Nangong Muyan returned to the Prime Minister's Mansion with Li Jiu and Jin Hui, heading to the main courtyard as usual to have dinner with Luo Siyi.
However, just as she stepped into the courtyard today, a figure darted over with lightning speed, joyfully calling out "Yan'er," followed by hearty laughter as he pulled Nangong Muyan into a tight embrace.
This must be Nangong Chenfeng, she thought to herself as she nestled obediently in his arms.
"Hey, Chenfeng, Yan'er, come inside to talk. Don't just stand out here," called Luo Siyi as she walked out, watching the embracing siblings with a gentle smile.
Nangong Muyan wiggled free from Nangong Chenfeng's embrace and said with a smile, "Brother, let's go inside."
"Alright!"
Nangong Chenfeng laughed heartily, grabbing Nangong Muyan's wrist as he walked inside. Passing by Luo Siyi, he wrapped his other arm around her, leading them both forward.
Inside, Nangong Ya was pouring wine when he saw his son walking in with one hand holding his sister and the other arm around their mother. His eyes suddenly grew warm – their family of four was finally reunited after three years.
"Chenfeng, come sit next to Father. Today, we father and son shall drink together!" Nangong Ya set down the wine cup with a sharp clap.
"Hahaha... Father, you can't outdrink me!"
Nangong Chenfeng swept aside his robes and sat next to Nangong Ya. Before anyone could speak, he picked up his wine cup and drained it in one go. "Father, Mother, your son has been away from home for three years, unable to fulfill his filial duties. This cup is to beg your forgiveness!"
"Silly child, why say such things?"
Tears welled up in Luo Siyi's eyes as she listened. Looking at her son who had spent three years toughening up at the border, seeing how his once fair face had become weathered and resolute, feelings of heartache, contentment, and pride burst forth from her heart all at once.
Nangong Muyan ate quietly without speaking, knowing she had no part to play in this scene – she just needed to focus on eating.
"How long will you stay this time?" Nangong Ya asked.
"I'll leave about ten to fifteen days after Yan'er's wedding."
Nangong Ya nodded, "So about three months then."
"You were at Xiyu Pass just a few days ago. By rights, you shouldn't have arrived until the day after tomorrow. How did you get here two days early?"
"The day after tomorrow is Yan'er's eighteenth birthday. I wanted to get back early, so I traveled day and night, riding hard without rest."
Hearing this, Nangong Muyan looked up from her bowl and glanced at Nangong Chenfeng, noting the dark circles under his eyes and the bloodshot look that confirmed his words.
A chicken leg appeared in Nangong Chenfeng's bowl. He turned to look as Nangong Muyan said with a grin, "Brother, you must be tired from your journey. Get some good sleep after dinner."
Nangong Chenfeng was visibly moved. He reached out to pinch her cheek, his voice full of emotion: "Ah, Yan'er has grown into a young lady, becoming more and more thoughtful."
"More than just a young lady – she's about to become a mother," Luo Siyi gave Nangong Muyan a reproachful look, sighing as she thought of all the outrageous things she had done.
"Hahaha... Then I'm going to be an uncle, how wonderful!"
Nangong Chenfeng had already learned about this from Nangong Ya's letters. He had no particular thoughts about it, just pure joy.
"It's a shame I won't be able to see my nephew's birth," Nangong Chenfeng said regretfully.
"You'll have plenty of chances to see him," Nangong Muyan replied with a smile, then smoothly redirected the conversation to her brother: "Brother, you're not getting any younger. When are you going to find me a sister-in-law?"
Nangong Chenfeng's expression changed as three pairs of eyes turned to him simultaneously.
"Yan'er is right. Chenfeng, you're not young anymore. You should think about finding a suitable girl," Luo Siyi advised earnestly.
Nangong Ya quickly chimed in, "When I was your age, I had already been married to your mother for three years..."
Nangong Muyan watched this marriage-pushing drama with great amusement. After finishing her bowl of rice, she announced "I'm going to bed" and left with a smile, leaving Nangong Chenfeng to deal with the situation himself.
After washing up and lying in bed, Nangong Muyan thought about her upcoming birthday.
She had heard from Luo Siyi long ago that her birthday would be celebrated within the mansion, with few outsiders attending. Besides the people from the Prime Minister's Mansion, only a few relatives from the Luo Family would come.
Nangong Muyan smiled silently at the bed canopy above her. There was one more person she wanted to invite personally, and she planned to shamelessly ask for a birthday gift too.
