Su Chengmin saw his grandmother and Tong Huaqiong talking through the crowd and the lights.
Through lip reading, he deciphered that they were mentioning Gu Taohua’s marriage proposal. Before he could get excited, the topic was abruptly cut off. Aunt Tong didn’t seem very enthusiastic about discussing Gu Taohua’s marriage proposal.
Su Chengmin felt restless inside.
It was hard not to suspect that Tong Huaqiong might oppose Gu Taohua marrying him.
From Aunt Tong’s standpoint, Su Chengmin could understand her concerns. Having his biological father and stepmother could be seen as a huge disadvantage in his marriage proposal.
One never knows when it might become a problem.
There are countless good men in the world, and it’s not impossible to find one from a harmonious family with both parents alive. In terms of conditions, he does not have an advantage in Gu Taohua’s marriage proposal.
The only thing he can hold on to now is Gu Taohua’s heart.
He suddenly understood his uncle.
If he couldn’t marry Gu Taohua in this lifetime, he would end up like his uncle, a lone person all his life.
Su Chengmin was eager to run to Tong Huaqiong and express his true feelings for Gu Taohua.
Until Tong Huaqiong agrees to his and Gu Taohua’s marriage proposal.
"...Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous grace."
Mr. Su’s voice thanking the grace brought Su Chengmin back to reality.
The emperor approved the request of the Imperial Grandson for Mr. Su to be his teacher.
The current Imperial Grandson has enormous influence over the emperor, especially with the added favor of the late Crown Prince, making the Imperial Grandson the top favorite around the emperor. As long as he doesn’t ask for the Dragon Robe, the emperor would happily fulfill any of his requests.
Therefore, when the Imperial Grandson requested Mr. Su to enter the palace to be his teacher, the emperor agreed without hesitation.
However, the emperor still tested Mr. Su’s knowledge.
Originally thought to be just a destitute scholar from the countryside, it turned out Mr. Su’s knowledge was no less than that of the scholars from the previous civil service exams.
The one who was most excited about Mr. Su becoming the rightful teacher of the Imperial Grandson was Tong Pandi.
Not because she would prosper as the teacher’s wife, but because, as Mr. Su’s partner, she knew he was lying in wait for an opportunity.
Otherwise, Mr. Su would not have followed the Imperial Grandson to Shengjing.
She vaguely knew Mr. Su intended to assist the Imperial Grandson in obtaining something, and if this path failed, it would be an irrevocable disaster that would affect her as well.
But wasn’t there still her aunt’s family to accompany her?
So there was nothing to be afraid of.
They watched the performances, admired the puppet shows, listened to compliments, and, of course, enjoyed the gossip... Although this welcome banquet with the Imperial Grandson as the main character lacked any overt conflicts, it was remarkably splendid.
In conclusion, the welcome banquet for the Imperial Grandson concluded perfectly.
Regarding the return of the Imperial Grandson, how many people were happy or worried was not of Tong Huaqiong’s concern.
After the banquet, Tong Huaqiong was waiting for someone on the palace path.
Eunuch Pan, as promised, entrusted Man Er, Yaozu, and Duo Er to Tong Huaqiong to take out of the palace.
The Imperial Grandson walked ahead, sending off the three companions. Seeing Tong Huaqiong, he happily rushed into her embrace, calling her grandmother.
Throughout the banquet, he was closely kept by the emperor’s side and had no opportunity to interact with Tong Huaqiong.
The Imperial Grandson greeted Tong Huaqiong warmly and then hugged Chen Sufen.
With a call of "Mother," Chen Sufen’s tears began to flow.
The Imperial Grandson cheerfully helped wipe Chen Sufen’s tears, asking why Aunt Taohua hadn’t come and mentioned that he would ask his imperial grandfather to let him visit Tong Huaqiong’s home in a few days.
This lively and charming demeanor was a stark contrast to the quiet and slightly timid image of the Imperial Grandson by the emperor’s side.
Tong Huaqiong’s heart melted.
Poor child, once they leave the palace, he would be left alone inside.
