Chapter 493: Chapter 492: Disciplining Servants
As she passed through the garden, Jiang Yunuan looked through the veranda’s decorative window, seeing the lights in Lanyu Courtyard. It was warm in the distance, but she felt as though she had entered an ice cellar.
She rushed headlong into Shangxin Courtyard.
Upon hearing the commotion, Sister Niang staggered out to find her.
Looking at her daughter carved from pink jade, Jiang Yunuan slightly turned her body: "Sister, be good. Mother is cold, I’ll hold you later."
Sister Niang pouted and nodded.
Jiang Yunuan took off her cloak and stood by the fire pit for a while.
Although the silver thread charcoal produced no smoke, she felt her eyes hurt. Thinking that Mu Liancheng would soon return, she dared not shed a tear and forced herself to hold them back.
In Fengyu Courtyard, Mu Liancheng cleared his throat and said, "I’ve sent someone swiftly on horseback to Qinglian Temple, Mu Tang is already dead."
Mu Yuanmou’s eyelid twitched.
"Dead? When?" Lian Family said in shock.
Mu Liancheng answered, "It seems to be just when Ah Shao and they reached Tong City. The monks said, presumably, he died before Ah Shao and they met Mu Tang."
"Really before?" Lian Family was skeptical, shaking her head, "How could it be such a coincidence? Could the monks be deceiving us?"
Mu Liancheng was noncommittal.
The monks at Qinglian Temple said so, even if questioned, they would respond, "monks do not lie."
As for the truth, Mu Liancheng found it extremely difficult to determine.
Though he agreed with Lian Family’s viewpoint, there rarely are such coincidences in the world. They couldn’t very well dig Mu Tang from the ground and ask what happened.
Moreover, even if Mu Lianxiao and the others arrived and Mu Tang was still alive, it’s uncertain if Mu Tang had a chance to speak in the end.
Everything remains unknown.
Lian Family spat: "That Mu Tang, thinking that becoming a monk truly made him one? Dying like this was too lenient on him!"
Mu Yuanmou stared at the teapot on the table and said, "The water is too hot, replace it."
Zhu Shan finally stepped forward, picked up the teacup to leave and stumbled, staggering a few steps, though she stood firm and didn’t break what she held, yet some water spilled from the pot.
The ground was soaked.
Zhu Shan timidly glanced at Mu Yuanmou.
Mu Yuanmou’s brows furrowed into a frown, shouting: "Out with you!"
Zhu Shan was startled, running out without looking back, until standing under the cold wind in the veranda, gradually calming down.
Nanny Zhu came forward, whispered, "What happened? Why do I hear the master scolding?"
Zhu Shan stammered, "I accidentally spilled water, Mom, it’s the first time I saw the master scolding, I..."
Nanny Zhu waved her hand, consoling Zhu Shan briefly, hesitated to step into the room.
She had attended to this couple for many years.
Years ago, everything was smooth, and the household was harmonious.
Mu Yuanmou was precise and cared about tidiness, easier to serve than expected. Lian Family usually didn’t trouble the servants, making working in Fengyu Courtyard extremely comfortable.
Later, Mu Lianhui returned to the capital, changing the atmosphere in the courtyard gradually.
Particularly in the past year or two, with more unfavorable occurrences, Lian Family frequently lost her temper, making daily life suffocating.
For the sake of the eldest couple, for Mu Lianyu, for Mu Lianhui, and even for matters that seemed insignificant to Nanny Zhu but irritated Lian Family.
Even in such circumstances, Mu Yuanmou stayed unchanged, always composed, advising Lian Family against impatience when she was anxious.
A Mu Yuanmou, advising today, spoke loudly enough for Nanny Zhu to hear him from outside.
"Is it because of the matter with the eldest lady?" Nanny Zhu whispered to Zhu Shan.
Zhu Shan nodded, then shook her head, "Not just the eldest lady, second master said Mu Tang died, Qinglian Temple didn’t clearly explain whether the princely heir and others saw Mu Tang’s last moment."
At the mention of "Mu Tang," Nanny Zhu felt a headache and chose not to enter and seek trouble.
The room’s atmosphere was somber, Mu Liancheng advised Lian Family a few words before leaving.
Back at Shangxin Courtyard, hearing Sister Niang’s laughter, he felt slightly relieved.
Jiang Yunuan saw Mu Liancheng return, and the questions in her mind surged again, but she didn’t know how to begin, keeping them suppressed.
The palace’s edict had not been issued, but Brother Yan’s date for the grabbing ceremony was decided.
Mrs. Zhou and Du Yunluo discussed, further delaying until Mu Lianyu returned to the capital would be inappropriate.
Mu Lianxiao chose a date, sending invitations to the in-laws.
Because of Mu Lianyu’s recent demise, the ceremony would be simple, with invitations only to the closest relatives and omitting a banquet.
At the Du Family, Old Master Zhen’s leg pain was bothering him recently, so he wouldn’t come, sending the second and third households instead.
Mrs. Zhen joyfully held Brother Yan, yet even in joy, in front of Madam Wu, she maintained proper decorum to avoid remarks that the eldest branch of the Marquis’s mansion disregarded Mu Lianyu’s death.
Madam Wu observed Xia Anxin more, praising her as a suitable, capable household manager, crediting Old Mrs. Xia’s instruction, which gratified Miao Family remarkably.
One should reciprocate the favor, praising Jiang Yunuan who grew up before Madam Wu, yet Miao Family, aware of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s affairs, chose not to mention the second branch.
Du Yunluo asked about her family’s status.
Mrs. Zhen said, "Your third sister-in-law is about due; the midwife stays in the mansion waiting for her labor. Yun Di’s wife is heavily pregnant, so I didn’t have her come."
Du Yunluo nodded, today’s gathering wasn’t small, Mrs. Tang’s absence was no concern.
According to the invitations, besides the Mu Family, relatives from the Zhou Family, Lian Family, Xu Family, Du Family, and Jiang Family were invited, as Mrs. Lu’s family isn’t in the capital, no invite was sent.
At the Xu Family, aside from holiday visits by staff delivering gifts, Mrs. Xu hadn’t maintained contact for years, but now with Mu Liankang’s return, Mrs. Xu’s spirit was different, sending an invitation to her family.
Mu Lianhui also sent an invitation, but claimed illness, sending only a maid to observe the ceremony.
People gradually gathered.
Firstly to see the child grasp items during the ceremony, secondly, many were appraising Mu Liankang and Zhuang Ke.
Especially Zhuang Ke, whose unique eyes attracted extra attention.
In the Flower Hall, three tall tables were arranged with seals, books from Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, along with stationery, abacus, bows and arrows, Tiger Talisman, toys, food, various items all present.
Mu Lianxiao’s health improved recently, and with Brother Yan’s big day, Mrs. Zhou and Du Yunluo’s persuasion couldn’t keep him from participating.
Early in the morning, after Brother Yan’s bathing and dressing, he was carried to the ancestral hall to bow and pay respects. Then personally brought to the large table.
Brother Yan sat in the middle with his chubby legs spread apart, looking around.