The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 698 - 660: Reunion (Part 1)

Yuanbao was standing on the deck outside, greeting Yun Huai from afar, when he saw Eunuch Sanbao assisting Zhao Xi out. He hurried up to lend a hand.

Zhao Xi, however, pushed both of them away, "I can walk by myself."

Yuanbao and Eunuch Sanbao exchanged a glance and swiftly stepped forward to follow.

Yun Shisan, Yun Shiliu, and Xue Yan followed closely behind.

The journey from Tongzhou to Suzhou was by water. To accommodate Zhao Xi’s health, there were frequent rests, but the meals along the way were as grand as those in the palace. Nevertheless, Zhao Xi had visibly thinned, appearing lifeless at first glance, which naturally evoked concern.

Yun Huai stood on the shore, his eyes flickering slightly as he looked at the now frail Crown Prince.

He hadn’t spent much time with Zhao Xi and didn’t know him well, but the Crown Prince’s reputation among the people had always been excellent. The most common praise was "possessing both scholastic and martial talents."

At sixteen years old, newly crowned and already in charge of the critical office of the Divine Soldier Bureau, he should be a vibrant youth full of life. Yet, the current sight of the Crown Prince filled people with despair, like a young willow branch snapped abruptly in its prime.

Yun Shiliu had mentioned in a letter that His Highness was not well, without specifying the details. Now seeing Zhao Xi in person, he seemed worse than Yun had imagined.

Watching Zhao Xi disembark, Yun Shiliu quickly asked, "Your Highness, do you feel seasick? If so, we shouldn’t rush to leave. Let’s find an inn nearby to rest for a while."

But Eunuch Sanbao was concerned, thinking their master, being of noble status, couldn’t just stay at any inn, he asked, "How long will it take to get from the dock to your Yunxiu Mountain Villa?"

"Not long," Yun Shisan replied. "Riding swiftly, it would take half an hour, but His Highness cannot ride in his condition. In a sedan or carriage, it might take longer."

Zhao Xi merely uttered one word, "Go."

Eunuch Sanbao quickly explained on behalf of his master, "Since it’s still early, let’s not linger outside; let’s proceed directly."

Xue Yan saw Yun Huai from afar and waved excitedly, "Uncle!"

Yun Huai approached with a few disciples. To avoid revealing Zhao Xi’s identity, he merely clasped his hands in salute, "It’s been a long and tiring journey. Everyone must be weary. The Mountain Villa has prepared a feast and guest courtyard for you. Please, this way."

Yuanbao also returned the salute, "Thank you, Master Yun."

Considering Zhao Xi’s condition, Yun Huai did not prepare a horse for him and instead arranged a carriage.

To ensure Zhao Xi’s safety, Yun Huai gave his horse to Xue Yan and rode the carriage with Zhao Xi.

The carriage, though not as luxurious as the one Zhao Xi usually rode when leaving the palace, was spacious and elegant. Zhao Xi, Yun Huai, Yuanbao, and Eunuch Sanbao did not feel cramped at all. Inside, there was a small kang table with carved floral and avian designs, a set of blue and white porcelain teaware decorated with bamboo patterns, and a Su embroidery curtain that couldn’t entirely muffle the faint sound of storytelling from outside.

Curious, Yuanbao asked what it was.

Yun Huai replied, "Storytelling and ballad singing."

"It sounds quite interesting," Yuanbao said. "One day, when I have the time, I would like to enjoy a full session."

Yun Huai smiled and agreed.

He then poured a cup of tea for Zhao Xi and remarked, "It hasn’t been long since we last met, yet Your Highness has grown thinner."

He didn’t ask what had happened, and Eunuch Sanbao, fearing to speak, simply smiled and responded on behalf of his master.

When Zhao Xi remained silent, Yun Huai paused with his teacup near his lips, "Has His Highness been this way throughout the journey?"

Eunuch Sanbao nodded cautiously, "He was already like this before departing the palace."

Yuanbao said, "It’s fine. Suzhou is full of talented individuals and beauty. A month’s stay will do him good."

At these words, Zhao Xi seemed to glance at him.

Yuanbao scratched his head with an awkward smile, "Just joking, no beauties needed, just the beautiful scenery."

Saying this, he mentally slapped himself, realizing he had touched on a sensitive topic.

To break the awkwardness, Yuanbao diverted the conversation, "Speaking of which, I’ve never been to Suzhou. I’ve heard there are many fun places here. Master Yun, when will you take us to explore them fully?"

