November 10th.
Guan Zhiyue has recovered from her illness. After spending four or five days in the Cold Palace, in the courtyard, and on the desolate mountain behind it, Guan Zhiyue is preparing to leave the palace today to visit her father and brothers.
This was Guan Zhiyue's first homecoming after marrying into the palace. When Bilian reported this to the Emperor, the Emperor did not say anything this time. Instead, he bestowed many gifts upon her, allowing her to take them with her on her homecoming. He would not go with her. To express his apology, he specially permitted her to stay at General Jianwei's residence for a few days.
"Your Highness, are you ready?" Bilian asked anxiously, looking at Guan Zhiyue who was still getting ready in the room. This was their first time returning home since entering the palace, and so much had happened in the past month!
It's truly a rollercoaster of emotions. Although she's still living in the Cold Palace, Bilian believes her mistress will definitely return to her position as the Empress in Kunning Palace.
"Where are the vegetables we grew in the yard? Why didn't you pick some for my father and the others?" As soon as Guan Zhiyue came out of the bedroom, she saw Bilian still standing at the door. She only had the things that the man had given her, but none of the fresh vegetables that she had worked so hard to grow.
Seeing Guan Zhiyue's displeasure, Bilian quickly ordered the servants to pick some delicious and lush green vegetables in the backyard. These vegetables were truly delicious, not only sweet but also with an unforgettable aftertaste. Last time, after finishing their work, there was no food left, so they ate the food sent by the imperial kitchen. Everyone felt that the food from the imperial kitchen was not as good as the food in their cold palace.
Guan Zhiyue sat leisurely on the rocking chair in the yard, waiting for Bilian and the others to go to the backyard to pick vegetables. She was thinking about how to put the ginseng in the vegetable basket later.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Bilian came over with several palace maids. Looking at the two large bamboo baskets full of vegetables, Guan Zhiyue couldn't help but smile.
"Let's go! Let's set off!"
"You all stay home and keep a close eye on the house. Also, check on the backyard and the vegetable garden on the hill behind the house from time to time. And has the greenhouse I mentioned last time started to be built?"
Liu Dequan quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, everything is in progress."
Guan Zhiyue nodded in satisfaction and said, "That's good. The snow season is coming soon, so you'd better hurry up and finish your greenhouse."
"Yes, Your Majesty, please rest assured."
So Guan Zhiyue swaggered off toward the door.
"Yue... where are you going, sister-in-law?" Li Qishang asked with a touch of affection, looking at Guan Zhiyue, who was already lively and energetic.
Guan Zhiyue replied with a smile, "Of course I'm going back to my parents' home."
"Can you return to General Jianwei's residence now?"
“Yes, didn’t His Majesty say I could go back to visit my family?” Guan Zhiyue looked at Li Qishang with some curiosity.
"I see. Shall I come with you? It's been a long time since I've seen General Guan anyway." Li Qishang looked at Guan Zhiyue's smiling face.
Guan Zhiyue scratched her head, looking at Li Qishang with a puzzled expression. Why was he following her on her homecoming? She was marrying his brother, not him!
"Are you coming back to my parents' home with me?"
“Yes, I’ll take you back to your residence. I haven’t seen the old general in a long time, so it’s a good opportunity to chat with him or something.” Li Qishang knew what Guan Zhiyue meant, but he wouldn’t do as she wished.
Seeing this, Guan Zhiyue didn't say anything more and agreed to let him come back to the mansion with her to see the old General Guan he mentioned.
"Phew, let's go!"
So Guan Zhiyue got into the carriage, and a servant pulled a pile of gifts and two baskets of fresh vegetables. Another servant drove the carriage, which clattered along, towards the outside of the palace.
Li Qishang and Shang Yao left separately from Guan Zhiyue, saying they would leave the palace first and then meet up at Guan's residence.
Guan Zhiyue did not refuse, after all, she also wanted to know what had happened between her and Li Qishang when they were children.
The weather is starting to get colder today. When the carriage is traveling on the road, the wind blows the curtains, making it feel cold.
Guan Zhiyue took a nap in the carriage, and it was already mid-morning when they arrived at the Guan residence.
Guan Hongsheng, along with his two sons and servants, waited anxiously at the door, as this was his daughter's first time returning home, and the Emperor had granted her permission to stay a few more days.
Guan Zhiyue slowly stepped down from the carriage. Upon seeing her, the Guan family members immediately knelt down and kowtowed in greeting.
Guan Zhiyue rushed over with tears in her eyes, grabbed her father, and said with a sob in her voice, "Father, there's no need for such formalities."
Guan Hongsheng held his daughter's hand and patted it gently, saying, "Silly girl, etiquette must not be disregarded!"
After saying this, he led his entire family in performing the rites of a subject to a ruler in front of Guan Zhiyue.
"Your subject Guan Hongsheng, along with his entire family, sends his greetings to Her Majesty the Empress! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"
Everyone shouted in unison, "May Your Majesty be blessed with long life and peace!"
Guan Zhiyue pulled her father up from the ground, took his arm, and said in a slightly coquettish tone, "Daddy, Yue'er is back."
Guan Hongsheng raised his hand and touched Guan Zhiyue, who was leaning against him, with tears welling up in his eyes.
The Guan family is a family of military generals, having started as a military family since their ancestors. Guan Zhiyue's father, Guan Hongsheng, is thirty-five years old and a handsome uncle. He holds the official rank of Jianwei General, a first-rank military officer. Because he is stationed on the border and not in the capital, he is an official outside the capital, but he is also the highest-ranking official outside the capital.
Her elder brother, Guan Chengzhuo, is eighteen years old and a handsome man. He is resourceful and a rare military talent. He guards the border with his father and is a well-known general in the Southern Kingdom. He is a capable man, but he has not yet married or had children.
Her second brother, Guan Chengheng, is sixteen years old, only one year older than the female lead. He is also a handsome man, but his handsomeness is different from that of her eldest brother. Her eldest brother's handsomeness is the kind that is sunny, upright, and honest, while her second brother's handsomeness is a kind of roguish charm, the kind that makes people want to rush into his arms.
Looking at her relatives whom she hadn't seen for over a month, Guan Zhiyue felt a pang of melancholy. She couldn't help but feel a little resentful towards the original owner of this body: "Sigh, why did you do this? You have no concubines or mistresses in your family, a doting father, and a loving brother. Why did you have to be so foolish as to enter the palace and become a caged bird?"
"Father, eldest brother, second brother, I'm sorry to have troubled you all these years. From now on, it's Zhiyue's turn to protect you." After the group entered the hall, Guan Zhiyue kowtowed deeply to Guan Hongsheng, who was sitting in the main seat.
Guan Hongsheng reached out and helped Guan Zhiyue up, holding her in his arms with tears in his eyes.
"Let's go! Let's light some incense for your mother first. She'll be very happy to see you back." Guan Hongsheng said wearily, pulling Guan Zhiyue towards his courtyard.
Her eldest and second eldest brothers also went to offer incense to their mother.
After finishing, Guan Zhiyue was exhausted. She leaned wearily against the back of her chair, lost in thought, seemingly preoccupied with something...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com