Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 215 The Joy of Longing for Home

In the magnificent imperial palace of the capital, warm sunlight gently filtered through the carved window lattices, casting dappled light and shadow across the spacious palace floor. Gu Liuli, dressed in a loose yet elegant brocade robe, her belly slightly protruding, sat on a soft couch by the window, holding a yellowed ancient book in her hands, reading intently. Her eyes were gentle, and occasionally she would raise her hand to lightly stroke her belly, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turning up in a smile, revealing a maternal glow.

Not far away, Xiao Jingchuan, dressed in casual clothes, stood tall and straight before his desk, reviewing a mountain of memorials. He would sometimes furrow his brow slightly, sometimes pick up his pen to make annotations, his expression focused and earnest. Sunlight shone on him, outlining his resolute features, revealing the composure and responsibility of a crown prince.

Just then, the tranquility of the palace was broken by light footsteps. A young eunuch hurried in, carrying a letter bearing the imperial seal, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty," "Empress," "this is a letter from the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager from their southern tour."

Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan were both taken aback upon hearing this, then their faces lit up with surprise. Gu Liuli quickly put down the ancient book in her hand and tried to get up, but her pregnant belly made it difficult. Xiao Jingchuan reacted quickly, stepping forward to gently support her and saying softly, "Slow down, don't rush."

After the two were seated, Xiao Jingchuan took the letter and carefully opened it. As his gaze slowly moved across the letter, the smile on his face grew more pronounced.

"Liuli, Father and Mother said that their southern tour is over and they will be returning to the palace soon!" Xiao Jingchuan couldn't contain his joy as he read the contents of the letter to Gu Liuli.

With tears of excitement glistening in her eyes, Gu Liuli gently stroked her belly and said, "That's wonderful, baby! Your grandparents are coming back soon. They will be so happy to hear the news about you."

Xiao Jingchuan also gently placed his hand on Gu Liuli's belly, feeling the rhythm of life, his face full of a happy smile: "Yes. They're coming back just in time for the baby to be born."

The two were filled with anticipation at the thought of reuniting with their parents, whom they hadn't seen in so long. They began to reminisce about the moments they had shared with their parents, those warm scenes seeming as if they were just yesterday.

Xiao Jingchuan was made crown prince at a young age, shouldering heavy responsibilities. Throughout his upbringing, his father, the emperor, was extremely strict with him, personally instructing him in both literary and military arts. Although he often secretly shed tears as a child due to the hardships of training, under his father's meticulous guidance, he gradually grew into an outstanding heir apparent. His mother, the empress, always offered him warm hugs and encouraging words when he was most exhausted, restoring his strength.

Gu Liuli came from a prestigious family and received an excellent education from a young age. Her marriage to Xiao Jingchuan was a political alliance, but during their time together, they fell deeply in love and supported each other. After she entered the palace, the Empress treated her with utmost care, loving her as if she were her own daughter. The Empress not only taught her the rules and etiquette of the palace but also imparted wisdom on how to conduct oneself in society, making her feel the warmth of home even in the deep palace.

"Jingchuan, what gifts do you think we should prepare for Father and Mother?" Gu Liuli tilted her head and asked earnestly.

After a moment's thought, Xiao Jingchuan said, "Father loves calligraphy, so we can find him a masterpiece by a famous calligrapher; Mother loves flowers and plants, so why don't we have someone select a few rare flowers from the Imperial Garden and place them in the palace when they return? It will surely please Mother."

Gu Liuli nodded and added, "I also want to make a dress for my mother myself. She always works hard for us and has never really dressed herself up properly."

Xiao Jingchuan looked at Gu Liuli with eyes full of doting: "Alright, whatever you say. But you're pregnant now, so don't overwork yourself. If you need any help, just tell the servants to do it."

Gu Liuli leaned gently on Xiao Jingchuan's shoulder and said, "I know, you don't need to worry about me. I'm happy to be able to do something for Father and Mother."

