CHAPTER 1494: CHAPTER 1501: CAI LIAN’S SITUATION (2)

Duke Li Guo snorted. Although he felt it beneath his dignity to bicker with others like a petulant child, the thought of his grandchildren suffering in the past few days made him think his scolding had been too light. If only his strength had permitted, he would have rushed forward, seized that man, and given him a sound thrashing!

Upon entering the Royal study, after the grandchildren had paid their homage, all officials came forward to offer their congratulations. They congratulated them for escaping the disaster of captivity, and those ministers who had called for the annihilation of Duke Li Guo’s whole clan in ignorance now approached Duke Li Guo with trepidation, to admit their wrongs.

Duke Li Guo was magnanimous; those people had been deceived by Li Kaifeng, misled by their loyal and patriotic hearts, so he generously forgave them all.

Behind the royal desk, Nangong Yi felt a deep guilt when he saw the injuries on his maternal grandfather’s and uncles’ faces, and he hurriedly instructed Yang Yong to take them to the Blue Water Pavilion, where Doctor Xuan Yao was to visit and treat them.

Witnessing this, Cai Wei was also filled with remorse. After all, the trouble had started because of her, so she secretly asked Old Turtle for the best external wound medicine, and had it sent to the Blue Water Pavilion, hoping that they would heal quickly.

After Duke Li Guo and his grandchildren had withdrawn, Nangong Yi discussed other political affairs with the court ministers. Cai Wei did not deem it appropriate to involve herself in everything, so she quietly left the Royal study and took Chun Liu back to Mu Mansion.

It had been three months since her last visit home, and when Lady Du saw her daughter, it was as if she had received a priceless treasure from heaven. She was so excited that she was wiping away tears, blowing her nose, and crying inconsolably.

"Where have you been all this time, child? Do you have any idea how worried your mother has been? You could have at least sent a letter to ease my mind. You really don’t make things easy for me..."

Cai Wei laughed and said, "Am I not back now? Look at you, all tears and sniffles—how inauspicious!"

Lady Du hurriedly wiped away her tears, not wanting to attract bad luck, but she couldn’t help complaining. "Wasn’t I just overwhelmed with emotion? Can’t I even cry a little? You’ve been out of touch for so long, I thought something might have happened to you, and not just me but your father has been restless these past few days, unable to eat or sleep, even his toothache flared up; and Fei’er and your two younger brothers have been crying secretly several times, their eyes have been swollen for days!"

Hearing this, Cai Wei couldn’t help thinking about the dreamland of her past life she had visited a few days ago. There, when she had been reported to be in trouble, her parents’ first thoughts were not of grief or concern, but of scheming to rob her of her fortune. They bore no comparison to the parents she had here.

Reflecting on this, she felt even more that the familial love here was precious and was even more reluctant to let her parents worry about her. While playing with Little Cai Die who was lying on the kang, she casually said, "What’s there to worry about me? It’s just accompanying the Emperor to sneak out and relax, to wander around the mountains and enjoy the waters. After that’s over, naturally, I would return."

Upon hearing this, Lady Du immediately turned serious and said, "Wei’er, although it is virtuous for a woman to be gentle and humble, as a wife, when the husband is in the wrong, it’s your duty to try to dissuade him. For example, this time, the Emperor leaving urgent affairs of the Jiang Dynasty behind to go sightseeing with you is not the act of a wise monarch. As the mother of the nation, you should advise and offer remonstrances. How can you do the exact opposite? It almost led to the divine artifact being snatched by the Great General. If the officials learn of your actions, everyone will certainly label you as a disaster-bringing enchantress, a bewitching queen. The Imperial Historians would impeach you, oppose you, and consider you unworthy of the back seat..."

Cai Wei had initially told a white lie to prevent her mother from worrying, only to end up listening to a half-day long lecture that left her head buzzing. She had no choice but to sulk and say, "Mother, your daughter understands, I won’t do this again in the future!"