Looking into the bright eyes of the Imperial Grandson, Tong Huaqiong suddenly felt that taking Man Er and the others out of the palace was very cruel to him.
But if she didn’t take Man Er and the others out, Tong Huaqiong worried they might get hurt in the palace.
With the Imperial Grandson regaining his position, he blocked the paths of his imperial uncles, putting those around him in inevitable peril.
So he had to adapt; the path to becoming a sole ruler is inherently lonely.
"Your Highness, it’s getting late, the palace gates are about to be locked, Sui Feng Village Lady and Mrs. Chen should leave the palace," Eunuch Pan gently reminded.
Chen Sufen, her eyes red, tightened the Imperial Grandson’s collar and said, "The weather’s cold, make sure to wear something warm when you get up for water at night."
During their time in Qinghe Bay, it was Chen Sufen who took care of the Imperial Grandson.
Chen Sufen was well aware of the Imperial Grandson’s daily habits, such as sometimes waking up startled at night and routinely getting up to drink water.
Tong Huaqiong thought about how the Imperial Palace was a place well-furnished with attendants for the Imperial Grandson.
He wouldn’t experience cold or thirst.
Completely forgetting this was the Imperial Palace, Chen Sufen continued to advise him like any mother would her child who was not beside her.
It was evident that Chen Sufen truly regarded the Imperial Grandson as her own child.
The Imperial Grandson dutifully allowed Chen Sufen to tidy his clothes, humbly saying, "Mother, I understand, I’ll take good care of myself."
This attitude from the Imperial Grandson was truly heartbreaking.
Tears once again rolled down Chen Sufen’s cheeks.
Tong Huaqiong told the Imperial Grandson, "Your Highness, we’re leaving now. Mr. Su will accompany you in the palace every day."
Man Er, like a big sister, ruffled the Imperial Grandson’s hair and said, "In a while, Yaozu, Duo Er, and I will come to visit you in the palace again."
The Imperial Grandson nodded with a smile, watching Tong Huaqiong and the others leave the palace.
Outside the palace, most of the carriages had already left, leaving just the Min Family’s carriage quietly waiting at the palace gates.
Seeing Tong Huaqiong and her entourage coming out, Mrs. Min nudged her son and said, "Dajiao is right there, go over and meet her."
The Mighty General’s face turned red; his well-prepared mindset to meet crumbled the moment he saw Tong Huaqiong.
There’s a saying — the closer one gets to home, the more timid one becomes.
Yes, that was exactly how it felt.
Back then, when he had become a colonel, he detoured to Qinghe Bay after picking up his mother and sister from Black Dragon Pond, only to see the Gu Family’s yard from afar without daring to knock on the door.
He stood hidden among the trees for a long while, planning to greet her when Tong Dajiao appeared, to boast about becoming a colonel, and to ask if she regretted marrying into the Gu Family for fifty taels of silver.
But when Tong Dajiao did appear with a child and washbasin, all the courage of the Mighty General drained away, and he couldn’t bring himself to approach.
Now, he felt just like he did when he saw Tong Dajiao in Qinghe Bay.
Seeing that she had children, a daughter-in-law, and grandchildren by her side, and was flourishing like a tree with dense foliage, he felt he might not fit in.
"Mother, let’s go home and see her another day," the Mighty General said.
Mrs. Min, exasperated, gave the Mighty General a punch, saying, "You, who instill fear in the enemy as the Mighty General, are you really more afraid of Tong Dajiao than the enemy? Why can’t you face her?"
"Just watch me call her." Mrs. Min pulled back the carriage curtain, preparing to call out to Tong Huaqiong.
The Mighty General, terrified, ordered the coachman to drive away quickly from the palace gates.
Mrs. Min: "..."
Tong Huaqiong approached her family’s carriage, seeing the Min Family’s marked carriage swiftly passing by her.
The entire carriage seemed to leave an afterimage as it sped away.
"Isn’t this the Sui Feng Village Lady?"
A soft yet unmistakably contemptuous voice of a superior addressing an inferior sounded.