Farewell Flower Festival

On the morning when Xu Ming led his troops to set out, news came back from the north.

Eunuch Wu immediately reported to Mu Tianling and Chaoyan that Shen Cheng was only slightly injured and was not in danger of death. He also showed Chaoyan a letter sent by carrier pigeon. The letter was in Shen Cheng's handwriting, saying that he and his father were fine and asked her not to worry.

Chaoyan felt relieved after reading the letter.

After Mu Tianling went out, Chao Yan also went out.

After the carriage stopped outside the general's mansion, Chaoyan got off the carriage and followed the leading servant to the hall with Feicui and Amber, while another servant hurried to pass the message.

Xu Ming led his troops to Jiangzhou, Xu Hao went to the palace to serve as Tianwuwei, and only Xu Ru stayed in the mansion. Not long ago, her adoptive father Liu Lei passed away, so Chao Yan thought of taking her out for a walk to relax.

After waiting for a while, the housekeeper of the mansion came hurriedly. After bowing to Chaoyan, the housekeeper said that Xu Ru was not in the mansion, but went to Jiangzhou with Xu Ming. Chaoyan was slightly surprised to hear that, but then she thought that Xu Ru was skilled in martial arts and had the demeanor of a female knight. When she heard that she was going to suppress the bandits, she must be going to punish the evil, so she didn't find it strange.

After sitting for a while, Chaoyan said goodbye.

After leaving the general's mansion, Chaoyan took Feicui and Amber to visit Hua Xiangrong. There were two new people in the store. Yu Bo was no longer in the store, but Cuicui stayed in the store and became a small manager.

Before, Chaoyan and Cuicui made a bet that if Cuicui could earn 500 taels of silver within a month, she could leave the store and go wherever she wanted, and she would never stop her.

In the following month, Cuicui was extremely motivated and racked her brains every day to think about how to earn 500 taels of silver.

So after a month, she still hadn't achieved her goal. Chaoyan gave her all the money she had earned in that month as agreed, and asked her whether she should continue to stay in the store and earn 500 taels of silver or leave with the current money. Cuicui was in a dilemma, and after some mental struggle, she still wanted to stay in the store.

In fact, her life was pretty good after she came to the store. She didn't have to pay for food and clothes, and she got paid every month. Chaoyan didn't let anyone deliberately make things difficult for her.

At first, she was resentful towards Chaoyan, thinking that it was Chaoyan who stole the luxurious life that originally belonged to her. She did not reflect on the fact that she was an impostor. After a long time, she did not blame Chaoyan so much.

If Chaoyan had not been more careful last time, she would have been tricked into going to Jiangzhou to be a maid. Afterwards, she reflected on it and had a different opinion of Chaoyan.

Seeing Chaoyan coming, Cuicui took the initiative to show her the account book. After Chaoyan looked through the account book, she said that the business in the past two months was good. Cuicui felt very proud that she did not disappoint Chaoyan.

After leaving Hua Xiangrong, Chaoyan took Feicui and Amber to the cloth shop to look at the fabrics, thinking of making new clothes for Mu Tianling. She fell in love with the warm silver-white fabric at first sight. Most of his clothes were dark-colored, and he had a few light-colored clothes, which he didn't wear often. But they were all gray and cold in color. He had never worn such a warm silver-white color. If he wore it, it would definitely look good. She wanted to see it, so she bought it.

It was not until the evening that Mu Tianling returned home.

During the meal, Chao Yan picked up some food for him and asked him if he had interrogated prisoners again. Mu Tianling said that Governor Yuan had arrested a lot of people today, whether they were civilians or officials' children, and all the ministers whose sons were arrested came to him to plead for mercy.

Those dandies got drunk at Zhenxiu Tower, gathered together and talked nonsense, went home and took a nap at night, and were reported the next day. Governor Yuan personally led people to the mansion to arrest them. These ministers did not go to Governor Yuan but instead pestered him to beg for mercy. Mu Tianling also found it funny.

Chao Yan said that his status is different now, so those people naturally think that his words are effective. As long as he opens his mouth, everyone in the Jiuxingsi will listen to him. Why should he lower his status to flatter Governor Yuan?

"Governor Yuan is really hardworking. Doesn't he feel tired of capturing a bunch of people every day and interrogating them?" Chao Yan said.

Mu Tianling said: "I think he is happy to muddy the waters."

Chao Yan thought for a moment and said in confusion, "Isn't he afraid of offending people? If all the ministers report him, he will probably have to retire and return home."

Mu Tianling smiled and said, "Those with bare feet are not afraid of those with shoes. He has no elders or children, so those ministers are afraid that he will seek revenge."

Chao Yan asked curiously, "It's easier to catch fish in murky waters, so what kind of fish is he going to catch?"

Mu Tianling said, "Some people just want the world to be in chaos, the more chaotic it is, the better they want to show off their power." He put a piece of braised pork ribs into Chao Yan's bowl and changed the subject, "Let's not talk about this anymore. How is your business?" Chao Yan smiled and gave him an OK sign. He then asked her how much private money she had saved. Chao Yan said, "What's mine is your Highness's, and what's your Highness's is mine. What's the point of dividing private money?"

Seeing that she was smiling like a little fox, Mu Tianling pinched her chin with one hand and pecked her lips lightly. He said that although she could have his people and money, she had to be responsible for him to the end. Chao Yan nodded hurriedly and said that she would be responsible to the end, even in the next life.

When he heard her talk about the next life, a smile appeared in his eyes.

Two days later, Liu Sui sent someone to the palace to bring Chao Yan to the palace.

Compared with the last time they met, her complexion looked much better this time, and Chaoyan was also happy to see this. Liu Sui told Chaoyan that the Duke Wen's Mansion would soon have a grandson, and asked Chaoyan to help choose a gift.

Luzhu brought over several gifts prepared by Liu Sui. Chaoyan saw that there were a gold necklace, a silver bracelet and a longevity lock. Each one was intricately carved and extremely exquisite. She wanted them all and jokingly said that if they were given to her, she would want all three.

Liu Sui smiled and said that she would give her these three things when the time comes. If it was twins, she would give her double the amount, which would make Chao Yan feel embarrassed.

After Luzhu took the gift away, Liu Sui talked about the war in the north. There was a good news yesterday. Mu Tianyuan was very happy and wanted to reward her father and brother handsomely. Chaoyan stood up to thank him, but Liu Sui asked her to sit down. After talking for a while, Chaoyan stood up to leave. Liu Sui asked Luzhu to see her off.

In the evening, Chaoyan sat in front of the dressing table, taking off her jewelry while talking to Mu Tianling about going to the palace today.

"The Queen asked if you were busy recently, and said that it was a bit of a waste of your ability to work in the Nine Punishments Department. I heard that the Queen wanted you to enter the court, which should be the Emperor's intention. What do you think?"

She put the earrings on the dressing table, stood up and walked over. Mu Tianling was lying on the bed with one hand supporting his head. He stretched out his hand and pulled Chaoyan into his arms to sit down, saying that if he entered the court, he would not be so idle in the future. Chaoyan told him to follow her heart and not to worry about her. She would not be bored alone and could read novels and go shopping. Mu Tianling smiled helplessly, hugged her in his arms, and said he would think about it again.