Chapter 12: Mu Xiaomin Invites [Us] to the Temple to Pray for Blessings

“Alright! This time I'll have Nanny Ye pick someone more capable for you; she certainly won't be like Xiao Zi.”

*That's right! You do need to pick someone more capable, so they can actually get things done for you! If you pick someone as stupid as Xiao Zi again, wouldn't that just be a waste of your efforts?*

“Exactly, exactly. Only Auntie is good to me.” This time, Concubine Liu did not stay long before leaving. She was probably trying to find a way to win Father back again!

And Huan'er returned right at noon; her efficiency was truly beyond reproach!

“Eldest Miss, everything you instructed has been handled.”

“Mm. Have you eaten yet?”

“I just had a quick bite outside.” *It seems Eldest Miss really is different. She never used to care about the servants. I must protect her well from now on,* Huan'er decided in her heart.

“Did Guo Xiaoren say anything? Did he agree?”

“The moment I mentioned it, he agreed. He even said thank you to Eldest Miss and hoped you could take good care of his sister and grandmother. He said he will definitely return very soon.”

“That's good. From now on, his family's affairs will be entrusted to you. Remember to act with caution; if anything happens, find me immediately.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Alright, go and rest! I want to rest for a bit, so do not let anyone disturb me.” Just as Huan'er was about to withdraw, an uninvited guest arrived.

“Is Sister feeling better? Did I disturb you, Sister?”

Hearing the newcomer's voice, Mu Xiaoxue rolled her eyes. *Coming at a time like this—do you really think you aren't disturbing anyone? I didn't sleep well last night and was just about to rest.*

“Ah!!! What happened to Sister? Why do your eyes look like a giant panda's?”

“I didn't sleep well last night! I dreamed of my mother.” As soon as Mu Xiaoxue mentioned her mother, she could clearly feel Mu Xiaomin's body tremble, a flash of panic crossing her eyes. *How strange...*

“Big Sister, how could you dream of Madam? What did you dream about!”

Mu Xiaoxue really didn't want to say much to Mu Xiaomin, so she just gave a few perfunctory replies. “It was nothing! Does Sister have any business visiting me today?”

“It's nothing much. I just thought that since Sister survived such a great disaster this time, it must be the protection of the gods and Buddhas. So, I wanted to invite you to go to the temple tomorrow to pray for blessings.”

*I think the praying for blessings is a pretext; she must be plotting something wicked again! Fine, I'll see what you two can do tomorrow.*

“Fine. It has been a while since I've left the manor, so let's go!”

“Then I won't disturb Sister's rest any longer. I'll take my leave.”

“Oh, right. Sister, Crown Prince Brother will be there tomorrow too! You must dress up beautifully.”

“Crown Prince Brother is going too! Then I will definitely dress up well tomorrow.” *I don't even know how much contempt Mu Xiaoxue felt when she said that. It's truly disgusting!*

“Eldest Miss, there might be a problem here. Perhaps it's better not to go tomorrow!” Huan'er only spoke up after Mu Xiaomin had left.

“But if you think I escaped this time, what about the next time, or the time after that? Running away is not the solution; I must face it. You will come with me tomorrow. Be careful in your actions.”

“Yes, Eldest Miss. Then I shall withdraw.”

Because Mu Xiaoxue had come to terms with certain things, she actually slept quite well during her midday nap. Concubine Liu was also quick; not long after Mu Xiaoxue woke up, Huan'er announced that Nanny Feng and the newly selected maidservants had arrived.

“Eldest Miss, the new maidservants and Nanny Feng have arrived.”

“Let them in!”

“Greetings, Eldest Miss,” the three said in unison.

“Rise.”

“I don't even have a wet nurse or anything by my side. Nanny Feng, you shall stay by my side from now on! You are an old hand here, so make sure to properly train the girls in the garden. Don't let another Xiao Zi appear.”

Hearing Mu Xiaoxue say this, the other two maidservants exchanged glances.

“Yes, I will certainly train them well.”

“What are your names, and what can you do?”

“This servant is Lan'er. I can make various kinds of pastries.”

“This servant is Xiao Hong. I am skilled in needlework and dressing up.”

“Very well. Lan'er, you will be responsible for my meals from now on. Xiao Hong, you will be responsible for needlework. Teach that previous girl more; look at the clothes she made for me!”

Mu Xiaoxue deliberately ignored Xiao Hong's mention of dressing up. After all, they were people sent by Concubine Liu; she couldn't keep them too close.

“Alright, you two may withdraw! Nanny Feng, stay. I have matters to discuss.”

“Yes, this servant takes her leave,” the two said in unison as they withdrew.

“Nanny, Huan'er, come sit. I have something to discuss with you.”

The two looked at each other. “This servant does not dare.”

“Enough. In the future, when there are no outsiders, do not keep bowing and scraping, and stop constantly calling yourselves 'this servant.' Right now, you two are the only ones I can trust.”

Seeing Mu Xiaoxue speak this way, the two said nothing more. What more could one ask for when meeting such a master? *I think if it were before, they certainly wouldn't have spoken like this! I suppose I should thank that fall down the stairs! (Is this how you write? 'A good fall'? Try falling once and show me!)*

“Nanny, my second sister invited me to the temple to pray for blessings tomorrow, and I accepted. Tomorrow, I will have Lan'er and Huan'er go with me. You stay behind and keep a close eye on the servants and maids in the garden. We must eliminate Concubine Liu's spies in the shortest time possible.”

“But... I am worried they might have ill intentions toward you tomorrow!”

“Don't worry! Don't worry! Don't I have Huan'er?”

“That's right! Nanny, please rest assured. I will certainly protect Eldest Miss's safety.”

“Nanny, I will take Xiao Lan with me tomorrow. Xiao Hong, you must be extra vigilant, but do not let her realize that we suspect her.”

“Yes, this servant... uh, I understand.”

Early the next morning, Huan'er was dressing Mu Xiaoxue following the same routine Xiao Zi used to. One could only wonder how much courage Mu Xiaoxue had to use to eat breakfast in front of Lan'er and Xiao Hong with a face that looked neither quite human nor quite ghost-like.

When Mu Xiaoxue arrived at the main gate, Mu Xiaomin was already waiting there. It seemed she had put quite a bit of effort into her appearance today! If the two stood together, any observant person would choose Mu Xiaomin!

“Big Sister is here! You look so beautiful today! Crown Prince Brother will surely like it when he sees you.”

“Oh, is that so? I think Second Sister looks quite good today as well! Crown Prince Brother will surely like you too!”

“Of course...” Mu Xiaomin was so confident she almost misspoke.

“Of course what?”

“Of course, Crown Prince Brother still likes Big Sister a bit more!” *'More'—that means the Crown Prince likes you too!*

It seemed there were rumors that the Crown Prince liked Mu Xiaomin a bit more, and some even believed the one with the true destiny should have been Mu Xiaomin. It was only because the Empress kept suppressing him that the Crown Prince had not broken off the engagement. Mu Xiaoxue remembered hearing those two maidservants talking about it once and even beating them to death.

“Why don't I see Crown Prince Brother?” Mu Xiaoxue deliberately nudged Mu Xiaomin, causing her to nearly fall. Fortunately, the maidservant beside her caught her. Seeing her look so frustrated and unable to vent, Mu Xiaoxue's mood improved greatly.

“Big Sister, don't be in such a hurry. Crown Prince Brother said he would meet us at the entrance of Gan'en Temple.”

“Sigh! How boring. Why has Crown Prince Brother become like this?” Mu Xiaoxue feigned displeasure.

“Alright, Big Sister, let's go! Otherwise, it might get too late.”