After Yun Qian Meng had her morning meal, she saw Steward Hong and Shang Guan Mama leading all the caretaker from each courtyard as they arrived at Meng Xin Zhu.
Unlike those servants in Yun Xiang Fu who would take advantage of those who are weak, Chu Xiang Fu’s Housekeeper Hong and Shang Guan Mama were able to manage things orderly. Even if Yun Qian Meng was to take over the task, all the things were already been taken cared of.
Spending almost the entire morning meeting all the caretakers, after making some inquiries with them, Yun Qian Meng dismissed them in order for them to continue with their work. Then she stood up to exercise her body after sitting there for almost half day.
“Furen, judging by the color of the sky, it looked as if the snow will soon arrive.” Ying Qiu came in from the outside, seeing Yun Qian Meng stretching her arms and kicking her feet, she laughed and said.
“Yesterday it didn’t snow, so it must be today! Prepare the bamboo hat in a while so as to avoid acting with confusion and being unable to find it!” Along with Ying Qiu’s words, she looked through the window, it was not noon time yet but the sky was already dark and it seemed like it was going to snow soon.
“Yes, nubi will make the necessary preparations!” Mu Chun was the one who took care of Yun Qian Meng the longest, as a result, she was already quite familiar with Yun Qian Meng’s way of living, regarding how things were arranged, where those things were being kept. She already remembered them by heart, then she chuckled as she spoke. After which she ran inside the inner room to take out the bamboo hat and the rose colored overcoat as an advance preparation.
“Is Xia Mama feeling better now? Does her feet still hurt?” Being busy for the entire morning, Yun Qian Meng evidently had not had enough time to visit Xia Mama, she could only allow Ying Qiu to go over there and check Xia Mama’s pulse everyday, and report to her once she returned back.
“The weather wasn’t good these days, Mama’s both feet were hurting and sore. Nubi had already performed acupuncture on her, as compared to the previous days, Mama’s mental health has already improved a lot.” Ying Qiu watched as Yun Qian Meng continuously moved her four limbs, her eyes looked puzzled as she could not understand anything about the usefulness of those postures.
“Hey! It’s snowing outside now, furen! Quite big snowflakes they are!” This time Mu Chun came out from the inner room and she suddenly leaned on the window pointing at the slowly falling snowflakes outside as she exclaimed excitedly.
Hearing these words, all the servant girls inside the room ran beside Mu Chun one by one, rejoicing as they watched the world outside gradually turned snow white.
Yun Qian Meng watched those snowflakes floated down, and she also looked at the cedar tree inside Meng Xin Zhu. Suddenly a bright idea popped up in her mind, she then instructed, “Do you remember the ten delicately designed colored glass lamp that was kept in our storeroom before, go and take them out now.”
Puzzled, Yin Xia asked Yun Qian Meng, “Furen, what are you going to do with them? Don’t tell me that you want to put them inside the courtyard?”
However, Yun Qian Meng just urged them, wearing a mysterious smile on her face, she said, “Don’t talk rubbish, just go and fetch them now!”
The few servant girls scattered after being urged, A little while later, the four of them were already holding those colored glass lamps in their hands as they walked out from the storeroom in the side.
“Furen, they’re here. But, why do you want these lamps for?” Since yesterday, Chu Wangye had already commanded people to add some more lamps inside the courtyard, as a result all of them were puzzled with regards to Yun Qian Meng’s intention.
“Follow me!” Yun Qian Meng still continued on without making explanations. She took the bamboo hat in the corner then put it on. The she took the lead in stepping out of the room, frightening the four servant girls as they held up the colored glass lamps and followed behind, for the fear that Yun Qian Meng might have an accident.
“Give it to me!” Yet Yun Qian Meng approached the cedar tree then took a colored glass lamp from Mu Chun’s hands, she lifted it up then firmly tied up the rope that was attached in the lamp to a branch of the cedar tree, after which she took out a lighter from her sleeve, lighting up that colored glass lamp, watching that verdant and lush cedar tree twinkling with a red light, looking pretty good.
