Chapter Eight: Lianyu Returns to the Mansion

Update time: 2013-05-11

When Qingqiu entered, Lian Yue was eagerly recounting the most thrilling moment of last month's wagered martial contest with her eldest brother. Spotting Qingqiu, she cheerfully pointed and said, "Grandmother, that's the third Azure Mountain I told you about—the one who lost a tooth to Sister Lan..."

Though Qingqiu was still some distance away from Lian Yue, her martial training allowed her to catch the words about losing a tooth. She understood the young lady must be speaking of that day, so she bowed her head and smiled wryly—she could hardly blame anyone but herself for being outmatched. Yet her voice was steady as she stepped forward to report, "The eldest miss's convoy has entered the city and is headed toward the Yue residence. They should arrive in about a quarter of an hour."

Madame Qian scrutinized Qingqiu for a moment. "Very well, noted. You are Qingqiu?"

Qingqiu bowed again, replying respectfully, "Yes, Madame."

Madame Qian eyed the composed Qingqiu before her. Though still somewhat youthful, she was already quite impressive. Satisfied, she nodded and turned to Yue Lingjun. "The four people at your side are all excellent."

Upon hearing the old lady’s praise, Qingfeng and Qingluan, who stood beside Yue Lingjun, hurried forward to join Qingqiu in saying, "Qingfeng, Qingluan, Qingqiu, and on behalf of Qingling, thank the old lady for her praise!"

Yue Lingjun was pleased to hear Madame Qian praise his attendants. But a quarter hour was not long; everyone needed to go to the front gate to greet the eldest sister. After all, she was the Princess Consort of Nanping, and must not be slighted. He thus sought guidance from Madame Qian: "Grandmother, the eldest sister will arrive soon. I will take everyone to the front gate to welcome her."

Yue Lian Yue heard her brother was going to welcome their eldest sister and was about to rise, but Madame Qian quietly held her back.

"Yes..." Madame Qian cast an unobtrusive glance toward Yue Zhanchen and Yue Zhanyu, then continued, "Yu’er may be a daughter of the Yue family, but she has married into the royal family, and to the most favored Nanping Prince at that. The proper etiquette must not be neglected. Give instructions: anyone who forgets their manners and brings shame to the Yue family will answer to me when the time comes!"

Knowing his grandmother had an ulterior motive, Yue Lingjun still braced himself and replied, "Yes, Grandmother, rest assured."

Yue Zhanchen and Yue Zhanyu exchanged glances, reading the helplessness in each other's eyes. They had intended to go greet her anyway, but having been singled out by Madame Qian, they could not object. Together, they stood and sought permission, "Madame, the Princess Consort of Nanping’s convoy has entered the city. We will await her at the front gate."

"Go on," Madame Qian replied, this time without even raising her head. The Yue family members followed the two out of the front hall. Yue Lingjun, needing to inspect the gate, saw his little sister still nestled by their grandmother and took his leave to attend to his duties.

Yue Lian Yue looked up at her grandmother and then at her uncle’s departing figure. The confusion in her eyes gave way to understanding, and she felt Madame Qian loosen her hold. Looking up, her grandmother’s face was still full of affection. "All right, Yu’er will soon arrive. Go to the front gate now," she said, personally straightening Lian Yue’s garments.

Lian Yue cast a pitiful look at the main gate, bit her lip hesitantly, and said, "Perhaps... I should stay here with Grandmother?"

Hearing this, Madame Qian felt gratified—her own granddaughter, after all, still thought of her even in moments of excitement. But she understood the girl’s heart, and smiled, shaking her head. "Go along. Yu’er will want to see you as soon as she steps down. I have Ying Gu to keep me company."

Ying Gu smiled and agreed, "Miss, go welcome the eldest miss. I will stay here with Madame."

Originally, Lian Yue worried her grandmother would be lonely, but with Madame Qian’s reassurance and Ying Gu's promise, she bowed and left the front hall.

As soon as Yue Lian Yue stepped over the threshold, she lifted her skirts and dashed toward the gate, leaving only a graceful silhouette for Ziling, who had just shaken out her cloak.

Lan Shui, walking last, caught the scene and stepped forward to take Ziling's cloak, using her lightness skills to intercept Lian Yue and drape the cloak over her shoulders, gently admonishing, "Even in haste, you must wear your cloak. If the eldest miss sees you, she may not scold you—but Ziling will surely be punished."

Reminded by Lan Shui, Lian Yue recalled how her eldest sister could not tolerate lax attendants. Her former maid had been dismissed after a small mistake, and only then had Ziling been assigned... The thought sent a chill through Lian Yue. In her eagerness to see her sister, she had forgotten about this entirely. If Ziling were punished because of today's oversight, Lian Yue would feel guilty, as Ziling suited her temperament well.

Thinking this, Lian Yue glanced at Ziling, who had just caught up and was still catching her breath. She waited for Ziling to recover before continuing toward the gate, this time walking briskly rather than running.

When Lian Yue and her companions reached the gate, the eldest sister’s carriage had not yet arrived. Lian Yue immediately spotted her eldest brother at the forefront and, with Lan Shui and Ziling in tow, made straight for him, fearing being surrounded again. Fortunately, most attention was on the arriving Nanping Prince’s convoy, and fear of Madame Qian’s authority deterred anyone from breaking etiquette. Thus, Lian Yue easily reached Yue Lingjun’s side.

Yue Lingjun knew his little sister’s mind well—he himself would have stayed as far away as possible, given the choice. As he straightened her crooked hat, he remarked, "I thought you’d stay with Grandmother."

Lian Yue explained, "I was going to, but Grandmother sent me over."

She glanced around furtively and whispered, "Brother, you know I’ve always been afraid of Eldest Sister, but she’s so good to me. If I didn’t come, she’d be so hurt, and might take it out on the servants behind me… don’t you think so?"

Yue Lingjun looked speechlessly at his mischievous little sister, about to respond when he saw the convoy approaching the Yue residence.

Lian Yue, waiting for her brother’s reply, also saw the approaching convoy: four guards on tall horses flanked a young man in brocade leading the way, followed by three carriages. Soldiers marched in two columns alongside, exuding an air of stern discipline—clearly not ordinary folk. Yue Lingjun made no effort to conceal his admiration.

The convoy came to a slow halt, positioning the first, lavishly crafted purple-gold sandalwood double-door carriage in front of the Yue siblings. A beautiful woman, her hair in a falling horse bun, draped in a peacock-blue silk cloak embroidered with peony and gold trim, descended with the help of a maid.

From the moment Lian Yue saw the beautiful woman, her eyes reddened and tears welled up. Yue Lingjun, though more composed, could not hide his excitement—it was their eldest sister, who had cared for them like a mother since childhood, Yue Lian Yu.

"Eldest Sister…" Lian Yue called out, her voice trembling.

"Yue’er, Jun’er," Lian Yu was equally moved, her own eyes moist and voice choked. But she was no longer an innocent girl, and quickly regained her composure. "Have you both been well these years? Don’t blame me, I never expected to marry so far away…"

Lian Yue could not hold back her tears. "I don’t blame you, Sister. It’s just that I miss you so much…"

Seeing her tearful little sister and her brother struggling with his emotions, Lian Yu could not resist. She pulled them close, embracing them and pouring out her longing, leaving the others momentarily forgotten.

Madame Ma, displeased, was about to interrupt, but her husband Yue Zhanchen caught her eye, prompting her to awkwardly withdraw her step. The rest dared not move, and so the large group became spectators to the siblings’ reunion.