The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 39 - 38

Chapter 38

The morning after, Auntie Yang woke up feeling an icy chill spread throughout her body, trembling to her bones. She was in pain all over, as if she had rolled off the bed.

She had no idea what had happened to her, completely unaware of the events of the previous night that led to such pain and cold penetrating her bones.

That entire day, Auntie Yang was struck with fever and pain all over her body.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was the day of the ancestral worship ceremony at the Shi Miao Temple. Every member of the Mu family took their carriages to the temple., including Mu Cui Ming, who had been bedridden for a long time but was starting to feel better, as were Bai Lijun and her daughters who had recovered from their allergic reactions.

It was a significant gathering for the Mu family, all heading to Shi Miao Temple to conduct a grand ceremony to tell their ancestors of Mu Gongzhen’s attainment of the Zhuangyuan title.

During the ceremony, Mu Luofei and Mu Qin Shuang were often seen stealing glances at Mu Yingying, sending her scornful and malevolent looks.

Mu Yingying could sense it but chose to ignore, maintaining her composure while secretly smirking.

Once the ceremony ended, it was time to return to the manor. Mu Cui Ming and Bai Lijun asked to leave early due to Mu Cui Ming’s still fragile health, which Elder Mu Furen allowed. Then, Elder Mu Furen took another carriage to follow them back to the manor.

Mu Gongzhen, who played a crucial role in this event, stayed behind to complete the ceremonies as scheduled. Therefore, Mu Qingxuan chose to return with Mu Yingying.

As they were about to board their carriage, a loud voice called out, "Wait a moment!"

Mu Qingxuan raised her eyebrows slightly before turning to look at the source, only to see it was Mu Luofei.

"What is it, Second Sister?"

"There are only two carriages left. Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sisters are already seated in the other one. Eldest Sister, please join them. I, along with Sixth Sister, will take this carriage with Seventh Sister," explained Mu Luofei, pointing towards the other waiting carriage.

Mu Qingxuan smirked, "Why should I go with them? You two can go there yourselves. I wish to stay with Ying’er!"

"Eldest Sister, please don’t mind me saying this, but the other carriage is much larger. That’s why I suggested you go there so the three of us can fit here," Mu Luofei elaborated, showing no sign of ulterior motive.

"If that’s the case, you go ahead. I’m staying!" Mu Qingxuan firmly replied, not interested in switching carriages. Wanted her to go there?

No way!

Why should she leave and let Ying’er be with those two vipers?!

Seeing Mu Qingxuan’s stubbornness, Mu Luofei’s beautiful face showed a flicker of irritation. "Fine! If you won’t go, then let Seventh Sister go in your place. I don’t care who stays or goes, but I’m taking this carriage!"

After saying that, Mu Luofei led Mu Qin Shuang onto the carriage, effectively cutting in front of Mu Qingxuan and Mu Yingying.

Mu Qingxuan watched the two sisters with a hidden smirk, knowing the carriage they chose was significantly smaller and might fit only one more person comfortably.

Mu Qingxuan decided to take Mu Yingying’s hand, leading her to the larger carriage, which surprisingly seemed to have room for just one more person.

Whether it was coincidence or intentional, Mu Qingxuan felt a strange premonition.

Mu Yingying glanced at her elder sister’s troubled face before softly tugging at her sleeve,

"Eldest Sister, please go back with this one. I’ll return with Second Sister myself."

"But that could be dangerous..." Mu Qingxuan frowned, wary of leaving her little sister with those two deceitful individuals. How could she willingly let her beloved sister be with them?

"Eldest Sister, don’t worry. They won’t be able to do anything to me on the carriage. Besides, both carriages will be following each other closely. If anything happens, you will know immediately," Mu Yingying said with a reassuring smile, trying to alleviate her sister’s concerns.

Given that Bai Lijun had already planned everything, it wouldn’t be surprising for Mu Luofei to try to separate her from her elder sister. It was only right for Mu Yingying to play along to avoid any mishaps.

After a moment of hesitation, Mu Qingxuan agreed to her sister’s request, taking the first carriage back while Mu Yingying headed for the second one.

Mu Luofei glanced at the small figure boarding the carriage with a smug look in her eyes. Everything was going according to plan without any hitch.

"Eldest Sister has taken the other carriage back. I will return with Second Sister and Sixth Sister," Mu Yingying said, maintaining an innocent smile, like a naive child unaware of the schemes around her.

"Then come and sit," Mu Luofei replied evenly, her eyes sparkling oddly.

Mu Yingying pretended not to notice these cunning gestures. She nodded and took a seat on the other side of the carriage, opposite the two sisters.

As the carriages were about to set off, Mu Qin Shuang, who was drinking tea, suddenly splashed her cup toward Mu Yingying, drenching her clothes.

Splash!

"Oops! My hand slipped!"

Mu Qin Shuang feigned surprise before revealing a malevolent smile, her eyes gleaming as she stared at Mu Yingying, now wet from the tea.

The steam rising indicated the tea’s heat hadn’t subsided. Luckily, Mu Yingying wore a large overcoat that day.

