After understanding these matters, Su Ze's mindset calmed as he urged his horse forward, gently calling out to Su Xiaoqi, "Xiaoqi, I'm back!"
Su Xiaoqi was somewhat surprised by Su Ze's change in attitude towards her.
Before, Su Ze would also call her Xiaoqi, but the feeling was different. She sensed his release and letting go. She paused, and it took her a while to react after hearing him call her. She flashed a bright smile and went to meet him, "Aze."
"Xiaoqi, you've worked hard," Su Ze said, lowering his head. He had previously blamed her the moment he saw her, even accusing her of being materialistic. He never expected she had done so much behind his back. He truly shouldn't have.
Su Xiaoqi's mindset was quite ordinary. She pointed to the carriage behind them and also bowed to him, saying he had worked hard. She had been worried about encountering dangers on their journey north. If she had known Su Ze would accompany them, she wouldn't have worried.
Upon their arrival, the entire family was reunited. At this moment, Chen Jia'an also dismounted from the carriage to pay his respects. It was on the official road leading into the city, and it wasn't convenient to stop the carriages for too long. The group suppressed their desire to reminisce, exchanged greetings, and proceeded normally into the city.
The courtyard had been prepared long ago. It was still next to the supermarket. These matters were naturally handled by Xiao Yi. He had used the dividend silver that Su Xiaoqi had distributed during the New Year to purchase a three-courtyard residence next to the supermarket. It had over thirty rooms. Everyone could choose one, and there were even extras. A string of carriages drove into the courtyard. About twenty people disembarked. There were Su Xiaoqi's subordinates, Chen Jia'an, Granny Wen, and Zhao Xiaozhu. Xiao Yi and the others arranged for Chen Jia'an's accommodation.
Su Xiaoqi happily went forward and embraced the two. "It's wonderful that Aunt Wen has come. I was worried you wouldn't want to come to the capital," Su Xiaoqi said with great joy. Granny Wen had originally returned to her hometown to live out her retirement. When she heard that Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun were coming to the capital, she had expressed her reluctance to come. For others, this was a place of prosperity, but for her, it was a place of sorrow. She hadn't expected to still come.
"Auntie came for me," Zhao Xiaozhu stepped forward to answer at the opportune moment. She was wearing a Shu brocade silk dress, her hair tied high up, with two strands casually draped over her chest from behind her ears, making her look both cute and mischievous. Su Xiaoqi stepped forward and hugged her, "Xiaozhu, long time no see."
"Sister Xiaoqi, long time no see. I missed you very much. We all missed you very much," Zhao Xiaozhu gestured to a group of people standing behind, preparing to come forward and pay their respects. Su Xiaoqi nodded, "I missed you all too." Sometimes she missed them so much she couldn't sleep, worrying about them. And she wasn't by their side. At other times, she couldn't help but think that there was no need to worry; they had all grown up and learned so much, they would always know what to do.
Someone shouted, "Let's thank Sister Xiaoqi!" And then, everyone rushed over. Xiao Yi, who had come to the capital earlier, along with Xiao Xique, Xiao Sanzi, Xiao Liu, and Xiao Shi, converged with Xiao Wu and Xiao Shi who had come to the capital this time, kneeling in two neat rows. "Thank you, Sister Xiaoqi..." The loud voices echoed in unison. Su Xiaoqi quickly went forward to help them up. "Don't do this. We are all equals. There's no need to kneel, no need to kneel." She truly didn't adhere to such formalities here. However, Xiao Yi and the others were very firm and insisted on completing the kowtow. Su Xiaoqi had no choice but to let them.
Shen Yun, who had been left to the side, understood everyone's feelings. For over two years, he had stayed by Su Xiaoqi's side, watching her lead everyone from having nothing to striving and achieving immense wealth and making a fortune daily. It was easy to hear about, but there were not a few hardships experienced in the process. They had supported and helped each other through it all, and their bond was undeniable.
After a period of catching up and sharing their experiences since parting, the process took a full hour. Finally, Xiao Yi, seeing that it was getting late and the food from Zuifeng Tower was about to arrive, reminded everyone that they hadn't washed up yet. Su Xiaoqi looked at their travel-worn appearance and reluctantly told them to first choose their rooms, freshen up, and then come out for the welcoming banquet. The twin sisters, not having seen Su Xiaoqi for a long time, pounced into her arms, clinging to her and unwilling to leave. Su Xiaoqi and Zhang Yu each held one and escorted them back to the rooms arranged by Xiao Yi before they relented.
