At the capital, Zhou Changlian and Zhang Rongchuan returned to their residence, where Lady Dong was already waiting for them at the entrance, smiling warmly, "You're back."
Zhou Changlian paused in his steps, "My dear, what joyous occasion has happened at home?"
His wife seemed just as delighted as he had been when he passed the imperial exams; it must be a significant happy event.
While walking, Lady Dong said, "This morning, just after you left, Marquis Ning and the Princely Heir brought over their thanks in the form of gifts."
Zhou Changlian understood—so the third branch of the family had struck it rich. "Where are father and mother?"
Lady Dong replied, "They received a letter this afternoon and have already arrived home."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Changlian thought that his parents had promptly returned, meaning they wouldn't need to invest too much energy worrying about the Ning Duke Residence. "Did father and mother say anything else?"
