The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

"Your Majesty, you are so kind," Gongsun Ruotang said, throwing herself into her maternal aunt's arms.

The Empress's aunt gently stroked Gongsun Ruotang's hair, her eyes filled with affection. "Ruotang, you're such a lovely child," the Empress's aunt said softly.

Nestled in her aunt's arms, Gongsun Ruotang felt a surge of happiness, her heart overflowing with warmth. "Aunt, with you here, Ruotang is fearless," she said, looking up at her aunt with unwavering eyes.

The Empress's aunt smiled and nodded, "Good child, your aunt will always protect you."

"Oh, right, Your Majesty, yesterday my maternal grandmother, the Empress Dowager, mentioned that she wanted to see my master and grandmaster. I was just thinking of inviting my master and grandmaster to stay in the palace for a few days as well." Gongsun Ruotang looked at the Empress.

"It was I who overlooked this matter. You haven't formally met your master and grandmaster since your return. I'll discuss it with your uncle, the Emperor, and suggest that you send a letter to your master and grandmaster to see if it's convenient for them to come to the capital recently." The Empress reached out and tucked a stray hair behind Gongsun Ruotang's ear.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the palace. The Empress's aunt frowned slightly, and Gongsun Ruotang also felt uneasy. A palace maid hurried in and whispered a few words in the Empress's aunt's ear.

The Empress's aunt's expression changed slightly, but then returned to calm. "Ruo Tang, you should go back now. Your aunt has some things to take care of." Gongsun Ruo Tang nodded obediently. "Aunt, please continue with your business. I'll take my leave." With that, Gongsun Ruo Tang slowly withdrew from the palace, but a sense of unease lingered in her heart.

After leaving the palace, Gongsun Ruotang's unease grew stronger. She didn't know what news the palace maid had brought that had caused her aunt, the Empress, to change her expression.

She walked and pondered, and before she knew it, she had returned to her residence. Back home, Gongsun Ruotang was restless and uneasy. She didn't know how to help her aunt, the Empress.

Seeing Gongsun Ruotang's unease, Aunt Rou comforted her, "Princess, there's no need to worry too much. The Empress is used to dealing with palace affairs. Although there may be some upsetting things occasionally, she will never lose control. You should listen to the Empress and write to the Master and his wife, inviting them to the capital."

“Yes, then I’ll write to Master and Grandmaster first.” After saying that, she asked Tang Qiu to prepare pen and ink for her. She would write to Master and Grandmaster first, inviting them to stay in the palace for a while. Perhaps their arrival would alleviate her anxiety.

Gongsun Ruotang picked up her pen, her thoughts swirling. In the letter, she expressed her longing for her master and grandmaster, and also mentioned that her maternal grandmother, the Empress Dowager, wished to see them. After finishing the letter, Gongsun Ruotang entrusted it to a trusted confidant, instructing him to deliver it as soon as possible.

"Aunt, please arrange for someone to keep an eye on the situation with the Empress's maternal aunt," Gongsun Ruotang said to her Aunt Rou, pulling herself out of her thoughts.

...Qingyu Manor

"Master! Madam! Miss has sent a letter!" Accompanied by a series of urgent knocks, Butler Li's slightly anxious yet excited voice came from outside the door. He was tightly clutching a letter in his hand.

Upon hearing the news, the manor lord and his wife were slightly taken aback at first, then quickly exchanged a glance. Their eyes met, and a spark of joy instantly ignited between them.

"Come in quickly!" the manor lord said hurriedly, his voice filled with urgency.

Having received permission, Butler Li strode into the study and respectfully handed the letter to the manor lord. The manor lord eagerly reached out, took the envelope, carefully tore open the seal, and slowly unfolded the letter, meticulously reading every word.

As he read on, a relieved smile gradually appeared on the manor lord's face. He gently put down the letter, turned to look at his wife beside him, and said slowly, "Ruotang is doing well in the palace. She even said that the Empress Dowager wanted to see us and specially invited us to stay in the capital for a while."

Upon hearing this, the mistress of the manor hurried forward to carefully examine the contents of the letter. When she saw the handwriting that her only disciple recognized, her eyes welled up with tears, and her face radiated joy.

