Mu Houchu’s gaze lingered where she had disappeared from his sight. He stared at the empty gate for a long while, feeling as if his heart had hollowed out. Finally, he lowered the curtain, "Let’s go."
This little woman who left him helpless.
"Yes, my lord."
Ji Xinhe entered her room, closed the door, and finally, her tense heart relaxed. She collapsed onto her bed, exhausted, her emotions complex and uncomfortable.
She had thought everything between them was over, but he said they were destined to entangle in this life and the next because he would not let go.
But could she still trust him now?
What happened a month ago, no one knew the truth. Rumors couldn’t be trusted, but should his words be trusted?
When Ji Xinhe thought about that woman named Chen Yining, she felt annoyed.
She was not generous enough to forgive easily. That woman was like a thorn, stuck in her throat, making her uncomfortable, upset, especially when facing Mu Houchu. The feeling was unbearable.
So she didn’t want to see him, didn’t want to face him, and even less wanted to recall the past. It was like thorns, every remembrance caused pain, so she dared not touch them anymore, fearing the pain.
While she was lost in thought, Fuquan informed from outside the door, "Miss, Young Master Duan is here."
Ji Xinhe got up from the bed, slightly startled. She then remembered that she had left without saying goodbye at the Ruifu Building, and Duan Lan was still looking for her.
"Please let him in."
Ji Xinhe organized her thoughts, forcing herself to put aside all the messy stuff, and then went to the front hall to meet Duan Lan.
"Xinhe, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for a long time. I heard you had something urgent and left. I went to Guilin House and your workshop, but I didn’t find you. I was afraid something happened to you." Duan Lan was already sweating, relieved when he saw her safe and sound.
Ji Xinhe looked a little pale as she forced a smile, "I’m okay, just had to deal with some emergency. I went to the dental line. I’m sorry to have kept you worried."
Duan Lan said, "As long as you’re okay. You disappeared all of a sudden, which really worried me."
Ji Xinhe looked a little uneasy, not wanting to continue the topic, so she quickly reassured, "I initially planned to see your farm today, but I ended up spending so much time on it. It’s getting dark now, let’s reschedule."
Duan Lan nodded with a smile, "No problem, whenever you want to go is fine, how about going tomorrow?"
"Okay."
She did not want to think about what Mu Houchu was doing now. Her main purpose in coming to the capital was for business. She promised the homeowner of Guilin House to open Qinghe shop in half a month, so naturally, she could not delay it anymore.
"Oh, by the way, you left this lantern in Ruifu Building because you had to leave in a hurry. I brought it back for you. You rarely take such a liking to things, so it’s not good to lose it." Duan Lan smiled and handed over the peony lantern to Ji Xinhe.
Ji Xinhe nodded, "Thank you."
"You look a bit off, is something wrong?"
Ji Xinhe lowered her eyes slightly, "Nothing, just a bit tired."
Duan Lan obviously didn’t believe her but since she didn’t want to tell him, he couldn’t persist in asking, so he just gave a small smile, "If anything comes up, feel free to come find me."
"Mm."
"Then I will leave first." Duan Lan hesitated to look at Ji Xinhe and saw her still lowering her eyes as if she was deep in thought about something.
Duan Lan suddenly felt uneasy, thinking something must have happened today, but he had no clue about it. This feeling made him very uncomfortable.
——
The Prime Minister’s Mansion.
Mu Houchu sat at his desk, his mind not focused on the official documents in front of him. As he leaned back in the taishi chair, one hand was lightly pressed against his forehead, the other was tapping on the table. Usually, when he exhibited these habitual behaviors, he was a bit restless.
There were a few knocks at the door of the study.
"Come in."
Ling Feng quickly entered, and bowed, "Master, I’ve found out."
"Who is it?" Mu Houchu picked up the tea cup from the table, took a sip, his voice cold and detached.
"The man who appeared at the Ruifu Building alongside your wife today, is the third son of Elder Duan’s family, Duan Lan." Ling Feng respectfully responded.
Mu Houchu’s movement stopped, he placed the teacup down lightly on the table. The crisp sound echoed in Ling Feng’s heart, causing him to hold his breath, anticipating something.
"Duan Lan," Mu Houchu murmured the name, finding it familiar.
He recognized all ministers in the imperial court, but he didn’t care to remember their children unless it was something important, Duan Lan....
Mu Houchu looked surprised, his eyes turned to Ling Feng, "Had we encountered his carriage on our way back to Lian’an Town?"
Ling Feng gritted his teeth, bravely shared, "Yes, my lord, Madame...Madame came to the capital with him."
Mu Houchu let out a cold laugh, a fierce light flashed in his eyes, "I see."
Ling Feng tentatively said, "I’m not exactly sure how Madame and Young Master Duan know each other. But I heard that when Young Master Duan came back from Jishan Academy, he passed by Lian’an Town and stayed for a few days. They probably met then, and decided to come to the capital together."
"Together? She may think so. I reckon Duan Lan doesn’t."
"So, what does the master want to do..." Ling Feng hesitated.
"I heard that the Duan family is engaged to Le Yuanhou Mansion, is that his engagement?"
"Yes, the third son of the Duan Family is engaged to Le Yuanhou’s eldest daughter, Li Junyao. It’s a childhood arranged betrothal. By rights, Duan Lan’s return to the capital should be due to this engagement. However, sources from the Duan family reported that Duan Lan seems unwilling to proceed with this marriage and has even mentioned it to his parents." Ling Feng reported.
Mu Houchu responded coldly, "So he thinks he can just reject it? Old Man Chen has surrendered his power, there are no useful people in the court. The Emperor is looking to promote Elder Duan. If the Emperor learns that Elder Duan has such a good marriage prospect, he’ll probably push it along."
Ling Feng exclaimed in surprise, "You mean... the Emperor will grant the marriage?"
"I don’t have the patience to keep engaging with him. They might as well get this wedding over with." Mu Houchu seemed impatient.
By the looks of today, Xinhe probably had no understanding of what Duan Lan was plotting. It would be better to cut him off before she figures it out. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
In his life, no one else was allowed to covet his woman!
"Yes, my lord, I am leaving now."
"Wait."
"Do you have any other commands, my lord?"
Mu Houchu took a sip of his tea, then said, "Go get a carriage for the mansion."
Ling Feng paused, not understanding. His lord didn’t like riding in carriages, right?
But then he remembered what had happened today and quickly replied, "Yes, my lord."
All the patience and consideration his lord had shown in his life, seemed to be reserved for his wife.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
