Chapter 566: With All These Bags and Baggage, Where Are You Going?
The Imperial City had not been peaceful recently. There were far fewer commoners on the streets, and business had grown bleak.
At such a critical time, Lu Yuan didn’t dare make a grand affair of it. He only had the kitchen staff prepare a single banquet table to welcome Su Changliang’s family.
On this day, Su Liyan had specially dressed up, wearing a beautiful, long red dress.
Seeing her daughter looking so lovely, Su Liyan’s mother praised, “Our son-in-law treats you so well. Look how he’s kept you so fair and beautiful.”
You can tell if a woman is happy in her marriage from her disposition after the wedding.
A happy woman still has the air of a young girl after marriage—confident and cheerful.
An unhappy woman seems like a completely different person after marriage; even her complexion will worsen significantly.
A poor mood and prolonged stress can easily cause hormonal imbalances, leading to dry skin and freckles.
It had been half a year since Su Liyan had last seen her family.
Xiaoqian’s son, Su Zonglin, was already two years old.
After half a year, the once fair and chubby little boy had slimmed down and started to shoot up in height.
When a young boy starts having a growth spurt, his frame naturally thins out.
In terms of personality, Su Zonglin was remarkably similar to Su Changliang—gentle, quiet, and not fond of crowds.
During the meal, Su Zonglin constantly nestled in Xiaoqian’s arms. His features, however, favored Xiaoqian more.
Su Zonglin would curiously size up each person, not making a sound, just watching.
Su Liyan teased, “The Su Family’s little heartthrob, here. It’s a good thing he only takes after his dad in personality. Lucky for him, he got his looks from his mom.”
Hearing his sister’s words, Su Changliang just pouted, thinking, ‘You’re not that much of a looker yourself. I think I’m pretty handsome, actually.’
Su Changliang only dared to think this, not say it aloud.
Su Liyan’s mother chimed in, “He takes after our Xiaoqian. Very good-looking!”
The arrival of Su Changliang’s family made Su Liyan very happy.
Everyone gathered around the table and chatted for a long time.
That night, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan were lying in bed.
Su Liyan had drunk quite a bit of light wine. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was too excited to sleep.
In the faint moonlight, Lu Yuan looked at Su Liyan and asked,
“My dear, we’ve been in the Imperial City for two or three years now. It’s time to leave.”
Back when the Divine Ling Empire attacked the Wa Country, the Court needed Lu Yuan to command the Government Army Guard and defend the Imperial City, which was why he came here in the first place.
‘At His Majesty the Emperor’s command, the Court needed to build things ahead of their time, and I provided the technical support without hesitation.’
‘As the Prince Consort, what have I not done as ordered these past few years?’
Lu Yuan felt that by marrying the Emperor’s daughter and accomplishing so many practical tasks for him, he no longer owed the Emperor anything.
Now that the world was in turmoil, Lu Yuan had a mind to return to his hometown.
“Where would we go? Will the Emperor even let you leave?” The sudden topic startled Su Liyan, and she asked quickly.
Lu Yuan thought for a moment before continuing, “My dear, haven’t you sensed it? The Imperial City has been uneasy lately.”
The Imperial City is now crawling with the Jinyi Guard.
Jinyi Guards who were originally scattered throughout the Empire have been returning to the Imperial City one after another.
These Jinyi Guards periodically search the homes of ordinary citizens and have even arrested a batch of officials.
The Jinyi Guard from the Southern Town Patrol Department are especially egregious. They rely on the Xingzi raised in their Spirit Capturing Devices to wantonly spy on the manors of various officials in the Imperial City.
Su Liyan, of course, could sense these changes.
Just a few days ago, several Xingzi with centuries of power had climbed onto the roof of their manor, only to be scared away by a single glance from Su Liyan.
Ever since Jinwu Guard Commander Zhao Feng left for Qian City to rescue the Crown Prince, Lu Yuan had not seen him return.
‘Even if he had died in battle, the Court should have sent word.’
It was as if Jinwu Guard Commander Zhao Feng had vanished from the face of the earth.
Lu Yuan and Su Liyan continued their discussion. He said, “Why don’t we use this opportunity to return to Taiping City with your family? The Qingming Festival is coming up soon, and we have to go home to pay respects to our ancestors anyway.”
‘After staying in the Imperial City for two or three years, returning to our hometown to honor our ancestors isn’t an unreasonable request, is it?’
Later, Lu Yuan told Gu Ziye about his idea.
Gu Ziye naturally agreed with Lu Yuan’s plan.
Lu Yuan then submitted a formal memorial to the Emperor.
When the Emperor saw that Lu Yuan wished to take his family back to his hometown for ancestral worship, he couldn’t help but feel suspicious given the timing.
Emperor Gu Yuanzhang summoned Lu Yuan and Gu Ziye to the Imperial Capital for an audience.
Lu Yuan and Gu Ziye went to the Imperial Capital, carrying their child.
Empress Ma heard that Princess Yue Ning’s family had arrived in the Imperial Capital and were currently in the Imperial Study.
Having simply freshened up, Empress Ma headed for the Imperial Study, accompanied by several palace maids.
「In the Imperial Study.」
Emperor Gu Yuanzhang looked at the baby in Lu Yuan and Gu Ziye’s arms. His usual long, stern face broke into a rare smile.
The Emperor came down from his seat, gently took the baby’s little hand in Gu Ziye’s arms, and cooed, “Tsk tsk tsk, little granddaughter, say ‘Grandpa’!”
The baby girl in Gu Ziye’s arms stared with wide eyes, taking in all the glittering gold surroundings with fresh curiosity.
The little one wasn’t shy at all, her tongue constantly moving about in her mouth as she gurgled.
Gu Ziye smiled and said, “Father Emperor, our little treasure is still so young! She can’t talk yet. But we’ll be sure to teach her well and make ‘Grandpa’ her first word!”
Emperor Gu Yuanzhang chuckled and praised, “My little granddaughter, she looks just like you did as a child. Such chubby little cheeks, so dewy and tender.”