Chapter 358

Chapter 358: A Long Time Mama He didn't react at first. It was only after the young maid called her twice more that she pinched herself. "Wasn't Young General Dai dead? The Dai family said so themselves back then—how is it that he's come back now?" "Exactly, who knows?" the young maid said with a sigh. "What do you think, should we tell Second Madam about this?" Mama He's brows knitted into a deep crease. If her mistress hadn't yet married into the Duke of Dingguo's household, this would have been wonderful news. A man returning from the dead—her mistress had waited so long for him, and it wouldn't have been in vain. But now, her mistress was already married into the Duke of Dingguo's household. If she were to seek a mutual divorce and remarry, what would the people of Bianjing say about her mistress, and how would they view the Wu family? Mama He's brow twitched incessantly. "Don't say anything yet. Go to the Wu residence and see what the Madam and the others think." After dismissing the young maid, Mama He took a long while to steady her breathing before going back inside. "What did Cui'er say?" Wu Hui asked, keeping her head down as she read her book. She didn't need to look up to know it was Mama He returning. "That little maid makes a fuss over the smallest things. I ought to have a word with her." "Yes, indeed. It was only about fighting over pastries with her roommate. She was afraid you'd scold her, so she could only come to this servant to complain." Mama He concealed her startled expression. But having served her mistress for many years, Wu Hui could still tell that something was off with Mama He. However, Wu Hui trusted Mama He and didn't press further. When the time was right, Mama He would speak on her own. If Mama He chose not to mention it, then it was something she didn't need to know. The next day, Cui Lingrong came to stay for a visit. Wu Hui was especially warm and went to receive her in person. "Second Master mentioned that once you arrived, Sister, you'd stay in the room next to ours. I know you favor elegant things, so I specially arranged it for you." With that, she also sent someone to fetch Jin-ge. Wu Hui had no children of her own, so she doted on Jin-ge considerably. Song Mingjin had grown much taller and become more composed. "Greetings to Mother and Aunt. Mother, how long do you plan to stay this time?" "Five or six days, I reckon. I'll head back before your eldest sister returns." Cui Lingrong then asked her son what lessons he was studying now. Song Mingjin smiled and scratched his head. "I haven't read many more books, but my martial arts have improved a great deal. I can already trade blows with Uncle!" "You, you." Cui Lingrong gave an indulgent smile. "I brought you your favorite pastries. Go have some." Song Mingjin hummed in acknowledgment and started eating, still very much a child at heart. Wu Hui said a few more words before taking her leave, giving mother and son a chance to talk. After Wu Hui left, Song Mingjin tiptoed over. "Mother, have you heard?" "If there's something to say, just say it. You're being so sneaky—one would think you've done something terrible and need me to clean up your mess." Cui Lingrong said. "Ah, it's not about me—it's about Aunt." Seeing his mother's reaction, Song Mingjin knew she hadn't heard yet. "Yesterday I heard the servants in the front courtyard say..." He ran to the door worriedly to make sure no one had come back. Nanny Qiu couldn't help but say, "Jin-ge, you're being so careful—don't go saying something earth-shattering. This old servant's heart can't take it." "It really is a big matter. Aunt had a fiancé before, didn't she?" "Yes, the man died on the battlefield. He was so young at the time—what a pity." Nanny Qiu picked up the thread. "He's not dead," Song Mingjin said. "He came back yesterday. I don't know how he came back or what condition he's in, but he's truly back. But I don't think Aunt knows yet. If she finds out, will she regret marrying Uncle?" Though Song Mingjin was young, he knew a great deal. Especially living in the Duke of Dingguo's household—anything he wanted to know, he could find out by asking around the estate. He knew that Aunt had waited for Young General Dai for several years. If the Wu family hadn't pressured her, Aunt might have become a nun. Cui Lingrong was stunned by what she heard. She truly hadn't known that Young General Dai had returned. From Wu Hui's perspective, this was an extremely complicated matter. "Mother, why aren't you saying anything?" Song Mingjin urged. "Tell me—will Aunt regret it?" "How would I know?" Cui Lingrong had seen Wu Hui's demeanor today, and it seemed Wu Hui didn't know either. "Don't speak of this. Since Young General Dai has returned, your uncle will certainly find out. This is their matter—let's see how they handle it first." Song Mingjin looked a little sad. "Aunt has been so good to me. I don't want her to regret it. But she also seems to really like that Young General Dai. Mother, can a person's feelings for someone truly last that long?" "Well... some people can, and some people can't," Cui Lingrong said. "When you grow up and have someone you like, you'll understand how it works. You're still young now. Your uncle and aunt are adults—they'll handle this matter properly." Worried that her younger brother might not know, Cui Lingrong sent someone that evening to inform him. However, Cui Zeyu had already learned of it during the morning court session. When someone from the Dai family returns from the dead, the Dai family would certainly have to report it to the Emperor. On the battlefield, mistaken identities did indeed happen. But even if it was a case of mistaken identity, the fact that Young General Dai could return was remarkable. Especially after so many years—why hadn't he come back sooner, where had he been all this time, all of this needed to be explained clearly. Cui Zeyu went to find his elder sister first. "What are you thinking?" Cui Lingrong asked. "What I think doesn't matter—what Lady Wu thinks is what matters most. If they still have genuine feelings for each other, I'm willing to let them be together." "But..." Cui Lingrong sighed. "What a mess this is. If only he had come back sooner, it would have been a beautiful story." If her younger brother went through with a Mutual Divorce, it would damage Wu Hui's reputation—would the Dai family mind that? Her brother would also become a laughingstock—married, yet unable to keep his wife. "Sister need not worry. When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a road. As long as no one dies, everything can be resolved." Cui Zeyu was not affected by this matter, and besides, he knew very well that he and Wu Hui had never truly consummated their marriage. "Since things have already happened, it's best to be honest about it." Cui Lingrong nodded. "Indeed, if you two are to have a lasting arrangement, you must be even more candid." "Mm-hmm." After leaving his sister's courtyard, Cui Zeyu went to find Lady Wu.