Chapter 620 - 623: Triumphant Return

Chapter 620: Chapter 623: Triumphant Return

That night, Hua Manman and Yue Niang both drank a lot of wine.

The two of them were hopelessly drunk.

In the end, a maid had to come and help Hua Manman back to her room.

When she woke up the next morning, Hua Manman immediately felt the consequences of a hangover.

Her head felt like it was splitting open, and her body was sore and weak. She lay on the bed for a long time, unable to get up.

Little Flower the cat slipped in through the window, a small dried fish in its mouth.

It sat down by the bed, lowered its head to put down the dried fish, and meowed at Hua Manman.

’You lazy woman, the sun’s on your butt and you’re still not up?!’

Hua Manman struggled to sit up. Looking at the dried fish, she said,

"Did you bring this for my breakfast? You’re too kind."

She reached for the dried fish, but Little Flower quickly snatched it back up, turned, and leaped to the floor.

It let out an angry roar.

MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!

’You cunning, greedy human! How dare you covet my dried fish?’

’I went through so much trouble to steal this snack from the kitchen. Don’t you even think about touching it!’

Hua Manman didn’t actually want to eat the dried fish; she just wanted to tease the gluttonous cat.

She rubbed her temples and called for someone to bring her a bowl of hangover soup.

After drinking the soup, she felt a little better and finally had the energy to ask about Yue Niang.

Little Flower gobbled up the dried fish in one bite.

While licking its paws, still wanting more, it said nonchalantly,

"Yue Niang got up this morning and didn’t mention leaving again. I’ll give it to you. You managed to coax her into staying."

Hua Manman relaxed a little.

After washing up, she went out to find Yue Niang.

Coincidentally, Yue Niang was also on her way to find her, and they ran into each other on the path.

So, the two of them stood under the covered walkway and started to chat.

Yue Niang still had her usual gentle and soft appearance, but her words were surprisingly straightforward.

"What’s past is past. I no longer have any ambitions where you’re concerned, and I ask that you please forget about those past matters, too."

Hua Manman nodded in agreement. "From now on, let’s be sisters."

But Yue Niang shook her head and declined.

"Thank you for your kind intentions.

"But I know my station is low. Even if we call each other sisters, in the eyes of others, it will only look like I’m deliberately trying to curry favor with you.

"I don’t want to be seen as a sycophant who clings to the powerful."

Hua Manman said, "This is between you and me. Why should we care what others say?"

Yue Niang replied, "You can ignore the gossip and rumors because you have backing.

"I’m different.

"I have no family or friends in this world. Other than myself, no one will look out for me.

"I can only be as careful as possible to avoid making a single misstep.

"Perhaps one day in the future, when I am strong enough to ignore what others say, I can finally call you sister with peace of mind."

Hua Manman sighed.

She knew that although Yue Niang seemed fragile, she was actually very strong-willed.

Once Yue Niang made up her mind, it was very difficult to change it.

Hua Manman didn’t press the issue and instead asked,

"What are your plans for the future?"

Yue Niang’s gaze went past Hua Manman to the distant horizon as she spoke slowly.

"I want to open an embroidery shop."

In her short life, the happiest time was when her parents were still alive.

Back then, she was carefree, following her parents around every day. She would watch her mother do embroidery, watching as plain needle and thread transformed into lifelike flowers, birds, insects, and fish under her mother’s hands.

After she grew up, she often thought about how wonderful it would be if she could open an embroidery shop again.

She wanted to become an embroideress as skilled as her mother. She wanted to carry on her mother’s craft and make it flourish.

Hua Manman said, "That’s a great idea."

Yue Niang gave a bitter smile. "For now, it’s just a thought."

Hua Manman asked, "Is it because you’re short on Silver Coins? I can lend you some."

Yue Niang shook her head again. "It’s not just about the money; it’s about my reputation. Many people in Lingxi City know what I used to do. If they find out I’m the one who opened the embroidery shop, they definitely won’t come to buy my work."

Hua Manman didn’t think this was a problem at all and said lightly,

"Then just leave Lingxi City and open your shop somewhere else."

Yue Niang was taken aback. "Where else can I go?"

Ever since she started living with her grandmother, she had never taken a single step outside of Lingxi City.

She was already used to everything here and had never thought about leaving Lingxi City, let alone what the world was like outside the city walls.

Hua Manman put her hands on her hips, looked out at the vast sky, and laughed heartily.

"The world is so big, you can go wherever you want!

"If you can’t make up your mind, you can come back to Tianjing with us first.

"You’ve probably never been to Tianjing, right?

"Even if you don’t open a shop in Tianjing, you can still have a good time there.

"Life is short. You should take advantage of your youth to travel around, see the world, and broaden your horizons.

"When you get old, you won’t even have the strength to walk if you want to go out and see things."

Yue Niang turned to look at her. Seeing her sparkling eyes, Yue Niang’s spirits couldn’t help but lift.

"Alright, I’ll listen to you. I’ll go to Tianjing and see."

Hua Manman patted her chest and promised,

"Once we’re in Tianjing, I’ll have your back. I guarantee no one will dare to bully you."

Yue Niang curtsied to her. "Then I thank you in advance, my lady."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Mrs. Xie and Lu Wanqing made a trip to the Lu Family’s ancestral graves.

Lu Wanqing had someone repair Lu Man’s tomb.

According to local customs, an unmarried woman like Lu Man, who died young in an accident, was not allowed to be buried in the ancestral graveyard, let alone have a headstone erected.

But Lu Wanqing didn’t care about any of that.

She offered incense for Lu Man and personally burned a lot of joss paper.

Mrs. Xie was in tears the entire time, crying uncontrollably.

When she returned to the Yu Royal Mansion, she fell ill from excessive grief and became bedridden.

Lu Wanqing had to manage her grandfather’s funeral, keep an eye on the war, and take care of her sick mother. She was so busy she was dizzy and felt like she couldn’t be in two places at once.

The war on the coast lasted for over two months.

With the two War Gods, Li Ji and Li Liao, personally leading the charge, the battle was a one-sided affair from the very beginning.

The invaders were utterly defeated, suffering heavy losses. In the end, they gained nothing and lost many lives, forcing them to flee in disgrace.

When Li Ji and Li Liao returned in triumph with their troops, it happened to be the day of the Little New Year.

Hua Manman stood on the city wall with the others, waiting for the army’s return.

The wind on the wall was strong and freezing cold.

Hua Manman wore a red and white jacket-and-skirt ensemble, a thick cloak, and a scarf made of white fox fur around her neck, which made her fair skin look rosy. Her hands were tucked into her sleeves, and she paced back and forth restlessly to keep from freezing stiff.

When she saw the large, orderly army approaching, Hua Manman’s eyes lit up in an instant.

She pulled her hands out of her sleeves and waved her arms vigorously.

Lu Wanqing thought she looked silly and reminded her in a low voice,

"The Regent King can’t see you from this far away."

No sooner had she finished speaking than they saw a figure on horseback break away from the main army, kicking up a cloud of dust as he galloped straight for the city gate.

Looking closely, who else could it be but the Regent King, just returned from his victorious battle!

...