The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 32 - 31
Chapter 31
Amidst the chilling vast forest, a rugged road stretched southward through Qingzhou Region. Along it, a large convoy of over ten horse-drawn carriages progressed steadily.
Each carriage bore the prominent Mu crest, showing that this convoy belonged to the Mu family.
Inside one of the carriages, at the heart of the convoy, sat a thirteen-year-old girl, chin in hand, blankly gazing out at the snow-covered trees along the way. Her vacant mind reflected nothing but a serene emptiness, a peaceful solitude that unknowingly filled her heart.
When the sunlight touched her face, it revealed a beauty so divine, it seemed heaven-sent. At merely thirteen, her emerging charm shone bright, promising a bloom of even greater splendor with time.
Her regal beauty, coupled with an aura of profound calm, likened her to a celestial being in reclusive grace. Though her expression bore a hint of cool detachment, it only added to her intriguing allure.
"Miss, it won’t be long before we reach Qingyun City. I wonder how Seventh Young Miss is doing now?"
Xiao Chun’s voice snapped Mu Qingxuan back to reality. She diverted her gaze from the scenery outside, her beautiful face breaking into a mesmerizing smile. "Ying’er must have grown up quite a bit. Finally, the three of us siblings will be together again."
"Indeed, Miss. I remember it clearly. The last time when you were about to leave for the capital, Seventh Young Miss clung to you, crying, not wanting to be separated. She will surely be overjoyed this time,"
Xiao Chun recalled with a warm smile. The Seventh Young Miss was indeed lovable, and if it weren’t for the Furen’s machinations, she wouldn’t have been left in Qingyun City, away from her siblings for so long.
"Looking at how she has consistently sent gifts over the years, it seems Ying’er has grown up well and must be quite cheerful," Mu Qingxuan remarked with a smile, feeling a warmth inside. Even though the gifts from her younger sister weren’t expensive, they held immense emotional value.
Those gifts offered Mu Qingxuan solace during tough times, reminding her of her innocent younger sister waiting in Qingyun City.
A young and innocent child deserved to blossom beautifully...
In her previous life, due to her weakness and naivety, she failed to protect Ying’er. As a result, her little sister, who hadn’t fully lived her life according to her wishes, had to face an undeserved execution, shouldering blame for crimes she never committed, condemned by people even though everything was far from the truth!
No matter what, in this life, she must ensure that Ying’er grows up beautifully, living a good life on the path she had painstakingly prepared for her!
No one would ever lay a finger on her sister again!
Having Ying’er stay with their grandmother in Qingyun City turned out to be a blessing, as she was well-cared for, unlike in the capital where they were under the thumb of Bai Lijun.
Moreover, her eldest brother had passed the imperial examination, becoming a Zhuangyuan. In a few years, they would face a deadly scheme by the malicious mother-daughter duo. However, she was determined to change their fates this time!
Her previously gentle and kind eyes suddenly sparkled with malice as she asked, "Is the task I assigned you earlier completed well?"
"You can be assured, Miss. Feng Guogong[1]’s close aide personally collected the medicine. I’ve relayed your message to Feng Guogong exactly as you instructed," Xiao Chun replied earnestly.
"Good," Mu Qingxuan nodded in approval and didn’t say more. Xiao Chun pursed her lips slightly, hesitating before asking cautiously,
“Don’t think I’m too forward, Miss, but was ignoring His Majesty the last time...really wise?”
Mu Qingxuan raised her eyebrows, her beautiful face revealing annoyance, “Wise or not, what does it matter? He asked me to treat Feng Guogong, and I did just that. I am not his personal physician to be ordered around. To think he would come to see me in the dead of night, was he a ghost or a man!?”
“Aiyo! Miss, that’s the Emperor you’re talking about! If the Emperor had someone follow you and report back our conversation about you not showing him due respect, you could be in big trouble!”
Xiao Chun was genuinely worried, astonished at her young miss’s audacity to speak so freely of the Emperor without a hint of fear. It seemed Mu Qingxuan was unique in her bravery.
“Hmph!”
Mu Qingxuan, usually so composed, let out an irritated sigh. “He wouldn’t order my execution. Who would work for him then? It’s only me after all!”
Ever since she started practicing medicine seriously four years ago, the Emperor began visiting her master’s pharmacy more frequently. Initially, she was unaware of his status. Only in the latter half of the year did she realize that the most shameless and bold young man she had encountered was the ruler of the land himself!
He would argue and tease her whenever he had the chance!
The first two years were not that bad. He just stopped by to annoy her at the pharmacy. But in the last two years, he even dared to intrude on her residence at night!
Had she not known he was the Emperor, she might have mistaken him for a nocturnal thief!
Furthermore, he treated her no different from his personal servant!
Heavens! She was only thirteen years old now. Didn’t he have any compassion for her at all!?
Initially, Mu Qingxuan had no intention of resisting the Emperor’s requests, considering it beneficial to maintain a good relationship with the sovereign for future prospects. However, as time passed, he ordered her around as if she wasn’t entitled to a moment’s rest.
