57 Loving

"This Lady did not expect that there will be a welcoming banquet for me. Father and second mother really put Rong'er in their hearts."

YuShen and the rest inwardly rolled their eyes. Their XiaoJie would often act like a white lotus in order to deceive other people. She would even act clueless and naïve even though she was quite devious inside.

What 'welcoming banquet' ah?

How could Laoye prepare a welcoming banquet for their XaioJie when he did not even know that they would arrive earlier. The banquet was obviously prepared for something else.

XuanRong could sense her maidservants' inner thoughts but she paid no heed to them. She was more interested with her loathsome father's reaction. She almost laughed when his eyes bulged while looking at her with disbelief in his eyes.

XuanRong was wearing a red Hanfu[1] embroidered with white butterflies using silver thread as outlines, making it look as if the butterflies were hovering around XuanRong.

Those guests could not help but gawk at her, unable to tear off their gaze away from her.

"Rong'er greets father."

XuanRong bent her knees and curtsied towards XuanLi, not paying attention to the fallen cup on the ground.

"You--!"

When XuanLi saw XuanRong, he almost puked blood.

'Why is she here?'

XuanLi cursed that male servant who came a while ago. Why did he not inform him beforehand that his Eldest Di daughter had arrived? XuanLi inwardly gnashed his teeth. He was expecting that the one who arrived was the Crown Prince and not this uneducated girl in front of him.

He wanted to scold XuanRong but XuanLi forced himself to calm down. There were many visitors around and if he would make a scene, he was afraid that many people would gossip later.

'Humph! You dead girl! I'll deal with you later!'

XuanLi did not have any choice but to pretend that he was happy to see XuanRong. But before he could even utter a word to show his fatherly side, XuanRong's eyes reddened.

"Why? Was father angry that Rong'er arrived early? Rong'er dearly missed father and the rest of the family that's why Rong'er hurriedly traveled from Lu Shan toZhong Yang without sleeping and eating, hoping to surprise father. Rong'er never thought that father would get angry at Rong'er. Father, please quell your anger. Rong'er only wanted to show filial piety."

Once again, YuShen and the rest were trying hard to suppress the laughter wanting to escape from their mouth because they knew that their XiaoJie was only acting. Unfortunately, others really thought that XuanRong was not welcomed by her own father and felt pity towards her, especially those young men who were smitten by her teary-eyed face. They inwardly screamed 'injustice'!

"Poor child. She obviously wanted to be reunited with her family, but she was despised by her father for showing filial piety."

"Who is she? She called Xuan Xiangye[2] 'father', she must be one of the Xuan Young Misses in the first branch."

"Ah! She said she came from Lu Shan. Didn't Xuan Xiangye's Eldest Di Daughter leave the capital five years ago to recuperate because her health was not good?"

"Seems like Xuan Xiangye does not like his Eldest Di Daughter."

"Is she really that girl? Rumors said that Xiangye's Eldest Di Daughter is an arrogant person but the one in front of us is obviously as pure as a lotus flower. Maybe, she's not her."

"Heh. If Xuan Xiangye is like this inside his own home, bias and ungrateful, how would he be able to work properly at court?"

Although those guests were only speaking softly, XuanLi was able to hear some nasty words. Some of the guests even purposely increased their voice in order to humiliate XuanLi, Because the Crown Prince told him that he would attend his beloved daughter's birthday banquet, XuanLi did not only invite his friends and colleagues but also those people who were his enemies at court, wanting to show off and flaunt over using the Crown Prince's grace.

Who would have thought that his stupid eldest daughter would arrive and destroy everything?

Bu no matter how much he detested this stupid young girl in front of him, XuanLi could not show it on his face.

Looking at the pitiful young girl who was gently sobbing, XuanLi had the urge to slap her face. He inwardly took a deep breath and smiled lovingly. He took a step forwards and hold XuanRong's hands.

"What are you saying ah? How could father be angry at you? Father was just momentarily surprised that he was not able to hold back and scream. It was due to happiness, yes, happiness. Father dearly misses Rong'er very much."

XuanLi secretly wiped his sweat. He had to show his love towards this stupid daughter of his in order to avoid other people wag their tongues and spit dirty gossip.

