Huizhou bordered Jiaozhou.
After the imperial court retreated south, internal strife left the decaying dynasty as nothing more than an empty shell.
Prince of Huai’an, Chen En, controlled ten counties in Huizhou.
Though nominally under the imperial court’s jurisdiction, in reality, he had long ruled independently.
By the time Chen Jiao and her mother arrived in Zhangling County, Huizhou, it was already early winter month.
However, Hu Yan did not take them directly to the Prince of Huai’an’s residence.
Being cautious, he first gathered information and learned that Chen En would visit Longtai Temple on the eighth day of the month.
He made arrangements in advance.
On the eighth day, during the Prince of Huai’an’s meeting with Master Kongzhi at Cien Hall, a servant suddenly reported Hu Yan’s return while he was resting in his chamber at noon.
Since Hu Yan was a subordinate of Xu Zhao, Chen En initially thought that Cui Jue and his men had returned.
He gestured for them to enter.
A short while later, Hu Yan arrived and reported on their journey.
Chen En sat cross-legged on a cushion, dressed in luxurious purple robes, wearing a jade crown.
Despite being over fifty, his pampered round face remained full and plump, showing little sign of aging.
He was not tall and had grown plumper with age, giving him an overall round appearance.
He had a pleasant-looking face—
A square jaw, broad forehead, smooth cheekbones, and gentle brows.
His demeanor was one of authority but not hostility.
At the very least, he looked approachable.
Hu Yan bowed respectfully and said, “Vice Magistrate Cui recommended these two to you, my lord. Please grant them an audience.”
Chen En stroked his beard and asked curiously, “Who are they?”
Hu Yan immediately presented Xu Shi’s golden locket.
Chen En took it and examined it carefully, searching his memory for any connection.
Meanwhile, Hu Yan discreetly observed his reaction—if the prince did not recognize the item, there would be no need for a meeting.
Meanwhile, in the Waiting Room the mother and daughter were extremely tense.
Xu Shi paced back and forth, muttering anxiously, “If he isn’t your father, then we won’t be leaving Longtai Temple alive today.”
“Heaven help me, I’ve suffered misfortune my whole life—I deserve some good luck for once!
“But what if that bastard doesn’t remember—”
She was still rambling when the door suddenly creaked open.
Both mother and daughter turned toward the sound.
A large man stood in the doorway, his bulk blocking out the light from outside.
“Hui-niang?”
Chen En tentatively called out.
Xu Shi stared at him in a daze for a long moment.
Disbelief, grievance, and a surge of emotions overwhelmed her, making her blood churn.
She wasn’t sure what she was feeling.
Chen Jiao, unfamiliar with this so-called father, merely stood on guard and looked toward Xu Shi.
Xu Shi’s emotions surged violently.
Her eyes reddened instantly as she choked out, “Heavens! You really are Chen Lang?!”
The way she called “Chen Lang” struck a soft spot in Chen En’s heart.
He, too, seemed to find it unbelievable.
But Xu Shi didn’t care if he was a prince or not.
At this moment, years of grievances spilled out, her eyes red with fury as she cursed through her tears,
“Chen Lang, you heartless bastard! You have no idea how much I’ve suffered because of you!”
Tears streamed down as she accused him bitterly, “I waited for you for so many years, but you never came to reunite us…”
She was truly heartbroken, sobbing uncontrollably. “Our lives have been miserable all these years…”
With that, she collapsed onto the ground, weeping so hard she couldn’t even form words.
Chen Jiao rushed to help her up.
Chen En had a notorious weakness—he couldn’t stand seeing women cry.
He also stepped forward to support her.
As a renowned philanderer, he had truly loved Xu Shi before, and even now, he still felt something for her.
Though, in reality, his “true feelings” were never worth much.
Xu Shi, overwhelmed with emotions, finally reunited with the man she had longed for.
She didn’t care about appearances, grabbing his sleeve and wiping her tears on it, acting far more delicate than usual.
Chen En let her do as she pleased before turning his attention to Chen Jiao.
“This must be our daughter, Ah Ying?”
Xu Shi, still sobbing, sniffled, “At least you still have a conscience and remember Ah Ying.”
She then turned to Chen Jiao, “Quick, call him Father.”
Chen Jiao, with absolutely no hesitation, immediately knelt and called out loudly, “Father!”
She then kowtowed to him without the slightest bit of pride.
Chen En burst into laughter, delighted beyond words, and hurriedly helped both of them up.
After being apart for so many years, there was much to say.
