The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 33 - 32

Chapter 32

When morning arrived, the gentle sunlight filtered through the clouds onto the ground, signaling the dawn of a new day. The coldness from the night had significantly diminished, yet the chilly wind continued to blow persistently, causing people to shiver.

Today was a particularly good day; the snow was merely flurrying, not falling heavily as on other days. The Mu family manor was bustling with activity from early morning. The servants were up early, preparing and cleaning every unoccupied house in anticipation of the visitors’ arrival.

The pathways connecting each house and the road in front of the Mu Manor’s gate were swept clean, free of any piled snow.

Mu Yingying was also up early, excited at the thought of meeting her brother and sister. She wanted to make a good impression, so she meticulously chose her attire and accessories herself.

Today, she donned a light pink gown embroidered with butterflies at the hem using golden silk threads, which fluttered like real butterflies when she twirled, looking stunningly delicate. She then put on a white fox fur cloak for an additional layer of warmth.

The cloak, soft white with golden silk embroidery of flowers, complemented her petite and delicate figure even further.

Her hair was styled into two high buns, adorned with jade ornaments carved into Osmanthus designs.

Mu Yingying gazed at her reflection in the brass mirror, contented. She wanted her siblings to be reassured by how well she had been cared for, alleviating their concerns for her.

“Let’s wait at the manor’s gate,”

She suggested to Su Su and Lu Jiu, then donned her hooded white fox fur cloak over her head. The three braced the cold and headed towards the front gate of the Mu family manor. Although the snow was light, it added a biting chill to the air. Su Su, who had prepared beforehand, handed a hand-warmer to her mistress for warmth.

Lu Jiu stood beside her, holding an umbrella over Mu Yingying’s head to shield her from the falling snow, indifferent to the flakes landing on him outside the umbrella.

Clip-clop~

The sound of horse hooves grew nearer and nearer. At this time, it was usually quiet with few passersby, especially a large carriage convoy. Without much thought, Mu Yingying knew immediately that this sound heralded the arrival of the Mu family carriage convoy.

Soon, the carriage convoy halted in front of the manor’s gate, and one by one, its occupants began to descend continuously.

Mu Yingying narrowed her eyes slightly, scrutinizing the figures before her with an icy gaze, including her father, Bai Lijun, and various other siblings from different mothers.

Finally, the long-awaited reunion!

Mu Cui Ming, just stepping down from the carriage, caught sight of a petite figure in a white fox fur cloak against a soft pink dress. He stared at the little figure thoughtfully, wondering who it was, but when it came close, he realized it was his youngest daughter.

“Ying’er, greet her father and mother,”

She called out with a voice clear as a bell, drawing everyone’s attention. They all turned to look at the petite figure in surprise.

Bai Lijun raised her eyebrows slightly at the sight of the stepdaughter she had left behind in Qingyun City four years ago. She hadn’t expected the girl to have grown so much and, judging by her appearance, demeanor, and attire, seemed to have lived quite well.

Mu Cui Ming responded coolly without further greetings. He had never felt any particular affection or bond with this youngest daughter, so he found himself at a loss for words.

"Ying’er, have you grown so much? Come here and let me see you. It’s been so long, you’ve become even more adorable," Bai Lijun adjusted her expression to appear gentle as she reached out to touch the girl.

Mu Yingying deftly sidestepped the hand, almost losing her balance in a feigned stumble, "Thank you, mother. Thanks to grandmother’s kindness, Ying’er has been well cared for."

Bai Lijun withdrew her hand, left hanging awkwardly, "That’s good then. You must show gratitude to your grandmother."

Mu Yingying responded nonchalantly, hiding a brief smile at the corner of her lips. Bai Lijun remained deceitful as before. Because of her polished acting skills, she understood why they, in their previous life, had been deceived by such people.

But not this time!

Let them perform, and I would counteract. We shall see who would last and who would perish!

After the formal greetings were completed, Mu Yingying immediately looked for her two siblings. Catching sight of the two familiar figures just alighting from the carriage, a flash of joy crossed her bright eyes.

Lifting her skirt, she hurried towards them, followed closely by Su Su and Lu Jiu.

"Eldest Brother! Eldest Sister!"

Mu Yingying called out cheerfully, her face splitting into a wide smile, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Mu Gongzhen and Mu Qingxuan turned at her voice, their hearts thumping with excitement. Approaching them was the little figure in the white fox fur cloak, blooming like a beautiful flower right before their eyes.

Warmth surged unexpectedly in their hearts amidst the long-accumulated biting cold. Mu Qingxuan’s eyes reddened, glistening with tears at the brims, as a relentless surge of missing and concern welled up within.

Mu Gongzhen felt much the same; his usually cool, stern face softened, his keen eyes gleaming with joy, his hands trembling uncontrollably beneath his sleeves.

At last, they were reunited with the darling of their hearts...

Mu Yingying leaped forward, hugging both siblings tightly, her face pressed against their arms, overwhelmed by a flood of emotions – joy, sorrow, loneliness, disarray, all mingling together.

But in the end, it culminated in sheer happiness.

