Forced love, an inescapable fate

Chapter 109: Abnormality in the Body

When they calmed down and came to the dining table, looking at the table full of dishes, Mu Qingli couldn't help but cry again.

This was the first time in such a long time that she felt the love from her elders. Seeing that her eyes were red again, Feng Zong hurriedly pulled her to sit down.

"Okay, stop crying. Your eyes will swell up if you cry any more. No matter before or now, this is your home. You can always come back."

Lin Niang also took her hand affectionately, with a gentle smile on her face: "A Zong is right. We should be happy. I originally thought that after so many years, you and I had become estranged. I didn't expect that our little A Li is still the same as before. Even though he has lost his memory, he can still recognize me. I am really happy. Well, there are still many days in the future, and we will have many opportunities to meet. Let's eat. These are all your favorite foods."

Mu Qingli felt warm in her heart as she watched Feng Zong and Lin Niang constantly putting food into her bowl. This moment was a unique feeling belonging to family, and it was extremely warm.

There was a happy atmosphere at the dinner table. Lin Niang told her roughly what had happened in the mansion over the years, and the others also talked about the preparations for Feng Zong and An Ran's wedding.

This meal was probably the most heartwarming one Mu Qingli had had in the past five years.

After dinner, they went to the ancestral hall. Although she was just a soul from another world occupying this body, when she looked at the tablets placed in the ancestral hall, for some reason, her eyes became sore and she couldn't help but shed tears again. But after shedding the tears, she felt more comfortable than ever before.

Lin Niang and Feng Zong took her for a stroll in the mansion, telling her interesting stories that happened to her and Feng Zong when they were children.

"That swing has been kept for you. It was made by A Zong for you. I remember that you loved it so much that you wouldn't let anyone sit on it, saying it was made for you by your brother. It was so wonderful back then. Watching you two little guys grow up day by day, those were the happiest days for my wife and me. And over there, the chrysanthemums you two planted together when you were little, they were just a small bunch back then, but look how well they've grown now. You two were best friends when you were little, and A Zong has put in a lot of effort to bring you back from Qi State over the years, even though the process was difficult. But fortunately, the result is good. Now A Zong is getting married. Miss An Ran is a very good girl. Having a woman like her who understands his feelings by his side will comfort his wife in the afterlife. But A Li, you should also pay attention to your lifelong affairs. Don't miss out on the right one. Life is difficult and easy. No matter your status, it is better to have a partner who can accompany you for life than to be alone. Besides, your family members cannot protect you all the time. You are not young anymore, so you should seize the time when you find the right one.

Lin Niang held Mu Qingli's hand with a loving look in her eyes and chattered all the way, but this time, Mu Qingli did not feel annoyed, but agreed with her from time to time.

"Aunt Lin is right. I will think about it carefully. If I find a suitable one, I will bring it back for you to see."

Feng Zong walked behind the two of them, looking at them talking and laughing, his eyes full of smiles. At this moment, both he and Mu Qingli were immersed in the warmth brought by their loved ones.

Although Lin Niang wasn't the mistress of the mansion, she had been with Madam Feng since she was a teenager, and they were as close as sisters. Neither Feng Zong nor anyone else in the general's mansion ever treated her as a servant. After Madam Feng's death, she was the one who managed all the affairs of the mansion, big and small, and Feng Zong had long since considered her a family member.

Before they knew it, it had darkened. It was already late autumn and it got dark early. By the time Mu Qingli left, it was completely dark.

Lin Niang reluctantly held her hand and said, "Ali, when you recover, you must come back and stay for a few more days. Also, take good care of yourself and recuperate well. I will take care of Azong's marriage, so don't worry. Just take care of yourself."

Mu Qingli nodded obediently, "Yes, Aunt Lin, I know. You've been tired all day. Go back and rest. I'll come back to see you when I have time."

Under Lin Niang's reluctant gaze, Mu Qingli took Wanyue's hand and got on the carriage, heading towards the Princess's Mansion.

......

Jiang Ci was away for three months and finally came back the day before Feng Zong and An Ran's wedding. During the three months he was away, Mu Qingli knew nothing about him. Even after he came back, he did not let anyone tell Mu Qingli.

Although Mu Qingli's body has recovered to normal, she always felt a slight discomfort in her chest these days. However, she did not think much about it and just thought it was because she had not rested well recently.

Perhaps because she was worried about Jiang Ci, she always couldn't sleep well every night after Jiang Ci left. As time went on, the symptoms became more serious. Later, when Su Minsheng was born, he carefully examined her body but found nothing unusual. In the end, he had to prescribe her some sedatives.

As Feng Zong and An Ran's wedding date approached, she was busy with their wedding preparations and didn't think much about the abnormalities in her body.

The day before her wedding, after she and Feng Zong had burned incense together in the Feng family ancestral hall, Feng Zong was very worried when he saw that she seemed to be in a bad mood for some time.

"Ali, are you feeling unwell? You haven't looked well these past few days. Are you too tired? I told you that my wedding with Anran should be simple. Besides, Aunt Lin is here. You just recovered from your injury, so you shouldn't be so tired."

Mu Qingli shook her head, indicating that she was fine. The two of them talked as they walked and came to the warm room in the mansion and sat down.

It is winter now. The winter in Shangjing is different from the spring-like seasons in Dongli Town and Sifang City. The winter here is bone-chillingly cold.

Mu Qingli held the heater in her arms, and she felt her hands and feet were frozen after just a short distance. Fortunately, it was much warmer in the warm room, and she felt that her body temperature had recovered a lot.

"It's okay, brother. This is a big deal for you and Sister An Ran, so I naturally care about it. Tomorrow is your wedding. Thinking about how you've been together for so many years, you're finally going to get married. I'm really happy for you."

Feng Zong moved the burning charcoal brazier in the warm room closer to her feet, his tone filled with helplessness.

"You, I can't do anything about you. But you've made an indelible contribution to An Ran and I being where we are today. We've finally achieved a happy ending. But you, every time I mention this issue, you're always vague. I think Su Minsheng is a good person, and he cares about you. He's a good person, too. You've known each other for many years and know each other well. I can see that he likes you very much. What are you really thinking? You have to tell him what you're thinking. You can't keep dragging it out like this. I'm telling you, don't wait until someone else gets there first and then regret it. There are many people in the court who want to marry their daughters to him."