Jun Mo and his entourage had traveled for nearly ten days when they finally saw the gates of the Imperial Capital.
The main army was stationed outside the city, while Wei Xiyong led a portion of the troops to begin their entry.
Only after they had departed did a carriage enter the city, heading towards the Minister's Estate.
Looking at Jun Mo, who was seated on the opposite side, Su Li smiled and asked, "Why aren't you returning with them? The Emperor and all the officials must be waiting on the Grand Avenue to welcome the victorious army."
Jun Mo leisurely took a sip of tea. "What's good about being gawked at like monkeys? This Prince doesn't care for such occasions."
Su Li couldn't help but laugh.
The Emperor, as a father, truly had a weary heart.
It was one thing for the Third Prince not to return to the capital, but this one returned and didn't even show his face.
To not report back after a war—it was fortunate the Emperor knew his sons' dispositions well enough not to dwell on it.
As the carriage drove past the entrance to the Grand Avenue, the distant cheers of the populace could still be heard.
Mo Yang took a circuitous route, bypassing the Grand Avenue and moving away from the clamor.
"Prince, Princess Consort, we've arrived at the Minister's Estate."
Jun Mo disembarked first, then carefully helped Su Li down from the carriage.
"The Young Miss is back! The Young Miss is back!"
The gatekeeper didn't even have time to pay his respects before turning and dashing into the estate.
Su Li chuckled, looking at Jun Mo. "Ziyan, please come in and sit for a while."
Jun Mo nodded. "Having been away for so long, I should indeed pay my respects to Aunt. Let's go."
The two entered one after another, and the entire estate erupted with excitement under the gatekeeper's booming announcement.
Everyone rushed out to pay their respects to Su Li.
Just as they entered the front courtyard, Madam Su hurried over, cradling a chubby, fair-skinned Little Yu in her arms.
Su Li quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"Mother, your daughter has returned safely."
Madam Su handed Little Yu to the wet nurse behind her, scrutinized her daughter from head to toe, then pulled her into a tight embrace.
"You girl, gone for two months! You nearly worried your father and me to death!"
"Mother, didn't I send letters to report my safety?"
Madam Su said, "You always report good news and hide worries. What could those letters tell me? Were you going to an ordinary place? That was a battlefield! Only a girl like you would be so bold."
Jun Mo stepped forward with a smile, bowing respectfully. "Ziyan greets Aunt. It is Ziyan who caused Li'er hardship."
Madam Su released her daughter and appraised her future son-in-law.
"You seem a little darker, but you look more spirited. Both of you, come inside and sit. Wang Xia, quickly go and tell the kitchen to prepare more dishes to replenish our Young Miss and His Highness. On the battlefield, it must have been nothing but cold water and hard buns." Madam Su quickly turned to instruct the maid.
Su Li chuckled. "Cold water and hard buns"? While Lan'an wasn't as comfortable as home, their provisions were abundant; it wasn't that difficult at all.
Looking at Little Yu, who was in the wet nurse's arms, gnawing on his chubby little hand and curiously staring at them with his round eyes, Su Li's face immediately bloomed into a smile.
"Little Yu, come, big sister will give you a hug. Little fatty, do you still recognize your big sister?"
Su Li gathered Little Yu into her embrace. After two months apart, the boy had grown another full size, like a rising steamed bun, and had become heavier too.
Little Yu was six months old by now. He didn't fuss in Su Li's arms, content to chew on his own hand.
"Little Yu, big sister bought you lots of fun toys. I'll give them to you later, alright?"
The group walked into the estate, chatting and laughing. The usually quiet Su Estate instantly buzzed with life again.
Madam Su, still worried, personally went to the kitchen.
"Young Miss!"
Su Li looked up and saw Si Qin and two other maids hurrying over.
"Young Miss, you're back!" Zhi Shu exclaimed happily.
Su Li smiled and nodded. "Yes, I'm back. My three maids, two months apart, and you've grown even more beautiful."
The maids were overjoyed, but then their Young Miss opened her mouth and sounded like a lecher.
Si Qin glanced at Prince Jing behind Su Li and said, "Young Miss, it's a good thing Madam isn't here."
Su Li laughed. "I'm speaking the truth; I'd say it even if Mother were here. Oh, and I brought gifts for all of you too. Have someone bring them back to the courtyard, and you can help me put them away."
"Yes, Young Miss!"
"Young Miss, I'll go make you some snacks. You must not have eaten or slept well while you were away. You need a good replenishment now that you're home." Zhi Shu said, then turned to leave.
Su Li turned to Ziyan. "Why do they make it sound like I've come back from a refugee camp?"
Heaven knows she only had a bit of hardship on the road to Lan'an, but even that wasn't overly strenuous. Mo Yun took excellent care of her, and Mo Yu often managed to hunt wild game.
Once in Lan'an, Jun Mo even prioritized giving her all the best things. Besides, the Lan'an City Lord's Residence wasn't poor.
She truly hadn't suffered much.
Jun Mo smiled. "Normal people consider the battlefield arduous. Besides, Li'er truly has thinned down."
Su Li held Little Yu, standing in the main courtyard for a while, and truly felt her arms ache.
"Let's go inside. This boy is really heavy."
Little Yu appropriately made two 'oh-oh' sounds. Su Li lowered her head, coaxing him as she walked inside.
Upon entering the room, Si Qin brought in tea and fresh fruit.
Su Li placed Little Yu on the soft cushion inside the room, letting him play by himself. She picked up her tea, took a sip, and sighed, "The tea I brought was taken by my cousin. It's been so long since I've had this tea. Home is truly comfortable."
Jun Mo watched her take a bite of fruit, her eyes narrowing in satisfaction, much like a cat napping in the sun. His hand suddenly felt a little itchy.
As Su Li was eating her fruit, Jun Mo reached out and ruffled the top of her head.
"Stop ruffling, it's all messy." Su Li dodged his large hand, then casually tucked a fruit into his palm.
Jun Mo took the fruit, then placed it back on the table.
"Aren't you eating it?"
Jun Mo said, "It's a bit sour."
"Sweet and sour is the best! Oh, right, aren't you going back to the palace to report, or pay your respects to Consort De?" Su Li asked.
Jun Mo replied, "Aunt is keeping me for dinner. I'll enter the palace after we've finished eating."
Su Li nodded.
The two chatted in the room, and soon the dishes were served.
It was clear the kitchen had put thought into it; the meal was very lavish.
The group had just finished eating and were drinking tea to aid digestion when Mo Yang rushed in.
"Master, a message from the palace. There's a grand banquet tonight to welcome the army, and all officials and their family members of fourth rank and above must attend. The Emperor commands your mandatory presence, otherwise..."
Jun Mo interjected, "Otherwise, he won't acknowledge this unfilial son of his?"
Mo Yang replied, "Yes."
Su Li burst out laughing. It seemed this threat had been uttered more than once.
Su Li said, "I'll go into the palace with you later. I brought a gift for Consort De, and I'll deliver it to her shortly."
"You two go. Your mother won't be going; Little Yu can't be left alone," Madam Su said.
Jun Mo said, "Aunt, please rest assured. After the palace banquet, Ziyan will personally escort Li'er back to the estate."
Madam Su nodded. "Ziyan handles things, Aunt is very much at ease."
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