Chapter 127 The Lin Family's Candied Hawthorns Are Inedible "If it weren't for my aunt climbing into my bed..."
If Mu Chuan was home, he and Lin Daiyu would usually have two meals together.
In the afternoon, the two of them had lunch and strolled by the lake. It just so happened that You Sheng was also strolling around there, but unlike them, You Sheng was strolling before dinner.
“Walking more means eating more,” You Sheng said excitedly, her short legs moving incredibly fast, even faster than her long-legged uncle.
Mu Chuan glanced at Lin Daiyu, who smiled and glared at him: "What? You think I'm holding you back?"
"I mean, we'll be at the fish feeding area soon."
When Mu Chuan moved in, he also put a lot of ornamental carp in the lake. They were red, black and golden. However, they had only been raised for less than a year and were only two or three inches long. Compared with the adult ones that were half a meter long, they were still miniature.
The two slowly swam to the viewing platform in front, where there were wooden boxes tied to the railings on both sides, filled with fish food.
Lin Daiyu grabbed a handful and threw them in, watching the carp leaping out of the water in the pond, which she found quite amusing.
The two of them took turns throwing the ball, exchanging a few words here and there, though it was unclear what they were saying.
“I quite like our family’s routine. Everyone is different, and everyone has their own habits,” Lin Daiyu said with a smile.
“Back in the Rongguo Mansion, we all lived according to our maternal grandmother’s schedule.”
Lin Daiyu suddenly laughed: "Third Brother said back then that it would be good to have my own home, and now it really is."
Mu Chuan couldn't find a way to interrupt, so he could only laugh helplessly and say, "What do you want me to say?"
"Just say... you can do whatever you want."
Mu Chuan then repeated it exactly as it was, adding half a sentence: "You can do whatever you want, this is our home."
Lin Daiyu smiled, her eyes crinkling, and said contentedly, "Third Brother, you're so kind."
The two were gazing lovingly into each other's eyes when Sheng came running back, shouting, "Uncle, Uncle! My ring fell into the lake!"
She looked at Mu Chuan with hopeful eyes: "Uncle, you can do anything."
Mu Chuan laughed and said, "Perhaps it was eaten by a fish. I'll have them bring fishing rods to fish. You go eat first, and maybe the ring will come back after you've eaten."
Mu Yousheng went home happily.
After Yousheng left, Mu Chuan began looking for someone: "Go ask Chun Tao what kind of ring she lost. Where did you buy it, who made it? I remember when I was buying things, I was afraid the child would be sad if she lost them, so I bought several of each kind."
Lin Daiyu listened from the side, her expression gradually becoming strange.
After the servants left, Lin Daiyu suddenly sighed, her tone strange yet tinged with nostalgia: "Now that you mention it, I remember that I also lost a bracelet when I was little. It fell into the lake, and my father said that a fish took it. But the bracelet was found a couple of days later."
Mu Chuan chuckled: "I know you went to the capital when you were a little over six years old. Even though you were just a little girl, the bracelet wouldn't be that big. But how big of a fish would it take to swallow a bracelet? You've been studying the Four Books at home, how could you still believe in this?"
Lin Daiyu glared at him: "Back then, I was still an innocent and naive young girl!"
Mu Chuan laughed loudly, while his wife frowned slightly and glared at him fiercely—a truly beautiful sight.
After waiting for a while, the person on the other side delivered the ring. They had bought five in a box, and this was the first one they had lost.
"Let's put on a little play later, so she'll know she needs to be careful," Mu Chuan suggested. "You know, everyone in the manor says you're a fairy."
Lin Daiyu blushed, feeling quite embarrassed.
"I'll catch a fish in front of her and say I'm going to cut open the fish to get the ring. She's seen fish and chickens being killed before, so she'll always feel a little reluctant to watch. You'll just say no, run your hand over the fish, and the ring will come out. Then I'll put the fish back into the lake."
Mu Chuan gave the ring to Lin Daiyu: "Hide it well. I'll distract her in a bit, so don't let her find it."
Just as Lin Daiyu was playing the role of a fairy and painlessly retrieving the ring, Prince Teng was taking Tan Chun to the hostage residence.
Actually, Wang Ziteng didn't originally plan to be in such a hurry.
However, Jia Zhen's family was seized, and the Niu family, formerly one of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, was also stripped of their title a few days ago.
The Prince of Dongping's family has been dismissed from their posts by His Majesty and is currently reflecting on their actions behind closed doors.
Even the Prince of Beijing, who was a member of the imperial family, was reprimanded by His Majesty, who said that he was seeking fame and fortune and had ulterior motives.
This situation is very bad.
