Princess Guihe sat there for half an hour without getting impatient. In the middle, Zheng Xiu went to prepare lunch. Thinking that Xue Zhi's sister-in-law had even brought her own tea, she thought that she would not eat here, so she did not add more dishes.
With so many people coming, old man Zheng and old lady Zheng naturally heard the noise in the house.
The two old people came out to take a look, and were quite frightened by Princess Guihe's pomp, so they went back to the house. In fact, not only the two of them had never seen such a scene, but even Aunt Qian only dared to stay in the stove room after Princess Guihe came.
Zheng Xiu worked on the stove for a while, and then went to the two old people's room to explain.
Hearing that Xue Zhi's family had come, Old Lady Zheng was surprised and said, "Azhi's family is so rich? Why didn't I hear him talk about it before? Since there is someone in the family, why didn't you even have anyone to attend the wedding..."
Old Man Zheng pulled her and said, "You are the one who talks too much. Let's not get involved in this matter." Naturally, Zheng Ren and Zheng Xiu will handle it.
Zheng Xiu said, "Azhi doesn't have a good relationship with the family and hasn't been in contact for many years. I don't know why this time. Let's wait and see after Azhi comes back."
Before lunch, Xue Zhi came back before Zheng Ren and the two children.
Seeing two rows of guards from the Duke of Qing's Mansion standing at the gate of the Zheng family's courtyard, he knew that his eldest sister-in-law had arrived.
He walked into the house and the guards called out "Second Master" in unison.
He ignored them and walked in.
Princess Guihe was sitting in the main hall. When she saw him come in, she finally smiled for the first time since entering the Zheng family.
Xue Qin, who was sitting next to her, also stood up immediately.
Xue Zhi saw Xue Qin clearly, paused, and then continued to walk into the main hall.
"Sister-in-law."
"Second Uncle!" Xue Qin called him happily.
Facing his nephew whom he had not seen for many years, Xue Zhi could not help showing a friendly smile, "Good boy, you have grown so tall after so many years."
Xue Qin showed a shy smile that suited his age, "Second uncle has not changed much, just a little darker."
Xue Zhi walked up to him and punched him in the chest. Feeling the strong and tight muscles under his clothes, he said with great satisfaction, "You have not neglected your practice, not bad."
Xue Qin smiled and said, "Second uncle is not here, and all the boxing and kicking masters in the mansion taught me, but they were not as good as my second uncle taught me when I was a child."
Princess Guihe looked at the uncle and nephew reminiscing about the past, and her eyes became kind.
"Sister-in-law came here this time..." After reminiscing about the past, Xue Zhi asked a question that he knew the answer to.
Princess Guihe took a sip of tea from the teacup, and wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, "This is Mingqian Longjing, your favorite at home, try it."
Qiu Rui had already served tea when he came in, Xue Zhi took a sip, "It's really good, it still tastes like home."
Princess Guihe smiled slightly, "You've been out for so long, don't you miss home? I think you've been out for enough, it's time to go back."
Xue Zhi thought his sister-in-law would use Zheng Quan's matter to persuade him to go home, but she didn't expect her to say anything about it. The last time she came, she just asked him if he had been doing well these years outside, and implicitly tested whether he was willing to go back. This time, she asked directly as soon as she opened her mouth.
Xue Zhi said, "I'm doing fine outside."
Princess Guihe put away her smile and said with some coldness, "Are you doing well? Are you doing well with this family?" The contempt in her words was immediately apparent.
"The second uncle of the Zheng family is the second uncle of the Zheng family. The rest of the Zheng family is still very good." Xue Zhi defended.
Princess Guihe snorted again, "Such a lousy person, is he worthy of you calling him 'Second Uncle'? Ah Zhi, you are trampling on the face of the Duke of Qing's Mansion."
She was right. It was indeed a great loss of face for the Duke of Qing to have a relative like Zheng Quan who sold private salt. Xue Zhi had no way to refute this.
Princess Guihe softened her voice again, "Even if you don't care about other people, at least you should feel sorry for Aqin. He is fourteen years old. Although he is the prince of Duke Qing, his marriage has not been settled yet. The mansion is still counting on him to take over the important responsibilities after he gets married and has children."
Princess Guihe didn't say the meaning of her words, but Xue Zhi understood it. Although Xue Qin is the son of Princess Guihe and a prince, what's the use of a prince without the protection of Duke Qing? The mere status of a princess's son and a false prince is not valued by the powerful nobles. But with the current situation of Duke Qing's mansion, if Xue Qin doesn't have a capable Yue family, his future will be even more difficult.
The Duke of Qing's Mansion needed a man to support the family before Xue Qin grew up, and Xue Qin also needed a guide, someone who could help him get to the position of Duke of Qing.