"Zhou Yi," in the accounting room of Jun Yue Restaurant, Nangong Muyan leaned over the desk, her eyes filled with unconscious anticipation, "Tomorrow is my birthday. Will you come to the mansion?"
"No," Zhou Yi answered without looking up, "According to Great Liang's etiquette, a man shouldn't enter a woman's home three months before marriage to protect her reputation."
"What reputation is there left between us?" Nangong Muyan asked in genuine surprise.
Zhou Yi's hand paused on the abacus, then continued as if nothing had happened: "Some customs should still be observed, otherwise it would damage the reputation of your Prime Minister's Mansion."
A brief silence fell over the room as Nangong Muyan quickly considered whether to use force or gentle persuasion. After a moment, she chose the latter.
"Zhou Yi, please come..."
A hand touched Zhou Yi's face as a soft, gentle voice sounded in his ear. Zhou Yi looked up in alarm to find Nangong Muyan's slightly pleading eyes.
Those watery eyes stared at him unblinkingly, as if nothing else in the world mattered but him.
"Zhou Yi, please come, it's fine, my parents won't mind, our whole family would be so happy..."
The hand on his face caressed him as if touching a priceless treasure, her soft warm fingertips brushing against his cheek. Combined with those speaking eyes and the slightly doleful tone in his ear, Zhou Yi felt bewitched in that moment and inexplicably nodded, saying "Alright."
Almost the instant he spoke, those moist eyes exploded with overwhelming joy, and if one looked carefully, there was a hint of triumphant satisfaction in them.
This man really responds better to gentleness than force.
Wait, no – force works too! It just tends to get me called a "bastard" and isn't as effective as being gentle.
As these random thoughts ran through Nangong Muyan's mind, her lips curved up high: "You promised yourself."
Although he had a distinct feeling of being tricked, the words were already spoken, so there was no use overthinking it. Zhou Yi simply nodded in agreement: "Don't worry, I'll come."
"Will you bring me a birthday gift?" Nangong Muyan pressed her advantage.
"Yes, yes," Zhou Yi nodded along, and seeing her beaming face, pointed to the bed behind her: "Go rest now, I'll call you when it's time to eat."
"Alright!" Nangong Muyan climbed onto the bed contentedly, unable to suppress her smile.
Zhou Yi glanced over and sighed internally.
Because of that bed, he had nearly been labeled a dissolute rake by both his parents yesterday. Fortunately, everything was explained clearly in the end.
Though his father's slap had been quite heavy, and his mother's kick had left a bruise on his leg.
Ah...
While working on the accounts, Zhou Yi thought to himself that he and Nangong Muyan must have conflicting zodiac signs. Yet somehow, when his mother had taken their birth dates to a master for compatibility reading, the man had declared them a match made in heaven, perfectly suited for each other.
He must have been lying through his teeth for that bit of silver!
The day passed quickly, and with her goal accomplished, Nangong Muyan was in high spirits without any mischievous thoughts. She even decided to leave after lunch without waiting for Li Jiu and Jin Hui to escort her, wanting to give Zhou Yi time to prepare her gift.
Although it was broad daylight in the capital, one couldn't be too careful. Zhou Yi, worried about her safety, still arranged for two sturdy waiters to escort her home.
Both Luo Siyi and Nangong Chenfeng were surprised to see Nangong Muyan return so early.
"Yan'er, why are you back so early today? You haven't quarreled with Zhou Yi, have you?"
Luo Siyi asked worriedly, as this was now her biggest concern.
"No, no," Nangong Muyan quickly responded, afraid they might misunderstand. She launched into an exaggerated explanation: "We're deeply in love, as close as can be, how could we quarrel?"
Luo Siyi's expression froze as she gave Nangong Muyan a long, skeptical look, clearly not believing a word.
Nangong Chenfeng, unaware of all these inner circumstances, laughed heartily and said, "I'm relieved to see your relationship is so harmonious. Yan, I was just telling mother that I would go to Jun Yue Restaurant to pick you up instead of Li Jiu and Jin Hui, and take the opportunity to see my brother-in-law. I didn't expect you'd return by yourself, haha..."
Nangong Muyan smoothly continued the conversation: "Brother, no need to rush. I've already invited him to come tomorrow."
"Yan?" Luo Siyi frowned upon hearing this: "That doesn't seem quite proper..."
"Mother~" Nangong Muyan whined in a coquettish tone, "Then it's also improper for me to visit him every day."
"If no one from the Luo Family comes tomorrow and Zhou Yi visits you, I would be delighted and wouldn't have any objections. But your grandmother and two uncles are very traditional people who strictly follow etiquette. I'm worried..."
