Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 528: Chapter 473: Entering the Capital City

February 26.

The Yang family arrived at the dock of Jin Hai Guard under the escort of more than a dozen warships.

As they disembarked from the blessed ship, Yang Zhenshan immediately noticed a group of figures standing on the dock.

”Subordinate Xue Chang’an pays respect to Marquis Yang!” On seeing Yang Zhenshan disembark, Xue Chang’an hurried forward to bow with his hands clasped.

Yang Zhenshan chuckled, ”Uncle Xue, no need for formalities among family!”

”Right, right, family indeed, haha~” Xue Chang’an laughed heartily.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xue Chang’an then led Yang Zhenshan and the others to the Guard City of Jin Hai Guard.

The Guard City of Jin Hai Guard was not large, just a small city, even smaller than the former Tenglong Guard’s Guard City.

And the Navy of Jin Hai Guard was far inferior to the Tenglong Advanced Guard.

Honestly speaking, Xue Chang’an’s capabilities were quite ordinary; having been in charge of Jin Hai Guard for over twenty years, he had not accomplished much.

However, the family ethos at Marquis Haichang’s Mansion was decent; they were not ill-reputed either in the Capital City or at Jin Hai Guard.

Upon arriving at the Xue Mansion, Yang Zhenshan and Xue Chang’an casually discussed business, mainly focusing on the maritime trade of the Tenglong Guard.

Over the years, thanks to the connections of Xue Ping, Marquis Haichang’s Mansion had established links with Tenglong Guard, making quite a fortune in maritime trade.

However, as his name suggests, Xue Chang’an was content with small wealth and had no intention of expanding the business despite having the capability to do so.

In fact, being content with small wealth was not necessarily a bad thing; it’s safer and doesn’t draw unwanted attention.

If Xue Chang’an had expanded the business, he might not have been able to retain his position as the Commander of Jin Hai Guard.

The two chatted informally about household matters. In the backyard, Yu Qingyi was also speaking with the wife of Marquis Haichang, Lady Xue Wu, and Xue Yun, the eldest granddaughter of the Xue family, was present.

This was specifically arranged for Yu Qingyi to meet Xue Yun, her future granddaughter-in-law.

Xue Yun was beautiful with a touch of heroic spirit, her cheeks were tender and fair, and her sparkling eyes were lively like water.

Although she came from a noble family, she had not practiced martial arts; her fingers were delicate like bamboo shoots, her wrists like white lotus roots, clearly untouched by hardship and a true lady of the house.

However, the young girl was not delicate; she was poised and graceful in the presence of Yu Qingyi.

Yu Qingyi was quite pleased with the young girl. Not having practiced martial arts was fine; it wasn’t too late to start once she married into the Yang family, especially since she was still young.

After all, the Yang family encouraged martial arts practice merely for physical fitness, not necessarily aiming for everyone to become a Martial Arts Master.

Inside the main hall, Yu Qingyi watched the graceful young lady and reached out to take a jewelry box prepared by Qingxia.

”Everything was in a rush, didn’t prepare much. These bracelets were bought by me before, the style is quite nice, and I’ll give them to Miss Xue today!”

Saying so, she handed the box to Xue Yun.

Xue Yun looked towards her grandmother, Lady Xue Wu, who said smilingly, ”Aren’t you going to thank the Marchioness?”

Xue Yun accepted the box and bowed, ”Yun’er thanks the Marchioness!”

Yu Qingyi admired the poised young lady but refrained from engaging her in more conversation.

At this moment, it wasn’t appropriate to say too much; saying too much might cause the young girl to overthink.

She then chatted about family matters with Lady Xue Wu until evening, when the Xue family hosted a dinner for the Yang family in their mansion. Tonight, the Yang family would rest at Jin Hai Guard and set off for the Capital City early the next morning.

Jin Hai Guard was only a hundred li from the Capital City and could be reached within a day by carriage.

Since the Yang family had traveled by boat, the carriages were not brought along, just over a dozen horses.

But there was no need to worry; the next morning, Xue Chang’an had already prepared carriages for the Yang family and had all the family’s belongings loaded onto the carriages.

Yang Zhenshan and Xue Chang’an bid farewell, and with more than twenty horse-drawn carriages, the Yang family headed towards the Capital City.

They set off in the early morning, rested briefly on the road at noon, and by the afternoon, they saw the Guangtong Gate of the Capital City.

Guangtong Gate was the only city gate on the eastern side of the outer city of the Capital City, consisting of the city tower, arrow tower, and Vessel City, mirroring the Guang’an Gate on the western side.

Upon arriving at the gate, Yang Zhenshan handed his marquis seal to the imperial guard for inspection and smoothly entered the Vessel City.

The Vessel City of Guangtong Gate was distinctive; unlike typical vessel cities used for military readiness which were devoid of buildings and residents, this one housed several shops.

There were four to five shops on either side inside the Vessel City, forming a small-scale commercial street and resembling a mini small city.

It was only upon passing through Vessel City that one truly entered the Capital City, but Marquis Mansion was in the western city of the Capital City, so the Yang family’s convoy had to traverse most of the Capital City to reach it.

The bustling Capital City was naturally incomparable to Chongshan Pass, and the children of the Yang family, sitting in the carriages and hearing the noisy streets, couldn’t help but stick their heads out to look around.

They occasionally exclaimed in amazement, appearing quite naive.

Well, they indeed hadn’t seen much of the world, having grown up in Liaodong and Chongshan Town without ever visiting any bustling places.

The long convoy walked along the streets, somewhat attracting attention, but most passersby just glanced briefly and then paid no further heed.

Because in the Capital City, such caravans were common, either leaving or entering the city.

The Capital City, seemingly a vast stage of drama; one finished their performance as another takes their place. Those grandly arriving seem splendid while those leaving crestfallen are considered fortunate.