The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 53 - 52

Chapter 52

Late that same night, Mu Yingying found herself unable to sleep due to the many troubling thoughts running through her mind. She got up and went to sit on the balcony, contemplating various things while her slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest of the chair out of habit.

In her previous life, she clearly remembered that after her eldest brother was appointed as a third-rank official in the Ministry of Works, he often went out to work at the ministry. However, significant missions like traveling to other cities would only begin two years later, which was the tenth year of the Xingping era. That was when her eldest brother was ambushed and killed by bandits on the road.

But now it was the seventh year of the Xingping era!

Mu Yingying was certain that she wasn’t mistaken. Although she didn’t know who oversaw escorting the supplies to Jingyuan City in her past life, it definitely wasn’t her brother!

This abrupt change was very different from the past and happened quite suddenly. Even though Mu Yingying had already arranged for shadow guards to protect her brother, she hadn’t prepared for such an ambush. Hence, her eldest brother had fallen into a trap this time.

The small figure lowered her gaze slightly, looking at the tip of her nose. Her big, round eyes flickered. Previously, she had always thought that everything would follow the same events as in the past, only considering what she already knew.

But she had completely forgotten the truth that nothing was certain. Every cause had an effect. Since she had altered many events in this life, it wasn’t surprising that other events would change as well.

It seemed that once she resolved this issue, she would have to take her grandmother and travel to the capital. Currently, her influence wasn’t strong enough to protect and safeguard her brother and sister in the capital, especially her eldest brother, who had fully entered the bureaucratic world.

The only way for her to truly become stronger was to face the major storms in the capital herself!

"Are you thinking about what happened this morning, Miss?"

Lu Jiu, who was on watch, stepped closer to her side and asked with a concerned tone.

Mu Yingying shrugged slightly. "I’m just reflecting on what happened."

"In that case, may I stay and keep you company?" Lu Jiu hung the lantern he was carrying on a nearby post before returning to stand beside her.

"Sure, I have some unresolved thoughts,"

Mu Yingying replied with a smile, completely unaware of how accustomed she had become to having Lu Jiu by her side to discuss various matters.

"At first glance, this sabotage of the supplies seems to be the work of the rebels. But if we look deeper as you suggested, the rebels are based in Jingyuan City. Even if they had informants in the capital, they couldn’t have acted so swiftly."

"The imperial decree was issued only three days prior, ordering the procession to depart immediately. Even my brother didn’t have time to prepare. So how could those rebels have managed to prepare in time?"

Mu Yingying pondered the events without rush, slowly noting several peculiar points. When Uncle Wang sent the news about her brother’s appointment to oversee the transportation of supplies to Jingyuan City, it had only arrived three days earlier.

How could news of the supply transport from the distant northern regions have traveled faster than her own? It was impossible!

"Another thing, the supply route was never disclosed to outsiders. Only high-ranking officials and those directly involved in the task knew the exact route. This means it must be the work of someone in the capital!"

Lu Jiu sat quietly, watching Mu Yingying analyze the situation. He didn’t interrupt her thoughts. No matter how clever and cunning the young miss was, in the world of court politics, she was still just a large cat among a den of ferocious tigers.

The only way for the young miss to become a formidable tiger capable of confronting powerful factions was through practice and facing real situations. She needed to gradually learn to analyze, see both the big picture and the details, and understand the devious schemes of treacherous officials who would do anything to achieve their goals!

Mu Yingying, immersed in her thoughts, voiced her opinions continuously. "If it’s the work of someone in the capital, there are two possibilities: either it’s someone who is an enemy of my eldest brother or someone using my eldest brother as a tool for other purposes..."

"If my brother is punished for this mistake, who stands to benefit?"

"Since the young master hasn’t aligned himself with any faction, it’s likely that no one stands to gain directly. The only goal might be to eliminate him..." Lu Jiu analyzed, pointing out the harsh reality of the situation.

Upon hearing this, Mu Yingying’s eyes darkened. It seemed someone was indeed trying to corner her brother as Lu Jiu suggested!

"Tell our people to narrow down the search. One group should track down clues about those assassins—they won’t go far, probably hiding in a nearby village or the mountains not far from the scene. Another group should monitor the movements of all forces in the capital and keep a close eye on them..."

Mu Yingying ordered with a cold voice. Her small face showed an icy expression unknowingly, and her eyes glittered with a strange light. From now on, this wasn’t just a battle to settle old scores from her past life but also a fight to navigate the current one!

The Rear Quarters of Mu Manor, Capital.

In the darkness of the night that enveloped the capital city, all the lights in Mu Manor had been extinguished. The lights were also turned off around the rarely noticed rear quarters, leaving only a single lantern on the table.

The light from the lantern cast a glow on the young girl sitting in front of it, reflecting her beautiful face that seemed almost unreal. However, that beautiful face was laced with coldness, and her peach blossom eyes shone with an intensity that made anyone looking feel uneasy.

She was waiting for someone to come, so she could deal with him once and for all!

At that moment, a figure appeared in the room, approaching the young girl and speaking teasingly.

"What is this...A young miss waiting for me tonight?"

Mu Qingxuan didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. She continued to sit with her back to him, clearly ignoring the young man. However, he was already used to this and didn’t take it to heart.

As he got closer to her, he noticed a faint strange smell. If it weren’t for his highly trained senses, honed through years of internal energy cultivation, he might not have noticed it. His thick lips curled into a smile immediately.

"It seems like you’ve prepared a warm welcome for me tonight, Xuan’er."

"Was it you?"

Her cold voice asked, and the young man understood immediately why she was acting differently tonight. "You mean your brother? Yes, it was me..."

