The carriage, compared to a sedan chair, naturally wasted a lot of time. And she deliberately chose the sedan chair instead of the carriage, just to waste a bit of time. At least her time in the mansion would be less.
But no matter how slow, the sedan chair still stopped in front of the Qu mansion.
Qu Tan'er stepped out of the sedan, lifted her eyes, and saw the gilded plaque hanging above the main gate, feeling slightly dazzled. At this moment, even she couldn't discern whether it was because of the blazing sunlight or her disturbed mind.
The butler of the Qu mansion had been waiting outside the door early. As soon as he saw Qu Tan'er step out of the sedan, he appeared to welcome her respectfully, but his eyes only glanced at her briefly before he looked intently into the sedan, as if checking for something. Seeing that there was no one else inside, a trace of contempt flashed across his face.
"What is the butler looking for?" Qu Tan'er asked, though she knew very well what his behavior meant—it was nothing more than checking if Mo Liancheng had accompanied her.
"Fourth Miss, the old servant was merely curious as to why the Eighth Prince did not return with you," the butler withdrew his gaze from the sedan and asked Qu Tan'er with puzzlement.
"Impudent!" Qu Tan'er had not yet spoken when Jing Xin, standing beside her, chastised, "The master is already the Princess Consort, no longer the fourth miss of the Qu mansion. Moreover, the butler should know his place. Shouldn't you salute when you see the Princess Consort?"
The butler seemed startled. He hurriedly performed a salutation, begging for forgiveness.
However, he covertly gave an indication to another figure within the gate.
That figure quickly ran towards the main house.
Qu Tan'er smiled faintly but did not expose him.
The butler was just a dog raised by the Madam, she knew that long ago.
On the third day of returning to her parental home, the Madam had probably already been informed that Qu Tan'er came back alone. However, still worried about any changes on the way, she had the butler come out to greet her. Had it been known that Mo Liancheng was coming, they might be waiting at the gate themselves, making an elaborate show.
Forget it, take things as they come!
"Jing Xin, let's go in," Qu Tan'er frowned.
"Yes," Jing Xin nodded, following behind Qu Tan'er, secretly worried.
Walking through the front courtyard, Qu Tan'er's mood gradually calmed. The Qu mansion was not considered extravagant nor had luxurious buildings. This was not because Qu Jianglin was poor but because appearances were maintained well. As the Minister of War, he had plenty of benefits, but if he showed it too much, some envious officials would impeach, giving him the reputation of a corrupt official, which wouldn't be good.
The main hall, they were almost there...
"You're back."
Qu Tan'er had just stepped up a few steps when a woman's sarcastic voice came from inside.
No need to guess, it was the voice of Madam, Qu Jianglin's legitimate wife.
"Answering Madam, Tan'er is here." Here, not returned. After being married off, this was not her home, the Madam was reminding her that her fate still belonged to the Qu family? Qu Tan'er wore a peaceful expression, but a look of mockery hid in her eyes.
"The Eighth Prince didn't accompany you back?" the Madam questioned harshly.
Why did this sound so cold? Qu Tan'er tugged at the cloak on her body.
It was something she had asked Jing Xin to help wrap around her before getting out of the sedan.
Still, she obediently replied, "Madam, the Eighth Prince did not come."
Indeed, Mo Liancheng had not come back with her. Even if she wanted to deny it, she didn't have the means to lie.
"Why didn't he come back?"
"The Eighth Prince said he was busy and had no time." Why? Wasn't that a pointless question? It was because he didn't care enough to come!!!