But her master agreed, suggesting it was ‘good practice to refine her skills’ before he too left the capital, vanishing once again and leaving his young disciple alone...
The more she thought about the heartless Emperor, the more irked Mu Qingxuan became. She exhaled deeply, trying to calm herself by gazing at the scenery outside.
Meanwhile, in another carriage ahead, an eighteen-year-old young man was immersed in reading a scroll, his demeanor serene and dignified. His face was strikingly handsome, his tall, well-proportioned figure exuded an elegant and intimidating aura.
His sharp, attentive eyes leisurely scanned the text, occasionally smiling slightly when he found intriguing content.
“Young Master, please take a break and have some tea,” Ding Yang, his personal servant, offered considerately, presenting a warm cup of tea.
He set the scroll aside to take the tea, acknowledging his servant’s thoughtfulness, “Thank you very much.”
“We are nearing Qingyun City. It’s been a while since we returned. I wonder what has changed,” Ding Yang mused, packing away the tea set while expressing his subtle excitement.
After all, they grew up in Qingyun City. No matter how long they were away, their hearts lingered on their hometown.
At the thought of a petite figure awaiting him in Qingyun City, Mu Gongzhen smiled softly. That delicate being in his memory was pure and fragile, like a newly emerged butterfly.
Such untainted beauty was rare and had stayed with him over the years.
After such a long absence, how had Ying’er changed?
Placing his teacup down, Mu Gongzhen pulled out a handkerchief with a childlike, clumsy embroidery pattern – the first gift his little sister had sent him four years ago.
Though simple and not lavishly adorned, even the pattern looked quite different from normal people, it was invaluable to him.
For years, Mu Gongzhen never used that handkerchief, keeping it close as if it were a jade pendant, an integral part of him.
“Young Master, before we departed, I noticed some of Furen’s people acting suspiciously, sneaking in and out of the manor. It might bode ill. Please be cautious upon our return to Qingyun City,” Ding Yang warned with genuine concern.
Ever since the young master passed the Zhuangyuan exam, Mu Furen seemed unusually anxious and showed enmity towards him. Only Mu Patriarch expressed genuine joy and was increasingly kind to the young master.
Mu Gongzhen slightly smirked, “Whatever is destined to happen will happen. Just tell our people to be ready.”
He wasn’t worried at all. Bai Lijiun might appear cunning and full of schemes, but on closer inspection, she was just a cornered dog, desperately plotting to remove thorns in her path without careful consideration.
After having strange dreams four years ago, Mu Gongzhen had been observing changes in the capital to see if they matched his premonitions, which turned out to be accurate. Everything in his dream all came true!
He could no longer deny that he had dreamt of a near future that was about to unfold—a dire future he was determined to prevent!
Knowing the forthcoming events, he could alter certain outcomes, including a planned assassination attempt in three years. He was resolute not to die; if he did, who would take care of his two sisters?
Therefore, Mu Gongzhen decided to immediately secure the position of Zhuangyuan to build his influence. Soon, there would come a day when he would have to confront his father, the Left side Chancellor, and the royal family member, Shin Wang.
Without power and support, he couldn’t change these tragic fates!
It wouldn’t be long before he would take his two sisters away, separating them from the Mu family to live happily together.
It wouldn’t be long...
Meanwhile, in the leading carriage, two figures were discussing seriously. Bai Lijiun, usually sweet-faced, now wore a fierce expression, “Auntie Yang, is everything ready?”
“Everything is set, Miss. They are all lying in ambush on the way back as planned,” Auntie Yang responded. Bai Lijiun sighed heavily.
“I never thought Mu Gongzhen would become a Zhuangyuan. If he doesn’t die, it will be our downfall!”
Auntie Yang consoled while cupping her mistress’s hand, “Don’t worry, Miss. There are many paths to death; I don’t believe Mu Gongzhen can escape them all.”
“For years I’ve tried to conceive another son, but to no avail. It would be wise to have another male heir for the family, which would surely please my husband. He wouldn’t favor only the eldest son then!”
Bai Lijiun was worried. Her heart was heavy, even though her husband complied with all her wishes, the matter of the eldest son remained an exception. That was because the Mu family had only Mu Gongzhen as an heir.
If she couldn’t bear another son, everything in the Mu family would inevitably belong to Mu Gongzhen, which her husband also appreciated. He cared too much about his reputation and power. Now that his son had become a Zhuangyuan, enhancing his prestige, how could he possibly give him up?
“Don’t fret, Miss. I’ve heard of a potion that could make pregnancy easier,” Auntie Yang paused, then whispered, lowering her voice, “Once we return to the capital, I’ll have it checked and brought to you to enhance your fertility.”
Bai Lijiun pondered momentarily. Using such a tonic could upset her husband, hinting at his own fertility issues. Hence, this must be kept at utmost confidential.
Nevertheless, the immediate priority was to conceive another son!
[1] Gong (公, pinyin: gōng) is the highest of five orders of nobility, equivalent to Duke. Guogong (國公, pinyin: guó gōng) is the highest sub-rank of Gong.
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