The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

The women inside the house were chattering noisily.

Suddenly, a group of guards arrived outside. The leader of the guards said to the gatekeeper, "We are from the Prime Minister's residence. We are here on the orders of His Excellency the Prime Minister to escort the two ladies back to the residence."

The person leading the group was someone the gatekeeper knew.

Upon hearing the leader's words, the gatekeeper immediately went inside to report.

Ah Mei was called out, but she returned quickly.

"Madam, Commander Liu has arrived. He said the Prime Minister sent him to fetch you and the First Madam back home."

"Go back now?"

Zuo Yutang frowned. To be honest, she had been living too comfortably at Huguo Temple these past few days.

She felt so relaxed and at ease that she no longer wanted to return to the capital or to the Prime Minister's residence.

She knew very well that even though she was injured, once she returned to the capital and to the Prime Minister's residence, she would have to be the mistress of the house.

She was about to start managing all the household affairs and social interactions, but her current state of mind made it impossible for her to handle these matters.

Having grown accustomed to a carefree life, why would anyone want to go back to being a beast of burden and toiling away?

"Why would the Prime Minister suddenly decide to take me and the First Madam back?"

Zuo Yutang made no attempt to hide her dissatisfaction. During her time at Huguo Temple, she had also come to understand many things.

Once you've thought things through and understood them, and your obsessions have disappeared, you won't care about anything anymore.

"Commander Liu didn't say that."

Amei's voice became softer. She should have asked clearly when she was called out to be informed of this matter.

"Go and call Liu Tongming in."

Zuo Yutang was furious and didn't care that Ruan Yuhu was still there.

"Yes."

Amei left in a hurry and went outside to call Liu Tongming in.

After Ah Mei left, someone immediately brought over a screen to separate the inside from the outside.

Since Liu Tongming entered, he has never dared to raise his head, keeping it lowered the entire time.

"Madam, the Prime Minister sent me to fetch you and the First Madam to go back together."

"The Prime Minister said that the weather is getting colder and colder, and it is no longer suitable to stay in the mountains. The two ladies are recuperating here."

"The warm room in the manor is ready, just waiting for the two ladies to return."

Before Liu Tongming came in, Amei had already told him why Zuo Yutang had let him in.

So before Zuo Yutang could even ask, he directly gave her the reason.

Wang Yunzhi's thoughtfulness did not move Zuo Yutang; instead, it made her somewhat impatient.

People who used to never care about these things and were focused solely on their official duties are suddenly becoming considerate and caring. This change is really hard to get used to and makes me feel uncomfortable.

"Okay, I understand. You can leave first."

Although Zuo Yutang didn't want to go back, since Wang Yunzhi had already sent people, she had no choice but to return for the sake of the overall situation.

After Liu Tongming left, Zuo Yutang sighed and said, "Prime Minister, you must have been quite free lately, to have the leisure to meddle in such matters."

Ruan Yuhu could probably guess what Zuo Yutang was thinking, and she said with a smile, "Our Prime Minister is not idle. He's been so busy lately that he doesn't even have time to rest."

"He is currently assisting Her Majesty the Empress with matters of state."

Ruan Yuhu took Zuo Yutang's hand and patted it gently, saying, "Prime Minister Wang, it's not that I'm just too free to care about you."

"He genuinely cares about you and wants to make up for the mistakes he made in the past and the debts he owes you."

"What's done in the past is done, and there's no need to dwell on it."

What's missed can't be regained; what matters is the present and the future.

Zuo Yutang naturally understood what Ruan Yuhu meant by those words.

But she really couldn't swallow her anger.

Since she married Wang Yunzhi, that scoundrel has ignored her and shown her little tenderness or consideration throughout their lives.

She has suffered countless grievances and hardships in her life following Wang Yunzhi.

She didn't hate Wang Yunzhi for having someone else in his heart; she only hated that Wang Yunzhi shouldn't have had someone else in his heart and still came to ask her for marriage, making her the most unfortunate of the three.

