The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

Qiong Niang was almost falling asleep waiting in the room. Just when she had no patience to wait any longer, the door was pushed open.

Qiong Niang turned her head to look, and what she saw shocked her immediately.

"Son." The person who came was Qiong Niang's mother, Yang, whom she had not seen for many years.

Qiong Niang looked at her mother and listened to her voice calling her. It felt like she was in a dream, distant and unreal.

Yang looked at her daughter, who was staring at her blankly and motionless, and she couldn't help but feel sad. She walked over and hugged Qiong Niang, "My poor child."

After being hugged by her mother, Qiong Niang finally felt the reality. The person in front of her was really her mother and she was not dreaming.

In front of her mother, all the grievances Qiong Niang had suffered over the years suddenly burst out, and she burst into tears in her mother's arms without any scruples.

The mother and daughter hugged each other and cried heartbreakingly, making everyone who heard them cry and feel sad.

Only when they had no more strength left to cry did Qiong Niang and her daughter stop.

After helping Yang lie down on the imperial concubine couch, Qiong Niang asked in a hoarse voice, "Mother, why are you here in the palace?"

"It was arranged by the Queen Mother." Yang looked at her daughter, whose appearance had changed, with red and swollen skin, feeling extremely distressed.

"Did the Empress arrange it?" Qiong Niang lowered her head and smiled. As expected, the person who knew her best was Shen Tianjiao.

"My body can't stand the climate of the northern border. If it weren't for the secret help of the Marquis of Zhenbei over the years, I would have been a pile of bones by now."

"Over the years, the Marquis of Zhenbei has successively arranged for your elder brothers to serve in the military camp."

"Before the Marquis of Zhenbei returned to the capital this time, he arranged for someone to escort me back to the capital so that I could recuperate."

"Because of my health, I had to stop and go along the way, so I just got here now."

As Yang spoke, she began to cry again. Over the years, she had experienced the ups and downs of life and the fickleness of the world.

Even their closest relatives regarded their family as a disaster and abandoned them like a piece of trash.

Only the Zhenbei Marquis family never looked down on them and gave them help and care from beginning to end.

This kindness cannot be fully repaid even if I were to repay you with a favor in the next life.

Qiong Niang no longer wanted to express her gratitude. Both she and the Wang family owed Shen Tianjiao and the Zhenbei Marquisate too much.

It’s not enough to just say a few words of thanks, her life will belong to Shen Tianjiao for the rest of her life.

"Mother, please drink some water to moisten your throat." Qiong Niang brought some water to Yang.

Yang took the water and lowered her head to drink.

Qiong Niang looked at her mother who looked as old as an old woman, and her heart ached as if it were being cut by a knife.

Her mother was born into the Yang family of Hongnong. She was a lady from a noble family and the apple of her parents' eyes. After she married my father, she became the mistress of the family.

Although her father had a bad temper and a stubborn personality, he was very kind to her mother. She had never seen her father speak loudly to her mother.

Such a lady from a noble family, the mistress of a noble family, was reduced to nothing overnight and suffered so much for so many years. I really don't know how she survived.

Yang put down the teacup in her hand and wiped the tears from Qiong Niang's face. "Be good, don't cry. It's all over."

"Mother, I never feel bitter. Glory and wealth are fleeting. As long as our family can be together in peace and safety, Mother will be content."

"Mother originally thought that she would never see her son again in this life, but she never expected to see him today. Even if she dies immediately, she has no regrets."

"Mother, what are you talking about? You must live a long and healthy life and wait for your daughter to be filial to you."

Since entering the palace, Qiong Niang has never returned home, especially when the Wang family fell and she was imprisoned in Youming Palace. Not to mention going home, she didn't even have the chance to see her relatives.

She originally thought that she would never be able to see her parents again in this life and live in their arms.

Who would have thought that Shen Tianjiao would give her such a big surprise, giving her the opportunity to see her mother today and enjoy family happiness. How could she not cherish this opportunity?

Yang smiled and said nothing more. Being able to return to the capital and see her daughter again was already a great satisfaction for her. One should not be too greedy and expect too much.

