bayedsolid Chapter 480 Trouble is brewing!
Chapter 480 Trouble is brewing!
After New Year's Eve comes the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.
In Yanzhou, on the morning of the fifth day of the lunar new year, every household sets off firecrackers. The intention is that on this day, the God of Poverty will come to the mortal world and may land on any house. If he visits a house, that house will be poor and destitute for the rest of the year, and everything will go wrong.
So, no one knows who came up with this idea, but it's said that the God of Poverty is afraid of firecrackers. As long as every household sets off firecrackers outside their door or in their yard, the God of Poverty won't dare to come. In this way, the family can have a smooth and prosperous year.
Similarly, the fifth day of the first lunar month is considered the most unlucky day of the entire first lunar month because it is believed that the God of Poverty will visit. Therefore, on this day, neither rich nor poor families will welcome guests.
Mu Xin Nuan leaned against Duanmu Chu Ze and said lazily, "Today is the last day of leisure. Tomorrow is the sixth day of the new year. At that time, people will definitely come to pay their respects in an endless stream. Just thinking about it now makes me want to run away."
"you dare!"
The hand around her waist tightened, and Mu Xin Nuan felt the man's warm breath on her neck, which tickled her. She shrank her neck and laughed, "Stop it!"
"Even if you run to the ends of the earth, I will find a way to bring you back!"
"Hehe!" Mu Xin Nuan laughed with a hint of joy. "By the way, where was that Granny Song sent? I haven't seen her for days, and I'm really not used to it."
"You!" Duanmu Chuze gently tapped her forehead, saying indulgently, "Why do you always worry about such a wicked servant like her? However, she's quite good at hiding. Unless something special happens, just ignore her for now. Don't worry, I've sent someone to keep an eye on her from the shadows."
"You knew she had a problem all along?" Mu Xin Nuan was slightly taken aback, then realized that if she could see that this Granny Song was unusual, how could he, who was so adept at fighting on the battlefield, not see it? It seemed that he had just turned a blind eye before, wanting to see who her master was.
"Hmm. I didn't spend much time in the manor before, and she was always in the back courtyard. So, although she's been by my side for over ten years, we haven't really had much contact. That's a major reason why her master has never given her a position. But this time, she really shouldn't have offended you. If it weren't for my desire to find out who's behind her, how could I allow such a wicked servant to continue living in this world?"
"Don't you know who her master is?"
Duanmu Chuze reached out and smoothed her hair. These days, the two of them had been staying in Yijing Garden, so he didn't allow her to tie her hair up. Every day, he would look at her with her long hair down, which was very pleasing to the eye!
With a slight flick of his finger, a small strand of hair landed on his index finger, which he began to twirl back and forth. "Almost there. But we should wait a little longer. Since this is a hidden pawn planted by the enemy, I'll let it sit here for now. When necessary, we can use it to deliver a devastating blow to whoever is behind it!"
Mu Xin Nuan frowned slightly. "That's not impossible, but aren't you afraid that Granny Song might take a risk?"
"Not for now! Besides, as I said before, she has people watching her. And, to prevent her from interfering with your affairs, I've already sent her to a manor outside the city. There, my men are everywhere. If she manages to do something under my nose, it would only give me a better understanding of her capabilities, wouldn't it?"
Mu Xin Nuan nodded. Although this method was somewhat risky, killing such a treacherous servant would be too lenient for her. It would be better to spare her life but also not to give her any more important positions, perhaps then they could test her abilities.
"What about Song Jing?" Although she really didn't want to mention her again, Mu Xin Nuan still had to bring her up, after all, that woman was Song Mama's own niece.
"I had her sent to the lowest-class brothel in Yanzhou City. I didn't expect that this method would force Granny Song to come out and expose their contact point in Yanzhou and other spies. As for Song Jing, don't worry, she's already dead."
Mu Xin Nuan frowned. She didn't sympathize with Song Jing, nor did she think Duanmu Chu Ze's actions were cruel. She just felt that with Song Jing dead, Song Mama would probably act even more recklessly!
"I've suppressed the news of Song Jing's death. Don't worry, no one knows."
Seemingly sensing her worry, Duanmu Chuze smiled and said, "It's just a mere Granny Song; she can't cause any real trouble. You don't need to worry about her so much. But isn't it a bit too tiring that you only have Aunt Fang helping you throughout the entire Prince's mansion?"
"I'm fine, but Aunt Fang is indeed too busy. Although there are only the two of us in this manor, there are still quite a few trivial matters to attend to."
"Or should we transfer Granny Yu back to Yijing Garden?"
Mu Xin Nuan thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Forget it. I think it would be better to let Rong Yue try to manage Yi Jing Garden, so that Aunt Fang can focus on being the head of the entire backyard. That way, she can have an easier time."
"Initially, I was worried that the people I brought weren't disciplined enough, but now, Aunt Fang has trained them quite well. I wouldn't trust bringing in any more outsiders. Let's leave it at that for now. Too many people would be a considerable expense for the Prince's residence."
"Okay, whatever you say."
The two enjoyed themselves for a few days, but sure enough, the next day, before dawn, Mu Xin Nuan was woken up by Aunt Fang.
Early in the morning, the wives of officials who came to pay their respects formed a long line.
As the Princess Consort of Chang Le and the matriarch of Yan, Mu Xin Nuan naturally could not be absent.
Fortunately, Aunt Fang was there to review each case, and only those ladies of the fourth rank or above were granted an audience. As for the others, the decision was left to the Princess. If the Princess refused to see them, Aunt Fang would personally greet and see them off, which saved face for them.
Madam He is of the highest status, so naturally, she is the first person Mu Xin Nuan wants to see.
After the two talked for a while, Mu Xin Nuan, considering that she was the Crown Princess's younger sister, asked her to stay and sit with them before continuing to meet with the other ladies and young women. In this way, she affirmed her status in the Prince's Mansion and also showed that the Chang Le Prince's Mansion and the Eastern Palace were on the same side.
After seeing the group off, Aunt Fang came in to report, "Your Highness, an imperial decree has arrived from the capital. The messenger is currently in the front hall, and the Prince has already gone there."
Upon hearing this, Madam He naturally felt it was inappropriate to remain seated any longer and rose to take her leave. Mu Xin Nuan also accompanied Aunt Fang to the front hall to receive the imperial decree.