Beside them, Cui Zhao'an smiled and bowed to Wu Qingyuan. "You jest, Mother. Our imperial sister was stranded far from home; of course we should make it up to her properly. His Majesty and I will go back and prepare gifts for her right away."
With that, ignoring Chu Wenzong's bewilderment, Cui Zhao'an grabbed his wrist and beat a swift retreat.
Only after her son and daughter-in-law had left did Wu Qingyuan walk over to a shelf in satisfaction. She turned an inconspicuous little vase, then led her daughter and grandson through a hidden opening.
Descending the steps one by one, Jiang Yourning found an enormous secret chamber filled with countless chests. Her eyes widened despite herself.
"Yu'er, go take a look." Wu Qingyuan smiled gently. "Everything here is yours. You can leave it with me and come pick out whatever you want whenever you like, or move it all out later. It's entirely up to you."
Jiang Yourning looked at Wu Qingyuan, a glimmer of tears at the corners of her eyes.
She was touched, certainly, but even more than that, she was excited.
"Thank you, Mother."
Jiang Yourning's address of "Mother" was utterly heartfelt.
What could she do? Wu Qingyuan had given her far too much. Unless she gave something back, she could never accept all these things with an easy conscience.
Wu Qingyuan had never expected her daughter to change how she addressed her so quickly. Tears of excitement instantly spilled down her cheeks again.
She hugged Jiang Yourning and began another round of weeping.
"Boohoo... Yu'er, my darling Yu'er, I never thought you'd accept me so quickly. I... I... boohoo..."
After enduring Lin Xiangyin's ghostly wails and wolfish howls so many times, Jiang Yourning found Wu Qingyuan's quiet sobbing a mere piece of cake.
She patiently