Chapter 79 Coincidence

"Trying to extort me? They'd need to be capable of that. Looks like they're living too well. Go to the bottom of the chest on the left and find a land deed. Sell it cheap, and someone will kick them out. With nowhere to live, they'll naturally quiet down."

Meng Lingshuang smiled faintly and pointed to a box not far away.

After the Guan family mansion was sealed off, Guan's parents could only live in the small courtyard that Meng Xingyuan had bought for Guan Yi'an.

The house was originally bought by Meng Xingyuan for Guan Yi'an and Meng Lingshuang to live in after their marriage. In the end, the two broke off the engagement, and the house was given to Guan Yi'an and Meng Huanyan.

Meng Lingshuang had previously thought that Meng Xingyuan was confused and that the land deed was in Guan Yi'an's name. However, when she returned to the mansion to visit Aunt Lu this time, she learned that the owner of the land deed had always been her, and that the land deed had always been in the Meng mansion.

Perhaps it was because Meng Huanyan was now dead and Guan Yi'an had disappointed Meng Xingyuan so much that Meng Xingyuan handed the land deed to her.

She had been hesitant about whether to drive Mr. and Mrs. Guan away, since they were old and frail, and taking away their only house would be tantamount to annihilating them.

It seems she worried for nothing.

These two are in great spirits, yet they still manage to come knocking on our door and cause trouble time and time again. They'd probably be perfectly capable of sleeping on the streets.

The small courtyard was located in a bustling area, and Meng Lingge's low price attracted many buyers. Meng Lingge sold the house to two men with fierce-looking faces. As a result, that very afternoon, Guan's parents pulled a cart full of scrap metal back to their rural hometown.

With Guan Yi'an's matter settled, Meng Lingge's life in the Prince's mansion became simple and happy again. The two concubines deliberately avoided her, and Wen Kehao and Wen Weizhu were both under house arrest.

Princess Anshun was willing to indulge her and Wen Zhiming, so the entire palace became their domain.

On sunny days, enjoy the spring outing and admire the flowers; on rainy days, listen to the rain together; on cloudy days, play chess and savor tea.

With Meng Lingge's patient companionship, Wen Zhiming no longer resisted poetry and books, and was able to read some simple and easy-to-understand poems and apply them in practice.

Although his chess skills were not outstanding, he could occasionally beat Meng Lingge.

In his spare time, he even tidied up the yard, replacing some calming flowers and plants, planting a few grape seedlings in the corner, and setting up two swings.

Since there were no other doctors in the capital who understood Gu worms, even though Magistrate Liu had stopped pursuing Su Leyan, Meng Lingge still left her at Yun Shen Pavilion.

Su Leyan can go out to see patients at will during the day and will return on time in the evening.

Everything seems to be moving in a positive direction.

Strangely, the princess's letter to the prince should have arrived long ago, but no reply has been received.

Princess Anshun was restless and set up a small Buddhist altar in her residence, chanting sutras and reciting Buddhist scriptures for two hours every day. In recent days, she has been having trouble sleeping at night and is in very poor spirits during the day, often distracted.

Originally, she wanted to take advantage of her youth to manage the household for a few more years, so that her son and daughter-in-law wouldn't be entangled in worldly affairs and could have a child sooner. However, she didn't have the energy at the moment, so she had to delegate some of the household affairs to Meng Lingge.

Fortunately, Meng Lingge had learned how to manage a household in her family home, and Princess Anshun was strict in managing the household and had clear rewards and punishments. With the addition of several capable subordinates, Meng Lingge was able to take charge on her own in just a few days and became the second head of the household.

Wen Zhiming used to cling to her all the time, but these days, perhaps seeing that his mother was indeed tired, he has become more sensible. When Meng Lingge is busy, he obediently waits by her side, and when Meng Lingge is free, he comes over like a cat.

That day, Meng Lingge was checking the bills when Qiu Lan came in and said, "Princess Consort, Chen Luo has returned and is currently outside the mansion. Should we let him in, or should you go see him?"

Previously, with Wen Kehao and Wen Weizhu, who harbored ill intentions towards her, Meng Lingge didn't want her people to be discovered, so she always met Chen Luo outside the mansion. Now that both of them are under house arrest, and everyone here is her own person, she said, "Take him to the outer hall corridor, I'll be there soon."

After Qiu Lan left, Meng Lingge closed the ledger, and a figure immediately approached and embraced her.

"My wife is done with her work! It's time to come with me to the swings."

Wen Zhiming didn't listen to what Meng Lingge and Qiu Lan were saying at all. He stayed in the corner, his eyes shining as he stared at Meng Lingge. He only remembered that when his wife closed the account book and stood up, she was done with her work, and the rest of the time was his to enjoy.

The two swings in the yard are his favorite toys lately. Although there are two swings, he likes to squeeze on the same one with Meng Lingge and swing on it for most of the day.

Meng Lingge walked out hand in hand with him. "Husband, I still have some small things to take care of. You go and wait for me in the courtyard. I'll come find you as soon as I'm done."

Chen Luo is going to investigate what happened to Prince Anshun in Lanyu Kingdom ten years ago. If Chen Luo really finds out something, it's best not to let Wen Zhiming know about it first.

Wen Zhiming was slightly disappointed upon hearing this. His lips drooped slightly, and he nodded reluctantly, saying, "Then hurry up, my wife."

He released Meng Lingge's hand with a dejected expression, and after taking a few steps, he quickly calmed himself down.

Perfect timing! It had rained a bit earlier, so there should still be some water on the swing. He'd have the maid clean it up first, and then he'd wait there with the white cloak his wife liked so much. His wife would definitely be happy to see it.

There are several small pavilions in the outer hall corridor, with stone tables and benches inside. They are open and spacious, and conversations are not easily heard by people far away.

This is an excellent venue for the women of the household to meet with guests.

When Meng Lingge arrived, Chen Luo was already waiting in the pavilion, while Chunhong and Qiulan stood guard outside.

"Greetings, Princess Consort." Chen Luo bowed respectfully.

Meng Lingge sat down opposite Chen Luo, gesturing for him to sit down as well. "You must be tired from your long journey."

"It's not hard work," Chen Luo shook his head gently. The Crown Princess gave him twice the monthly salary of the guards in the manor. He only ran errands and gathered information. He usually felt guilty taking the money.

He was certainly tired from the journey to Lanyu Kingdom, but he felt at ease knowing this, and dared not mention the word "hardship".

"My subordinates have made inquiries from various sources and have obtained some information, but we are not sure if it is true or false. It is said that ten years ago, Prince Anshun was injured in the leg during the war and fell off a cliff and disappeared. The court thought he had sacrificed his life and sent another general to provide support, but Prince Anshun suddenly returned to the military camp three months later."

Meng Lingge's heart skipped a beat, and she asked in surprise, "Disappeared for three months? Have you found out where he went during these three months? What happened to him?"

"The strange thing is that Prince Anshun said that he was unable to walk after injuring his leg, so he would only return after his leg healed. But no one knows where he was or who saved him during those three months."

Chen Luo looked at Meng Lingge and continued.

"It is said that the emperor summoned him back to the capital and he recuperated there for a month or two. Coincidentally, it was during this month or two that Prince Wen was frightened."