Chapter 1561: Chapter 1568: Going into Labor (3)
Nowadays, the Auxiliary Duke’s Madam finally got to meet the Empress Dowager. Yet, seeing the Empress Dowager dismiss her with bland and indifferent words sparked both fear and unease in her heart. She fretted while also pondering ways to move the Empress Dowager emotionally.
At today’s birthday banquet of Duke Li Guo, the entire Mu Family had come. Even little Cai Die was carried over, charming everyone and bringing laughter through her playful antics.
However, Wen’er was already eight years old and could no longer share a table in the backyard with the ladies and misses. As a result, in the backyard, Cai Wei only saw her mother, Wu’er, and Cai Die.
After seating, Cai Wei had Fei’er hold Cai Die and sit beside her. The two sisters ate, watched the play, and exchanged whispered personal sentiments.
Since marrying, Fei’er’s demeanor had changed considerably compared to when she lived at her parents’ house. Not only was she more beautiful now, but she had also become much more articulate, evidently a result of Mo Ziqi’s influence and guidance.
"Fei’er, how are you doing in Duke Li Guo’s Mansion? Is everyone treating you well? How does Ziqi treat you?"
Fei’er replied, "Older sister, don’t worry. Everyone is quite kind to me, except for Mo Ziqi, who is terribly obnoxious and constantly bullies me."
Cai Wei grew slightly tense and asked, "How... is he bullying you?"
Fei’er indignantly said, "He keeps forcing me to memorize poems, practice calligraphy, and even insists on teaching me horse-riding. Now, for the past two days, he’s been pressuring me to learn martial arts. Truly unbearable!"
Relieved upon understanding this kind of "bullying," Cai Wei’s heart calmed down, the concern that gripped her dissipating. As long as it wasn’t the kind of "bullying" she had feared, she could relax. In fact, Mo Ziqi’s actions weren’t bullying at all but simply a manifestation of his love for her.
A man who takes so much effort to guide her simply hopes she can improve and grow alongside him. It’s a unique form of affection from him, though Fei’er, still young, has yet to understand it.
Meanwhile, Madam Wu and Lady Du were engrossed in an animated conversation. Madam Wu was full of praise for Fei’er, her daughter-in-law, showing off the outfit she was wearing—which was made by Fei’er herself.
Her unabashed display of happiness inevitably drew admiration and compliments from the noble ladies present. Everyone lauded Fei’er’s skillfulness, thoughtful dedication, and filial respect. Although Madam Wu humbly deflected their praise, her glowing expression betrayed her pride.
In contrast, Second Lady Bai appeared much more despondent. She too had once had a daughter-in-law to flaunt, but thanks to Mo Zili’s reckless actions, she now had nothing. Perhaps she could have had grandchildren to boast about by now, but in reality, she was left with nothing—not even her son, whom she had been tricked into bringing back under the pretense of Mo Qingshan’s critical illness.
Even after being deceived into returning home, her son remained stubborn. He adamantly refused to agree to marriage, nor did he plan to stay in Great Jin. He openly stated that he would leave as soon as his grandfather’s birthday passed.
Lady Bai and Mo Qingshan had been worn down completely by Mo Zili’s antics. He was their only child—their pride and joy, treasured like a gem in their hearts. For the months he was away from them, the couple ate without appetite, slept poorly, and wasted away to resemble two human "paper dolls." Now that they had finally managed to lure him back, they swore that no matter what, they would not let him leave again.
Be it through coercion or restraint, even if it required them both kneeling in front of him and begging, they were determined to make him stay—with them, at home, without roaming any further.
As for arranging a marriage for him, they had already discussed it with him several times. But Mo Zili’s resolve was unwavering—no matter what they said, he adamantly refused to marry. For, in his view, if he were to wed, then years later if Xiang Yun fell out of favor, she would never be able to return to him.
Their attempts to find a woman resembling Xiang Yun to console him in her absence were met with even fiercer opposition. Not only did he reject the idea of marriage entirely, but he was emphatic that he would never choose someone who resembled Xiang Yun. For in this world, there was only one Xiang Yun. No one could replace her. The rest—any supposed "replacements"—would do nothing but cause him pain and remind him of what he had lost.