The ships set sail in mid-October, journeying all the way south and reaching their destination in mid-winter.
After a brief rest at the post station in Zhenjiang, everyone reboarded the carriages to continue the journey to Jinling.
Wei Luo rode a horse outside, Yin Hui sat in the carriage with the three children, and only Xiao Ning required her attention. Xiao Heng and Xiao Xun were sensible, each occupying a side of the carriage window and peering out through the gap.
“Mother, why are all the trees here green?” Xiao Xun found it peculiar. In Pingcheng, the leaves would turn yellow in autumn and fall off completely in winter.
Xiao Heng explained to his younger brother, “This is Jiangnan, the south of the Yangtze River. It stays warm in winter, so the trees remain green.”
Xiao Xun poked his face out, retracting it immediately when a gust of wind blew. “It’s cold outside. It’s not hot at all.”
Xiao Heng pursed his lips.
Yin Hui smiled and said, “It’s hot in summer, and although it’s cold in winter, it’s much warmer than Pingcheng.”
Xiao Xun accepted his mother’s explanation and continued observing the outside.
After traveling during the day and resting at the post station at night, they finally arrived in the capital on the third day in the afternoon.
Emperor Yongping, accompanied by civil and military officials, greeted the Empress. When the convoy stopped in front of the city gate, everyone in the carriage cheered. They disembarked with Empress Xu, walking to the front with a roar, kneeling, and saluting the former King Yan, now Emperor Yongping.
Empress Xu led, followed by the four concubines, the five princes, and then the princesses and grandchildren.
Emperor Yongping swiftly stepped forward to support Empress Xu, examining the phoenix crown on her head and then her gentle, smiling face. He held her hand tightly and inquired with a smile, “How was the journey?”
Empress Xu said, “I just thought the ship was moving too slowly, and I couldn’t see the Emperor sooner.”
Her voice was hushed, a whispered exchange between husband and wife that brought a smile to Emperor Yongping’s face. Holding Empress Xu’s hand, he turned to his family and declared, “Get up!”
Several rows of people straightened up.
Concubine Li gazed tearfully at the Emperor, who had been away for two years. At that moment, Emperor Yongping’s attention was on his grandchildren. He didn’t spare a glance for his three sons who had stayed in Pingcheng earlier, not even the fourth concubine. Instead, he waved to the grandchildren behind, saying, “Come here, let the Emperor have a look.”
Thirteen-year-old Da Lang approached with his younger siblings.
Emperor Yongping affectionately patted Da Lang’s shoulders, expressing, “Da Lang has grown so tall.”
Da Lang looked up at his grandfather in a dragon robe, displaying a mix of youthful maturity and deep yearning in his eyes.
Emperor Yongping’s smile remained constant. He conversed with each of the first ten grandchildren, concluding with a warm hug for Xiao Ning, who was cradled by the wet nurse. His affectionate words flowed freely, “This must be Xiao Ning. You haven’t met your Emperor Grandfather yet. You are truly beautiful.”
Xiao Ning, who hadn’t recognized her father earlier due to his cold demeanor, now smiled back at the Imperial Grandfather who was beaming.
Surrounded by his family, Emperor Yongping finally felt at home.
The palace felt too empty. Despite being a place he had longed for, the absence of family to share the joy made it feel desolate. Daytime was bearable, but loneliness crept in at night. His thoughts rotated around his wife and four concubines, and he overlooked any shortcomings that had once bothered him due to their prolonged separation. He missed his children, grandchildren, and even the faces of his daughters-in-law. However, his longing was purely for his family, holding no other implications for his daughters-in-law.
The civil and military ministers waited behind as Emperor Yongping took Empress Xu to his dragon chariot.
Except for the fourth concubine and the unrepaired mansion of Prince Gui (Wei Jing) and Princess Wei Ying, the others were free to return to their respective palaces. They were to gather for a banquet in the palace the next night.
Prince Duan’s Mansion had been the mansion where King Yan resided in the capital before becoming a vassal. After some plaque changes and a thorough cleaning, Prince Duan’s family could move in directly.
The mansions of the Eldest Princess, Wei Yan, Wei Luo, Wei Xuan, Wei Jing, and Wei Jin, were initially vacant due to the death of the owner in this or the previous dynasty. However, long-term vacancy had led to varying degrees of damage, necessitating repairs before occupation. Upon Emperor Yongping’s ascension to the throne, he promptly arranged for someone to commence mansion repairs for his sons and daughters. The Eldest Princess and married Princes, in urgent need of housing, took precedence in the repairs. The Second Princess received a new house from her husband’s family, allowing her to move in immediately. The Third Princess and Prince Gui, being unmarried, were granted residence in the palace for the time being.
The renovations were completed just in time before the princes brought their families to Beijing. The roof was replaced with new tiles, pillars painted with fresh paint, all furniture renewed, and the garden meticulously pruned, including the repaving of pebble paths and bluestone slabs. The affluence of the south of the Yangtze River ensured a smooth and timely progress, with everything readily available and favorable weather conditions.
The Empress and her entourage entered the city first, heading towards the palace. As the carriages of the princes entered, they gradually diverged. Wei Luo’s Shu Mansion and Wei Xuan’s Chu Manson were on the same street, separated only by Wei Jin’s Grand Princess Mansion.
The carriages turned into the alley, and upon reaching Prince Chu’s Mansion, Wei Yan’s family came to a halt. Riding on a horse, Wei Yan suggested settling down first before exploring later. Wei Xuan, tired from the journey, nodded and waved in agreement.
The convoy of Prince Shu’s Mansion continued on its way. Inside the carriage, Yin Hui pointed to Prince Chu’s Mansion, telling the children, “This is the new home of your Second Uncle’s family.”
Xiao Heng and Xiao Xun looked at it, with Xiao Xun inquiring, “Where does the Fourth Uncle and Fifth Uncle live?”
Expressing his fondness for Ba Lang from the Fourth Uncle’s family and the good-tempered and funny Fifth Uncle, he showed less interest in the Second Uncle’s family members.
Yin Hui explained, “They also have their own mansions. Dad will take us as guests soon.” Xiao Xun asked, “Is it far away?”
Yin Hui responded, “We have to take a carriage,” leaving Xiao Xun slightly disappointed.