Chapter 219: The Visit of Minister Xie
Translator: Madesmoiselle V.
Murong Xue raised her head to stare at Song Qingyan as she answered causally, “Since Marquis Song is your father, I’m not in a position to stop him from taking you back…”
“My mother is seriously injured. She asked me to extend my stay at the Marquis’ Mansion to look after her. I can’t leave like this.” Song Qingyan raved out her grief with her eyes full of misery.
Untouched by her words, Murong Xue said slowly, “So just let me send someone for your mother and see what she can do.”
“She is badly injured and totally impossible to walk on her own.” Song Qingyan was almost reduced to tears.
Ignoring her sadness, Murong Xue said emotionlessly, “Then I will inform your grandmother, uncle and aunt, who, as elders, have the right to decide whether you should stay here…”
Given that the couple had turned against each other, they would surely have a ferocious fight over their only daughter with both open and secret means. However, Murong Xue had no intention of involving herself in the dispute.
“Grandma is staying in bed for she is not feeling well. Both my uncle and aunt are out now….” Song Qingyan put on a pitiable look, for Murong Xue was her last hope.
Was it a coincidence? Nobody would stand out when Song Qingyan was in great trouble. Were they planning to shift the responsibility onto her and watch her fightagainst Song Tiawen? That could only be their wishful thinking!
“Though being your cousin, I am still a junior here in the Wu’an Marquis’s Mansion. Isn’t it disrespectful if I help you against his will? But I also understand that aunt also needs your company and she will be sad once you left. What about I send someone to invite them here to settle things?” Murong Xue said smilingly with a hint of contempt flashing in her eyes.
Song Qingyan turned livid in an instant. When had Murong Xue ever showed her respect to those she had just mentioned? Having seen her ruthlessness, Song would never use the word ‘respect’ in the same sentence with Murong’s name. It was obvious that she didn’t want to lend a hand.
She would never let Murong Xue obtain what she wanted so easily!
With a wisp of cold gleam flashing in her eyes, Song Qingyan let out a cry, “Grandma and mum…”
“No matter how serious their illnesses are, they will surely help you. It’s not so far from the inner chamber to the gate. They can come by sedan chairs. Don’t worry, just wait here for me.”
Murong Xue interrupted her with a smile before stepping into the Marquis’ Mansion gracefully. The butler’s voice rang behind her, “It’s too late. Please help the lady board out wagon and return to the Wu’an Marquis’ Mansion.”
“Yes!” The two sturdy maids answered before lifting Song Qingyan up and tucking her into the wagon.
Murong Xue had made it clear that she had no intention of meddling in Murong Rou and her ex-husband’s entanglement. They can take Song Qingyan back and report on the fulfillment of their duty!
Song Qingyan slumped into the carriage, her arms hurting badly. She clutched the curtain and screamed in panic, “What are you doing? Let me down.”
Turning a deaf ear to her words, the butler sat on the forefront of the wagon and whipped the horses’ bottom harshly. With a sharp neigh, the wagon shot forward as if an arrow. Song Qingyan’s scream resounded in the wind, “Help…Please…”
The gathering people let out a sigh in helplessness. As the princess of the Wu’an Marquis’ Mansion, it was well-reasoned for her to come back to her father. Her mother was the one who had committed the most heinous of crimes. Marquis Wu’an would neither scold nor beat her. Why would she overreact?
Being abandoned for committing adultery and murder, Murong Rou would surely ruin her daughter’s reputation. Song Qingyan’s overreaction was probably due to her fear of being sneered by her relatives at the Wu’an Marquis’ Mansion. It was, after all, none of Murong Xue’s business.
The guards and menservants at the gate then would undoubtedly report it to Madam Du, which would save her the concern.
Murong Xue was entertaining the thought while she stepped into the Falling Snow Pavilion along the path paved by flagstones.
The two maids, Hong Xiu and An Xiang were busy cleaning the yard. They stopped to make a curtsy to Murong Xue at the sight of her.
Murong Xue nodded before entering the inner chamber. She took out a sandalwood case from the concealed drawer. As long as the case, containing the title deeds, keys to the warehouse and bank notes, was with her, there would be nothing to worry about.
Murong Xue put the case on the chair with a smile before turning to open the closet, from which she took out a large cloth-wrapper and unraveled it on the desk.
“What are you doing?” Standing nearby, Ouyang Shaochen stared at her in confusion.
“Taking a change of clothes.” Murong Xue answered casually. As it was turning increasingly warm, she would at least take two baths per day. It was necessary for her to bring enough clothes.
“I have sent a servant to buy a dozen of dresses from the Yixiang Pavilion, which should suffice.” Ouyang Shaochen said emotionlessly.
“Really?” Murong Xue raised her head.
“Of course.” Ouyang Shaochen said as he put the cloth-wrapper back into the closet and closed the door. “I have also prepared several sets of jewelries. You’ll need nothing except the sandalwood case. Everything you want is awaiting in Lord Freedom’s Mansion.”
“Sure!” Murong Xue nodded. The items in Lord Freedom’s Mansion were definitely not worse than her own. She might as well use the ones that Ouyang Shaochen had prepared for her.
Murong Xue leaned slightly forward to pick up the box and was ready to leave when she heard words of reproach, “Liufeng, what are you doing here in Xue’er’s yard?”
“I have something to discuss with her.” Mu Liufeng said casually with imperceptible enchantment in his voice.
“You should have sent the visiting application in advance and stepped into the yard in public after the permission is granted, rather than sneaking in like a thief.”
With the words of reproach resounding in his ear, Mu liufeng directly ignored the blame. “Imagine how long it would take to send the visiting application and wait for the reply. Murong Xue and I are good friends. Why can’t I just fly inside without those complicated ceremonies?”
Murong Xue looked up as she saw Mu Liufeng and another middle-aged man stepping in one after another. The man clad in a black silk robe was handsome with his eyes twinkling like stars in the night sky. It was Minister Xie!
Murong Xue winked in confusion. “Minister Xie, may I ask why you are here?”