Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 236: Return to Mu Family Village (5)_1

Chapter 236: Chapter 236: Return to Mu Family Village (5)_1

Mu Zhongqing had already spotted Zhui Feng and Zhu Yue, and asked, "Are these two valiant gentlemen the protectors that my daughter Wei’er has brought home?"

Lady Du laughed, "Look at your memory; we have met these two in the inn at Yushu County. Have you forgotten? They work under Wei’er’s Master, and I’ve seen them several times. I presume Wei’er’s Master must have been aware of the disturbances in our town that’s why they were sent to protect us."

Hearing these words, Mu Zhongqing laughed, "What a memory! I indeed forgot. Gentlemen, please don’t mind my forgetfulness."

Upon hearing the couple’s conversation, a stiff smile appeared on the faces of Zhui Feng and Zhu Yue. Not accustomed to engaging in casual small talk, being greeted enthusiastically and cordially by Mu Zhongqing and his wife was hard for them to get used to. They simply saluted with clenched fists and said tersely, "Old Master, Madam!"

Mu Zhongqing waved his hand, laughed, and said, "I hardly deserve such respect. You two valiant gentlemen are our saviors sent by the Master to protect our home. I’m not worthy of being addressed as the Old Master. If you don’t find it objectionable, please call me Uncle Mu."

Uncle Mu!

Zhui Feng and Zhu Yue were rendered speechless once more, preferring to refer to him with the respectful term "Old Master" than the affectionate term "uncle."

Cai Wei, observing the stiffness on their faces, mischievously suggested to her parents, "Dad, Mom, it’s quite cold outside. Let’s continue chatting inside. Let ’Bobblehead’ bring the things from the cart into the house so that they can rest soon."

Upon hearing Bobblehead’s peculiar name, Mu Zhongqing and his wife were surprised but, being well-mannered, didn’t pry further. They simply greeted him and went together inside the house.

Since they needed to rise early to return to Mu Family Village the next day, Cai Wei and her family retired early, and the night passed uneventfully.

The following morning, before dawn, Aunt Liu and Aunt Zhang got up to prepare breakfast. Today was New Year’s Eve, and tradition called for dumplings and fish for breakfast. Dumplings resembled yuanbao (a form of currency), and "fish" was a homophone for "surplus," symbolizing wealth and abundance for the New Year.

Since it was New Year’s Day, the family got up early, put on their new clothes, and looked neat and tidy. Cai Wei also brought out the new clothes she had bought for her father and asked him to put them on.

After Mu Zhongqing put on the new clothes, gratitude for his daughter’s thoughtful kindness welled up in his heart. He returned to his inner room and came back with a bamboo-carved hairpin, handing it to Cai Wei.

"I carved this for you last night, Wei’er. If you like it, wear it," he said.

Cai Wei took the hairpin and saw that her father had carved a pattern representing peace and tranquility, signifying his deepest aspiration for her to have a smooth and peaceful life. The carving may not be sophisticated, but it was meticulous. The surface of the hairpin was polished smooth, carefully avoiding any sharp edges that might prick her.

"Thank you, Dad, I love it!"

Cai Wei carefully placed the hairpin her father had personally carved for her in her hair. She smiled sweetly and asked, "Does it look nice?"

"Yes, it’s nice. My Wei’er is beautiful, more beautiful than anyone," Mu Zhongqing replied, looking at his daughter lovingly and praising her without reservation.

Fei’er also received a hairpin similar to hers, while Wen’er and Wu’er got paper weights carved from elm wood.

Before breakfast, Cai Wei took out the new sets of bowls, cups, chopsticks, and dishes she had bought yesterday and had Chun Liu wash them. The family then had their breakfast using the new tableware.

After breakfast, Lady Du brought out eight taels of broken silver and awarded a tael to each servant and to Zhui Feng and Zhu Yue as their New Year’s bonus.

The servants were immensely grateful. They wanted to kneel down and kowtow to express their thanks, but were stopped by Lady Du and Mu Zhongqing. Mu Zhongqing then uttered a few words of encouragement to everyone before hurrying off with his wife and children to Mu Family Village.

In Mu Family Village

Uncle Mu and Lady Bai had risen early, taking turns to peer out of the door, anxiously awaiting the return of Mu Zhongqing and his family.

It wasn’t because they missed the family of the second house, but because they were restlessly awaiting the promised New Year’s gifts. The thought of the valuable items they had been dreaming for kept them awake last night, wishing that the second house would return immediately!

"Husband, do you think that little wench Cai Wei can really bring back those items for us? I somehow feel something isn’t right," Lady Bai mused.