Chapter 563: Attitude Towards Life
Editor: Atlas Studios
After returning to her courtyard, Li Jinghua said in a low voice, “I know you’re impatient to deal with them, but many people are watching now. Since she’s our elder after all, you need to put on a show and come out often to chat.”
Mu Yangling hugged Little Bear in her arms and said lazily, “Why torture each other when we clearly dislike each other? Sister-in-law, don’t worry. No one in Lin’an City knows my personality and they all treat me as a block of wood. Since that’s the case, I might as well continue to be a block of wood like before. Anyway I have you to hold up the front, right?”
“Didn’t the general previously tell you to hide your weakness to make it more convenient to do things? You don’t have to pretend anymore, right?”
Mu Yangling said with a smile, “Sister-in-law, you’ve misunderstood Big Brother. He only asked me to hide my skills in martial arts, but he doesn’t care about how I act within the residence. I’m simply not into those things. For example, when it comes to beautiful jewelry and clothes, and trending fashion, I can just call over the boutique ladies to ask in order to find out. Then, I just have to pick out what I like. I can’t fathom why women would spend an entire day picking out clothes and jewelry to wear.”
“If I have the time, I might as well go to the farmstead to take a look at my experimental plot or check on the manor or shops. Aside from that, I still have to teach the children. When I have time, I can bring them out to play and see the scenery outside.”
She really could not understand how some women could spend their entire days obsessing over their attire while leaving their children to the servants and wet nurses. How could they only speak a few sentences to and spare a few glances at their children only at mealtimes and before bed?
To Mu Yangling, hanging out with and chatting with a couple of good friends was just something to spice up one’s life. One’s family and career should be the focus of their life.
Her child and husband were her family, and at the moment her career was divided into two parts. In the short term, her career was to protect Li Jinghua and Little Treasure so that Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoran could conquer the world in peace. Her long-term career was to nurture high-yielding seeds and develop more advanced farming techniques and tools.
When Li Jinghua heard Mu Yangling’s attitude towards life, she was stunned for a long time before asking, “According to what you said, I actually seem to have lived in vain for the past 20 years.”
Mu Yangling said with a smile, “Everyone has different goals and are good at different things. I don’t like to gossip with them because I don’t like to be restrained by those rules. I prefer to walk around in the fields. Sister-in-law, you will be the most respected woman in the world in the future. You’re establishing your own career now.”
Mu Yangling thought for a moment and felt that those women were also opening up connections for her husband, son, and clan. Hence, she nodded and said, “I was a little narrow-minded previously. Talking about clothes and jewelry is just one means for them to do their work.”
Then, she said proudly, “I don’t have to do this though. When Haoran comes back, I’ll tell him that he can establish his connections himself in the future. I still prefer to farm.”
Li Jinghua just lowered her head and smiled.
If Qi Xiuyuan could really ascend the throne, then Qi Haoran would undoubtedly be the most respected person besides Qi Xiuyuan. Of course, he didn’t have to manage his connections anymore. Qi Haoran had always doted on Mu Yangling, so she naturally didn’t have to make herself do things she didn’t like.
After Mu Yangling and Li Jinghua expressed their attitude, they stayed in Zhao Hua Courtyard and took care of the two children with peace of mind. From time to time, they would bring them to the small garden to play.
The second day after Li Jinghua returned, Madam Wu handed her the Qi family’s account book and the key to the treasury. She said that she was the eldest daughter-in-law and should be the family head.
The entire Qi Residence seemed to get along in harmony, as if the previous conflicts had never happened. Li Jinghua was also very respectful to Madam Wu. Mu Yangling couldn’t help but click her tongue when she saw this. She felt that this kind of life was definitely not something she could contend with.
Of course, she could lie without changing her expression. In her previous life, in order to complete missions, this was necessary. However, if the most daily interactions in her life were turned into missions, what kind of life would she lead?
It was precisely because she had always drawn a very clear line between work and life that she disdained to put on an act in life outside of work. At the very least, she was unwilling to live with a mask on.
The interior of the Qi Residence was harmonious, but waves surged outside.
Now, Qi Haoran had already conquered the southwest and northwest regions, and Qi Xiuyuan had already forced the Second Prince, Minister Qin, and their men to Chengdu Prefecture. He had also conquered all the territories occupied by the rebels in Jiangnan, but he had yet to reclaim the north of Lin’an City and Jiangling Prefecture.
The north of Xingzhou Prefecture to Jingzhao Prefecture was a prosperous place, and it had always been under Qi Xiuyuan’s control, so that was fine. But two-thirds of the north of Lin’an City was in General Yuan’s hands. Considering this person’s personality, as long as Qi Xiuyuan unified the country and rewarded General Yuan, he would definitely bow down to him.
There was no need to worry about the remaining one-third since it was just the size of a prefectural capital. Qi Xiuyuan could easily subdue it after sending an army over. The area around Jiangling Prefecture was filled with bandits now. With the Qi brothers’ previous attack, it was only a matter of time before they reclaimed it.
Therefore, Qi Xiuyuan’s ascension to the throne was almost certain. The only thing left was to see if he could make it back from Chengdu Prefecture alive.
Previously, Madam Li and the others had been kidnapped, and Madam Wu and the others were imprisoned in the Qi Residence. The people inside couldn’t come out, and the people outside couldn’t enter. Moreover, because Madam Wu didn’t have a good relationship with Qi Xiuyuan, no one dared to curry favor with her rashly, so Lin’an City was relatively quiet.
But now, Madam Li and her son were back.
From the looks of it, Madam Li and the others had actually been sent away by Qi Xiuyuan beforehand. It was uncertain if currying favor with Madam Wu was a good idea, but ingratiating themselves with Madam Li was a no-brainer. If nothing unexpected happened, Madam Li would most likely be the future Empress. It would only be beneficial for them and their husbands and sons to show their faces in front of her at this time.
Therefore, many people began to send invitations to the Li Residence, wanting to visit.
Only a few smart people thought of this: Qi Xiuyuan actually sent Madam Li away ahead of time. Didn’t that mean that he wanted to rebel before Qi Feng died? He sent away his wife and children, but left his old father behind. That would imply that there was something wrong with Qi Xiuyuan’s character and filial piety.
Fan Siwen was one of them, but like most people, he only dared to think about it in his heart and didn’t say it out loud. However, when he quarreled with Madam Xia again, when Madam Xia mentioned her capable nephew, Fan Siwen couldn’t help but feel a little emotional.
At that time, Fan Zijin happened to be there. When he saw the disdain in his father’s eyes, his heart sank slightly. That night, for the first time, he ran to Fan Siwen’s study and talked with him about political matters for a long time. When he came out again, although he was still smiling and his expression was indiscernible, Yanmo could still detect a strong cold aura emitting from his young master.
When Fan Siwen returned to the study, he wrote a letter to Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoran, saying that they owed him another big favor and asking that they give him a high position in the future.
Fan Siwen was still a little dizzy in the study. He didn’t understand why his son had spoken with him at length in the middle of the night.