Chapter 163 Return to Huzhou
The second branch of the Shen family had a most lively New Year.
In the blink of an eye, Chen Shuyao was eighteen years old.
No one from the Shen family went out during the Lantern Festival that year. It should be said that since Shen Shuyao's accident, the second branch of the Shen family has never visited the lantern market or viewed the mountain of lanterns on the Lantern Festival.
Such a beautiful scenery eventually became an eternal pain in Shen Shaoyu's heart.
Probably because something happened at the Lantern Festival last year, the court simplified everything this year.
Although there are no mountains of lights to see on the street, there are lanterns of all kinds.
During the Lantern Festival, Xiao Mo, the leader of the imperial guards, is very busy. In addition to inspecting the defense conditions of the various passes in the capital, he also has to keep a close eye on the city to prevent anyone from taking advantage of this night to cause trouble by going out in large numbers.
When Chen Shuyao woke up from her sleep, she heard Dongqing say that the prince was outside.
She got up and put on her clothes, and the maid helped her wrap a fox fur cloak around her.
Xiao Mo stood in the moonlight, still wearing the second-rank official uniform of his imperial guard leader.
"Why are you here now?" Chen Shuyao asked.
"I just happened to be passing by." After he said that, he raised his hand to help the woman in front of him tighten her cloak, and then looked outside the yard.
Wuming came over with a lantern in his hand.
"Did you buy this?" There was a cute little cat painted on the lantern.
Xiao Mo didn't say anything, but handed the lantern to the woman in front of him and pointed at her open cloak, "It's cold outside, come in quickly!"
"Okay!" Shen Shuyao just lowered her head to look at the vivid cat again. She liked it a little and thanked him with a smile.
It was not until the young lady entered the room and turned off the lights that Wuming saw his master smile and then leave.
In spring, Chen Shuyao and her brother set out for Huzhou again. This time, they were no longer traveling with an old servant. They were accompanied by Shen Xinian's advisor and Shen Shaoyu's two guards.
After Xiao Mo found out, he assigned more than ten guards to accompany him.
He sent the person to Tongzhou Wharf, but did not say much, only saying: "Come back soon!"
Chen Shuyao looked at Wuying and the guards sent by the other party, with some gratitude on her face. She nodded softly, said take care, and boarded the boat to Huzhou.
They still traveled by water. This time, Nanny Zheng was not accompanying them. It was the first time for Qiaowei and Huixiang to travel far away, and they found everything new and interesting.
Chen Shuyao was no longer as cautious as before and was afraid to fall asleep, but spent the time on the road as if she were traveling.
After sailing on the water for more than twenty days, the boat finally arrived at the territory of Huzhou.
Although the courtyard of the second branch of the Xu family is still there, someone else is living there now.
When the aunt saw the brother and sister, she wanted to go up and say something to ease the situation, but when she saw the guards with cold faces, she stopped talking awkwardly.
Then he quickly helped them make room.
Chen Shuyao had nothing to talk to her about. The whole process was arranged by the Si Ye sent by her father.
After the people from the first house moved out, he hired a steward to look after the old house. He then helped the siblings prepare sacrificial supplies, and hired someone to renovate the graves of Xu Zhizhou and Xiao Chen.
After many years, Chen Shuyao and her brother finally knelt in front of their parents' graves again.
Facing the weed-covered grave mound, the two men burst into tears.
The people from the Xu family's main branch watched from afar, and when they saw how their nephew and niece were now, they felt very frightened.
They vaguely heard that Xiao Chen had connections in the capital, but they didn't know it was true.
Four years ago, the two siblings left without saying goodbye. Some people said they saw them going to the capital.
But there were two children with an old servant, so it was still unclear whether they could succeed, so he didn't take it seriously.
Now seeing that they were dressed in luxurious clothes and were accompanied by guards and servants, he couldn't help but regret it secretly. Why did he still think about Chen's little money?
Judging from the way my niece is behaving now, even a little bit of food that slips out of her hands would be enough for them to eat for a while.
Qiaowei and Huixiang have always known that their daughter is from Huzhou, and they can't help but feel sad when they see this situation.
Seeing the brother and sister crying, he hurried forward to comfort them.
After the Xu family's old house was guarded, Si Ye and Wuying acted separately.
He followed Shen Xinian's instructions and found someone to repair the tomb, while Wuying took Xiao Mo's seal to meet the current Huzhou prefect.
The renovation of the cemetery is not a one-day job, so the unfinished work was handed over to the manager who was in charge of the old house. After leaving enough silver and money, the group hurriedly set off on their journey home.
As they were leaving, the uncle who had been hiding behind the woman finally stood up. He put on a flattering smile and said to Xu Shuheng, "Brother Heng is the blood of our Xu family after all. No matter where you go in the future, you must still think more about the clan members of the ancestral home. Your uncle will find someone to look after your father's house and grave. You can rest assured about this."
Xu Shuheng said angrily, "What Great Uncle said is that he wants to take the house for himself. Don't take advantage of my young age. My parents' graves were so overgrown with weeds that there was no place to rest. Didn't Great Uncle see that?"
"Hehe..." The man said with an embarrassed look: "This wasn't before... before..."
Seeing him like this, Xu Shuheng became even more annoyed and simply ignored him.
The man seemed to want to come over and look for Chen Shuyao, but was blocked by Wuying.
He didn't say anything, but the knife at his waist was shining brightly and creepy.
The return journey was hurried, especially Wuying, who was afraid of missing his master's wedding. He was like an ant on a hot pan, wishing he could rush back day and night.
Xiao Mo and Shen Shuyao's wedding date was set for March 26th, but when they arrived at Tongzhou Wharf, it was only March 10th, nearly ten days shorter than the original schedule.
When Chen Shuyao got off the boat, she saw the prince standing at the dock. He was still wearing a tight suit.
Xiao Mo's face was tense at first, but he slowly relaxed after seeing her.
Shen Shaoyu also came with him.
When he saw his sister at this time, he said, "You have lost weight."
Chen Shuyao touched her face. Is there anything?
Traveling is always tiring.
The group marched towards Chongwenmen in a mighty procession. Shen Shaoyu followed on horseback, sticking close to the carriage and talking to his sister along the way.
Chen Shuyao told him everything she had seen and heard on the road and the arrangements in Huzhou.
The prince on the other side didn't say a word.
Occasionally, I would glance at him and see him sitting upright on his horse with a gentle expression, as if he was listening, but also as if he didn't care.
Finally, after entering the mansion, Chen Shuyao had time to say thank you to him.
Xiao Mo nodded and rode away on horseback.
After returning to the Shen Mansion, the lawyer went to his father's Liangyi Hall, while Shen Shuyao hurried back to her Mingxiu Courtyard.
She took a nice bath and then lay down on the bed, not wanting to move.
After finally resting, I went to the main courtyard to visit my parents.
When Ruan saw her, she smiled and said, "The wedding day will be in a few days. I've been worried every day lately. I didn't expect you to come back so early!"
Chen Shuyao thought of Wuying who was pressing for her life. If it weren't for him, the trip might not have to be so rushed.
But...are we going to get married?
Why doesn't she feel excited at all?
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