A married maid went to deliver the message.
Lady Guo said, "Now that Auntie Mei is back, will the Mu family also return?"
The old madame snorted and chuckled twice: "Miss Du Mei is now very close to her mother, how can she leave Lady Mei to return to the mansion alone? The whole family will certainly follow her back."
Lady Dai asked, "Grandmother, when we first agreed to let them return to the mansion, it was because of Young Master Huo. Now that Mu Caiwei is dead, Young Master Huo should not care about the affairs of the Mu family anymore. Should we still welcome these people in our mansion?"
"Yes, Grandmother, these country folks with the smell of copper on them have stunk up our noble mansion. It would be better to kick them out for some peace."
The speaker was Du Wanru from the second room. After returning from the Empress’ Shangsi festival banquet, she had a deep grudge against Cai Wei. Jealousy turned Cai Wei into her number one enemy in her heart, surpassing Du Wanqiu. Naturally, Cai Wei’s family also became her enemies!
"Grandmother, in my opinion, if they want to return, we should let them. After all, they carry our Duke An’s bloodline. Moreover, since Mu Caiwei’s incident, if we don’t let their whole family into the mansion, it will not bode well for the reputation of our Duke An’s mansion when word gets out!"
The second son of the first family, Du Yuheng, unexpectedly spoke well of the Mu family. He spoke earnestly and sensibly, not because he was particularly kind or mindful of family sentiments, but because the Mu family held a beauty who stirred his desires.
That young girl, though only eleven, was blooming like a flower. What he liked most about her was her gentle and modest nature, completely unlike her flamboyant elder sister.
Although Mu Caiwei was beautiful, the occasional aura of dominance flowing from her eyes truly scared him. Against such a strong woman, he wouldn’t dare to have any other thoughts. Unlike Cai Fei, the delicate girl was clearly easily deceived. With just a few sweet words, he could taste her. Even if he couldn’t deceive her, with Mu Caiwei gone, Huo Yuan would surely not back them. If she didn’t comply, he would resort to force. How far could she run then?
Young nobles like them from the capital enjoyed all kinds of games. There was no limit to what absurd things they could do. From the madams of the brothels to the variety of prostitutes in the taverns, to underaged girls, what was most popular among the nobles of the capital was playing with these young girls! He naturally would not be left out. He had been having his eye on one girl in their house for a long time and was looking forward to satisfying this desire when they bring them back.
As for whether or not to allow them to return to the mansion, the old madame had plans. That little bitch, Mu Caiwei, had managed to extort more than ten thousand silvers from her. Now that she’s gone, she wanted to collect back that debt with interest. The Mu family’s current fortune could be considered to be comfortable. Not only did they open the Bafu Restaurant and Bafu Dim Sum Shop, she heard they also had a sizable cloth shop on a bustling street and a vast manor. All these properties should be given to her since that Mu Caiwei dared to threaten and blackmail her.
"Let them return! As Heng’er said, it would look bad if we drive the family of the recently deceased Mu girl away..."
The old madame has the final say.
Du Wanyue said discontentedly: "Grandmother, Mu Caiwei had offended Princess Helena. Now that Mu Caiwei is gone, if Princess Helena feels wronged against her maternal home, won’t that bring trouble to our family as well?"
The old lady chuckled lightly: "What are you afraid of? The person who committed the crime and the debt owner is clear. If Princess Helan really wants to act against Mu Caiwei’s family, we will obediently surrender them. A family of five or six people. Isn’t that enough to vent her anger?"
"Grandmother is right. If Princess Helana really comes to cause trouble, we will surrender to them. It’s up to her to kill or execute them. She won’t make things difficult for us."
A few people were discussing in the flower hall.
However, they had underestimated Princess Helena’s determination.
Ever since she met Nangong Yi five years ago, she had set her heart on him. She didn’t care about any unessential people or things at all.
At this moment, she was sitting in the Crown Prince’s Mansion with a fiery temper, glaring at the shattered cups strewn all over the floor, her chest heaving wildly with rage.
Next to her, Crown Princess Helena, who was expecting a baby, was earnestly persuading her. "Sister, I don’t mean to interfere with you, but as our Xianbei Empire’s most distinguished princess, you can’t lose your dignified posture by seeking him out. Moreover, even if you travel far to that remote and desolate land, he may not appreciate your feelings. You’ve already wasted five years on him, don’t let those years go to waste. Listen to me, go back to Xianbei obediently. The Imperial Parents will certainly find you a husband a thousand times, no, ten thousand times better than him."
Helena covered her ears and began to yell and shout like a willful child.
As soon as she learned of Mu Caiwei’s death, her first thought was to go to Lingbei to find that man, to be by his side in his most painful moment, and she could perhaps find a chance for herself.
However, before she even started the action, she was found out by Helena Xue, and was forcibly confined in the Crown Prince’s Mansion. Helena Xue insisted on sending her back to Xianbei. If that happened, she would have no more chances. She was not willing nor ready to give up. She loved him and loved only him. No one else could replace him. This preoccupation had already formed a persistent desire in her heart. He has not married yet, there is still a chance for her, isn’t it? What right does her sister have to deprive her of the opportunity in pursuit of her own happiness?
"I want to find him. I’m going to find him. None of you can stop me!" Helena shouted and screamed. After a short rest, she started wrecking the room again.
Princess Consort, Helena Xue, calmly tried to persuade, "I don’t want to hold you back, but King Qin’s current situation is worrisome. The Empress and Zhaoyang have made a big mistake, the Emperor is already furious and King Qin is inevitably implicated. Even if he wins the war, he can only make up for his previous mistakes. In case he loses, he can never recover in his lifetime. Moreover, the chances of him losing are quite great. So even if you followed him as you wish, you might have to suffer with him. You are the noblest princess of our Xianbei Empire. How can I let you jump into the fire pit?"
Helena retorted defiantly: "He won’t be implicated by the Empress and others! He is far away in the remote Lingbei, how would he know that the Empress and Duke Li Guo’s Mansion rescued Zhaoyang? Even if the Emperor is confused, he wouldn’t blame him for this!"