This was also thanks to Madam He having made preparations in advance. With her understanding of Tang Mingrui, this guy would definitely bring a lot of carriages over, otherwise there simply wouldn't be enough room for everything.
After sending off Tang Mingrui's group, it wasn't even Chen time yet.
Mo Jiuye had worked up quite a sweat, and was just about to go home to wash up and change, when he saw Song Chao running over.
"Ninth Master, a carriage has arrived in the village, going around asking about the Mo family's whereabouts."
Mo Jiuye wiped the sweat from his forehead, pointed in the direction of the village and said, "Take me over to take a look."
Ever since settling down in Xiling Village, other than becoming familiar with the villagers, there was only Meng Huaining and Tang Mingrui that he could think of having any connection with.
Therefore, he was very curious about the identity of these visitors.
Or rather, he was conspiratorially thinking that it was another person who had come to cause trouble for the Mo family, not knowing better.
With this in mind, Mo Jiuye followed Song Chao into the village.
Ever since the incident where Second Master had brought people to cause trouble for the Mo family, the villagers didn't want any more misfortune to befall them, so when asked about the Mo family's whereabouts, they all avoided answering, with some even directly turning away.
Because he hadn't been able to find out the exact location of the Mo family, the carriage had no clear destination and could only stop on a small road in the village.
The coachman was still asking around, but unfortunately he was asking in vain.
Left with no choice, the coachman could only report back to the carriage.
"Mistress, the villagers here are all strange, I only asked for directions yet they avoided me as if I were some ferocious beast."
Madam He helplessly lifted the carriage curtain to reveal an older female servant helping her down.
She did not blame the coachman. Just now when she had looked out the carriage window, she had already clearly seen the situation.
"I'll go and ask myself."
Mo Jiuye was not very familiar with his mother-in-law.
He had only met her three times. The first time was before he was engaged to He Zhiran, when he went to Minister He's estate to deliver betrothal gifts. Back then it was Minister He and his wife receiving him together, but because of propriety he kept his head lowered while speaking with his father-in-law, and did not look up at his mother-in-law.
The second time was on his wedding day to bring He Zhiran into his household. Minister He and his wife were seeing them off at the door, and Mo Jiuye had only glanced at her for a moment before taking his leave.
The third time was on the day they were exiled. Minister He and his wife had gone to see He Zhiran off. He had also secretly watched from atop the carriage.
And when he went to the capital a few days ago, he had only eavesdropped on the He family's conversation from afar, and did not see his mother-in-law.
Therefore, Mo Jiuye's impression of his mother-in-law was still somewhat vague.
Madam He's outfit today was similar to that of an affluent urban household. The mother-in-law he had seen before was always graceful and elegant, so it was understandable that Mo Jiuye did not recognize her.
However, looking at this woman who, although not dressed very lavishly, still carried an innate grace and virtue that could not be faked, he could determine that she was no ordinary person, and also did not look like someone with ill intentions.
He just found it somewhat confusing what connection the Mo family could have with this woman.
While pondering this in his heart, he had already walked over to Madam He.
As Madam He turned around, she saw two tall figures appear before her.
Although Mo Jiuye did not recognize her as his mother-in-law, Madam He was not a stranger to him.
Back when Mo Jiuye had gone to deliver the betrothal gifts, she had intentionally looked him over a few more times, especially his tall and straight stature which stood out prominently even amongst the crowd.
"Jiuye," seeing Mo Jiuye, Madam He's eyes brimmed with tears, almost spilling over.
Heaven knows how anxious she had been to see her daughter and son-in-law during this trip.
She wanted to see their living environment as soon as possible.
Most importantly, her daughter was about to give birth soon, and she, as her mother, needed to be there for her.
Hearing this call, Mo Jiuye was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted.
"Mother-in-law?"
He tentatively asked. Although he could not recall what his mother-in-law looked like, this voice was familiar, as he had heard it recently in the capital.
As Madam He continuously nodded, tears flowed unchecked down her face.
"Jiuye, is Ranran well?" This was her foremost concern right now.
Mo Jiuye stepped forward, "Mother-in-law, Raran is very well. Seeing you will surely make her very happy. I will take you to see her right away."
Song Chao also perceptively realized that the person who had come to Xiling Village looking for the Mo family turned out to be Ninth Master's mother-in-law.
He took the reins from the coachman and walked in front to lead the way.
Madam He was supported by a personal maid as she walked alongside Mo Jiuye.
At this moment, she had no interest in observing her surroundings, only wanting to see her daughter as soon as possible.
He Zhiran was now nearing her due date, and had become lazier than before.
Especially last night, it seemed like the two treasures in her belly were competing, tossing and turning her such that she did not rest well.
Just because of this, He Zhiran had lazed in bed today, only getting up at this time.
Old Lady Mo was worried that it would be inconvenient without anyone by her side to serve her in her advanced pregnancy, hence had thoughtful Lan Er keep her company.
At this time, Lan Er was setting out the specially prepared breakfast for He Zhiran on the stone table in the yard. He Zhiran had just picked up her chopsticks when she heard footsteps and hoofbeats outside the yard.
She found it somewhat strange that someone would be driving a carriage here at this time.
"Lan Er, go take a look at who's arrived outside."
Lan Er responded and opened the yard gate. Mo Jiuye's excited voice floated in.
"Ranran, come quickly see who's here!"
He Zhiran put down her chopsticks and got up, looking towards the gate.
The moment she saw Madam He, she froze.
Perhaps it was because she had taken over the original host's body, but this kind of heartfelt intimacy simply could not be faked.
"Mother?"
"Ranran... wuwuwu..." Seeing her pregnant daughter, Madam He wept torrentially, shaking off her maid's support and rushing towards He Zhiran at top speed.
He Zhiran likewise, with tears flowing down her cheeks like a snapped strand of pearls.
She didn't know why, but the moment she saw Madam He, there wasn't the slightest resentment in her heart, as if it was her own birth mother.
"Mother... How did you get here?"
As they spoke, mother and daughter were already weeping bitterly in each other's embrace in full view of everyone.
Mo Jiuye watched from the sidelines, also feeling very awful inside.
If it weren't for the Mo family, Ranran would not have been separated so far from her own mother, not even knowing when they might meet again.
He wanted to step forward and offer comfort, yet did not know what to say, and could only stand stunned on the spot. However, he did not forget to have Song Chao go to Old Lady Mo's courtyard to invite her over.
His mother-in-law had travelled all this way to the northwest, she was an esteemed guest, if his own mother did not promptly show due courtesy, it would reflect badly on them.
It was perceptive Lan Er who saw that the weeping mother and daughter were distressed, and promptly brought over two handkerchiefs for them to dry their tears.
Only then did Madam He realize that her pregnant daughter should avoid such distress for the sake of the child in her belly.
"Ranran, quickly, stop crying. Let Mother take a look at you."