She rejoiced in seeing her siblings once again!

Since her return, nothing could bring her more joy!

She was delighted that her siblings were alive...

That they still stood, smiling at her...

That they continued to grow...

That the three siblings still had the chance to embrace each other like this...

Mu Yingying looked up, locking eyes with both, her own gaze brimming with affection and joy, visible for them to see.

"Finally, you have returned. Ying’er has missed you so dearly," she said with a beaming smile.

Mu Qingxuan blinked rapidly, clearing the mistiness from her eyes, before softly responding, "We’ve missed you too. Shall we go out and have some fun later?"

Mu Yingying looked hopefully at her elder brother. Mu Gongzhen smiled, affirming, "Yes, let’s go out together. Shall we visit the lake, what do you think?"

"That sounds wonderful! You’ve promised now,"

Mu Yingying laughed softly before taking their hands and heading towards the main house.

As they passed by Su Su and Lu Jiu, Mu Gongzhen gave a thoughtful glance towards a young man wearing a half-mask.

Lu Jiu was staring in the young man’s direction too but his focus was not on Mu Gongzhen, he focused only on the entwined hands with Mu Yingying’s...

Once inside, they gathered in the main hall to pay respects to the Elder Mu Furen. When the siblings arrived, everyone had already taken their respective seats.

Mu Yingying released her siblings’ hands and affectionately hugged the elderly woman seated prominently next to Mu Cui Ming, to the room’s surprise.

"What’s this, child? You seem so happy to see your siblings,"

Observed Elder Mu Furen, her stern expression softening instantly, chuckling affectionately as she stroked the little girl’s head.

"Grandmother, the eldest brother and eldest sister said they would take me out with them,"

Mu Yingying replied with a broad smile, her innocence endearing her even more to the onlookers.

"Well, that’s wonderful. It’s rare for you all to be together; a trip out would indeed be lovely," Elder Mu Furen nodded in agreement. When snacks were served, she tenderly fed Mu Yingying.

While eating, Mu Yingying playfully lifted her coat hem, revealing the beautiful embroidery of the white fox fur cloak.

Mu Cui Ming was taken aback by how close his mother and youngest daughter had grown. When had this bond deepened?

Since he could remember, his mother had always been impartial, never showing favoritism to any grandchild. But now, she displayed unmatched affection and favoritism towards only the youngest granddaughter.

Bai Lijun also frowned deeply, recalling how displeasure the Elder Mu Furen had for her. Despite multiple births in the family, the Elder Furen remained cold and distant. Yet now, she showed warmth and affection never seen before.

What exactly had transpired over these four years!?

Simultaneously, ten-year-old Mu Qin Shuang fixated on Mu Yingying’s elegant fur cloak, feeling an intense desire for beautiful possessions of her own, a longing inherent to young girls for pretty things.

Being indulged all her life, Mu Qin Shuang acted on impulse without a second thought whenever she desired something. She blurted out immediately without contemplation,

"That fox fur cloak is so beautiful! I want it!"

Her elder sister, Mu Luofei, aged thirteen, had a more mature mindset and felt her heart sink at her sister’s hasty words. She too had admired the cloak and desired it but restrained herself, weighing the pros and cons before speaking out.

Yet her foolish younger sister had carelessly voiced her desire!

This was not the capital where their mother held the highest authority, but here, it was their grandmother who ruled!

"Wait until we return to the capital, then mother can have a tailor make one for you, Shuang’er," Mu Luofei gently suggested, mimicking her mother’s tenderness.

With this reminder, she hoped Mu Qin Shuang would understand and relent. But reality proved otherwise as Mu Qin Shuang pointed at Mu Yingying and demanded obstinately.

"I want it now! Have her take it off for me this instant!"

Mu Yingying hid a cold smile within her heart before responding with feigned innocence, "Sixth Sister, how could I give you my cloak? Then what would I wear?"

"Just take it off! Give it to me right now!"

Mu Qin Shuang snapped back, her face upturned arrogantly, her words brimming with haughtiness. Mu Luofei and Bai Lijun wanted to intervene, but it was too late; both were aghast at the darkening expression of the Elder Furen.

Without allowing the mother-daughter duo to make any excuses for Mu Qin Shuang, Mu Yingying swiftly interjected to further fuel the fire,

"But...Sixth Sister, this was a gift from grandmother to me."

"So what! Do you think you deserve such beautiful things?" Mu Qin Shuang scorned openly, viewing Mu Yingying and her siblings as beneath her, unworthy of kinship!

"Enough!"

Thundered the voice of Elder Mu Furen, her aged face stern, her eyes tinged with faint anger. The room collectively sensed disaster: Sixth Young Miss had incited the Elder Furen’s wrath!

Meanwhile, Mu Yingying, head bowed, revealed a devilish grin unseen by others. She had intentionally worn the fox fur cloak given to her by her grandmother for this very occasion.

In her past life, she never got the chance to wear it; Mu Qin Shuang found and claimed it first. If Mu Qin Shuang so desired her belongings, she was willing to concede!

However, the decision would ultimately need the grandmother’s approval...

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