She had completely given up on Wang Yunzhi. If it weren't for their two sons, she would have divorced him long ago.

The reason why her eldest son is still unmarried at this age is because he sees her unhappiness and that's why he keeps delaying marriage.

Each and every one of these incidents made Zuo Yutang so angry she could grind her teeth in hatred.

He thought his life would just end like this, but who would have thought that Wang Yunzhi would pull something like this in his old age.

She was torn between hating and not hating, and just thinking about it made her feel suffocated and short of breath.

She really doesn't want to go back now, to face that bastard Wang Yunzhi.

That scoundrel was clearly in the wrong first. He should pay the price for his mistakes. Why should I forgive him just because he said he was wrong?

"I know, but I really don't want to go back, I don't want to see him, and I don't want to deal with all the messy and troublesome things in the manor."

"I'm getting on in years now, and there are many things I'm no longer able to do."

During her time at Huguo Temple, Zuo Yutang had thought more than once that from now until the moment she died, she wanted to live such a peaceful life, undisturbed by anyone.

“I know, but you can’t stay in Huguo Temple forever.”

“You have two sons at home. I heard they’ve almost finished their jobs over there.”

"I should be able to come back during the Chinese New Year."

"Neither of them is married yet. Aren't you worried as their mother?"

"I've personally found suitable girls for the two brothers. Are you sure you don't want to go back and see your future daughter-in-law?"

Ruan Yuhu was truly adept at manipulating people's hearts; her words immediately brought Zuo Yutang back to her senses.

"If that's what you mean, then I definitely have to go back and take a look."

She could do without a scoundrel, but she needed a daughter-in-law. Zuo Yutang was unwilling to see her two sons all alone again.

"Yes, the children's matchmaking is a big deal and cannot be taken lightly. We should head back now."

"While the two children are still away, let's keep an eye on them and give them a heads-up."

"When the two children come back for the Chinese New Year, we can officially meet them."

"If things go smoothly, I might not only get married next year, but I might even have a grandchild."

Li Shu also joined the team trying to persuade Zuo Yutang, and compared to Ruan Yuhu, she was better able to grasp Zuo Yutang's thoughts.

“Let’s go back. If you don’t want to go back to the Prime Minister’s residence, then come and stay with me at Yipinlou.”

"Fortunately, your older brother is also an unreliable person who never comes home, so it's great that the two of us live together."

It's impossible for Zuo Yutang not to be tempted by the allure Li Shu offered.

If she lived in Yipinlou, she wouldn't have to deal with all the troublesome things in the mansion, nor would she have to see people she didn't want to see.

Those days, though not as peaceful as they are now, were definitely much more peaceful than returning to the Prime Minister's residence.

"Alright then, I'll go stay at Yipinlou with my sister-in-law."

Ruan Yuhu and Li Shu smiled at each other; their tacit understanding was quite good.

"I'm going back anyway, so the three of us will travel together back to the capital."

"Once we arrive in the capital, Princess Jing'an will have to go to great lengths to treat us to a big meal, since you're now staying at the Yipinlou Hotel."

Being able to return to the capital right now is something that will make Ruan Yuhu very happy.

Now that she has confirmed what she wanted to confirm, she needs to go back immediately to begin her planning and preparations.

Her greatest wish now is to allow Shen Tianjiao to ascend the throne smoothly without resorting to violence.

Apart from a very few military officers in the court who are a cause for concern, the rest are all fine.

The problem now is with those civil officials. Although they are a group of weak scholars who can't lift heavy objects, they have a sharp tongue that can be intimidating.

The words that come out of their mouths can absolutely kill two people, and in a way that ensures you can never recover.

It seems I should pay a proper visit to Wang Yunzhi when I get back.

After all, he was both the head of all officials and a civil official, and he knew best how to understand the thoughts of those civil officials.

After saying goodbye to Zuo Yutang, Ruan Yuhu did not return to her residence. She had brought nothing with her and had nothing to pack.

In a little while, we can just get on the carriage and leave.

Ruan Yuhu went to another place; she went to the courtyard where the memorial tablet of Shen Tianjiao's mother was enshrined.

