Mu Mansion, Chi Yun Garden.
As dawn breaks, where black and white meet, a layer of dazzling orange-red already begins to spread.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Mu Ge, who is attempting cultivation, slowly opens her eyes, her crimson lips slightly parted to exhale a breath of stale air.
As her clear, penetrating eyes open, they meet a translucent figure floating three feet away from her.
"You can cultivate now!" An astonished tone accompanies a shocked yet thrilled expression.
It's the first time Mu Ge has seen so many expressions on Mu Qingge's face.
"Is it possible? The sensation of something rushing into the body and merging into every limb and bone, is that the reaction after introducing spirit into the body?" Unlike Mu Qingge's excitement and disbelief, Mu Ge appears extremely calm.
She doesn't bother explaining the doubts in Mu Qingge's mind; instead, she merely lowers her eyes in contemplation, slowly recalling the sensations after attempting cultivation last night.
Last night, after returning from Mu Xiong, she dismissed You He and Hua Yue, only then having the time to try the cultivation method as Mu Qingge suggested.
Initially, she felt nothing.
It seemed due to her modern soul being unable to comprehend those ancient and obscure magic formulas.
However, as she repeatedly recited the formulas in her heart, wholly focusing her mind, she entered a very mystical state, as if she could perceive many crystalline, powerful things floating around her. Those things, intangible, seemed to be summoned, flowing through her skin into her body, following her meridians.
A warm feeling crawled out from deep within.
This sensation seemed fleeting. Upon awakening from it, Mu Ge realized what she thought was a moment had actually lasted an entire night.
"It seems the genetic transformation agent did not disappoint me after all," Mu Ge whispered to herself. Regardless, she could cultivate now, right?
Now able to cultivate, she'll slowly show some people what it means to be a waste!
Thinking of the constant dangers in Mu Mansion, and that she is also implicated, Mu Ge's lips curled into a cool, glamorous smile.
"What did you do? Why can you cultivate now?" Mu Qingge surveyed her former body, emotions deep in her eyes layered with complexity.
If this miracle had occurred while she was alive, perhaps everything would be different.
Mu Ge gave her a glance, stood up, brushed off her fiery red robe, and said nonchalantly, "Nothing much, maybe it's an extra gift for being resurrected after death."
Mu Qingge isn't always by her side. Perhaps it should be said that she appears only when Mu Ge needs her. Thus, regarding the genetic transformation agent, Mu Qingge remains unaware, and apparently, Mu Ge doesn't intend to explain.
"You can cultivate now! This great news should be shared with Grandfather right away!" Thankfully, Mu Qingge realizes in her heart that she is merely a ghost, and even if her body can cultivate, it has nothing to do with her. She merely wants Mu Ge to inform Mu Xiong of this miracle.
Perhaps because her own inability to cultivate made her internally guilty towards Mu Xiong, feeling apologetic.
However, Mu Ge shook her head, refusing, "Given the current situation in Mu Family, some things are better left unsaid." Raising her hand to interrupt Mu Qingge's impending persuasion, her clear gaze coldly fixed on her, "When to speak, I will make the plan."
It's not that she doesn't trust Mu Xiong, but because the more people know about this, the higher the risk of exposure.
Without absolute self-preservation strength, she doesn't wish to become an easy target.
Currently, the Mu Family having an un-cultivatable, indulgent wastrel heir seems most fitting to everyone.
Mu Qingge silently, with a hint of disagreement in her gaze towards Mu Ge.
Mu Ge, however, couldn't be bothered to pay attention, instead raising an eyebrow and saying to her, "You should think about how many things are still hidden from me. Sort them out carefully, and then tell me everything one by one."
Last night, she was quite shocked to learn about having an engagement in Mu Xiong's study.
Mu Ge's threatening tone caused Mu Qingge's translucent figure to tremble, pursing her lips as she lowered her gaze.
"Little Lord, are you awake? There's an eunuch from the palace in the front, Old Lord asked me to invite you over." Suddenly, You He's voice came from outside the door.
Someone from the palace?
Mu Ge raised an eyebrow with surprise, her sidelong glance casually sweeping over Mu Qingge, she pushed the door open and walked out.
After a whole night of cultivation, she didn't feel tired, instead full of energy.
...
Following You He to the main hall in Mu Mansion's front courtyard, Mu Ge immediately saw the eunuch who came from the palace to deliver a decree.
He was seated on a chair in the main hall, holding a roll of bright yellow silk in one hand and elegantly sipping tea with the other hand, his face smeared with makeup thicker than a woman's.
The belt tied around his almost-twisted waist was embroidered with garish patterns.
Such a person appearing in Mu Mansion immediately made Mu Ge feel a chill.
On the main seat, Mu Xiong was accompanying naturally. Of course, it's not because of the eunuch's importance, but because of the yellow scroll he holds.
"Oh~! Little Lord is here! You've kept us waiting, haven't you?"
The deliberately coquettish voice instantly raised goosebumps on Mu Ge's skin, making her want to retch.
'Monster! Stay away from me!'
Mu Ge, with an expressionless face, bypassed the overwhelming perfume scent and walked towards Mu Xiong.
The attitude of his grandson was observed by Mu Xiong, who chuckled and mediated, "Eunuch Huang, Ge'er has arrived, quickly proclaim the decree, don't delay His Majesty's matters."
Eunuch Huang gave a coquettish glare at Mu Ge before clearing his throat, unrolling the yellow document in his hand, and stated loudly with a lifted neck, "By the Emperor's decree, His Majesty summons Mu Qingge into the palace, to be conferred!"
During the proclamation, the grandfather and grandson neither kneel nor bow, and the eunuch couldn't say much.
After all, he came alone, indicating that what he conveyed was merely a verbal message, not an important matter. With Lord Yongning's status in Qin Country, there was naturally no need to bow. The little lord, being indulgent and backed by Old Lord's favoritism, naturally was exempt from formalities.
Eunuch Huang understood that the grandfather and grandson's attitude, even if reported to the Emperor, wouldn't result in any consequences.
So it's better to turn a blind eye.
"Little Lord, are you prepared? If yes, accompany us on a trip. Don't keep His Majesty waiting." Eunuch Huang handed the decree to Mu Ge, speaking with a sycophantic smile.
Mu Ge held the bright yellow decree, whispering in her heart: An audience with His Majesty?