Chapter 859: The Xie Family Returns to Beijing

Yin Ji's family letter was delivered to Qianmen Pass in a hurry. Upon hearing the good news, the elderly couple from the Xie family immediately began to pack their bags to go to the capital.
However, they had no official positions and could come and go as they pleased. Xie Ji, on the other hand, was still the Marquis of Guanwai and had a sensitive identity. Without an imperial edict, he was not allowed to enter the capital. He could only watch his parents pack their things, which was disheartening when considered from the sidelines.
"Mother, do we have to take all the servants with us?"
This mansion is not big to begin with, and the servants are all elderly people from our family who were exiled to Yunnan with them. Taking all of them with us is not considered excessive, but once these people leave, there will be only me left in this mansion."
Mrs. Xie was a bit helpless: "The Emperor's letter stated that the Xie residence has been cleaned up. With such a big mansion, we have to arrange for enough staff to take care of it. However, we have to be low-key now and not go on a massive buying spree for servants. We can only try our best to bring as many as we can to look after it."
That being said—
"At the very least, leave one for me. Doesn't someone have to take care of my clothes, food, housing, and transportation?"
"You're such a grown adult, and yet you can't take care of yourself?"
Xie Ji: "..."
Although he won't starve to death alone, we can't really leave only him.
"You keep the couple from Pingning for me and I'll bring them back when I return to Beijing," he said.
"No, you can't!"
Madam Xie refused outright, pushing Pingning onto the carriage. "Mingzhu's injury hasn't healed yet, Pingning, be careful. You are the most suitable for taking care of people."
"Pingning is my maid," Xie Ji complained angrily, "besides, there are several maids in the mansion. Why do we have to bring Pingning?"
Madam Xie didn't speak any further, just raised her hand and tapped on the car window. Mingzhu opened the curtain to look at him, blinking her watery eyes and said, "Big brother, can't you let Pingning sister be mine?"
Xie Ji choked and said, "...Take her away."
Mingzhu smiled happily and said, "I knew Big Brother is the best."
Xie Ji instinctively twitched the corner of his mouth, about to laugh foolishly, but then he jolted back to his senses with a shock, realizing his carelessness. He clenched his fist and said, "Taking Pingning away is also acceptable, but leave Grandma Sun to me."
Grandmother Sun is the chef of the Xie family. If it wasn't for her all these years, he doubted that he and Xie Yun would have grown up.
"If the master wants the old slave to stay, the old slave will stay. The old slave is most willing to take care of the master..."
Grandma Sun supported her daughter-in-law and walked over, trembling with every step, as if she could fall down at any moment.
Xie Ji Zhang opened his mouth and then closed it. Forget it, even if Grandma Sun stays, he can't bear to let her take care of him.
"You should still go to the capital city."
"He breathed a sigh of relief, and as soon as Sun Po-Po heard these words, her legs stopped trembling, her back straightened, and she quickly got on the carriage."
Xie Ji: "..."
"He knew that the capital city was good, but he would only be a few months late in returning, was it really necessary? His thoughts had gotten the better of him."
"I don't care, you all have to leave me one, I can't spend the New Year alone here."
He stubbornly climbed onto the car shaft and acted unruly. Mrs. Xie shook her head and sighed, "Alright, alright, can I really leave you behind? Your mother will leave Ping An with you. He accompanied you as you grew up, always obedient. Are you satisfied now?"
Xie Ji was immediately satisfied, as long as there was someone accompanying him.
He looked around and didn't find Ping An, but he didn't pay attention. He escorted Xie's parents out of the city and only noticed Ping An waiting at the city gate. He didn't carry any baggage, indicating that he had no intention of leaving.
He still has a conscience.
He let out a breath and was about to praise the other person when Ping An spoke up. "Grandpa, what should we have for lunch?"
"Let's cook some noodles, just make do with a meal."
平安点点头：“行，那就劳烦大爷您了。”
谢济一顿，什么叫劳烦他了？
他侧头看过去，就瞧见平安颤巍巍举起了手，上头包着厚厚的白布：“奴才受伤了，做不了饭。”
That was the burn left by the defending soldiers when they attacked the city. Because of what happened ten years ago, he felt guilty in his heart. Although others didn't know, in this war, he was desperately trying to atone for his sins, to the point where he couldn't even cook or wash clothes.
谢济僵在原地半晌，随即仰天长叹，这哪里是给他留了个奴才，这是给他留了个大爷啊！
可他的满腔悲愤，根本无人理会，谢家一众人虽然人数不少，却都轻装简行，一路直奔京城，临到跟前谢淮安先一步进去报了信，等他们进城那天，谢蕴已经候在城门口等着了。
"Mother, Father..."
"Xie Yun stepped forward to greet them, and Xie Mu quickly got out of the car and supported her: Why did you come out? It's chaotic at the city gate."
"Naturally, I missed you. Mother, don't worry, the Emperor sent me here. I urged him to go back because of the busy state affairs... Was the journey peaceful?"
"It's very peaceful," Xie father also got off the carriage and looked her up and down. Seeing that she hadn't become much thinner or weaker since her time in the North, he finally relaxed. "It's cold here, don't catch a cold, let's go into the city first."
Xie Yun nodded and took Xie Mu's arm to get on the carriage, but Xie Fu didn't move. He just looked up at the magnificent city walls of the capital and said, "After eight years, we are finally back..."
His emotions welled up in his eyes, though they were quickly suppressed, his gaze remained fixed.
Xie Yun held onto his arm: "Father, poverty and lowly worries, mediocrity may lead to success. Although the Xie family has suffered a lot this time, it may not necessarily be a bad thing. The future generations of the Xie family will remember this lesson, maintain their prosperity, and be cautious in their actions, so as not to repeat the same mistakes."
Xie Fu patted her hand and said, "You're right. It's important to maintain a steady and prosperous state. Many people forget this principle."
"The wind is picking up, let's go quickly."
Xie Mu urged, and Xie Fu quickly rolled up his sleeves to shield Xie Yun from the wind. He helped her onto the carriage, and the procession swayed and entered the city. They kept a low profile along the way and did not publicize their presence, but they still encountered many people. Some stood at the street corner, gazing from afar; others stood on tall buildings, watching silently as the carriage passed by. Regardless of their positions, when they saw the carriage approaching, they all instinctively saluted silently.
That was the poor scholar who had once been taken in by the Xie family for education. Some of them, after the court abolished the monopoly of the aristocracy over the imperial examinations, had entered the court; some had entered high-ranking households and become servants. Regardless of their status, they all came to greet the Xie family upon learning that they were coming to the capital.
Xie Fu closed the car window without looking back.
Mingzhu was a little surprised. Xie Fu didn't seem like such an arrogant person.
Xie Yun smiled and rubbed her head, "Our views may differ in the future, but today is both a welcome and a farewell."
So at this time, indifference is the best way to respond.
Mingzhu's eyes were thoughtful, carefully considering the meaning behind it. The convoy quickly passed through Zhulou Street, with fewer people around. Xie Yun finally opened the car window, and Xie Fu leaned over to look outside through the window. When the Xie family mansion appeared in front of them, he reached out and grabbed the windowsill.
"Madam, the Xie family..."
Mrs. Xie grabbed his hand and said, "We're back."