Wang Ziteng lamented that he was out of the loop and found out too late, while also resenting his teammates for being less and less capable.
He barely managed to squeeze into the group of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes through a marriage alliance, but before the Wang family could become a true aristocratic family, the Four Kings and Eight Dukes were about to perish.
Tan Chun sat opposite Wang Ziteng. She was a little scared. Last time they met, there were many people, and she only said a few words, so she didn't think much of it. But this time there were only two of them. Her uncle's face was gloomy, his eyes were vicious, and he didn't say a word. Moreover, he said he was taking her to the hostage residence... Was that how it was supposed to be?
Wang Ziteng reviewed his plan, glanced at Tan Chun, and said, "When we get there, let Lord Meng take you in. The hostage is called Cuoge Na. How's your Northern Li language learning going?"
Tan Chun said a few words. Wang Ziteng wanted to rely on the Li people in the north to make a comeback, and he was naturally learning from them. He nodded in satisfaction.
The only pity is that she is too tall and somewhat thin. The news from the other side is that the hostage prefers petite and delicate women.
However, Tan Chun is not without her merits. She has a vibrant energy and bright eyes. Prince Teng can see her ambition, and the hostage prince would probably like such a woman who is unwilling to admit defeat.
Wang Ziteng chuckled, "You're good, that's the look you're giving, but be more respectful in your speech. When you go in, you can pretend to be flustered, accidentally leaning against him, or when you're helping the hostage adjust his clothes, your hand might wander—"
Tan Chun looked at her uncle in disbelief. What was he saying?
"Not as a maid?" Tan Chun asked.
Wang Ziteng frowned: "Is this what it means to be a maid—didn't your wife tell you?"
This isn't being a maid. Tan Chun's face flushed crimson, tears welling in her eyes. She had thought it was a proper maid's job, and she had even prepared herself to become a concubine, but she had imagined it would be a respectable path, not this—
Seduction, getting into bed.
Despicable and shameless.
Tan Chun's tears fell.
Wang Ziteng asked grimly, "You're unwilling to serve the court? You're unwilling to save your wife and husband? Do you want to see the Rongguo Mansion fall into ruin?"
"I'm willing, but—" Tan Chun's tears fell even faster, and her voice choked with sobs.
After crying like that, her eyes were swollen and her face was covered in smears; it was clear this time she couldn't go on.
Besides, if she were to become a maid, Lord Meng would also be held responsible. It's obvious she's unwilling, so how can he be persuaded?
"Stop the carriage!" Wang Ziteng shouted, and the carriage came to a halt.
He had initially waited to see if she could stop crying, but who would have thought that once she started crying, it wouldn't stop, and she was sobbing uncontrollably that she couldn't stop.
Wang Ziteng had little patience even for his own daughter, let alone a concubine's daughter with whom he had no blood relation.
After thinking for a moment, he ordered the carriage to go to the hostage residence first. He got off the carriage himself and had someone escort her back before going to find Lord Meng.
Although they were father-in-law and son-in-law, Wang Ziteng was not at all arrogant when asking Lord Meng for a favor. He grabbed Lord Meng's arm and said with a smile, "The young lady is shy. Let's ignore her for now and go to Tongqing Tower for a drink."
Tan Chun cried all the way back to Rongguo Mansion. She was now living with Aunt Zhao, and she had to pass through Madam Wang's courtyard to get back. With her eyes red and swollen, everyone who was supposed to see her saw her.
Moreover, even so, Tan Chun did not forget to go back and pay her respects to Madam Wang first.
Madam Wang still had that kind and gentle face, looking down at him with concern, "Why did you come back? Perhaps you're not used to it? The Northern Li people are... a bit barbaric, but every woman has to go through this. I didn't expect you to be able to do it in one go."
Tan Chun took a deep breath and forced herself to go back to her room, but as soon as she got back, she couldn't hold back her tears and started crying again.
When Aunt Zhao saw her return like this, she asked, "What's wrong? Did they mistreat you over there? Or did they not treat you like a human being? Sigh, you should rein in your spoiled princess attitude. How can things be the same outside as at home?"
"Stop talking nonsense!" Tan Chun turned around and said sharply, "You have no idea why they called me here! If it weren't for—if it weren't for you ruining your reputation by becoming a concubine and stirring up trouble all day long, how could they insult me like this! I'm a perfectly good young lady, I—"
She started crying again.
Aunt Zhao's expression shifted unpredictably, and she slapped herself hard again: "Serves you right for being so talkative! You asked so many unnecessary questions!"
“I say, girl, don’t be too sad. Everyone knows that’s how the Rongguo Mansion is. You’re the only one who’s dreaming.” Aunt Zhao’s expression turned frivolous.
