Chapter 1120: Alliance

If there was anyone Mu Shi listened to the most, it was naturally Shu Wanniang.

While Mu Shi would discuss matters with Mu Yangling, he naturally listened to his wife’s instructions.

Since everyone already knew, there was no need to hide it from their mother alone.

At the thought that they were going to set off the next day, Mu Yangling abandoned Qi Haoran to sleep with Shu Wanniang at night.

As the mother and daughter lay on the same bed, Shu Wanniang said with a smile, “What’s so secretive that you have to cast your husband aside to speak to me like this?”

Mu Yangling blushed. “Must I have something secretive to talk about to sleep with you? Am I not allowed to miss my mother?”

Smiling, Shu Wanniang said, “You’ve been like a little adult since you were young. Even when you were a young child, you kept clamoring to sleep by yourself. All these years, you haven’t asked to sleep by my side because you missed me. Tell me, what exactly is it? If you don’t tell me, I’m going to fall asleep.”

Mu Yangling hurriedly hugged her arm. “Mother, while I do have something to tell you, I do indeed miss you dearly. I can’t bear to leave you.”

Shu Wanniang looked at her with a faint smile.

Mu Yangling thickened her skin and said solemnly, “It’s been ten years since we parted in the capital last time. I only had a chance to meet you this time because I went on an expedition with Haoran. After leaving, I don’t know when we’ll meet again. How can I not miss you?”

Feeling a little wistful too, Shu Wanniang patted her daughter’s hand and said, “Who would have thought that the two of us would live further and further apart?”

In the past, they were only separated by the distance between the capital and Xingzhou Prefecture. Now, it had become the distance between the capital and Taiyuan. The distance could even widen in the future.

Shu Wanniang was momentarily overcome by sadness at the thought. Thinking that her daughter must have something important to tell her, she quickly asked, “Tell me, what is it? I’ll do whatever I can for you.”

Mu Yangling explained Bowen’s thoughts and said in a low voice, “I don’t think there’s anything bad about this. If he doesn’t want to be an official, so be it. In the end, being an official is just a profession and a choice.”

“How many people can think as clearly as you?” Shu Wanniang sighed. “It’s not wrong for your father to want the Mu family to prosper.”

“We’re the only branch in the Mu family. Below Father, there’s only Bosi and Bowen, and they have both made something of themselves. Besides, isn’t our family prosperous enough? As for Bosi and Bowen’s descendants, they can strive for their own future. Seeing as Father worries so much, when will he have time to enjoy his retirement with you?”

Shu Wanniang glanced at her and said in amusement, “I know you feel sorry for your younger brother. Don’t use us as an excuse. Just tell me what you want me to do.”

Seeing that her mother had no intention of objecting, Mu Yangling hugged her arm and asked, “Mother, you support Bowen too, right?”

Shu Wanniang sighed. “I can’t say that I support him. It’s just that I know that people tend to be the happiest when they can do what they like. I don’t have much expectations for you kids, only for the four of you to be safe and happy.”

“Just as you said, your father is old and can’t possibly take care of you kids all the time. I, too, don’t wish to see him so tired all the time.” Shu Wanniang couldn’t help but be a little angry when she said this. “Speaking of which, why do you keep everything from me? If you didn’t need me to speak up now, would you have waited until Bowen resigned before telling me?”

Mu Yangling said ingratiatingly, “Mother, isn’t it because Daddy has repeatedly ordered us not to make you sad? We can only let you know after getting past him.”

Shu Wanniang felt a mixture of sweetness and bitterness. Sweet, because her husband had erected a barrier to protect her; bitter, because she wasn’t able to share the burden with her husband.

Knowing what she was thinking, Mu Yangling hugged her arm and said, “Mother, Father used to say that he must have accumulated blessings over ten lifetimes to have married you. Since that’s the case, isn’t it unsurprising that he cherishes you dearly?”

Shu Wanniang blushed and couldn’t help but pinch her daughter. Mu Yangling looked at her flushed face under the light and sighed. “No wonder Father dotes on you so much. Walking beside me, others will definitely think that you’re my older sister. No, they might even think that you’re the younger sister.”

Shu Wanniang’s face turned even redder. “What nonsense are you talking about? Hurry up and sleep. Otherwise, go back to your room. This is getting more and more nonsensical.”

Mu Yangling chuckled and fell asleep with her arms wrapped around Shu Wanniang.

The next morning, they set off.

Shu Wanniang insisted on sending them to the city gate. Looking at the departing carriage, she finally couldn’t help but cry. Mu Kejia could only comfort her. “I’ll bring you to the capital to see Sister in the future, so don’t be sad. Otherwise, Sister will be sad too.”

Xiuhong also comforted her, “Maybe in two years, when Great Qi wants to take back the land that was occupied by West Xia, Cousin will come with His Highness again…”

Mu Bowen sent them to the Ten Mile Pavilion. Mu Yangling lifted the curtain and waved at him. “Go back quickly. Regardless of whether you resign or not, you’ll have to make a trip to the Ministry of Works in the capital in the future, so there’ll be plenty of chances for us to meet. Knowing Mother must be in tears now, do hurry back to comfort her.”

Mu Bowen nodded silently. Seeing that the carriage was about to move, he hurriedly rode his horse forward and said anxiously, “Sister, Yuanniang wrote to me. The doctor said that she’s pregnant with twins, so I’ve decided to wait two years before resigning. Don’t quarrel with Father because of me.”

Stunned, Mu Yangling asked, “Why would I quarrel with Father?” Then, she said in delight, “Sister-in-law is pregnant with twins too? The Shu family doesn’t have a history of twins, so this must be inherited from Father’s side. Since she’s pregnant with twins, you should hire a good doctor in advance and pay attention to her nutrition. However, don’t let her eat too much tonic…”

Mu Yangling had plenty of reminders to give. In the end, she said, “Forget it, I’ll write to you. I’ll list out all the things to take note of.”

Mu Yangling reluctantly bade farewell to her brother. After walking far away, she felt that something was wrong. “Bowen, why are you suddenly worried that I’ll quarrel with Father?”

“I was drinking with him last night. Father-in-law seemed to have asked someone to send back a letter. He probably forbade Bowen from telling you about this,” Qi Haoran explained.

“The letter I sent has reached Father?” Mu Yangling was surprised.

“No.” Qi Haoran calculated the time it took and finally guessed. “Bowen has been coming home recently. Since even Kejia knows that he wants to resign, those stewards must also know about it. Since Father-in-law left some of his men in the residence, he will naturally know about this…” That must be why he specially sent a letter to warn Mu Bowen, right?

Mu Yangling’s expression was a little ugly. “Is Father’s relationship with Bowen that bad?”

Qi Haoran hugged her comfortingly and said, “It might not be that bad. Don’t think too negatively. Although I only met Father-in-law twice in the army, his sentiments for you haven’t changed much. Since that’s the case, I reckon he’s still a kind father towards Bowen.”

Mu Yangling said sadly, “You don’t understand. The relationship between Father and Bowen is different from ordinary fathers and sons. When Bowen was young, Father was away from home for many years. I was the one who brought up Bowen. When I got married, Bowen was already able to take care of the family. Father educated him mostly through me, so if they can’t communicate well, there will definitely be a rift between them.”

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