Chapter 304

After Yangling Hou was buried, Xueliu also moved out of his courtyard. Lin chose the best courtyard in the mansion for her, Danyun Courtyard next to Qifu Hall, but Xueliu refused.

She had not been too close to Lin for many years, and now that Lin was so eager, Xueliu felt a little uncomfortable.

In the end, Xueliu chose Bilin Courtyard, which was closest to Yangling Hou's courtyard when he was alive. Although Lin was disappointed, she knew that the mother-daughter relationship could not be rushed.

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Day.

Because Yangling Hou had just passed away, there was not much celebration in the mansion, but everyone still gathered together for a reunion dinner.

At the dinner table, Mu Ziqian and Lin Xuefu sat next to each other. The two were of similar age and had grown up together, so they had always had a good relationship.

Xue Liu knew Lin Xuefu. Lin brought her niece back from her mother's home three years ago and raised her as her own daughter. In a sense, Lin Xuefu was actually Lin's sustenance of Xue Liu's love for her daughter.

Seeing Xue Liu's eyes fall on Lin Xuefu, Lin hurriedly explained, "Xue'er, Xuefu is your mother's niece. You haven't been with your mother these years, and she has always been with your mother on your behalf."

Hearing this, Xue Liu just responded lightly.

Under the table, Lin Xuefu's little hands clenched subconsciously.

In the three years since she came to Yangling Marquis's Mansion, Lin Xuefu has heard the servants' whispers several times. They said that they were people of other surnames, toys for Lin to pass the time, and substitutes for Mu Xueliu.

In the past, Lin Xuefu didn't believe it because her aunt treated her very well, but today, she saw Lin's panicked excuse with her own eyes, which made Lin Xuefu have to believe it.

She existed because her aunt missed her daughter, but now that Yangling Marquis is dead, Xueliu has re-entered Lin's sight, so what should she do?

Sent back to the Lin family?

Thinking of this, Lin Xuefu pursed her lips tightly. She didn't want to go back to the cannibalistic place of the Lin family. She wanted to stay in Yangling Marquis's mansion.

Noticing Lin Xuefu's strangeness, Mu Ziqian on the side whispered with concern: "Fuer, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

Looking at Mu Ziqian's caring eyes, Lin Xuefu became more determined to stay. She smiled at Mu Ziqian and shook her head and said, "I'm fine, cousin."

Mu Ziqian nodded and then put a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs in her bowl.

Mu Ziqian always remembered that Lin Xuefu liked sweet food.

Lin Xuefu smiled and thanked her, but her peripheral vision looked in the direction of Lin and Mu Linyuan, and then found that their eyes were always on Xueliu. Even though the latter's response was always indifferent, there was no trace of displeasure on their faces.

Seeing this, Lin Xuefu's ugly face became even more gloomy.

And this scene was captured by Xue Liu.

After lunch, Lin Xuefu returned to the yard, but as soon as she entered the door, she saw Xue Liu standing in her yard.

Lin Xuefu was startled, but still called her "cousin" obediently.

Xue Liu dismissed all the maids around the two of them, and then asked Lin Xuefu, "Are you very hostile to me?"

Lin Xuefu quickly denied, "I don't..."

However, before she finished speaking, she was interrupted by Xue Liu, "Is it because my father and mother are good to me? You feel neglected, right?"

The darkness in her heart was exposed by Xue Liu, and Lin Xuefu's face became even more panicked, "No, I..."

Xue Liu was too lazy to listen to her explanation, and continued to talk about her own things, "You have been with your mother for the past few years, so even if your surname is Lin, Yangling Marquis Mansion will take good care of you, provided that you don't have some thoughts that you shouldn't have."

After speaking, Xue Liu turned and left.

Xue Liu could understand Lin Xuefu's little thoughts, so she was willing to give Lin Xuefu a chance to figure it out.

However, Xue Liu didn't know that once the seeds of evil sprouted, they could not be eliminated anyway.

After a nap, Mu Ziqian came to find Lin Xuefu, but saw that her eyes were red.

Mu Ziqian was a little panicked, thinking that Lin Xuefu had been wronged, and hurriedly coaxed her: "Fuer, who bullied you? Tell me, cousin will help you teach him a lesson!"

Lin Xuefu just shook her head, lowered her head and cried, "No one bullied me."

Although Lin Xuefu was young, she knew that Xueliu was the eldest daughter of Yangling Marquis's Mansion. Even if she told what had just happened between the two, no one would stand on her side, so she chose to conceal it.

Then, she raised her head and looked at Mu Ziqian seriously, begging: "Cousin, you promised Fuer that you would always protect Fuer, okay?"

Mu Ziqian rubbed Lin Xuefu's head with a doting look, "Of course, Fuer is my favorite cousin, of course I will always protect you!"

The young man's naive promise became the only life-saving straw that Lin Xuefu could grasp.

...

In the twelfth year of Jiahe, on the eighth day of the third month, an imperial edict was delivered to Yangling Marquis's Mansion.

It was the decree for Mu Linyuan to inherit the title. The ceremony was scheduled for four days later. Mu Linyuan received the decree with a panicked look on his face.

Having been the prince of the Marquisate for so many years, he was about to become a marquis. Mu Linyuan was not happy at all, but was in endless panic.

The affairs in the court were so complicated, how could he understand them!

In a panic, Mu Linyuan took the decree to Bilin Courtyard where Xue Liu was. However, the latter just said with a relaxed look: "Your Majesty has been the emperor for many years, and he is thoughtful and has strategies in mind. So your Majesty knows what kind of temper your father is. He will not tell you too many complicated matters. Just relax, father."

With Xue Liu's comfort, Mu Linyuan felt that he was calmer instantly, and quickly turned around and went out to prepare for inheriting the title.

