To Pay a New Year Call (2)
After changing his clothes, Xie Xuanchen stepped outside the bedroom and signaled the maids to be silent. As a result, the maids immediately guessed that Mu Mingtang was still sleeping, so they didnât dare to speak at the door and followed Xie Xuanchen to the study.
âWhatâs wrong?â Xie Xuanchen sat on the sandalwood armchair in the study and asked.
âReporting to the lord, Lord Zhu Yang Hong, the deputy secretary of the administrative office, has come with his family to pay New Yearâs greetings.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âIs it him?â After hearing Zhu Yang Hongâs name, Xie Xuanchen was a little surprised. Even if he had expected Zhu Yang Hongâs visit, he never thought that he would come on the first day of the New Year.
âInvite them in and take them to the main hall. The princess is still sleeping, so donât disturb her.â Xie Xuanchen commanded the maids.
âYes.â The maids hurriedly went to welcome the guests.
Mu Mingtang, who was soundly sleeping not long ago, suddenly woke up and found that Xie Xuanchen was not lying beside her. Still drowsy, she got up and sat on the bed, then felt a piece of clothing slip off her shoulders. As she picked it up, she saw it belonged to Xie Xuanchen.
âIsnât this Xie Xuanchenâs? Where has he gone?
â Surpassing her doubts, Mu Mingtang quickly put on her shoes and got down from the bed to look for Xie Xuanchen, alerting the maids who were outside the bedroom.
âPrincess, youâre awake.â The maids said as they entered the room.
âWhereâs the lord?â
âLord Zhu and his family have come to pay New Yearâs greetings to the prince. The prince is currently in the main hall meeting them.â
As Mu Mingtang was still feeling sluggish, it took her some time to realize what happened: âLord Zhu and his family have come to pay New Yearâs greetings⦠When did it happen?â
âAbout a quarter of an hour ago, princess.â
Hearing the maidâs words, Mu Mingatng couldnât help but complain: âGuests are here, so why didnât you call me?â
âThe lord did not let us disturb the princessâs lunchtime nap.â One of the maids replied timidly.
âIt was Xie Xuanchen again.â Mu Mingtang thought, pursing her lips.
âGuests have come to pay New Yearâs greetings, yet he went to meet them sneakily without me.â
The maids did not say anything, knowing well when to keep silent. Mu Mingtng also didnât expect any response from them.
She arranged her messy hair, changed her coat, and strode towards the main hall.
When Mu Mingtang walked to the main hall, the maid at the door quickly greeted her: âPrincess.â
The main hall suddenly became quiet and Xie Xuanchen walked to the door.
âI told the maids not to wake you up. Why did you wake up so early?â
Everyone from the Zhu family was sitting in the main hall, so when they heard Mu Mingtang had come, they all stood up and looked at the door. As Mu Mingtang entered the door, she whispered to Xie Xuanchen while gritting her teeth. âYou secretly got up again. Someone has come to pay New Year greetings and you didnât even tell me.â
âWhat are you talking about? You were sleeping so soundly. How can I wake you up for such a trivial matter?â Xie Xuanchen refused to accept Mu Mingtangâs accusation.
As Zhu Yang Hong, Mrs. Zhu and others were looking at them, Mu Mingtang didnât plan to argue with Xie Xuanchen. But, she only went inside after giving him fierce glare, signaling that she would settle accounts with him later.
When Mu Mingtang and Xie Xuanchen approached the Zhu family, Zhu family members including Zhu Yuqing stepped forward and bowed again, âThe princess is here. Princess, accept our New Yearâs greetings.â
In addition to Mr and Mrs Zhu, juniors of the Zhu family were also present there, making Mu Mingtang feel more shy. Somehow, she managed to control her emotions and said with a smile, âGreetings to Lord Zhu, Madam Zhu and others. You donât have to be polite, please get up quickly.â
After they greeted each other, the hosts and guests sat in their seats.
âI was just taking a nap and didnât know about your arrival. I am sorry for being late.â Mu Mingtang endured her embarrassment and explained why she was late.
Since the Zhu family came to pay New Yearâs greetings, they would never choose an inconvenient time to visit. But now, since she was still sleeping at this hour of the day, it was easy for people to misunderstand that she was a lazy person.
People may find it hard to believe but Mu Mingtang was, in fact, a hardworking person. She just went to accompany Xie Xunachen to sleep, but as a result, she had fallen asleep, which resulted in her late arrival.
As she remembered that Xie Xuanchen was the reason for her late arrival, Mu Mingtang glared at Xie Xuanchen again.
Everyone in the Zhu family noticed Mu Mingtangâs gaze, and no one dared to speak for a while.
T/N: See you in the .