PNB Chapter 32 The eldest son, Su Mobai
Chapter 32 The eldest son, Su Mobai
Su Mowan took the jade pendant, walked to the well platform, and washed it clean.
She smiled with satisfaction.
"Alright, let's go. The food is almost ready. If we go any later, there won't be any good dishes left."
Qinghe chuckled and followed, while Yinshuang had been looking solemn ever since she saw the jade pendant.
When the three of them arrived at the flower hall in the front yard, they could hear Su Liushi's laughter from afar.
The maid standing outside the flower hall was very perceptive and immediately called out into the flower hall, "The Second Miss has arrived."
Su Yuandao's smile faltered for a moment, but Su Liushi's expression remained unchanged as she continued to greet Murong Jin, her precious son-in-law.
Once Su Mowan stepped inside, Murong Jin ignored Su Liushi and looked directly at her.
Su Huayue twisted the handkerchief in her hand and glared at Su Mowan.
Ignoring everyone's expressions, Su Mowan glanced around and found an empty chair to sit down: "Father, why isn't my eldest brother here?"
Su Liushi looked very unwell.
Su Mowan should at least greet her stepmother before going in! How dare she show such disrespect to the Prince of Chu in front of him!
"Mo Wan, your elder brother is at the Qihengshan camp outside the capital. He won't be back until tonight."
As Su Liu spoke, she forced a 'virtuous wife and loving mother' smile, then frowned at Su Yuandao and said, "General, really, today is the day Huayue and Mowan return home, why didn't you tell Mobai to come back earlier! It would be good for them to keep the Prince of Chu company, we women can't get a word in edgewise."
Su Yuandao chuckled twice and said to Murong Jin, "This was my oversight. Someone, go to the camp and bring the young master back!"
Murong Jin quickly said, "General, there's no need for that. Minister Su naturally has things to attend to. Military affairs are of utmost importance, so let's not delay."
Su Huayue chimed in, "Yes, Father. My elder brother just returned from Jiangnan. He's been delayed in the army for so long. The Prince is one of our own, so there's no need to trouble him like this."
Su Mowan watched the family of three drinking and chatting, then pouted and said, "I wonder where Second Brother went?"
Su Huayue quickly replied, "Second brother will be back soon. I thought my little sister would go looking for eldest brother as soon as she got back. I forgot that there was a second brother!"
The flower hall suddenly turned cold.
Su Yuandao frowned slightly, while Su Liushi glared at Su Huayue.
Su Huayue's eyes darted around, and she smiled, "By the way, why did you come back alone, little sister? Why didn't His Highness Prince Qin come with you?"
"Yes, why didn't His Highness the Prince of Qin come?"
Su Liu asked in turn.
Su Mowan smiled faintly.
“Hua Yue is the primary consort, so naturally His Highness Prince Chu will accompany her. But I am just a secondary consort… Moreover, there is another secondary consort in the Prince Qin’s residence. His Highness Prince Qin is all alone; he can’t be split in two, can he? Besides, Consort Shen is the primary daughter of the Left Prime Minister’s residence, so His Highness Prince Qin should accompany Consort Shen back.”
After saying that, he picked up his teacup and took a sip, looking quite relaxed and accepting of the situation.
In Murong Jin's eyes, it carried a hint of grievance.
He frowned slightly, but said nothing.
Su Liu was taken aback for a moment, then forced a smile: "That may be true, but how is our General's Mansion inferior to the Prime Minister's Mansion? Even if His Highness Prince Qin is going to the Prime Minister's Mansion, he should at least come to our General's Mansion for a cup of tea before leaving!"
Su Yuandao glared at Su Liushi secretly: "Women, don't talk nonsense!"
Just then, a servant outside shouted.
"General, the eldest son has returned!"
Su Mowan tugged at her sleeves and looked out of the flower hall.
A figure dressed in snow-white slowly approached. Tall and slender, with graceful movements, her excessively beautiful face had a somewhat effeminate quality, and a faint smile graced her lips.
The white-clad figure entered the room unhurriedly, first bowing politely to Murong Jin: "Your Highness, Prince Chu."
Murong Jin returned a gentle and refined smile.
"Young Master Su, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat."
Su Mobai smiled and greeted Su Yuandao and Su Liushi again, without glancing at Su Mowan once.
A short while later, Su Ruofeng also returned.
He pulled Su Mowan towards the flower hall.
Su Mobai called out to the two of them, "Don't go too far. I have something to say to Mo Wan in a little while."
Su Mowan's heart skipped a beat, but Su Ruofeng waved his hand impatiently: "Okay, okay, we'll be right back!"
After leaving the courtyard, we entered the second courtyard.
"Mo Wan, are you alright?"
Su Ruofeng said, looking at her apologetically.
Su Mowan shrugged and spread her hands: "Does Second Brother think I have something on my mind?"
"I'm sorry, Second Brother didn't think things through that day—"
"Second brother, don't say that. I know you tried your best, but you couldn't beat eldest brother's skills. It's all fate."
Su Mowan sighed.
Su Ruofeng was also somewhat discouraged.
"I really don't know how my brother did it, I was so careful..."
As he spoke, he glanced at Su Mowan cautiously: "Mowan, how are you doing at the Prince Qin's residence?"
Su Mowan smiled comfortably.
"It's great. People take care of my food and clothing, and I can sleep all day long. It couldn't be more comfortable."
"Really?"
"Why did I lie to you?"
Su Ruofeng frowned and lowered her voice, saying, "I just saw the Prince of Qin's carriage at the end of Zhuque Street. It was clearly heading towards the Left Prime Minister's residence!"
Su Mowan found it amusing.
"What's the big deal? Why don't you mention that the King of Qin asked me to bring back something to the General's Mansion? Also, the Deputy Commander of the Snow Shadow Guard came along."
"The deputy commander of the Snow Shadow Guard?!"
Su Ruofeng was indeed stunned.
Just then, a maid entered the courtyard and said from afar, "Second Miss, the eldest young master wants you to go to the west courtyard."
Over there, Madam Su Liu and Su Yuandao left the flower hall and began to speak in hushed tones.
"General, this is extremely bad! The old nanny who accompanied Mo Wan is an old woman sent from the Empress's side!"
Su Yuandao frowned: "Absolutely true?"
"Oh dear! How could this be fake! The maid just came to say that I rushed out to greet her, but that old woman coldly put down her things and left. Her attitude was impeccable! What should we do with such neglect? What if she goes back and tells Her Majesty the Empress..."
Su Liu was so flustered that she was completely at a loss, and her handkerchief was crumpled in her anxiety.
Su Yuandao's face darkened.
"Don't panic, I'll talk to Wan'er about it, there shouldn't be any major problems!"
Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, Su Liushi remembered something else: "General, what is the position of the deputy commander of the Snow Shadow Guard?"
"Where is the deputy commander of the Snow Shadow Guard?"
Su Yuandao's eyes widened.
Su Liu was taken aback, then said awkwardly, "It was the one who was responsible for escorting Mo Wan here; she just left."
Su Yuandao's expression changed, and he immediately rebuked, "Foolish! What kind of person are you, the mistress of the house! Do you know how important that person's identity is? He is His Highness Prince Qin's trusted general!"
A trusted general?
Su Liushi's heart skipped a beat.
"But the person is already gone! What can we do?"
Su Yuandao's face darkened: "If His Highness Prince Qin finds out that our General's Mansion has been so negligent, we'll be in trouble!"