However, although Yuan Chaochang was envious, he still opened a jar of good wine that night and drank happily with Princess Gong Lianyu.
Yuan Chaochang was also really happy for his second brother. With all his talent and means, how could he just be a playboy all his life?
However, this was the peak of the Yuan family's prosperity, and they could not move forward any further.
Yuan Chaochang had already thought about finding a leisurely job to retire after returning to Yuan'an. It was also time for him to properly train his sons.
Yuan Chaochang is also a person who can take it or leave it. Since he chose to retire, he works even harder.
He just wanted to quickly finish the things he had to do at work so that he could return to Yuan'an to be with his mother.
As Yuan Chaochang's term of office drew to a close, he became increasingly anxious.
Yuan Chaochang had no choice but to send the memorial back to Yuan'an in advance and request to return to Yuan'an to report on his work in advance.
The emperor knew what his companion was thinking. In addition, the old Princess Fu'an's health was indeed getting worse, and the emperor was afraid that his old friend would have regrets, so he agreed.
As soon as Yuan Chaochang sent the imperial edict requesting to return to Yuan'an to report on his work, he ordered the princess to start packing.
By the time the emperor's approval came down, Yuan Chaochang had already handed over everything that needed to be handed over, and he set off back to Yuan'an on the day he received the emperor's order.
And Zhou Qiongyue in the palace was also talking to Gulan about Yuan Chaochang.
Gulan no longer cared about anything. Zhou Qiongyue bought her a house outside the palace and assigned her servants.
Gulan would often go into the house to chat with Zhou Qiongyue, and her retirement life was very peaceful.
Gulan comforted Zhou Qiongyue, "Don't worry, Princess. It's almost time for the triennial period for officials from outside the capital to return to Yuan'an to report on their work. By then, the prince and princess should be back too."
Zhou Qiongyue leaned back on the reclining chair in the corridor and murmured, "I know, I'm just afraid that I won't be able to wait any longer."
"What nonsense are you talking about, Princess? I'm sure we can wait."
But after Gulan said these words of comfort, she looked up at the old princess, only to see that Zhou Qiongyue had fallen asleep again. Gulan's tears suddenly came down.
Gulan just silently covered Zhou Qiongyue with a blanket, wiped the tears from her face, and left as quietly as when she came.
As soon as Gulan left, Yuan Chaokang, who was on duty, came without any notification.
Yuan Chaokang looked at his mother sleeping in the corridor, and quietly walked over to sit beside her. He softly asked Gu Le beside him, "Why did your mother fall asleep so early today?"
Gu Le looked at the sleeping old princess with a look of worry on his face. "The old princess is becoming increasingly exhausted. Today, she even told Aunt Gulan that she was afraid she wouldn't be able to wait for the prince to return."
When Yuan Chaokang heard Gu Le say this, he stopped pulling the blanket for Zhou Qiongyue.
He just waved his hand to let Gu Le and the others retreat, and he silently guarded his mother.
That night, Yuan Chaokang sent a letter to Yuan Chaochang, ordering him to return to Yuan'an as soon as possible.
Zhou Qiongyue slept soundly that night and Yuan Chaokang stayed by her bedside all night.
Yuan Chaokang was worried that his mother would not wake up, so he checked her breathing countless times throughout the night, but no one understood his panic.
When Zhou Qiongyue woke up in the morning, the first person she saw was her little son beside the bed. She looked very surprised and asked, "Kang'er, why are you here?"
Yuan Chaokang personally tucked Zhou Qiongyue in and replied with a smile, "I woke up early and couldn't sleep, so I came to pay my respects to Mother. Now that Mother is awake, I'm about to enter the palace, so I can't neglect the Crown Prince."
Zhou Qiongyue was in high spirits at the moment. When she heard her son had something important to do, she quickly shooed him away: "Then go quickly! Don't delay your important work."
Yuan Chaokang was also afraid that Zhou Qiongyue would see his fatigue, so he immediately bowed and left.
Zhou Qiongyue murmured unconsciously, "I'm really getting old. Even my son can't sleep in the morning."
When Gu Le brought people in to help Zhou Qiongyue wash up, he happened to hear Zhou Qiongyue's muttering.
Gu Le certainly couldn't spoil the masters' performance, so he smiled and agreed, "Prince Yi is being filial. Before he went out to do his work, he also thought of coming to pay his respects to you."
Zhou Qiongyue had no objection to this, "My two sons are very filial."
Gu Le smiled and helped Zhou Qiongyue up, "Yes, after a while, when the prince comes back, your side will be more lively."
Zhou Qiongyue was in a good mood as she thought about that scene.
Zhou Qiongyue turned to ask Gu Le, "Is there anything going on outside recently?"
"Don't worry, old princess. We have the prince and princess! It's just those things, or some people who want to see you.
If you are interested, you can call someone to the palace to talk with you."
Gu Le helped Zhou Qiongyue wash up while chatting with her.
Zhou Qiongyue didn't have the energy to see those people now. She had met everyone she wanted to see, except her eldest son who had not returned yet.
Zhou Qiongyue actually understands herself. She is becoming more and more sleepy, which may mean her end is approaching.
But she had no intention of struggling. Her parents and husband were all gone, and she didn't want to have to see her eldest brother, fifth brother, or even her son off in the next few years.
She now feels that those who left first are happier, and those who are still alive are left with only memories and pain.
She just wanted to wait for her eldest son to come back. She hadn't seen him for almost three years. She was worried about him.
Yuan Chaochang, who received the letter from his second brother, continued on his journey without a break. Halfway through, he left enough people for the princess to serve and protect her, and he left ahead with a small group of people.
Even though Gong Lianyu was in love, she knew the urgency of the matter, so she just sped up her journey.
Yuan Chaochang was in a hurry on his journey. It took others five months to reach Yuan'an, but Yuan Chaochang only took three and a half months to reach Yuan'an.
When Yuan Chaochang entered Yuan'an City, he looked like a beggar. He wasn't the high-ranking Prince Fu'an, but just a skinny, dirty old man.
However, although Yuan Chaochang was eager to return home, he did not go back to the palace immediately, but went straight to the Prince's Mansion.
When Yuan Chaochang entered Prince Yi's mansion, Yuan Chaokang was still in the palace, and only the princess was in the mansion.
In order to avoid suspicion, Princess Ren Xiyu of Prince Yi did not go to greet him in person. She just arranged a courtyard for him to rest, ordered people to prepare food and clothes, and then sent people to wait for the prince at the palace gate.
Yuan Chaochang was not prepared to see his mother in this state. He just wanted to know that his mother was safe.
He washed up, had a big meal, and took a nap at the Prince's Mansion, and then waited for his brother to come back.
Yuan Chaokang received the news at the palace gate and hurried back.
When Yuan Chaokang got off the carriage, he saw his elder brother standing not far away looking at him.
Yuan Chaokang quickly stepped forward and hugged Yuan Chaochang. His mood, which had been gloomy for many days, finally improved a little. "Brother, you're finally back."
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