"This child always reports good news and hides bad news. It's been so long, and she's still like this. She only tells us about anything after she's dealt with it. I really feel sorry for her," the mistress of the manor said with emotion, gently wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

The manor owner smiled and nodded, indicating his agreement with his wife's words, and then said, "Since the Empress Dowager is willing to invite us, let's quickly pack up and prepare to go to the capital."

"Yes, good! It has indeed been a long time since I've seen Ruotang. I wonder if Ruo'er has suffered any grievances since our hasty farewell in the capital last time. This time when I go, I must see her properly to see how she is doing." As the mistress of the manor said this, she had already begun to plan in her mind what to bring to the capital.

Soon, the manor lord and his wife began to methodically instruct the servants to prepare luggage and arrange the itinerary. The entire manor was immediately bustling with activity.

The Qingyu Manor was bustling with activity and noise, everyone hurrying through the courtyards. Maids and servants were busy packing luggage or loading various rare items into carriages; the guards were carefully checking weapons and equipment to ensure everything was in order. The entire manor was immersed in a tense yet orderly atmosphere, as the manor lord and his wife were about to embark on their journey to the capital.

Zhuang Yichen walked to the center of the courtyard, where his wife was directing the servants to pack their luggage. He called out loudly, "Madam, don't forget to bring the gift you prepared for Ruo'er!" His voice revealed a hint of worry.

Tang Yuluo turned around upon hearing this, smiling as she replied, "Don't worry, my husband, I already instructed the servants to properly pack the gifts and place them in the carriage. But you, have you arranged the gifts for Ruo'er's family? This concerns the reputation of our Qingyu Manor, so we must not be careless, lest those members of the royal family find fault and become dissatisfied." As she spoke, she gently pinched her beloved husband, who had been by her side for many years, her eyes filled with both reproach and deep affection.

Zhuang Yichen feigned pain, rubbing the spot where he had been pinched, and said with a helpless smile, "Don't worry, Madam, I will handle it properly. When has Zhuang Yichen ever made a mistake in his work?"

Tang Yulu rolled her eyes at him. "You're so good at talking nonsense. This trip to the capital is different from the past. Ruo'er has just returned to the palace. This is not the same as when she was recognized by the Su family last time. After all, the Su family is not Ruo'er's real family. They just wanted to use her. The royal family is different. They are relatives with blood ties to Ruo'er. I hope they can truly recognize Ruo'er and not just use her. So we need to be extra careful in our actions."

Zhuang Yichen slightly composed himself and nodded in agreement, “What you say is absolutely right, Madam. I have already had people carefully select some rare and precious items, all of which are worthy of the royal family’s attention. I will certainly not be impolite.”

At this moment, an old steward hurried over, bowed to the manor lord and his wife, and said, "Manor lord, madam, the carriage is ready and the luggage is all settled. Shall we depart immediately?"

Zhuang Yichen glanced at Tang Yuluo, and seeing her nod, he said to the old steward, "Let's set off." With that command, the caravan slowly drove out of Qingyu Manor. Zhuang Yichen and Tang Yuluo rode in the same carriage, the interior of which was comfortable and elegant.

The carriage swayed and lurched forward. Tang Yulu gently lifted a corner of the curtain, gazing at the receding manor, her heart filled with emotion. "I wonder what will happen on this journey. I only hope to see Ruo'er safely and help her relieve her worries," Tang Yulu murmured.

Zhuang Yichen held her hand and comforted her, "Madam, there's no need to worry too much. Ruo'er is exceptionally intelligent and will surely be able to navigate the palace. Besides, with us here, we will definitely not let her suffer any injustice." Along the way, the caravan endured wind and rain, traveling day and night. Zhuang Yichen and Tang Yuluo would occasionally rest at inns along the route to replenish their food and water.

At each stop, Zhuang Yichen would send people to scout out road conditions and news beforehand to ensure a safe journey. Several days later, the convoy finally arrived on the outskirts of the capital. Gazing at the majestic city walls in the distance, Tang Yulu felt both excited and nervous. "Husband, we've finally arrived," Tang Yulu said. Zhuang Yichen looked in the direction of the capital, his eyes deep. "Yes, the capital, we've come. I only hope this journey will go as we wish." With that, he lowered the carriage curtain and instructed the driver to speed up, heading towards the capital.

