Foreigners entering the capital, especially those arriving with such fanfare, would inevitably have to present travel permits to the city gate officials. However, they didn't need to. Gu Yan Chen was returning to the capital with an imperial decree to report for duty.
This place was bustling with people. Presenting the imperial decree would create too much of a commotion. Meng Chang Dong stepped forward with Gu Yan Chen's seal. The two gate officials, their faces showing a hint of arrogance, immediately became respectful. After kneeling and performing the rites, they allowed the long procession of carriages to pass.
Just past the city gate, two figures on horseback were seen galloping towards them. From afar, Ouyang Wen's hearty laughter could be heard, "Little Yan Yan, we're here to pick you up!"
Gu Yan Chen abruptly pulled open the carriage curtain and, upon seeing the two on horseback, a visible joy bloomed on his face. "Fu'er, wasn't I right? The first people we'd see would be these two."
Without waiting for the carriage to stop, he leaped out.
The two opposite also dismounted simultaneously. In an instant, they each landed a punch on Gu Yan Chen.
For any official returning to the capital to report for duty, regardless of rank, the first order of business was naturally to enter the palace for an audience. However, before that, they had to go to the posthouse to bathe and change. Traveling back to the capital had left them covered in dust. Not cleaning up would be disrespectful in front of the Emperor.
Ouyang Wen and Ji Jin were, of course, aware of such protocols.
The two escorted the entourage to the posthouse. Ouyang Wen asked, "When you go to the palace for your audience, will my sister-in-law return directly to the Marquis's mansion or come to my residence to wait for you before returning together?"
Gu Yan Chen replied, "No need. The steward at the mansion had already come to the capital ahead of us to secure a residence at number 133 Hulu Street. I need to bathe and change before my audience, so it wouldn't be appropriate for her to meet my family looking so dishevelled."
"Indeed, otherwise it would seem impolite." Ouyang Wen knew the character of the wife of the Marquis of Guangling all too well.
And so, Lu Nian Fu was taken to number 133 Hulu Street.
Wang Shou Cheng was exceptionally capable. In just a few days, he had managed to procure a large mansion in the capital, combining two four-courtyard houses into one.
What kind of place was the capital? It was densely populated, and land was expensive. Small residences were manageable, but a grand mansion like this was difficult to acquire even with ample funds, let alone under such a tight deadline.
Moreover, the mansion had already been meticulously cleaned, spotless, and even furnished.
Wang Shou Cheng pointed out a side gate to Song Ming, instructing him to lead the long line of carriages in to unload and settle. He then led Lu Nian Fu inside. Yan Qing followed alongside, feeling quite pleased. His young apprentice was indeed clever.
The residences in the capital differed from those in Jiangnan.
Compared to the delicate and graceful style of Jiangnan, those in the capital were more grand and luxurious. It seemed a recent snowfall had left a thick layer of white snow on the rooftops, and the snow on the tree guards had not entirely melted. However, the ground had been swept clean, not a trace of snow remaining.
Wang Shou Cheng asked, "Young lady, do you find this residence acceptable? If you don't like it, there is another one, though its location is a bit further out."
Lu Nian Fu replied, "It's very good. It's quite impressive to acquire such a residence in such a short time."
Qing Miao, at the opportune moment, handed over a silk pouch. Wang Shou Cheng accepted it with a smile and thanked Lu Nian Fu, "Thank you, young lady, for your generosity."
"You've earned it. You've worked hard these past few days."
"Not at all. Shall I show you to the main courtyard then?"
Seeing that Qing Miao had already taken the cook to attend to their duties, Lu Nian Fu readily agreed and followed Wang Shou Cheng. It wasn't that she was eager for sightseeing, but after so many days of bumpy carriage rides, she simply wanted to lie down and rest.
In her opinion, such a grueling journey would require at least three days of deep sleep.
But that wouldn't be possible. When Gu Yan Chen returned, she still had to accompany him to meet his parents. She would need to change and bathe later. Thinking about meeting the Emperor and Empress soon, she felt a flutter of apprehension.
In her past life, she had never met Emperor Chang Wu, but she had seen the Empress several times.
Consort Jian and the Empress had been rivals for most of their lives, and Situ Jue was determined to usurp the Crown Prince's position. The Empress's attitude towards her, as the secondary consort of Prince Ning, was predictable. If she hadn't been quick-witted, she would have met her end at the Empress's hands.
The Empress had shown her no favour, and the Consort had not treated her as one of her own. In the eyes of them and their son, she was merely a money bag.
A money bag that could be used at any time, without even needing to be asked.
Steam rose from the bathtub as Lu Nian Fu submerged herself entirely in the water. After a while, she lifted her head with a "splash." She reached back to push her hair, then grabbed a silk cloth to wipe the water from her face.
The past could not be revisited, otherwise, thinking about it once would anger her each time. In her previous life, she had lived far too miserably.
It was better in Yangzhou, out of sight, out of mind. But once she set foot in the capital, she would inevitably encounter those people from her past life. Tsk, there wasn't a single one of them who could bring her a good mood. She needed to prepare herself in advance, lest she reveal her emotions the moment she saw them.