Chapter 54 They Were Coming
Meng Xiuwen had been waiting for a reply from Su Muge in Meng Mansion for nearly ten days, but failed.
The batch of medicines had been sent to Zhou County a few days ago, and Second Prince had particularly written a letter to his father to express his grat.i.tude.
He couldn’t understand why Su Muge had offered such a good idea to Meng Mansion instead of offering it to Su Mansion.
So he sent her a banknote worthy of 500 Liang, claiming to express his sincere grat.i.tude, but his actual purpose was to test her motivation.
However, like a stone thrown into the sea, he received no reply at all.
He couldn’t help doubting his suspicious mind; maybe Su Muge actually did this out of kindness.
Su Muge would never tell Meng Xiuwen that her purpose was in fact to earn money!
Without money, she could do nothing. Therefore, she must find a way to earn some.
She knew that An would never appreciate her efforts even if she was benefited from her idea, let alone giving Su Muge money. Hence, she decided to offer the idea to Meng Xiuwen.
“Your complexion looks much better, Miss,” Xinche entered the room, holding a cup of hot tea, glanced at Su Muge, who was sitting on the couch reading a book, and said smilingly.
Su Muge smiled noncommittally. In the days after returning, she had been paying attention to her health. Since she was still growing, careful nursing had shown a great effect.
Moreover, Su Jingwen didn’t come to pick on her, so she was very comfortable these days.
Su Muge made Xinche set a small swing in the yard. When she got tired after reading, she liked to sit on the swing.
“Miss, Miss, Lord … My Lord is back, My Lord is back!”
Su Muge was drowsily sitting on the swing with her eyes half closed, when a thundering voice came to her ears.
“How many times have I told you not to be harum-scarum? If you frighten Miss, there will be no good for you,” Yueru hurriedly put down her embroidery and reprimanded.
Xinlan was the youngest of them as well as the most vivacious and vigorous one.
Reprimanded by Yueru, Xinlan stopped immediately and took a look at Su Muge scrupulously.
Su Muge opened her eyes lazily and nodded approvingly. “Yueru is right. You really should mind your manners.”
Having heard Su Muge’s words, Xinlan was so frightened that she was about to cry. She knelt down and said, “It was my fault. Miss, please punish me.”
Su Muge frowned slightly; she didn’t like others kneeling to her, even though this behavior seemed quite normal to others.
“Get up. Do not do it again. You just said my father is back, didn’t you?”
Xinlan nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, it is said that he will be arriving at the mansion soon. I heard My Lord is not alone this time. He also brought Second Prince and a Lord Xia, who are here for disaster relief in Zhou County. Madam is preparing to meet them at the mansion gate. And it is also said that the two distinguished guests will temporarily settle in the mansion.”
Having heard this, Su Muge suddenly sobered up!
Xia Houmo and Xia Houkun were going to stay in Su Mansion!?
“Go and inform my mother; help her freshen up, and tell her to meet them outside the gate.”
“Right away.”
“It’s great that My Lord is back. Miss, let me help you freshen up.”
Su Muge was sitting in front of her dressing mirror, absent-minded; after a while, she gritted her teeth and murmured, “What am I afraid of? At that time, I was under the disguise of Su Lun. Even if someone got suspected then, it is impossible to find any evidence now!”
“Miss, what are you talking about?” Yueru, who was combing Su Muge’s hair, felt puzzled.
Su Muge shook her head. “Nothing. Put some hair down and cover this half of my face.”
“Ah?” Yueru felt even more puzzled. Hadn’t Miss thought it unnecessary to cover it before?
Su Muge lowered her eyes and said, “After all, there is a prince coming. I can’t scare him.”
Having heard her words, Yueru wanted to comfort Su Muge by saying something; but now that she didn’t care so much, Yueru held back the words.
After getting the news, An and her daughter had already dressed up and had the best guest courtyard cleaned up.
“Mother, is Second Prince really coming to our mansion with dad?” Su Jingwen could not conceal her joy and shyness.
“Of course, you have to behave yourself then. Don’t say anything inappropriate!” An was also happy that Su Lun not only returned safe and sound but also brought a prince back. If Second Prince could fancy her daughter, she would be the mother-in-law of a prince!
“Madam, My Lord is arriving!”
An quit speaking and organized her already tidy hair. “Hurry, get out. We can’t be discourteous in front of Second Prince.”
An and all hurried outside the gate. As soon as they arrived, they saw Su Muge walking towards them, holding Zhao in her arm.
Su Jingwen’s expression changed immediately.
The other day, An told her Su Muge was sent out to learn etiquette, for which she had a big fight with An. If An hadn’t scolded her angrily, she wouldn’t have let it go so easily.
Seeing Su Muge coming out, she could no longer suppress her anger!
“What are you doing here? To disgrace our Su Mansion?”
An was also a little displeased to see Zhao and her daughter, but she would not be as stupid as Su Jingwen.