So it was because of the Luo Family.
Contempt flashed across Nangong Muyan's eyes before she consoled Luo Siyi: "Mother, this is the Prime Minister's Mansion, this is the Nangong family's home. The Luo Family members are guests here. If they dare to criticize me to my face so tactlessly, I'll throw them out one by one."
"But..."
"Mother, I think Yan makes sense," Nangong Chenfeng chimed in to help: "Among the Luo Family, only grandmother truly wants to see her granddaughter. You know very well what the others' intentions are in coming to the Prime Minister's Mansion. Why should we care about the opinions of such insignificant people?"
Luo Siyi thought of her two brothers, how they sent dancing girls to Nangong Ya seeking promotions, and how her elder brother even wanted to arrange his daughter's marriage to Nangong Chenfeng. Disappointment and disgust flashed across her face. If it weren't for her mother's favoritism toward her sons, she wouldn't want anything to do with her two brothers.
"You're both right," Luo Siyi finally understood, holding Nangong Muyan's hand with a smile, "Zhou Yi is my son-in-law, and it's natural for him to come on my daughter's birthday. Tomorrow, if anyone dares to object, Chenfeng, you throw them out!"
"That's more like it!" Nangong Chenfeng clapped and laughed.
Nangong Muyan had never had any particular yearning for "birthdays" because previously, no one remembered or cared, even she would forget.
This was the first proper birthday celebration she would have in her two lifetimes.
The mansion had been undergoing thorough cleaning since yesterday. Maids and servants were busy trimming plum blossoms, pulling weeds, sweeping fallen leaves, and wiping furniture... Kitchen staff had risen early to prepare ingredients, wash and cut vegetables, prepare dishes, make soup, and knead dough...
Nangong Muyan found Old Zhong, who was directing the workers, and earnestly instructed: "Butler Zhong, when Zhou Yi arrives, remember to send someone to notify me immediately."
"Yes!"
"Even if he comes with the Luo Family members, you must attend to him first, understand?" Nangong Muyan added.
"Rest assured, young miss. I've noted it down and won't slight the young master in the slightest!" Old Zhong solemnly promised.
After Nangong Muyan walked away, Li Jiu, who had overheard their entire conversation, approached and marveled at her retreating figure: "Our young miss is truly devoted to the young master!"
Old Zhong, who couldn't stand idle people now, immediately assigned him a task: "Less idle talk, go polish the plaque above the main gate."
"Oh." As Li Jiu left with his assigned task, Old Zhong called a servant to keep watch outside the main gate.
Zhou Yi arrived at the Prime Minister's Mansion around mid-morning. As soon as he approached, a servant came forward from afar to respectfully greet him as "young master."
Zhou Yi nodded, and the servant quickly ran back through the main gate. Soon after, the mansion's butler came out to welcome him, his face wrinkled with smiles: "Young master, you've arrived. Please come in, please come in."
Zhou Yi felt somewhat overwhelmed by the reception. Just then, two spacious carriages stopped at the entrance, their walls decorated with red rosewood strips forming the character "Luo," making the occupants' identity immediately apparent.
"Butler Zhong, please attend to the others. Don't worry about me."
Zhou Yi knew that the Luo Family was Nangong Muyan's maternal grandfather's family, and they were officials who should rightfully be received by Old Zhong, the butler.
As a mere merchant himself, he wasn't particular about such formalities; any servant could show him the way.
However, Old Zhong beckoned to several servants by the door while staying close behind Zhou Yi, taking the opportunity to convey Nangong Muyan's intentions: "Young master, the young miss specifically instructed that among all guests, you are the most honored."
Zhou Yi was startled by these words.
Old Zhong continued cheerfully: "I've already sent someone to inform the young miss. She should come to welcome you personally."
Catching a glimpse of a figure rushing over from the corner of his eye, Old Zhong stroked his beard with a smile and bowed to Zhou Yi: "The beauty approaches. I shall take my leave now."
"Zhou Yi!"
A clear, crisp voice called from behind.
Zhou Yi turned around to see Nangong Muyan running toward him, holding up her skirts, her face adorned with a bright smile like the morning sun rising on this mild spring day.
"Slow down!"
Zhou Yi watched her anxiously, walking quickly toward her, and only breathed a sigh of relief when Nangong Muyan stood properly before him.
"Why are you running so fast?" Zhou Yi's tone was somewhat reproachful - how could a pregnant woman be so careless?
Nangong Muyan replied without hesitation: "Because I wanted to see you quickly."