“In accordance with my method, tie the lamp in your hands to the branches of the tree!” Finished making a demonstration, Yun Qian Meng slightly retreated back, permitting the four servants behind her to step forward.
And Mu Chun having the mentality of a girl, though she was usually serious when it comes to handling usual things, but she was in the age when she only wanted to have fun, thus upon seeing the cedar tree being beautifully decorated by her da xiaojie, she was eager to give it a try. The four of them then went ahead and tied the colored glass lamps in their hands to the tree branches, and lighted up the ten lamps. Consequently, the originally dark and gloomy courtyard flickered with lights like stars, the scene was nothing more beautiful than anyone could imagine.
Even those yatou and pozi who happened to pass by Meng Xin Zhu had stopped by, one by one they looked around the area, feeling very curious about this furen that had recently married into xiangfu.
“What is this?” When Chu Fei Yang set foot inside his own courtyard and saw the cedar tree was being surrounded by four all around servant girls. Standing beside them was a person wearing a bamboo hat which remained motionless in the center of the snowy ground, even without asking he definitely knew that it was Yun Qian Meng.
Watching the snowflakes becoming bigger and bigger, Chu Fei Yang slightly wrinkled his brows as he walked towards Yun Qian Meng’s back, grabbing her hands that were hidden, then he spoke reproaching her, “It is bitterly cold outside, you didn’t even wear the overcoat when you stand in the middle of this snowy ground, don’t tell me you want to get sick?”
Not expecting Chu Fei Yang to show up in Meng Xin Zhu at this hour, Yun Qian Meng perked up a smile on her face then pointing at the cedar tree in front of her as she exclaimed happily, “Look, Fei Yang, this is the Christmas Tree that I’ve prepared.”
If one were to say that they did not miss the modern life, then that would be totally a lie! Been living like this for twenty years, it would be impossible to forget them all in just one night.
But since she had already came here, then knowing very well that the chance to go back was close to nothing, as a result, during the recent years Yun Qian Meng tried so hard to adapt to ancient life. Occasionally she would still miss her usual way of life, but even if she missed it she would just keep it in her heart, however, today the snow and the cedar tree had reminded her that the Christmas was almost near, then she tried to amuse herself with such method.
Rarely seeing Yun Qian Meng being radiant with delight, Chu Fei Yang followed her hand and looked at the cedar tree in his own courtyard, which was already gorgeously decorated by those servant girls. Though it did not really suit his personal taste, but since Yun Qian Meng was able to laugh with her heart’s content, then that was definitely worth it.
Moreover, this cedar tree being decorated with ten colored glass lamps had indeed added a whole lot of human warmth, adding more vitality to the initially fewer number of people inside xiangfu.
But with knitted brows Chu Fei Yang pulled Yun Qian Meng’s both hands, then slightly reproached her, “Your hands had already turned ice-cold, and you still refused to return back! If you really wanted to do that, I’ll just let Steward Hong to come over and handle it, why do you need to risk yourself by standing in the middle of the ice and snow, tormenting yourself!”
Seeing Chu Fei Yang starting to get overly sensitive, Yun Qian Meng acted coquettishly by wrapping her arms around his neck pouting her lips asking for forgiveness, “Having appropriate exercise is beneficial to the body! I have been sitting inside the room for the whole day, being unable to feel the changes in the four season. If didn’t do this then my life would seem so boring, isn’t it?”
Yun Qian Meng had spontaneously embraced his arms, although it was being separated by a layer of coat but Chu Fei Yang could still feel her soft and fragrant body, for a moment that reproachful look in his eyes disappeared, being replaced by a smiling expression. He was fully aware that this girl’s lips was quite powerful, but he also had his own principle and standpoint, seeing the tip of her nose had turned bright red because of the coldness, he drew her closer to himself as they walked inside the room.
Upon entering the room, Yun Qian Meng took off the coat, then facing Chu Fei Yang who had showed up at this hour inside xiangfu she inquired, “It’s almost approaching the end of the year, isn’t it very busy inside the Imperial Court?”
