Yang Mengchen was also celebrated as the pioneer of the women’s school and was highly respected and adored by later generations.
Of course, that is a story for another time.
By the time August 13th arrived, except for Yang Chengning who was still far away at the frontier, the Yang family came to The Capital, firstly to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with Yang Mengchen, and secondly to attend the wedding of Yang Chengyou and Fu Chuyan on the 19th.
"Auntie!" Yang Zonghan suddenly pounced toward Yang Mengchen, hugging her neck and said, "Zonghan has missed Auntie so much."
Yang Mengchen affectionately kissed Yang Zonghan’s tender, fair little face and smiled indulgently, "Auntie has missed Zonghan too."
Yang Zonghan also gently touched Yang Mengchen’s cheek, laughing until his teeth were fully visible but his eyes were not.
This incident touched Long Xuanmo’s nerves; his expression immediately turned dark, with blue veins throbbing on his forehead, and he threw a warning glare at Yang Chengrong.
Yang Chengrong quickly stepped forward, deftly taking his eldest son into his arms, finding his brother-in-law’s jealousy somewhat amusing but also frustrating. freewebnøvel_com
"I want Auntie!" Yang Zonghan wriggled in his father’s embrace, trying to break free.
Yang Chengrong spoke gently and softly, "Zonghan, be good. You’ve grown up now, and Auntie might get tired holding you." His eldest son always had been the most caring towards his aunt.
As expected, upon hearing that he might tire out Auntie, Yang Zonghan stopped fussing to be held by her, and even solemnly promised like a little adult that he would not let Auntie hold him anymore to avoid tiring her out.
Seeing Long Xuanmo’s expression soften, Yang Chengrong secretly let out a sigh of relief, smiling as he talked to Yang Mengchen about his younger son and nephew.
Xiao Wanxue and Nangong Lingyan, both astute in thought, held their sons and walked over to Yang Mengchen to show her the two little boys, but they did not hand their sons over to her.
On June 18th, Xiao Wanxue gave the Yang family another chubby baby boy named Yang Zongjun.
Yang Mengchen was too busy with numerous duties and restricted by her status to go back and congratulate them, but she sent over congratulatory gifts through others.
Seeing her pink-and-white, chubby nephew, Yang Mengchen’s heart melted, and a naturally gentle and joyful smile appeared on her face. Coincidentally, Yang Zonglie and Yang Zongjun, who were originally sleeping with eyes closed, suddenly opened their eyes, looked at Yang Mengchen with their dark, round eyes turning, and even started laughing happily.
"Tian Gua and Tian Jiu are actually laughing, look!" Xiao Wanxue and Nangong Lingyan exclaimed in unison.
It wasn’t surprising that they were astonished; ever since birth, aside from feeding, these two little boys spent most of their time sleeping with eyes closed, let alone smiling at anyone. Now, they not only opened their eyes but were also laughing at their aunt.
The rest of the family gathered around, and upon confirming it was true, they all admired the boys, saying they would surely be just like Yang Zonghan, always protective and caring towards their aunt in the future.
Yang Mengchen’s smile grew even more tender as she stretched out her left and right index fingers for the two nephews to grasp. "Tian Gua, Tian Jiu (Yang Zonglie’s nickname is Tian Gua, and Yang Zongjun’s nickname is Tian Jiu, both given by their friend, Yang Zonghan, who said since they are brothers and his name means ’Tian Gao,’ the younger brothers’ names should be Tian Gua and Tian Jiu), you are so good, and Auntie likes you very much too."
As if understanding Yang Mengchen’s words, Yang Zonglie and Yang Zongjun tightly held onto her fingers, laughing with their dark eyes curved into crescent shapes.
After lunch, Yang Mengchen, Wu Xuehua, and the three sisters-in-law, Lady Xiao, Lady Luo, and Lady Nangong, gathered together.
With Yang Chengyou’s wedding approaching, Wu Xuehua and the sisters-in-law were not very familiar with the official wedding ritual protocols and worried that their oversight might lead to unfair treatment for their daughter-in-law (niece-in-law), so Yang Mengchen entrusted Lady Xiao and the others to take charge, and they readily agreed, as they were all one family after all.
Now that everything was arranged properly, Lady Luo and her associates carefully explained the wedding matters to the three sisters-in-law, then they all went to see the bridal chamber.
The next day, while Yang Mengchen was preparing to send Long Xuanmo off to the morning imperial court, Hai Tang suddenly came in: "Princess, the eldest daughter-in-law and the third young grandson are missing."
"What exactly happened?" Yang Mengchen’s expression tensed.
Hai Tang replied gravely, "Just now we received word from Bing Mo (an Elite Guard assigned to Xiao Wanxue by Yang Mengchen) that the eldest daughter-in-law, while bringing the third grandson back to Xiao Mansion, was accosted by four masked figures in black who abducted them. Bing Mo and Zi Jin were seriously injured."
"I will accompany you to find them." Without waiting for Yang Mengchen to say anything, Long Xuanmo immediately ordered Mo Yun to report to the Emperor.
Calling over Birdy, Yang Mengchen inquired about the situation and quickly received specific intel; her expression became grave and stern.
"Ah Jiu..." Long Xuanmo gently held his wife’s hand.
Yang Mengchen shook her head, "I’m fine."
The Yang brothers arrived upon hearing the news. Their sister had the ability to communicate with animals, which made her more useful than their blind search. The group swiftly made their way to Gan Liang Temple outside the city. After the Black Wolf Army was defeated, the temple had been deserted.
Guided by Birdy, the group silently surrounded the last monk’s quarters. Through the crack of the door, they could see four men and one woman, all masked in black. Xiao Wanxue sat on the ground with Yang Zongjun in her arms, both with eyes shut tight, apparently having been drugged by the kidnappers.
"How dare you act without master’s orders; do you know how serious the consequences are?" One of the men asked the woman darkly.
The woman scornfully glanced at the man, "The master said you are only to follow my commands and have no objections!"
"You..."
The woman scoffed when she saw the man dared not speak further, then she slowly walked over to Xiao Wanxue, crouched down, and waved a small porcelain bottle under her nose.
Soon Xiao Wanxue slowly opened her eyes, coming back to her senses after a brief stupor. She first checked on her son in her arms who was breathing steadily and had no injuries, yet could not be woken. She immediately glared at the woman in front of her, "Who are you? Why did you kidnap us?"
"Surprised, aren’t you, Xiao Wanxue? We meet again," the woman’s seductive voice carried a hint of indescribable emotion.
Xiao Wanxue’s heart throbbed with suspicion, but she maintained her composure, "Who are you?"
The woman pinched Xiao Wanxue’s fair chin, looking at her with a dark, fierce gaze, her tone filled with deep-rooted jealousy and venom, "You actually ask who I am?"
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