Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 195 Returning Home
As soon as the carriage entered Fengqiu Gate of Kyoto, Rong Wanyin lifted the curtain and immediately saw her family members who had been waiting by the city gate.

"Third Brother, Fourth Brother!" Rong Wanyin jumped off the carriage and ran over before it had even come to a complete stop.

Rong Wanyin's father's branch of the Rong family had five children: Rong Junye, Rong Junqian, Rong Junheng, and Rong Juntai. It wasn't until the fifth child that Rong Wanyin was born. The second son, Rong Junqian, and the third son, Rong Junheng, were twins, but their personalities were completely different—one quiet, the other active. Aside from their similar appearances, they had no other resemblance. The grandfather said that the fourth son's scholarly air was more like the second son's; however, the maternal grandfather, General Fan, said that this child should practice martial arts more and not become dull-witted from studying.

Fourth Brother Rong Juntai was only one year older than Rong Wanyin, and still had a somewhat childish appearance. He was very fair-skinned. He scooped Rong Wanyin up to prevent her from falling and said with a helpless smile, "It's been almost half a year since I last saw you. Why are you still so clumsy?"

"You talk like you're much older than me!" Rong Wanyin pouted at him. "You look like a handsome young man, but when you open your mouth you're like a scruffy, old man, all mature and uncouth. You only look like him because you're with your second brother every day!"

Fourth Brother Rong Juntai feigned anger: "Hey, you little brat, I'm still your brother, and your mouth is getting sharper and sharper! Third Brother, you need to control her!"

Third Brother Rong Junheng clapped his hands and laughed: "How can I control her! She was even more mischievous than me when we were little."

Rong Wanyin grabbed her third brother's arm and leaned close to him affectionately: "Third brother, what brings you here today? Did you skip class?"

Third Brother Rong Junheng was a little embarrassed and touched the tip of his nose: "No classes."

“Nonsense, if I didn’t have class, would my second brother not come to pick me up?” Rong Wanyin exposed him without any mercy.

Third Brother Rong Junheng raised his hand: "As long as there is no lesson in your heart, then there is no lesson!"

Fourth Brother Rong Juntai was somewhat surprised: "Third Brother, you dare to skip Mr. Sun's class? I asked our teacher for leave, you didn't ask for leave, did you?"

Third Brother Rong Junheng sighed softly: "Alas, that old scholar, that stubborn old man, do you think he'll agree to let me ask for leave? I have no choice but to act first and ask for permission later! I'm risking my life for Yin'er..."

Rong Juntian and Rong Wanyin looked at Rong Junheng with sympathy, and clicked their tongues twice: "You're finished. Don't even mention that old scholar, just your second brother coming back from school will be enough to give you a hard time!"

Rong Junheng was clearly not a thoughtful or far-sighted person. He waved his hand and said, "Hey, things will work themselves out. Let's not talk about those unhappy things. Let's hurry home. Grandfather, maternal grandfather, and mother are all waiting for us at home!"

"Hmm!" Rong Wanyin turned around and saw Yan Mingzhang, Moyun, and Changfeng still standing there. She smiled a little embarrassedly. "By the way, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, this is Lord Yan Mingzhang, and also Changfeng and Moyun."

Rong Wanyin didn't know why, but seeing her relatives today made her a little shy, as if she had been caught doing something wrong: "Sir, these are my third brother and fourth brother..."

"Lord Yan, I've heard so much about you! My name is Rong Juntian. I've often heard my second brother mention you! You are a role model for us scholars!" Rong Juntian's eyes shone brightly, his face full of joy. "Third brother! Look! I've met Lord Yan Mingzhang!"

Rong Junheng felt somewhat embarrassed and cupped his hands, saying, "My name is Rong Junheng. Lord Yan, I'm sorry. My younger brother admires you and his second brother the most, so he was a bit out of line today. Please forgive him..."

