Chapter 616: The Demon Lord Junzhu's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 709: The Welcome

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

He gently touched the snowman and said softly to Shangguan Xingyan, "Uncle, let's go. Let's just leave the little snowman here alone to guard the home."

Shangguan Xingyan smiled and nodded in agreement. He took Xiao Jing'er's little hand, and together they turned and walked into the house.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the room, Qianqian was lying quietly on the bed.

She had just finished drinking the steaming hot red date milk tremella soup sent by Hua Hua; that warmth flowed down her throat, gradually dispelling the pain in her abdomen.

At this moment, she only felt her body was incomparably comfortable, her consciousness becoming increasingly hazy, and she soon sank into a sweet dreamland.

Qianqian slept very soundly this time, as if immersed in a beautiful dream, and did not wake up leisurely until near noon.

By this time, everyone else had long since prepared everything and had come together to wait in front of An Wang Fu to set out.

A coachman was seen driving a magnificently decorated carriage galloping toward this side; when it drew near, it came to a steady halt.

Shangguan Xingyu's gaze searched all around, but she never caught sight of Qianqian's familiar graceful figure, and a trace of doubt arose in her heart: "Huh? How come Qianqian has disappeared?"

Xiao Jing'er, standing beside Shangguan Xingyu, hurriedly spoke up to explain: "Auntie is feeling a bit unwell; she went back to the courtyard to rest." Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xingyu frowned slightly and asked further: "Oh? Where does she feel unwell?"

Shangguan Xingyan, standing to the side, answered first: "Today she accompanied Xiao Jing'er playing in the snow and building a snowman; perhaps she accidentally caught a chill, her stomach hurts a bit!"

Hearing this, Shangguan Xingyu suddenly understood — so that was it! Thinking about it, in this freezing cold weather, still playing in the snow, it must be that her menstruation came and she caught a chill.

Thus, Shangguan Xingyu no longer dwelled on this matter; after all, everyone knew perfectly well that Qianqian was fine, she just needed to rest properly.

And as elders, An Wang and An Wangfei naturally understood the reason even more clearly; regarding Qianqian's absence this time, they did not show much unusual emotion, but were instead very understanding and tolerant.

After a brief exchange of greetings, the group boarded their respective carriages one after another and continued on their journey.

Among them, An Wang and his wife rode in a spacious and luxurious carriage; while Yan Si, Shangguan Xingyu, Shangguan Xingyan, and Xiao Jing'er shared another, more exquisite carriage.

Just like that, the two carriages moved forward slowly one after the other along the official road, growing farther and farther away, until finally the carriages stopped on an open space outside the city gate. The moment they steadied, Shangguan Xingyu and Xiao Jing'er could no longer suppress their inner anxiety; they quickly jumped down from the carriage and walked straight toward the distance, gazing as if that would let them see the carriage they longed for day and night.

After the two got down, the rest of the people also followed suit, getting down from the carriage together.

An Wangfei noticed Shangguan Xingyu's cheeks were slightly flushed, and a surge of pity rose in her heart; she softly persuaded: "Yu'er, if you feel cold, you'd better go back and sit in the carriage. There are servants watching here; they will notify you the moment they arrive."

However, Shangguan Xingyu shook her head firmly, the light in her eyes impossible to conceal; she replied softly: "Thank you for your concern, Mother Consort, but even if I sit inside the carriage, I cannot be at ease. Rather, this freezing weather is more suitable for Mother Consort to return to the carriage compartment and rest for a while."

An Wangfei smiled slightly and comforted: "I expect they will arrive soon; let us wait here together then."

Seeing this, Shangguan Xingyu knew further persuasion would be futile, so she said no more.

Sure enough, as An Wangfei had guessed, not long after, a slightly old-looking carriage came slowly into view, followed closely by three more carriages.

These carriages were plain and unadorned in appearance, with neither gorgeous decorations nor any special insignia hung.

However, Shangguan Xingyu recognized that carriage at a single glance. Without a doubt, it must belong to her own father and mother!

The reason was none other than the overall design style of this carriage being very Dongying Guo — especially since that was the homeland where she had spent more than ten whole years!

When her gaze fell upon that carriage, an indescribable sense of intimacy welled up spontaneously.

Shangguan Xingyu excitedly pointed her finger at that approaching carriage and asked Shangguan Xingyan with a face full of anticipation: "Elder Brother, look, is that Father's carriage?"

Shangguan Xingyan likewise nodded without hesitation in reply: "Mm... I think it should be."

Just then, as the carriage drew nearer, one could clearly see a person sitting upright at the carriage edge; this person was none other than Eunuch Li Defu, whom Father trusted deeply!

The moment Eunuch Li Defu caught sight of Shangguan Xingyan, a flash of pleasant surprise flickered in his eyes.

He hurriedly signaled the coachman to halt the carriage steadily, and shouted at the top of his voice: "Young Master, Young Miss~" While shouting loudly, he waved his hand in greeting; at this very moment, the originally quiet carriage interior instantly stirred with commotion.

Hearing the sound, everyone poked their heads out to look; Shangguan Peilin was the first to spot her beloved daughter standing not far away.

The moment the carriage came to a stop, Shangguan Peilin could no longer contain her joy; she hurriedly walked down from the carriage with the support of Li Defu (that is, Eunuch Li). At the same time, the former Dongying Empress (Liu Jin) also slowly stepped out of the carriage under the careful attendance of her personal maid.

The instant Liu Jin saw Shangguan Xingyu, tears burst forth like a breached flood, utterly unstoppable. Her body trembled involuntarily, and she walked toward Shangguan Xingyu with faltering steps.

And the deep longing and attachment for her family that Shangguan Xingyu had been forcibly enduring and suppressing in her heart erupted like a volcano at this instant, reaching its peak!

She could finally no longer restrain the surging emotional waves in her heart; she strode forward and rushed over, tightly grasping Liu Jin's pair of hands that would not stop trembling from excitement.

At this moment, Liu Jin's eyes were already flooded with tears, her vision blurred, but she still struggled to reach out both hands, gently stroking Shangguan Xingyu's familiar and dear face. This touch was so real, not a dream, but living reality placed before her eyes.

Once, Liu Jin had naively thought that after her daughter married, she could at least return home to visit her parents once a year. But things turned out contrary to her wishes; ever since the little grandson was born, her daughter had been like someone trapped by invisible shackles, losing her freedom.

After all, the child was still young, unable to endure the hardship of long-distance travel; but if they left the child at home and only let the daughter return alone, Liu Jin truly could not set her mind at ease.

Just like that, day after day, year after year, time quietly slipped away, and Liu Jin never managed to see her beloved daughter again as she had wished.