CHAPTER 1499: CHAPTER 1506 EMPRESS DOWAGER MO’S TRANSFORMATION (1)

Having not seen each other for many days, Lady Du could not bear to let Cai Wei leave, and Cai Wei also wanted to see Dad and her younger brothers and sisters, so she stayed in Mu Mansion until Dad and her younger siblings all came back.

While Mu Zhongqing was at the Hanlin Academy, he had already heard that Cai Wei and The Emperor had returned and had rectified the government affairs, clearing out General Li and his associates. Mu Zhongqing was very happy in his heart; his son-in-law’s country was secured, and his daughter and family were safe.

Assuming his daughter would surely visit home today, he specifically asked someone to find his daughter’s confidant, Liu Xi, when she returned in the evening. Liu Xi was deeply trusted by his daughter and was the first confidant of the woman, knowing that seeing him would definitely make his daughter happy.

Liu Xi is now a teacher at the Women’s Academy, specializing in teaching the young ladies from various mansions the Arabic Arithmetic, and his teaching methods are humorous and witty, very different from those serious madams who speak only in archaic expressions, which makes him deeply loved by the young ladies. He has become a big hit at the Women’s Academy and the dream lover of many sheltered young misses who have not seen much of the world.

Of course, before this, he had already passed on the Arabic Arithmetic to Mu Zhongqing, and by The Emperor’s command, he declared that Mu Zhongqing was the founder of the Arabic Arithmetic.

Mu Zhongqing felt unworthy of receiving rewards without merit and was very ashamed. He firmly refused The Emperor’s kind intention to appoint him to the third rank; but he could not completely reject his son-in-law’s filial piety, so he reluctantly accepted the fifth rank position of a lecturer at the Hanlin Academy, tasked specifically with teaching the Arabic Arithmetic to the sons of officials.

Lady Du was also conferred the rank of the fifth-grade suitable person, thus becoming a noble lady with a title, often able to wear the attire of titled ladies to socialize. Wherever she went, even to the Prime Minister’s mansion, she would be pursued and complimented by other madams, and even the first-rank duchess had to look at her face and please her.

Lady Du, of course, knew why everyone was so respectful and polite to her, so she kept a low profile and was humble and cautious in her speech, fearing any misstep that would disgrace her daughter and hold her back.

When Liu Xi saw Cai Wei, he was very excited, but his mouth was still as venomous as ever. While greeting her, he whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Running around for so long without any news, did you elope with some man?"

Seeing Liu Xi, Cai Wei was naturally happy, and she didn’t take his sharp tongue to heart, responding in a nonchalant and low voice: "I heard you’ve been teaching at the Women’s College recently. How is it? Struggling among the flower clusters but powerless, must be quite hard to endure, right?"

Liu Xi’s mouth twitched wildly as he said with a black face in a low voice, "Can’t you stop tormenting me with this?"

Cai Wei nodded and said: "Agreed!"

As she said this, her eyes silently and absent-mindedly stared at his lower half.

Liu Xi, feeling hairy from being watched, glanced around guiltily and whispered, "Fine, you’re ruthless!" With that, he got up and cheerfully took Wen’er and Wu’er out to play.

Only Mu Zhongqing, Lady Du, and Fei’er remained in the room. Mu Zhongqing, still with a sense of relief, said: "It’s lucky you returned in time. Had you come back a day later, the entire household of Duke Li Guo’s Mansion from top to bottom would have been executed. Even though it’s over, I’ve heard that the Old Duke and his grandsons suffered quite a bit in the prison."

At this, Fei’er tightened the handkerchief in her hand, looking anxiously at Cai Wei, hoping to hear from Cai Wei that Mo Ziqi was safe.

Cai Wei said: "They’ve indeed suffered a bit but it’s nothing serious, no fatal injuries. Resting for some days will do. The Emperor has already settled them in the Blue Water Pavilion inside the Palace and has sent Court Judge Yao to treat them. Presumably, it won’t be long before they recover."