Ch 126: The Xiao Family Arrives In The Capital 2
Meng Tingyue gently blinked, her eyes flashing with disbelief and astonishment.
Did her maternal grandfather dislike her?
As the Xiao Family’s richly decorated carriage slowly stopped in front of Meng Tingyue, the coachman’s gaze fell upon her face, both familiar and slightly more youthful. His tone was full of warmth and respect: “Young Miss, are you well?”
Hearing this, Meng Tingyue curled her lips into a gentle smile, nodded slightly, and was about to speak when she saw Xiao Huaifeng lift the carriage curtain and step out.
“Tingyue, why are you here?” A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Huaifeng’s eyes.
“Knowing that Maternal Grandfather and Uncle arrived in Jingdu today, I specially came to greet them,” Meng Tingyue’s words were gentle and appropriate.
During their conversation, her gaze would inadvertently drift towards the carriage.
Seeing that her maternal grandfather had not yet emerged from the carriage, a faint disappointment arose in Meng Tingyue’s heart.
She softly asked, “How has Maternal Grandfather’s health been lately?”
A warm smile touched Xiao Huaifeng’s brows. “He’s doing well. He was so happy to hear about coming to Jingdu that he couldn’t sleep for several days. All the way here, he kept talking about…”
“Alright, alright,” Old Master Xiao’s voice sounded lazily, accompanied by the gentle swaying of the carriage curtain. A hand, etched with the marks of time, slowly pushed aside the curtain, revealing his somewhat serious face.
When those eyes, which had witnessed countless years, met Meng Tingyue’s face, strikingly similar to his daughter’s, they involuntarily froze.
“Like… she’s truly too much like her,” he sighed softly, his tone full of emotion.
Seeing this, Meng Tingyue gently knelt, performing a courtesy. Her voice was as gentle as spring: “Tingyue greets Maternal Grandfather.”
“Ai, good, good, good child,” Old Master Xiao responded repeatedly, his smile like the warm sun of spring, warm and gentle.
He hurriedly got down from the carriage, his gaze fixed on Meng Tingyue, implicitly filled with excitement, his eyes unwilling to leave her for even a moment.
Gradually, a glimmer of tears welled up in his eyes, his voice carrying an indescribable emotion: “You and your mother are exactly alike.”
“I remember, back then, your mother was also at this age… but… but unfortunately, she met the wrong person, she encountered that scoundrel!”
At this point, Old Master Xiao’s cane suddenly stopped, the ground trembling slightly, his face filled with indignation.
However, when his gaze once again gently fell upon Meng Tingyue, his tone involuntarily softened: “Fortunately, you did not repeat your mother’s mistakes.”
A wave of warmth surged through Meng Tingyue’s heart, a gentle and firm smile playing on her lips. “Maternal Grandfather, rest assured, I will avenge Mother. I will make him pay the price.”
Old Master Xiao nodded slightly, his eyes full of love and trust. “If you need anything, just ask. Although I am old and weak, not as strong as I once was, Huaifeng is in his prime, strong and agile. You can freely command him.”
Having said that, he raised his hand and heavily patted Xiao Huaifeng’s shoulder, the force undeniable, causing Xiao Huaifeng to stagger slightly.
Seeing this, the smile on Meng Tingyue’s lips grew even brighter, her eyes curving into crescents, as if filled with stars, “I do indeed have something I need to ask Maternal Grandfather and Uncle to help with.”
Hearing this, Old Master Xiao and Xiao Huaifeng simultaneously turned their gazes towards her, their expressions focused.
At that moment, Qingdian hurried over from the direction of the gate, her breath slightly rushed, reporting: “Crown Princess, a special envoy from the Palace has arrived, intending to welcome Old Master Xiao and Master Xiao to the Palace for an audience.”
Hearing this, a hint of surprise arose in Meng Tingyue’s heart. She hadn’t expected the Palace to be so formal, personally sending an envoy to greet them.
She gently turned her head, looking at Old Master Xiao and Xiao Huaifeng beside her, her tone gentle: “Maternal Grandfather, Uncle, please go to the Palace first. Tingyue will wait for your return here at the Mansion.”
Hearing that they were going to the Palace, Old Master Xiao was a hundred percent unwilling, but he did not show it in front of Meng Tingyue.
As the two entered the carriage, the wheels slowly turned, gradually driving towards the noise.
Xiao Huaifeng noticed his father’s barely concealed displeasure and softly comforted him: “This trip to the Palace is merely to receive the Imperial Edict and express gratitude. We should be back soon, and then Father can reunite with Tingyue.”
Old Master Xiao leaned against the carriage wall, nodding slightly, his movements revealing a touch of weariness.
Only after the Xiao Family’s carriage gradually disappeared into the crowd, its whereabouts untraceable, did the Crown Prince’s Mansion’s magnificent carriage slowly arrive before Meng Tingyue.
Meng Tingyue gently lifted her hand, placing it on Qingdian’s, stepping onto a small stool to enter the carriage.
…
Old Master Xiao and Xiao Huaifeng, following Shen Yunheng’s steps, lightly stepped over the imposing threshold of the Imperial Palace and then took a carriage to the Crown Prince’s Mansion.
This trip to the Palace only took an hour.
The moment he stepped into the Mansion, Old Master Xiao’s eyes, which had witnessed countless years, began to carefully examine everything around him.
Unlike the deliberately understated solemnity outside the Crown Prince’s Mansion, everything inside revealed a hidden luxury; every detail spoke of extraordinary taste and profound heritage.
He slowly looked around, trying to find something questionable, but everywhere he looked was impeccable, neither overly ostentatious nor lacking in noble style.
This perfect balance made Old Master Xiao nod silently in his heart, giving him a little more approval and satisfaction for this noble son-in-law.
At least, he was not like Meng Ci, merely superficial, with only self-interest and deceit on his mind.
Xiao Huaifeng carefully protected the Imperial Edict in his arms.
Shen Yunheng walked beside Old Master Xiao, leading the way.
The three of them arrived at the Main Hall together.
Meng Tingyue immediately saw them and a wave of joy surged through her heart. She lightly greeted them, her voice full of delight: “Husband, Maternal Grandfather, Uncle.”
She truly did not expect the Crown Prince to return to the Mansion with her maternal grandfather and uncle.
Shen Yunheng seemed to have only come to send the two back to the Mansion; after a brief stay, he turned and left.
At this time, only Meng Tingyue, Old Master Xiao, Xiao Huaifeng, and several maid servants remained in the Main Hall.
“Quickly bring the newly arrived Dragon Well Tea to entertain our honored guests,” Meng Tingyue instructed Qingdian.
Qingdian, receiving her instructions, gracefully departed.
Meng Tingyue also dismissed the maid servants waiting in the Main Hall.
Meng Tingyue lightly waved her sleeve, dismissing the maid servants waiting in the Main Hall. The hall immediately became much quieter.
A gentle smile played on her lips, her words laced with congratulations: “Congratulations to the Xiao Family on receiving the title of Great Zhou’s top Imperial Merchant.”
Xiao Huaifeng gently placed the Imperial Edict into an exquisite box, placing it aside, a faint gratitude in his eyes, “If it weren’t for your intervention, the Xiao Family would not have been able to receive this honor.”
Having said that, he looked at Meng Tingyue with a gentle gaze, a hint of curiosity in his heart, “Earlier at the gate, you mentioned something important you wanted to discuss. What was it?”
Old Master Xiao also cast an inquiring gaze.
