A young man approached at a leisurely pace, first bowing respectfully to Madam Chen, then bending his knees as if to kneel in reverence to her.
Madam Chen quickly reached out to stop him, holding back her tears as she shook her head and said, "You mustn't. You are now the Grand General of the Qi Dynasty. How can you kneel before me, a mere common woman?"
Cheng Yu, however, just smiled and grasped Madam Chen's hand, speaking gently, "A Grand General cannot kneel, but a son can bow in gratitude for his mother's nurturing."
Unable to resist him, Madam Chen allowed him to perform the gesture of respect, then hurriedly helped him up, embracing him tightly and choking back tears as she said, "Good child, Mother... has missed you dearly."
The term 'Mother' spoken by her carried a hint of obvious timidity.
Her guilty conscience stemmed from the fact that she had only raised Cheng Yu for a few years when he was young. How could she bear the title 'Mother'?
Yet, despite not being his biological mother, her longing and affection for him were just the same.
Fortunately,
after years apart, Cheng Yu was still as sensible as he was in his childhood,
gently wiping away Madam Chen's tears with a smile, he said, "Reunion is a joyous occasion. If it causes Mother to cry like this, then it's my fault."
Chen Ge chimed in from the side, "Yu is right. Today is a great celebration. Instead of crying here, you should be in the kitchen helping with the preparations."
Although his tone was filled with disdain, his gaze towards Madam Chen was filled with unmistakable love.
While instructing Madam Chen to prepare the ingredients, he smoothly accepted the raw meat and vegetables from Xiao Jingyan's hands before heading to the kitchen.
Seeing him 'fleeing' with a smile, Xiao Jingyan teased Madam Chen, "Sister-in-law, don't mind him. When Cheng Yu arrived at the military camp earlier, he was already crying his eyes out. Now, he's trying to act tough, but it's clear he's quite magnanimous, haha~"
Amidst laughter and joy, everyone welcomed Cheng Yu into the main hall.
That evening, the Chen residence was bustling,
with a table full of delicious dishes, almost all of which were cooked by Madam Chen herself,
Rongyue busied herself in the kitchen, merely assisting Madam Chen.
As Madam Chen cooked, she couldn't stop smiling, constantly saying, "These are all dishes Cheng Yu loved to eat when he was young. I wonder if his tastes have changed now after eating all those delicacies in the palace. Perhaps he won't be used to these rustic home-cooked meals anymore?"
She was both excited and anxious, occasionally pulling Rongyue over to taste the freshly cooked dishes, "Young lady, you've spent a long time in the palace. Try these and see if Cheng Yu will like them."
After tasting a bite, Rongyue immediately nodded and said, "Madam's cooking is so good. Cheng Yu is fortunate to have a foster mother like you who cares for him so much."
Madam Chen originally had some concerns,
but after the dishes were served and she saw Cheng Yu enjoying every single one, she finally let go of her lingering worries and couldn't help but smile with relief.
Cheng Yu had now grown into a young man,
and with three men gathered around the dining table, it was inevitable that they would enjoy a hearty drink.
Amidst clinking cups and lively conversation, Chen Ge inquired, "Why did Yuer suddenly come to Danzhou? Without prior notice, leaving us no time to prepare? Last month when I asked about your uncle, he mentioned you were off to the Southern Barbarian territories to suppress two defeated remnants, estimating you'd only return to the palace by New Year's Eve. Was the campaign successful?"
After downing a cup of wine, Cheng Yu, unable to conceal his pride, replied, "Mere remnants of the Southern Barbarians, nothing to speak of. With troops from three directions, we swiftly eradicated them in just ten days of battle. Thinking of passing through Danzhou on my way back to the capital from the Southern Barbarian territories, I decided to pay a visit to father and mother."
He still addressed the Chen couple as father and mother,
Now that Chen Ge serves as a martial instructor under Xiao Jingyan, a Qi Dynasty official,
Cheng Yu's use of these titles made him uneasy, prompting him to say, "I understand the General's sense of gratitude, remembering the kindness my wife and I showed you in the past. But to call us father and mother, my wife and I truly feel unworthy. Please forgive us, General..."
"When did Chen Ge become so awkward?"
Xiao Jingyan lightly tapped Chen Ge's chest and joked, "You keep emphasizing this issue of titles, what are you afraid of? Cheng Yu is virtuous and filial, and my sister is not a petty person."
