The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 63 - 62

Chapter 62

Mu Gongzhen watched the mixture of hatred and fear in Mu Qingxuan’s demeanor with a heart full of sorrow. He couldn’t fathom what kind of events a young girl must have gone through to exhibit such reactions...

Her once gentle peach blossom eyes had turned an alarming shade of red, filled with the blazing fury of her anger. Mu Gongzhen could see it clearly. Her eyes not only showed intense hatred but also suffering.

Without needing her to say a word, Mu Gongzhen could tell that the memories etched in his sister’s mind must be horrifying indeed.

"Xuan’er..."

Mu Gongzhen called softly, squeezing her hand tightly to bring her back to reality. "Xuan’er...stay with me!"

Startled out of her nightmare, Mu Qingxuan jolted, and by the time she came to her senses, tears were streaming down her face.

"Br...brother...waah..."

"It’s alright now, dear. I’m here. No one can harm you anymore."

Mu Gongzhen comforted his sister with a gentle voice, though his once calm eyes now trembled violently. It took more than fifteen minutes to calm Mu Qingxuan down. She stopped crying and began to recount her ordeal.

"After I lost my sanity, Ying’er and I were falsely accused of poisoning Mu Luofei. As a result, we both faced the death penalty."

Mu Qingxuan glanced up at her brother, who remained silent for a moment before she laughed softly and raised her hand to wipe her tears away. "You probably think I’m babbling, right? You must think I just had a bad dream, don’t you? Actually, I know that what I had just said was quite unbelievable."

"I’m just...reflecting." Mu Gongzhen gave his sister a faint smile, lowering his gaze to get lost in his thoughts.

If he had not experienced strange dreams himself, he would have thought that Xuan’er was just taking a nightmare too seriously. However, the events he had dreamt about five years ago were exactly like what Xuan’er described!

Mu Gongzhen was certain he had never shared his dreams with his sister. How could two people have the same dream?

Moreover, many of the events he had dreamt about had indeed come true, with only some changes due to their actions. Mu Gongzhen had always believed that his dreams were prophetic. Hearing Mu Qingxuan recount these events as things that happened in the past life, he couldn’t help but be startled.

If these events truly happened in a past life as she claimed, it meant that he had once died, and worse, his two beloved sisters had suffered and unjustly lost their lives!

This was something he could never accept!

He had never been able to accept it since he first dreamt of it!

But today, the truth came to light. All of it had happened in the past. He had failed as an elder brother. He had not been able to protect his two sisters!

Just thinking about Xuan’er and Ying’er having to endure such torment made his heart ache as if a mysterious hand was squeezing it tightly. Sorrow and regret surged from his subconscious without stopping.

Seeing her brother still silent, Mu Qingxuan smiled mockingly to herself for her naivety. Who would believe such a story? Even she found it hard to believe, so how could a skilled official like her brother take it seriously?...

"I told you, it sounds ridiculous when said out loud." A smile tugged at her lips, a smile full of mockery. She took a deep breath to calm herself.

"What if I said...I experienced the same thing?"

Mu Gongzhen looked up at his sister with a serious expression, his previously turbulent eyes now calm again.

"Would you believe me?"

Mu Qingxuan turned to stare at him immediately, her peach blossom eyes wide with shock. Seeing his earnest expression, her heart raced wildly.

Her brother experienced the same thing as her?

Then that meant...

"Br...brother."

Mu Qingxuan felt a whirlwind of emotions—shock, joy, and confusion—all at once. She didn’t know what to ask, so she just opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a word.

Mu Gongzhen raised his hand to gently stroke her head and said, "Xuan’er...you are not alone. I am just like you. We both have memories of the past."

At those words, Mu Qingxuan laughed through her tears, but this time, her tears were not from pain or sadness, but from delight!

She was delighted that she was not alone anymore!

She was delighted that she no longer had to keep her sorrows to herself!