Four days later, under the guidance of the etiquette officer, Mu Linyuan completed the ceremony with great difficulty.

After the ceremony, his forehead was already soaked with cold sweat.

Before leaving, the etiquette officer told him, "Master Marquis, Your Majesty asked me to bring you a message. Starting tomorrow, you can go to the morning court."

Mu Linyuan responded with a sullen face, feeling that the position of Marquis was indeed a bit overwhelming.

Seeing this, Xue Liu stepped forward and said comfortingly: "Father, don't be nervous. After a while, Dad will get used to the process, and he will probably like going to court."

Power is something that everyone is flocking to, but Mu Linyuan just hasn't seen its benefits yet.

As Xue Liu said, for several months after Mu Linyuan came to court, the emperor never gave him any complicated tasks. In addition, with the compliments and flattery of other officials, Mu Linyuan quickly realized the power of power. Well, Mu Linyuan soon fell in love with this feeling of being sought after.

Until the middle of this year, Qingzhou was flooded, and there were indeed many disasters this year. The important ministers in the court were all busy with their own affairs. In addition, the flood in Qingzhou was not too serious, so this task was handed over to Mu, who had never shouldered a heavy responsibility. On Lin Yuan.

What Mu Linyuan had been worrying about for half a year finally happened. However, the emperor's order had been issued, and Mu Linyuan had no choice but to accept it.

After returning to the mansion, Mu Linyuan went directly to Xue Liu's yard.

Xue Liu briefly inquired about the specific situation of the flood in Qingzhou, and then he had a plan in mind, "Father, don't worry, from your description, the disaster in Qingzhou is actually not serious, and His Majesty has already prepared the necessary supplies for disaster relief." "Yinliang, you only need to go to the disaster area in person, comfort the people, ensure their temporary food and clothing, and repair their homes, and the matter will be solved."

Xue Liu said it easily, but Mu Linyuan felt that this matter was very difficult, "What if there are robbers along the way? Or what if the surrounding cities are driving up prices? The most troublesome and scary thing is what if those people riot, Xue Liu Son, you have to help your father, he is really scared!"

"Then I'll go with my father."

After receiving Xue Liu's response, Mu Linyuan suddenly had a backbone. He immediately told Xue Liu that he would leave early tomorrow morning and asked her to pack her things.

Xue Liu nodded in agreement, and Mu Linyuan breathed a sigh of relief and went out.

Bi Hen, the personal maid, hesitated, "Do you really want to follow the Marquis to the disaster area?"

Xue Liu did not answer, but said: "When His Royal Highness was nine years old, he and Jiang Guogong went to the severely affected area of ​​​​Biao River to rescue the people. It is also necessary for me and my father to go to Qingzhou to quell the flood."

Xue Liu is now thirteen years old, and will be getting haircut in two years.

And getting a hairpin means planning to get married.

Looking at the entire Shengjing, the most noble person is none other than Crown Prince Chu Lingxiu.

And Xue Liu will marry the most noble person in Shengjing, and then use her own power to push the Yangling Marquis Mansion to a high position.

When Xue Liu said this, Bi Hen understood.

Bihen was rescued by Xue Liu from the brothel door five years ago.

At that time, Bihen was only eight years old, but was forcibly sold to a brothel by her lustful father to pay off her debts.

Xue Liu saw Bihen's unyielding eyes, so she paid for her and made her his personal maid.

And things have proved that Xue Liu's vision is right. Bihen is not only extremely intelligent, but also decisive in his actions. Now he is Xue Liu's most powerful confidant.

…

Early the next morning, Bihen followed Xueliu out of the Yanglinghou Mansion with two bundles. The carriage was already waiting at the door.

Seeing Xue Liu coming out, Mu Linyuan motioned for her to get on the carriage at the back, and he got on the front one.

The carriage swayed towards the city gate. Xue Liu leaned on the carriage with a calm expression, her thoughts gradually drifting away, and she didn't know what she was thinking.

Suddenly, Bihen's voice sounded from the side: "Miss, it's His Highness the Crown Prince who is back."

Chu Lingxiu went to Bashu to treat the drought last month, and he had just returned to Beijing when he happened to collide with the Yangling Marquis Mansion's team leaving the city.

Marquis Yangling got off the carriage, followed closely by Xue Liu.

Xue Liu raised her head slightly and saw the high-spirited prince sitting on a horse with his head held high. He was dressed in a dark brocade robe that made him even more noble, and his features like knife carvings showed the elegance of a prince.

Seeing Mu Linyuan get off the carriage, Chu Lingxiu also got off the horse. Just when he was about to ask Mu Linyuan where he was, his eyes were attracted by Xue Liu, who was wearing a plain white dress.

After a moment, Chu Lingxiu looked away and asked Mu Linyuan a few words, knowing the whole story.

"The Yangling Marquis Mansion went out to quell the disaster, and you took your daughter with you?"

Mu Linyuan's forehead jumped, and he quickly came up with an explanation, "The little girl was brought up by my late father. She is proficient in some methods to quell disasters, and she cares about the disaster area, so I took her with me."

Chu Lingxiu's face paled when he heard the name of Marquis Yangling. He was a hero worthy of the respect of Quan Shengjing.

"As expected of a heroic queen, Miss Mu is truly a woman who cannot be outdone by others."

"Your Highness, you are overly complimentary." The voice was clear and steady, not delicate, which made Chu Lingxiu feel good for no reason.

However, Xue Liu only raised her head slightly, then lowered her head back, so that Chu Lingxiu finally saw only a pair of eyes as clear and calm as a pool of water.

It wasn't until Mu Linyuan and Xue Liu got back into the carriage and walked far away that Chu Lingyuan looked back.

He didn't know that there was such a special woman in Shengjing.