The princess regretted it.

Chapter 51 I am my cousin

The group arrived at the main hall. Prime Minister Mu wanted Jin'an to take the main seat, but Jin'an refused. Gently but firmly, she supported Xue and slowly walked to the left of the main seat. Carefully, she helped her sit down. Then, turning to Prime Minister Mu, she softly said, "Grandfather, please take a seat." Prime Minister Mu's eyes flushed again, and his voice trembled slightly as he said, "Princess, etiquette cannot be abandoned!" However, Jin'an did not respond. Instead, he walked forward and helped him to the main seat on the other side. At this time, before the others had taken their seats, Jin'an suddenly knelt and bowed deeply towards them. This action startled the two seated people, who stood up instantly and hurried forward to help the prostrating Princess Jin'an to her feet.

Zhong Wenqing, Mu Zixuan, and the others standing nearby were equally startled by this sudden scene. No one had expected Princess Jin'an to suddenly perform such a grand ceremony. Jin'an slowly raised her head, tears streaming down her face. She spoke in a mournful voice, "Grandfather, Grandmother, it's Jin'an's fault for being unfilial. For all these years, I haven't shown my filial piety to you two on Mother's behalf, and instead, I've caused you so much worry."

Mu Yang's tears were like a flood that burst through a dam, and he couldn't stop them. He turned his head slightly and gently wiped the tears from his face with his sleeve. Xue was even more like a gust of wind, rushing forward and hugging Jin An tightly, tears streaming down her face, sobbing uncontrollably, as if she wanted to turn all the longing and concern for Jin An over the years into tears. Zhong Wenqing couldn't help but wipe her tears with the handkerchief in her hand. The whole hall was filled with a strong sense of warmth and emotion, which was the mixed feelings after a long separation, and the blood-thicker-than-water family affection flowing freely at this moment.

Mu Zixuan watched quietly from the side, with a sour feeling in his heart. After many years, the relatives reunited again. This scene was like a moving painting, deeply imprinted in his eyes. He pursed his lips slightly, with a myriad of emotions in his heart, but after the sourness, there was more of an indescribable joy. He stared at the people crying in front of him, paused for a moment, stepped forward, and said in a gentle voice: "Grandfather, grandmother, don't be sad. Sister Jin'an is here now, this is a great joy, we should be happy! Grandma, if you cry again, the makeup you worked so hard on will be ruined."

Hearing this, Xue burst into laughter. She glared at him angrily, then pulled Jin'an up. She pulled out the handkerchief from her waist and wiped the tears from his face. She took Jin'an's hand and said with a smile, "Come, grandma will take you to meet people." Xue said gently. She pointed at Zhong Wenqing, her eyes full of anticipation, "This is your aunt, do you remember her?"

Jin An saw Zhong Wenqing about to bow slightly to her. Zhong Wenqing quickly bowed back, holding Jin An's hand and saying, "Princess Jin An, you can't do this. It's against etiquette."

Jin An said softly, "You are my aunt, Jin An's elder, and you deserve it. You can just call me Jin An like you did when we were little."

Zhong Wenqing's face was filled with emotion, and her voice trembled slightly as she said, "You still remember your childhood? I'm so sorry for your kindness. You, child, have lived alone for so many years and no one knows how you have been doing." Zhong Wenqing's words were full of heartache and pity. She looked at Jinan, as if she saw the innocent and lovely little girl when she was a child, and endless emotions welled up in her heart. Memories flooded into her heart like a tide, and those little bits and pieces of the past emerged in her mind. She remembered Jinan's liveliness and cuteness as a child, and her childish smile and crisp laughter. And now, this child has experienced so many years of hardships, but still maintains that kindness and innocence. Zhong Wenqing couldn't help but cry with heartache, and tears slid down her cheeks.

Jin An stepped forward and wiped Zhong Wenqing's tears with the handkerchief in his hand. With moist eyes, he said, "Aunt, Jin An is doing well. Father loves me very much."

Zhong Wenqing nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. Just then, a voice called from the side, "My turn! My turn!" Then, a head popped forward. It was none other than the Mu family's jolly old boy—Mu Zixuan. He wore a broad smile, his eyes sparkling, as if anticipating something. But then, his mother, Mrs. Zhong, reached out and slapped the head aside. Though her gesture was a bit rough, her eyes were filled with doting.

Jin'an couldn't help but burst out laughing. The sound was crisp and melodious, like a silver bell. Seeing Jin'an's smile, Mrs. Zhong couldn't help but laugh too. She rolled her eyes at her son and introduced him to Jin'an, "This is your disappointing cousin. Do you remember him?" Mrs. Zhong's tone was a mixture of teasing and resignation.

Before Jin'an could reply, Mu Zixuan spoke first, "Cousin, you will definitely remember me, right? I took you climbing trees when you were little, remember? Ouch! Mother... Mother." Before he could finish his words, Zhong Wenqing grabbed his ear and begged for mercy. Mu Zixuan's expression was very funny, making people laugh. Jin'an looked at this scene and smiled happily, feeling particularly at ease and warm in her heart. It was as if she had returned to the scene when she was a child and returned to her grandparents' home with her brother and mother. Those beautiful memories unfolded in her mind like a scroll. Prime Minister Mu and Mrs. Xue were also smiling helplessly, as they were no strangers to such scenes. Their eyes were full of love, and they felt relieved when they saw the interaction between the family.

Zhong Wenqing scolded with a smile: "I'm sorry to say that if Chu Zhou hadn't caught him right below, Jin An would have almost fallen." There was a hint of fear and a hint of blame in Zhong's words.

Mu Zixuan complained in his heart. In fact, it was his cousin who started it, but his mother just didn't believe him. Oh! Who made his cousin a reincarnated vixen? Mu Zixuan's heart was full of grievances, but he didn't dare to refute his mother.

Jin An smiled and came to Mu Zixuan's rescue, "Okay, aunt, don't embarrass my cousin. He took good care of me when I was little."

"That's right, that's right! Mom, please let go, your ears are going to fall off." Mu Zixuan quickly said,

Zhong Wenqing smiled, letting go of Mu Zixuan's ear. Pulling Jin'an's hand, he sat down beside him and continued recounting the anecdotes of Mu Zixuan's childhood, making both Jin'an and Prime Minister Mu burst into laughter. The laughter echoed through the main hall, filled with warmth and joy. Mu Zixuan rubbed his ear and said helplessly, "Mom, this is all so old. Please, please don't bring up all my past!" There was a hint of resentment in Mu Zixuan's tone, but his eyes were filled with happiness.

At this time, the housekeeper, Old Han, walked in and respectfully said, "Master, Prince Zhong is here to visit!"

Zhong Wenqing said happily: "Chu Zhou is here?"

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Mu immediately stood up, a flicker of surprise flashing across his face. He said, "Please go to the side hall first. I'll follow." Then, he turned to Mu Zixuan and asked, "Zixuan, are you here to see me?"

Mu Zixuan was also quite surprised when he heard the butler's message. He thought to himself: Why is he here today? I didn't hear him say he had something important to say yesterday. He was full of doubts at this moment.

When Mu Zixuan heard his grandfather's question, he was unsure himself, so he had to step forward, bow respectfully, and then answered: "Grandfather, my cousin did not make any prior agreement with me. I really don't know the purpose of his visit this time." There was a hint of uncertainty in Mu Zixuan's tone, "But my grandson will accompany grandfather to see him."

"Well, good! Madam, Wenqing, you and Jin'an go to Ning'an Hall first. Zixuan will accompany me to see Prince Zhong." Prime Minister Mu said slowly. After that, he and Mu Zixuan turned and left the main hall.