“No matter how busy I am, my wife would still be the priority!” Chu Fei Yang replied quickly, along with it he placed the space heater in Yun Qian Meng’s both hands which had already turned red.
“Trying to be clever, oily-mouthed and smooth talking!” Seeing the servant girls inside the room covering their mouths secretly laughing, Yun Qian Meng stole a glance at Chu Fei Yang as she mumbled in a low voice. Her eyes were still focusing at the Christmas tree inside the courtyard through the window.
Seeing her like this as if she was missing something, Chu Fei Yang was puzzled. Waving his hands permitting the servant girls to retreat out of the room, he then approached behind Yun Qian Meng. Embracing her gently, he asked in a lowered voice, “You like it?”
Although it was only the two of them, but Yun Qian Meng knew well that her spoken words seemed like she was reminiscing something. Thus she nodded her head, yet she was feeling that strong chest pressed against her back, feeling at ease, she laughed and said, “I just want to have some fun. Did something happen inside the Imperial Court? It had unexpectedly made our hardworking xiangye to return home quite early.”
Yun Qian Meng returned such a casual question with such a serious one!
Chu Fei Yang knowing that he could not hide anything from Yun Qian Meng, he wondered how she got the news. Hugging her, they looked at the Christmas tree outside glistening with lights, then he spoke in a hushed tone, “Qu Zhang Qing is now the minister of the Ministry of Justice!”
Hearing those words, the smile on Yun Qian Meng’s face looked slightly distracted, after which she turned around lifting her eyes looking at Chu Fei Yang full of doubt as she asked, “This is the Imperial Decree given by His Majesty?”
Yun Qian Meng understood, Chu Fei Yang nodded with a smile, but he added these words; “However, this was Chen Wang’s suggestion.”
“Him? Since this was his suggestion, then why did His Majesty agree to it? Could it be that His Majesty is starting to be afraid of you?” But since Chen Wang was present, Emperor Yu Qian would naturally not dare to provoke Chu Fei Yang. Whether the emperor trusted Chu Fei Yang, or was using him, it was all the same. While on the surface, transferring Qu Zhang Qing out of the Ministry of War looked like a promoting, the military power under Qu Zhang Qing would all be put under the emperor’s control. Could it be that Emperor Yu Qian was planning to gradually regain military power and fight against Chen Wang all by himself?
A series of guessing steadily floated inside Yun Qian Meng’s mind, making her slightly knitted up her elegant brows.
A warm finger gently helped her flatten down the wrinkles between her brows, Chu Fei Yang led her to sit down beside the table, pouring a cup of tea allowing Yun Qian Meng to have a drink and warm up her body. His eyes smiling but seriously watched as Yun Qian Meng drank half bowl of tea, then he slowly reassured, “Meng’er, my father is a high official in the border area. But the people of Western Chu only knew that Grandpa and I rarely meet my father, Chu Pei. And ever since twenty-three years ago when he was being assigned to a post outside the capital and became the governor of the border, today will be the first day of his return to the capital.”
Hearing Chu Fei Yang’s explanation, Yun Qian Meng believed that the current changes in the official posts might be related to that father-in-law who had yet to reveal his face.
This governor of the borderland seemed to be an official post outside of the capital, yet it was being personally appointed by the Emperor himself to assume full responsibility for the province and the power over the armed forces and the government of the provinces. It was much different that those officials managing each place and those monarchs of the divided territories.
Chu Fei Yang’s father was such kind of high official in the Imperial Court, no wonder it gave rise to Emperor Yu Qian’s vigilance. On top of that, Chu Pei had chosen this particular time of the year to return to the capital to make reports on his duty, his intention was truly hard to understand.
“I think the governor of our borderland wasn’t the one being appointed by our current Emperor, right?” If he was appointed by Emperor Yu Qian, then the Emperor would not have just simply agreed to Chen Wang’s suggestion.
“He was appointed by the Late Emperor!” Seeing Yun Qian Meng was able to make the accurate guess, Chu Fei Yang’s mood was slightly lifted up, as if he was not affected by the matters that had happened today inside the Imperial Court.
