Commandery Princess Dongyang, by nature, was always carefree and easy-going. Although she had been quite unhappy because of Mu Shaolingâs affair, she spent her days in Mianyang cheerfully, especially with Little Yangyang; the big and the small played together with such joy.
An entire season had passed amidst their laughter and cheerful chatter.
Mu Shaoling arrived in Mianyang on the tenth day of the first lunar month.
Ever since he learned that Commandery Princess Dongyang had left Capital City, it wasnât long before he got his affairs in order and followed her. He didnât receive any letters from Ye Ziâan; he simply had people shadowing Dongyang, so when he found out that Commandery Princess Dongyang was heading to Mianyang, he didnât rush to follow her.
"Well, if it isnât our great Physician Mu! What brings you to visit our Mianyang today?" Ye Ziâanâs barbs sprang up when he saw Mu Shaoling arrive.
Of course, his displeasure wasnât due to Mu Shaolingâs feelings for Yang Chuxia, but because Mu Shaolingâs actions had driven away his wife, leaving him, the husband who didnât flee, often unable to share a bed with her.
It turned out that during these days in Mianyang, Commandery Princess Dongyang often whisked Yang Chuxia away to sleep together, and during the day, she frequently engaged Yang Chuxia in long conversations, leaving him looking for opportunities to do some naughty things with his wife.
"Why, arenât I welcome?" Mu Shaoling glanced coldly at him and huffed, "Youâd best not say Iâm not welcome, or I canât guarantee I wonât silence you with poison."
"Tsk tsk, havenât seen each other in a couple of years, and the divine physician turns into a poison doctor, thatâs quite a dramatic change." While their words were unceremoniously blunt, they still greeted each other with an embrace when they met up close.
"Heard youâve been doing quite well for yourself in Mianyang," Mu Shaoling remarked as they entered the yard.
Walking through Mianyang County, he had overheard much praise from the civilians for the young County Magistrate, and Mu Shaoling was genuinely happy for his friend.
"Itâs not as much as you describe; things are just getting started."
"Seems like Iâll be seeing you in Capital City soon."
"Mu Shaoling, long time no see!" Hearing that Mu Shaoling had come, Yang Chuxia came out to greet him with two children.
It had been more than a year since Mu Shaoling last saw Yang Chuxia and the two children, but so much had happened in that time. Now, seeing Yang Chuxia again, he felt a touch of complexity in his heart, just a touch, which quickly vanished upon not seeing someone familiar.
"Where is she?"
Knowing who he was asking about, Yang Chuxia pursed her lips and smiled, sensing his urgency, perhaps there really was a hidden affair.
"They went to Linshan Temple together with Linyu, donât worry, Ye Yi and the others went along with them," she assured him.
Mu Shaoling simply nodded his head.
Yangyang, fearless of strangers, was undaunted even by Mu Shaolingâs stern face, and ran up to him exclaiming, "So pretty, so pretty."
Yang Chuxia and Ye Ziâan couldnât help but laugh at this.
Mu Shaolingâs face twitched at the comment; no one had ever dared call him pretty to his face. Bending down, he picked up Yangyang, "Iâm pretty?"
"Pretty, pretty!" Yangyang nodded vigorously and even reached out to touch Mu Shaolingâs face.
Mu Shaolingâs face was full of black lines, "Ye Ziâan, from where did you procure a lascivious son who loves beauty at such a young age?"
"Heâs naturally born that way." Ye Ziâan replied, not even bothering to lift his eyelids, then followed up, "Heard youâre about to have a son too?"
"Youâre starting with interrogations the moment I arrive?" Mu Shaoling glared at him and strode towards the house.