Exile at the start? The princess is no ordinary woman.

Therefore, their mansion was befitting of wealthy merchants; it was quite large and ornately decorated, but there were not many servants.

Although there weren't many people, they were all carefully selected by Huai Xu, reliable individuals, so that people who were not easy to associate with on the surface could gather at his home.

"It's almost noon, Huai Xu, did they say when they would arrive?"

Lin Yicheng shook his head, saying he didn't know. He had only said he would come today, but hadn't given a specific time. They would just wait.

Zhen Yunzhi echoed this sentiment.

"Hey, I've unearthed some fine wine that I've treasured for years! I absolutely have to drink it today!"

He Mobai placed a piece on the chessboard.

"Yesterday, Junior Sister, Huaiqing brought Xiao Zhaoye and Xiao Wangshu into the palace. Their entry was rather suspicious; we don't know the specifics..."

"Huai Xu, send someone to check on things, it's almost noon."

"Mo Bai is right. Send someone to check and see if it's someone from the palace causing trouble and delaying things again."

"Um"

As he spoke, Huai Xu got up to send someone to check, but before he could send anyone out, a report came from his servants.

"Young master, madam, a guest has arrived at the door. She says she's madam's cousin..."

"coming"

Upon hearing the servant's report, everyone in the hall who was playing chess or drinking tea stood up; they had finally arrived.

After glancing at the people present, Lin Yicheng followed Lin Yicheng and his wife to the mansion to greet the guests.

As for the others, they stopped playing chess and drinking tea, and all went outside to wait. If they weren't hesitant to step forward, they would have all gone to the door to greet them...

Outside, Jun Yanchen and Gu Nanzhi had already gotten out of the car with the child, while Cang Ling and Leng Yue followed behind, carrying the prepared gifts.

Seeing Huai Xu, Lin Yicheng came out, and Gu Nanzhi pushed him forward.

"Cousin, brother-in-law, I'm sorry to bother you."

Lin Yicheng's eyes still held the joy of calling him "cousin," but Huai Xu felt it was too much of an honor to call him "cousin-in-law." From a kinship perspective, calling him "cousin-in-law" was correct.

However, Huai Xu was well aware of his own status; even if he married his beloved Lin Yicheng, they would still be on separate paths...

Lin Yicheng stepped forward and took Gu Nanzhi's arm.

"Zhizhi, you've finally arrived! Come in, please."

"it is good"

"Please come in."

Huai Xu personally pushed Jun Yanchen's wheelchair up the ramp into the mansion. While other mansions had steps at their entrances, Huai Xu had prepared a ramp, slightly wider than the wheelchair, beside the steps.

This request initially puzzled many, but Huai Xu insisted.

It's all for this day...

The mansion was designed with wheelchair accessibility in mind, so upon entering, I smoothly made my way to the main hall.

The group of people who had been waiting immediately came forward.

"Huaiqing, sister-in-law."

"Master, Madam"

"Junior sister, Huaiqing, you've finally arrived! We've been waiting for you!"

Jun Yanchen and Gu Nanzhi were surprised to find that all of them were there, and it seemed they had been there for quite some time.

"I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting,"

Whether the wait is long or short is not important. What matters is that Zhen Yunzhi and He Mobai have already snatched Jun Zhaoye and Jun Wangshu away, holding them in their arms and teasing them.

"Little Zhaoye, Little Wangshu, come here, let your senior uncle hug you. Did you miss your senior uncle?"

"Little Wangshu, Little Zhaoye, do you still remember your uncle this time? Hmm? Come on, call him uncle and let me hear it."

The two children were picked up like that, but they still obediently greeted the person.

"Master Uncle, Uncle, Uncle Xuanying..."

"so nice"

"Come on, let's go inside. Your uncle brought you some good things today."

They were all so familiar with the place that they felt right at home. They didn't need Huai Xu or Lin Yicheng to greet them; they acted like hosts, leading the two adorable children into the main hall.

"Huaiqing, sister-in-law, you've finally arrived! If you had come any later, I would have sent someone to check on you. It's almost noon now, and if you hadn't come soon, I wouldn't have been able to open that jar of fine wine."

"Last time at Tingfeng Pavilion, it didn't feel like home, so it wasn't convenient. I figured that even though it's not my residence today, given our relationship, Huai Xu's house would be considered my own home."

So, I'm taking this opportunity to host a welcome-back banquet for you all today. That's why I dug up my wine that's been buried for so many years..."

Zhen Yunzhi was even more at ease, and being a chatterbox, he rattled off a whole bunch of things. However, not all of it was nonsense. In any case, Gu Nanzhi heard him mention a jar of fine wine, and judging from the description, it had been buried in the ground for quite some time.

She'll definitely want to try it; it's sure to be delicious...

"Good wine? Then I must have a good taste, Young Master Zhen, thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Although Jun Yanchen wasn't a talkative person, he remembered all these sentiments. Even though he didn't speak much or joke around in this setting, he felt completely relaxed...

"Sister-in-law, you're too kind. Actually, this jar of wine I brought was specially prepared for you. It was buried by me when you left the capital all those years ago."

We've been waiting for you to come back, and today that day has finally come.

That's really thoughtful. Gu Nanzhi was even a little envious of the brotherhood between Jun Yanchen and Zhen Yunzhi, two people with such contrasting personalities.

"Zhizhi, come, let's sit for a while. I've already asked the kitchen to start preparing the food. It's all prepared in advance, so you can have lunch now."

Also, since you're late, you'll have to stay home all day. I've specially prepared lots of delicious snacks for you to enjoy.

"It's time to eat now, so I won't give you any food yet, lest you won't be able to eat later..."

Hearing this, Gu Nanzhi felt a warmth in her heart and naturally agreed, especially since she had originally planned to stay all day anyway.

"Okay, I'll do as Chengzi says. I knew you'd prepared something delicious. I'm going to savor it properly later. I've never tried any of the snacks from the capital before."

What was said unintentionally was taken seriously by the listener.

This reminds one of Gu Nanzhi's background, evoking feelings of pity and heartache...

Lin Yicheng poured her a cup of tea as he spoke.

"Yes, I know your preferences, so I specially had them prepared. There are many kinds, some of which I have tried and thought were good, and some of which are quite famous snacks."

Thank you, Chengzi.

"Also, the cook at home was specially hired by Huai Xu. He's very skilled. You should try his cooking later. From now on, we don't need to keep secrets from each other. Bring Zhao'er and Shu'er home whenever you have time."

I miss my two little nephews and nieces so I can take them out to play.”