Chapter 2, Going Home

Meili felt a pang in her nose, and ultimately could not restrain herself. She hurriedly ran out of the guarded gate, escaping from the Forbidden City that had confined her for over two years.

Meili knew that the already desolate Qian Wangfu had become even more avoided by everyone due to her confinement. After Sister Zhiqing passed away, Ziyu and Ruoyu had visited her twice, but it was likely that they were dissuaded and could no longer come. This kindness, akin to sending charcoal in the snow, left her truly at a loss for how to repay it. She shed tears and moved her lips a few times towards Ruoyu, yet the words of gratitude still could not be uttered, as a simple "thank you" felt too insipid.

Meili sat in the carriage, unable to resist lifting the curtain, gazing greedily at the bustling streets and the passersby. The memories of the cold palace flowed through her heart clearly, and the scene before her of this prosperous and noisy world seemed like a mirage. Tears uncontrollably streamed down her face, as the deep loneliness she had silently endured in the past suddenly rebounded fiercely in contrast to the sounds of the market and laughter, proving to be even more unbearable than being in a dead city.

It was Ziyu who spoke first, "I heard that you are going home today, and Ruoyu specifically came with me to the palace to see you. Look, he is outside talking to your old steward."

Is there still someone willing to marry her

If Ruoyu had her back to her and Uncle Hai while speaking, Uncle Hai noticed first, his expression changed, and his aged features wrinkled into a frown due to the sudden tears. "Gege!" He disregarded formalities and rushed towards Meili, embracing her tightly in his arms.

As the corners of her eyes grew warm, tears silently streamed down her cheeks on both sides. If there was still someone willing to marry her, she would definitely cherish and seize that opportunity. She longed for a family, desired children, and did not want to continue living in solitude, for she understood all too well the terror of loneliness.

"Uncle Hai, I will change into another set of clothes, let us go visit the old lady's family." Although she paid the price of freedom, she was truly remorseful. She glanced at the ancestral robe she was wearing; she had indeed changed. This was once her favorite water pink color, but now, wearing it, the bright hue made her feel very uncomfortable

Her room is still the same, but it is very tidy, and even the bedding is brand new. ... Meili gently lies down, it is so soft, such a thick and warm bed ... . ... She hasn't lain down for a long time. She closes her eyes, but cannot fall asleep.

Walking along the corridor between the palace walls, Meili took each step with great caution, fearing that if she relaxed even slightly, she would be unable to restrain herself and would run away.

The young maid named Jiang Liu, only twelve years old, was newly purchased by Uncle Hai upon hearing that she was to be released. Although she is clever and diligent, she is still unfamiliar with her surroundings and appears somewhat flustered.

Uncle Hai also realized his loss of composure, helping Mei Li to stand properly, and with a choked voice said: "Your Highness, over the past two years, we have greatly benefited from the various attentions of the couple, Prince Zi Yu and his wife, towards our household. They are truly kind-hearted people"

"Child... you have suffered!" Uncle Hai cried with tears streaming down his face, gasping and choking on his words

For two years, she has not stepped out of the dilapidated courtyard of the Anning Hall even once

If Ruoyu continued to wipe her tears with a handkerchief, unable to bear seeing the two of them cry any longer, she stepped forward and advised: "Meili, Uncle Hai, today is a joyful day, why do you keep crying?"

If ... ...

Uncle Hai! Meili tightly embraced him. Having lost her parents at a young age, although Uncle Hai was a servant, he had raised her single-handedly through hardship and adversity, and their bond was even stronger than that of a grandparent and grandchild

She sighed quietly, not just for Ziyu; there have been too many events over the past two years. Who still resembles their youthful self?

Excitement ... . ... A bit, bittersweet, but mostly confusion

The Wang residence is not far from the imperial city, and it did not take long to reach her home, which she had been away from for two years. Uncle Hai stopped the carriage outside the main gate, and more than twenty servants of the Wang residence knelt at the entrance to welcome the young master back.

At the small gate by the Xihua Gate, she unexpectedly saw Ziyu! She almost did not recognize him; when he came to see her with his sister Ziqing before, she only felt that he had grown up. Now, he appeared to be a completely unfamiliar man. His handsome features remained, but the demeanor characteristic of someone accustomed to wielding power had replaced the youthful innocence he once had. ... He ... has become quite formidable. His handsome features remained, but the demeanor characteristic of someone accustomed to wielding power had replaced the youthful innocence he once had. ... He ... has become quite formidable.

Well, then it's nothing. She nodded slowly. I am a bit tired

If Ruoyu did not want her to express her gratitude, instead, he pushed her onto the car, "Hurry home. I will look back at you later"

Meili was momentarily lost in thought. In the past, Uncle Hai despised Jingxuan the most... because he had caused her to lose face. She chuckled softly, realizing it was not that he did not give her face, but rather that she shamelessly clung to him. Now, he had reclaimed her family assets and had neatly resolved the troubles she had caused. Uncle Hai had a greatly changed impression of him; previously, he would refer to Jingxuan as that little brat he had watched grow up, but now he even addressed him as Prince.

Meili looked around at the residence where she was born and raised. Compared to before she left, it had been better maintained; the main entrance and the surrounding walls had been renovated and repainted. Although the age could not be concealed, it was no longer as dilapidated as it had been in the past. She carefully observed the servants who came to greet her, some of whom she recognized and others who were new.

Oh, oh! Then hurry back to your room to rest. Uncle Hai flusteredly called for the servants to get moving, each attending to their duties, while he and a young maid whom Meili did not know led the way.

Oh, no need. Prince Jingxuan has given that family a substantial amount of settlement money, allowing them to return to their hometown to live.

During her time in the Anning Hall, she endured great suffering, constantly hoping to escape this living tomb. However, once she finally emerged, she found herself at a loss as to what to hope for or think about.

Uncle Hai whispered in her ear, as the income from land rent over the past two years has made the days at the Qianwang Mansion considerably more comfortable than before

He was also looking at her, and from his somewhat surprised gaze, Meili knew that he, like her, was lamenting the changes that time had wrought upon them. She nodded and smiled at him, yet did not know what to say. The person who should have been very familiar to her had become distant after such a long separation. There was no longer a topic to discuss