"Mother, you should stay in the palace and stay with your daughter from now on."

Although she knew that this was impossible, Qiong Niang still hoped that her mother could stay with her.

"There are so many people in the palace, and it would be very inconvenient for you to live here."

"You don't have to worry about your mother. The Queen has already prepared a place for her to live."

"It's in the backyard of the First Floor Building. It's very quiet there, perfect for you to recuperate."

"And when you leave the palace and go to Yipinlou, my mother and I will be able to see you. How wonderful it is."

Yang was very satisfied with Shen Tianjiao's arrangement. She had a place to live, no worries about food and drink, and could see her daughter often. What else could she not be satisfied with?

After hearing Shen Tianjiao's arrangement, Qiong Niang said nothing more. This arrangement was already the best one.

"Mother, you haven't told me how Dad is doing now? Is he in good health?"

After seeing her mother, Qiong Niang was naturally still thinking about her father who was far away in the north.

"Your father is doing very well. He is much healthier now than when he was an official in Beijing."

"But his temper is still as bad as before, and he's getting more and more stubborn and obstinate."

"That old guy should be taught a lesson, otherwise he really won't learn his lesson."

When talking about the old man in her family, Yang was filled with anger.

"What's wrong, mother? Why did my father make you angry?"

As soon as she heard what her mother said, Qiong Niang knew that the old couple must have had a conflict.

But this shouldn't be the case. Her father has always loved and respected her mother. Before the family fell into poverty, her father always gave in to her mother and never made her mother angry.

Now that her mother has accompanied her father through so much hardship in the North, her father will certainly not make her mother angry.

"Don't mention it. That old guy almost pissed me off to death."

"He has fallen on hard times, but he still can't let go of his pride and so-called dignity."

"Originally, the Marquis of Zhenbei wanted him to come back with me this time, but he insisted on not going, saying that he owed me too many favors and couldn't afford to lose face."

Yang shook her head helplessly and said, "In our current situation, what face do we still need? What face do we have left?"

"The Marquis of Zhenbei has no ties to our family. Even when our family members abandoned us, he was still willing to help us. It was only out of consideration for the friendship we had as classmates when we were young."

"But he's making a big deal out of it. That's the real shamelessness."

The more Yang spoke, the angrier she became. When she thought of the stubborn old man at home, she felt depressed.

Qiong Niang was stunned. She felt that there must be something fishy about this matter. Her father was a very stubborn person and he cared a lot about face, but he was definitely not the kind of person who couldn't tell good from bad.

When their family was in the most difficult time, Marquis Zhenbei offered his help. Her father was definitely not the kind of person who would be ungrateful.

There must be something hidden in this. Maybe she should write a letter to ask her father.

In the past, her family members didn't know that she had left Youming Palace and was living well with Shen Tianjiao, so she couldn't contact them.

But now everyone in her family knows that everything is fine as long as she is with Shen Tianjiao, so she has nothing to hide and can exchange information with them.

"Mother, my father may have his own plans, so please don't be angry."

Qiong Niang patted Yang's back to calm her down and comforted her.

"Humph! What could he possibly be planning? He's just a stubborn old donkey who's only concerned with prestige and suffering!"

Mrs. Yang was really furious this time and would never listen to her daughter's advice.

Qiong Niang smiled and felt a little comforted when she looked at her bad-tempered mother.

Even though life in the north was hard, her father still spoiled her mother like a little girl. That kind of feeling is not something everyone can have.

The mother and daughter were still talking when Xia He pushed the door open.

Xia He came to Qiong Niang and Yang Shi, bowed and greeted them, and said, "Doctor Wang is here to take the old lady's pulse."

"Okay, please invite him in."

Only then did Qiong Niang understand Shen Tianjiao's intention of asking her mother to come directly to the palace instead of settling in Yipin Building first.

Yang's health was not good to begin with, and she had been suffering from illness in such a cold and harsh place as the northern border over the years.

The best doctors in the world are all in the palace. Doctor Wang is the chief physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau, so his medical skills are naturally the best.

