Zhao Shuning stepped forward and lent a hand to help Zhao Chao up. During this process, Zhao Chao stared at Zhao Shuning without blinking, fearing that if he blinked, she would disappear.
"Uncle, why are you looking at me like this? Afraid I'll run away?"
"Shuning, it's really you, isn't it? It's really you, right?" Zhao Chao grabbed Zhao Shuning's wrist tightly. The strength was so great that Zhao Shuning frowned slightly.
"Of course I'm from the Zhao family. There's no mistake," Zhao Shuning said.
Seeing this, Yan Ruyu quickly stepped forward and gently pulled Zhao Shuning's arm into her embrace.
Zhao Chao was still in a daze. When he came to his senses, he suddenly remembered that this was the Emperor Venerable! The Emperor Venerable had appeared at the birthday banquet when the girl was sixteen years old, which had really surprised the Zhao family back then.
Over the years, Shuning had gone missing, and the Emperor Venerable had rarely appeared.
Recognizing the person in front of him, Zhao Chao's legs suddenly went weak.
"Em-Em-Emperor—"
"Uncle, here you go again," Zhao Shuning said.
"You don't need to be nervous. I'm here to visit the Zhao Mansion this time. By the way, these are my father and mother," Yan Ruyu introduced.
Only then did Zhao Chao notice Yu Ge and Feng Qingchen behind Yan Ruyu. Yu Ge reached out and waved gently. Zhao Chao felt as if he couldn't breathe.
Sure enough, for someone as extraordinary as the Emperor Venerable, his parents must be no ordinary people. Just one look, and he couldn't take his eyes off them.
Yu Ge said, "Can we go inside and talk?"
Zhao Chao nodded repeatedly in a hurry.
"Sure, of course we can."
Then, Feng Qingchen supported Yu Ge and slowly entered the Zhao Mansion. During this time, Zhao Chao's eyes never left Yu Ge.
This was no ordinary fairy. Even fairies might not be as gorgeous as she was. And the man beside her, even the most beautiful women in the world would probably feel inferior.
Zhao Shuning had good hearing. She could hear Feng Qingchen's soft murmur.
"If you smile so nicely at other men, my heart will feel really uncomfortable."
Since Zhao Shuning heard it, it meant that Yan Ruyu, who had a higher cultivation level than her, and Feng Zhan and the others also heard it. But looking at their expressions, there was no change at all. It was as if this was the most ordinary thing.
Children who grew up in a loving environment were truly outstanding.
Zhao Shuning entered the door, and so did Yan Ruyu. The more than a hundred boxes also followed them in.
Once inside the mansion, Zhao Chao quickly invited Yu Ge and Feng Qingchen to the main seats. Yu Ge and Feng Qingchen declined many times, but it was of no use.
Now, Zhao Chao was even stuttering. Zhao Shuning had to speak up to relieve the awkwardness.
"Father, Mother, please sit down. If you decline any further, Uncle might be so nervous that he'll cry."
Seeing this, Yu Ge and Feng Qingchen both smiled slightly and then slowly took their seats.
Zhao Chao wiped the sweat off his forehead and said, "Yes, yes, yes."
Then he suddenly realized and looked at Zhao Shuning in surprise.
What had Shuning just called these two?
"You must be Shuning's third uncle," Yu Ge said.
Zhao Chao hadn't had time to ask Zhao Shuning when Yu Ge spoke.
"Yes, yes, yes. I am," Zhao Chao replied.
"Uncle," Zhao Shuning reminded.
Only then did Zhao Chao straighten his back a little.
Zhao Chao was crying inside. He really didn't mean to seem so humble. But when he saw the two people on the main seats, he always felt that their aura was so powerful that it made him unable to lift his head.
"You don't need to be nervous. We're here this time to meet the elders of your Zhao family," Yu Ge said.
"Th-th-th-then— I-I-I-I—"
"I'll ask," Zhao Shuning stood up and said to Zhao Chao, "Uncle, where are my father and mother?"
"Alas— You little girl, cough cough cough—" Realizing that there were other people present, Zhao Chao quickly changed his address.
"Shuning, you don't know. In the decades since you went missing, your mother's state of mind has fluctuated a lot. Many nights, I saw the lights in the main courtyard still on. I heard from your father that your mother would always wake up crying in her sleep, calling your name.
"As time passed, your mother changed. She was already in poor health, and her longing for you made her ill. She had been staying in her room and refused to come out for years. It's better this year. After much persuasion from your father, she finally went out. Your father wants to take this opportunity to take her out for a good walk and relax."
Zhao Shuning said in a low voice, "I've troubled my mother."
"Daughter-in-law, you're wrong. As children, you're always in your parents' hearts. It's normal for parents to miss their children. You haven't troubled them, nor are you a burden to them," Yu Ge said seriously.
Feng Zhan scoffed beside them.
Really, if Mother really always kept her children in mind like she said, then why did she and Father leave the four of them in Yunchao Country for so many years just to play pai gow in the underworld?
Obviously, Yu Ge's words didn't convince the four sons of the Feng family, but they did move Zhao Shuning.
"I understand. Thank you, Mother. My mother was already in poor health. So if her thoughts couldn't be relieved, they would surely build up in her heart. Over the years, she must have accumulated a lot of illnesses."
Zhao Chao nodded in agreement and then said, "Indeed."
"By the way, Uncle, where are my second uncle and grandfather? Why aren't they here?"
"Your second uncle has gone out on business. As for grandfather, there's a martial arts competition in Nancheng today, and they insisted on inviting him to be the judge. Now in Linjiang, grandfather has a certain status. He always has to attend such occasions. Your second uncle and grandfather should be back before sunset tonight. However, with the grand manner in which the Emperor Venerable and the others have come, I'm sure they'll rush back quickly when they hear the news."
But it would still take some time. After all, Linjiang was a vast place.
Zhao Shuning lowered her head.
Zhao Chao said, "By the way, seniors, may I ask why you've come this time?"
Yu Ge cleared her throat and said, "We're here to propose marriage."
"Propose marriage!" Zhao Chao's eyes widened in shock.
Then he said, "My youngest daughter is only thirteen now. I want to keep her with me for a few more years before she gets married. Our Zhao family is so ordinary. We don't know what virtue we have to be related to the Emperor Venerable. May I ask who you're here to propose for?"
With so many betrothal gifts, it seemed as if they wanted to propose for all the unmarried girls in the Zhao family.
Now, he had three daughters, all unmarried. The eldest was just eighteen, the second was sixteen, and the youngest was only thirteen. He had met his true love when he was old, so these children were born late.
Zhao Chao had never seen such a grand occasion in his life.
Yan Ruyu said calmly, "Me."
"Ah?"
"I want to marry Shuning."
"These are Shuning's betrothal gifts?"
"Yes!"
"Just for Shuning alone?"
"Not enough?" Yu Ge asked.
Zhao Chao was stunned.
Yu Ge said, "If it's not enough, just tell us, in-laws. Shuning is the first daughter-in-law of our Feng family. We definitely won't let her be wronged."