Chapter 94: A Storm is Brewing in the Capital

The two of them ate happily. The food at the Princess’s residence was truly delicious, and Bai Mucheng especially liked the chicken feet, which were boneless but still had a great texture, tangy and spicy.

As Tian Mi ate, she suddenly thought of something and looked at Bai Mucheng, asking, “Bai Mucheng, do you think the performers tomorrow will be in danger?”

Bai Mucheng smiled and said, “I’ll send a team to protect them. In the capital, no one would dare make a move on them. They won’t do anything so foolish as to give us an excuse to deal with them.”

Tian Mi nodded. Indeed, no one would go to such lengths over a few musicians. They weren’t foolish enough to create an opportunity for Bai Mucheng to take action.

After dinner, the two of them played with the children. Little Tian Mi also started saying “Two, two!”

It made Tian Mi laugh with joy!

Bai Mucheng coaxed them, “Come on, call your father King!”

After the two little ones grew tired, Chun Ji and Chun San took them off to bed.

Bai Mucheng, in his over thirty years of life, had never felt life so beautiful, so fulfilling.

When Qiu Yi came to report to Bai Mucheng, Tian Mi went to the bathhouse to wash up. Since Bai Mucheng was still there, she didn’t dare to leisurely take a bath. The space was her secret sanctuary, so she quickly washed and changed into her sleepwear before coming out.

Tian Mi thought she would take the chance to better understand the books of this era. Flipping through them, she thought, Damn it, these books are so hard to understand, even if you can read! Why can’t books be written in a simpler and more accessible way?

Luckily, the strange tales she wrote were easy to understand; otherwise, they would never sell.

When Bai Mucheng came back and saw her reading, he hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder and asked softly, “Mi’er, what are you reading?”

Tian Mi showed him the cover of the book, Yun Ji.

Bai Mucheng asked in surprise, “Can you understand this book?”

Tian Mi shook her head. Of course, she couldn’t understand it!

Bai Mucheng, with shameless humor, chuckled and said, “Then stop reading it. Come, accompany your husband to the bath!”

Tian Mi wasn’t interested in that and blushed, pushing him away. “Go take a bath yourself!”

He laughed at her, thinking she was all talk. How could she tease him when she was so shy? Hmph!

When Bai Mucheng came back from the bath, wearing only a pair of shorts, he sat her down on his lap.

He leaned against Tian Mi’s neck, taking a deep breath, “Mi’er, you smell so good!”

He kissed her neck and earlobe.

Tian Mi blushed, her heartbeat quickening. But she couldn’t help but think about the details: she had bathed in the spiritual spring water earlier and hadn’t even used any shower gel, yet she felt clean. Today, she had just used shower gel, but it still had a nice fragrance.

She giggled and said, “I tried making some perfume.”

Bai Mucheng didn’t pay much attention to that. He lifted her chin and kissed her deeply.

His hand wrapped around her slender waist, slowly wandering over her body.

Just as Tian Mi started to feel dizzy, he stopped.

He whispered, “Mi’er, let me take care of you.”

Tian Mi slowly opened her eyes, gazing into Bai Mucheng’s deep, desire-filled eyes.

She whispered, “Husband.”

The next day, the weather was clear, a perfect day for Tian Mi’s big plans.

Xu Feiyan was full of energy, directing the shop assistants to load the new books onto the carriage.

Today, she was ready to show her skills and make money!

She had also invited Jin Wenwen to come by her shop to watch her earn money and then give her two books to pass the time!

Peng Dan also came to say her goodbyes, as today was her big day as well.

“Princess, we’ve learned this piece. Today, we’ll use it to make our mark in the capital’s music scene.”

Tian Mi nodded and said, “Good, don’t worry, everything is arranged.”

Peng Dan bowed and said, “Thank you, Princess.”

She then led her group away.

At the same time, the storytellers from the Prince’s residence set off.

The opera troupe was still busy rehearsing intensely, singing opera lines: “From humble beginnings, after years of study, one day soaring into the sky.”

Today marked a turning point in Ruan Donglai’s life!

In the capital, as usual, people were busy from dawn.

The lady making breakfast opened the steaming baskets and served buns to the gathered crowd with a warm and attentive smile.

At the teahouse, the staff wiped down tables and windows, greeting familiar customers passing by.

“Lord Li, there’s a new book being read today! Come by and listen later!”

