Chapter 2314: Malu Returns

Chapter 2314: Malu Returns

Shu Yu looked at the newcomer in surprise. "Malu?"

Wasn't he working with the prefect magistrate and not at home? How did he suddenly appear in Zhengdao Village?

With an astonished expression, Malu had already run up to them and said with a smile, "I just returned home and heard from Ah Yue that you were coming. I rushed to the estate. The steward at the estate told me you were going up the mountain to hunt, so I couldn't wait and came over. I didn't expect you to return so soon."

He even raised the bow and arrow in his hand, evidently prepared to join them in hunting.

Malu was very excited, especially when he saw Meng Yunzheng. He recalled the scene of them hunting a tiger together deep in the mountains and felt a surge of excitement. He really wanted to experience it again.

However, according to Ah Yue, they had important matters to attend to this time and couldn't stay in Zhengdao Village for long, so he had to reluctantly give up.

Meng Yunzheng nodded at Malu and asked, "I heard from Aunt Fang that you're working with the Prefect Magistrate now. Congratulations. But why did you come back today?"

"It just happened to be my day off these past couple of days, and the Prefect Magistrate didn't have much work for me at the moment. So, I came back to see Ah Yue and the child. It's lucky that I returned, and I got to meet you all."

Shu Yu was a bit curious. "Malu, now that you're working with Prefect Magistrate Cheng, do people outside show you some respect?"

Malu looked a bit embarrassed and said, "No, not really. Magistrate Cheng is the Prefect Magistrate, and I'm just a lucky little minion. I'm actually working with Cheng Xian's guards. It's just that Cheng Xian isn't at home recently, so the other guards assigned us here. That's why I have less work and was able to come back."

Shu Yu was taken aback. "Cheng Xian isn't at home?"

"Yeah, he was sent out on a mission over a month ago. I don't know the specifics of what he's doing."

Over a month ago?

Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng exchanged glances. It wasn't that they were overly sensitive, but Shu Quan's letter from yesterday had mentioned that Shu Feng had pretended to break his leg and secretly left Zhengdao Village over a month ago.

The two incidents occurred during the same time frame, but whether they were related was still uncertain.

"Malu, what's going on?"

"Nothing, I heard from Aunt Fang that you had met Cheng Xian last year when you were in Changjin Prefecture. We thought that since you happened to be in the southwest, there might be a chance to meet him again."

Malu couldn't say for sure. He didn't know when Cheng Xian would return.

While they chatted, they continued walking towards Zhengdao Village.

Halfway there, Xu Dali returned home with the game he had caught.

As soon as he arrived home, his wife, Lin Shi, welcomed him with a smile and took the game from him. "You went hunting with County Princess and Sir Meng today. What a great catch. How about inviting County Princess to our home for dinner tonight? They had dinner at the Fangs' yesterday, so we should host them today."

Xu Dali shook his head. "County Princess and Sir Meng are leaving for the county town this afternoon and won't be staying in the village tonight."

"Already leaving so soon?" Lin Shi sighed with regret.

"Yeah." Xudali thought for a moment. "You can prepare your signature spicy fried chicken. I'll deliver it to the Fangs' house later. It's a rare opportunity for them to visit. Let them taste your cooking."

"Alright." Lin Shi took the game and went into the kitchen.

When she reached the kitchen door, she was about to ask Xu Dali to help start a fire, but he went into the room on his own and brought out the only inkstone and paper in the house. He started grinding and preparing to write quickly.