Chapter 128: Are You Hiding Something From This Concubine?
“Is that so? Miss Lin really has some ideas.” Chu Qingye’s interest was piqued again somewhat.
He of course had people stationed in Willow Forest Village, but Mo Ziyuan told him it was best not to do too many unnecessary things. Miss Lin was a very opinionated person, and if his people overdid it, it would probably backfire.
After consideration, he ordered the people in Willow Forest Village not to show themselves as long as the Imperial Grandson’s life was not threatened.
Over these years, his people had gradually reported quite a few things about the Imperial Grandson to him, such as how he got along very well with Lin Nan, who was three years older than him, following behind Lin Nan like a little tail. When Lin Nan studied with Meng Yichen and Cui Shi, he would listen in and learned quite a few things too. After he turned three, Meng Yichen began to give him enlightenment education.
For example, Lin Xin raised the Imperial Grandson very well. He was strong and healthy, rarely got sick, very clever, and had a bit of a mischievous and elf-like air.
But there were no more specifics, because once that person got close to the Imperial Grandson and was discovered by Lin Xin, who mistook him for a child trafficker and beat him badly. With his skills, he surprisingly didn’t last ten moves against Lin Xin. After that, he never dared to appear so boldly again.
After hearing Mo Ziyuan’s words, Chu Qingye suddenly very much wanted to see his own son, even feeling somewhat eager to go to Willow Forest Village to welcome his son back.
“Your Majesty, your humble subject will surely bring the Imperial Grandson back safe and sound,” Mo Ziyuan promised solemnly, then asked a question he had long been pondering. “I wonder how Your Majesty plans to arrange for Miss Lin. Your humble subject can relay it on his behalf.”
Chu Qingye looked at Mo Ziyuan suspiciously. “Zi Yuan, you’re so eager. Is there something I don’t know about involved?”
Mo Ziyuan stiffened, then said seriously, “Your humble subject admires Miss Lin and wants to be with her day and night, so naturally I hope she can live in the Capital City.”
“You!” Chu Qingye pointed at Mo Ziyuan from afar. “I was wondering why you’re so enthusiastic. Turns out the real intention isn’t the wine.”
Mo Ziyuan suddenly dropped to his knees. “Please grant it, Your Majesty.”
Looking at Mo Ziyuan like this, Chu Qingye suddenly felt a surge of intense envy in his heart. Mo Ziyuan, as the Heir of Dingguo Duke, had high status and position, yet the Lin Xin he fancied was just a village girl from a small mountain village, but he didn’t care at all about family background and only wanted to pursue his own happiness.
The problem that had always troubled him seemed to find a slight opportunity for resolution at this moment. As the future ruler of a nation, he naturally had room to try and make mistakes. His hesitation these days now seemed somewhat ridiculous.
“Zi Yuan, set off for Willow Forest Village as soon as possible. Once the Imperial Grandson returns to the Capital City, I will hold the ascension ceremony. Also tell Miss Lin that she has merit for raising the Imperial Grandson. I have prepared a house for her in the Capital City, and she can live there with Lin Nan.” Chu Qingye was much more relaxed than before. The worries that had always furrowed his brow almost vanished, leaving Mo Ziyuan somewhat baffled.
“Your humble subject obeys the decree!” Though he couldn’t figure out what had caused such a big shift in His Majesty’s emotion, the excitement of soon seeing his beloved had already filled Mo Ziyuan’s heart. He performed the ceremony joyfully and then left with light steps.
“This Mo Ziyuan.” Chu Qingye shook his head with a laughing curse.
Mo Ziyuan’s good mood lasted all the way back to Dingguo Duke’s Mansion.
As soon as he
“What guest still needs me to go see?” He instinctively didn’t want to go, frowning as he asked.
“This······” The servant’s hesitancy only deepened his suspicion, so he simply stopped asking and headed straight to his courtyard.
“Hey, Young Master, the small flower hall is over there.” The servant was startled and quickly chased after him, trying to persuade him to go to the small flower hall to meet the guest. However, even after chasing all the way to Hanlan Garden where the Heir resided, he still failed to convince the Heir to go to the small flower hall.
“Young Master, please just show your face. Otherwise, the Duke will punish this servant.” The servant pleaded with a mournful face.
“This Heir has no interest in the guest, and moreover, His Majesty sent this Heir out on official business, which cannot be delayed. If you don’t tell me who the guest is, this Heir will leave.” After speaking, Mo Ziyuan picked up the small bundle he had just packed and was about to walk out.
“Young Master, Young Master, this servant knows his mistake. The guests who came are Madam’s maternal family brother and niece.” The servant knew that Mo Ziyuan always achieved what he said, fearing that he would really walk away without caring, and hurriedly half-concealed the truth.
“Hmph, this Young Master knew she had no good intentions. Seeing guests? This Young Master isn’t a young lady in a brothel—what guests!” Mo Ziyuan didn’t even need to think to know what the Duke’s Wife was planning; his face immediately changed.
“Go tell the Duke and Madam that this Heir is not the top courtesan in a brothel, with no reason to rush out to greet guests.” After speaking, ignoring the servants’ pleas, he turned and strode out of Hanlan Garden, led his beloved horse Chasing Wind out from the stables, mounted in a flash, and galloped out of the Duke’s Mansion like a puff of smoke.
“Young Master～ Alas! What are we to do!” The servant who failed to stop Mo Ziyuan returned to the Small Flower Hall with a mournful face again, and said to Mo Qilan while hemming and hawing: “Duke, the Young Master just came back briefly, saying that Your Majesty had urgent official business for him to handle, and now he has already gone out.”
“Emergency business? What emergency business doesn’t even leave time to come see the guests?” Mo Qilan felt he had lost face in front of his uncle, and his words carried a bit of dissatisfaction.
“Uncle Mo, don’t be angry. It’s a good thing that the Heir Cousin has gained His Majesty’s favor. Anyway, my father and I won’t be leaving the Capital City so soon either. There will always be opportunities to meet in the future.” The niece of Qi Shi’s Brother, Qi Linglin, blinked her eyes and advised understandingly.
Qi Shi’s Brother and sister-in-law also chimed in that it was no problem.
“Master, Lin’er is right. There will always be opportunities in the future, no need to rush at this moment.” The Duke’s Wife also tried to persuade him, but a flash of anger passed through her downcast eyes. “Since the Heir has no time, this concubine will first arrange for brother and sister-in-law and Lin’er to stay in the residence. We can talk about it when the Heir returns!”
“Madam is indeed sensible, not stooping to the level of that rebellious son. This is very good.” Ever since the day the Emperor passed away and he was reprimanded at Lu Quan Palace, Mo Qilan always felt guilty whenever he saw Madam, so afterward he became even more tolerant of her. He didn’t even have any opinion when she wanted to marry her maternal family’s niece to Mo Ziyuan.
A cold glint flashed in the Duke’s Wife’s eyes. After greeting Mo Qilan, she took her brother and sister-in-law and niece and left.
That evening, back in the room, when Mo Qilan had changed his clothes and lay on the bed preparing to rest, the Duke’s Wife suddenly twisted his waist hard. He winced in pain and nearly jumped off the bed.
“What are you doing?” He rubbed his waist and asked discontentedly.
“Duke, are you hiding something from this concubine?” The Duke’s Wife’s eyebrows shot up in anger. She planted her hands on her hips, knelt on the bed, and glared at him as she asked.
