Chapter 257: Chapter 256: ReunionSang Kun was taken aback.


    He thought that since his youngest daughter had become Princess Consort Sang and his eldest daughter had become the Empress and was so honored by the Emperor, the Emperor should also show some courtesy to him as the "father-in-law."


    However, he didn’t expect that the Emperor would reproach him in front of all the civil and military officials.


    In an instance, his old face turned red with embarrassment!


    "Your Majesty—"


    He awkwardly lowered his head and stuttered, "It is this old official’s incompetence. It is this old official’s mistake. I hope the Emperor forgives me."


    At that point, the fault had been several months prior.


    He didn’t expect the Emperor to still hold onto it.


    Indeed, given the Emperor’s affection for his eldest daughter, the longer he held onto it, the more it signified a favor.


    Mrs. Lin was also kneeling beside her husband, and seeing the Emperor angry, she hurriedly bowed her head and said, "May the Emperor calm his anger, and please forgive us." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing this, Sang Yan could also not bear it and spoke out, "Everyone, please rise."


    She could treat her biological father coldly, but she was still kind to her biological mother.


    Especially as the latter looked wan and had puffy eyes, having aged much more since her disappearance.


    Clearly, her disappearance had also been a blow to her.


    A mother and daughter’s hearts are connected.


    She could feel her mother’s sincere affection.


    Seeing Sang Yan speak up, He Ying naturally gave her face, "Since the Empress has spoken, you all may rise."


    Then, with a wave of his hand, he allowed everyone to stand.


    "Thank you, Empress."


    Mrs. Lin stood up and stealthily glanced at her eldest daughter, with tears continuously falling.


    In the end, she couldn’t control her emotions and stepped forward, reaching for Sang Yan’s hand, and softly cried, "Ah Yan, Ah Yan, my good daughter, finally you have come back. Mother has missed you so much."


    Months of anxiety were released at that moment.


    But since the Emperor was present, she dared not fully let go.


    Her daughter was not only hers, but she was also the Emperor’s wife and Puluo’s Empress; even if she wanted to be closer, she had to be mindful of the distance.


    The more Mrs. Lin thought about it, the sadder she became, holding a handkerchief to her mouth as soft sobs escaped her throat.


    Sang Yan felt heartache upon seeing this.


    These were the emotions coming from the original body—being a daughter herself, her heart was soft, and how could she allow her own mother to cry?


    "Mother, don’t be sad. Everything is fine with me."


    Sang Yan smiled gently, saying comforting words, "The Emperor also treats me very well. With the Emperor by my side, you really don’t need to worry."


    Upon hearing Sang Yan’s words, Mrs. Lin’s sobbing grew louder, "My poor daughter, it is Mother’s fault for causing you to suffer..."


    She faintly knew that her son was the cause of all this trouble.


    She felt that she had failed to teach her son well, leading him to cause trouble.


    She felt guilty towards her daughter!


    If not for so many others present, she would have wished to embrace her daughter and cry bitterly.


    "It’s alright. It’s all in the past."


    Sang Yan gently patted her shoulder, her own eyes red.


    He Ying could hardly bear to see Sang Yan distressed, but a mother and daughter’s reunion, crying from overwhelming joy, was a natural human emotion, so he endured it.


    But after holding on for a while, his patience was running thin. Seeing Mrs. Lin still weeping, he glanced at Sang Kun, signaling him to console her.


    Receiving the Emperor’s hinted glance, Sang Kun immediately tugged at his wife, "Enough. It’s good that our daughter is back; don’t cry anymore, be careful not to cry away all her good fortune."


    With that said, Mrs. Lin immediately stopped crying.


    "Forgive us for causing the Emperor to laugh."


    Sang Kun smiled sheepishly, apologizing.


    Now that Mrs. Lin had come to her senses, she also knew she had lost her composure.


    She gathered her skirt and was about to kneel, "This servant has lost her composure, I hope the Emperor—"


    "Enough."


    He Ying suppressed his impatience and waved his hand, "This is outside the Imperial Palace, no need for formalities."


    He then looked at Sang Kun, "You have been separated from the Empress for many days, and now that you are reunited, this is not the place to talk. Let’s all return to the palace and catch up."


    "Thank you, Emperor, for your grace!"