Hearing this, Chen Ge immediately replied respectfully, "Of course, Your Majesty's magnanimity is beyond doubt. How could we quibble over such trivial matters?"
Xiao Jingyan raised his wine cup, urging him to clink glasses, "Come on, enough talk. Chen Ge must first punish himself with two cups."
Even the most rule-abiding person, after drinking too much, would loosen up a bit.
After three rounds of drinks, they chatted about many things,
Discussing the hardships Zhao Hua endured over the years, Cheng Yu's military achievements over the years,
They also talked about women in the world, under Zhao Hua's leadership, finally taking the first step out of the cage.
Then Cheng Yu said, "After returning to the palace this time, I intend to request permission from Mother to establish a fief in the Capital City. When the time comes, if Father and Mother have the leisure, they can often come to the Capital City for leisure, and I will be sure to entertain them."
"Establish a fief?" Chen Ge expressed some surprise, "Back then, Your Majesty temporarily assumed your sacred duties to silence the rumors, and later, after experiencing numerous trials, you were able to emerge from behind the curtains and become the unprecedented female emperor. I may not be in the court, but I can imagine that even today, there are still constant oppositions to Your Majesty from the former dynasty. At this time, if you establish a fief in the Capital City, won't it give those people more reason to criticize Your Majesty behind your back?"
"You're underestimating my sister." Xiao Jingyan, slightly tipsy, spoke of Zhao Hua with pride,
"Those old relics from the former dynasty, whatever they say, can only lament behind closed doors, lacking the courage to speak out in court. Today, all military and political power in the Qi Dynasty is concentrated in the hands of my sister alone. Furthermore, take the Mongols and the Hu tribes for example, their support for the Qi Dynasty comes entirely from their trust in my sister.
Not to mention the recent increase in income for the people of the Qi Dynasty, life has been getting better day by day. In such circumstances, anyone daring to cause trouble would not only be defying the Qi Dynasty's military might but also challenging the various foreign powers and the well-being of its people. Those who act recklessly might find themselves facing consequences long before they threaten my sister's position, perhaps meeting their end countless times over."
What Xiao Jingyan summarized is precisely the current state of the nation.
Zhao Hua's assumption of the throne as a female ruler has sparked much debate across the realm. However, as her reign continues, opposition to her seems to be waning. Now, Cheng Yu's desire to establish his own residence outside the palace suggests he has entirely abandoned the pursuit of the throne.
Although the courtiers and generals may privately express discontent over a few drinks, publicly, they must show utmost respect to Zhao Hua, not daring to slacken in the slightest.
Cheng Yu also remarked, "Mother has been in politics for many years, and she has never faltered in making crucial decisions. She is undoubtedly the most suitable ruler for the Qi Dynasty at present. In the past, when Mother sought to elevate the status of women in Qi, many men opposed her, thinking she intended to establish Qi as a purely matriarchal society, hence the collective opposition.
However, under Mother's resolute leadership over the years, it has become evident to all that her aim is simply to ensure women receive equal rights as men, leading to diminishing opposition.
Such bold decisions require great courage. Personally, I doubt if I were to be emperor, I could withstand the pressure and implement such reforms. Therefore, I have always admired Mother deeply.
My heart lies not in the court but in riding across the desert, fighting enemies. That kind of unfettered freedom, the hot blood of a man, is what I truly desire. Whether as a subject or as an emperor, isn't the most important thing to protect the people? So, whether as a subject or as an emperor, it makes no difference to me."
Cheng Yu spoke at length, and Madam Chen understood his aspirations to some extent.
Yet, she still had some confusion, "Yu'er, your ambition to protect the country and the family is noble, but there's no need to rush into establishing your residence outside the palace. With your uncle already out of the palace, there are few old associates left by the emperor's side. If you leave as well, won't His Majesty be..."
"There will still be Ruo Xin and Cheng Ye accompanying Mother. And my haste to establish my residence is not just a momentary impulse..."
As he spoke, Cheng Yu, whether due to the effects of alcohol or out of shyness, found his cheeks flushing momentarily.
Lowering his head, he no longer met the gazes of those around him, only smiling softly as he murmured, "Also, because I have found my beloved, and I wish to give her a complete home."
