freenovelworld Chapter 2039 Yanjing—The Qian Family Arrives!
Chapter 2039 Yanjing—The Qian Family Arrives!
Just then, the sounds of laughter and voices grew clearer and louder at the moon gate leading from the back house to the front yard.
Led by Qin Zongheng, Jiang Huaiyuan, Yu Haoran, and Song Qiankun, and surrounded by Li Xiangnan, Qin Kunlun, Song Cijiu, and others, the group walked towards the inner courtyard, chatting and laughing.
The morning light shone on them; the elderly men were in high spirits and had an extraordinary air about them. Their conversation carried a calm and joyful air of someone who had experienced many trials and tribulations. They were about to reach the hanging flower gate.
Lin Jianzhou was instantly jolted awake from the immense emotional shock. For some reason, a strong urge, a mixture of embarrassment, awkwardness, and an instinctive desire to escape, gripped him.
His first instinct was to pull his daughter away, hide behind a pillar, or simply turn around and run away from the impending, incredibly awkward face-to-face encounter.
However, Lin Chuqiao gently broke free from his outstretched hand.
She stood there, her back ramrod straight, her gaze calmly fixed on the direction of the moon gate. Her face showed no particular expression, only a resigned and composed acceptance of her fate.
Lin Jianzhou was stunned. Looking at his daughter's straight back, he suddenly understood.
Chu Qiao didn't want to hide, and she couldn't hide anyway. What she had to face, she had to face eventually. Rather than fleeing in a sorry state, she might as well face it with composure.
While I was still in a daze, voices came rushing in like a tide.
"Comrade Jianzhou! You're really here! I was just asking Xiangnan if any other families had arrived early, and I knew you must have been out there already making arrangements to help!"
Qin Zongheng, who was walking in front, immediately spotted Lin Jianzhou standing behind the door, and a bright smile appeared on his face.
The way he addressed Lin Jianzhou as "Comrade Jianzhou" retained the politeness of his position while also conveying the warmth of an elder, effectively easing Lin Jianzhou's awkwardness.
He quickly forced a smile and bowed in response, "Mr. Qin, you flatter me too much. It's all my duty!"
His gaze quickly swept over Jiang Huaiyuan, Yu Haoran, and Song Qiankun behind him. His smile became even more respectful. After being introduced by Qin Zongheng, he quickly greeted them: "So it's Elder Jiang, Elder Yu, and Elder Song. It's an honor to have you all here. Uncle Dequan will be very happy to hear this!"
After hearing Qin Zongheng's introduction, Jiang Huaiyuan was somewhat surprised that a minister was helping out with the work, but he still nodded politely: "Minister Jianzhou, you're too kind!"
His gaze lingered briefly on Lin Chuqiao, carrying a hint of gentle, almost imperceptible scrutiny typical of an elder.
Yu Haoran remained calm, merely nodding slightly. His sharp eyes swept over Lin Jianzhou without any extra emotion, as if he were just looking at an ordinary colleague.
Song Qiankun was as cheerful as ever, laughing heartily: "Jianzhou, it's been a while since we last met. I didn't expect you to still be so energetic!"
Lin Jianzhou smiled slightly, and his earlier worries about his daughter overthinking things dissipated considerably. He then quickly introduced the group of people to his daughter.
Lin Chuqiao took a small step forward and greeted them with grace and poise: "Hello, Grandpa Qin, Grandpa Jiang, Grandpa Yu, Grandpa Song!"
Li Xiangnan followed behind the elderly men. When he saw Lin Chuqiao, he paused almost imperceptibly, a polite yet slightly complicated smile on his face. He nodded to Lin Jianzhou and Lin Chuqiao, saying, "Uncle, Chuqiao, thank you for your hard work!"
"Haha, not easy, not easy!" Qin Zongheng keenly noticed the slightly awkward silence between the three of them and greeted them with a smile, "Brother Zhongmo, are you inside? We old folks must hurry over and congratulate him! Let's see if our great-granddaughter has gotten any fatter!"
"Yes, yes! Uncle Dequan is talking to Brother Fuqiang!" Lin Jianzhou quickly stepped aside to lead the way, "Please come in, seniors! He's been waiting for you!"
The group then continued walking towards the main house, chatting and laughing.
As Li Xiangnan passed by Lin Chuqiao, his gaze met hers for a fleeting moment. His eyes held concern, apology, and a heavy, unspoken weight.
Lin Chuqiao lowered her eyes, looking only at the ground, avoiding the gaze that was making her feel uneasy.
The crowd passed by, and the corridor returned to silence.
Seeing his daughter relax instantly, Lin Jianzhou still felt a pang of heartache and whispered, "Xiao Qiao, why don't you... go home first?"
"Dad, I'm fine!" Lin Chuqiao took a deep breath and looked up. "Let's go in too! The wedding banquet hasn't started yet!"
Inside the main room, the atmosphere had already transformed into a lively and enthusiastic one.
The quick-witted Song Ziming had already reported the events that had occurred in the front yard, especially the arrival of Old Man Jiang and Old Man Yu, to Li Dequan.
At this moment, Li Dequan had already stood up, surrounded by his three sons, Li Fuqiang, Li Fugui, and Li Fuqin. Although he had some difficulty walking, he stood up straight, his face beaming with excitement and heartfelt joy.
Qin Zongheng was the first to stride across the threshold, his voice booming: "Brother Zhongmo, congratulations!"
"Little Hai, congratulations to you, congratulations to you, haha!" Li Dequan's eyes were glistening with tears.
Song Qiankun stepped forward with a smile, "Brother Zhongmo, you look really good today! It's true that people are in high spirits when they have good news, haha!"
