Chapter 584: Chapter 584

Little Ru Yi entered the palace, which was a rare delight for Xie Xun. He deliberately set aside his tedious government affairs to play with Ru Yi. Although Ru Yi had cried out of fright because of him before, he soon grew familiar and called him softly, "Little Uncle." Xie Xun asked him if he missed his father. Little Ru Yi thought for a long time but had already forgotten about his father, who had been away from home for months. Xie Xun thought to himself that by the time Second Brother returned from Jiangnan, Ru Yi might no longer recognize him.

Fengyu also spent a lot of time with Ru Yi in the palace, and only then did Ru Yi grow close to her. By evening, Ru Yi followed Fengyu out of the palace and returned to the Feng Mansion. Though Xie Xun was a little unwilling to part with him, he could understand.

The Old Madam and Feng Changqing’s couple must have eagerly wanted to see Ru Yi.

No matter how much he missed Ru Yi, he didn’t stop them from leaving.

Fengyu smiled gently and said, "After tomorrow’s lunch, I’ll bring him back to the palace."

"No rush, let Ru Yi stay at the Feng Mansion for a few more days. You... if you feel unwell, send someone to inform me immediately." Newest update provıded by novelꞁire.net

Since Yuwen Jing’s death, Xie Xun had been on tenterhooks, fearing that Fengyu might be implicated. These past days, though she seemed fine without any discomfort, Xie Xun couldn’t help but worry. He wished to keep an eye on her every day, fearing the latent effects of the poison bug, afraid Fengyu’s life might still be in danger.

Zhang Lingzheng had taken her pulse and found no trace of any poison bug in her body, which allowed Xie Xun to reluctantly feel at ease.

Ru Yi’s return to the Feng Mansion was, of course, met with great joy.

The Old Madam and Feng Changqing’s couple had long awaited Ru Yi’s arrival, their joy irrepressible upon seeing him. Though Ru Yi was officially Xie Jue’s eldest son and could now reveal his true identity following Yuwen Jing’s death, the Old Madam and Feng Changqing’s couple had discussed it and decided against announcing Ru Yi’s lineage.

This was because, on the day of Feng Shu and Xie Zhang’s wedding, Xie Zhang had passed away. Ru Yi was born of Feng Shu after she was imprisoned in Xiangguo Temple. Before her imprisonment, Feng Shu had been captured and taken to the palace by Yuwen Jing. If his identity were revealed, his face alone would leave no room for doubt. However, as a child changes day by day, his future appearance was uncertain. If he were to resemble Feng Shu as he grew, rumors and suspicions would be inevitable. They didn’t want the world to disparage Ru Yi, accusing him of being Yuwen Jing’s child born of his violation of Feng Shu.

Even the slightest possibility was something they refused to risk.

Moreover, with Xie Zhang passing on his wedding night, Feng Shu bearing a son after his death would inevitably draw criticism about their propriety and conduct, and concerning Ru Yi, nothing good would come of it. It was for these reasons that Xie Jue and Xie Xun had arranged for Ru Yi to be acknowledged as Xie Jue’s son.

This had been a consensus decision and meant Ru Yi could not publicly be recognized as Feng Shu’s child.

Su Yuejiao, looking at the adorable and well-behaved child, was overwhelmed by thoughts of Feng Shu and wept uncontrollably. Fengyu, knowing that Ru Yi could not acknowledge his family, still encouraged him to call the Old Madam "Grandmother" and Su Yuejiao "Great-Grandmother."

Little Ru Yi, obedient and clever, was deeply endearing, quickly becoming the little darling of the household.

Dongxue and Xia Zhu, maids who had grown up alongside Feng Shu, upon the return of Qiuxiang and Chunlu, requested to take on the care of Ru Yi. Fengyu approved and allowed them to become Ru Yi’s personal attendants. They were wholeheartedly loyal to Ru Yi, and after the passing of their mistress, found solace in caring for him. Thankfully, with Ru Yi’s presence, the household echoed once more with laughter, as if lifting the veil of sorrow that had hung over everyone’s hearts.

Though Marquis Zhenbei, Xie Zhang, the ladies, and Miss Xie were buried in Ningzhou, the ancestral tomb of the Xie family was in the Capital City. After ascending the throne, Xie Xun had also established memorial cenotaphs for all of them and had Feng Shu interred alongside the Xie family’s ancestral tombs, now part of the temple for the ancestors of the Beining Dynasty.

Fengyu took Ru Yi to burn incense for Feng Shu and Xie Zhang. The soldiers guarding the tombs did not dare to stop Fengyu nor approach her. Having Ru Yi kneel in tribute, Fengyu knew he could not understand who he was paying his respects to. He was too young to string together a fluent sentence, let alone grasp such matters. Fengyu couldn’t explain everything to him in detail. She simply wished to bring Ru Yi to let her sister and brother-in-law see him and to let the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion and the late ladies see him as well, to comfort their spirits in heaven.

Sister, I brought Ru Yi to see you.

Zhixu, Second Brother, and I will treat Ru Yi as our own and raise him well, so you and Brother-in-law can rest easy.

Not far away, Xia Zhu and Dongxue wiped away tears in secret.

Their beloved mistress, watching from heaven, would surely be happy!

After taking Ru Yi to pay respects to her parents and the Xie family ancestors, Fengyu brought him to explore the city streets. Having grown up in Jiaozhou and the West State, little Ru Yi had never seen the vibrant bustle of the Capital City and was curious about everything.

Fengyu took him along the streets. The new emperor had ascended, the new policies were in effect, and the people were compliant. The Capital City was filled with fresh sights and changes. Little Ru Yi was endlessly curious, and whatever caught his fancy, Fengyu would buy. Whether it was a child’s toy or something he simply glanced at a bit longer, Fengyu bought it all.

Dongxue said, "My lady, you just bought an identical little wooden horse."

"It’s fine. Ru Yi can play with one today and another tomorrow."

"You’ve already bought too many snacks. If the young gentleman eats too many, his teeth will rot."

"Then let him eat one kind a day, without repetition."

Little Ru Yi understood what Fengyu was saying and clapped his little hands with delight. "Ru Yi also wants candy figures!"