    Sang Kun was overjoyed. The Emperor had been away from the palace for many days, and now that he had returned, countless people were vying for a chance to see him. Not only had Sang Kun seen the Emperor, but he could also accompany him back to the palace.


    This was indeed a great honor!


    He truly had a good daughter!


    Unlike her husband’s wild joy, Mrs. Lin was full of anxiety. The Emperor had just been about to hold them accountable! Now inviting them into the palace, could this be a trap? The trouble her son had caused didn’t seem to be forgotten by the Emperor...


    In any case, her gaze at He Ying was filled with fear and caution.


    "I have returned to the palace and will rest for a day. The day after tomorrow, I will preside over the court to discuss state affairs. All ministers should go back and rest."


    He Ying merely gave the officials a look before taking Sang Yan and returning to the carriage.


    The carriage quickly headed toward the Capital City.


    The ceremonial procession grandly followed behind.


    The ministers and the people gradually dispersed.


    Mrs. Lin still stood there, dazed.


    Sang Jue, who had remained silent and almost invisible, finally spoke up to hurry his mother, "Mother, hurry up. Father is ahead urging you on."


    Mrs. Lin, as if waking from a dream, looked ahead where her husband was by the carriage.


    Sang Kun was waving, "What are you dawdling for? Hurry up! If the Empress doesn’t see you later, the Emperor will hold us accountable again."


    He was impatient, and seeing her slow pace, he came back to pull her along, also reminding, "When you talk to the Empress later, don’t cry again. If you make the Empress cry and the Emperor feels sorry for her, he will definitely blame us. The Emperor was already displeased just now. In short, be careful with your words, and speak less if possible."


    Ever since seeing Sang Yan, Sang Kun had repeatedly mentioned "the Empress."


    He never expected that after all the turmoil, the Emperor’s favor towards his eldest daughter remained unchanged and strong.


    His daughter was truly blessed.


    He himself was blessed.


    Mrs. Lin wiped her tears and choked up, "In my heart, there is no ’Empress,’ only my Ah Yan. Dear, look at Ah Yan, she has lost a lot of weight."


    A mother sees her child, and if not with her, always feels that her child is suffering.


    "What do you know?"


    Sang Kun listened to his wife’s words disapprovingly and hummed, "Just watch. Her days of blessings are long ahead."


    He also harbored some complaints—Sang Yan had not spoken up for him in front of He Ying.


    He took a few steps, then noticed his son still standing there, the young man’s face shadowed and indistinct, deep in thought.


    "Aren’t you coming along?"


    Thinking of the foolish act his son had committed, he frowned and advised, "Your sister has finally come back. When we get to the palace, say some nice things, admit your mistakes, and catch up with her properly. Siblings don’t hold grudges overnight, you understand?"


    Both his daughters had soared to great heights.


    But a daughter was still a daughter, like water splashed out.


    The Sang Family had to rely on Sang Jue, this son.


    Listening to his father’s advice, Sang Jue’s handsome face showed discomfort, "She’s back, that’s good. Why should I join in this commotion?"


    Since Sang Yan’s disappearance from the Sang Family, the Emperor allowing them back into the palace to talk was a reconciliation with the Sang Family.


    But he hadn’t gotten over the hurdle in his heart: he was the one who had wronged her. At that time, overwhelmed by hatred, he had shown no sibling affection. Hearing she had been displaced all the way to Puluo Country and had nearly lost her life.


    He really wasn’t ready to face her now.


    "What commotion? We are one family. Even if she has become the Empress, she is still one of the Sang Family."


    Sang Kun glared at his son, reprimanding, "You are already married and should stand up for yourself. The future of the Sang Family depends on you. If you don’t strive for yourself, do you expect me as your father to pave the way for you?"


    After saying this, he flicked his sleeve and left.


    Mrs. Lin heard this and, although she did not approve of her husband encouraging their son to rely on his sister, acknowledged that their son had caused trouble and should take responsibility and apologize to his sister.


    So, she advised, "Ah Jue, this is the Emperor’s decree. If you don’t go and the Emperor asks about you and becomes angry, what then?"


    Without waiting for Sang Jue to respond, she lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked at the woman holding a child inside, "Suxi, you persuade him too."