“Mistress, the food in the kitchen is already prepared and ready. Shall we begin serving the meal now?” Gui Momo carried Cheng Qing into the room and relayed a message from a maid she had encountered on the way.
“Daddy!” Cheng Qing was overjoyed when he saw Zong Zheng Lin. He stretched out his little hands, wanting to be picked up.
Mu Xi Yao didn’t hear the little one calling for her. Her beautiful eyes narrowed. She immediately walked over, and took Zong Zheng Lin’s arm, secretly preventing him from picking up Cheng Qing.
With an expression of despair on his face, Tian Fu Shan held the guest list and passed through the second gate, only to unexpectedly run into the Sixth Highness, who had the authority to make decisions, coming from the opposite direction.
“What’s the matter?” Did Mu Xi Yao wrap up the discussion so quickly?
Hearing the Master’s matter-of-course order, Ye Kai couldn’t help but inwardly complain. Last time, he had made fun of Wei Zhen, and now he has received the retribution. It was his turn to offend these high-born noble ladies.
Bracing himself, Ye Kai pushed through the crowd and approached the Fourth Princess. He courteously paid his respects and truthfully conveyed the task assigned by His Highness.
Having obtained the rural estate that she had long coveted, Mu Xi Yao returned to Danruo Courtyard with a smug expression on her face. After making sure that she was properly attended to, Zong Zheng Lin turned and made his way to Chanruo Courtyard.
“If you’re ready, we’ll depart from the residence.” He Lian Min Min was dressed like a young lady of a common family. Though lacking the grandeur of a princess consort, she now exuded a more refined kind of beauty. Seeing her appropriately attired, Zong Zheng Lin summoned Tian Fu Shan to prepare the carriage.
“Your Highness.” He Lian Zhang quickly stood up and bowed to pay his respects upon seeing Zong Zheng Lin enter the room dressed in a dark cyan regular attire.
“Why, is the tea not brewed well?” Zong Zheng Lin didn’t immediately instruct him to rise. His gaze fell on the teacup beside his hand, which contained floral tea brewed by Mu Xi Yao with ‘great care’. There was still over half of it remaining.
It seemed that the head of He Lian House failed to appreciate Mu Xi Yao’s tea-making skills.
In the evening, Cheng Qing finally got to see his dad, whom he loved to cuddle with the most. His cheerfulness made Mu Xi Yao feel slightly jealous.
This clever child had a sharp little mind. Despite Zong Zheng Lin being away for so many days, he still recognized him. As soon as he saw his dad, Cheng Qing tumbled down with a thud, but luckily the Sixth Highness acted quickly. Otherwise, the little bun would have gotten a bump on his head.
Mu Xi Yao was quite curious about the private conversation Zong Zheng Lin had with He Lian Min Min. Unfortunately, the boss didn’t allow her to inquire further and only said that things she should worry about had been taken care of. Afterward, she only needed to rest peacefully in Danruo Courtyard until she gave birth.
Mu Xi Yao pouted. This was a classic case of the boss destroying the bridge after crossing the river1. He had just returned, but already left her with no place to stand. She was about to continue pestering him when she was scared into silence by the words coming above her head.
Has His Highness returned? He Lian Min Min was suddenly startled. Her first reaction was not joy but panic.
“Mistress, why do you look so troubled? Isn’t His Highness’s return something to be happy for? Now that there is a pillar in the residence, you don’t have to endure gossip and criticism from others, do you?” Feng Momo didn’t understand He Lian Min Min’s worries, so she comforted her based on her own perspective.
Mu Xi Yao blinked with those dark and shiny eyes of hers, her brows furrowed, staring at Wei Zhen until he quickly lowered his head.
With this kind of appearance, it was no wonder His Highness couldn’t hold out against her. Fortunately, Master was not present at the moment, otherwise, he would have received another cold gaze.