The Lotus Princess nodded, pulling Princess Zhaoning along as she turned to walk back to her residence.
Just as Shen Ziyan was about to follow, Liu Rumei gently tugged her sleeve.
Shen Ziyan turned to look at Liu Rumei, who pointed to the side. Seeing her wink and nod, Shen Ziyan understood and turned to walk towards her own room.
Witnessing this, Chen Xiaobei also followed. Then, Liu Tie and Liu Ce took up positions outside Shen Ziyan's door.
Inside the room, Shen Ziyan smiled at the two of them, "What are you two up to? Being so secretive?"
"Senior Sister Ziyan, I have something that puzzles me, and I wanted to tell you about it," Chen Xiaobei stated directly, lowering his voice as he recounted to Shen Ziyan what Bai Han had told him.
Shen Ziyan looked at Chen Xiaobei with a hint of suspicion, "Chen Xiaobei, are you doubting him?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "Doubting is too strong a word. I just find this matter very strange. He never mentioned to me about clearing out the Duobang line, and from the current situation, if you have all retired from the martial world, it seems unlikely that Great Hero Jiang would still be involved in such affairs."
Shen Ziyan pondered for a moment and nodded slightly, "What you say has some merit."
"Alright then, I'll keep an eye on things for you."
After discussing the important matters, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei found an excuse to leave quickly.
Chen Xiaobei returned to his own驸马府 (Imperial Son-in-law's Residence) and found Liu Kai waiting. Upon seeing him arrive, Liu Kai stepped forward and bowed, "Son-in-law, Young Lady, a letter has arrived from Hetou Village!"
He then presented a small rolled-up piece of paper.
Liu Rumei took it and handed it directly to Chen Xiaobei without looking, as it was about matters concerning Hetou Village, and Chen Xiaobei should be the first to know.
Chen Xiaobei unrolled it and saw a few brief sentences. Cui Hongyu was asking if he would be returning to Hetou Village for the New Year.
Reading this, Chen Xiaobei paused. It dawned on him that in his recent busyness, he had forgotten about this matter. According to the customs of the Great Cang Dynasty, there was indeed a New Year celebration.
It also occurred during the coldest season of the year, which was somewhat similar to his previous life.
Perhaps it was because so many people had transmigrated, leading to the establishment of similar customs!!!
After a moment of thought, Chen Xiaobei handed the note back to Liu Rumei without saying a word.
Liu Rumei also fell silent after reading it. Then, she turned to Liu Kai and said, "Head Steward, you may return. I will send someone to find you when a reply is needed!"
Liu Kai bowed and left.
Back in her own room, Chen Xiaobei sat down, appearing dejected.
Liu Rumei, being understanding, brought over a bowl of tea and gently placed it beside Chen Xiaobei. She then softly asked, "Husband, do you want to return to Hetou Village?"
Images of his time with Cui Hongyu flashed through Chen Xiaobei's mind, from when she first married into his household to her current lonely state in Hetou Village. He, meanwhile, seemed to be enjoying himself so much that he was forgetting his origins. Regardless, Cui Hongyu had accompanied him through his most difficult times; he couldn't be ungrateful...
With this thought, he nodded slightly, "Rumei, you know that Hongyu has been managing the affairs of a large family in Hetou Village by herself, which is not easy. Moreover, the New Year is a most important time."
Liu Rumei nodded. She counted on her fingers and said, "In two more days, the Crown Prince will be buried. Once his funeral is over, shall we go back? There are still more than ten days until the New Year, which is plenty of time!"
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's nose twitched, and his eyes welled up with emotion.
"But, if we go then, you won't be able to accompany your father and mother-in-law here."
Liu Rumei thought for a moment and sighed softly, "A married daughter is like spilled water; my father wouldn't particularly care whether I stay or go."
"As long as you explain it to the Princess and she lets you go."
Chen Xiaobei fell silent upon hearing this. In this era, the ideology of favoring males over females was still prevalent.
Even though Liu Xiangnan had been constantly worried about her before Liu Rumei's return, at this important juncture, Liu Xiangnan remained a traditionalist. The traditional view was that a married daughter could not return to her maternal home to celebrate the New Year and could only visit after the New Year.
"In that case, I will discuss it with the Princess later, and we will return as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace.
After a few days of adjustment, Xiao An's emotions had calmed considerably, and he appeared to have regained some spirit.
After lunch that day, Xiao An rested briefly and, feeling refreshed, said to Xiao Shunzi, "Xiao Shunzi, are there any interesting news outside? Tell me a few things."
Xiao Shunzi bowed, "Your Majesty, the people outside are currently discussing one matter: that Marquis Liu has secretly transported his eldest son, Liu Yuanwen, back to his hometown for burial. He did it quietly, and there was no mourning along the way. Most people are unaware of this."
Hearing this, Xiao An frowned, "Oh, Liu Xiangnan is handling the funeral of his heir so discreetly?"
Xiao Shunzi nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. Marquis Liu has neither sought a posthumous title from you nor from Her Highness the Princess, and has quietly taken him back to bury him."
After hearing Xiao Shunzi's words, Xiao An fell into thought. Suddenly, his brow furrowed, and he said to Xiao Shunzi, "You, go and summon Jingfeng. I have something to instruct her."
Xiao Shunzi turned and left. After a short while, Xiao Jingfeng arrived. Upon entering, she clasped her fists and bowed to her father.
"Father, you summoned Jingfeng so urgently. Do you have any commands?"
Xiao An waved his hand, "I summoned you because there is an important matter. In two more days, your brother is due to be buried."
"Please be assured, Father. I will ensure it is a grand funeral, allowing my brother to depart with peace," Xiao Jingfeng bowed again.
Xiao An waved his hand, "No, what I mean by summoning you is not to make it too grand. Do you know how Liu Xiangnan handled Liu Yuanwen's affairs?"
Xiao Jingfeng shook her head, "Liu Xiangnan did not seek any posthumous title from me. Perhaps after my brother is buried..."
Xiao An shook his head, "No, you are mistaken. Liu Yuanwen has already been secretly sent back to his hometown and buried. Liu Xiangnan has not announced the death, and has handled it so quietly."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingfeng was greatly astonished. She looked at her father in disbelief, "That's unlikely. Liu Xiangnan is a first-rank Marquis, and we could posthumously grant his son the rank of a fourth-rank official for burial!"
"Yes, you are right. But, he chose not to. So, there are some discussions among the common people about this matter. Do you understand what I mean?"
Xiao Jingfeng pondered for a moment and bowed to Xiao An, "Jingfeng understands your meaning. You wish for my brother's funeral to also be handled low-key, so as to avoid the common people accusing us of extravagance and only praising Liu Xiangnan!"