Started as a thatched house and ended up as a female figure

It had been almost a year since she last left the Zhaoping Marquis's residence, and upon returning, Cheng Wan felt as if she had lived through another world.

"My lord, everything is fine at the Zhaoping Marquis's residence. Once you have rested, I will report to you in detail on all matters concerning the residence."

Aunt Xia Yun was usually calm and experienced, but now, facing Cheng Wan, her excitement and joy were evident on her face.

The truth is, the head of the Zhaoping Marquis's mansion hasn't been back for far too long.

So long that the vast Zhaoping Marquis's mansion became so deserted that it seemed out of place in the bustling capital city.

Xia Yun had finally managed to wait for Old Madam Lin and the others to return, but Cheng Wan's fate was unknown, so she really had no mind to talk to Old Madam Lin and the others about the household affairs.

Old Mrs. Lin and the others had no interest in listening.

Now that the head of the Zhaoping Marquis's mansion has returned, the mansion has truly come back to life.

Cheng Wan smiled and nodded, her voice gentle: "These days have been hard on you, Aunt. I will remember your hard work. I will talk to you in detail when I feel better."

"Your Excellency is too kind. It is all what this servant should do." Xia Yun quickly bowed to Cheng Wan.

Cheng Wan didn't say anything more. She was a little tired. She and Xia Yun both understood that she would never mistreat Xia Yun.

Xia Yun led the servants away. Old Madam Lin and the others noticed Cheng Wan's exhaustion and did not linger. Only Wang Shi stayed behind.

"Mother~"

Cheng Wan hugged Wang Shi, buried her head in the crook of Wang Shi's neck, and rubbed against her affectionately.

If the guards who had dealt with Cheng Wan along the way saw her with this charming and innocent appearance, they would definitely be astonished.

Wang gently stroked Cheng Wan's back, her eyes slightly red, her voice filled with endless tenderness: "You've lost weight. You must have suffered a lot on this journey."

Cheng Wanwei raised her head and chuckled, "It's not bitter, our meals are pretty good."

"You~" Wang Shi chuckled and tapped Cheng Wan's forehead lightly, then sighed, "No matter how bitter it was, it's all over now. Mother will make you lots of delicious food later, and we'll grow back the weight you lost!"

"Mmm." Cheng Wan nodded and rubbed against Wang Shi again.

"Go to sleep, your mother is here watching over you."

As she spoke, Wang got up to help Cheng Wan take off her outer clothes, helped Cheng Wan lie down, and carefully tucked the blanket around her.

Cheng Wan was indeed extremely tired, both physically and mentally exhausted.

Holding Wang's hand, feeling its reassuring warmth, her eyelids grew heavy, and she soon fell into a deep sleep.

Once she was sure Cheng Wan was asleep, Wang Shi finally couldn't hold back her tears any longer, and they streamed down her cheeks, landing one after another on the back of her and Cheng Wan's clasped hands.

Wang quickly covered her mouth tightly with her free hand, afraid that even the slightest sob would disturb Cheng Wan's sleep.

Throughout the journey from Liangzhou to the capital, she was constantly worried, anxious about whether Cheng Wan would arrive safely.

Upon returning to the capital and learning that Cheng Wan had been kidnapped by thieves, she was heartbroken and cried until she had almost run out of tears.

Now, Cheng Wanzhen has truly returned, lying right in front of her, breathing steadily, with a warm body temperature.

Wang carefully sniffed, her eyes red and tearful, but the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

Just come back.

It would be good to go back to her side.

……

When Cheng Wan woke up, it was already completely dark.

She lay on the bed with her eyes open, momentarily disoriented, unsure of where she was.

"Jinjin."

"Master, how are you feeling?"

Cheng Wan blinked and replied to Jin Jin in her mind: "It feels really good."

After a long-awaited restful sleep, Cheng Wan felt that although her wounds were still throbbing, the deep-seated fatigue seemed to have dissipated by more than half.

Even my mind regained some of its former ease and agility.

"That's good." Jin Jin's tone was lighthearted, a sound she hadn't heard in a long time. "Master, when you fell into a deep sleep, your mother stayed by your side the whole time. Gu Yan and Sui Sui have been back for a while now, and Gu Yan even invited the imperial physician to examine you. They stayed by your side, accompanying the imperial physician through the examination until late, and then, seeing that you were sleeping soundly, they didn't want to disturb you, so they left."

Cheng Wan turned her head and, by the candlelight in the room, saw Wang Shi sleeping soundly by the bedside.

Cheng Wan's heart instantly softened, feeling a bittersweet mix of emotions, yet also a warm glow.

She tried carefully to pull her hand away, but as soon as she moved, Wang woke up with a start.

"Wan? You're awake? Did your mother wake you up? Or are you feeling unwell?"

A series of questions followed, accompanied by lingering panic and deep concern.

Cheng Wan felt a pang of sadness and quickly shook her head, her voice hoarse from just waking up: "No, Mother, I slept very well, really well, I'm just hungry."

hungry.

Wang breathed a sigh of relief, her heart calming down again. She stood up and bent down to help Cheng Wan sit up.

"Don't get out of bed. Just put on your coat and sit on the bed to eat, so you don't aggravate your injuries."

Afraid that you'd be hungry when you woke up, your grandma had already instructed the kitchen to prepare the food and keep it warm, so that you could have a hot meal whenever you woke up.

Oh, right, Ayan and Sui Sui are back too. They came back from the Emperor's birthday banquet. Ayan even invited the imperial physician for you. You were sleeping so soundly that the physician didn't wake you up during his examination.

The imperial physician said that you must rest and recuperate, and absolutely must not use any force until you are fully recovered!

As Wang helped Cheng Wan put on her coat, she said sternly, "Did you remember what I just said? From now on, you should stay home and rest well, so you can prepare for next year's exams!"

"I'll remember." Cheng Wan nodded obediently.

She is not combative; as long as no one provokes her, she will naturally act like a refined person.

Thinking this, Cheng Wan threw off the covers and got out of bed.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Wang quickly stopped Cheng Wan.

Cheng Wan looked up at Wang Shi, her expression extremely frank: "I need to use the restroom."