Lord Li, walking his dog, waved dismissively and said, “Alright! I’ll come by soon!”

Across the street, the teahouse owner was instructing the attendants to hang a sign on the wall that read: “New book reading today, new song performed.”

Xu Feiyan’s carriage was heading toward the bookstore, and Qiu Yi called out to a shopkeeper on the street, “Shopkeeper Niu, we’ve restocked on strange tales, and there’s a new book being put on the shelves today! It’s fascinating and thrilling!”

“Really? I’ll be right over, save some for me!”

“Make sure to hurry! Otherwise, I might not be able to keep any for you!”

“Understood!”

Jin Wenwen arrived at the bookstore as promised. Upon seeing the small shop, she couldn’t hide her disdain. This woman really had no self-respect. She seemed eager for everyone to know she was a businesswoman, even going so far as to personally sell books. Truly, her mind was a mess!

She forced a smile as she entered the bookstore.

“Feiyan, long time no see! Are you still doing well in the capital?”

Xu Feiyan, who had been organizing books, heard Jin Wenwen’s voice and immediately put them down to greet her enthusiastically.

“Wenwen, you’re here! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you! Come, take a look at my bookstore.”

“Wenwen, here, I’ve brought you two books to pass the time! These are must-read!”

Unfortunately, Jin Wenwen wasn’t interested. She casually flipped through the books and said, “I’ll read them slowly at home. By the way, how’s the Princess of Ding Wang’s estate doing? I didn’t expect the princess to suddenly become the Princess of Ding Wang overnight.”

Xu Feiyan replied, “Yes! Sister Tian Mi is the most capable woman in the capital. She’s well-deserved!”

Jin Wenwen was momentarily speechless. She had lost her chance to spread gossip, and even if she tried, it wouldn’t change anything.

By midday, the plan was already unfolding. All the major teahouses were filled with guests, eagerly listening to the new book, The Scholar’s Divorce!

At first, people didn’t find anything unusual, but as they listened, it became clearer. The more they heard, the more they exchanged glances. There was something going on here!

It seemed that a storm was about to hit the capital!

Thinking back to the names mentioned—Ruan Xiguo, the top scholar! Zeng Taishi!

Wasn’t this about the famous scholar, Ruan Xiguo? Hadn’t he already married and had children? Did this mean the granddaughter of Jia Taishi was his concubine?

The teahouse immediately became lively!

The story was so explosive! Everyone was hooked and couldn’t stop listening!

When the storyteller reached the part where Ruan Xiguo was being interrogated and Zeng Taishi’s men were threatening officials, the storyteller mimicked the interrogating official, slamming the table and shouting angrily, “If you’re a government official and don’t serve the people, you’re better off selling tofu at home!”

The audience broke into thunderous applause! Everyone loved this kind of official! Even though this was just a story, it felt so satisfying!

The storyteller concluded with, “To know what happens next, come back in the afternoon for the second half of the story!”

The crowd was in uproar. Just when the story was getting exciting, it ended!

The teahouse owner chuckled and came forward.

“Don’t be impatient! Don’t be impatient! Have some tea! And then enjoy the next song, also about the scholar’s divorce!”

At once, the audience was buzzing with excitement.

The musicians took the stage, and the music began—soft, melancholic, filled with sorrow and longing, its lingering notes captivating all who listened.

“I accompanied the scholar through years of hardship…”

With every note, tears seemed to fall, and the listeners were deeply moved. The scholar had truly shown no shame! Everyone knew that a man should never abandon his loyal wife, yet he was so heartless—abandoning even the mother of his children. How could such a man be a scholar? He was no better than trash.

When the music ended, the audience was lost in the sorrowful melody, walking out of the teahouse in a daze, eagerly awaiting the conclusion in the afternoon.

Ah, it was just a story. But who knew if the real Ruan Xiguo had really abandoned his wife without cause?

That Jia family’s young lady was disgraceful! Using her power to steal another woman’s husband!

The Jia family was truly oppressive and arrogant!

As they left the teahouse, they saw the officials arresting someone, dragging him in a pitiful state.

“Ruan Xiguo, you’ve wrongfully divorced your wife. The legitimate wife has reported you to the authorities. You are now under arrest!”

Originally, there was a shortcut from the Ministry of Personnel to the Ministry of Justice, but for some reason today, the officials seemed to have lost their way. They dragged Ruan Donglai across half the city instead.