Mu Qingxuan turned her fierce gaze to the handsome face before her and frowned.

"I have done so much work for you, yet you still sent my brother into danger! Your Majesty!"

The young emperor, Chen Feng Yue, raised his eyebrows slightly. In all the years he had teased this little kitten, he had never seen her so angry. He sighed and explained,

"I didn’t send Gongzhen into danger. I just gave him an opportunity to make a name for himself."

"Make a name for himself? If making a name means risking my brother’s life, then forget it!"

Mu Qingxuan withdrew her gaze, not wanting to talk to him any longer. If anything happened to her brother, she would also stop assisting him in any way!

Chen Feng Yue laughed lightly at her furious demeanor and sat down on the chair opposite her.

"To achieve great things, one must stay calm. If Gongzhen wants to be my man, he has to get through this. There will be more risks and dangers waiting for him in the future. If he can accomplish this task, he will be able to fully protect himself."

Moreover, if Mu Gongzhen could build a reputation from meritorious works and gain power, the young girl in front of him would also benefit, living a better life as the sister of Official Mu...

"Hmph! It’s easy for you to say, Your Majesty. But if anything happens to my brother, don’t expect me to help you with anything ever again!" Mu Qingxuan, now somewhat calmer, still couldn’t resist threatening him one more time.

Chen Feng Yue laughed softly in his throat, his narrow eyes gazing at the young girl before him with affection. Initially, he had been interested in this girl because he remembered saving her life many years ago. Moreover, it was she who had orchestrated the severe allergic reaction of Shin Wang to the Bi Xie flower. This amused him, making him want to tease her.

However, the more Chen Feng Yue got to know this little girl, the more his interest grew. Now, he didn’t realize that he had become accustomed to conversing and having her by his side.

The cold and chilling sensation of sitting on the dragon throne was now slightly warmed, filling his heart whenever he was near this little kitten...

...

..

.

Meanwhile, in the valley not far from Jingyuan City, the surviving soldiers continued their journey with the remaining five supply wagons towards Jingyuan City. Mu Gongzhen, who was injured, led the way.

He pressed on day and night, ignoring the pain in his shoulder. The matter of the ambush could be investigated later; the supplies, even if only one wagon, had to reach their destination!

"Young Master, we are near Jingyuan City. Let’s rest for a moment, otherwise, your wound..." Ding Yang didn’t get to finish his sentence before Mu Gongzhen raised his hand to stop him.

"I’ll be fine. But if the supplies are delayed by even a day, how many lives will be lost to starvation? My single life cannot be exchanged for the lives of dozens."

He spoke firmly and continued to lead the way without stopping. His handsome face still bore bloodstains, and his stern expression made him look quite intimidating.

As the night passed, the supply procession finally reached the outskirts of Jingyuan City. The soldiers on duty atop the city walls saw the procession and began to shout in joy.

"Supplies are here! We’re saved!"

The soldiers rejoiced, and even the refugees who heard the news wept with relief. No one could truly understand the suffering from the war—the hunger that left their bellies empty they were encountering. Many had fled their homes, their families torn apart.

They had gathered in Jingyuan City, hoping for the army’s protection, but faced severe food shortages, enduring hunger for days. Countless people likely died from starvation each day. The news of the supply procession’s arrival brought immense joy to everyone in the city, causing them to weep in relief.

"Open the gates!"

The soldiers echoed the order from the principal commander before the city gates were opened. Refugees and soldiers lined both sides of the path, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the supply procession.

However, when everyone saw Mu Gongzhen, riding at the front, covered in blood, their hearts sank. The soldiers in the procession were in a similarly dire condition. As they saw only five supply wagons remaining, the joy they felt dissipated entirely.

Five wagons!

These supplies would only last a few days!

Mu Gongzhen stopped his horse in front of the military tent, dismounted, and walked over to pay his respects to the principal commander.

“I, Mu Gongzhen, have brought the supplies as ordered.”

“No need for formalities, Zhuangyuan. I never expected that His Majesty would choose you to deliver the supplies this time.”

The principal commander greeted him with a friendly smile. As he looked at the battered condition of people in the procession, he immediately deduced what had happened.

“It seems the journey was far from smooth, wasn’t it?”

“It’s my fault for not being more cautious, sir. More than ten supply wagons were burned and destroyed, now all that left is...only five wagons,” Mu Gongzhen reported truthfully, without making any excuses.

The principal commander’s face showed a moment of concern before he patted the young man’s shoulder. “Don’t dwell on it. This mission was risky from the start. At least the five wagons will keep everyone alive for now.”

Mu Gongzhen forced a bitter smile. For the tens of thousands of people here, five wagons wouldn’t be enough. Not to mention the soldiers; without food, how could they have the strength to fight?...

As everyone faced this tense situation, shouts of joy and excitement suddenly erupted from the city walls.

“Supplies! Another procession of supplies has arrived!”

Mu Gongzhen raised his eyebrows in surprise. How could there be another supply procession? The palace couldn’t have sent more supplies so quickly. Then, where did these supplies come from?

When they all went up to look from the city walls, the scene before them was astonishing. Even Mu Gongzhen was shocked.

Not far from the city walls, a procession of more than twenty fully loaded supply wagons was heading rapidly towards Jingyuan City’s gates. The guards in the procession looked exhausted, indicating they had traveled without rest.

Each wagon was packed to the brim with supplies, more than what the imperial warehouse typically prepared. Moreover, there were over twenty wagons, more than what Mu Gongzhen had lost.

With these abundant supplies, everyone in Jingyuan City could surely survive until the end of the conflict!

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