After Mrs. Zhuang and I left the room, she seemed to want to say something but stopped herself several times.
It seemed like the host's warm hospitality, yet also a bit nervous, fearing to disturb or offend.
I smiled generously at Madam Zhuang. "Madam Zhuang, I just mentioned that I was very familiar with you and Master Mu in the past. You must have heard that I accidentally fell and lost some of my memory."
Mrs. Zhuang nodded: "Well, we know, it's hard for you."
I shook my head and pretended to touch the back of my head. "Actually, I have no recollection of whether the fall hurt or not. Maybe I forgot the pain along with my memory loss!"
"Mrs. Zhuang..." I tried to find a topic to talk about. "Could you please tell me how we got to know each other?"
She paused, and as we walked towards the pavilion in the front yard, she spoke softly, her gentle tone like the breeze from a round fan: "When you were a child, you often came to our house to play. At that time, we still lived in the capital..."
A maid brought in stacks of cakes: crystal cakes, peach blossom cakes...all of which happened to be my favorites.
A bird leaped from a green tree branch, causing it to tremble. The shadow of the tree cast by the sun swayed back and forth on the marble table.
Mrs. Zhuang told me a lot of things I had done in their house. I was really a naughty child. I could also act like this in the neighbor's house.
During the conversation, I learned that one of my playmates asked casually, "What about Madam Zhuang's son? Is he at home now?"
So it seems that I have a childhood sweetheart. I wonder what expression Song Heng would have if I told him this. It’s quite interesting to think about.
Madam Zhuang was silent for a moment, but when she spoke, she said calmly, "He passed away due to some accident."
My hand holding the tea cup paused, not realizing I had inadvertently stirred up someone else's sad family affair. Just as I was about to apologize, Zhuang smiled gently, "It's okay, Miss Shuang and Miss Mu, don't worry."
I immediately changed the subject: "Mrs. Zhuang used to call me Shuang'er, right?"
She has started her name with "Shuang" several times, but immediately changed her words and called me Miss Mu.
Madam Zhuang nodded immediately. I put down my teacup and smiled at her, "If you don't mind, you can still call me Shuang'er!"
"Really? That's great!" Mrs. Zhuang looked very excited: "Shuang, Shuang'er..."
There was a momentary tremor in my mind, as if this shout overlapped with the call deep in my mind in an instant.
But this strong feeling is fleeting and cannot be grasped like the wind.
"Madam Zhuang." I smiled back quickly. Sniffing the rich fragrance in the courtyard and watching the flowers and butterflies fluttering, I couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Madam Zhuang, this courtyard is well maintained!"
Madam Zhuang also turned to look at the flowers and plants in the courtyard. "This is my brother's old courtyard. He doesn't live here often because he's doing business. About half a year ago, when we returned home from the capital, my brother handed this courtyard over to me to take care of."
"Hmm," I responded curiously, "Business?"
"Well, Mingfan City is famous for its tea," Mrs. Zhuang patiently explained to me, "My brother often travels back and forth between the north and the south to sell tea."
I remembered that Song Heng loved drinking tea very much, so I secretly made a note of this so that maybe one day when he has free time, he can go to the street and try the tea here.
*
After seeing Madam Zhuang and Mu Chenshuang leave, Song Heng took the rice paper and gently called out, "Master Mu."
Mu Anguo's action of dismissing others suddenly made him have a bold guess.
Mu Anguo opened his mouth, but suddenly stopped looking at one place.
When Song Heng followed his gaze, he saw a wide-open window.
Song Heng immediately went forward to close the window, and after making sure the door was also closed, he walked to the bed.
All that was heard was Mu Anguo's subtle and steady voice: "This old minister pays homage to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty."
Song Heng's surprise was fleeting. "No need to be so polite. Please wait a moment, my dear. I'll go and ask Ah Fu to guard the surroundings."
It was a bit unexpected, but Song Heng had already had this idea.
When the imperial physician first diagnosed Mu Yushi, he said that although he had suffered a stroke and was paralyzed, he was in good health and could recover with precious Chinese medicine and rest.
He was indeed a little disappointed when he heard Mrs. Zhuang say that the situation was the same as before.
For Shuang'er and Zhuang, and also for Song Huaguo.
A virtuous person like Censor Mu, who is upright, honest, and loyal, is extremely rare. In addition, with the prestige of the powerful officials of the two dynasties, with the help of Censor Mu, it would be much smoother to overthrow Prime Minister Hua and stabilize the court in the future.
After hearing this, Ah Fu and Guard Li walked around the house. After making sure that there was no one around, they easily jumped onto the roof using a big tree next to the house.
When Madam Zhuang brought them here, she had already sent the servants away. In addition, the backyard was already remote and peaceful, so there was no need to worry about any strangers coming.
Mu Anguo let go of the curtains, leaving them half-covered so that only Song Heng, who was standing at the head of the bed, could see him. Mu Anguo slowly propped himself up with his hands and then leaned against the back of the bed.
"I am still having some difficulty with my legs, please forgive me, Your Majesty." Mu Anguo bowed his head.
"Master Mu, there's no need for us to be so polite." Song Heng replied, "It's just that Master Mu, you're doing this..."
"This old minister does have selfish motives," Mu Anguo explained, "This time I took Qing'er away from the capital. The reason I was able to have a moment of peace was because of my sick body. If those with ulterior motives knew that I had recovered, I'm afraid..."
Song Heng nodded: "I understand your concerns. I have already arranged secret guards in the Zhuang Mansion to protect you and the Zhuang family at all times."
Song Heng did not tell Zhuang about this matter to avoid any complications, so Mu Anguo naturally just found out about it.
Surprise flashed across his eyes, and Mu Anguo bowed: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"
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