Chapter 407: Look Who’s Here

Chapter 407: Look Who’s Here

Fortunately, He Ziran had made preparations in advance. Knowing Tang Mingrui as she did, this man would certainly bring many carriages, for fear that fewer would not be enough to carry everything.

After seeing off Tang Mingrui and his party, it was still before the hour of Chen.

Mo Jiuye was drenched in sweat from his hard work and was just about to go home to freshen up when he saw Song Chao running over.

"Lord Jiu, a carriage has come to the village, asking for the address of the Mo family."

Mo Jiuye wiped the sweat from his forehead and pointed in the direction of the village. "Take me there to see."

Since settling down in Xiling Village, apart from getting to know the villagers, the only other connections the Mo family had were Meng Huaining and Tang Mingrui. He couldn't think of any other ties they might have.

Therefore, he was very curious about the identity of the visitor.

Or perhaps, he suspected with a conspiratorial mind that someone who didn’t know better was trying to cause trouble for the Mo family again.

With these thoughts in mind, Mo Jiuye followed Song Chao into the village.

Ever since the incident where the second master brought people to cause trouble for the Mo family, the villagers didn't want the Mo family to encounter any more problems. Therefore, when someone asked about the Mo family, they would avoid answering, and some even turned away directly.

Because they couldn't find out the exact whereabouts of the Mo family, the carriage had no clear target and could only stop on the village lane.

The coachman continued to ask everyone he met, but unfortunately, he received no useful information.

In despair, the coachman had to report back to the carriage.

"Madam, the people in this village are all very strange. I was just asking for directions, but they act as if they're seeing some kind of monster and avoid me."

Mrs. He sighed and lifted the curtain of the carriage, being helped down by an elderly woman who looked to be around her age.

She did not blame the coachman; through the window, she had already seen the situation clearly.

"I'll try myself."

Mo Jiuye was not particularly familiar with Mrs. He.

He had only met her three times. The first time was before his marriage to He Ziran, when he went to the Minister Mansion to deliver the betrothal gifts. At that time, both the Minister and his wife received him, and bound by etiquette, he kept his head down while speaking to his father-in-law and never raised his eyes to look at his mother-in-law.

The second time was on the day he married He Ziran, when the Minister and his wife stood at the door to see them off. Mo Jiuye only glanced at her briefly before bowing and leaving.

The third time was on the day they were exiled, when the Minister and his wife came to see He Ziran off. He also peeked at her from the carriage.

And during his recent trip to the Imperial City, he only eavesdropped from a distance on the He family's conversation and did not see his mother-in-law face-to-face.

Therefore, Mo Jiuye's impression of his mother-in-law was still somewhat vague.

Today, Mrs. He was dressed like an ordinary wealthy household in the city. In the past, whenever he saw his mother-in-law, she always appeared dignified and elegant, so it was understandable that Mo Jiuye did not recognize her.

However, looking at the woman, although she wasn't dressed extravagantly, the air of dignity and grace she exuded was unmistakable. From this, he could deduce that this person was of no ordinary status and did not seem to be a malevolent person.

He just couldn't figure out what connection the Mo family had with this person.

While pondering this, he walked toward Mrs. He.

As soon as Mrs. He turned around, she saw two tall figures appear before her.

Mo Jiuye did not recognize his mother-in-law, but Mrs. He was familiar with him.

When Mo Jiuye came to deliver the betrothal gifts, she had taken a few extra looks at him, especially his tall and imposing figure, which stood out in a crowd.

"Jiuye." Mrs. He almost shed tears when she saw Mo Jiuye.

Only heaven knew how anxious she had been to see her daughter and son-in-law on this journey.

She wanted to see their living conditions as soon as possible.

Most importantly, her daughter was about to give birth, and she wanted to be there for her.

Hearing this call, Mo Jiuye was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered.

"Mother-in-law?"

He asked tentatively.

Although he couldn't remember his mother-in-law's appearance, he was not unfamiliar with her voice, having heard it recently in the Imperial City.

Mrs. He nodded repeatedly, and tears began to flow uncontrollably.

"Jiuye, how is Ranran?" This was her greatest concern at the moment.

Mo Jiuye took a few steps forward. "Mother-in-law, Ranran is well. She will be delighted to see you. I’ll take you to her right away."

Song Chao was also very perceptive. He hadn't expected that the person seeking the Mo family in Xiling Village would be Lord Jiu's mother-in-law.

He took the reins from the coachman and led the way.

Mrs. He, supported by her personal maid, walked beside Mo Jiuye.

At this moment, she had no interest in observing the surroundings; her heart was set on seeing her daughter as quickly as possible.

He Ziran was now closer to her due date and had become more lethargic than usual.

Especially last night, the two babies in her belly seemed to be competing, keeping her from getting much rest.

Because of this, He Ziran had slept in today, waking up only at this hour.

Mo's old lady, worried that He Ziran's large belly needed constant attention, had arranged for the careful Lan'er to accompany her.

At this moment, Lan'er was setting out the breakfast she had specially prepared for He Ziran on a stone table in the courtyard. Just as He Ziran picked up her chopsticks, she heard footsteps and the sound of hooves from outside the courtyard.

She found it odd; who would be driving a carriage here at this time?

"Lan'er, go see who's at the door."

Lan'er responded and opened the gate. Mo Jiuye's excited voice immediately came through.

"Ranran, look who's here."

He Ziran put down her chopsticks and stood up, looking toward the entrance.

The moment she saw Mrs. He, she was stunned.

Perhaps because she now inhabited the body of the original owner, the genuine sense of closeness could not be feigned.

"Mother?"

"Ranran... sob... sob..." Seeing her heavily pregnant daughter, Mrs. He burst into tears, pushing away the maid's support and rushing to He Ziran as fast as she could.

He Ziran, too, shed large tears, like pearls falling one after another.

She didn't know why, but seeing Mrs. He, there was no trace of resentment in her heart, as if she were her own mother.

"Mother... why have you come?"

As they spoke, mother and daughter embraced and wept bitterly in front of everyone.

Mo Jiuye watched from the side, feeling a deep ache in his heart.

If it weren't for the Mo family, Ranran wouldn't have been separated from her mother by such a great distance, not even knowing when they might meet again.

He wanted to offer comfort but didn't know what to say, so he stood there helplessly. However, he did not forget to ask Song Chao to fetch his mother from the elders' courtyard.

With his mother-in-law traveling a thousand miles to Northwest, she was a distinguished guest, and if his mother did not appear promptly, it might seem disrespectful.

Lan'er, perceptive as always, noticed the mother and daughter's distress and quickly washed two towels to hand over, helping them dry their tears.

Only then did Mrs. He realize that her daughter was still pregnant, and crying could harm the baby.

"Ranran, stop crying, let Mother take a look at you."