Chapter 646

Chapter Seven: The Three Little Ones—Niannian 7

The Third Prince was overjoyed when he heard the news. Niannian was back?

The moment he realized that Niannian had returned, the Third Prince lifted the carriage curtain, intending to go find her.

“My lord, where are you going?” A Nan hurriedly tried to stop him when he saw his master about to jump out of the carriage. “His Majesty is still waiting for you to return to the palace.”

“A Nan, I’m going to see Niannian,” the Third Prince said firmly.

“My lord, His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress are still waiting for you in the palace. Can’t you go look for that Niannian later?” A Nan said anxiously.

After all, his duty was to escort the Third Prince back to the palace.

As for everything else, it was unimportant.

Besides, he had heard that the Empress was holding a flower-viewing banquet that day, and all the noble ladies of the capital were there.

The Empress was probably hoping to arrange a marriage for their prince as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, over all these years, there had not even been a single female mosquito by the prince’s side.

No wonder His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress were growing anxious.

“Returning to the palace a little later won’t make any difference,” the Third Prince said. Without paying any further attention to A Nan, he ran straight toward Prince An’s residence.

He suddenly thought of that exquisitely adorable little girl from his childhood. He wondered what she had grown into now.

The young woman’s voice just now had been so sweet and charming. How had he failed to recognize her?

By the time the Third Prince reached Prince An’s residence, Niannian had already gone to Steward Liu’s home.

Steward Liu had purchased a residence outside the palace long ago.

At that moment, he was lying weakly in bed.

“Grandpa Steward, how are you feeling?” Niannian asked with concern as she looked at Liu Ming in the bed.

“The young commandery princess has returned.” Liu Ming had never expected Niannian to actually rush back. He was deeply moved.

“Princess, this old servant is already so old. Why trouble yourself by coming all this way just to see me?” Liu Ming said with a bitter smile.

“Grandpa Steward, don’t say that. You’ve always treated us so well. Big Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother are all tied up with matters of their own, so it’s only right that I come back to see you,” Niannian hurriedly reassured him.

“I’m old now. I’m no longer of any use.” Liu Ming sighed after saying this, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He had wanted to stay by his master and the young masters’ sides for a few more years.

“Grandpa Steward, don’t say that. You’re strong and healthy. You can easily live for several more decades!” Niannian hurriedly said.

Liu Ming smiled but did not reply.

He knew his own condition better than anyone.

He was probably living on borrowed time—perhaps only a few days remained.

Being able to see his young mistress before he died meant that he could pass on without regret.

His only regret was that he would not live to see the young masters marry and start families.

“Young mistress, it’s getting late. You should go back and rest,” Liu Ming said.

He knew that Niannian had hurried back after traveling a great distance and must be exhausted.

“I’ll come see you again tomorrow, Grandpa Steward.” Niannian was indeed tired.

However, she had no intention of returning to Prince An’s residence. She wanted to visit the Li family and see her maternal grandfather and uncle.

Unfortunately, her maternal grandmother, Lady Yao, had been in poor health and had passed away two years earlier.

Niannian arrived at the Li residence.

Wen Xiu happened to be preparing to go out. When she saw a lovely young girl standing at the door, she froze for a moment.

“Niannian?” Wen Xiu called out uncertainly.

“Auntie, I’ve missed you so much!” Niannian had not expected Wen Xiu to recognize her at a glance. Delighted, she hurried forward and threw her arms around Wen Xiu.

“You child! Why didn’t you tell us you were coming back? Your uncle could have gone to fetch you,” Wen Xiu scolded affectionately as she looked Niannian up and down.

“Hehe, I can come back on my own. Auntie, I’m exhausted. Hurry and have your cook prepare a proper feast to reward me,” Niannian said coquettishly, tugging at Wen Xiu’s hand.

“You mischievous little monkey. Just wait—I’ll have the kitchen prepare some of your favorite dishes right away.” Wen Xiu sounded as though she were complaining, but her eyes were filled with delight.

“Auntie, where’s my uncle?” Niannian asked curiously.

“Your uncle went out to attend to official business. I’ll send him word in a little while. Once he learns that you’re back, he’ll definitely return at once.” Wen Xiu knew how dearly Li Tingzhou loved Niannian. He doted on her no less than he did his own several mischievous sons.

It was a pity that Wen Xiu’s womb had failed her—she had given birth only to sons.

“There’s no rush. Niannian will be staying in the capital for a while,” Niannian said with a smile.

Still, she had not seen her uncle for several years, and she truly missed him.

“Is Grandfather here?” Niannian suddenly remembered Li Tingyou and asked.

“Your maternal grandfather went to the palace to play chess with His Majesty,” Wen Xiu said, shaking her head.

“Oh dear, I really did come at the wrong time,” Niannian said regretfully.

“How could it be the wrong time? Whenever you come, it’s the right time. Besides, you’re not leaving the capital anytime soon. You’ll have plenty of chances to see your grandfather,” Wen Xiu said, feigning annoyance.

“Hehe, Auntie is right.”

The two chatted happily, exchanging one remark after another.

The kitchen soon sent over several dishes that Niannian had always loved. After eating for a little while, Niannian went to rest in her own courtyard.

Wen Xiu quickly headed to the Wen residence next door.

“Oh, what rare wind has blown our lady of the house back home?” Cheng Qingli asked teasingly, sounding amused when she saw Wen Xiu return.

“Eldest Sister-in-Law, are you saying you don’t welcome me back to my parents’ home?” Wen Xiu asked, rolling her eyes at Cheng Qingli.

The two residences stood right next to each other.

Wen Xiu truly felt as though she had never married at all; she could return to her family home whenever she wished.

“I never said that. Don’t go spreading rumors about me,” Cheng Qingli hurriedly pleaded.

“Niannian is back. I originally promised to accompany you to Huangjue Temple to offer incense tomorrow, but I won’t be going,” Wen Xiu explained with a smile.

“Niannian is back? Where is she? Why didn’t you bring her over so I could see her?” Cheng Qingli asked anxiously.

She could not help thinking that her own womb had failed her. She had given birth to three sons, all of them little rascals, and she had always been envious of the little daughter born to Li Zhiwei.

Unfortunately, Li Zhiwei and Xu Heming had been away from home all these years.

They had taken the children with them, so Cheng Qingli rarely had a chance to see them.

“She just lay down to rest. She must be exhausted,” Wen Xiu explained with a smile.

“Then let her rest. She can come play with me once she wakes up,” Cheng Qingli hurriedly said.

“I’ll mention it to her later, but whether she comes or not isn’t up to me,” Wen Xiu teased with a smile.

Still, she knew that Niannian had always been close to Cheng Qingli.

Once Niannian woke up, she would surely come over on her own without needing Wen Xiu to say a word.

“Niannian has come back at this time of year. Could it be that she’s here to discuss marriage?” Cheng Qingli wondered aloud.

After all, Niannian was already fifteen.

In the capital, girls around Niannian’s age had generally already been promised in marriage.

It was only because Xu Heming and Li Zhiwei had been busy with matters outside the capital all these years that they had not arranged marriages for the younger children.

Even Xu Qingshi’s marriage had yet to be settled.