Chapter 753 - 527: Returning to the Capital

Chapter 753: Chapter 527: Returning to the Capital

The Jiang Hu family is returning, and this news spread instantly throughout most of the Capital City.

Since they are coming to the Capital City, naturally they can’t do it secretly, so while writing a letter to Jiang Yu, they also sent a message to the palace.

The news that Wei Ziang and Xiaomi are finally getting married has naturally also spread.

Just as Zhou Ying had guessed before, about half a month after receiving the letter, Zhou Ying was in the courtyard warming herself by the fire, discussing wedding preparations with the steward while eating amber walnuts.

The walnuts were sent from Quancheng County. Not only walnuts, but most of the rice and wheat, dried vegetables and fruits, nuts, and gourds were also sent from Quancheng County, basically anything that could be preserved for a long time.

Two months ago, they even specially sent several large boxes of walnut sesame, along with pine nuts, pecans, almonds, etc. Some were familiar, some were not.

All in all, there was enough to last a year, and worried it might spoil, under Jiang Yu’s suggestion, they distributed some to the other madams.

Originally, she wanted to send some to her family too but was told that the in-laws had already prepared plenty for the relatives, naturally including those for the palace.

This is the inconvenience of being a subject, having something good means you can’t enjoy it alone, and you must send some to the palace.

The amber walnuts are sweet, crisp, and don’t require peeling, making them a satisfying treat by the mouthful.

Beside them was a bowl of sesame paste, which didn’t need sugar and paired with the amber walnuts was enough for afternoon tea.

Just as she was thinking that Xiaomi and the others should be returning, a servant hurriedly ran over.

"Young Madam, a message from the dock says they spotted the marquis’s ship, so they sent the news ahead."

Zhou Ying was taken aback, then pleased: "Really? That’s great, steward, quickly send someone to inform the eldest young master."

After all, they still live at the marquis’s residence, and in the marquis’s residence, they are merely a son and daughter-in-law, naturally not the heads of the family, so the titles have always been "the eldest young master" and "the young madam."

Jiang Yu was on duty today, and it was nearly an hour before he was off, but if Marquis Farming had returned, leaving a bit early wasn’t much of an issue.

By the time Zhou Ying hurried out, the carriage was already prepared, with the maid carrying a food box following along.

Seeing Zhou Ying stepping briskly onto the footstool and onto the carriage without needing any assistance, the maid behind her was almost frightened into a cold sweat.

"Madam, please be careful, you are with child. Even if you arrive a little late, the marquis and the old madam will not blame you."

Zhou Ying had already entered the carriage but came out again upon hearing this and seriously corrected the maid: "What old madam? Mother-in-law is still young, call her madam."

The maid was momentarily stunned before realizing: "Young madam, this servant understands."

Only then was Zhou Ying satisfied.

On the other side, the large ship carrying the Jiang family finally docked.

Apart from their family, the crew, and guards, there was also Jiang Wei’s fiancée and her parents.

Other than that, there was no one else, and the ship was filled with various supplies, almost all taken out by Xiaomi from the storage space.

This return to the Capital City was not only for the marriage of siblings Xiaomi and Jiang Wei but also due to Zhou Ying’s pregnancy.

After all, it is the Jiang family’s eldest grandson, so how could they not come see?

Moreover, it had been three years since they had seen their eldest son, and coincidentally Xiaomi and the others had finally finished a busy period and decided to get married.

Since it’s the wedding of the younger siblings, Jiang Yu, as the elder brother, naturally couldn’t be absent.

However, Wei Ziang had analyzed with his parents that it would be somewhat difficult to have the elder brother take an extended leave from the Capital City, especially since the elder sister-in-law is pregnant.

So, after some discussion, they decided to return to the Capital City and stay for another six months before leaving again.

"Mother, be careful; it’s been raining these past few days, the deck is very slippery."

Xiaomi had just instructed the guards on what items needed to be waterproofed and what couldn’t be bumped.

As she finished coming out of the warehouse, she saw her mother quickly heading out from the ship cabin and hurried to catch up and support her.

Her father was still in the room saying he needed to pack something, likely unaware his wife had run off.

"It’s fine, I’m steady. I wonder how your brother and sister-in-law are doing; we won’t stop elsewhere today, let’s head back early to see them."

Three years passed in a flash, yet Second Mother remained almost unchanged from three years ago.

To force a difference, perhaps she seemed more calm and open-minded than before, with a much more relaxed demeanor than the first time they came to the Capital City.

Jiang Hu followed quickly out of the room, glanced around, and hastily headed toward his wife and daughter.

"I was just wondering where you went, you asked me to help put away the sewing kit, then when I looked up, you were gone."

Jiang Hu was helpless regarding his wife’s impatience.

"When we were in Quancheng County, and even during this over-a-month-long journey, I didn’t see you like this, why are you so nervous now that we’ve arrived?"

Second Mother gave him a reproachful glance: "I just want to see Yu’er and the others sooner. Besides, was there any use in being anxious before?"

The large ship finally stopped, and the crew laid down the gangplank, with the purser hastening over: "Marquis, Madam, Fourth Miss, we’ve arrived."

Meanwhile, others also noticed the ship stop and began emerging from their rooms.

Especially Liu Ze and Xiao Xue, each holding a child, with several crew members behind them carrying large boxes.

Two years ago, Xiao Xue gave birth to their second child, a son, and now the couple has a daughter and a son and couldn’t be more satisfied.

Last New Year, Liu Ze specially took the family back to Nanyang Prefecture to let his parents see their granddaughter and grandson.

Liu Hongcai had been promoted again and was now the Magistrate of Nanyang Prefecture, while Zhou Ying’s father had been transferred to the Capital City.

Coincidentally, this year, Liu Hongcai needed to return to the Capital City to report, so they all came to the Capital City together, where the whole family could celebrate the New Year.

Near the dock, carriages had long been waiting, and on seeing the ship from the Marquis Farming’s residence dock, they rushed over.

Before the carriage could get closer, another carriage came from afar, and soon a woman lifted the curtain to peer out, waving and shouting upon seeing them.

"Dad, Mom, Xiaomi!"

It was Zhou Ying.

Her voice was loud, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

Xiaomi was momentarily surprised, then delighted: "It’s Sister Yingying!"

Fortunately, Zhou Ying remembered she was pregnant. Only after the carriage stopped did she emerge, bow to her parents, and greet her siblings.

"I guessed you all would arrive around these days. Dad, Mom, Jiang Yu isn’t off yet; I just had someone notify him. By the time we get back, he should be home."

As she spoke, her eyes couldn’t help but dart toward the two little ones beside them, and once she finished speaking, she couldn’t resist stroking Sisi’s small head.

"I haven’t seen you in years, Sisi has grown so big."

She then looked at the little one Liu Ze was holding.

"Guoguo is as cute as Sisi was when she was little."

Guoguo is the nickname of Liu Ze and Xiao Xue’s son, with the formal name Liu Rui.