In the days that followed, Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan began preparations to welcome their father and mother. Every day, Gu Liuli would set aside time in the palace's embroidery room to sew clothes for the Empress. She chose the finest silk and embroidered exquisite peony patterns, pouring her love and respect for the Empress into every stitch.

Xiao Jingchuan was busy sending people to search for authentic works by famous artists, while also personally supervising the gardeners in the Imperial Garden to carefully tend to the flowers that were to be given to his mother. He also instructed the kitchen to prepare his father and mother's favorite dishes so that they could taste the flavors of home as soon as they returned to the palace.

As the return date drew near, the atmosphere in the palace grew increasingly lively. Palace maids and eunuchs busily cleaned and decorated the palace, their faces beaming with joy. Everyone eagerly awaited the Emperor and Empress's return, as if it were a grand festival.

However, just three days before the Emperor and Empress were scheduled to return to the palace, bad news suddenly arrived. It turned out that they had encountered a torrential downpour on their journey home, making the roads muddy and difficult to traverse. The carriage wheels were stuck in the mud and unable to move forward. Worse still, the Empress had caught a cold from being caught in the rain and developed a high fever.

Upon learning this news, Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli were extremely anxious. Xiao Jingchuan immediately summoned the palace's top physicians, instructing them to prepare medicines and be on standby. At the same time, he also dispatched his most elite guards to rescue the Emperor and Empress.

"Jingchuan, will Mother be alright?" Gu Liuli asked anxiously, her eyes filled with worry and concern.

Xiao Jingchuan held Gu Liuli's hand tightly and comforted her, "Liuli, don't worry, your mother is a lucky person and will be fine. The imperial physicians are ready and will be able to treat your mother as soon as your father and mother return."

Gu Liuli nodded, but her worry remained undiminished. She silently prayed that the Empress would be safe and sound.

These three days felt like an eternity for Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli. They anxiously awaited news each day, but no good tidings came. Finally, on the evening of the third day, a guard brought word that the Emperor and Empress had safely arrived on the outskirts of the capital and were on their way to the palace.

Upon hearing the news, Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli immediately rose and went to the palace gate to greet them. Standing before the gate, they eagerly awaited the arrival of the newcomers, their hearts filled with a mixture of anticipation and worry.

Finally, in the afterglow of the setting sun, a grand procession slowly came into view. Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli immediately spotted the Emperor and Empress's carriage at the very front. They hurried forward to greet them. After the carriage stopped, Xiao Jingchuan opened the door first and his heart tightened when he saw the pale-faced Empress.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty." Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli quickly bowed.

The Emperor nodded slightly, his eyes filled with exhaustion. The Empress, seeing them, forced a smile: "Chuan'er, Liuli, you've both come."

Gu Liuli's eyes reddened, and she stepped forward to grasp the Empress's hand: "Mother, you're finally back. We were all so worried about you."

At this moment, the imperial physicians arrived and immediately began treating the Empress. Xiao Jingchuan then helped the Emperor into the palace.

Upon returning to the palace, the Empress was settled in her bedchamber to rest. After a thorough examination, the imperial physicians prescribed medicine, which was then prepared and fed to the Empress. Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli stayed by the Empress's bedside, not daring to leave for a moment.

Late into the night, the Empress's temperature finally dropped, and her complexion gradually regained its rosy hue. Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Father, you must be tired after a long day. Please rest early. Liuli and I can take care of Mother here," Xiao Jingchuan said to the Emperor.

The Emperor nodded, looking at the Empress with concern in his eyes: "Alright, don't overwork yourselves. If anything happens, let me know immediately."

After the Emperor left, Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli remained by the Empress's bedside. Looking at the sleeping Empress, they were filled with countless emotions.

"Jingchuan, I was really scared when Mother fell ill this time," Gu Liuli said softly, a hint of lingering fear still in her eyes.

Xiao Jingchuan gently embraced Gu Liuli and said, "It's alright, Mother is already..."