. He no longer cared about imperial dignity, dismounted, and rushed over in a few strides.
"You're finally back!"
Shen Xingchen rushed to the carriage, flung open the curtain, and her eyes welled up with tears of excitement. "I...I missed you all so much!"
Su Xiaoxiao ran over too, holding a candied hawthorn in her hand, her smile so wide it made her eyes disappear:
"Aunt! You're finally back! The Imperial Kitchen has introduced so many new dishes, and I've saved them all for you!"
Looking at these two familiar faces, Jiang Mianmian felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
Oh my, these two kids, how come they're still so...down-to-earth?
[The emperor stopping a carriage in the street? The empress eating candied hawthorns in the street? If the censors saw this, wouldn't they impeach you?]
But...it looks so familiar.
"Greetings, Your Majesty; greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
Shen Jin and Jiang Mianmian were about to get out of the car and pay their respects.
"No thanks, no thanks!"
Shen Xingchen helped Shen Jin up, looking him up and down. "Uncle, you've gotten darker and thinner. Did you not eat well while you were out?"
Chen Jin's lips twitched slightly.
He's got a strong, muscular build! A healthy wheat color!
“Your Majesty,” Shen Jin looked at his nephew, who was now taller than him, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, “you have grown up.”
"Hehe." Shen Xingchen scratched his head and looked at Tuantuan, who was staring at him with wide eyes and curiosity.
"This must be... Tuan Tuan's little brother, right?"
Shen Xingchen's eyes lit up. "You've grown so much? I heard you killed a cow with one punch in the Western Regions? Is that true?"
Tuantuan, holding the gold brick, nodded coolly:
"It's fake. That's a rumor."
"I didn't kill the cow, I just... picked it up and threw it."
Shen Xingchen: ……
Su Xiaoxiao: ……
They really are related by blood! This style is exactly the same as the Empress Dowager's back then!
"Alright, stop standing here."
Jiang Mianmian interrupted this "large-scale family reunion," saying, "The road is blocked, and the people still need to do their business. Let's go back to the manor and talk about it; I'm starving."
"Yes, yes, yes! Let's go back to the manor!"
Shen Xingchen waved his hand, "Prepare the carriage for the Regent's Palace! I'm going to have dinner here tonight! We won't leave until we're drunk!"
"I want to join in too!" Su Xiaoxiao raised her hand.
Thus, to the astonishment of the people of the capital, the current emperor and empress, like two little followers, escorted the seemingly ordinary carriage, laughing and chatting all the way to the mansion that had been silent for five years.
The gates of the Regent's Palace slowly opened.
The old steward, along with all the servants, had already knelt at the door, tears welling in their eyes.
"Welcome, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness! Welcome back to the Prince's residence!"
Jiang Mianmian looked at the familiar courtyard and the still-standing crabapple tree, and took a deep breath.
I'm home.
Although the outside world is wonderful, this place... is where my roots lie.
【Shen Jin, we're back.】
Shen Jin gripped her hand tightly and whispered:
"Yes. I'm back."
At this moment, whether it's the weariness of wandering far from home or the trepidation of returning home, it all vanishes before the warm door of this home.
The capital city was once again abuzz with excitement at their return.
And the new story of this legendary family may... only be beginning.
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