Chapter 244 Reunion
Qiu Heng walked out of the prison cell and met Xue Han.
The two looked at each other and walked together.
"You haven't been sleeping well these past few days, have you?" Xue Han asked.
"It's alright. The bedding sent from home is very thick, much more comfortable than in the mountains."
Hearing Qiu Heng mention the mattress, Xue Han couldn't help but smile: "I didn't expect Uncle to bring me one."
Qiu Heng paused, her expression unchanged: "My father is kind-hearted."
"Yes. If there's nothing else, I'll treat Uncle to a drink."
The person leading the way couldn't help but glance at the two of them a few times, thinking to himself that these two were really calm. They had been in jail for several days, but they still had the mood to chat when they met.
Qiu Heng soon saw the students kneeling outside the palace gates, pleading for their lives, and her eyes widened in surprise.
Could it be that Emperor Jingping's sudden summons to them today was not due to new information from Xijiang, but because of these students?
Were they pleading for her and Xue Han?
And the crowd that gathered, was it also for them?
Qiu Heng immediately recalled what Ling Yun had said when he visited her in prison.
Brother Ling said he would handle it, could the current situation be due to Brother Ling's influence?
As Qiu Heng looked on in confusion, Qiu Yang spotted her and excitedly stood up: "Sixth Sister!"
The classmate who came with Qiu Yang to plead for his life, knowing his relationship with Qiu Heng, was also very excited: "It's Qiu Heng and Xue Han! The Emperor has listened to our plea!"
"That's great! They won't be sent to Xijiang to apologize, and the world won't think that Great Xia is spineless!"
These young people are easily moved to tears when their requests are heard and valued.
The common people craned their necks to look, their focus completely different from that of the students.
"Look! Those are Xue Han and Qiu Heng, the ones who killed King Xijiang!"
"Wow, so young! Weren't they supposed to be nine feet tall and capable of lifting mountains and carrying heavy cauldrons—"
"They're both so handsome, they're such a perfect match."
When are they getting married?
The whispers of the common people reached the ears of the guards who had brought the two into the palace, and they all wore expressions that were hard to describe.
We're going to the palace to meet the emperor; can't we stop making a big deal out of something so serious?
Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Qiu Heng and Xue Han entered the main hall.
"Your subject Xue Han greets Your Majesty."
"Your subject, Qiuheng, greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingping stared at the two men who were bowing and paying their respects, speechless for a moment.
Although the two were imprisoned in the Dali Temple prison, they were not convicted, and Qiu Heng's title of county princess was not revoked.
This wasn't because Emperor Jingping was merciful, but rather because he had ulterior motives. The person who sent Xijiang to apologize was of high status, which made it seem as if Great Xia had paid a greater price.
Unexpectedly, there was such strong public opposition that students even petitioned for action.
Having decided to follow the will of the people, Emperor Jingping softened his tone: "Xue Han, Qiu Heng, although you two acted rashly, your courage is commendable. We will not pursue your actions for the time being. However, you must think twice before acting in the future and never act impulsively again."
"Your Majesty's teachings will be obeyed."
"Step down."
Even after leaving the palace, the students remained.
Xue Han bowed deeply to everyone: "Thank you all for speaking up for us."
The leading youth returned the greeting with clasped hands: "We are speaking out for loyalty, justice, and for the country and its people."
The others returned the greeting and echoed it.
Qiu Yang took Qiu Heng's hand, her eyes filled with tears: "Sixth Sister, I'll take you home."
As Qiu Heng and Qiu Yang walked home, many enthusiastic people were already running to the Yongqing Marquis's residence to report the good news, including the servants that the old lady had sent out every day to find out what was going on.
"Congratulations, Miss Qiu has been released."
"Congratulations on your family's good fortune. Miss Qiu is alright now."
Upon receiving the good news, the old lady immediately ordered people to scatter money and candy outside the gate, and to quickly prepare a brazier.
"She's here! She's here! The Sixth Miss is here!" The servants and maids waiting at the door stirred and jostled.