If the hot tea was to seep through to her inner clothes and skin, it could cause severe irritation!

Mu Yingying didn’t show panic. She merely glanced quietly at her stained overcoat, her eyes briefly flickering coldly.

"Sixth Sister! Don’t be so clumsy! Be more careful next time," Mu Luofei chided her sister, half-seriously, then turned to Mu Yingying, "Don’t take it to heart, Seventh Sister. She didn’t mean it."

"Right, right, I didn’t mean it. Please, don’t be mad at me, keke,"

Mu Qin Shuang echoed with a giddy laugh, showing no genuine remorse.

Mu Yingying secretly smirked. "It’s alright. I’m not upset," because they wouldn’t be laughing like this for much longer...

"In that case, Seventh Sister, go change your clothes at the temple first. I just remembered there’s another carriage coming later to pick us up. You can take that one back. We don’t want to wait around," Mu Luofei said with a sly smile, leaving no room for Mu Yingying to object.

"Of course,"

Mu Yingying responded, lowering her eyes slightly and stepping out of the carriage. Shortly after, the two carriages departed.

Mu Yingying watched Mu Luofei’s carriage from behind with icy eyes before realizing her overcoat was being replaced by a long, floor-length one belonging to someone else.

She looked up at the tall figure in front of her, slightly puzzled. Lu Jiu explained, "Your coat got stained with tea, so if you don’t mind, wear mine for now."

"Aren’t you going to wear an overcoat yourself?" Mu Yingying inquired, concerned about the cold weather. Wouldn’t he be cold?

"No need, I’m fine. This level of cold can’t affect me," Lu Jiu responded truthfully. As a martial artist with internal energy, his body stayed warm, unaffected by the cold.

Mu Yingying nodded, understanding the benefits of cultivating internal energy. She had been practicing for only a few years, unlike Lu Jiu, hence her lesser internal energy and lesser ability to withstand the cold.

"Is everything ready for the plan?" she asked as they walked back into the temple together.

"All set, Miss. The middleman we agreed with is already in place. Once the carriage reach the meeting point, they will act immediately," Lu Jiu confirmed, walking beside her.

"That’s good. I really want to go back and see Bai Lijun’s face when she finds out. Just thinking about her reaction makes me so gleeful," Mu Yingying chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling like the boundless night sky.

Lu Jiu caught a glimpse of the mischievous demeanor of the young miss, especially captivated by those enchanting eyes, making it difficult for him to look away.

One small and one tall figures walked side by side into the temple amidst the falling snow, their relaxation and warmth radiating so strongly that the coldness of the snow seemed insignificant.

Meanwhile, the two carriages that had departed earlier reached a fork in the road: one leading out of the city to the left and into the city to the right. The first carriage turned right, while the second was about to follow but abruptly halted due to a head-on collision with another approaching carriage.

Screech!

"Ouch!"

The passengers inside exclaimed as they were thrown against the carriage walls due to the sudden stop, rubbing their heads in pain and frustration.

"Can’t you control the carriage properly!?" Mu Qin Shuang rubbed her head, her face twisted in anger.

"What’s happening outside?" Mu Luofei inquired, rubbing her arm before shouting to the coachman outside.

"Nothing to worry about, Miss. Just a minor collision with another carriage. We can proceed now," replied the deep voice of the coachman.

"Be careful with driving! Or else I’ll have mother dismiss you!" Mu Luofei snapped.

Unaware of the impending danger, thick smoke suddenly filled the carriage, engulfing the two sisters and blurring their consciousness.

Their vision clouded, and soon, they lost consciousness.

As the carriage fell silent, the driver, now a man in black, unknown since when, whipped the horses to turn the carriage left, heading out of Qingyun City.

Meanwhile, the real coachman lay dead by the roadside...

Mu Manor, Qingyun City.

When the carriage with the four young misses arrived, Mu Qingxuan was the first to step out, only to find no sign of the following carriage.

She waited anxiously at the gate but saw no trace of it, immediately feeling a strong premonition!

She quickly entered the main hall where Elder Mu Furen and others were gathered, her expression growing darker.

It was clear something had gone awry!

As she entered the hall, Bai Lijun, seated beside Mu Cui Ming, glanced over. "Did Xuan’er arrive? And what about Ying’er? I haven’t seen her yet."

Mu Qingxuan’s face darkened further at the question. She stared at the stepmother’s seemingly kind face with narrowed eyes.

"Ying’er...she hasn’t returned yet."

Inside, Bai Lijun smiled coldly, assured her plan must have succeeded. Yet outwardly, she showed shock. "Ying’er didn’t return with you, Xuan’er child?"

"She was to return with the second and sixth sisters," Mu Qingxuan replied, eyeing Bai Lijun closely.

"Oh, I see," Bai Lijun feigned relief and comforted, "Don’t worry, Ying’er will be fine. She’ll be back soon."

But she knew better!

That wicked girl would never return in this lifetime!

Probably already sold off to bandits outside the city by now...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read ‘The Return of the Seventh Young Lady’ before anyone else with more Chapters at http://www.jinovel.com/en