Chapter 728: Chapter 728: Unhappy

The twin children were dressed as usual, but their expressions and eyes revealed a sense of desolation, like fledgling birds with no branch to perch on, flapping their wings aimlessly, anxiously awaiting the unpredictable fate of the next moment.

Qin Yuan’s heart softened and hardened.

These two children must know something, now relying solely on that bit of luck in their hearts to sustain them.

Qin Yuan tugged at the corners of his lips: "Why so anxious? I was just talking to your mother, planning to visit you later, and here you’ve come."

Brother Cheng and Sister Yu hurriedly bowed to pay their respects.

After rising, Brother Cheng took a few steps forward, and Yang’er hurriedly blocked him subtly, not allowing him to get too close.

Brother Cheng stopped and said loudly, "Adoptive mother, my sister and I are waiting to watch the moon with adoptive father, but we can’t wait any longer. Has adoptive father forgotten us?"

Sister Yu sobbed: "We’ve been so good lately, adoptive father can’t abandon us."

Mrs. Dai lowered her head, picked up a teacup, hiding the annoyance bubbling up on her face.

Qin Yuan laughed: "Where does that come from? Your adoptive father is busy quelling chaos, where does he have time for festivals? Even I haven’t seen much of him these days. Speaking of which, it’s my oversight; I forgot to have someone bring you the little mooncakes made at the mansion. It’s all this bunch of bandits causing trouble, making it quite uneasy."

Brother Cheng asked in surprise: "What chaos? Which bandits?"

Sister Yu also stopped crying, her tear-filled eyes widened, with tears still at the corners.

Qin Yuan said solemnly: "You’re grown up now, it’s good to listen. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, bandits from Black Wind Village infiltrated the Capital City, setting fires and killing people. After the grand military parade, your adoptive father took troops to seize the city gates. We accompanied the entourage at Huying Platform for a night, almost unable to enter the city. It’s fortunate your father and adoptive father were courageous, capturing most of the bandits, granting us some peace now."

Upon hearing this, Brother Cheng’s heart was half relieved.

"When father returns, we’ll truly honor him."

Qin Yuan nodded approvingly.

"Yes, that’s what children should do. Your mother has been preoccupied these days, lacking the mind to care for you; you mustn’t shirk your own duties. You must read books, practice writing, and embroider handkerchiefs."

Sister Yu obediently said: "Adoptive mother, I’ve already learned to embroider flowers these days."

Qin Yuan nodded: "That’s good."

Then asked: "Is Hong Mian still helpful? If she doesn’t serve well, just tell me, or tell your mother, and we’ll simply replace her."

Pausing: "Even if it’s Xiao Hong and Zihe you miss, just ask for them."

Xiao Hong shrank back in fear.

Brother Cheng, with an admiring face, looked up in a childish voice: "Don’t worry, adoptive mother, I certainly won’t be reserved. With mother here, Sister Hong Mian wouldn’t dare act recklessly. Xiao Hong and Zihe are of no use to me; it’s better they follow you, so they won’t be delayed."

Sister Yu also said: "Sister Hong Mian was in the needlework room before, and I like following her to learn embroidery."

Qin Yuan then said: "Then let her stay with you, otherwise let her go home and enter the mansion later to serve."

Then turned to Mrs. Dai: "Sister-in-law Cheng, keep a closer eye on that girl when you have free time. She was once quite capable in Wutong Garden, but she’s a bit too clever for everyone’s liking."

Mrs. Dai laughed: "There’s nothing much here. She serves only the two children; whether capable or clever, isn’t it all to please the young masters? As long as they’re happy, I’m happy too."

Qin Yuan laughed: "Sister-in-law Cheng understands well."

Brother Cheng and Sister Yu smiled brightly.

After some idle conversations, the two children were sent away happily.

As they walked out the door, Pang Cheng arrogantly approached Hong Mian, who was waiting on the corridor, and stopped two yards away.

"Madam calls you in for questioning, be careful how you answer. I heard madam telling mother to watch over you more; though capable, you’re too clever, and if we can’t tolerate you, you’ll be sent home."

Hong Mian said anxiously: "What should I do? Is it Hong Ye and Cui Ming speaking ill of me again before madam? If I’m sent back home, how can I face anyone? Years of family dignity will be gone."

Pang Cheng stood on the steps, hands behind, face slightly tilted up, nose to the sky.

"Rest assured, as long as you listen well, I’ll protect you. Madam asked if we should replace the serving ones, I said you’re good."

Pang Yu also said: "I mentioned you teach me embroidery, I can’t bear to part with you. Adoptive mother then said to leave you here to care for us."

Hong Mian immediately vowed.

"The great kindness of the young masters to this servant will never be forgotten, I will remain loyal in the future."

Pang Cheng nodded satisfactorily: "Go on, be alert, know what to say and what not to say."

Hong Mian agreed and hurried into the inner room.

Watching her back, Pang Yu softly whispered: "Brother, will Hong Mian deceive us? Will she suddenly disappear like mother and Nanny Yang did, despite saying everything’s fine?"

"We are just children, why should we care what adults do?"

Pang Yu looked at her brother with puzzled wide eyes.

"Mother poisoned in the Marquis Mansion, everyone hates us, adoptive father lets foster father live next door to care for us. We can’t stop mother, just let her be. As long as adoptive father doesn’t ignore us, when we grow up, hmph!"

As he said this, Pang Cheng’s well-defined little face twisted slightly.

Pang Yu batted her eyes and leaned close to Pang Cheng, resting her small head on his youthful shoulder, extending her short arms to embrace her brother, who she never left since birth, softly saying: "As long as brother doesn’t abandon me, that’s enough."

After being questioned, Hong Mian came out to see the twins still waiting on the corridor, smiling: "Why are the young masters still here?"

Pang Cheng’s face turned stern: "I ask you, what did adoptive mother ask you?"

Hong Mian blinked.

"She just asked what you two eat, learn, and if you sleep well, that’s all."

She was somewhat regretful.

"Madam originally wanted to invite musicians and entertainers for some fun at the mansion, but after the chaos on the Mid-Autumn night, the mansion didn’t dare to be lively, fearing the Empress Dowager’s displeasure."

Pang Yu asked blankly: "Sister Hong Mian, why would the Empress Dowager be unhappy?"

Pang Cheng couldn’t help but laugh.

"Silly sister, the Empress Dowager’s birthday was disrupted by Black Wind Village bandits, so she’s unhappy."

Pang Yu sighed: "This Empress Dowager is quite domineering, if she’s unhappy, then we’re not allowed to be happy."

Hong Mian spoke with feeling: "This is the benefit of privilege and power. The Empress Dowager is Daxing’s most noble woman; if she’s unhappy, neither the Emperor nor the Empress dare to be happy, and the Marchioness certainly doesn’t dare to be happy, so we can forget about it."

Pang Cheng clenched his fists behind him, secretly giving rise to a sense of ambition, vowing that someday those who displeased him would also be displeased.

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