Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 269 Returning Home
The convoy continued on its journey in the drizzle, and two days later, they finally entered Chang'an City.

Because of the bad weather, there were almost no pedestrians on the street. The sky was gray and fog covered the city. Looking into the distance, one could see the vague outline of the city wall in the distance.

Chaolu wanted to invite Yan Ciwan to live at her grandfather's house, but Yan Ciwan declined. Chaolu thought she was being polite and tried to persuade her: "Although my grandfather's house is not a big house, it is definitely more comfortable than the inn outside. The most important thing is that you and I are familiar with each other, so you can feel more at ease living there."

Yan Ciwan reluctantly told the truth: "Xiao Liu invited me to stay at his house temporarily before, and I have already agreed."

Zhaolu thought of her soul-separation syndrome and immediately expressed her understanding: "Okay, the Xiao Mansion and my grandparents' home are both in the city, so they should not be far away. Let's get together after we settle down."

"it is good."

After the two of them agreed, they parted at the crossroads.

Chaolu and Liu rode in a carriage heading west to Chang'an County, while Yan Ciwan followed Xiao Wang and others on horseback to Wannian County in the east.

Chang'an implemented a night curfew, and at dusk all the gates of the blocks would be closed, making it impossible to travel between the blocks. Therefore, Yan Ciwan, Xiao Wang and others sped up, and their carriages and horses drove along the road, and finally arrived at Yongxing Block where the Xiao Mansion was located.

At this moment, the sound of drums was heard in the distance, indicating that the gate had begun to close.

Du Lingzhou and Li Chengge could only stay in Yongxingfang tonight. Xiao Qi took the opportunity to invite them to visit the Xiao Mansion, and the two naturally agreed.

Uncle Jiu went forward and knocked on the door. The side door next to the main entrance of the Xiao Mansion was opened, and a doorman came out holding a lantern. When he saw that the visitors were his Dalang and Liulang, he immediately opened the side door completely and asked someone to inform the master of the family about this matter.

Soon, the news of Xiao Xi and Xiao Wang's return home spread throughout the Xiao Mansion.

The originally quiet Xiao Mansion suddenly became lively.

According to the rules, the first thing a guest should do when entering the house is to visit the host, but it is already late now, and Xiao Qie is afraid of disturbing his grandfather's rest, so he asks the housekeeper to take the guests to rest first, and arrange for the guests to meet his grandfather and father tomorrow.

Xiao Xie asked his wife and children to return to the courtyard where they lived first, while he took Xiao Wang to visit his grandfather and father.

The housekeeper of the Xiao residence also had the surname Xiao and was named Zhong. Because Li Chengge often came to the Xiao residence to play with Xiao Wang in the past, Xiao Zhong was very familiar with him. As soon as Li Chengge saw him, he smiled and called him "Uncle Zhong".

Xiao Zhongcheng said timidly, "I don't deserve it. Your Highness, just call me by my humble name."

When Yan Ciwan heard the word "Your Highness", he couldn't help but look at Li Chengge twice more.

Li Chengge coughed twice to cover up: "Don't be so polite when you are out, just call me Li Sanlang."

Xiao Zhong was very perceptive. He realized that the other party wanted to hide his identity, so he immediately responded to what he said.

"Okay, Li Sanlang will still live in Yueyingxuan as before, right?"

"Row."

Xiao Zhong asked someone to take Li Chengge and Cha Bingliang to Yueyingxuan, and then looked at Yan Ci and Du Lingzhou. His gaze swept over the two of them and finally stopped on Du Lingzhou.

He tried to recall: "This young man looks quite familiar. Have you seen him before?"

Du Lingzhou grinned and said loudly, "I am the second son of the Du family in Dongdu. I have been to Chang'an with my grandmother before. I was just ten years old that year. My grandmother brought me here to visit Mr. Xiao. At that time, it was Uncle Zhong who led us in."

