Chapter 29: The Gossip Duo

“Ru Yan, I’m not lying to you. If you don’t believe me, come to the garden and see for yourself,” Song Yan Ran said, looking at Liu Ru Yan, who seemed skeptical. She immediately grabbed Mu Rong Shu and headed toward the door.

“Yan Ran, be quiet, don’t wake anyone up. It’s really late,” Liu Ru Yan reminded, seeing how hastily Song Yan Ran was acting.

“Got it, we’ll quietly open the door and sneak a peek. Otherwise, Shu Er might get embarrassed,” Song Yan Ran whispered, and after Liu Ru Yan’s reminder, her movements became much gentler.

The door was gently opened just a little, and the two heads peeked out. When they saw the scene in the garden, Liu Ru Yan was filled with doubt. Why was Shu Er chatting with Wen San Gong Zi in the garden? Could she have been sleepwalking?

Liu Ru Yan pinched herself hard, and the pain made her more awake. Song Yan Ran, seeing Liu Ru Yan’s actions and expressions, struggled to hold in her laughter.

“I didn’t lie to you, did I? Aren’t they having a date with Wen San Gong Zi?”

“But when did Shu Er and Wen San Gong Zi get so close?” Liu Ru Yan couldn’t make sense of it.

“Maybe it just happened today. You never know when fate strikes. Honestly, the more I look at it, the more I think Shu Er and Wen San Gong Zi make a good match,” Song Yan Ran muttered softly.

Liu Ru Yan looked up again at the two in the garden. Just as Song Yan Ran said, they really did seem like a perfect match.

Mu Rong Shu and Wen Jing, who were happily chatting in the garden, didn’t notice the two gossipers eavesdropping from behind the door.

“Ru Yan, what do you think they’re talking about so late? What do you usually talk about with your cousin?” Song Yan Ran, now wide awake, only wanted to gossip.

“Why don’t you get closer and listen? I’m curious too,” Liu Ru Yan, at that age for curiosity, also wanted to know, so she encouraged Song Yan Ran to get closer.

“I won’t. What if Shu Er and Wen San Gong Zi find out? Let’s wait here for Shu Er to come back, and we’ll ask her together when she does.”

Liu Ru Yan nodded. “Asking Shu Er is the easiest. Let’s go back and sleep for now, and when she returns, we can ask her together.”

“Mm-hmm, Ru Yan, let’s discuss how we’ll ask her later,” Song Yan Ran said, pulling Liu Ru Yan toward the resting area. They originally planned to chat and wait for Mu Rong Shu to return, but before long, both of them fell asleep.

When they woke up, it was already the next day. The two were frustrated with themselves and quickly prepared to go find Mu Rong Shu. By the time they stepped outside, Mu Si Shu, her father, and Wen Zhi had already arrived.

Considering Madam Wen’s situation, on the way back the previous day, Mu Si Shu had recommended a carrying chair to Wen Zhi. When Wen Zhi heard that, he realized this was exactly what his wife needed, so he asked Mu Si Shu to bring one over.

Not only did Mu Si Shu bring the carrying chair, but she had it specially decorated so that even a noblewoman sitting on it wouldn’t feel out of place.

Originally, these chairs were not meant for carrying people, they were used on the battlefield to transport injured soldiers. After traveling to the southern regions and seeing the wives of wealthy families use them to sit on while climbing mountains, Mu Si Shu modified them, never imagining they would come in handy today.

Mu Si Shu brought four chairs in total, one for Madam Wen and three for the three young ladies. She thought the mountain roads were difficult and feared they might get tired.

Liu Ru Yan and Song Yan Ran were delighted when they saw the chairs, especially Song Yan ran, who didn’t like walking down the mountain. However, Song Yan ran had some concerns.

She circled the chair and asked, “What if they end up carrying me down?”

“Hahaha, Yan ran, the problem you’re worried about has already been thought of by your uncle. He personally selected his bodyguards to carry you, so they won’t shake at all.”

“Uncle is the best! Thank you, Uncle!” Song Yan ran said sweetly, her words flowing out like water. Liu Ru Yan found it a bit too much and tugged on Song Yan ran’s sleeve, reminding her to be more restrained since everyone in the yard was listening.

However, Song Yan ran didn’t quite catch the hint. She was too caught up in the joyful exchange with her uncle, and the two were enjoying the moment, one person daring to praise, and the other openly accepting the compliments.

The group arrived early, planning to have breakfast at the temple before heading back. During breakfast, Master Zhi sent someone to inform Madam Wen that Wen Yu could go home today and wouldn’t need to stay there any longer.

Wen Yu was thrilled to hear that he no longer had to stay at the temple, and Madam Wen was so overcome with joy that she began to cry. Her son was finally coming home, and she no longer had to be separated from him.

Wen Zhi and Wen Jing had come specifically to bring Wen Yu home, but they hadn’t expected Master Zhi to have already figured it all out.

General Mu’s men were indeed impressive, and sitting in the carrying chairs made the ride feel smooth and comfortable.

Throughout the journey, Wen Zhi repeatedly thanked General Mu and Mu Si Shu, feeling a rare sense of ease as he watched the smiles on his wife and son’s faces. For the first time, Wen Zhi felt a lightness he had never known.

He was grateful to the Mu Rong family, especially Mu Si Shu, thinking that the Wen family’s future might rise even higher thanks to her.

Wen Jing had always been the most capable of the brothers. If it hadn’t been for the curse Wen Jing had inherited, the Wen family might have gone even further.

General Mu found Wen Zhi to be especially warm today. Since he usually didn’t interact much with civil officials and wasn’t one to pay attention to formalities, he felt that perhaps he should offer something in return for all the gratitude.

“If you’re not busy, Wen Daren, how about we have a drink after court?” General Mu asked. In his eyes, nothing could not be solved over a drink and if there were, they could always have two.

General Mu’s sincerity was clear, and Wen Zhi could tell that the invitation was genuine. Wen Zhi cupped his hands and bowed respectfully. “Thank you, General Mu, for everything today. How about I host and invite you for a drink?”

“Hahaha, that sounds perfect! Otherwise, my wife will accuse me of wasting money again,” General Mu replied with a smile.

But General Mu’s comment made Wen Zhi catch something important. “General Mu is afraid of his wife, so from now on, let Madam Mu handle everything.”

Wen Zhi had planned to ask his third brother if he wanted to join them, but he noticed Wen Jing was secretly watching Mu Rong Shu. Wen Zhi quickly averted his gaze, afraid it would draw General Mu’s attention.

The whole way, Wen Zhi was nervous, while also mentally criticizing his third brother. After staying in the mountain overnight, was there anything he didn’t know? Why was Wen Jing constantly sneaking glances at Miss Mu today?

Fortunately, General Mu was oblivious. He always thought his daughter was the most beautiful, so even if he noticed Wen Jing looking at her, he didn’t think anything of it.

Mu Rong Shu was aware that Wen Jing was looking at her. Whenever their eyes met, she would smile sweetly. The mountain scenery was beautiful, the morning air was fresh, and there was a handsome man, what a lovely atmosphere.

However, this peaceful mood was soon interrupted when they reached the foot of the mountain.

“My dear daughter, why did you stay overnight? I was so worried I couldn’t sleep a wink last night. I didn’t even have breakfast and came right away to pick you up!” A loud voice came from in front of Liu Ru Yan. Mu Rong Shu immediately recognized him as Liu Shi Lang, her eldest brother’s future father-in-law, and she knew she had to greet him politely.