Chapter 1590 - 1437: The Fake Commandery Princess 47
The Chief Eunuch was quite troubled about Ye Shuangshuang wanting to change carriages and reduce the entourage: "Princess, the carriages in our mansion were specially bestowed by the Emperor, and they are all like this.
If you use an ordinary carriage, that’s for servants and absolutely unfit for a Princess like you, who is revered. Those serving and guarding you on your journey are indispensable."
Ye Shuangshuang felt a bit helpless. She didn’t mind riding in a servant’s carriage, but if she actually did, she would certainly be criticized and belittled, and the Emperor and Empress who uplifted her would lose face.
Ye Shuangshuang had no choice but to ride the luxurious and ostentatious carriage. However, she was resolute in not taking so many people with her and left with just two palace maids, two eunuchs, and five guards.
The Chief Eunuch was still hesitant: "Princess, it’s too few people for you to travel with, and your procession, it’s about the honor of being a Princess; you should bring it."
"I’m visiting Prince Nan Mansion, essentially going home, there’s no need for such so-called honor, this will do." Ye Shuangshuang ignored the Chief Eunuch’s disapproval and left with her entourage.
The carriage she rode was already ostentatious enough. If she went to Prince Nan Mansion with a grand procession, it would be as if she was flaunting intentionally, and it wouldn’t sound good if word got out.
Ye Shuangshuang had beforehand sent word that she would be returning to Prince Nan Mansion, so by the time she arrived, the main gate was already open, with Housekeeper Zhang waiting outside.
Now as a Princess, Shuangshuang holds a superior status, comparable to Prince Nan’s title, receives a royal salary, and is singularly favored by the Emperor. Naturally, she should enter through the main gate.
Before Shuangshuang could even get down from the carriage, the housekeeper warmly greeted her. This housekeeper was quite kind to Shuangshuang.
After Shuangshuang was found not to be a biological daughter of Prince Nan Mansion, the servants had grown slack, but it was this housekeeper’s reprimand that prevented Shuangshuang from being looked down upon by the servants.
In her past life, when Shuangshuang was sent to fend for herself at the manor, it was this housekeeper who personally went to discipline the manor’s people, ensuring her life there wasn’t too difficult.
Now, the housekeeper approached and prepared to kneel in salute: "Little one greets the young lady." The tone was quite familiar, using her old form of address.
Shuangshuang’s expression softened as she gently raised her hand to prevent the housekeeper from kneeling: "Housekeeper Zhang, there’s no need for such formalities. If you call me ’young lady,’ let’s keep everything as it was before."
Previously in Prince Nan Mansion, the housekeeper only needed to give a slight bow to Shuangshuang, no need for kneeling.
Shuangshuang’s lack of formality made the housekeeper’s smile more genuine and happy: "Young lady, you are finally back. This morning, Prince and Princess have been constantly talking about you."
As they spoke, they led Shuangshuang inside. Not far from the entrance, Qin Peijun and Zhao Wan came to welcome her, both dressed in casual clothes.
To welcome someone in casual attire is impolite if they’re unfamiliar, but with familiar ones, it signifies closeness. For family, there’s no need for formalities.
Now, Qin Peijun and Zhao Wan’s attire clearly signified intimacy. Parents seeing their daughter naturally don’t need to adhere to protocol, just as their daughter coming home doesn’t need to wear formal clothes either, so Shuangshuang was also dressed casually.
Upon seeing Qin Peijun and Zhao Wan, Shuangshuang was the first to step forward quickly, kneeling directly: "Father, Mother, your unfilial daughter Shuangshuang is here to see you."
Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun’s eyes also moistened as they helped Shuangshuang up, one on each side, with Zhao Wan wiping her tears and holding Shuangshuang’s hand: "You child, you’ve been gone for years, your mother missed you so much."
Qin Peijun also said, "It’s good that you’re back, now stay for a few more days at home. Your courtyard has always been kept for you by your mother."
Shuangshuang was also very emotional: "Since I left Father and Mother, not a day has gone by without thinking of you. Alas, Nanzhao is too far, wanting to return but unable, only left with empty longing.
This time, having the chance to return to the capital, yet always occupied with treating His Majesty in the palace, unable to meet Father and Mother in time, my heart always was longing but to no avail.
Finally having some free time, your daughter couldn’t wait to come home to see you and ease the pain of longing. Father, Mother, in the time I’ve been away, have you been well?"
"How could we be well? Children are the heart and soul of parents, and with the heart so far from home, how could worrying parents be at peace?"
Zhao Wan, still with red eyes, replied, having completely forgotten the earlier times when the family’s joyful life meant they barely mentioned Shuangshuang.
In the past, they even scoffed at the gifts Shuangshuang sent from Nanzhao, showing no concern for her plight, now acting as if their thoughts were always with her.
"Your daughter has also longed for you both, just that circumstances were beyond my control. Fortunately, your daughter has returned to the capital now, and there’ll be ample opportunities to spend time with you."
The three poured their hearts out, full of affection, while the surrounding servants had moved expressions. Seeing the right moment, Nanny Wan, who rose to become Zhao Wan’s close confidante by being an informant, stepped forward to console.
"Prince, Princess, it’s a good thing that the young lady is back, we should be happy, not so somber."
After saying this, she turned to Shuangshuang: "Young lady, Princess has already ordered top-quality dishes to be prepared, all of your favorites, to nourish you well."
Shuangshuang looked at Zhao Wan with gratitude: "Your daughter’s visit back has truly troubled Mother."
Zhao Wan, full of motherly affection, held Shuangshuang’s hand: "Oh, what trouble? As a mother, no matter how tiring it is for my children, it’s all worthwhile.
It’s just a pity that your two brothers can’t return from the barracks. You siblings can’t gather together."
"Both brothers are future pillars of the nation, there’s no need for them to make a special trip for me. We’ll have plenty of chances to meet in the future, this small moment doesn’t matter."
Qin Peijun and Zhao Wan’s two sons were far away in the military. To say Qin Peijun was insightful, he knew that although Prince Nan Mansion was once a royal, generations later, the relationship with the Royal Family grew distant.
If they couldn’t have outstanding descendants, they’d only drift further from the center of power, eventually fading among the nobility. Thus, when his sons came of age, Qin Peijun arranged for them to hone themselves in the military.
Initially, Qin Peijun wanted his sons to pursue academics, but unfortunately, neither was inclined to study, so they were sent to the military.
Ye Shuangshuang’s relationship with these two brothers was actually quite distant. As children, the brothers were in the front yard, learning from their literary and martial masters, separate from Shuangshuang.
As they grew older, adhering to customs, boys and girls were segregated, so the siblings hardly saw each other. Later, with both in the military, Shuangshuang saw them even less.