This scene at the city gate caught the attention of many. So admired it, others were disdainful, but most felt jealousy, though they only dared to whisper rather than speak openly.
After all, this is the Emperor’s domain, the place with the highest concentration of officials in Great Qing. And the Song Family, seen earlier, is led by Pri Minister Song’s father, a man of extraordinary prestige.
Indeed, ever since Pri Minister Fan withdrew due to mourning, people in the capital had considered Song Zhiyuan the leading civil official. He was the Emperor’s childhood friend, a most trusted minister, and indeed worthy of this honor.
"Father, Mother, this is what being powerful is like."
In one of the carriages, a youth lowered the curtain, and sighed in awe at his parents inside.
In the spacious carriage, a couple exchanged glances and said, "This is what power ans. Once you roam the capital, you must tread carefully; it’s not like our small Luzhou, where you can act impudently. Here, the powerful abound."
The youth pouted and said, "I’m not brainless, Father, don’t worry."
The couple exchanged a smile and shook their heads.
"Husband, the people from the mansion are here to receive us."
The noblewoman flinched and looked at the bearded man, who reached out to hold her hand reassuringly.
"Inside is the master; the Old Madam sent servants to welco the master and the young madam."
Upon hearing the title, the noblewoman’s face turned pale with a hint of humiliation. She instinctively tried to withdraw her hand from the man’s grip, but he held her tightly.
"Yuan Liren." Her eyes welled up as she reprimanded him softly.
Before Yuan Liren could respond, the young Yuan Hao couldn’t bear it. He pushed open the carriage door and glared at the steward outside, shouting, "You wretched servant, do you understand protocol? What nonsense with ’master’ and ’young madam,’ with no sense of propriety. Father, I think this Qingcheng Marquis Mansion is no better; anyway, we bought a house. Let’s just go live there, instead."
"Hao’er." Yuan Liren glared at him, then turned to the noblewoman with eyes full of pleading and remorse.
Madam Yuan, whose real na was Li Furong, looked at her husband’s expression and then at her son, saying, "Hao’er, don’t be rude."
Yuan Hao snorted and glared coldly at the steward.
The steward was indifferent, simply bowing and said, "The Old Madam and Madam are waiting for the master in the mansion."
Li’s heart trembled again.
Yuan Liren felt even more guilty and said coolly, "Understood, lead the way."
The steward, seeing the anger on his face, bowed and led the way.
Once the carriage door closed, Yuan Liren looked at Li, saying, "Rong i."
Li Furong smiled gently, shaking her head, "I’m okay."
Yuan Liren wanted to speak but only managed a sigh, feeling sowhat helpless.
Witnessing this, Yuan Hao pursed his lips, disliking the people of the mansion even more. He didn’t understand why it mattered so much to be on the family registry.
Li Furong was filled with concerns, feeling apprehensive about the days ahead.
anwhile, in the carriage returning to the Pri Minister’s Mansion, Old Master Song was ’reprimanding’ Changgui: "...Is there a need to talk nonsense with them? You have to be more perceptive and give them a lesson, not everyone should dare to block us."
Changgui slightly turned his head and replied good-naturedly inside the carriage, "Old Master Song is right."
However, internally, he disagreed; following the Old Master’s approach would be a joke, and the Pri Minister would definitely punish him.
The carriage stopped at the East Corner Gate, unloading people and goods. After everyone left, it continued to Chema Office. No one noticed, at the corner under the original carriage carrying Old Master Song, soone fell out and disappeared in an instant.
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