In the letter, Cai Wei briefly mentioned her current predicament. She didn’t disclose where she was, nor did she elaborate on how she escaped danger. She only told him that she was now in a safe place and couldn’t return home for the time being. She asked him to help look after her family and be wary of any malicious acts from Duke An’s Mansion towards them.
Even without her request, he would’ve done everything within his power to ensure their safety. The Mu family had already been relocated to Bishui Villa by him, safe from harm. If everything went as expected, Mu Zhongqing would be able to return home the next day, and their property, and lands would be restored.
However... Auntie Mei would never be able to return home...
While replying to her letter, Huo Yuan pondered for a long time before deciding to inform her about Auntie Mei’s death. Cai Wei was an emotional person. If she came to know that he concealed the news and denied her the opportunity to send her grandmother off on her final journey, she would surely feel remorseful. He didn’t want her to carry this burden, hence after much consideration, he wrote the news of Lady Mei’s death in the letter.
Brother Parrot stared longingly at the handsome and modest man behind the desk, who seemed to be engrossed solely in writing the letter without even sparing him a glance. It couldn’t help feeling wronged.
As a divine beast that had flown day and night to deliver your letter, shouldn’t you have prepared some wine and food as an act of hospitality? Can’t you see I’m starving?
Brother Parrot let out a disgruntled protest. The man behind the desk merely glanced up at it before quickly returning to writing the unfinished letter. God knows what he was writing in that letter that took him so long.
Feeling blatantly ignored, Brother Parrot was highly dissatisfied and began squawking loudly regardless of the surroundings.
The sharp cries successfully drew the man’s attention.
Huo Yuan stood up and slowly walked over to it, looking down at it with an amused smile.
"You have brought the news of her safety. Tell me, what reward do you seek?"
Although Brother Parrot couldn’t comprehend Huo Yuan’s words, it could sense his kindness from his gentle gaze. Therefore, without any hesitation, it stood upright with a haughty demeanor, pointed at its sharp beak with its wing, patted its stomach, and squawked twice, indicating that it was hungry.
It had once made this gesture at the Bafu Restaurant, and Huo Yuan had been present. Surely, he would understand!
Indeed, upon seeing its action, Huo Yuan immediately chuckled in realization. He had always intended to entertain this little fellow who brought him good news and didn’t need any reminding to do so.
The servant on duty outside the door ran in: "What orders does the young master have?"
"Instruct the kitchen to prepare a table of wine and dishes."
The servant was taken aback: "Now?"
"Do you have any objections?" Huo Yuan raised his eyebrow.
The servant quickly replied, "No, not at all, young master. Please wait a moment. I’ll go and give the instructions right away."
As the servant ran off to fulfil the task, Huo Yuan moved his hand to the parrot’s head to give it a light pat. With a faint smile, he then returned to his desk, folded the completed letter, and tied it onto the parrot’s leg.
He wrote a lot in the letter, but the main point was to instruct her that if she ever decided to return to the capital, she must send a letter via Brother Parrot first. She wasn’t safe to appear in public yet, so he needed to use another identity and mobilize the forces he had discreetly arranged to protect her, ensuring she wouldn’t be discovered!
In the evening, Duke An, Du Ruohai, gradually woke up. The moment he did, Duke An’s Mansion turned into a living hell.
In the eyes of the servants of Duke An’s Mansion, the Duke, although often muddled and immersed in wine and pleasure, was generally a good-natured man. Over the years, there were not many instances of him punishing any servants, but today, he frightened everyone, no, he stupefied them!