Upon hearing his explanation, Yun Qian Meng nodded her head.
This was not surprising as Chu Wang and the Late Emperor were like brothers. Together they had conquered the entire country of Western Chu, yet he supported the Late Emperor as he ascended to the dragon throne, which was why the Late Emperor owed a brother. It also became the reason was why he had allowed the child of his sworn brother to become the governor of the provinces, such kind of thing was possible.
But unexpectedly when it came to the generation of their grandchildren, they wrestled for their own powers. Besides, Chu Wang’s family also possessed quite massive military forces which made people fear him, thus the Chu family became the second target that Emperor Yu Qian wanted to eliminate aside from Chen Wang.
But Yun Qian Meng felt there was something wrong among all these, making her feel more uncomfortable.
Her delicate finger tracing along the edge of the cup, Yun Qian Meng’s mind was pondering over every spoken words of Chu Fei Yang earlier. Her heart suddenly trembled as she lifted up her head then facing Chu Fei Yang, who was sitting beside her as he remained quiet but still wearing a smile, she remarked, “He never returned to the capital for twenty-three years? Then that means to say that you haven’t met your own father yet?”
Chu Fei Yang was wondering why Yun Qian Meng went silent for a moment, he did not expect this girl to be thinking about this matter. He replied frankly, “During the year when I was born, my father had left the capital. Ever since I was small, my grandfather and Shang Guan Mama were the people who took care of me. Soon after, my grandfather received orders and went to the battlefield, then I remained beside him, and learned the military skills and fighting skills.
Seeing Chu Fei Yang had quite a pitiful childhood, Yun Qian Meng felt sorry for him, feeling that such kind of situation was quite similar to her past.
Even though Yun Qian Meng had a father, but he was only like an empty shell. Chu Fei Yang similarly had a father but when they see each other they might not able to recognize each other, that was truly sad.
No wonder Lao taijun had said those kind of words to Grandpa Chu Wang when they saw each other during her birthday celebration.
“Then father-in-law is returning to the capital to make a report or to be an official in the capital?” The emperor’s home was naturally boundlessly splendid, but it was incomparable to the comforts of a region official.
“I also don’t know what his plan is!” Seeing Yun Qian Meng looking puzzled, Chu Fei Yang stretched out his hand to massage her temples, so as not to stress out her clever head.
Yun Qian Meng sat on Chu Fei Yang’s leg, leaning onto his arms, her both hands holding the back of his hands, gently patting them as if amusing a child, “Fei Yang, how about your mother?”
“She died from a difficult birth!” She received such kind of answer.
Yun Qian Meng knitted her brows closer together, comforting Chu Fei Yang’s heartache. The usually unconstrained Chu Fei Yang surprisingly possessed such kind of life experience. It truly made Yun Qian Meng feel pity for him.
“Meng’er, only you can understand me. In my life, the most important persons are, you and grandpa! As for me, other people were just like strangers, there’s no need to feel sad for those who are irrelevant to you.” Lifting up his hand he gently patted Yun Qian Meng’s back, Chu Fei Yang’s relaxed manner of speaking made Yun Qian Meng’s face smile, after which she straightened up her body and her both eyes were sparkling as she voiced out, “Then do we need to arrange a guest room?”
Seeing Yun Qian Meng’s eyes looked crafty, Chu Fei Yang’s eyes were filled with emotions, yet he revealed his thoughts, “They ought to pay a formal visit to grandpa first!”
“They?” Yun Qian Meng instantly reacted. Could it be that this region official did not have a residence? Perhaps Chu Pei was bringing his entire family back to the capital!
Hearing Chu Fei Yang spoke once again, Yun Qian Meng knew that in Chu Fei Yang’s heart it was very likely that he did not want his own father to live inside the xiangfu. After all, after Chu Fei Yang was born, they had never met each other again, now that if they were to allow a stranger that was only related by blood to live under the same roof, it would be quite awkward.