"Wasn't this their original plan when they sent their eldest daughter to the palace?"
Tan Chun was crying on the bed. When she heard this, she turned her head to speak, but Aunt Zhao mocked her, "What? Climbing your master's bed is lowly, but climbing the emperor's bed is noble? They're all the same, just servants."
Tan Chun wanted to refute, but didn't know what to say.
"If your older sister can do it, why can't you? Your wife sent her own daughter to the palace, does that mean you have to treat her like royalty? Don't dream."
Aunt Zhao straightened up and tidied her hair: "I didn't know you were so naive, young lady. Let me give you a piece of advice: if you don't want to go, take advantage of the cold night and sleep with the window open for one night. Once you get sick, you won't need to go."
After being told this by Aunt Zhao, Tan Chun didn't know what to cry about anymore. She calmed down and lay still on the bed.
Aunt Zhao continued, "Your uncle has more than one niece. There's also Miss Xue over there who's even more anxious than you and more willing to go to great lengths. If you get sick until she goes in, you won't have to go. It's just that you'll be letting down Madam's love and care for you. Don't be sad, Miss."
Aunt Zhao chuckled twice, then turned and left.
Tan Chun got up and sat on the bed, remaining motionless for a long time.
The day before the Double Ninth Festival, Lin Daiyu left the city and rode with her third brother to Fragrant Hills.
Mu Chuan said, "Our family also has a hot spring villa at the foot of Fragrant Hills. We'll probably arrive around 3 PM. Let's rest for the night, climb the mountain the next day, and then enjoy the hot springs on the third day."
Lin Daiyu chuckled twice: "Anyway, you've already said that you won't let me manage anything, and whatever you say goes. Even if you sell me out, that's all that matters."
“My dear wife.” Mu Chuan pinched her waist. “If I sell you, where am I going to find another fairy? Don’t you think so? A very beautiful fairy aunt.”
The first time Lin Daiyu rode a horse, she was still a little hesitant to move. Perhaps it was out of habit, or perhaps it was because she completely trusted her third brother, but she dared to move around a bit on the horse.
She turned back to Mu Chuan and smiled, then reached back to touch whatever she could find and patted it gently: "Good Third Brother, shall I treat you to some candied hawthorns?"
Mu Chuan deliberately said, "I don't eat candied hawthorns, and I can't eat the candied hawthorns from your Lin family."
The two sat on their horses and rested in the carriage for a while, and arrived at the foot of Fragrant Hills at 3:45 PM.
Lin Daiyu had seen mountains before, but never mountains covered in red leaves. She tugged at Mu Chuan's sleeve and said, "Third Brother, let's go to the foot of the mountain first before going to the villa."
Mu Chuan naturally agreed.
The two rode their horses halfway down the mountain. Although it was a bit improper for a man and a woman to ride together, before Mu Chuan could speak, Lin Daiyu spoke first: "Anyway, Third Brother is a favorite of the Second Emperor, so Third Brother isn't afraid, is he?"
Mu Chuan chuckled and lightly tapped the horse's flank with his hind leg: "What am I afraid of?"
Lin Daiyu laughed at him: "If I ride with someone else, at most people will say I'm not proper, and nobody will know who I am. But I ride with Third Brother, and everyone knows Third Brother, right? He is the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, Shame on Me."
"Who do you want to ride a horse with?" Mu Chuan tickled her twice.
"Why are you still angry?" Lin Daiyu laughed crisply. "I was just saying."
"Don't even mention it, you can't even think about it."
After about fifteen minutes of riding, the two returned to the villa. Perhaps because of the hot springs, the temperature here was quite high, and the leaves were still a bit yellow.
Lin Daiyu changed out of the clothes she had worn on the road and was sitting there drinking hot tea when she saw Mu Chuan take out a candied hawthorn from somewhere.
Lin Daiyu immediately burst into laughter: "Third Brother, how come you have everything?"
But when she reached out her hand, Mu Chuan didn't hand her anything.
"Third Brother?"
Mu Chuan pretended to bite off a candied hawthorn, but because he had something in his mouth, his speech was not very clear.
"Want some? Come over here."
To be honest, candied hawthorn wasn't even on Lin Daiyu's must-eat list.
But with Third Brother around, he's always number one on every must-eat list.
Lin Daiyu smiled, feigning reluctance, taking two steps forward and one step back, but before she could take two steps, she was caught by the impatient Mu Chuan.
Lin Daiyu quickly leaned over and took a bite of the candied hawthorn.
Mu Chuan then ate the other half: "It's sour, too sour."
“Nonsense,” Lin Daiyu retorted. “It’s clearly sweet, so sweet it’s cloying.”
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