Xu Shi, her tear-streaked face resembling delicate pear blossoms, looked far more pitiful than her usual self.
Though a woman in her thirties, she had been raised in a courtesan house, taught to handle men skillfully.
So to Chen Jiao, her mother seemed like a completely different person—grabbing onto this “father”, clinging to his arm, whimpering weakly like she had no bones, acting so exaggeratedly delicate that it stunned her.
Not wanting to interrupt their dramatic reunion, Chen Jiao wisely stepped outside to give them space.
Xu Shi nestled into Chen En’s arms, her earlier hysterical emotions now calming down.
Chen En took her hand, but she quickly withdrew, lowering her gaze.
“My hands are rough, I don’t want to scratch you,” she said humbly.
Chen En smiled, “My skin is thick, I don’t mind.”
However, when he looked at her hands, he paused for a moment.
Years of washing laundry had left her hands rough, far more so than ordinary women.
Winter had also caused chilblains, leaving behind many scars.
For the first time, Chen En seemed to truly grasp the hardships she had endured.
Seeing his reaction, Xu Shi’s eyes flickered with nervousness.
“Chen Lang… are you disgusted by me?”
Chen En shook his head, guilt creeping in.
“I failed to protect you both.”
Tears welled in Xu Shi’s eyes as she poured out her struggles, “For the past five years, Ah Ying and I had no way to survive. We had to work in a courtesan house washing laundry just to make a living.”
“You know my past, but our Ah Ying—she must not follow my path! But I had no skills and couldn’t feed her. She grew up witnessing the world’s cruelty, forced to take the lowest, most degrading work just to survive.”
“I failed her, and I failed you—I couldn’t even take care of your own flesh and blood…”
Tears streamed down again.
Chen En’s heart ached deeply.
He wiped her tears gently with a handkerchief.
“Hui-niang, don’t worry. From now on, I will never let you two suffer again.”
Xu Shi, her face still damp with tears, gazed at him with hope.
“Chen Lang, don’t deceive me. I will take your words seriously.”
Chen En nodded firmly.
“I won’t lie to you, I promise.”
Xu Shi threw herself into his arms.
“No matter what you say, Chen Lang, I will believe you.”
The two reminisced about the past.
Knowing that she couldn’t hide the murder, Xu Shi told Chen En everything in full detail.
Fortunately, Chen En didn’t take it seriously—he was more distressed by the hardships Xu Shi and Chen Jiao had endured.
The group returned to Huai’an Prince’s residence.
Xu Shi had expected to enter the palace as a concubine, but to her surprise, mother and daughter were placed in a separate estate instead.
The estate was spacious, a two-entry courtyard located in the bustling city district.
Several maidservants and elderly women were assigned to take care of them.
After settling them in, Chen En explained to Xu Shi, “The palace is quite busy these days. I will bring you into the residence after some time.”
Xu Shi wasn’t entirely pleased, but she hid her dissatisfaction well.
With a gentle and understanding tone, she said, “Ah Ying and I will patiently wait for you, Chen Lang.”
Chen En caressed her cheek, patting her hand reassuringly. “Hui-niang, don’t worry. This time, I won’t fail you.”
Xu Shi nodded, eyes slightly red.
Chen En quickly added, “There’s no need for tears, Hui-niang.”
Xu Shi suppressed her grievances, saying softly, “I know you have a family. I shouldn’t ask for too much… but I’ve missed you all these years.”
Chen En, always enjoying words of dependence from women, reassured her, “Once I’ve handled affairs in the palace, I will personally come for you.”
Xu Shi murmured an “Mm”, and the two continued their affectionate conversation for a while before Chen En and his men left.
Watching their retreating figures, Xu Shi felt both joy and concern.
She was relieved that she and Chen Jiao no longer had to struggle for survival.
But she was also worried—Chen En was now a prince, with countless wives and concubines.
She needed to secure a future for her daughter.
That night the mother and daughter slept in the same bed, the room warmed by a charcoal brazier, their blankets made of silk—it was the most comfortable night’s sleep they had in years.
Without washing laundry in freezing water, Xu Shi’s hands hadn’t suffered frostbite yet.
In previous years, by now, her fingers would have been itchy and swollen.
But neither mother nor daughter could sleep.
Lying under the warm blankets, they whispered to each other in the dark.
Chen Jiao couldn’t resist teasing, lowering her voice, “Mother, you were so happy today. The way you spoke to Father—so soft and sweet—it almost melted my bones.”
Xu Shi pinched her, “You should learn a thing or two.”
Chen Jiao frowned, “I can’t act coy like that.”