“Xiangye, furen, wangye has arrived!” At this moment, Mu Chun who was waiting in the outer room walked in and reported.
Having heard the announcement, Yun Qian Meng immediately stood up, with a bit of rosy face she fixed the wrinkles on her skirt, then they saw Chu Wang quickly came in striding with huge steps, she immediately greeted, “Grandpa!”
“Hey, get up and don’t hurt your knees!” Just like before, he did not require her to stand on ceremony. Yun Qian Meng smiled because she had merely bended her knees, it would not hurt her knees at all.
But ever since she learned about the family matters from Chu Fei Yang, she was more eager to observe Chu Wang and Chu Fei Yang, thinking that the relationship between the two of them was quite uncomplicated. Yet only through this way, the grandfather and grandson would be able to live happily despite the absence of a son or a father.
“Grandpa, are you coming to say goodbye before you get back to Wang Fu?” Looking at Chu Wang with a radiant face, Chu Fei Yang just lifted up the teacup in front of him and took a sip.
Hearing his grandson intended to drive him away, Chu Wang’s face went gloomy after which he remarked angrily, “Who wants me to return back to wangfuu? I am here to discuss with you about your plans because your father will soon arrive at the capital!”
“My plans?! Father will come here to report the details of his duty, but not to return and bond with his children! Besides, now that he has his own beloved wife and children, why should I get involved?”
“You……” Chu Nan Shan knew his grandson very well, but as for the relationship between the father and son, he had the courage to come here to strengthen the affection between the father and son, yet it was being firmly rejected by Chu Fei Yang.
“Grandpa, if father-in-law will come, we should pay a formal visit to him! Besides, we ought to make father-in-law feel satisfied about our standing. It will be useless if we tried to make our judgements in advance.” Seeing the grandfather and the grandson quarreling, Yun Qian Meng immediately stood out and voiced out her opinion.
Hearing Yun Qian Meng’s persuasion, Chu Nan Shan slowly nodded his head. He knew that if he was to force his own grandson, perhaps the result would only be the opposite to what was desired, it would evidently be better to take one step at a time!
On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month of lunar calendar -- the date of Chu Pei’s return to the capital, together with his whole family.
Early in the morning, Yun Qian Meng led Mu Chun and the others as they went to Chu Wang Fu. Then after waiting for the entire morning with Chu Wang in the side room, they saw Jiao Da walked in, made his way with huge steps.
“Wangye, Master has just arrived in the capital and has already entered the Imperial Palace to formally visit His Majesty. This time the second furen brought the shaoye and the xiaojie here!” Hearing Jiao Da’s announcement, an uncomfortable feeling flashed through Yun Qian Meng’s heart, yet she remained calm sipping her tea while wearing a smile on her face.
When the curtain of the side room was being lifted up again by the servant girls, Yun Qian Meng courteously stood up and saw an extremely young and well-maintained beautiful woman in her forties leading a man and three ladies as they entered the room.
“Daughter-in-law hereby pay her respect to wangye!” Chu Pei’s second wife, Xie Shu Yi bearing the appropriate manners knelt down before Chu Nan Shan.
“Grandson Qing Yang, together with younger sisters Jie’er, cousin Wan Wan and Yuan Yuan hereby pay our respects to grandpa!” Along Xie’s kneeling, she led the four children to kneel down before Chu Wang.
“Being worn out during your journey, all of you must get up at once!” During this time Chu Nan Shan’s voice remained flat, he only allowed them to get up and sit down without mentioning the others.
“Thank you, wangye!” Xie seeing Chu Wang’s cold face, did not look pleased, but since she ought to make appropriate response, her eyes was smiling as she quickly glanced around the room, and finally focused her gaze at Yun Qian Meng.
“Qian Meng is pleased to meet you, Second Mother!” Yun Qian Meng noticed that the opposing party was paying attention to her, then she sincerely went ahead striking a graceful posture, wearing a simple smile on her face as she bent her knees to pay her respect towards the Xie clan.
Chapter 129 Zhang Qing’s Promotion, father-in-law’s Return to the Capital