The Comeback of the Charming Farmer's Wife

Chapter 2416 - 2418: Epilogue 4

"You’ll find out soon." Yang Chuxia called for someone to bring out the mahjong set and then had a table brought in, spilling the jade-carved mahjong tiles onto it. "Play this. I’ll teach you. It’s way more fun than chess."

After a while, Dongyang arrived, and Yang Chuxia explained the rules. It was clear that both Mu Shaoling and Ye Zi’an were interested.

After playing a few rounds, Dongyang got the hang of it and couldn’t stop.

"We played the first few rounds with copper coins, now let’s play with silver."

"Sure, I’m fine with that," Yang Chuxia laughed heartily. "Let’s win all the silver these two men have."

When the Emperor’s messengers arrived with letters, they were greeted by a cacophony in the courtyard.

"One circle..."

"Bam..."

"Three bamboo..."

"I win!"

"How did you win again? I was just one tile away!" Yang Chuxia exclaimed and leaned over to check the tiles. "I need to see if you cheated!"

Over on Dongyang’s side, the table was already being smacked. "Mu Shaoling, do you even know how to play? You’re hopeless! Why do you keep discarding winning tiles?"

"It’s not my fault, alright?" Mu Shaoling shrugged helplessly. "This old guy can read the tiles. How can I be blamed? He was just waiting for me to slip up."

Dongyang glared at him. "Pay more attention next time, will you? We’ve been losing all morning. At least let me win one round."

Yang Chuxia chuckled, "Alright, alright, I’ll discard the tile so you can win next time."

"Haha, that’s more like it," Dongyang laughed as he rearranged his tiles.

At that moment, a servant came forward, "Old Master, someone from the palace is here."

"What? Who’s here?"

"They say it’s on His Majesty’s orders."

Hearing this, the group stopped playing.

"This humble servant greets the two Marquises. By the Emperor’s command, we respectfully request Marquis Ye to return to the Capital City."

Ye Zi’an frowned, "Why should I return to the Capital City? No way, I’m not going back."

As if anticipating Ye Zi’an’s refusal, the messenger pulled out a letter from their coat. "Lord Marquis, this is a letter from the Emperor for you."

Ye Zi’an took the letter and quickly scanned it, his brow furrowing deeply.

"What’s it say?" Mu Shaoling asked curiously.

"It says I need to go back to the Capital."

Mu Shaoling pouted at this. He thought to himself that it was lucky he wasn’t into politics or a part of the court; otherwise, he’d never have peace in his old age.

"So, are you going back?"

"Of course not," Ye Zi’an snorted. "I was just thinking of going out to sea in a few days."

"Lord Marquis!" The messenger from the Capital was panicking upon hearing this. "His Majesty has ordered me to ensure your return to the Capital. If not, I’ll have to go back and fend for myself."

"Then just go back and fend for yourself."

Ye Zi’an turned away and went back inside, ignoring him.

"Lord Marquis, please, have a heart!"

"Heh heh heh," Mu Shaoling hurried over to stop him. "Where do you think you’re going? That building is the living quarters of Marquis Changning and his wife. Do you think you can just walk in there?"

"Marquis Mu, could you think of a way, please?" The messenger, who was the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army, was now bawling his eyes out. "I have elderly parents and young children to care for. If I can’t bring the Marquis back with me, I’ll have to go home and fend for myself. I come from a poor family, and to let me take the civil and military exams in the Capital City, we sold our land. But if I have to go back and fend for myself, I won’t even have anything to eat."

"Alright, alright." Mu Shaoling dismissed him impatiently. "A grown man crying like this, what do you think you look like? If you really have nowhere else to go, come be my mahjong partner. I’ll cover your food and drink, as long as you can discard tiles for me to win."