Qu Fulan had just returned to her room when she heard that the second and third branches of the family had come to the old lady's courtyard.
Now, everyone had to move out. With so many masters, the maidservants could not leave their side.
The third-rank servant girls were running errands outside the house, while the second-rank servant girls were serving tea and pouring water in the house.
The old lady was already sitting in the living room, and Prince Pei was meeting his family.
He first greeted the elders.
"Your nephew greets Second Uncle and Aunt."
Prince Pei cupped his hands and bowed slightly.
Second Master Pei quickly stood up to help him up. "No need to be so polite. It's good that you're back."
Second Aunt was all smiles as she said, "The old lady has been looking forward to seeing you. Your uncle just mentioned you to me yesterday. I said that your journey should be fast, so you're back today. It's been two years since we parted, and you've grown again. You're much taller than two years ago, and you've changed a lot. If you were to walk on the streets, perhaps Aunt wouldn't be able to recognize you."
"Sorry to trouble Second Uncle and Aunt, I'm very grateful."
He also paid his respects to the Third Madam and Master.
Third Master Pei also stood up and said that there was no need to regard him as an outsider. He then asked about his eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law's return journey.
"Under the Emperor's orders, Father and Mother cannot leave the border. They asked me to come back and apologize. I will do my part for the Pei family's wedding."
"It's fine, it's fine. Protecting the country is the most important thing. It's good that you're back."
The Third Madam just smiled and didn't speak.
It wasn't that she looked down on the Prince, but she didn't dare to say more.
The Third Madam did not like Prince Pei at all. Perhaps it was because he had fought his way out of the battlefield, but even though he was smiling, he seemed to be able to execute people on the spot at any time, making people feel intimidated.
In addition, the Prince had seen her punishing the maidservants for no reason in the past. The expression on the Prince's face at that time was something that the Third Madam would remember for the rest of her life.
Don't look at the Prince's polite appearance now. If she met him in a place where the old lady couldn't see, the Prince wouldn't even look at her. He didn't put her in his eyes at all.
The Third Madam was both disgusted and afraid of the Prince.
After meeting the elders, it was a greeting between peers.
The Third Young Master of the Pei family was the first to jump out and bow to his Second Brother. "Second Brother, why didn't you write a letter to inform me of your return? At least, you should have told me to prepare and go out of the city to welcome you back."
"Third Brother is too polite. We're all brothers, there's no need to be so formal."
Eldest Young Master Pei smiled and said, "It's already late. Look at Second Brother, you've been traveling day and night. You must have suffered a lot on the road. It's better to go back early and rest. Are you staying here for a long time or..."
"The war at the border has been settled. My parents stayed to guard the place. They are afraid that my family cannot fulfill their filial duties, so they asked me to return to the capital this time and stay at home to be filial to my elders."
"That's good. When you're well-rested, we'll have a good gathering another day."
"Alright," he said.
Then, the young ladies of the family greeted the Prince.
The Third Young Master of the Pei family seemed to have thought of something and added, "Our Second Sister has returned and is currently living at home. She originally wanted to come and see Second Brother, but because of her physical discomfort, it is inconvenient for her to come out. I hope Second Brother can forgive her."
Prince Pei couldn't help but ask, "If she is not feeling well, she should rest more. You just let her rest in peace."
It was unknown what the Third Madam thought of, but she tugged at the Third Master's sleeve and gave him a few hints with her eyes. The Third Master's expression was serious, and he pulled back his sleeve impatiently.
The Third Madam had no choice but to ask the old lady for help. "Girl Lan is now deeply affected by the rashes and can't leave her room at all. I heard that the Prince brought many special herbs back to the capital this time..."
The old lady immediately understood. She looked at her grandson and said, "Girl Lan's condition is indeed not looking good. No matter how many doctors we've invited and how many medicinal herbs we've prescribed, it's all to no avail. They only said that if there's a prescription for Snow Mountain Mustard on the snow mountain at the border, it'll work. I wonder if you've brought this medicinal herb with you this time? "
Everyone looked at Prince Pei, including Qu Fulan.
If it was possible, she hoped that Prince Pei would not bring it.
After all, she had yet to become the old lady's personal maidservant.
If he detoxified the poison in advance, it would not be easy for her to make a move again if the Second Miss wanted to do something evil.
Qu Fulan lowered her eyes and began to plan for all kinds of possibilities.
However, she didn't notice that Hai Yue was looking at Prince Pei with a dazed expression.
She also did not notice that when she raised her head, Third Young Master Pei was looking at her with a stunned expression.
"Unfortunately, the soldiers at the border have been injured all year round, so the grass on the snow mountain has long been used up. I'm afraid it will only grow again next spring."
Prince Pei's words caused Qu Fulan to heave a sigh of relief.
This was for the best. Otherwise, with a person like Prince Pei in the residence, it would be very risky for her to make a move.
The Third Madam was very disappointed, but at the same time, she was angry. They were all lowly soldiers, but they could use that precious herb. If they didn't use it, wouldn't her daughter be saved now?
However, she only dared to think about it and did not dare to say it out loud.
After they had met each other, the second and third branches of the family had to go back. After all, they had to give the grandmother and grandson some private time.
After everyone left, the maidservants also packed their things and followed them out.
Once again, only Hua Hao and Yue Yuan were left in the room. They did not enter the room and only waited outside. If old lady had any orders, they would immediately go in to serve her.
Pei Jin'an covered his grandmother with the blanket and sat down.
"Is Grandmother sleeping well now?"
"I keep taking medicine to keep sleeping."
"Did the doctor in the residence verify the prescription?"
"Don't worry about this. The doctors in the residence have tested it. It's good."
"En, when Grandmother drinks medicine, Grandson will serve you after you drink the medicine."
"There's no hurry. I usually take the medicine at a fixed time. Hai Tang should be sending the medicine over in a while."
"That's just as well. Grandson also wants to meet this Hai Tang."
Old Lady Pei's attention was on another issue.
"Now that you're home, although your courtyard has already been cleaned, you still lack some servants. What do you think..."
Pei Jin'an smiled. "Grandmother, you don't have to worry. I can't stay in the manor for a long time. The Emperor has other arrangements and has to work outside for a short period of time. As for serving people, we can talk about it later."
"What did His Majesty ask you to do? Is it dangerous?" the old lady asked worriedly. "Are you leaving the capital again?"
She was just asking out of concern and had no intention of prying into the secrets.
Prince Pei also said lightly, "It's not dangerous. It will only take a while to complete. Then, I can go home and pay my respects to Grandmother."
"That's fine, but sooner or later you will have to return home. Grandmother will help you arrange for the servants."
"Grandmother, please take care."
As the two of them were talking, Hua Hao's voice sounded from outside. "Old lady, the medicine is here."
After that, she opened the curtain and Yue Yuan came in with the medicine.
"Hai Tang?" The old lady couldn't help but look behind her.
Yue Yuan was stunned for a moment, then immediately said, "She left after delivering the medicine to the door. What's the matter, old lady?"
Prince Pei raised his two good-looking eyebrows in surprise.