"Cousin Lianrong, everything Xiyue does for Brother Mu is out of her own free will."
Mu Ge was still puzzled by Mu Lianrong's words when she heard Bai Xiyue speak understandingly, easing the situation. Unconsciously, she glanced at the latter.
Meeting Mu Ge's inquisitive gaze, Bai Xiyue actually revealed a tender, shy smile, which instantly gave the former goosebumps.
Uh...
Seemingly bashful, Bai Xiyue dared not look at Mu Ge further. Instead, she turned to face Mu Lianrong and said, "Cousin Lianrong, since Brother Mu is fine, I shall go back first. I will visit Brother Mu again tomorrow."
"Yes, that's right. You, a maiden from the inner chambers, meeting a man at night is somewhat inappropriate. Go back and rest for now, I will stay a while longer," Mu Lianrong replied understandingly.
Upon receiving Mu Lianrong's words, Bai Xiyue gently bowed before gracefully leaving with her maid.
Her genteel and proper demeanor prompted Mu Lianrong to nod in satisfaction.
After Bai Xiyue left, Mu Lianrong spoke to You He and Hua Yue, "I have some words to discuss with your master. Please retire now to prepare the bath and food."
You He and Hua Yue did not leave immediately but looked at Mu Ge. Only after the latter nodded did they bow and retreat.
"Aunt, please come in." Mu Ge sidestepped, inviting Mu Lianrong into the room.
Once Mu Lianrong entered the room, she instructed Mu Ge to close the door.
Inside the room, only the aunt and niece remained.
Mu Lianrong sat on the chair in the room. At this moment, the candle had been lit. Through the flickering flame, Mu Lianrong gazed at Mu Ge with complex emotions, reproachful yet concerned, "Qingge, why were you so reckless this time? You are the Mu Family's sole heir, and if anything happens to you, the Mu Family will be ruined. How you've been foolhardy usually, I have tolerated only because here in Luodu, the Mu Family can protect you. But you shouldn't have left Luodu on your own, putting yourself in danger. Do you know how many people in this Qin Country wish for your demise outside?"
These words were spoken sharply, yet Mu Ge felt a deep concern within them.
Mu Ge did not respond, seemingly accepting Mu Lianrong's scolding. The latter sighed, her gaze complicatedly drifting into the distance—filled with pain and hatred. "The world believes that the misfortunes of the Mu Family ten years ago were mere bad luck. But what is the truth? It's simply that someone could not allow the Mu Family to continue growing. Back then, your second uncle and grandmother died by accident falling off a cliff, yet I survived by luck. Your grandfather had no choice but to retreat from the battlefield to leave your father to face the enemies alone. But who would have thought that just after your grandfather stepped into Luodu, word came that your father had died in battle. Died in battle? Hmph..."
Mu Lianrong suddenly sneered, her sharp gaze almost overpowering with hatred, "Those were nothing but a rabble, mountain bandits. Your father went to war at thirteen with no record of defeat, how could a group of mountain bandits possibly kill him, and even his body couldn't be found?"
It turns out, the Mu Family had a second master. It turns out, Mu Qingge's father died in such a way.
Mu Ge's gaze was obscure and hard to read, feeling some sympathy for the Mu Family's plight. The phrase "kill the rabbit and cook the dog," achieving success only to murder the benefactor, the emperor's jealousy... these sayings seem fitting in any world.
Suddenly, Mu Ge felt a weight on the back of her hand, a soft and warm touch made her lift her eyes to meet Mu Lianrong's worried gaze.
"Qingge, your grandfather is old. I am ultimately a woman; in the future, the Mu Family will rely solely on you. I don't wish for you to become a great man standing tall, only that you live safely," she said, her hand leaving Mu Ge's hand while she gently tucked loose strands of hair behind Mu Ge's ear, murmuring in a voice barely audible, "Perhaps, only your current temperament can assure those people."