Upon seeing Nangong Yi, Mu Zhongli’s face turned pale. He surely hadn’t forgotten the time he was threatened by his subordinates with a knife when he escorted him to the town. If he hadn’t experienced that event firsthand, he would have been cozying up to him now, a seemingly wealthy young master who was quite intimidating!
Unbeknownst to him, this seemingly fierce young master was actually the master of Cai Wei, that naughty girl. Jealousy and annoyance welled up – how did such a good fortune not happen upon his daughter, Cai Ping’er?
His Cai Ping’er was sat with disheveled hair. The brown medicine ointment, from the village’s doctor prescription for her hair, was smelly and sticky. When suspended in her hair, it created an embarrassing mess.
Suddenly faced with the young aristocrat she had thought about day and night, Cai Ping’er’s heart pounded like a frightened deer. "Thud, thud, thud" – When he walked by her at a leisurely pace, she noticed his composed demeanor and elegant tiger-steps. A faint fragrance drifted off his body. Though she didn’t know what perfume, she knew it must be the best. The fragrance, like its owner, was elegant, pleasant, and intoxicating!
She looked at Nangong Yi’s handsome face, with a look of fascination.
Mu Liankui, Mu Chongcai, and Mu Chongwen who hadn’t seen Nangong Yi before, noticed his fine clothes and quickly guessed he was a wealthy man. They all competed to fawn over him.
"Hehehe, having the honor of the young master visiting our humble home brings us immense gratitude!"
"What master? It should be Master Nangong, now, Master Nangong, please take a seat..."
"Master Nangong, please have some tea. Eh? Where’s the tea? Cai Ping, bring the tea quickly!"
Having heard her elder brother call her, Cai Ping shook off her reverie and rapidly went to prepare the tea.
She had taken a few steps when she suddenly realized her current state – she certainly did not appeal to the young master the way she was. Quickly, she marched towards her side room, grooming and dressing anew.
The medicine ointment in her hair needed to be washed off because the young master was pristine, otherworldly, messy hair applications wouldn’t appeal to him. He would definitely dislike her stinky and sticky hair. She also needed to change out of her short overall as it was not presentable. Although wearing the clothes given by the irritating Cai Wei would harm her pride, for the sake of pleasing the young master, she was ready to forego her vanity.
Cai Ping rushed to groom herself. The part of her head that was scalded hurt when touched. She grimaced in pain, breaking out in a cold sweat but she clenched her teeth and bore with it. After washing her hair and wringing it dry, she put on a Chengyang bun. She brought out her rouge purchased by her mother from a peddler, and applied it in front of the water basin. After dressing up, she confidently walked towards the kitchen, poured the tea, and brought it up.
Entering the hall, she heard the young master’s voice, which was smooth as silk.
"I am here today because of my disciple’s family relocation. I have a few people under me who will be going to the capital on official business tomorrow morning. I wanted to ask Elder Mu if you wish to journey along. It would be beneficial for us to support each other on the way."
Cai Wei said, "Dad, Mom, we are bound to move sooner or later. Why not move tomorrow? I have heard rumors of mountain bandits becoming increasingly rampant. Even our town’s Wei Yuan Escort Agency was intercepted, just yesterday I personally saw them being shackled and taken to the county government office.
Mu Zhongqing was in a difficult situation. He had planned to move to the capital, but it was a matter of gravity that needed gradual planning. At the very least, he had to settle his parents and bid farewell to relatives and friends before going to the county government office to handle the household registration relocation procedures. All these tasks required at least a month’s time to complete. Leaving tomorrow was too sudden.