"Don’t cry, dear. I am here with you now. No one will hurt you anymore. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you before, but this time, I won’t let anyone harm you!"

Mu Gongzhen blinked rapidly to clear his own tears and spoke to his little sister in a warm voice.

Now he understood why Xuan’er had become a disciple of Divine Doctor Li, and why she had agreed to work for His Majesty. It was all because she was trying to change their cruel past!

"Xuan’er, you are not alone anymore. You don’t have to bear this burden by yourself. From now on, let’s face everything together as siblings..."

Mu Gongzhen gently wiped the tears from his sister’s beautiful face and spoke in a voice mixed with pleading.

He knew that if he asked her to stay out of this, with Xuan’er’s nature, she would likely act in secret behind his back. So, wouldn’t it be better to talk openly and work together to change their cruel future?

Mu Qingxuan nodded in agreement. She didn’t want to be alone anymore, nor did she want to lie to her brother again. If they could discuss things openly and work together, it would surely be better than facing everything on her own.

However, at that moment, Mu Qingxuan suddenly thought of something. Her face paled immediately.

"If the two of us can remember the past, then what about Ying’er..."

Mu Gongzhen froze for a moment. It was as if the blood in his veins had stopped flowing momentarily. Right now, only his sister’s words echoed repeatedly in his mind.

If the two of them could remember their past lives, then what about Ying’er?

Could she remember too?

At this moment, Ying’er was only nine years old. They wanted nothing more than for her to grow up happily and beautifully like any other child. But if Ying’er could remember the past, she would be trapped in those nightmares without end!

The childhood that should have been bright and carefree would be completely destroyed!

This was what pained Mu Gongzhen and Mu Qingxuan the most!

They had already suffered in their past lives. If little Ying’er had to know about those memories in this life too, it would be too cruel!

"Don’t worry. Perhaps Ying’er isn’t like us. She’s still so young. Maybe we’re just overthinking things," Mu Gongzhen said to reassure his sister, not wanting Xuan’er to be overly distressed till it affected her health.

"I hope so." Mu Qingxuan pressed her lip tightly, her face filled with worry.

Mu Gongzhen sighed and helped his sister to sit on the bed. "It’s late. You should rest. The matter concerning Ying’er, I’ll check it myself."

After Mu Qingxuan lay down to sleep, Mu Gongzhen left her room and headed back to his own. Along the way, he pondered over what had happened. If Ying’er was like them, she wouldn’t remain silent. So why hadn’t she mentioned anything when they visited Qingyun City last time?

Maybe Ying’er wasn’t like them after all...

Ma Jun Tea House, Commercial District, Capital City.

Ma Jun Tea House was a large tea house that opened its doors just two years ago, yet it had quickly become highly popular among the capital’s residents. Both the nobility and common folk alike praised it as the best tea house. Not only did it offer exquisite tea, but it also served a variety of pastries and snacks from various regions outside the capital.

These delicacies were all crafted by Ma Jun Tea House’s top-notch chefs and made in limited quantities each day, making them highly sought after by many patrons. Because of this, Ma Jun Tea House has garnered widespread fame and recognition throughout the capital.

As the large carriage bearing the Mu family crest halted in front of the tea house, Mu Gongzhen stepped down from the carriage with a calm expression and immediately made his way inside. Upon seeing Mu Gongzhen, the welcoming attendant quickly approached and respectfully greeted him in a familiar way.

“Master Mu, your usual room has been reserved for you.”

Mu Gongzhen simply nodded without a word and followed the attendant up to the second floor of the tea house. The second floor was divided into private rooms, allowing guests to conduct their business comfortably and ensuring their privacy.

Soon, Mu Gongzhen was led to the room at the end of the hallway, his usual spot for enjoying tea. He opened the door and sat down to sip his tea while he waited. It wasn’t long before the door opened again, revealing the familiar figure of an elderly man.

“Young Master...”

