As the five princes arrived in the capital, their respective in-laws needed to make contact and pay visits. Prince Duan (Wei Yang), on his part, accompanied Xu Qingwan and the children to the mansion of the current Duke Zhen, saving face for his mother.
The current Duke Zhen, Xu Qingwan’s younger brother, was in his twenties. Though more tactful than his father Xu Yao, he was still somewhat arrogant. Wei Yang paid little attention to his wife’s brother and instead went with Xu Qingwan to visit Xu Yao, who had resigned due to illness.
Upon seeing her father, Xu Qingwan couldn’t hold back her tears and repeatedly questioned why he had acted so foolishly.
Xu Yao scolded his daughter in front of Wei Yang, ostensibly criticizing her but actually directing his ire towards Emperor Yongping, accusing him of being a traitor, and blaming Wei Yang for supporting him without attempting to convince him.
After he berated him, Wei Ying forcefully took Xu Qingwan away by grabbing her wrist.
Feeling wronged by his uncle’s behavior, Wei Yang was in a foul mood, prompting him to visit the palace and complain to his mother.
“Mother Empress, Uncle is incredibly stubborn and won’t listen to anyone. Why don’t you try persuading him?” Wei Yang asked with a frown.
While Wei Yang could comprehend his uncle’s hesitance to assist his father during Wei Ang’s reign, he couldn’t fathom why his uncle would still berate him after Emperor Yongping ascended the throne. Did his uncle genuinely view his father as a traitor, treating him with disdain and expecting him to endure humiliation?
The more Wei Yang pondered on it, the angrier he became.
Empress Xu sighed deeply and replied with a wry smile, “Your uncle has always had that temper. If he could change it, he would have done so long ago. That’s just the way he is. It’s better for him to recuperate in the mansion, away from your father’s sight and out of his mind.”
Empress Xu was confident that, with the old man’s merits, the Xu family wouldn’t fall. As long as her nephews stood up, the Xu family would inevitably restore its original glory.
“Son, I understand your discontent, but it’s even more uncomfortable for Qingwan to be caught in the middle. Don’t blame her and treat her well.”
In the Yan Palace, Empress Xu had noticed her daughter-in-law’s distress and offered advice, but her words proved ineffective. Only her son, who spent each day with her, could provide the comfort and care that she needed.
Wei Yang snorted and brought up another matter, “Mother, I heard that father is going to choose a side concubine for us?”
The news of the draft in the palace had already spread, and Wei Yang was well aware of it.
Empress Xu responded, “Yes.”
Wei Yang looked at his mother and stated, “Mrs. Meng gave birth to Liu Lang for me, and now she is pregnant again. Empress Mother, I want to make her my side concubine.”
Empress Xu’s eyes turned slightly cold as she gazed directly at her son and asked, “Although a side concubine in the palace holds that title, she can only be of a noble birth. Consider where your father’s side concubine came from, and then think about the Meng family. Is she worthy?”
Wei Yang understood that Meng’s status was not sufficient, but she was his favorite concubine and possessed the ability to bear children. Despite her shortcomings in status, he saw her as a suitable side concubine.
Empress Xu, noticing her son’s dissatisfaction, spoke coldly, “Do you know why your father concealed Prince Chu when he was planning major events?”
Wei Yang’s face changed drastically.
Empress Xu continued, “A man can have desires, but he must set limits. If you disregard rules and etiquette for the sake of women, such a son will hardly be considered a great asset in your father’s eyes.”
After this stern warning, Wei Yang dared not mention the Meng family again. He knelt down and confessed to his mother, acknowledging his mistake.
Empress Xu looked at her son, shook her head, and said, “You are my son. I will support and help you as much as I can. However, if you can’t stand up by yourself, my assistance will have its limits.”
Empress Xu added, “It’s almost Chinese New Year. I hope that the next time Qingwan comes to the palace to pay her respects, she will gain weight.”
She recognized the importance of having a virtuous daughter-in-law and needed her son’s wife to be in good health.
Yin Hui, unaware of the upcoming draft, discussed with Wei Luo about taking the children to visit relatives. In her previous life, she had followed Wei Luo to Jinling alone, lacking close relatives except for her son. However, in this new life, her grandfather and brother also came to the capital, giving her a sense of having a family.
Wei Luo decided on a date toward the end of winter to visit her natal family with her and children. As it was their first visit after moving to Jinling, they intended to make it more solemn. Wei Luo emphasized that if Yin Hui wanted to go back to her natal family in the future, she could make her own decisions, and there was no need for him to accompany her.
After Emperor Yongping ascended the throne, he punished a group of officials, imprisoning and exiling them. As a result, a group of houses was confiscated by the court and used by Emperor Yongping as rewards. One such mansion was Ji Chang’s Mansion. The mansion, already grand and elegant, was carefully repaired by the Yin family after moving in. Even though Yin Yong had donated most of his family property as military supplies, the remaining 10% of the property of the richest man in Yandi still ranked among the best of the families of noble and high-ranking officials in the capital.
The Shu Mansion’s carriage stopped in front of Ji Chang’s Mansion’s gate, and Yin Yong and others came out to welcome them. Yin Hui hadn’t seen her grandfather for three years, and upon meeting him again, she immediately noticed the white hair on his head. The last time she saw the old man, his hair was only gray, with more black hair, but now it was almost completely white.
Tears filled Yin Hui’s eyes, and she threw herself into her grandfather’s arms.
Yin Yong’s hair was white, and Emperor Yongping had entrusted him with the responsibility of overseeing food supplies.
While not afraid of the task, there were too many things to remember, requiring significant effort. Fortunately, despite the white hair, Yin Yong’s body remained strong enough to embrace his granddaughter without taking a step back.
“Okay, okay, don’t let the children laugh at you,” Yin Yong said with a smile as he looked at Xiao Heng and his siblings, helping Yin Hui up.
Feeling sorry for her grandfather and unable to ignore the sight of his white hair, Yin Hui smiled through her tears. Yin Lang, her brother, approached with a child named Mingli, encouraging her to hug him. Mingli was Yin Lang and Xie Zhuyi’s eldest son, born in August, with Sister Ning born in October.
Yin Hui hugged her nephew, whom she had never seen in her previous life, expressing a mix of emotions through tears and laughter. Wei Luo, observing from the side, wondered why Yin Hui was suddenly so emotional; the reunion was supposed to be a joyous occasion.
“My lord, let’s go in and sit down,” Yin Yong warmly invited Wei Luo. He ceased paying attention to his wife and followed the old man inside.
Xie Zhuyi approached Yin Hui to offer comfort, and soon, Yin Hui stopped crying. With her nephew in her arms and the children by her side, she happily stepped into the gate of her new natal house.