"Aunt, it hurts." Even so, Mu Ge deliberately frowned, speaking in a coquettish manner.
This pretentious act was mainly because she didn't want her changes to be too noticeable, arousing her family's suspicion. The death of Mu Qingge and her own return in another's body was likely not an easy story to accept.
"What are you pretending for? Does your aunt not know her own strength well enough to actually hurt you?" Mu Lianrong said, yet she extended her hand to rub Mu Ge's shoulder.
"Alright, you two have bickered enough. Let's talk about serious matters now." Mu Xiong interrupted, his eyes rarely serious.
Mu Ge's heart stirred, and she casually found a chair to sit on in the study.
Mu Lianrong also sat back in her original seat, looking at Mu Ge with concern.
The study suddenly became quiet. After a while, Mu Xiong spoke, "You little rascal, you've been back for just a day and already stirred up such a mess. But you did teach that bastard from the He Family a lesson."
So they were talking about He Cheng. Mu Ge understood and didn't speak.
"I just don't understand. Why, after releasing him, did you take him away again and let him know it was you who did it?" Mu Xiong finished, looking at Mu Ge in confusion.
Mu Lianrong also inquired with her eyes.
Mu Ge sneered, "Letting He Cheng go unharmed is known to everyone. I took him away—was there any evidence? From beginning to end, those courtesans did not know the person in the sack was He Cheng. Afterward, how could those three distinguish the one beaten like a pig head as the young master of the He Mansion? Just because he said it was himself?"
"There's no evidence to prove it was me, yet I made sure he knew that the reason he ended up in this situation was for provoking me. I want him to be unable to complain. He must swallow the bitter pill, no matter how much he chokes on it!" Mu Ge finished, a sharpness appearing in her clear eyes.
Indeed, she wanted to infuriate He Cheng, so what? Compared to the five hundred souls, this punishment was too lenient.
The sudden sharp edge on Mu Ge made both Mu Xiong and Mu Lianrong freeze. But they weren't too surprised, as if the people of the Mu Family should have always been like this.
Mu Xiong nodded with satisfaction. Mu Qingge's transformation brought comfort to his old heart. Perhaps this tribulation really made him grow up.
"Ge'er, the matter with He Cheng is considered resolved now. But regarding Prince Rui, our Mu Mansion cannot get too close, yet we should not offend him either. After all, you still have an engagement," Mu Xiong suddenly said.
"Engagement!? What engagement!" Mu Ge was shocked, almost jumping out of the chair as if it were pricked by needles.
Mu Xiong glared at her. Mu Lianrong explained puzzledly, "What? You've been gone from home for a while and forgotten you have a fiancée? Though neither your grandfather nor I were willing to accept this marriage, it was, after all, decreed by the Emperor: a Princess marrying down. For a princess with beauty and talent from Qin Country to match you, the prodigal, is considered fortunate for you."
A fiancée! A princess!
Mu Ge's eyes widened, as if she had received a great shock.
At this moment, Mu Xiong added, "Princess Changle is Prince Rui's full-blooded sister. Reckoning, Prince Rui will be your brother-in-law in the future. So, your grandfather does not wish to hear any rumors about you and Prince Rui anymore. Of course, even if we become in-laws with Prince Rui, your grandfather will not agree to you getting involved in the fight for the throne. Grandpa is old; in this family, only the three of us are left. Your aunt is sworn never to marry, and Grandpa can't control her. But you must behave, rein yourself in, and live safely to continue the Mu Family's bloodline."
"..." Mu Ge listened, dumbfounded.
Her gaze fixated on the transparent form of Mu Qingge. Suddenly, she felt she'd been tricked by a ghost!