Early in the morning, the Rongguo Duke's mansion was bustling with activity, and even Wei Shi, who rarely left the house, sat upright beside Xu Sanye.
Inside the main hall, Madam Xu sat beside the Duke and Duchess of Rongguo, their eyes closed, leaning on their canes in the center. After a while, she looked around and saw the second, third, and fourth families sitting down in turn. She glanced at the clear sky outside and said, "It's almost time. Who's at the door?"
Today, Madam Yang's hair was piled high and round, and she wore a set of luxurious pure gold headdresses. She wore a wide-sleeved, cross-collar jacket with light-patterned feathers on a tea-red brocade, and an outer shawl of silver-white embroidered with tea-red ruyi patterns, which just covered the cuffs to her shoulders.
Upon hearing Madam Xu speak, a smile appeared on her lips and joy filled her eyes: "Second Young Master is waiting with several young men."
In truth, everyone, including the Duke of Rongguo, should have gone to the main gate to greet him. However, yesterday the Crown Prince specifically asked Xu Yunci to convey a message that there was no need for such a grand ceremony. As the heir apparent, Xu Yunci personally led the legitimate sons of his household to greet him. It was not a problem for a brother-in-law to greet his brother-in-law.
Today, Li Shiyue styled her hair in a full bun, adorned with a gold-threaded phoenix hairpin, with two strands of hair pulled out at the back and secured with a gold thread inlaid with pearls and orchids. She wore an elegant white silk robe with light patterns, over which a light green high-waisted skirt outlined her slender waist.
Her eyes were fixed on the direction of the gate. Today, she was accompanying Old Madam Xu, and the headdress and dress she wore were gifts from Crown Princess Xu Lingyu. They were indeed expensive on ordinary days, but today was different, especially since all four mistresses of the Xu family were adorned with pearls and jade.
Madam Xu gripped her cane tightly with one hand, and involuntarily tightened her grip on Li Shiyue with the other, seemingly muttering to herself, "Haven't we arrived yet?"
Li Shiyue bent down, and before she could utter her soft words of comfort, a servant rushed in through the main gate.
The servant boy, panting, said, "We've arrived! The young master ordered me to come in and announce our arrival."
As soon as he finished speaking, a couple dressed in luxurious brocade stood beside Xu Yunci; they were none other than the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Xu Lingyu. The old lady Xu, unable to remain seated, stood up with Li Shiyue's help, while being supported by Madam Yang on the other side.
When she looked at the Crown Princess, her eyes filled with a sense of vicissitude, and tears welled up in them in an instant. But when her gaze fell on the Crown Prince beside Xu Lingyu, she suppressed her longing and was about to bow down: "Your Highness, may you live a thousand years."
“Grandmother, please don’t. Today I am returning to the manor with Yuan Niang. Please consider us as your granddaughter and grandson-in-law returning to the manor.” The Crown Prince said humbly, reaching out to help the old lady Xu up.
Xu Lingyu stood beside the Crown Prince: "Your Highness understands that your grandmother is of advanced age and has difficulty walking."
Thus, Madam Xu could no longer be coy, and simply bowed deeply with her cane. The others kowtowed in greeting, and Li Shiyue helped Madam Xu to a seat, standing obediently beside her, listening attentively to everyone's words.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Madam Xu, feeling unwell, was led by Madam Yang and Li Shiyue to the inner quarters, leaving Duke Rong and the others to accompany the Crown Prince.
Shousong Hall was still decorated the same as before. Xu Lingyu felt warm inside as she looked at it and reached out to pull Li Shiyue over: "I almost didn't recognize you just now. This color really suits you."
"You have no idea, I came here early this morning dressed up, worried that I wouldn't look good and would embarrass you." Seeing the two sisters getting along so well, Madam Xu was overjoyed.
Xu Lingyu took her hand and looked her up and down carefully, a smile appearing in her eyes: "What's the big deal? If it's not enough or you don't like it, I'll pick out some more colors that suit you."
Li Shiyue lowered her head, her face flushed: "I'll go see if the small kitchen has made the milk cake that my cousin likes."
As soon as she finished speaking, she ran out, only to hear Yang Shi behind her chuckle and say, "Look, you've made her run away."
Li Shiyue didn't listen carefully. She walked out of Shousong Hall at a leisurely pace, taking Chunling slowly towards the kitchen.
"Aren't you in a hurry to see the milk cake, young lady?"
Li Shiyue smiled slightly: "There's plenty of time to go slowly."
Chunling looked puzzled, but Li Shiyue said in a gentle tone, "The milk cake isn't important. What's important is that my cousin is coming back. My grandmother and aunt must have a lot to say to her. It might be inconvenient for us to be there."
"So go to the kitchen, I'll go check on the milk cake. Let's not walk too fast, we'll probably finish talking by the time we get there."
Chunling nodded in sudden realization and followed Li Shiyue's unhurried pace. Just as they were about to turn left to reach the kitchen, a man suddenly jumped out from the other end, startling Li Shiyue so much that she couldn't help but back away.
"Hey! Fifth Brother, I'm here!" Xu Lingqing, who was holding something in his arms and appeared out of nowhere, looked at Li Shiyue, who was pale, and then, in fear, raised his hand and slapped Xu Yunyao hard.
"Is my cousin alright? It's all my fault. I was so focused on the rare book that my eldest sister brought back that my fifth brother thought it was me."
Seeing that Li Shiyue did not move, Xu Lingqing reached out and pulled the bewildered Xu Yunyao forward, anxiously saying with exasperation, "Fifth Brother, say something!"
"Ahh!"
Xu Yunyao, like a bewildered child, raised his hand and scratched his nose, bringing his wheat-colored face closer with a serious expression: "Cousin Yan Yan?"
Li Shiyue lowered her eyes, her hands holding the spring silk still. Apart from her heart beating faster, she didn't feel anything: "I'm fine."
Xu Yunyao scratched his head: "Really? You don't look too good."
Li Shiyue raised her hand to touch her cheek and shook her head: "I'll be fine after a while. I'll go to the small kitchen to check on the milk cakes. My grandmother is waiting for me. See you later."
After bidding farewell to the two, Li Shiyue lingered with Chunling for a while longer. When they returned to Shousong Hall, the three inside were talking and laughing.
Xu Lingyu, with her sharp eyes, saw her come in and beckoned, calling out, "Come here quickly, I was just talking about you."
Li Shiyue walked over and sat down with a smile: "Then let me hear what they said about me that made my maternal grandmother and aunt so happy."
“In a few days, Yuanniang will be holding a polo match. Do you know how to play? Why don’t you let Liuniang and the others take you to play so you won’t be bored staying at home?” Madam Yang took over the conversation, glancing at Li Shiyue as she spoke.
"I do know a little, but it's been a long time since I've played, so I don't know if I'm rusty." Li Shiyue lowered her eyes shyly and sat close to Xu Lingyu.
Xu Lingyu smiled upon hearing this: "What's the big deal? You're with me, and I'd like to see who can beat me."
Seeing the surprise in Li Shiyue's eyes, she explained, "Before I got married, my polo skills were far superior to those of ordinary girls. Don't worry, just stick with me, and I'll lead your team to utterly crush them."
The current Xu Lingyu has lost the composure she had in Chonghua Palace and gained more of a lively, girlish charm.
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