Chapter 527 - 274: Adding to the Dowry_2
Old man Qian was more spirited than anyone else, but he too had to be carried in a sedan chair. Riding in a sedan chair for less than half a mile was a blessing he could hardly have dared to dream of before.
Yixiu spoke a few words with them and then directly entered the bedroom. Grandfather Sangui was already feeling somewhat better, able to sit up and lean against the headboard for a chat.
Seeing his granddaughter, he pulled her over to sit beside the bed and said, "Your grandfather’s body is so weak, I can’t even enjoy such good fortune. Living here, I’d only be a burden to you folks, making others laugh at you. Once everything is settled here and your great-grandma’s health improves a bit more, I still wish to return to my hometown. Besides, it’s more spacious there, and there are more people I can talk to..."
Before he could finish his words, Old man Qian who followed in spoke disapprovingly, "I tell you, third brother, you’re really trading sugar for bran—you don’t know how to enjoy good fortune. How great a blessing this is! You’ve entered the Palace, seen the Emperor, others are calling you uncle, you don’t have to attend court and still get a stipend, and so many people are serving you. And about this courtyard, this house, it’s so much better than Guiyuan..." He counted the benefits on his fingers, then added, "Not knowing how to enjoy the good life here, what’s the point of going back to the countryside? Anyway, I’m not going back; when I die, you can just ship my old bones back and bury me in the big family grave."
Qian Sangui had wept with excitement the last time he met the Emperor, but he also saw the disdain in the eyes of the other officials and their imposing presence, which made him feel somewhat inferior, fearing that he would embarrass his children and grandchildren.
Yixiu understood his thoughts; she could not bear to be parted from Grandfather Sangui. She held his hand and persuaded him, "Grandfather, we’ve just arrived, and we’re bound to face many difficulties, but are they any worse than the hardships of the past years? We’ve endured those times, and we will overcome these difficulties as well. Rest assured, things will get better. Please stay in the Capital City for a while longer; our family has finally reunited after so much difficulty. If you leave, not to mention my discomfort, my father and mother will also be saddened."
If Grandfather Sangui and Grandma Wu returned to the countryside, Father Jiang might cope, but mother would definitely not adjust. It was said that during her days in the Palace, she begged every day to return home, missing her daughter and in-laws, and it was only after much persuasion from the Empress Dowager that she agreed to stay in the Palace for a few more days.
Because of Pan Yue’s commotion, the Empress Dowager further warmed up to Qian Sangui’s couple.
On the twenty-eighth day of September, Manjiang finally returned with Pan Yue and their two children. They also brought back more than a dozen carts of belongings.
The moment Pan Yue saw Yixiu, she took her daughter’s hand and said, "Yixiu, mother missed you so much, thought about you every day."
Mingming also rushed over to hug her sister’s leg, saying, "Ming Wa missed you too, Ming Wa missed you too."
Yixiu smiled and patted Mingming’s head, then turned to look at Jingjing, who was biting her lips and giving her a smile, and playfully asked, "Doesn’t Jingjing miss her sister?"