AMLFS Chapter 119

Chapter 120: Returning to the Mansion

When the Empress’s grand procession appeared at the entrance of the Song Mansion, the Song family members were filled with a mix of confusion and anxiety.

This anxiety had begun yesterday when they received the news that the Empress would be visiting the Song Mansion. The reason for their unease was that palace rules dictated that the Empress could not leave the palace at will.

And Song Huaixi had only entered the Imperial Palace a few days ago, yet he was already returning. It was inevitable that they would worry if something had happened in the palace.

The family waited in front of the gate, watching the golden and resplendent palanquin, unique to the Empress, slowly approach.

Before the palanquin had even come to a complete stop, Song Huaixi impatiently lifted the curtain, revealing an excited face, and shouted towards the people in front of the mansion gate, “Father, Mother! Older brother and sister-in-law! Huaixi missed you all so much!”

Seeing him radiant and full of energy, the anxiety in everyone’s hearts immediately dissipated by more than half. They hurriedly stepped forward to welcome him.

“Your Majesty, the Empress, why have you returned?” Lin Rugui quickly stepped forward, wanting to ask what was going on. What exactly was happening?

“Mother? Why don’t you call me Huaixi anymore?” Slightly taken aback, Lin Rugui’s address made him feel somewhat unfamiliar. Song Huaixi pursed his lips, puzzled, “They all call me that in the palace, why do you have to call me that too, Mother?”

“Silly child.” Listening to his somewhat childish question, Lin Rugui smiled and explained, “Huaixi, now that you have a noble status, we naturally cannot be disrespectful.”

Seeing a large group of palace servants behind him, Song Zigen said, “Let’s not stand outside, let’s go inside and talk.”

Song Huaixi entered the Song Mansion and discovered that his original home seemed to have undergone a complete transformation. It had become wider and more beautiful.

“Is this our home?” Song Huaixi looked around, extremely surprised, “It’s so beautiful!”

The originally square courtyards had now become open and spacious, and the blue bricks on the ground were smooth and clean, reflecting a faint luster under the sunlight. Several ancient and vigorous pines and cypresses were planted in the garden, their shadows scattered, carrying a sense of simplicity and tranquility.

Further inside, antique lanterns hung under the exquisite eaves of the corridor. The carvings on the doors and windows were exquisite and intricate.

Song Huaixi walked among them, looking and touching, his eyes wide. He didn’t expect his home to have changed so much.

Seeing his surprise, Zhao Qiongwan smiled, “What? Didn’t Chun Hua and Zhao Lu tell you? These were all added by the Emperor.”

“Zhao Fangye? Zhao Fangye is so good!”

Knowing that these were all done by Zhao Fangye for the Song family, Song Huaixi’s heart couldn’t help but feel sweet.

When Chun Hua and Zhao Lu said that some things had been added to the house, he thought they were just small items. He didn’t expect that when he actually saw it, it was a complete transformation.

Seeing the sweetness on his face, Zhao Qiongwan teased, “Yes, yes, yes, this is all thanks to Huaixi. The Emperor loves everything about you.”

At the dinner table, the family asked Song Huaixi if he was doing well in the Imperial Palace. Chun Hua and Zhao Lu, who had returned with him, replied, “Her Majesty is doing very well in the palace, and the Emperor dotes on Her Majesty very much.”

Song Huaixi’s cheeks were red and somewhat shy. Seeing him like this, the family was relieved. It seemed he was doing well.

He looked even better than when he hadn’t returned to the capital. It seemed that the pampered life in the Imperial Palace was truly nourishing. He looked increasingly round and jade-like.

“Huaixi, then what is the reason for your return this time?” Lin Rugui, who hadn’t gotten an answer earlier, brought it up again at this time.

She was always uneasy without knowing the reason.

At home, unlike in the Imperial Palace, Song Huaixi was more at ease and didn’t need to pay attention to his demeanor at all times.

“I… I’m just bored… I missed Mother.” Song Huaixi couldn’t think so much. He chewed vaguely, saying, “Zhao Fangye said that I can come back whenever I want.”

This…..

The family looked at each other, all surprised at Zhao Fangye’s excessive indulgence towards Song Huaixi. How could the mother of a country return whenever she wanted? Wouldn’t that be too improper?

Lin Rugui and Song Zigen exchanged glances, exchanging eye contact. Then, Song Zigen said with a smile, “Huaixi, why do you miss home? Isn’t the palace good?”

“Um…” Song Huaixi put down his chopsticks and frowned, thinking, “It’s not bad either, the palace is also very good.”

“The palace is very beautiful, the houses are many and big. The snacks in the palace are also delicious. Zhao Fangye is also very good to me. But…”

Song Huaixi hesitated for a while, not knowing what to say, “But… no one talks… Zhao Fangye is very busy, I feel very lonely…”

Hearing his words, everyone fell silent.

After all, the Imperial Palace was not as comfortable as home. It was normal for Song Huaixi to feel lonely. After all, the only person he could rely on in the palace was Zhao Fangye.

Once he left Zhao Fangye, his center of life would be gone. But Zhao Fangye was the ruler of a country and could not indulge in romantic affairs all day long.

Song Zigen recalled his instructions to him in Hanzhou. At that time, he had foreseen it. Obviously, this child had not listened. He could not help but reiterate it to him again.

“Huaixi.” Song Zigen looked at him with his slightly aged but loving eyes, “Do you remember what your father told you before?”

“What did you say?” Song Huaixi bit his chopsticks, “Father, you have said many things to me before.”

Song Zigen smiled gently, “Silly child. Father once told you that you can’t always revolve around the Emperor. Life is so long, you should find something you like to do. That way you won’t be lonely.”

“Oh!” Song Huaixi dug out their conversation from his memory, “I remember!”

It was just that he had just reunited with Zhao Fangye at that time, and Song Zigen’s words were so profound that he didn’t remember much in the end. Now that he heard Song Zigen mention it again, he truly understood.

Supporting his chin with his hand, Song Huaixi was a little troubled, “Then what should I do?”

“This! You can just think about it slowly.” Lin Rugui put vegetables in his bowl, “Eat quickly, and accompany mother to talk for a while after the meal.”

Before the palace gates closed, Song Huaixi was picked up by Zhao Fangye and taken back to the palace. He thought that Song Huaixi’s mood would be better after playing at home for a day.

Unexpectedly, Song Huaixi frowned, not knowing what he was thinking. He was often distracted during dinner.

“What’s wrong? Absent-minded.” After finishing the meal, the two sat on the soft couch in the Imperial Study, Zhao Fangye pinching his chin, “Were you unhappy going home?”

“Happy!” Coming back to his senses, Song Huaixi went up and pecked him on the lips, “Thank you, our house has become so beautiful.”

Smiling and touching his cheek, Zhao Fangye intertwined his fingers with his, “Then why are you so dazed, what are you thinking about?”

“I’m thinking about what to do. Father said that I can’t always revolve around you. I have to find something to do.” Song Huaixi spoke without any scruples.

If he didn’t know what kind of person Song Zigen was, Zhao Fangye would have suspected that he was trying to sow discord.

In the Song Mansion, Song Zigen suddenly yawned. He muttered, “Strange, could it be that someone is speaking ill of me?”