Uncle Wang entered the room, bowed respectfully, and then took a seat opposite Mu Gongzhen. Uncle Wang’s face beamed with a smile as usual, his eyes filled with warm, gentle affection as if looking at a descendant.

Mu Gongzhen’s expression also softened considerably. He clasped his hands in respect and greeted Uncle Wang, “Uncle Wang, how have you been lately?”

“Things have been quite busy. Besides Ma Jun Tea House, there are several other businesses that need expansion to meet customer demand.”

Uncle Wang replied with a smile. In truth, the popular Ma Jun Tea House was one of the ventures owned by the three Mu siblings, which Uncle Wang managed on their behalf.

Mu Gongzhen often met with Uncle Wang in this private room to discuss various plans. Outsiders only knew that Master Mu frequently visited Ma Jun Tea House to drink tea, which allowed him to conduct his affairs without arousing suspicion.

“Well then, you must be quite wealthy by now. Congratulations, Uncle Wang,”

Mu Gongzhen teased, his handsome face revealed a faint smile, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

Uncle Wang laughed heartily at this. “This old man is just a caretaker, but we both know who the true owners are.”

The two shared a laugh before continuing their conversation for a while. When the time was right, Mu Gongzhen stopped smiling. He straightened up, his expression grew serious.

“Uncle Wang, I believe it’s time you told me the truth. About the provisions that were supplied afterward...who is exactly behind this?”

Uncle Wang smiled faintly and asked unhurriedly, “Why does Young Master think it’s someone else’s doing? The twenty wagons of provisions were all paid for with our funds. If Young Master wishes to verify, this old man is ready to present the records for inspection.”

“That’s exactly the problem. Those twenty wagons of provisions required a significant amount of money. Normally, for expenditures involving tens of thousands of taels, you wouldn’t dare decide on your own. Furthermore, to withdraw such a large sum, my jade seal must be used as a stamp of approval. Why, then, were you able to withdraw such a large amount last time without my seal?”

“Additionally, gathering twenty wagons of provisions simultaneously are practically impossible without external help. Even if you say our people in other cities were able to gather them, if they were truly our people, they wouldn’t have been able to make such a swift decision. Only someone with significant power outside the capital could have facilitated this...”

Mu Gongzhen laid out his suspicions in detail. Initially, he had planned to question Uncle Wang immediately after returning from Jingyuan City, but other matters required his attention first, giving him the opportunity to ask today.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Uncle Wang. Mu Gongzhen had seen and felt everything Uncle Wang had done for the three Mu siblings. However, if Uncle Wang wasn’t solely loyal to him, Mu Gongzhen needed to know, so he could plan accordingly.

“This old man can’t hide anything from you, Young Master,”

Uncle Wang chuckled softly, then continued, “I won’t make excuses. You’re a smart man, and it was only a matter of time before you figured it out. The situation that day was indeed urgent, which led to these clues being exposed.”

Mu Gongzhen raised his eyebrows slightly. “So, from what you have said, besides me, you’re working for someone else as well?”

“Yes, but rest assured, Young Master. This person is a friend, not a foe. Everything they do is for your benefit,”

Uncle Wang admitted openly, deciding not to hide anything any longer. He knew how astute Mu Gongzhen was, and this matter could no longer be concealed.

“Who exactly is this person?”

Mu Gongzhen asked directly. Even though Uncle Wang assured him that the person was a friend, if they were truly friendly, why hadn’t they revealed themselves from the beginning? Wasn’t Uncle Wang supposed to be his mother’s man? Why was he working for someone else then?

Uncle Wang lowered his gaze and smiled. “I can’t tell you just yet, Young Master. However, this person will be arriving in the capital soon, likely within two months. It would be best for you to meet them in person then...” 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

If nothing went wrong, Seventh Young Miss should be returning to the capital with Elder Mu Furen within the next two months. Although people in Qingyun City had not yet informed people in the capital about this journey, Uncle Wang had received a letter from Mu Yingying confirming it.

Finally, Mu Yingying would be coming to the capital...

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