Qiu Fu grabbed Qiu Ying and ran as fast as she could: "Make way, make way, where's Sixth Sister?"
Qiu Heng paused when she saw the large crowd gathered at the entrance of the Yongqing Marquis's residence.
"Sixth Sister—" Qiu Fu ran towards Qiu Heng, only to find that someone was running faster than her.
Qiu Song rushed to Qiu Heng, his face full of admiration: "Sixth Sister, I've finally waited for you to come back!"
Qiu Fu frowned as she looked at her own brother, who shared the same mother.
What's wrong with this chubby kid? He seems even more excited than her and more enthusiastic than his second brother.
"Sixth Sister, hurry up and step over the fire basin." Qiu Ying said with a smile, pulling Qiu Heng along.
Qiu Heng nimbly stepped over the brazier and was surrounded by people heading to Qiansong Hall.
The old lady was getting impatient and kept looking around from the entrance of Qiansong Hall. When she saw a group of people coming, she quickly went back inside and sat down.
Amidst calls of "Sixth Miss," Qiu Heng entered and bowed to the old lady, saying, "Grandmother, your granddaughter has returned."
"You brat—" The old lady wanted to scold her, but before she could even open her mouth, her eyes welled up with tears that welled up uncontrollably.
I'm getting old, and my eyes are more sensitive now.
The old lady was not very satisfied with her performance when she met her granddaughter again.
"It's all my fault, I've made my grandmother worry."
"Get up," the old lady called to Qiu Heng, looking her over. "You've lost a lot of weight, you're darker, and your skin is rough..."
It's good that you're alive.
"Go back to your room, take a bath, change your clothes, and freshen up before we talk."
"yes."
When Qiu Heng returned to Lengxiang Residence, she was surrounded by maids and old women who were both crying and laughing. When she sat in the bath tub that was half her height, she finally felt the reality of being home.
Fangzhou held up a water ladle, staring intently at the several scars on Qiuheng's body.
"What's wrong?" Qiu Heng turned her head slightly.
Fangzhou's eyes reddened: "You were badly injured back then, weren't you? Was it very painful?"
"You mean these scars? It's nothing, they'll fade with time. I wasn't seriously injured, but Xue Han was. I was delayed in returning because I was helping him recover." Qiu Heng said casually, changing the subject, "Fangzhou, what new desserts have you learned? Didn't you say you'd make them for me when I got back?"
"I'll make lotus root dumplings with various fillings for the girl tomorrow."
"Great! It sounds delicious."
Qiu Heng took a thorough bath, and after her hair dried and she changed her clothes, she went to Qian Song Tang accompanied by Fang Zhou.
Winter days are short and nights come early, so dinner is also early. Since Qiuheng has returned, the members of the third branch of the family gathered at Qiansong Hall, and the old lady decided to invite everyone to have a reunion dinner.
"Heng'er, you've suffered these past few months." Master Qiu said, tears streaming down his face.
Qiu Feng grew quite a bit taller in just a few months, looking like a young boy, but unlike his father, he didn't show his emotions as much, only frequently glancing at Qiu Heng.
Qiu Yang then recounted the students' petition: "The leading student is from the Imperial Academy, surnamed Chen, courtesy name Huaiqing. Although he comes from an ordinary background, he is exceptionally outstanding..."
Master Qiu was even more worried about what would happen next: "Heng'er, will His Majesty not pursue this further?"
Qiu Heng said calmly, "The Emperor's heart is unfathomable; even I, your niece, do not know."
"I see—"
The old lady spoke up: "Heng'er hasn't been eating or sleeping well these days. Now that she's finally back, all of you should ask her fewer questions and have a proper family reunion dinner."
Upon hearing this, everyone silently picked up their chopsticks.
When Qiu Heng heard the old lady mention the family reunion dinner, she casually asked, "Where is Grandfather?"
The old lady was stunned.
Everyone: !
Oh no, I forgot the old man is still in jail!
(End of this chapter)
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