This might be the last time she comes to Huguo Temple in her life; she wants to pay her respects to Madam Shen properly.

If it weren't for Madam Shen, where would Shen Tianjiao be?

Without Shen Tianjiao, Yunli would never have been as stable as it is now.

When they arrived at the memorial tablet of Shen Tianjiao's mother, Ruan Yuhu offered incense to her.

After the worship ceremony, Ruan Yuhu looked at the memorial tablet and said, "Madam Shen, you have given birth to a remarkable daughter."

"Our future in Yunli rests entirely on her shoulders."

"She will become the first empress of Yunli, and will lead Yunli to prosperity."

"You are her mother. I only hope that if you know this in the afterlife, you can bless this child so that he may ascend the throne peacefully and smoothly in the future."

"It can also bless her with good health and peace."

Ruan Yuhu had met Shen Tianjiao's mother; she was a woman completely different from Shen Tianjiao.

She doesn't like to talk; she's a quiet, icy beauty.

On the surface, she may appear to be a gentle and easy-going person, but in reality, she is a decisive and capable individual.

Shen Tianjiao inherited this trait completely, just like her mother.

Back then, the situation in the capital was unstable, and the Marquis of Zhenbei was stationed in the northern frontier for many years, so he rarely returned to the capital.

Lady Zhenbei managed the entire Zhenbei Marquis's mansion by herself, and all the people in the mansion were well-behaved under her management.

No one dared to stir up trouble or cause problems in the mansion.

She was not only adept at managing her household, but she was also able to handle the difficulties posed by powerful families and even the suspicions of the late emperor with ease.

This approach not only resolves the issue but also saves face for all parties involved, allowing everyone to save face.

The late emperor once said that Shen Lin's greatest blessing in life was marrying his wife.

It's a pity that Madam Shen, a beautiful woman, died young; it was such a tragedy.

Her death not only left the Marquis of Zhenbei with endless grief and longing, but also became a source of regret for many, including Ruan Yuhu.

If Madam Shen were alive today, Ruan Yuhu wouldn't have to worry so much.

"Master, it's time for us to set off."

Ju Ruo's words interrupted Ruan Yuhu's thoughts, bringing her back to her senses.

"Okay, let's go."

Ruan Yuhu looked up at the memorial tablet in front of her before turning and leaving.

When Ruan Yuhu arrived, Li Shu and Zuo Yutang were already waiting for her in the car.

Although Li Shu and Zuo Yutang had a lot of things to pack and take with them, they didn't take them with them.

Instead, they traveled light, leaving some servants behind to slowly pack up the belongings. Once they were done, they would pack everything up and send it all back.

"You guys are so efficient, unlike me who dawdles."

Ruan Yuhu got into the carriage and started joking about himself.

“Madam Ruan, you can’t say that. You are a very busy person, unlike us two who have nothing to do.”

Li Shu placed the freshly brewed tea in front of Ruan Yuhu.

"This is Snow Peak tea. Although it is not as mellow as those tribute teas, it is refreshing and delicious, with a unique flavor. Please try it and see if you can get used to it."

"okay."

Ruan Yuhu was also a tea lover. She picked up the teacup on the table and took a small sip.

The taste of this snow-capped peak tea was indeed different from the tea she had drunk before.

Besides being refreshing and delicious, it also has a faint jasmine fragrance in the aftertaste, which is quite rare.

"Hmm, this tea is good, it tastes quite good."

Seeing that Ruan Yuhu liked it, Li Shu was relieved. She had been worried that Ruan Yuhu, who was used to the tribute tea in the palace, would not like the Snow Peak tea.

Three women together is a spectacle in itself, let alone the three most powerful women in the capital city.

They had even more to say.

This return journey, because the three of them were together, was destined to be not only lively, but also unlike any other.

The relationship between the three of them at this time was more like that of friends who grew up together, had a good relationship, and were very close.

They chatted and laughed without restraint inside the carriage, enjoying this precious time that belonged only to them.