FID – Chapter 835

Chapter 835: Empress Dowager, Do You Need Us to Help You Up? 

As the carriage neared Xinghua Village, the curtain was lifted, and right away, they could see the ancient pagoda tree at the village entrance.

It was late afternoon, and the setting sun cast golden rays across the sky. The burning clouds painted the horizon red, bathing the entire village in a warm purplish-golden light.

Elderly men and women were gathered in groups, chatting about who knows what, their faces lit up with deep, crinkled smiles.

Toddlers barely one or two years old crawled or toddled around them, giggling and squealing, while slightly older children clung to the twisted roots of the old pagoda tree, trying to climb.

A gentle smile appeared on Liu Yusheng’s lips—just seeing this scene from afar made her heart feel full and at home.

As soon as the carriage reached the village entrance, the elders under the tree spotted them and started calling out warmly.

“Nannan, why are you only back now? Your grandpa and grandma have been coming out to look for you every day—just earlier they were still here!”

Liu Yusheng laughed and responded loudly, “I got back a bit late! Uncles, aunties—come by the house later for a chat, okay?”

“Of course we will! You all head home first!”

Qian Wanjin also stuck his head out of the carriage. “Hey, old geezers! We brought gifts for you and the little ones—come by to pick them up soon, or they’ll be gone!”

“We got it, we got it! The moment you get home, we’ll be right behind you! Get those gifts ready!”

Laughter echoed all around, lingering in the air above the village entrance.

The Empress Dowager sat inside the carriage, unexpectedly feeling more at ease. The carefree, joyful laughter was highly infectious.

After entering the village, the carriage slowed to a gentle pace, the sound of hooves rhythmic and soothing. As they reached the gate of the Liu courtyard, even before the carriage fully stopped, people had already poured out from the courtyard.

The curtain was lifted, and Liu Yusheng immediately saw that the person rushing out in front was none other than her father—he’d actually managed to outrun the old lady at home this time.

“I knew it had to be you, Nannan is back! Nannan, hurry down and let Dad have a look at you!” Liu Dalin ran alongside the carriage, keeping pace until it stopped. Standing by the carriage head, he added, “Be careful coming down, I will help you. Don’t bump into anything—you’re carrying a child now… Wha–why is your belly this big?!”

SMACK! A slap landed on the back of his head. 

From behind came Grandma Liu’s scolding voice: “What do you mean ‘your belly is this big’? Nannan is pregnant! It’d be strange if her belly wasn’t big!”

“Mom, go easy! I need to help Nannan down!”

“Why would she need you to help? Axiu is right here!” Grandma Liu said as she peered into the carriage. But instead of seeing Feng Qingbai, she caught sight of a dignified, elegant older woman with striking white hair—instantly recognizable. She stammered, “E…Empress Dowager?!”

The rest of the Liu family, who had come rushing out right behind them, all froze in place the moment they saw the Empress Dowager. 

Good heavens! What was the Empress Dowager doing in their remote little mountain village?!

Inside the carriage, Qian Wanjin looked smug. “I knew the family would react like this, hahahaha!”

“Enough with the laughing—get out of the carriage already. How long are you planning to sit in there?” Liu Zhixia was the first to hop down. 

After helping Fu Yuzheng and Xiao Maodou off the carriage, he joined Qian Wanjin and Shi Xianrou to assist Liu Yusheng down. In the scramble, Liu Dalin ended up pushed to the back.

He couldn’t get in to help and was so anxious that he just kept shouting, “Careful, careful! Take it slow! Don’t let go until Nannan’s steady! Zhixia, hold her firm! Or maybe I should do it—what use is a scholar anyway? You think a guy who holds a pen all day has any strength?”

Liu Zhixia’s face darkened instantly. No strength? Did their old man know that just that one sentence could undermine his authority as a husband for months?

Off to the side, Fu Yuzheng, holding Xiao Maodou, almost couldn’t hold in her laughter.

Seeing Liu Dalin still fussing and trying to squeeze forward, Chen Xiulan pulled him back. “Stop hollering. The kids know what they’re doing. There was nothing to worry about, but with you shouting like that, now everyone’s tense.”

“Don’t underestimate my big brother,” Liu Zhiqiu chimed in like always. Whenever the carriage stopped, his first job was to flip through the rear compartment. Before, he did it alone. Now, there were two of them. “My brother is super strong. I’ve never once beaten him in arm wrestling.”

Now though—hmph-hmph.

Amid the noisy commotion, Liu Yusheng finally made it safely down from the carriage. A bit of sweat had broken out on her forehead—mostly from getting nervous seeing how anxious her father looked.

Once she was standing, the rest of the family noticed something that proved Liu Dalin hadn’t been wrong. Her belly was huge, frighteningly so. It looked like she was almost full term already.

Grandma Liu furrowed her brows in worry. “Did you eat too well in the palace or something? How did you grow this big? You’re only just past four months! What’ll it be like by full term? If the baby gets too big, it’ll be hard to deliver!”

Du Juan chimed in too. “She’s right, Nannan. You’ve still got six months to go. You can’t keep eating like this, or you’ll really suffer during labor!”

The whole family began to examine Liu Yusheng’s belly like it was a village-wide mystery. In the blink of an eye, they had completely forgotten the Empress Dowager was still sitting in the carriage.

But the Empress Dowager wasn’t angry. She simply sat there quietly, watching the scene unfold before her.

She seemed somewhat lost in thought.

She had grown up in an aristocratic and powerful family. Everyone around her wore masks; no one ever easily showed their true emotions.

Those with political shrewdness never revealed their expressions.

Everyone was always on guard, terrified of having their thoughts seen through, lest it cost them in the battle for power.

But the people before her—every single one of them wore their emotions plainly on their faces.

Joy, worry, laughter, irritation—so vivid, so real.

“Your Majesty, let this servant assist you down,” the granny said gently.

“Oh no! I forgot the Empress Dowager is still in the carriage! Quick, quick, help her down!” Outside, Grandma Liu slapped her thigh and shouted, startling the Empress Dowager.

Seeing that she had startled the noblewoman, Grandma Liu became embarrassed. “Your Majesty, would you like us to help you? We country folk are rough, please don’t mind.”

The Empress Dowager lowered her gaze and said indifferently, “No need.”

“Of course we need to help! Since you’ve come to our Liu family, you’re a distinguished guest, we can’t let you trip or hurt yourself! Xianrou, Du Juan, hurry up and lend a hand!” Grandma Liu ordered, not allowing for any refusal, and had the stunned Empress Dowager helped down.

The Empress Dowager pursed her lips, slightly irritated.

If they insisted on helping her, why even ask first?

She had refused, but they still yanked her down—country women were so impetuous!

A few younger people nearby couldn’t help but stifle their laughter, some of them looking on with amusement.

After the commotion at the courtyard gate, the family finally entered the house.

Once seated, they immediately began asking about Feng Qingbai. With Yusheng’s large belly, if he hadn’t been delayed by something important, he definitely wouldn’t have let her return alone.

Liu Yusheng then explained the situation about Dongyue’s military troubles.

“Luckily, the situation was resolved, and everyone is safe. That’s a relief, that’s a relief,” the elder family members said, patting their chests in relief.

“But he is coming directly from the border. Will he make it in time? If he doesn’t come back, my wedding gifts will be one short,” Liu Zhiqiu worried.

Liu Yusheng helplessly replied, “Second Brother, I’ve already prepared the gift for you.”

“That’s your gift, it’s not the same,” Liu Zhiqiu complained. “Anyway, I’m getting married, and none of you are allowed to slack off. Let’s not talk about getting rich from this wedding, but at least let me make a little profit.”