Chapter 881: Chapter 881: Little Sister Can’t Wait Anymore
Lian Bao understood the meaning. He had told Cao De before that once he met Lian Hua, he would give a reply. In reality, he had already decided to join the Internal Guard Bureau, but he hadn’t yet discussed it with his family, and he was also worried about Lian Musu, which delayed his response.
At this moment, he nodded slightly at Cao De, and Cao De couldn’t help but smile more broadly.
The group followed Zhang Qing, passing through a series of towering palace gates, through one majestic hall after another, with layered towers and decorated beams, leaving everyone amazed and in awe.
Lian Changhe seemed even more preoccupied. From the first gate of the Imperial City, they had walked several miles; all these places they passed through belonged to his son-in-law. Their family was so small and weak; how could they support his little daughter...
Upon ascending a wide flight of stairs made of white marble, everyone looked up to see the layered eaves of a palace roof, extending downward with nine ridges. A more grand and magnificent palace gradually came into view, with carved beams and painted rafters, its grandeur towering into the skies, while its flying eaves floated above the earth.
Before the palace stood the three characters "Star Palace," appearing solemn and grand, exuding an aura of dominion over the world.
The group walked onto a vast platform, and they stood in awe, even Su Ran, who was visiting such a place for the first time, was equally stunned.
Zhang Qing awaited with a smile in front, not urging them, and though he had long noticed Cao De among the crowd, he pretended not to know.
Cao De didn’t say much either.
A clear and crisp call broke everyone’s daze: "Father, Mother!"
The crowd came back to their senses and looked toward the distant palace gate where the voice came from, seeing a beautiful woman in palace attire standing at the gate, waving excitedly at them.
Beside her stood a young man, tall and imposing, holding the hand of the woman in palace attire and looking over at them with deep eyes.
Everyone was delighted, and so was Lian Changhe.
He looked ahead excitedly, joy surging from his heart, and he mumbled to himself, "All grown up, all grown up, that’s our Nannan, ah, my little daughter..." His mind was filled only with thoughts of his little daughter, forgetting to glance over to see the son-in-law he had anxiously wondered about countless times.
Lian Bingcheng was equally excited, the flesh on his face trembling unconsciously, as he trembled and said, "Xiao Hua, that’s Xiao Hua..." He recognized at a glance that it was Xiao Hua, his niece Xiao Hua.
Lian Bao instinctively took a few steps forward, gazing at the sight, seeing his little sister dressed in palace attire, with a large belly, full of energy and spirit.
Controlling the solemnity within his heart, he looked beside his little sister and recognized the young man as the guardian who had been behind Hu Miaomiao when he and Uncle Ma had disguised as nouveau riche to save Lian Bingcheng.
Seeing the intimate posture of Lian Hua and the Emperor, Lian Bao instantly felt assured. Just as his Clan Aunt and his mother said, his little sister was living very well, and the Son of Heaven treated her sincerely.
Lih Qingshu’s cold and indifferent face also unwittingly showed a broad smile. Cao De beside her softly said, "She is doing well, His Majesty treats her very well."
So well that it made him envious. The fish at the Huaqing Pool could be scattered at will; if he said a bad word about the Little Beauty, Yuchi Zhao would give him a look that could devour him.
Lian Wanzhen was the most excited; he couldn’t help but wave in response, and shouted, "Little sister!"
That was their little sister!
After shouting, he couldn’t suppress his excitement and was about to rush forward, but Su Ran, with a little remaining rationality, hurriedly scolded, "Wan Zhen, do not be rude! Have you forgotten the etiquette learned the other day?"
Lian Wanzhen remembered that the other day his mother specifically instructed him on palace etiquette, including not running wildly nor making loud noises in front of the court, lest they bring trouble to his little sister.
He quickly suppressed his impulsiveness and verbally urged, "Mother, let’s hurry, our little sister seems impatient."
Only then did the group awaken as if from a dream, and hurriedly walked forward.
Lian Wanzhen was right; if the Emperor hadn’t been holding Lian Hua, she might have run over with her big belly.
As she grew impatient from waiting, the people she waited for finally appeared. First, she saw her father and mother, and even though her father’s hair looked quite strange, she recognized him in an instant.
She then saw the people behind: "Clan Uncle, Clan Aunt!"
"Ah, it’s Master, ah ah ah! It’s Second Brother, Third Brother!" As for that pretty face in the crowd, she subconsciously ignored it and couldn’t be bothered to care why he was there.
She kept waving her hand frantically at the distance, her cheeks flushed with excitement, and her hand, held by the Emperor, was sweaty with anxiety.
The Emperor looked at them, and each person matched a label in his eyes.
The Emperor had met Su Ran and Lian Bingcheng before, his gaze first landed on Lian Changhe in front, a slight astonishment passing through his eyes, finding his father-in-law quite... interesting.
He then glanced past Cao De, a hint of warning in his gaze, and as his eyes passed Lih Qingshu, he thought this must be the elder sister that fellow constantly thought about.
Next, he looked at Lian Wanzhen and Lian Bao, internally remarking that his Little Concubine’s family had outstanding appearances, even the weathered Lian Changhe still held traces of his youthful handsomeness, Lian Wanzhen’s appearance was also very striking, carrying a fierce air about him, unknowingly revealed, and Lian Bao’s appearance needed no further mention, extremely handsome.
Under Lian Hua’s excited waving, the group drew closer and closer to the Star Palace.
Lian Changhe smiled broadly, then noticed the person beside Lian Hua, he instinctively peeked over.
The Emperor noticed, smiled slightly, and nodded at him.
Lian Changhe quickly averted his gaze, not knowing why he dared not look directly, and when he realized it, he cursed himself internally, feeling contemptuous of himself.
It’s just the Son of Heaven, why would he be afraid to look clearly? In the future, how would he protect his little daughter, stand up for her!
With this in mind, he defiantly looked back at the Emperor, yet became stunned.
His son-in-law... what an appearance, what a demeanor, truly impressive, oh, no, this word is not enough to describe his son-in-law, but how exactly to describe him?
He racked his brains to think of a word to describe, but with the amount of knowledge he had, he couldn’t find one, just felt everything looked great.
The only thing was the demeanor all over, somewhat intimidating, making him quite afraid to look!
The Emperor, observing his face change from dark to light, truly found him as hard to grasp as his Little Concubine was at times, when it came to actions.
A cough brought Lian Changhe back to his senses. He noticed that the group had already reached the Star Palace, just about to salute the Son of Heaven, and he quickly lowered his head, following the actions.
Su Ran suppressed the excitement, reminded everyone softly, and before the Emperor spoke, led the group to bow to Lian Hua and the Emperor.