“Wen’er, don’t talk nonsense …”
“My Lord is coming. My Lord is coming!”
Before An could finish her words, the excited shouts of a page boy came from outside.
An hurriedly shut up, put on a dignified smile and looked towards the street with antic.i.p.ation.
Su Jingwen also concealed the hostility on her face quickly, and started to behave like a lady of virtues.
Zhao was very restrained and took a look at Su Muge timidly.
Su Muge gave her a soothing look before Zhao turned her eyes to the gate.
Outside, a line of men and horses stopped slowly in front of the gate of Su Mansion. Xia Houkun got off the carriage.
The front of his ink-colored robe was embroidered with silver thread, reflecting a golden light shining in the sun. The light made his handsome face more vivid.
Su Lun walked to Xia Houkun and bowed slightly, and Xia Houkun walked towards them with a gentle smile.
Su Muge noticed that Xia Houmo was not in the crowd, and somehow she heaved a sigh of relief.
“Second Prince, nice to see you. I wish you longevity and good health.”
An led the whole family to salute to Xia Houkun.
With a slight smile, Xia Houkun didn’t pull the rank of a prince on them. “No need to be so courteous. Get up.”
“Thank you, Second Prince.”
Su Jingwen, standing beside An, had fixed her eyes on Xia Houkun since he appeared.
At this time, she had completely forgotten Meng Xiuwen, whom she had been so obsessed with.
“Second Prince, you must have been tired after a long and b.u.mpy journey. Let me take you to the guest courtyard for a rest.”
Su Lun said after taking a subconscious look at Su Muge, who was standing behind the crowd.
Given that it was still early for dinner, Xia Houkun nodded. “Okay.”
Then Su Lun led Xia Houkun and his followers to the guest courtyard.
“Be prepared. Tonight, you have to serve Second Prince well,” An ordered.
“Yes.”
“Mother, let’s go.” After all the courtesies, there was no need to stay here any longer.
Having seen Su Lun safe and sound, Zhao was finally relieved and went back to Peachblossom Courtyard, holding Su Muge’s hand.
“Mother, Second Prince is so good-looking.” Su Jingwen was still immersed in the joy of seeing Xia Houkun.
An knew exactly what Su Jingwen was thinking about. “Well, tonight, we have to serve a welcome dinner for Second Prince and your father. Go back and have a rest now, and come later.”
Su Jingwen nodded obediently and went back to her yard. She had to carefully decide what to wear tonight to make herself look more charming.
After settling Xia Houkun, Su Lun returned to the main courtyard, where An had already been waiting.
An changed her costume to a wide-sleeve flounced maxi-dress, with a jade belt revealing her thin and soft waist.
As soon as Su Lun came in, she sent the maids off, threw herself into Su Lun’s arms, and sobbed eagerly in a low voice.
“My Lord, you’re finally back. You made me so worried.”
Having experienced a lot within a month, Su Lun was quite sullen. So he was unhappy to see An crying. But seeing her tearful and beautiful face, his heart softened.
Su Lun sat down on the couch with An in his arms. “Don’t cry. I’m back, so you should be happy.”
An held Su Lun’s neck tightly and wouldn’t let go. Her cry was at least 80% sincere. If Su Lun couldn’t come back, her life would almost be over. Her marrying him was also due to her appreciation for his talents. She had affection for Su Lun.
“My Lord, I’ve been missing you so much that I almost went crazy …” She whispered in a seductive tone, with her hands restlessly touching him.
With such a beauty in his arms, Su Lun could no longer resist the temptation. He held An up horizontally and took her to bed. The two experienced an intimate time.
After a moment of intimacy, Su Lun’s profile seemed to become softer.
An leaned against Su Lun’s chest. “My Lord, tell me about those rumors. I was so frightened.”
Su Lun became tense at the thought of the arrested people.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he calmed down. “I just lost my direction, which was then arbitrarily made up into stories.”
“Lost?” An was a little doubtful. Su Lun had been an official here for several years. How could he get lost in a county?
But, noticing that Su Lun had no intention to talk more about it, she stopped questioning.
“I wonder when My Lord met the eldest Miss. The girl was so stubborn. After learning about your disappearance, she insisted on going out to find you regardless of my dissuasion.” Since Su Muge had already met Su Lun in Zhou County, he must have known that she was looking for him. Although An didn’t want Su Muge to win the reputation of filial piety, she could no longer hide it anyway.
Su Lun frowned, murmuring, “It turns out that she didn’t lie to me …”
“What did you say, My Lord?”
“Nothing. I met her soon after I arrived at Zhou County.”
“Her filial piety moved me so much.”
While saying this, An took a secret look at Su Lun’s face. Now Su Lun was fine, but she was also afraid that his att.i.tude towards Su Muge and Zhao would change, which was not what she wanted!
However, Su Lun made no response. It seemed that he had been too negligent of this daughter. If she was really capable, she would be much more useful to him than he had expected!