Chapter 628: Letter from Home

Editor: Atlas Studios

Now that the atmosphere in the residence was a little gloomy, the servants were trembling with fear.

First, Zhu Liang made the decision to buy more than ten servant girls and servant boys from outside and distribute them to the various departments. Then, Fei Bai, the Prince’s most favored right-hand man, took in a new disciple. While everyone was still curious as to what was going on, Zhu Liang and Fei Bai arrested eight servants with lightning speed. Among them, there were servant girls, maidservants, and servant boys. One of them was even an old, long-serving servant who had followed the Prince and Princess Consort from the north to the capital, and then from the capital to here.

After these people were arrested, they never appeared in front of anyone again. Everyone knew that they would probably not be able to see these eight people in the future, so they were especially careful these days.

Xiao Ting shrunk his neck. Over the past few days, he had been learning from Fei Bai and was more diligent and obedient than before.

Fei Bai nodded secretly and reminded him, “Only Her Highness is kind-hearted and is willing to give you a chance. If it were any other master, you’d have shed a layer of skin long ago.”

Xiao Ting’s eyes were slightly red as he promised, “Teacher, don’t worry. I’ll definitely learn to do my best for His and Her Highness.”

Fei Bai snorted and said, “This is the only thing we can do to repay His and Her Highness. You should know that there are many people who are willing to do their best for them.”

Xiao Ting knew that his teacher wanted him to remain calm. It was their blessing that the Prince and Princess Consort were willing to accept their sincerity. Even if they were unwilling, they had to be grateful.

“By the way, Teacher, the Liu Family sent an invitation over. Since Steward Zhu is not here, will you bring it to Her Highness?”

Fei Bai glared at him and said, “Look at how useless you are. Go by yourself. Don’t shrink back after being lectured. Her Highness is kind-hearted. It’s your good fortune to be her messenger.”

Seeing his bitter expression, Fei Bai said slowly, “Would you rather go inform His Highness instead?”

Xiao Ting immediately picked up the invitation and sprinted towards the inner courtyard.

When Liu Qing arrived at Ju Prefecture three days ago, the first thing he did was to visit Qi Haoran. Since Qi Haoran was in the military camp, he went all the way there, fully expressing his attitude.

Then, he stayed in the military camp for a day and chatted with Qi Haoran all night. Though he returned to the prefectural capital yesterday, he had been busy with the handover and only had the time to send an invitation over today. Coincidentally, Liu Qing’s family had also arrived in Ju Prefecture today.

As Madam Liu only brought her children, a maidservant, and a servant girl, Mu Yangling was worried that they would not be able to cope, so she asked Fei Bai to bring people over to help.

Since the Liu Family sent the invitation to the Princess Consort, they needed a reply from someone who knew the truth.

Xiao Ting carefully walked to the main courtyard. When Rain saw this, she smiled and said in a low voice, “Now you know how to be afraid? I heard from Spring that you were very impressive back then. Even Spring was frightened by you.”

Xiao Ting smiled bitterly and said with cupped hands, “Sister, please don’t tease me. Back then, I was ignorant and that was why I was so bold. Please forgive me.”

Rain sneered and said, “Just wait. I’ll go in and report.”

Xiao Ting did not see Rain’s sneer. He only wiped the sweat off his forehead and stayed obediently.

Rain sat down to embroider as soon as she entered the house. Spring glanced at the pavilion outside from the window, stood up, and tapped Rain’s forehead. “Be careful not to delay Her Highness’s matters. Hurry up and inform her.”

Rain pursed her lips. “I’ve seen many people like him. To think that I even treated him as a younger brother in the beginning. To think he became arrogant after only a few days of success.”

Spring said with a smile, “I think you resent him for implicating Fei Bai, right?”

Rain pushed her with a blush. She chided softly, “What nonsense are you talking about?” However, she stood up and went into the inner room to report.

Mu Yangling was teaching one-year-old Little Bear how to draw a small bow. Clad a blue short-sleeved costume, the boy held a toy bow and stood solemnly on the couch as he stared ahead with bright eyes.

Mu Yangling corrected his movements from time to time and said with a smile, “That’s it. You have to maintain this position for a long time.”

Little Bear stood still without even blinking.

Rain went forward and reported, “Your Highness, Xiao Ting is outside requesting an audience.”

“Let him in.”

Xiao Ting was kneeling in the outer room when Mu Yangling asked him to stand up and asked him about the Liu family through the curtain. Then, she took the invitation from Rain. Mu Yangling said, “Go back to the Liu family and tell them that they can come back the day after tomorrow since they’ve just arrived and have much to unpack.”

Xiao Ting agreed and left respectfully.

Actually, Mu Yangling’s main purpose for meeting Madam Liu was to ask about her family’s situation. Having previously been the county magistrate of the county below Xingzhou Prefecture, Liu Qing was relatively close to the Mu family. Although Bowen had not studied with him for the past two years, he still regarded him as his teacher and would visit him from time to time.

As Mu Yangling had not seen her family for a few years, she could not help but miss them.

On the morning of the third day, Madam Liu brought her children over with a lot of things.

Mu Yangling looked at the boxes of things and said in surprise, “Mistress, why did you bring so many things?”

Madam Liu said with a smile, “This is not from me. Your parents and younger siblings prepared it for you.”

Upon opening the box, Mu Yangling saw a dazzling array of items—there were gems, jade accessories, and various precious jewelry from Mu Shi, just to name a few. These were all piled up in a box, and every single item was priceless. It was said that they were all spoils of war from his war. Even though Qi Haoran, too, owned many such objects that filled the storeroom, Mu Yangling could not help but tear up.

There was also a case of beautiful clothes made by Shu Wanniang. Madam Liu said, “She doesn’t know what style is popular in the capital, so she personally drew the designs herself. She has been working on this case of clothes for two years. I’ve seen two of the pieces. I’m so envious. Your mother’s sewing skills are impressive.”

Mu Yangling’s eyes were filled with tears.

There was also a large box of smoked meat and various pickled vegetables that her great-aunt had made for her. Madam Liu said, “Your great-aunt said that you liked to eat these things made by her back at home. She doesn’t know if you still fancy them, so she got your father to go into the mountains and hunt a lot of wild animals to make into smoked meat for you.”

With tears in her eyes, Mu Yangling said with a smile, “Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

The things Bowen and the others gave Mu Yangling were much more random; there were books and all kinds of toys. Mu Yangling opened their letters and read them.

Bosi and Kejia had also written a letter to her together. Bosi really did not like to read, so he secretly stuffed his books, ‘The Analects’ and ‘Thousand Character Classic’, in as gifts. He even begged his eldest sister to accept them. Towards the end of the letter, he even asked Mu Yangling to express her liking for these two items so that he could avoid a beating.

Mu Yangling laughed out loud.

Kejia gave Mu Yangling a piece of embroidery she made herself.

According to her mother, Kejia was much more talented than Mu Yangling in this aspect.

Mu Yangling took out Kejia’s embroidery and stared at it for a long time, but she still couldn’t tell what it was. It seemed that she was only a tiny bit more talented. Her mother’s embroidery skills could only be inherited by Xiulan.

Xiulan gave Mu Yangling an embroidered screen that could be used as long after it was framed. When Mu Yangling opened it, she couldn’t help but click her tongue. Likewise, when Madam Liu saw this, she was so shocked that she couldn’t speak. After a long time, she carefully stroked the butterfly on it and praised, “This is so lifelike I’m surprised it’s actually embroidered. I believe this cousin of yours will become a great master in this art in the future.”

Mu Yangling felt honored.

Chapter end