The chief physician of the Imperial Hospital was the exclusive medical officer of the Emperor and the Empress. Not to mention people outside the palace asking him to treat a disease, even if the concubines and princes in the palace were sick, they could not ask him to treat them without the permission of the Emperor and the Empress.

Now that Doctor Wang has come here to take Yang's pulse and examine her, it must have been arranged by Shen Tianjiao.

This made Qiong Niang feel grateful again. It was normal for Doctor Wang to come to Yuxiu Palace to take her pulse. No one would suspect anything.

However, if Doctor Wang was outside the palace or appeared in Yipin Building, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

That way, his mother would not be able to live a peaceful life in Yipinlou.

Doctor Wang came in from outside and took Yang's pulse without saying much.

After a cup of tea, Doctor Wang finally finished taking the woman's pulse and said, "The root of this lady's illness is a legacy from childbirth many years ago. It's an old illness."

"Add to that excessive worry, which leads to liver depression, qi stagnation, and blood stasis, and a significant deficiency in the body, so I must take good care of myself."

"Medications can only play a supporting role. The most important thing is to maintain a positive mood, think positively about everything, and try to comfort yourself when encountering problems."

"Thank you, Doctor Wang, for your advice." Qiong Niang bowed to Doctor Wang with gratitude. With Doctor Wang's help, she felt much more at ease.

"No need to be so polite, this is my job."

Doctor Wang was not a fool. Although Qiong Niang was just a maidservant of the Queen, anyone with eyes could see that this maidservant was different from others.

Being favored by the Queen is not as simple as just a glance. It is always right to be polite to such people.

"I will prescribe half a month's worth of medicine for the old lady, and also give her some pills. After half a month, I will come back to check her pulse."

Doctor Wang stood up to say goodbye. Qiong Niang told Xia He who was standing beside her, "Xia He, please see Doctor Wang off for me."

Xia He nodded in agreement and sent Doctor Wang out.

"Mother, did you hear what Doctor Wang said? Don't be so sentimental in the future. Open your heart and take good care of your health."

"You will have to wait and see how our Wang family will redress the injustice, wash away the stigma, and live a clean life."

"And don't let the Queen down."

Qiong Niang looked at Yang. All she wanted now was for her mother to be free from the pain of illness and to live a long and safe life.

"Okay, mother understands." Yang patted Qiong Niang's hand, nodded and smiled to comfort her daughter.

After seeing off Doctor Wang, Xia He returned to her room and said to Qiong Niang, "The carriage is ready. Let's leave the palace now."

"The master has ordered you to stay in Yipinlou for the next few days. One is to spend more time with the old lady, and the other is to settle the accounts in Yipinlou."

"Well, okay." Qiong Niang nodded, turned around and looked at Yang and said, "Mother, let's go."

Having not lived with her mother for many years, Qiong Niang is looking forward to spending the next few days with her mother.

"Let's go home. Mom will make you some noodles. You don't know how good she is at making noodles. Your father can eat two big bowls at a time."

Yang said this to Qiong Niang with a smile, but Qiong Niang wanted to cry after hearing it. Her mother, who had never worked in the house before, must have suffered so much over the years to be able to make noodles so delicious.

Sensing her daughter's change of mood, Yang held Qiong Niang's hand and whispered to comfort her, "Dear, it's okay. I'm so happy and proud that you can eat the noodles I made myself."

Qiong Niang was comforted by her mother's words. The past was in the past. What was important was the present and the future. She would never let her mother suffer in the future.

After Shen Tianjiao finished handling government affairs, she ordered someone to call Shen Tingzhi to the palace to discuss matters.

Before Shen Tingzhi came, she was finally able to steal a little time to relax. She hid beside the withered lotus pond and took a nap.

Originally, Shen Tianjiao just wanted to close her eyes and take a nap, but she didn't expect that she was so tired that she actually fell asleep.

The key point is that when she arrived at the lotus pond, she did not tell anyone and came there secretly by herself.

The consequence of her doing this was that when they couldn't find her, a group of palace maids and eunuchs would immediately rush out, determined to search every corner of Yuxiu Palace in order to find their queen.