Perhaps it was the stark contrast between the mother and daughter’s ideals that caught them off guard. Xiao Liu’s expression was almost comical, and even Xie Heng seemed momentarily stunned.
Mu Wan chuckled at their reactions, “But since you’re investigating this matter, does that mean there’s more to it?”
Xie Heng handed the letter back to her. “No. Back then, someone did indeed interfere with the grain supply, but the main culprit was already executed three years ago. We just wanted to check some details from that time to see if there are any fish that slipped through the net.”
Mu Wan nodded and didn’t pry further. That upheaval three years ago had taken her mother from her, while Xie Heng had lost his father, brothers, and comrades. He undoubtedly had more at stake and was far more invested in this than she was. Besides, he was the professional—she didn’t see the need to meddle.
After confirming there was nothing more to investigate here, Xie Heng and Xiao Liu bid her farewell and left.
As Mu Wan carefully repacked the sandalwood box, she said to Yunling, “I’m a bit tired. I’ll take a nap.”
“This servant will prepare some calming incense,” Yunling replied. She didn’t say much else—over the past three years since Lady Xu had passed, it was common for Mu Wan to feel down like this, usually triggered by small reminders of her mother.
Outside the courtyard, Xiao Liu asked Xie Heng, “My lord, are we stopping the investigation here? Maybe we can find more clues if we check their daily belongings.”
Xie Heng responded, “We’ve already confirmed that Lady Xu was the leader of the secret guard unit. It’s simpler to trace things back from Lan City. There’s no need to dig further here.”
Xiao Liu scratched his head in confusion. “Wouldn’t it be faster to investigate both ends? Wait—” Suddenly, he had an epiphany. “My lord, are you trying to keep her out of this?”
Xie Heng said calmly, “It was Lady Xu’s final wish, after all.” Lady Xu had wanted her daughter to live a simple and happy life, free of burdens.
Xiao Liu sighed and said no more. “My lord, the path is this way,” he reminded.
Yet Xie Heng stepped onto a different path. “Since we’re here, let’s properly bid farewell to the hostess.”
…
Mu Wan couldn’t sleep well. In her dreams, she seemed to hear Xu Qinglan’s voice, just like when she was alive, softly chiding her for being a lazybones. Mu Wan subconsciously pulled the quilt tightly around herself, waiting for someone to lift it off her. But no one came. Only then did she remember that her mother was gone, and no one would ever pull her covers away again. A wave of bitterness swelled uncontrollably in her chest…
When she finally opened her eyes, the sun was already low in the sky. Outside, she heard her servant girls whispering and giggling as if something good had happened.
“What’s all the excitement about?” Mu Wan asked aloud.
Yunling dashed in. “Miss, you’re awake!” She then grinned mischievously. “It’s great news—Madam and Second Miss made a complete fool of themselves today!”
Mu Wan’s interest was piqued. “Oh? Do tell me.”
Yunling, ever ready, pulled out some sunflower seeds and placed them by Mu Wan’s side. “So, the Marquis came today, right? He looked so cold and unfeeling that we all thought he’d leave just as indifferently as when he arrived. But here’s the shocking part—he’d actually stopped by the drawing room to formally greet Master and Madam before leaving!”
“Speaking of which,” Yunling continued, “Xing’er told this servant that when Madam received Eldest Madam Xie, she was so nervous she couldn’t even string her words together. All that talk about the graceful demeanor of a scholarly family went completely out the window. It wasn’t until Second Miss went in to pay her respects that the atmosphere finally eased up.” Yunling snorted disdainfully. “Second Miss says she went in to pay her respects, but everyone knows what she was really up to. Didn’t she use the same tactics to seduce that surnamed Li? Now the Xie family is proposing to you, and she’s trying to flaunt her superiority again.”
“If this marriage hadn’t been granted by the imperial edict and couldn’t be interfered with, that surnamed Li would probably have to break off another engagement.”
“And even if she can’t latch onto the Zhenbei Marquis, she’s clearly trying to show up in front of the Eldest Madam Xie and outshine you. That way, the Xie family will look down on you.”
As Yunling grew increasingly indignant, Mu Wan calmly interjected, “You’re going off-topic.”
Yunling realized she had gone off track and quickly adjusted. “Oh, right! So, Second Miss seemed to have learned a thing or two about elegance from somewhere and even managed to impress Eldest Madam Xie. Everyone was chatting amiably, and someone even commented, ‘Madam really knows how to raise her children. If we didn’t know better, we’d think she was from some high-ranking family.’ But just as the words left their mouth, there was a commotion outside.” She clapped her hands theatrically. “Guess what happened next?”
Mu Wan played along. “What happened?”
Yunling leaned in with a grin. “Turns out that stupid momo, the one made to kneel on the road by the Marquis, still couldn’t keep her big mouth shut. She didn’t dare to leave, but her loud complaints were overheard by some busybody, who thought they’d finally caught you in a scandal and rushed to Madam to report it.”
“The news naturally made its way inside. When it reached Master, he kept his face calm and went out to investigate. But, oh dear, as soon as he left, Madam started to look ‘panicked.’”
“You know how Madam is—always putting on a facade of gentleness and kindness, but with a heart as venomous as a snake. Master, of course, tried to cover for you, but the moment he stepped out, Madam became as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof, desperate for Madam Xie to notice.”
“Unfortunately for her, Madam Xie is from a proper scholarly family. She didn’t pry at all and even kindly suggested that Madam handle whatever matters needed her attention. Madam declined outwardly but still looked completely unsettled. Not long after, a certain ‘loose-tongued’ servant girl blurted out that you were meeting with an ‘unknown man’ in the inner yard.”
“Oh, Madam panicked then, completely at a loss. That’s when Second Miss stepped up, pretending to smooth things over for you, saying it might have been a manager or steward left by Lady Xu who had come to bring wedding gifts upon hearing about your engagement.” Yunling pouted, “Ha! She made it sound like we were all desperately clinging to the Marquis Manor.”
Then her tone became dramatic again. “Because of their little performances, Madam Xie was thoroughly impressed, admiring Second Miss for her elegance, composure, and sisterly devotion. By comparison, you were exactly as the rumors painted you—completely improper.”
Mu Wan couldn’t help interrupting. “How did you know what Madam Xie was thinking?”
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🤣🤣🤣
Can’t wait for the next part. They love drama so much, they don’t realise how transparent and ridiculous they are to everyone else
Forgot the most important part
Thank you for the chapter ~
She’s an impassioned storyteller, but possibly a little bit of a menace in the free-wheeling gossip arena XD
Also I really love getting to see a touch of Mu Wan’s sincerity and deeper feelings, it makes me love her even more.