Li Dequan seemed to have returned to his youth, quietly punching him, then turning around to look behind him and nodding slightly, "The girl is here too!"
Yu Jingran pulled Jiang Guiying through the door, his expression filled with excitement, "On such a joyous day, I dare not be absent!"
Li Dequan clutched his chest, "Seeing you all warms my heart!"
At this moment, Qin Zongheng introduced with a smile: "Brother Zhongmo, this is Brother Huaiyuan, Guiying's elder brother!"
Jiang Huaiyuan stepped forward, his posture upright and solemn, and bowed deeply to Li Dequan. "Mr. Li, I have long admired your name. It is my great honor to finally meet you today!"
Li Dequan quickly offered a gesture of support: "Oh dear, Mr. Jiang, this is too much! You are a great intellectual, a sir, please rise! After all, we are relatives by marriage, there's no need for such formalities!"
Taking Jiang Guiying as an example, the Li family and the Jiang family can be considered related by marriage!
Jiang Huaiyuan straightened up, his eyes sincere: "Mr. Li, you are too modest! I have often heard about your deeds from Guiying and Zongheng! Your loyalty and bravery to the Qin family and the country back then are truly admirable! What's even more remarkable is that the Li family is full of benevolence and skill, raising such an outstanding descendant as Xiang Nan! I have come here today, firstly to congratulate Xitang, and secondly to express my respect to you and the Li family!"
His words and attitude clearly showed a greater sense of genuine respect than those of others.
Li Dequan's eyes reddened slightly, and he said repeatedly, "I dare not accept such praise. A true hero does not dwell on past glories; they are all things of the past. Mr. Jiang, you are too kind!"
Qin Zongheng laughed and introduced Yu Haoran: "This is Jingran's elder brother, Brother Haoran!"
Yu Haoran walked up to Li Dequan at the right moment, his expression still serious, but his eyes were filled with extremely complex emotions.
He didn't bow like Jiang Huaiyuan, but stood straight and shook hands firmly with Li Dequan.
"Old Li!" His voice was deep and powerful. "Haoran has come today for two reasons, firstly to offer his congratulations, and secondly..."
He paused, then gripped Li Dequan's hand slightly tighter. "The Li family has dedicated themselves to healing the sick for decades, upholding loyalty and courage as their family tradition. Regardless of favorable or adverse circumstances, their original aspirations have remained unchanged! This perseverance is admirable. The nation... will not forget, and the people will not forget!"
His words were somewhat subtle, but those in the know, such as Qin Zongheng and Jiang Huaiyuan, could understand the deeper meaning behind them.
Yu Haoran was clearly aware of and appreciative of the hardships and perseverance Li Dequan endured in his decades-long search for his first wife, Mu Huanying.
His statement that the nation will not forget is also a subtle expression of his profound respect for Li Dequan and, perhaps, for those who, like Mu Huanying, dedicate themselves silently.
Li Dequan seemed to have gleaned something from Yu Haoran's words and eyes. He tightened his grip on Yu Haoran's hand and shook it vigorously, his words conveying everything. "Mr. Yu, thank you, thank you for coming!"
At this moment, Wang Defa, Yang Weidong, Yao Miler walked in carrying three brocade boxes.
Li Dequan was taken aback by the three extraordinary gifts, then shook his head and smiled wryly: "This... is too precious! Elders and seniors, how can our Li family possibly accept such a gift!"
Qin Zongheng waved his hand and said, "Brother Zhongmo, you're being too polite! These gifts are for Xitang; they're a small token of our appreciation as her grandfathers and great-grandfathers! Don't you see how adorable Xitang is?"
As he spoke, his gaze turned lovingly to Xiao Xitang, who was being held in Qin Ruobai's arms and surrounded by Song Yi and several other women.
Jiang Huaiyuan smiled and said, "Mr. Li, the gift may be small, but it carries a deep meaning. It is all a blessing for Xitang to grow up healthily and have a promising future. The Li family can afford to accept it!"
Yu Haoran nodded, his gaze falling on the tiny infant, a rare hint of gentleness appearing on his usually serious face.
Looking at his bright-eyed great-granddaughter in the swaddling clothes, Li Dequan's excitement and emotion turned into a long sigh. "Very well, this old man will thank you all for your kindness on behalf of Xitang. The Li family will remember this kindness!"
The atmosphere inside was warm and lively. Old friends reunited, new acquaintances met, and they chatted about the past and the future, all while enjoying themselves immensely.
Lin Jianzhou and Lin Chuqiao quietly walked in and stood in an inconspicuous corner.
Looking at this harmonious scene that contained immense energy, Lin Jianzhou felt a mix of emotions.
Lin Chuqiao's gaze followed Qin Ruobai, who was surrounded by people and smiling serenely and happily, as well as the exquisitely beautiful child in her arms. Her expression was complex and indescribable, but in the end it turned into a gentle sense of relief.
However, at this heartwarming moment, Cui Xingjian's voice, which was both shocking and somewhat hoarse, and which he had to force himself to raise his voice due to the new situation, came again from the direction of the courtyard gate.
"Yanjing—the Qian family has arrived!"
The sound was like a boulder thrown into a lake, and the laughter and conversation inside the room seemed to freeze for a moment.
Qin Zongheng, Jiang Huaiyuan, Yu Haoran, and Song Qiankun exchanged knowing glances.
Song Cijiu's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Li Xiangnan's smile remained unchanged, but a sharp glint flashed deep in his eyes.
coming!
The Qian family, one of the ten most prominent families in Yanjing!
At this moment when various forces are gathered and undercurrents are surging, they have indeed arrived!