...In the magnificent and resplendent Crystal Palace, a faint scent of sandalwood permeated the warm pavilion on the east side. Gongsun Ruotang, dressed in a pale pink silk dress, leaned languidly against a heated couch, gently turning the pages of a yellowed book. However, her mind was clearly not on the pages; her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, and her expression was filled with anxiety and unease.

"Luo Chun, it's been quite a few days, and I still haven't received a single word from Master and the others. Could it be... could it be that they're really angry with me? Is that why they don't want to visit me?" Gongsun Ruotang looked up at Luo Chun, who was gently waving a feather fan to the side, and said with concern.

Luo Chun smiled slightly and gently comforted her, "Princess, please don't overthink it! In my opinion, the master and the others may want to give you an unexpected surprise, which is why they deliberately delayed replying."

Gongsun Ruotang breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this, but her worries had not completely dissipated. She gently bit her lip and murmured to herself, "But...but I'm still very worried. After my hasty farewell to Master in the capital last time, I'm always worried that Master is somewhat dissatisfied with me, perhaps even angry." With that, she absentmindedly turned to another page of her book.

Seeing this, Luo Chun couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle: "Princess, how could you forget all this? Our mistress usually dotes on you the most! Think about it, back in the manor, you did so many naughty and mischievous things that made people laugh and cry, but every time the mistress spoiled you and never really got angry with you, did she?" After speaking, Luo Chun looked at the little princess on the couch with her bright eyes, her eyes full of smiles and comfort.

Gongsun Ruotang listened quietly to Luo Chun's words, her delicate body trembling slightly, a look of astonishment flashing in her beautiful eyes. She couldn't help but fall into deep thought, the years she had spent at Qingyu Manor slowly unfolding in her mind.

In her memory, her master was always so kind and patient, guiding her with boundless patience and love. He imparted his medical and poison skills to Gongsun Ruotang. Whether in the training ground at dawn or in the study at night, the two of them could be seen working together. And the occasional tenderness and doting from her master made Gongsun Ruotang feel incredibly happy. These beautiful memories, like a surging tide, washed over her, wave after wave, gradually dispelling the unease deep within her heart.

After a long while, Gongsun Ruotang slowly came back to her senses, a faint smile appearing on her lips: "Luochun, you're right. With Master's love for me, Master and Grandmaster would certainly not abandon me." However, this smile only lasted a moment, vanishing as quickly as a fleeting moment. In its place, a faint sorrow crept onto her beautiful and refined face.

"But... life in this deep palace is so oppressive! Everywhere there are red tape and rules, making it almost impossible to breathe. Here, every step must be taken with extreme caution, for fear of breaking some rule. So restrictive, there is absolutely no freedom to speak of." Gongsun Ruotang sighed softly, her gaze lingering on the distance, as if trying to see through the layers of palace walls to the free world outside.

Luo Chun moved gracefully to the bedside, then carefully knelt down and gently took Gongsun Ruotang's fair hand in hers. Her gaze was firm yet full of concern as she softly comforted her, "Princess, do not be afraid. You have the protection of the Emperor, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager! Moreover, you have the Master and his wife as your strong support, who will surely ensure your safety in this seemingly unfathomable palace. Besides, Princess, you are naturally intelligent and kind-hearted. As long as you act cautiously according to the rules of the palace, you will not cause any trouble. Furthermore, you are the eldest princess's beloved daughter, and you have little connection with the others in the harem. Even if those with ulterior motives want to scheme against you, they will likely find it difficult to succeed!"

Hearing Luo Chun's sincere words, Gongsun Ruotang felt a warm current surge in her heart, and her tense nerves relaxed a little. She nodded slightly to show her agreement with Luo Chun's words, but just as she parted her lips to respond, suddenly, a series of light but hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

Luo Chun quickly stood up and turned her gaze toward the doorway. A woman dressed in a light green palace maid's uniform hurriedly entered the room; it was the palace maid Xiao He. Upon seeing Gongsun Ruotang, Xiao He dared not be the slightest bit negligent, quickly curtsying in a standard courtly gesture before respectfully reporting, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has sent word, ordering you to go to Cining Palace."