A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1557 - 1555: Jiangnan Extra 1

Chapter 1555

Jiangnan: Epilogue

The news of the Taishang Huang and the Empress’s passing spread from the Capital City to Jiangnan in just ten days.

This place, Xia Jingfeng received a personal letter from Xia Tingfeng.

As for the Xia Family Old Residence, Zhao Qichen himself issued an edict to comfort them.

Though both were in Jiangnan.

Xia Jingfeng and Old Master Xia had long since severed ties.

After going through many events, the father and son had become like strangers.

It was not exactly accidental.

One was a retired County Magistrate, and the other was an Imperial Court-appointed Governor of Jiangnan.

One was in his twilight years, the other was in his prime.

One was full of regret and guilt yet unable to express it, while the other wished to forgive but found no way to do so.

If not for a meticulously devised and determined plan, these two might never have crossed paths.

The inarticulate father and son were easily overtaken by time, missing the opportunity for reconciliation.

Of course, Xia Jingfeng did not think much about reconciliation either.

He had held a grudge against Old Master Xia his entire life; talking about forgiveness was easier said than done.

...

The eldest sister is like a mother.

To Xia Jingfeng, with heavy mourning on both national and family sides, he certainly could not return to the Governor’s Yamen.

His official duties had to be temporarily handed over to others.

This was just as well, for since assuming office, he had yet to have a proper rest.

With this period of mourning, he finally had a chance to take a break from his busy official work.

After breakfast.

He was in the meditation room, paying respect to his elder sister’s portrait.

Tang Xun suddenly walked in.

She knelt beside him, bowing three times before turning to him.

"My lord!"

"The news from the Capital City is that the funerals for the Taishang Huang and the Empress Dowager have nearly concluded!"

"I suppose the old home has received the message as well. Why don’t we take advantage of this mourning period and return home to have a look?"

After retiring from his position as County Magistrate, Old Master Xia had returned to the Xia Family Old Residence.

Lady Yao and Lady Wen, along with Xia Weifeng, naturally moved back as well, since the roots of the Xia Family were there.

But Xia Tingfeng was not too keen on going.

Though it was his birthplace, where his mother had borne and raised him, and where his elder sister had passionately protected him.

Apart from his mother, elder sister, and Lady Wen, there was nothing else about that place that held any significance for him.

Initially, he intended to say he wouldn’t go, but then Tang Xun continued to persuade him.

"Even if it’s just to pay respects to Madam with a bow and some incense, it would be good!"

"The New Year is approaching, we can stay for a while, and by the Qingming Festival, pay respects at the graves of the Empress Dowager and Madam, burn some paper money and return!"

Indeed!

It was as if enlightenment dawned on Xia Jingfeng.

His mother had lived in that small, cold, and desolate place for most of her life.

Apart from Lady Wen, hardly anyone might remember her.

Now even Lady Wen was getting old, with a failing memory, if she didn’t remember, wouldn’t Mother become utterly forgotten?

He immediately stood up, taking Tang Xun’s hand, his gaze resolute.

"Alright, you go ahead and prepare, we’ll set off at once!"

"Yes!"

Tang Xun finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

"The Second Lady would surely be delighted to see you return!"

Xia Jingfeng also smiled.

"The Second Madam has indeed helped me before, returning to visit her is the least I can do!"

"With my elder brother far away in the Capital City, unable to return, I should go on his behalf!"

Tang Xun laughed as well, pinching Xia Jingfeng’s forehead with her slender fingers.

"You!"

"You always think lighting incense in the meditation room to bless Mother is enough, but don’t you know she’s still back at the old home?"

Xia Jingfeng looked out the window into the distance, a slight sadness in his eyes.

Yes!

Sometimes, reverence is needed not only in the heart but face-to-face as well.

After all these years, some knots could finally be untied.

It was also time to bring the children back, to let her have a proper look.

Tang Xun prepared quickly, for there wasn’t much they needed to bring.

On the third day, the first of the twelfth lunar month, they set off.

The distance between the two places in Jiangnan was not far.

However, the place was remote, and the roads were not good, which delayed them for a few days.

It was not until the fifth of the twelfth lunar month that the family of four successfully arrived at the Xia Family Old Residence.

...

Returning to the place where he had first lived, seeing the extremely familiar neighbors, each room, every plant and tree.

He felt quite emotional, and the scenes brought about a sense of sorrow.

He always felt that.

No matter where he went, what rank he attained, or how respected he became, in the end, he was still a descendant of the Xia Family.

Upon returning to this place, he was once again a member of this family.

No matter the hatred and resentment, he was ultimately of the Xia name, a fact that could never be changed.

Perhaps this obsession he had held for so many years was wrong?

No matter how detestable the family, how heartless his father and stepmother were, the Xia Family had ultimately given him life and raised him.

Was his hatred, his decisiveness, too unfilial, was it wrong?

After a hundred years, how would he face the ancestors of the Xia Family?

Getting off the carriage, standing in front of the familiar yet unfamiliar family gate.

Xia Jingfeng hesitated, unsure whether to proceed.

Tang Xun, holding their son and daughter’s hands, followed behind him.

Seeing his hesitation, she stepped forward to encourage him.

"My lord! This is your own home, go ahead, I’ll be right behind you!"

Speaking of which, she had not returned with her husband since their marriage.

She knew her husband held grievances, but with relatives having passed away, he had to come back no matter what to look.

Some people, if not cherished, might never be seen again in this life.

The hurdle in her husband’s heart, after so many years, should be overcome.

"Alright!"

Xia Jingfeng paused for a moment, finally making up his mind, and took his son’s hand, heading towards the gate of the Xia Family Old Residence.

...

The Xia Family Old Residence was more destitute than before.

Old Master Xia, having retired, had no source of income. Lady Wen and Lady Yao were but womenfolk, old and ailing.

Meanwhile, Xia Weifeng was a talentless individual, knowing nothing but squandering family assets.

Currently, the entire family relied on the modest savings Lady Wen had accumulated over the years.

Recently.

Xia Weifeng somehow set his eyes on a flirtatious widow and was intent on marrying her.

Lady Wen disagreed, but Old Master Xia couldn’t bear his son remaining without heirs, thinking that if the widow could indeed give Wei Feng a son or daughter, it would at least leave a legacy for him.

Soft-hearted, he agreed.

Lady Wen didn’t say much.

She took a hundred taels from her private savings to fund his marriage and selected a few pieces of jewelry given to her by Ni Manxue as a meeting gift for the widow.

As an unofficial and unacknowledged mother-in-law, the gesture was as generous as could be expected.

However, the widow showed no gratitude and even criticized the gift as stingy.

She even frequently incited Xia Weifeng to come to Lady Wen, complaining and pleading for silver.

Lady Wen was so angry she almost fell gravely ill.

It was only thanks to Hong Rui, the diligent maid by her side, who blocked the Weifeng couple and persuaded her, that the farce was halted.

Otherwise, who knows how it would have turned out!

Since then, Lady Wen had treated them, father and son, with greater coldness.

Even the meals and clothing expenses were differentiated.

She used finer things for herself, while relegating the most ordinary items for them.