Yun Huai chuckled, "As long as you’re interested, I’ll happily accompany you."

Yuanbao laughed, "Lucky you’re not strict."

"Why do you say that?" Yun Huai raised an eyebrow, slightly puzzled.

"Strict people are the worst," Yuanbao huffed lightly. "You have no idea how I used to think in the palace, wondering when His Highness would take me to play somewhere else or let me take him, but he was always busy, his schedule rigidly set, never any time. You can imagine how dull my two years in the palace were."

Listening to his grumble, Yun Huai chuckled, "If he weren’t self-disciplined, how could there be the ’can do anything’ Crown Prince you speak of, or the scholarly and martial Great Chu Crown Prince perceived by the people?"

Yuanbao was momentarily at a loss for words, then complained, "How boring, even the renowned Jianghu scholar Yun Liulang knows how to mock people now."

Yun Huai replied, "Your personality differs from His Highness’s, as do your habits. He has his strengths, and so do you."

"Really?" Yuanbao liked being complimented. "Then tell me, what are my strengths?"

Before Yun Huai could speak, Yun Shisan, riding alongside, interjected, "Young Master Song’s strength is naturally charming the ladies. No wonder so many girls dream of him, as he seems to leave a mark everywhere he goes."

Yuanbao’s mouth twitched fiercely.

Eunuch Sanbao, hearing this, resonated deeply, "Isn’t it true, he’s quite the charmer? Our master painstakingly won him a Hai Dongqing, yet before leaving himself, he gifted it to another girl right in front of us. This gesture of borrowing flowers to present to Buddha was truly ingenious."

At this, Yun Huai glanced over, and Yuanbao was so embarrassed he wanted to disappear, glaring at Eunuch Sanbao, "If you keep quiet, no one will mistake you for a mute."

Eunuch Sanbao also glared back but remained silent.

The carriage fell into a quiet silence, with Zhao Xi leaning on a lotus-embroidered pillow, drifting into a light sleep.

Yunxiu Mountain Villa was located within Suzhou City. Gusu was a refined place where scholars preferred building gardens within the city over retreating to the mountains, separated by a single white wall, cutting off the bustling outside world from the tranquil bamboo shadows within, creating a peaceful oasis amid the city’s chaos.

Upon arrival at Yunxiu Mountain Villa, a crowd had gathered at the main gate, led by Yun Huai’s parents, the elder Master Yun Tianlei and Lady Ning.

The rest consisted of Yun Huai’s elder brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and the inner and outer disciples of the Yun Family, all gathered in neat rows.

The carriage stopped, Zhao Xi awoke just in time, and Yun Huai alighted first, while Yuanbao and Eunuch Sanbao assisted Zhao Xi off the carriage from either side.

Xue Yinhuan was also among those welcoming the guests. Upon seeing Zhao Xi from afar, she was momentarily stunned.

She remembered departing the Capital, seeing the young Prince, not yet crowned, vibrant, and ruthless.

Now, just a year later, he seemed like a completely different person.

Unlike the one she dreamed of at night, so depressed and haggard, it inexplicably tugged at her heart.

She only knew of a distinguished guest arriving at the Mountain Villa today, so she accompanied her grandparents to greet them, never expecting that the guest would be Zhao Xi, the Crown Prince.

Seeing him, a swirl of emotions filled Xue Yinhuan’s heart.

Xue Yan peeked around, took a long time to spot Xue Yinhuan in the crowd, and immediately waved ecstatically, "Sister, sister, I’m here."

Hearing Xue Yan’s voice, Xue Yinhuan’s thoughts snapped back. She looked at Xue Yan and smiled, "Come over quickly."

To keep Zhao Xi’s identity from the residents of the Mountain Villa, they avoided formal bows. The elder Master Yun approached and politely addressed him as "Young master," saying that a feast was ready inside for him after he had a bath and change of clothes.

"Thank you," Zhao Xi nodded slightly.

Eunuch Sanbao knew their master’s current state was barely sustained, so he said to the elder Master Yun, "Excuse us, our young master is weary from the journey and seasick, feeling unwell. Please allow us to retire to the guest room instead of attending a banquet."

The elder Master Yun looked at Yun Huai.

Yun Huai nodded.

Only then did the elder Master Yun stroke his beard, "In that case, Liulang, take them to the guest courtyard and take good care of them."

Yun Huai nodded, "Father, rest assured, leave everything to me."