The Residence of Grand Scholar Mu —
Mu Wanyu's health has gradually recovered. Ever since that incident in the middle of the night, Grand Scholar Mu has sent many guards to watch over Lanyuan day and night, fearing that his precious daughter might suffer such an undeserved disaster again.
Mu Wanyu was also terrified. She had emerged after the ancient Mu Wanyu fainted. Although she hadn't experienced it firsthand, she sensed the approaching danger in the space and tried to warn the sleeping Mu Wanyu (the ancient version), but she didn't respond.
Fortunately, her body was not violated, otherwise she would have been devastated. After all, such a thing would be extremely harmful to any girl.
These past few days, she has been reading and calming her mind, studying ancient books and classics.
"Huiqiu, Huichun, I really want to go out for a walk!" Huichun was tidying up books, and Huiqiu was grinding ink. Upon hearing this, they looked at each other in unison.
“Miss is still very weak. It’s freezing cold outside, and I’m afraid she won’t be able to withstand it. If she falls ill again, Master will worry again,” Huichun comforted her.
"If Miss is bored, we can keep you company by talking to you or doing something else." Huiqiu blinked, her smile full of sincerity.
Mu Wanyu put down the book in her hand, rested her chin on her hands on the table, and sighed softly: "Yes, you are right. Moreover, the emperor has already ordered me to be confined to my quarters."
Annoyance flickered in Mu Wanyu's eyes. No, she couldn't be trapped in the Grand Scholar's mansion forever; what difference was there between that and being in prison?
"Oh! Huichun, is my father in the manor now?"
"Miss, the master is at home today. Lunchtime has passed, so he should be in his study."
Mu Wanyu nodded: "Let's go find Father now."
The two men, without suspecting anything, quickly put down what they were holding and helped Mu Wanyu change her clothes, wrapping her up tightly to make sure she wouldn't get cold.
Accompanied by two maids, Mu Wanyu arrived at Grand Scholar Mu's study, where the steward was standing guard at the door.
"Why did you come, Miss? What if you hurt yourself?" The old butler was genuinely concerned for his young mistress.
"Uncle Butler, I'm alright! Is my father in the study?" Mu Wanyu felt a warmth in her heart seeing how concerned the old man was about her.
Before the steward could answer, the voice of Grand Scholar Mu came from inside: "Is Yu'er here? Come in quickly!" The door to the study was opened from the inside, and the person who came in was none other than Li Li.
Li Lichao nodded slightly to the steward and turned to Mu Wanyu: "Yu'er is here, come in quickly!"
Mu Wanyu hadn't seen him recently, and felt a little awkward. She nodded and went inside.
Grand Scholar Mu quickly helped Mu Wanyu sit on a soft couch nearby and gently scolded, "Yu'er, if you need anything, just send someone to tell me. If you get too cold, your father will be heartbroken!"
"Father, don't worry, I'm not feeling unwell. I just have a favor to ask," Mu Wanyu said weakly, her voice lacking confidence.
As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Wanyu started coughing violently, which startled Grand Scholar Mu, who quickly patted her back. Li Li hurriedly poured her a glass of warm water: "Yu'er, drink some water first."
Mu Wanyu drank some warm water and felt much better.
"Father, I...I want to go out. I don't want to stay in the manor all day. Maybe if I go out for a walk, my illness will get much better."
Upon hearing this, Scholar Mu felt his blood rush to his head and his head spin: "This is utter nonsense!"
Li Li also disagreed and gently shook her head at Mu Wanyu.
"Imperial Physician Li barely managed to pull you back from the brink of death, and now you're going out to die again! Not to mention whether your body can withstand it, everyone in the mansion is now under the Emperor's control. Disobeying the imperial decree is a serious crime!"
Scholar Mu was so angry he felt dizzy, and he braced himself on the table to calm the turmoil in his heart. How could his daughter change so drastically every day? Her temperament was even more unpredictable than that of the capricious emperor. He wondered if she had lost her mind.
Thinking about this, I couldn't help but feel guilty. I shouldn't have let her enter the palace in the first place; not only did it damage her brain, but it also corrupted her with that ruthless, man-eating imperial palace.
Mu Wanyu was also frightened by her father's attitude and lowered her head, not daring to speak. She knew how good the Grand Scholar Mu was to her, so as an orphan in modern times, she now regarded the man in front of her as her own father and quickly developed a great deal of trust and dependence on him.
She really didn't think things through today; she only cared about herself.
"Father, I'm sorry. I will stay in the manor obediently from now on. Please don't be angry, and take care of your health."
After pondering for a while, and hearing his daughter's hesitant apology, the scholar's anger had long since dissipated. He turned around and gently patted her thin shoulder: "Yu'er, now is not the time. Please be patient."
"Father, I understand," Mu Wanyu obediently agreed.
——
In the Qian Yuan Palace, Emperor Jingcheng coaxed A Zi to have lunch, fed her medicine, and then held her while she slept for half an hour before getting up.
Azi's spirits had improved considerably, and she was overjoyed at the prospect of leaving the palace. While Di Jingcheng was changing her clothes, she excitedly discussed with him what they would eat and where they would go for fun.
As Di Jingcheng helped her tidy up, he responded to her words. Seeing that her mental state was completely different from that morning, he couldn't help but marvel at how versatile and wonderful the young girl was.
The two women changed out of their palace attire and into moon-white brocade robes adorned with delicate magnolia blossom patterns, which perfectly accentuated their beautiful figures. Even the thick winter clothing could not conceal their ethereal elegance.
Their outer cotton robes were made of the finest tiger skin, windproof and warm, with a fluffy white fox fur collar. Azi's was light pink, and Di Jingcheng's was light blue. Standing together, the two looked like a perfect couple.
Zheng He'er and Zheng San had ordered their carriages to be prepared for leaving the palace well in advance, and brought along ten plainclothes imperial guards, as well as Cheng Er secretly leading his own guards for protection.
Emperor Jingcheng carried Azi into the carriage, which slowly drove out of the palace and into the bustling capital city.
Azi looked outside excitedly. The scene was very different from the last summer, but it had a different feel to it.
Emperor Jingcheng ordered his men to park the carriage in the deserted training ground and led his men to stroll through the market. He held the petite Azi in his arms, showing her around this and that. Soon, Zheng He and the others behind him were carrying quite a few things.
The capital city was indeed bustling. Although it was cold, the atmosphere was full of life: the aroma of food, the sounds of people playing, the shouts of vendors, people skating on the frozen river, and children running around in the streets with candied hawthorns in their hands...
Everyone was infected by the harmonious and lively atmosphere. With the New Year approaching, many shops have started to hang red lanterns, as well as festive couplets and various New Year pictures, which makes people feel warm and cozy.
Jing Shi Tea House, the place where A Zi and Di Jingcheng reunited, had two handsome and distinguished men in luxurious clothes standing in front of the large open window in a private room on the fourth floor. The cold wind was blowing, but the two men were unmoved and slowly drank the hot wine in their cups.
Both of their gazes were focused on Di Jingcheng and Ranla Azi's group below...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
