The Xiangxian Consort's family received the title of Marquis, and coincidentally, members of her family came to the capital.
Her father, mother, and brother also went to the palace to visit her.
His Majesty also bestowed upon them a residence, and Su's father and brother were granted official positions in the capital. They weren't high-ranking, but at least they had something.
Shu Chengfeng also officially issued an edict, allowing the concubines to return to their parents' homes.
The Empress can also go back and visit; it's been so many years since that happened.
It was April 16th. A perfect day.
Others who can go include Consort Ye, Consort Xiangxian, Consort Yan, Consort Jiang, and Consort Huo Zhaorong, but her father and the others will be returning to Bailu Prefecture soon. She is only going to visit her maternal grandparents.
The Empress can go, and so can Consort Ning.
Consort Qu and Consort Ding can both go. It's not that they can't go to other high-ranking positions, it's just that their families aren't there, so there's nowhere for them to go.
So everyone was busy from early morning.
Yan Nangui wore a bright red dress, even the bodice was red. It was embroidered with golden intertwined flowers.
She wore a light gold gauze long coat over her clothes.
The hem and cuffs are embroidered with delicate patterns.
It doesn't completely cover the clothes underneath; they're partially hidden, which looks quite nice.
She wore her hair in a high bun, decorated with red gold and carnelian.
She wore a pair of carnelian earrings, which were sent by Shu Chengfeng the day before yesterday.
The shoes were made of Jiangnan tribute satin and adorned with jewels.
I'm all dressed. The Empress is also going back to her parents' home today, so I sent word early this morning that there's no need to go and say goodbye.
Since the Empress had said so, the Empress Dowager didn't insist on sending someone to say goodbye, only saying to let her know when they returned.
So, you can go straight out.
The group left the palace around the same time, traveling by carriage.
Everyone is waiting.
When they arrived at the Yan residence, everyone in the entire residence, starting with Yan Lingyun, was waiting.
In today's world, the order of precedence is ruler and subject, then father and son.
So even if someone held a high official position, they still had to be welcomed when the emperor's woman returned.
Yan Nangui had already said that they should be helped up and not made to kneel down.
It's bad for her own reputation.
So when they got off the car at the gate, Shuanzi and the others helped them up, and they didn't make the elders kneel down.
Rong Ning was also in the welcoming party today, but he remained silent, showing no intention of kneeling or speaking.
Yan Nangui ignored her and was ushered inside.
First, we went to the old lady's residence. Today, the old lady had nothing but kind words for us.
Mr. Zou offered even more flattery.
Yan Nangui seemed very easy to talk to, smiling at both the old lady and Madam Zou.
However, she was even more enthusiastic towards her two sisters-in-law, as well as the nephews and nieces she brought to pay their respects.
They all took their things.
Madam Yin was alright, since they had met before. Madam Yang, however, was much more reserved; although they corresponded frequently, they still felt like strangers.
Yan Jinsi and Yan Jinfei did not step forward.
However, the two that were kept by Zou Shi cautiously approached and said a few words.
Yan Nangui smiled and agreed.
The most embarrassed person was Meng Junxian.
He wished he could disappear into a crack in the ground. Although no one said anything to him, he felt too ashamed to face anyone.
I dared not look at it again.
It's unbelievable that the radiant and beautiful Consort Yan was his ex-wife...
Thinking about it this way, I realize that my mind has been filled with nothing but trivial things from beginning to end.
How could you be so blind and confused?
Yet, she felt resentment, for Yan Nangui had done so much, and the Meng family had been implicated as a result.
He was so overwhelmed with mixed emotions that he was about to explode.
Fortunately, Yan Nanxu was worried about the atmosphere, so he made up an excuse to let him go first.
Although it felt like I was kicked out, there was no need to be so embarrassed.
Now, whenever he looks at the maids of the Yan family talking, he feels that they must be mocking him.
After talking for a while, the old lady said, "Your Highness has not seen your father and brother for many years, so you should have a good chat. Today is not an ordinary day, so I should take a good look at how the banquet at noon is going."
Yan Nangui smiled and stood up: "Alright, then I'll trouble you, Grandmother."
After saying that, they went to the front yard together.
There were only the father and his two sons, and Yan Nangui. Yan Nangui did not bring any palace maids with him.
"How has everything been in the palace?" Yan Nanxu asked with a smile.
"It's acceptable. Conflict is inevitable. However, His Majesty is well aware of the situation," Yan Nangui said.
"I heard that the Empress Dowager wants to send a girl from the Ye family into the palace? Is this settled?" Yan Nanxu asked again.
"That's true. I reckon she'll be going in around the Dragon Boat Festival. But it doesn't matter. After the mourning period, His Majesty should have a new concubine anyway," Yan Nangui said.
"How are you feeling? Has the imperial physician... examined you properly? There's a very skilled doctor at Daiyang Pass. Should we ask him to take a look at you?" Yan Lingyun asked somewhat awkwardly.
“I’m much better than before, Father, you don’t need to worry too much. The imperial physicians have done their best, so there’s no need for them to go to such trouble. As for having children, I think it’s hopeless. I don’t really care about it myself,” Yan Nan Gui said.
These words made Yan Lingyun feel very upset.
"It is indeed a big deal. Even if you have given up hope... how can you live well without a child in the palace? Even for your own health, you should take good care of yourself if you don't have a child." Yan Lingyun was not used to saying these things, thinking to herself, after all, she was a child without a mother.
I'll send someone to tell my sister-in-law to try and persuade her.
“I know all that. I’ve been taking good care of myself these past few years. There’s no need for outside invitations; it only makes the palace worry. I don’t ask for more; I just want to live a peaceful life in the harem. No children, no children; no children, no burden,” Yan Nan Gui said.
“Sigh…” Yan Lingyun nodded and didn’t say anything more about it.
"Your Majesty is young and ambitious, unlike the late Emperor. Father and brother should understand this as well." The late Emperor, after all, only sought peace.
As long as nothing goes wrong, everything's fine; but if something does go wrong, they chicken out.
But that's not the case today.
He's clearly an ambitious man. If nothing goes wrong, fine; but if something does, he's probably the kind of guy who'd personally lead an army into battle.
Such a person would inevitably have higher expectations of his generals than the late emperor.
Therefore, precautions should be taken where necessary.
"Don't worry, Father knows." Yan Lingyun nodded.
“Just be well, that’s all. We’re only loyal to His Majesty. We won’t do anything like forming factions, we’ll just be loyal to him. If there’s war on the border, even if we die in battle, it will be an honor,” Yan Lingyun said.
Yan Nangui nodded: "That's fine then. I still have some favor with my family, so they'll know if anything happens. But if I lose that favor one day, my life will depend on the protection of my family. Although I have a bit of a temper, I understand that we all share the same fate. I'm not worried about my father and brother. But the women in the family need to be careful about their words and actions."
Yan Nangui paused for a moment, then said, "Fourth Sister... things aren't going well for her these days. And she thinks too highly of herself. What will become of her in the future?"
"I've thought about your fourth sister's matter, and I've discussed it with your eldest sister-in-law. We'll take her to Daiyang Pass. She can find a good family to marry into in a few years," Yan Lingyun said.
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