Xue Zhi frowned and said nothing. He could run away from home because of the incident many years ago, but he couldn't escape his responsibilities when the Duke of Qing's Mansion needed him...
Princess Guihe appealed to his feelings and reasoned with him, and brought Xue Qin here specially. In front of his nephew who was looking at him with admiration, Xue Zhi's words of refusal were stuck in his throat and he couldn't say them.
At noon, Zheng Ren and the two children came back one after another.
Zheng Xiu was in the kitchen watching the movements outside. Zheng Ren heard that someone from Xue Zhi's family had come, but he didn't say anything and went back to his room.
The two children were more excited than each other.
Zheng Yu looked at Xue Shao and said with great joy: "A Shao, you have family? There are so many people in your home. Did you bring them with you?"
Xue Shao shook his head, saying that he didn't know. He was also very curious about these "family members" who appeared out of nowhere.
Zheng Xiu was worried that the two of them would disturb Xue Zhi and the others' conversation, so she hurried them into the house, "The adults are talking, you go back and play by yourselves for a while."
Zheng Yu pouted and said, "Isn't that A'shao's family? I'll forget about it, but shouldn't A'shao go in?"
Zheng Xiu looked towards the main hall in embarrassment. What her brother said made sense, but Xue Zhi's sister-in-law came twice and only asked Xue Zhi, and didn't show any concern for Xue Shao at all... Just like now, Xue Shao is back, and there are so many servants and maids standing in the yard, there must be some sharp-eyed people. If his sister-in-law had given instructions in advance, someone would naturally come to see him...
"Okay, be obedient and go back to the house first. As for the rest, we can talk after they finish talking." Zheng Xiu coaxed them in a low voice.
Zheng Yu said nothing more, and pulled Zheng Yu, "Let's go back to the house first, and see your family later."
Xue Shao looked at the main room reluctantly, and then went back to the house with him.
Half an hour later, Princess Guihe and Xue Qin came out of the main room. Maids and servants followed them. Xue Zhi frowned, sent them to the door, watched them get on the carriage, and watched them leave before turning back.
Xue Shao had already come out of the house. He ran forward and pulled his father's clothes, looking up and asked, "Dad, they...they went back?"
Xue Zhi nodded.
He then lowered his head and said "Oh" in great disappointment.
Aren't Dad's family his family? Why don't they come and talk to him? Even if they don't talk, it would be good to come and see him.
Xue Zhi was preoccupied and didn't notice his little thoughts.
Zheng Xiu also came out of the stove room and touched Xue Shao's little head with heartache, "Okay, it's time for dinner. Wash your hands and eat, otherwise you will be late for school in the afternoon."
Xue Shao then lowered his head and went to the main room sadly.
Seeing Xue Shao frowning, Zheng Xiu asked him softly, "But is there anything difficult?"
Xue Zhi sighed, "Eat first, I'll tell you after dinner."
Because of the delay of Princess Guihe, the Zheng family had a late lunch. During the meal, everyone tacitly ate only and didn't talk. They finished the meal in silence. After
dinner, Zheng Ren and the two children went out. Zheng Xiu tidied up the stove a little and went back to the house.
Xue Zhi was also waiting for him.
The two didn't need to say anything else. Xue Zhi said straight to the point, "I'm afraid I really have to go back this time."
Zheng Xiu was surprised, "But for the second uncle's matter?"
Xue Zhi shook his head. Zheng Quan's matter could be said to be only one aspect, and it was not the decisive factor.
"My eldest brother has been bedridden for many years, and now my nephew has grown up... They need me."
Zheng Xiu had mixed feelings. If Xue Zhi went back, then Xue Shao would definitely go with him. What about herself? Although her marriage with Xue Zhi was in name only, they were husband and wife after all, so what should she do? The
two were silent for a moment, and Zheng Xiu asked, "When are you leaving?"
Xue Zhi shook his head, "I haven't decided yet, I just said I need to think about it for a few more days." That was just an excuse to delay time. In fact, Xue Zhi knew better than anyone that he had to go back this time.
"Then Shao..."
Xue Zhi said, "Shao, stay first, I'll go back and see the situation in the mansion first, and then make a decision."
Why didn't he take Xue Shao back with him? Zheng Xiu was really surprised.
"A Shao, I'll trouble you in the next few days."
Zheng Xiu nodded, still full of doubts in her heart.
As for Xue Zhi, why didn't he want to take his wife and children home. But A Shao, his identity is special. As for Zheng Xiu, he is still not sure whether she will be willing to go back with him. Besides, he has been away from home for many years. If he doesn't go back to check the situation in person, he is not at ease to take them back like this.
He sighed deeply, "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."
Zheng Xiu didn't know why, every time he said this, she would really feel a lot more at ease.
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