Chapter Three: The Ye Sisters
Once again, their meeting ended inconclusively, this time in front of Madam Mu. In the end, Madam Zhou couldn't help but throw her handkerchief away.
Bah! I am not someone you lowly fifth-rank officials can easily bully. Why don't you do some research in the capital? I, Madam Zhou, have heard of at least fifty or a hundred princes and noblemen, and none of them have ever suffered such humiliation.
"I'm so sorry, Madam Zhou..." Helpless, Madam Mu had someone wrap up ten taels of silver and give it to Madam Zhou, which finally calmed the situation down.
After recovering from her shock, Madam Mu looked back at Mu Lian, who still seemed completely dazed, and was furious. Ten taels of silver! Ten taels! Just thinking about it made her heart bleed. But Madam Mu couldn't just dismiss this illegitimate daughter so easily; after all, she still needed to maintain a respectable reputation. "Fine," she thought, "let her stay in the manor like this. It'll just be another pair of chopsticks."
He gave Hongyan a wink, and Hongyan trembled, quickly nodded in agreement, and hurriedly led Mu Lian back.
Judging from the way the madam looked at her just now, she probably despised this concubine's daughter even more. Serving in her courtyard, she knew she'd never have a chance to rise in the ranks. Thinking of this, Hongyan couldn't help but turn back and glare at Mu Lian again, spitting out a curse: "What bad luck..."
With a cold gaze sweeping over the flamboyantly dressed Hongyan in front of him, Mu Lian made a beheading gesture behind her back.
What the hell? Why do I suddenly feel so cold? Hongyan, who was cursing and swearing, was surprised to feel cold all over and rubbed her thinly clothed arms.
Back in her boudoir, after Hongyan left, Mu Lian bolted the door and tore off the human skin mask from her face. Gazing at the serene and beautiful face reflected in the worn bronze mirror, Mu Lian flicked her slender finger, striking the hidden switch on the wall.
The hidden door slowly opened, and a woman with a figure somewhat similar to Mu Lian stepped out: "My lord..."
Stepping forward to help the woman with her luggage to her feet, Mu Lian's voice softened unusually: "Ah Yuan, I'm afraid you'll have to go through this for a while..."
"It's not hard work, sir..." Five years have passed, but Meng Yuan was still somewhat excited when facing the person in front of her.
Back then, if it weren't for the adults who helped me along the way, I would probably have starved to death as an orphan and beggar. Now, I only occasionally need to play the role of the illegitimate daughter of the Mu family, running back and forth between the two places. How can that be considered hardship?
Patting Meng Yuan on the shoulder, Mu Lian handed her the human skin mask and added, "Deal with Hong Yan outside, just don't let her die..."
"Yes, sir..." After pondering Mu Lian's intentions, Meng Yuan couldn't help but smile: "I will certainly handle it properly."
Not long after, news spread throughout the Mu family's inner quarters that the concubine's daughter's courtyard was haunted. It was said that Hongyan, who served in that courtyard, had witnessed it herself, which terrified her. What was even more frightening was that it happened in broad daylight.
What?! A female ghost in red can be seen in broad daylight?! Panic instantly gripped the Mu residence.
Strangely, although Hongyan went insane with fright afterward, no one else saw a single ghost. Later, everyone gradually realized that Hongyan must have done something wrong to see a ghost in broad daylight.
After this incident, no one dared to approach the courtyard of the illegitimate daughter of the Mu family. Madam Mu even used this as an excuse to forbid Master Mu from coming near. From then on, apart from the maidservants who brought meals to the courtyard gate, there was no one else in the courtyard.
"This is a lucky accident!" Meng Yuan thought to herself with secret delight. This way, she wouldn't have to wear that human skin mask all the time to pretend. Although the mask specially made by the adults would definitely be the best and fit the best, the concubine's daughter's appearance was still plain and unremarkable. Meng Yuan still preferred to admire her own beautiful face in the mirror.
The following day, at the Magistrate's Court.
As Mu Lian was flipping through the files, she caught a glimpse of Meng Yuan entering happily and put down the files. Through the cold light of the silver mask, an unconscious softening appeared in Mu Lian's eyes: "All done?"
"All done, all done..." Meng Yuan took a few steps forward, her high ponytail swinging gracefully in the air: "My lord, you don't need to worry about that side for now..."
"Good. There will be a reward." In this way, he could also take Meng Yuan with him to Henan Province.
Yesterday, the imperial edict was issued, appointing Ye Tanhua of the Hanlin Academy as the Commissioner of the Tripods, leading the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites to Luoyang, Henan Province, to pay homage to the bronze square tripod and convey the Emperor's will. The Judicial Office will send people to accompany and protect him.
Mu Lian understood that the Empress was actually using this opportunity to investigate the Henan officialdom. She had heard that the Henan Circuit was like an ironclad fortress, rife with collusion and arrogance. In fact, the Empress had noticed this in previous years, but the Henan Circuit governor had always been highly talented, and at that time, when talent was needed and unconventional methods were required, the Empress turned a blind eye. Now, he had been fattened up for a long time, and it was time to slaughter him.
"So, this means I can accompany you out of the capital, sir?" Happiness came too quickly; Meng Yuan could hardly believe it.
"Mm." Mu Lian nodded lightly, but the look in her eyes softened.
This is so, so, so wonderful! Meng Yuan's eyes instantly sparkled, and she wished she could rush up and hug her beloved adult and kiss him. But she didn't dare, she really didn't dare, and could only nod excitedly.
Waving for Meng Yuan to hurry back and prepare, Mu Lian buried herself in the files again. Investigating Henan Province wouldn't be so easy.
Ye Mansion.
Compared to the rare touch of gentleness in the cold and aloof Magistrate's Court, the Ye residence had a completely different atmosphere.
"What? Brother, you're leaving the capital?" The second sister, who was the most impatient, was the first to jump up.
The second brother-in-law, who had been married into the family for three years, tugged at his wife's sleeve, utterly exasperated. His wife was good in every way, except for her quick temper.
"Oh, Second Sister, what's the rush? Let your brother finish speaking first..." Third Sister Ye Meizhu casually picked at her ear, looking at her as if to say, "Why are you making such a fuss?"
"Ye Meizhu, what kind of look is that? How dare you disrespect me?" Before her beloved younger brother Ye Yuqing could reply, the second sister Ye Mingzhu immediately shifted her target.
"Alright, alright, you two stop arguing. Let your brother finish speaking first..." said Ye Zhenzhu, the eldest sister who was always dignified and virtuous.
"Hmph, I don't have time to deal with you. I'm more concerned about my cute little brother..." Rolling her eyes at Ye Mingzhu, the third sister started fiddling with her nails again.
"Tch, I'm too lazy to even bother with you..." Ye Mingzhu retorted louder before turning to look at her beloved little brother.
Unfazed by such a scene, Ye Yiqing leisurely put down his Ru kiln tea set and smiled, saying, "The imperial decree was issued yesterday, and we will depart tomorrow. Since I will not be in the capital, please take good care of yourselves and the household, my three elder sisters..."
"Don't worry, little brother, your elder sister and brother-in-law will take good care of the manor. If you happen to be passing by after you leave the capital, you can visit Father and Mother at the estate..." Eldest sister Ye Zhenzhu said softly.
“Okay, don’t worry, sister…” Ye Yuqing nodded in agreement.
My mother has been unwell lately, so my father took leave to accompany her to the estate to recuperate. It has been a month now. I'm afraid that unless His Majesty summons her, my father will stay there with my mother indefinitely.
From this perspective, Mr. Ye can certainly be considered a romantic.
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