After settling her brothers and sisters, Su Xiaoqi then turned her attention to Chen Jia'an's accommodation. The residence was ready. Su Xiaoqi had previously purchased a three-courtyard residence under Chen Jinniang's name, not far away in Sihui Lane. After Chen Jia'an visited the place, he took his household staff there. They agreed to come for dinner later.
Half an hour later, after everyone had seen their rooms and freshened up a bit, they all gathered in the front courtyard hall. The originally spacious hall now felt crowded with nearly thirty people. Su Xiaoqi formally met them one by one, presenting them with the gifts she had meticulously prepared. She told them to wait in the front courtyard after receiving their gifts. She had set up three tables outdoors there. The banquet dishes bought by Zhang Yu and Zhang Lei from Zuifeng Tower had arrived. The group had a lively reunion dinner. Everyone was still children, and after all the commotion, they were tired. After eating and chatting for a while, they retired to their rooms one after another to rest.
Left behind were Su Ze, Xiao Yi, Chen Jia'an, Granny Wen, Zhao Xiaozhu, and Xiao Xique, who was still nestled in Su Xiaoqi's arms, refusing to leave. Su Xiaoqi indulged her, playfully pinching her nose and smiling, "You're already a capable manager of Liuyuan, and now you're acting like a spoiled child."
Xiao Xique responded, "No matter how old I get, I'll always be Sister Xiaoqi's little sister and will listen to Sister Xiaoqi." Xiao Xique spoke sweetly and was very endearing. Previously, Su Xiaoqi hadn't thought much about it. However, after visiting Prince Xiang's mansion today, she realized she couldn't look directly at Xiao Xique's face for a moment. The way she pouted and pursed her lips was strikingly similar to someone. Su Xiaoqi's mind spun rapidly, and those portraits in her memory, which had been hazy, gradually became clear. She looked at Xiao Xique thoughtfully. So alike, truly so alike. Although one had the noble bearing of a distinguished lady and the other came from the common folk and learned accounting and business, when Su Xiaoqi compared them in her mind, they seemed like they were cast from the same mold. A tremor ran through Su Xiaoqi's heart, and she forcefully suppressed it.
She comforted Xiao Xique, then instructed her to guard Liuyuan well. With the drought and locust plagues in the capital now over, she should develop more members and stimulate consumption. When it came to making money and business strategies, Xiao Xique was very adept, nodding enthusiastically and agreeing constantly. While they chatted pleasantly, Chen Jia'an seemed somewhat absent-minded. As someone who had experienced it, Su Xiaoqi understood immediately. They had rushed out today and hadn't brought Shen Mingzhu. Chen Jia'an was likely anxious about not seeing Mingzhu. She told Chen Jia'an to go back and rest first, and that other matters could wait until tomorrow.
As evening arrived, the sunset painted half the sky with fiery clouds. Shen Yun reminded Su Xiaoqi that it was time to return. Everyone was tired today and should rest. As for other details, they would be left to Xiao Yi and Su Ze to arrange. Su Xiaoqi turned to invite Granny Wen and Zhao Xiaozhu to return with them.
"There's no need for that. It's fine for us to stay here," Zhao Xiaozhu said. She had already chosen her room. Su Xiaoqi disagreed, "That won't do. You are our Shen family's cousin, and a guest. How can a guest not stay with us but choose to stay elsewhere? Not to mention that, you must also think of your aunt. She has always missed you, and you can talk with her when you are at home." Su Xiaoqi's consideration was thoughtful, and Zhao Xiaozhu realized it was indeed a bit impolite to pass by the Shen family residence without entering. She quickly apologized, saying she had been negligent. Granny Wen expressed her respect for Su Xiaoqi's decision. However, she would not be going. She would stay here to look after the children, cooking and taking care of their daily needs, just as before. Su Xiaoqi felt this was reasonable. She felt at ease leaving these children to Granny Wen. She also assigned two young maids to Granny Wen to assist her and ensure she didn't overwork herself.
Xiao Xique was very reluctant to leave Su Xiaoqi today, so she went with her to visit Madam Zhao and also to research new pastry recipes for Liuyuan with Shen Mingzhu. Both were interested in food, and they had much to talk about when they got together. Su Xiaoqi would also occasionally have Xiao Xique stay at the Zhuangyuan Mansion. This was routine. However, this time, no one expected that this stay would completely change Xiao Xique's life!