Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 517 - 517 518 Secret Decree_1

Chapter 517: Chapter 518 Secret Decree_1 Chapter 517: Chapter 518 Secret Decree_1 Yu Ze snorted, “Heard? The Rong Family is now mingling with the most loyal warriors of the Qilian Kingdom. Could Old Mr. Rong be someone without discernment? How could he not know what a hopeless case his own son is? Rong Liming thinks that by putting on a scholarly appearance, he can fool everyone, including his dear old father, but now it seems to me that Old Mr. Rong is merely using him as a target. Naturally, he wouldn’t discuss truly important matters with him.”

Muniang felt a chill in her heart, these nobles were indeed toxic creatures, not even trusting their own sons but rather scheming against them. At this moment, she really did not feel like praising Old Mr. Rong for his shrewdness; instead, she found him heartless.

If that was indeed the case, then Rong Liming’s self-aggrandizing day by day was truly pitiable.

But Muniang couldn’t care less about him; she was only concerned about the matter that was troubling Yu Ze, “How shall we investigate that person?”

Yu Ze pursed his lips and said, “I have already sent people to secretly watch the Rong Mansion. If there’s anything shady being done, it will come to light someday.”

The birthday banquet for Lord Lu also began; however, it was nothing more than a gathering of the influential, toasting each other with obsequious flattery. Muniang did not enjoy it much and thus hastily ate a few bites of her meal and went to Lu Qi’er’s room.

Lu Qi’er had originally been sulking in her room, but the moment she saw Muniang, her mood immediately brightened, “Mu, how come you’re here? I’ve been so bored; no one’s here to relieve my ennui.”

“You’re about to be married and still so fond of playing. What will you do in the future? You can’t always act like an unrestrained bride,” Muniang said with a smile.

Letting out a sigh, Lu Qi’er said, “But these days as a bride-to-be are so unbearable. Tianniu is still out there, having fun. I’m quite envious of her.”

“That’s not her playing; you don’t know how hard she works. Do you think these things are that easy?”

Yet, Lu Qi’er said, “I know it’s difficult, but I’d rather bear some hardship than be a bird trapped in a cage. My father is just too old-fashioned, always telling me to abide by the rules!”

“Your father treats you so well; you’re truly ungrateful to find fault with that. There’s no need to complain now. In a few days, when you marry into the Zhao Family, Zhao Ziming loves you so much, whatever crazy thing you want to do, he’s going to indulge you.”

These words of Muniang enlightened Lu Qi’er, and her eyes shone. Indeed, when other girls got married, they faced constraints, but she likely would have more freedom. Zhao Ziming had always been utterly accommodating to her; if she fancied a bit of madness, he would surely join her. As for her in-laws, Lord Lu’s current status was several notches above the Zhao Family. Lord Lu was a fifth-ranking Magistrate, while the Zhaos were merely merchants with just a tenuous kinship with officials.

This was indeed a marriage beneath her, and how could the Zhao in-laws dare to control her? It seemed they would have no choice but to grant her freedom.

Lu Qi’er felt much better and began chattering about the fun things she had experienced these days, pulling Muniang into the conversation, who listened with amusement.

Suddenly, Lu Qi’er said, “The Master has taught me for so many years, always with a stern face, but who would have known that now, as I’m getting married, he would cry, even at his age. I always felt annoyed with him for always tattling on me to my father, but now, I actually find myself unable to let go.”

“How normal is that? After all those years, you’re his student, and even if he only tolerated you, he must feel reluctant to part with you. You should visit him more in the future,” Muniang replied.

“That’s what I was thinking too. Even though I’ll be going to Qinghua City after getting married, it happens that the Zhao Family is planning to expand their business there. Once the Qinghua City business is handed over to Zhao Ziming to manage, I’ll be able to follow along!”

Muniang laughed and said, “That would be best, so you won’t miss Tianniu. The two of you sisters would have to long for each other’s company otherwise.”

“I’m not ready to say goodbye to Sister Mu yet, where could I ever find such a good sister again? Tianniu is really lucky, you must come when I get married, okay?”

“Don’t worry, I will definitely come.”

Muniang chattered for a while here before going directly to bid farewell to Lord Lu and left. Lord Lu actually felt quite ashamed in his heart, he had especially invited them over today hoping to have a joyous time, yet they hadn’t foreseen Rong Liming popping up out of nowhere. It was tough enough on him, but it also put Muniang in an “awkward” spot. He had seen Rong Liming deliberately challenging him when he was delivering the congratulatory gift that morning.

But Muniang didn’t actually take it to heart at all, now it wasn’t appropriate for Lord Lu to say this out loud. He had no choice but to let Muniang leave, thinking he should personally visit later to apologize properly.

Just when she returned home, she saw another bunch of unfamiliar carriages at the door. Muniang felt a sudden sense of alarm at the sight, always worried that something had happened. She immediately gathered her skirt and hurried in.

Now that Mrs. Lin and her children were there, how could she not worry?

Yu Ze’s eyes were also full of confusion as he quickly walked inside.

On entering the main hall, who should be sitting but an “old acquaintance”—Eunuch Li.

“Yo, I finally managed to wait for you, what unlucky timing for my visit today, to find you weren’t at home. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait until evening,” Eunuch Li’s voice was shrill, tinged with a slight arrogance. After all, having spent a long time beside the emperor, he naturally had some pride.

Muniang lifted her eyes for a glance and saw something bright yellow, her heart skipped a beat. Another imperial edict!

Last time Eunuch Li came, wasn’t it to bring the imperial edict commanding Yu Ze to marry He Suxue? Now seeing this all too familiar scene, Muniang felt utterly disturbed.

Yu Ze noticed Muniang’s distress and squeezed her hand as if to comfort her, then said to Eunuch Li, “Eunuch Li, long time no see. May I know the purpose of your visit this time?”

Eunuch Li laughed heartily: “General Yu seems to be living a good life in this remote place, it makes me want to pick a day to come and experience it myself, maybe I’ll actually find it enjoyable indeed.”

“You flatter me.”

“Hey, I’m speaking my true feelings. You’re here enjoying yourself far from the emperor’s reach, so naturally you don’t understand the stress of attending to the emperor, like taming a tiger. You’re truly impressive, General Yu, what a comfortable life you lead.”

Yu Ze didn’t want to continue this official banter and got straight to the point: “Has Eunuch Li brought an imperial edict this time? Does His Majesty have any commands?”

Eunuch Li cheerfully said, “This is good news, good news indeed!”

Muniang’s complexion was still somber; Eunuch Li had also talked about ‘good news’ last time, yet what was the result?

Eunuch Li then said with a smile, “Prince An is so eager to know, I won’t beat around the bush then. But this is a secret edict, I must ask Prince An to speak with me in private. Only after I’ve personally handed this imperial edict to you can I put my mind at ease.”