novelaction Chapter 691: A Narrative of Mother and Daughter!
Chapter 691: A Narrative of Mother and Daughter!
Madam Li sighed softly, "Your second uncle has been much more well-behaved these days. He knows his own abilities and is no longer overly ambitious. However, your second aunt is naturally a little unhappy about him taking two concubines."
Mu Xin Nuan didn't ask any more questions, after all, this wasn't the kind of occasion for the mother and daughter to whisper secrets.
Duanmu Chuze, on the other hand, showed no airs of a prince and chatted happily with his father and second uncle, which made his grandfather laugh heartily.
Seeing this scene, Mu Xin Nuan's heart was filled with happiness!
She's worked so hard for so long, isn't this the kind of comfortable life she's been hoping for?
Now that she can finally live such a peaceful life, what else could she possibly regret?
"By the way, where are Ah Xuan and Qing Yang?"
"Qingyang and his cousins are still at school. As for Ah Xuan, he won't be back until the sun is setting."
Mu Xin Nuan then remembered that Mu Qing Xuan was now studying at the Imperial Academy and usually didn't come back at noon.
"How are Ah Xuan's studies going these days? Which master is he studying under now?"
Mu Chang'an took the child from the old man's arms to avoid tiring him out, and said with a smile, "Ah Xuan is currently just studying at the Imperial Academy, and hasn't deliberately become a student of any particular teacher. However, every day when he comes back, I will set aside half an hour to test him."
Duanmu Chuze laughed and said, "Father-in-law is a renowned Confucian scholar, why would he need to take on another teacher? It's good that Ah Xuan is good at his studies, but he shouldn't neglect his martial arts skills."
"What Your Highness says is true. For some reason, these days, he gets up before dawn every day to practice his kung fu for an hour, then washes up, has a simple meal, and goes straight to the Imperial Academy. This has been going on for about half a year now, hasn't it?"
Madam Li nodded. "Yes, it's been more than half a year. At first, we were worried that the child would be too tired. But we didn't expect that after he developed the habit of getting up early, he didn't feel sleepy at all when studying at the Imperial Academy. At noon, he would take a short nap in his cell. His page said that he was the most energetic one."
Duanmu Chuze explained, "This is normal. It's a good habit, and it's best to let him keep it up. Martial arts can strengthen the body, so it won't do him any harm."
Seeing that family so happy and harmonious, it was impossible for Jin not to feel a little jealous. However, she also understood that she was getting old and no longer favored by her husband.
At this time, it is absolutely crucial not to offend the eldest son's family. Especially now, in front of Prince Chang Le and his wife, any impolite behavior is even more unacceptable.
Thinking that Yang's daughter, Mu Xinmiao, was still being raised under her name, Jin felt a sense of relief.
Yang passed away last year. The reason was that Mu Changping took another concubine, and she and that concubine were jealous of each other, so she actually caused the new concubine to lose her child.
This naturally angered Mu Changping, who immediately ordered her to be severely beaten and locked up.
Not long after, Lady Yang died in despair.
Of course, whether there was anything truly amiss in the matter of her supposedly dying in despair, Madam Jin knew, and the concubine probably understood as well.
Lunch was naturally served in the main room, with two tables set up, and the meal was quite lively.
The old man hadn't been this happy in a long time, and he even made an exception and drank two more cups. In the end, Duanmu Chuze and Mu Chang'an had to help him back.
Mu Xin Nuan carried Xiao Zong Hua and followed Li Shi to the inner courtyard to rest, which was naturally the courtyard where she used to live.
The mother and daughter got together and naturally had a lot to say to each other.
Xiao Zonghua fell asleep, and Mu Xinnuan and Li Shi lay down on the couch on one side. Rong Yue was no stranger to them either, so she sat on the edge of the bed and fanned the young prince.
"Mother, you've worked so hard these past two years. It's all my fault for being unfilial and unable to be by your side to serve you. Now that I finally have the chance to return to the capital, I must spend more time with you."
Madam Li smiled and sighed, "It's enough that you have the intention. Your mother knows you are filial. Putting everything else aside, every year on your grandfather's birthday and other festivals, when have you ever missed one? And the gifts you send back are always the best."
“Those are all inanimate objects; how can they replace a daughter?”
"You have no idea, every time the children in this mansion heard about the various gifts you sent back, they were overjoyed, and your second aunt was quite envious. However, when it came time for her two sons' birthdays, she saw that you had also sent gifts back, and that's when she calmed down."
As Li finished speaking, she turned to look at her and said, "You are such a thoughtful child. You remember everything perfectly. Your grandfather was so happy when he found out that you had prepared gifts for your cousins from the second branch of the family! Especially since you remembered their birthdays. Your grandfather kept saying that he hadn't misjudged you."
Mu Xin Nuan smiled, pursing her lips. There were some things she herself didn't know how to say. It was impossible for her to say how deep her feelings were for the second wife.
However, after all, they all share the same surname, Mu, and the same grandfather.
Even if it was to please her grandfather, she couldn't neglect the second branch of the family.
What is my grandfather looking forward to now that he is getting old?
Isn't it all about family harmony bringing prosperity?
Now, simply sending some gifts to the second wife can bring comfort and happiness to my grandfather, so why not do it?
There are many ways to show filial piety, but making the elderly happy is the most effective one.
"Mother, is Second Aunt having a hard time too? She seemed off today. Did Second Uncle bully her?"
“There was no bullying. It’s just that your second aunt has always been a sharp-tongued and mean-spirited person, as you know. In the past two years, your second uncle has taken in two more concubines, so naturally she’s unhappy about it. It’s inevitable that she’ll harbor resentment.”
"I heard that the Yang family has passed away?"
Madam Li nodded and briefly recounted the whole story, "It's all in the past now. Let's not talk about it anymore. Your second uncle is now completely devoted to that concubine Ding in his courtyard. How can your second aunt feel good about it?"
"What is the background of this Aunt Ding?"
Li hesitated for a moment. She didn't want her daughter to know about such a distressing matter, especially since her daughter had just returned.
But when she thought about how Jin had indeed had a difficult time these past two years, as a woman herself, she started talking again.
"This Aunt Ding can be considered to have come from a respectable family. Her family used to run a small business. Later, her brother passed the imperial examination and became an official. At present, I heard that he is a sixth-rank official in the capital. I have not asked him what he does specifically."