Although Rong Junheng is usually carefree and irresponsible, he still has to act like an older brother when it matters, so as not to be laughed at by others.

“It’s alright…” Yan Mingzhang smiled faintly, looking down.

Rong Juntian wanted to say something more, but Rong Junheng pulled him away, gave him a warning look, and turned to Yan Mingzhang, saying, "Lord Yan, we'll head back now. Our elders are waiting for us. We apologize."

"Please go ahead..." Yan Mingzhang gestured for them to leave, watching them go. His gaze lingered on Rong Wanyin for a moment, a hint of reluctance in his heart. He didn't know when they would meet again after this parting. Just then, he saw Rong Wanyin turn back to look at him. Their eyes met, and both of them turned their heads away shyly.

Yan Mingzhang coughed a few times to ease the awkwardness. Mo Yun and Chang Feng exchanged a glance and suppressed their laughter. "Go back... stop laughing!" Yan Mingzhang rolled his eyes at them, then couldn't help but look at the Rong family's procession of carriages in the distance. He felt a pang of sadness. If his parents were still alive, would they have come to pick him up? Just then, he heard the sound of carriages behind him.

"Zhang'er!" Suddenly someone called out to Yan Mingzhang. Yan Mingzhang looked up and saw a carriage speeding towards him. The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and inside was a graceful and elegant woman.

The carriage had barely come to a stop when the woman hurriedly got off.

Yan Mingzhang and the others hurriedly went to greet them.

"Mother……"

"lady!"

The noblewoman was dressed in a brocade robe with a lotus pattern, and a red gold hairpin adorned her hair. She exuded elegance and nobility, yet her eyes and brows were full of gentleness. This noblewoman was Wang, the wife of Yan Lizhe, the head of the Yan family. Yan Mingzhang had been adopted by his uncle Yan Lizhe's lineage when he was five years old. The couple had only one child, whom they treated as their own.

Yan Mingzhang felt a lump in his throat and his eyes reddened. Yes, he also had family waiting for him.

Yan Mingzhang rushed forward, about to bow, but was stopped by Wang Shi: "Why should we, mother and son, bother with these formalities?"

Yan Mingzhang's eyes welled up with tears, and his throat tightened: "Mother, why are you here? The weather is so hot, what if you get heatstroke? I heard you haven't been feeling well lately and should be resting at home."

Wang scolded, "You've been gone for more than half a year. I miss my son, can't I come? Besides, he's not that delicate, he's not made of paper."

Madam Wang then looked at Moyun and Changfeng: "Moyun, Changfeng, you must be tired from your journey. The servants have prepared beds for you. After you finish eating, get some rest and a good night's sleep."

"Thank you, Madam!" Mo Yun and Chang Feng bowed in gratitude.

Mo Yun kept looking behind Wang Shi, who smiled and nodded at him: "Go on, your mother is waiting for you!"

Mo Yun then smiled broadly and ran back, calling out, "Mother!"

A simply dressed woman came forward, wiped away her tears, and smiled, "Mo Yun! You've lost weight..."

Wang looked at Changfeng, took his hand, and asked, "Changfeng, was the journey smooth?"

Changfeng understood that Madam Wang was afraid he would be reminded of the past, so he lowered his head and smiled, pretending that he didn't care: "Madam, you don't need to worry about me. I'm used to it, I'm not sad..."

“Silly child…” Madam Wang’s eyes reddened slightly as she squeezed Changfeng’s hand tenderly. Yes, how could she get used to this? Even after a long time, it would still hurt to think about it. “Although you and Zhang’er address each other as master and servant, in my heart, you and Zhang’er are both my children.”

"Changfeng understands!"

Before the group could exchange a few pleasantries, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from behind. A royal eunuch in scarlet official robes rode up at breakneck speed, followed by several imperial guards, looking quite imposing.

The eunuch delivering the decree suddenly pulled on the reins in front of them and shouted, "Yan Mingzhang, receive the decree!"