Xiao Zhong's eyes lit up: "So it's Du Erlang. I haven't seen you for many years. You look even more handsome and elegant. You have the demeanor of General Du back then!"

Du Lingzhou puffed out his chest with pride, obviously enjoying the compliment. Xiao Zhong smiled and said, "Du Erlang should live in Qiyun Pavilion. When General Du came to visit Xiao's house, he stayed overnight in Qiyun Pavilion."

When Du Lingzhou heard this, he immediately became very interested in Qiyun Pavilion. He immediately said, "Take me to Qiyun Pavilion to have a look."

Xiao Zhong asked a servant to lead Du Lingzhou and his servant to Qiyun Pavilion.

As a result, Yan Ciwan was the only one left among the three guests. Xiao Zhong was unsure of her identity and background, so he asked tentatively, "What's your name, young lady?"

"My last name is Ning and my given name is Ci."

"May I ask where you are from, Madam Ning? Do you have any special requirements for food, clothing, housing and transportation?"

"I'm from Xizhou, I don't have any special requirements, just clean and quiet."

When Xiao Zhong heard the word Xizhou, he thought of Princess Leyou who was about to marry the prince. That princess also traveled thousands of miles from Xizhou to Chang'an.

Xizhou is a vast territory with a large population. Xiao Zhong doesn't think there is any relationship between the two. He thinks it's just a coincidence.

There are many guest rooms in the Xiao Mansion. Xiao Zhong plans to choose a courtyard suitable for a young girl to live in for Ning Ci, but before he can say anything, Uncle Jiu walks in quickly.

He said to Xiao Zhong, "Liu Lang asked me to pass on a message to you. He said that Madam Ning's accommodation has already been arranged, and she will live in Changhong Residence."

Xiao Zhong was stunned, and blurted out subconsciously: "This is not good, right?"

Uncle Jiu didn't explain much, just said that this was Liu Lang's arrangement.

Xiao Zhong had no choice but to agree: "Okay, I'll have someone take her to Changhongju right away."

"No, I'll take her."

Uncle Jiu took Yan Ciwan to Changhongju. Xiao Zhong stood there and watched their backs go away. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that something was wrong. Changhongju was located next to Weirui Tower. There was only a low wall between the two places. Weirui Tower was where Xiao Wang lived.

Because Xiao Wang likes quietness, Changhongju has always been vacant. Only when Taoist Mo Dao came to Chang'an to visit Xiao Wang that year did he stay in Changhongju for two days. Apart from that, no one has ever lived in Changhongju since then.

Now Xiao Wang specially arranged Ning Ci to live next door to him. It was obvious that Ning Ci had a special meaning to him.

Xiao Zhong had already heard about the breakup of the engagement between Xiao Wang and Chao Erniang. He secretly wondered if the reason for the breakup had anything to do with this Madam Ning who came from afar?
At the same time, Xiao Wang had followed Xiao Qie to Bailu Hall, which was Xiao Wenyi's residence. Normally, he would have gone to bed at this time, but tonight he had heard the news of his two grandsons' return, so he stayed up on purpose. His eldest son, Xiao Zeming, was sitting below him at this moment, and the father and son were chatting while drinking tea.

As soon as Xiao Yu and Xiao Wang entered the door, they knelt down in front of their grandfather and father and kowtowed respectfully.

"Grandfather, father, the child is back."

After the two stood up, Xiao Wenyi pointed to the chair on the left and asked them to sit down and talk.

Xiao Xi and Xiao Wang sat upright.

Xiao Wenyi and Xiao Zeming looked them up and down and felt that they had changed a lot, especially Xiao Wang, who looked taller than the last time they met him, and his complexion was more rosy and shiny, and he seemed to be in much better shape.

Xiao Zeming couldn't wait to ask, "I heard that Liu Lang has found the descendants of the Ning clan leader?"

Xiao Wang answered truthfully: "Yes, I have brought her to Chang'an. I asked Uncle Jiu to take her to Changhong Residence just now, and I will bring her to meet grandfather and father tomorrow."