XuanRong wanted to slap XuanLi's hands away from her. She felt disgusted. The good thing was, her hands were inside her sleeves and XuanLi's palm was on her clothes and not directly on her skin. She was able to suppress the nausea she felt but since she was still not feeling well, her face was slightly pale, making her look more fragile and delicate.

"Really? Was father really delighted to see Rong'er?"

XuanRong's big eyes stared hopefully at XuanLi, making her face look more lovable. Those people who saw her reaction could not help but want to pamper her more. Even XuanLi was taken aback by his eldest daughter's performance.

Was she possessed?

XuanRong was his daughter after all. Before XuanRong left the capital, her attitude was very different from this young woman in front of him. XuanRong was very arrogant and stubborn. She would not listen to anybody in the Fu[3]. Even he, her father, could not help but despise XuanRong more due to her nasty personality.

But how come she changed so much?

Was five years really that long?

'Did she take the wrong medicine or am I only hallucinating?'

XuanLi inwardly questioned himself since he did not believe that XuanRong had the capability to scheme. He knew her well. She was only arrogant on the surface, but she was even more stupid than a monkey.

Although puzzled, XuanLi could only nod his head and agree to XuanRong's question like a true loving father.

"Yes ah! Not only father, but everyone in the family is very delighted to see you after five years. We should celebrate that Rong'er is back ah! Yes! That's right! Let's celebrate."

XuanRong's eyes twinkled when she heard XuanLi's words. She inwardly curled her lips, forming into a devious smile.

XuanLi, who saw XuanRong's happiness was written all over her face, could not help but exhale in relief. He was glad that he was able to create a great performance of a 'harmonious love between father and daughter'. At least, people would think that he was impartial not only towards his children but also towards his duty as the Left Prime Minister of the country.

Too bad, XuanRong was not done with her part yet.

"Celebrate?*gasp* So father really prepared this banquet for Rong'er? Oh! Rong'er is very happy ah!!"

Once again, XuanLi was rendered speechless.

He only said that they should celebrate for her arrival, but he did not say that he prepared this banquet for her!

XuanLi did not know if XuanRong was just acting shamelessly or if she was really an idiot for not thinking deeply.

Either way, he had to clarify it ah!

"No, that's----"

Before he could even finish, XuanFei and Xiao Lou arrived.

"Father, what's---- D-DaJie[4]?"

XuanFei, who had just arrived was startled to see XuanRong. She just came back from her courtyard together with her mother, Xiao Lou, but who would have thought that after returning, she would see her eldest sister standing beside her father, looking beautiful and happy.

Burying the hate she felt towards XuanRong, XuanFei forced herself to smile while wiping her eyes with her handkerchief, acting like a younger sister who was delighted to see her eldest sibling.

Watching the young maiden in front of her who was shedding happy tears, XuanRong inwardly snorted. Since the main character had already arrived, XuanRong could now start her plan. She smiled at XuanFei and raised her handkerchief to help her wipe her tears.

"Hush.. Why are you crying ah? If other people would see you crying like this, they would think that someone died in XiangFu. Meimei, always remember, you are a dignified daughter of the Xuan family, you should conduct yourself like a distinguished honored lady accordingly to avoid tarnishing second mother's name. People who have bad intentions would gossip that second mother was not able to properly raise you."

XuanRong's voice was soft, like an older sister reprimanding the younger one lovingly, but her words made XuanFei froze, unable to continue crying.

"DaJie, I---"

XuanFei paled.

--------

"Mu Qing! Is the capital still far?"

"We are almost there, Your Highness! I can now see the capital's gate!"

"Okay! Big brother coachman, please drive faster! My Wife JieJie is waiting for me."

Mu Qing could only sigh. If he did not tell His Highness that Miss Xuan had already returned to the capital, His Highness would definitely want to return to Lu Shan.

Thinking of the struggles His Highness experienced in Jing country, Mu Qing swore that he would help him catch Wife JieJie and bring her to QinWang Fu[5] at all cost!

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[1]. It consists of a narrow-cuffed, knee-length tunic tied with a sash, and a narrow, ankle-length skirt worn with a length of fabric that reached the knees. (Empress of China-CDrama)

[2]. Prime Minister Xuan

[3]. Residence

[4]. Big Sis or Elder Sister

[5]. Prince of the First Rank Residence

[Unedited Chapter]