Mu Yan nodded in agreement.
Mu Yan said, "Su Yi is absurd, and you two are still uncle and sister-in-law. It's best not to have too much contact with him, lest someone with ulterior motives spread rumors about you."
Mu Jin said nonchalantly, "There won't be any reason to contact him again. I saved him, he paid off his debt, and we're even. Father and brother can rest assured."
Mu Yan suddenly remembered that Mu Jin had mentioned in a letter that she would hire a martial arts teacher for her.
"Ah Jin, regarding the matter of learning martial arts that you mentioned to me, after observing you for this period of time, I plan to leave Eleven to you. This person is of pure nature and his martial arts skills are no less than mine. I am at ease leaving him with you."
Mu Jin nodded: "The person you give me, brother, is of course the best. Thank you, brother."
The three planned to take Eleven back to the Yun Prince's Mansion with Mu Jin. They would work as ordinary coachmen on weekdays, but secretly act as Mu Jin's guards and martial arts instructors.
Mu Jin had dinner at the General's Mansion before leaving.
Next to the gate of the General's Mansion, there was a carriage belonging to the Prince of Yun's Mansion. Besides the coachman from the Prince of Yun's Mansion, Eleven was also standing next to the carriage.
When Shiyi saw Mu Jin walking towards him, he nervously stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Miss!"
Mu Jin smiled at him: "From now on, you don't need to bow to me if you follow me."
Upon hearing Mu Jin's words, Shiyi lowered her head slightly, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.
Mu Jin glanced at the coachman behind the carriage, leaned close to Eleven's ear, and whispered, "I can only ask you to be my coachman on ordinary days. Please give me your guidance on martial arts."
Eleven nodded to Mu Jin. Seeing Eleven nod, Mu Jin was very satisfied. With Qing'er's help, she got into the carriage and returned to the Yun Prince's Mansion.
On the night of the eleventh day, the maids of the Prince's Mansion spread the word, and everyone was talking about it. The Princess Consort had brought back a handsome coachman from the General's Mansion.
It's only autumn now, but the maids in the Yun Prince's Mansion are all brimming with spring fever for the upcoming National Day holiday.
As Cuixiang passed through the courtyard, she heard the maids whispering and laughing together, so she immediately went over to them.
"What are you all doing gathered here? Is there no work to do?"
Upon seeing Cuixiang suddenly appear, a maid who usually fawned over her ran over and said, "Sister Cuixiang, the Princess brought back a coachman tonight. He's very handsome and a perfect match for you."
*Slap!* A slap landed on the maid's face.
"You little hussy, you're not a good match for that coachman!"
Cuixiang hated Mujin the most, let alone the servants who worked for Mujin. The maid who was beaten by her trembled and hurriedly slapped herself in the face.
"It was my fault for being ignorant and saying the wrong thing. Sister Cuixiang, please calm down."
Cuixiang glared fiercely at the maid.
Mu Jin has been away from the Prince's residence for over a year. Without the principal wife, the servants in the Prince's residence are all shrewd and capable.
Everyone felt that Su Yuntian had abandoned Mu Jin and wanted to promote Chen Qianqian to the position of power.
While the servants were fawning over Shen Qianqian, Cuixiang, as Shen Qianqian's personal maid, was also fawned over by the servants. At present, her status among the servants in the mansion was second only to Guangfu.
Cuixiang didn't want to waste any more words with the maids, so she dismissed them and went back to her room to find Shen Qianqian.
Shen Qianqian looked at her sullen face and asked, "What's wrong? Who in this mansion would dare to make you angry?"
"It's all because of those little hussies. They say that woman brought a coachman back from the general's mansion, and everyone's talking about him. He's so infatuated with those lustful little hussies that they can't even get their work done."
Seeing Cui Xiang's angry expression, Shen Qianqian couldn't help but find it amusing and said, "It's just a joke between the maids, is it really worth getting so angry about?"
"That was just those little husses making fun of me and the coachman."
Shen Qianqian smiled and shook her head. She knew that Cuixiang had become increasingly domineering over the past year because of her favor. However, Cuixiang had always been hardworking and dutiful to her and had helped her establish her authority, so she usually indulged her.
Cuixiang was three years older than her and was personally chosen by Guangfu, so she shouldn't be a timid maid. Shen Qianqian ignored her and played with the hairpin that Su Yuntian had given her, leaving Cuixiang to sulk on the side.
Although Eleven was just a coachman, he had a separate small room in the servants' quarters because he was the princess's person.
Although Eleven was lying on a hard wooden bed in the servants' quarters that night, he was extremely happy. This was the closest he had been to Mu Jin since returning to the capital.
Eleven knew that his status was worlds apart from Mu Jin's, and that even glancing at her would be a desecration, but he still couldn't stop himself from being happy whenever he saw her.
He deceived himself, saying it was because Mu Jin had saved him, and that his life belonged to Mu Jin, let alone his heart. He would hide his true feelings as long as he could stay by Mu Jin's side.
Early in the morning, the servants in the main kitchen of the Prince Yun's mansion were busy. As soon as Cuixiang walked to the kitchen door, she saw Granny Li, who was in charge of cooking, standing inside talking to a little maid.
Granny Li looked up and saw Cuixiang. She immediately came over and greeted Cuixiang with a smile, saying, "Miss Cuixiang, why did you have to come in person today? What would you like to order? Just let me know and I'll have someone send it over."
Cuixiang brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and said, "The autumn winds have been blowing lately, and this north wind has made our concubine's complexion look pale and her throat a little sore. Why don't you stew some bird's nest, make a couple of bowls? I'll come and pick it up myself this afternoon when it's ready."
Granny Li knew in her heart that this bird's nest was an ingredient reserved for the Empress's rations.
The concubine's name was Bai Yan. Although it was a bit of a breach of rules to use it for the concubine, it was understandable. After all, the concubine was currently favored, and the princess was not involved in affairs. The concubine was already half the principal wife, so it was fine to use it.
But she ordered two cups at once, which clearly meant that Cuixiang wanted to drink one by herself.
Granny Li was a shrewd person in the Prince's mansion; otherwise, she wouldn't have gotten this lucrative job. She always tried to be nice to Shen Qianqian and her maid, Cuixiang.
Granny Li paused for a moment, then said with a smile, "Alright, I'll soak it in the spring water right away and personally stew it for the concubine."
After giving instructions to Granny Li, Cuixiang did not leave immediately. She glanced at the kitchen, and Granny Li immediately understood.
She called out loudly, "Xiao He! Didn't you see your sister Cui Xiang is here? She's steamed a whole box of pigeon-shaped glass cakes and mandarin duck rolls!"
Then, rubbing his hands together, he smiled and said, "If you want anything to eat in the future, just tell me. We have braised goose feet, duck necks, and tendons for lunch today. They taste really good. I'll send you a plate of them, okay?"
Cui Xiang nodded and smiled in satisfaction, then picked up the pastry box and walked back.
Cui Xiang was in a good mood when she suddenly bumped into someone at the corner of the corridor leading to the outer courtyard. The solid chest hit her so hard that her forehead hurt and the box of pastries in her hand fell to the ground.
"Hey~ Which blind bastard is in such a hurry to be reincarnated that they dare to bump into your grandma?"
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