Mu Residence.
After hearing Feng Qishi's words, Mu Hua rushed into her mistress's room. Seeing Mu Hua enter, the mistress showed no reaction. She calmly watched her, smiled, and asked, "Hua'er, what's wrong?" As she spoke, she still poured a cup of water for Mu Hua.
Mu Hua: "Mother, something's wrong." She stopped by the table and took the cup from her mistress, taking a sip of water.
Mistress: "What's wrong?" In her eyes, Mu Hua was just a child, so she treated anything Mu Hua said as a joke and never took it seriously.
Conversely, seeing her mother's calm demeanor, Mu Hua was also puzzled, "Mother, I'm so anxious, aren't you curious about what I have to say?"
The mistress smiled faintly, "What could you have to say? You probably just saw something strange."
"Mother, I'm serious." Mu Hua said calmly, her expression still tense.
"You're serious..." The mistress picked up her teacup, "Oh, then tell me, what big news do you have for me?"
"It's about my sister." Mu Hua said excitedly.
The mistress remained indifferent, "What could happen to your sister? She's just throwing a tantrum and doesn't want to enter the palace. Speaking of which," she frowned, "Did she bully you, which is why you've come to complain?"
"No, my sister she..." Halfway through her sentence, Mu Hua saw that her mother was not in good health usually, so she hesitated.
The mistress frowned, "Finish what you're saying. Stopping halfway like this, are you intentionally trying to whet my appetite?" She still hadn't realized anything and remained calm.
Mu Hua cleared her throat and said, "Mother, this matter is very serious, and I'm worried you won't be able to handle it."
"Your mother has been through a lot, what can I not handle? Speak," the mistress raised her chin, "What happened to your sister?"
At the same time, a woman in her late forties, dressed in a coarse cloth dress, stopped outside the door.
Inside, none of them noticed the woman's presence. The mistress continued to look at Mu Hua, who stood by the table, refusing to sit down, and asked, "Say something, won't you?"
Mu Hua: "Mother, my sister's name is not on the list for the imperial selection."
"What did you say?" The mistress thought she had misheard and asked again.
Mu Hua cleared her throat and said, "I said, my sister's name is not on the list for the imperial selection. Brother Shen came here today on the orders of King Jin..."
"King Jin?"
Seeing that the mistress still hadn't reacted, Mu Hua continued, "Yes, King Jin. Previously, King Jin knew that our family had daughters who were to enter the palace. Perhaps..." Mu Hua didn't know how to phrase it.
The mistress looked puzzled, "King Jin is busy with state affairs all day, where would he find the leisure to concern himself with harem matters? Even if this was the case, how could he possibly know?" As she spoke, her eyes lowered.
Mu Hua: "I... I'm not sure, but Brother Shen told me that this is quite serious and could potentially implicate Father's position."
A chill went through the mistress's eyes. Without even looking at Mu Hua, she said, "That's really strange. Could it be that Mu Xiao said it?" She spoke, then shook her head, "No, she always returns from outside the city, so the palace gates wouldn't let her in, but..."
"Mother, that wild girl Mu Xiao can't even get into our mansion, let alone the palace gates," Mu Hua said, her tone showing disdain for Mu Anxiao, "You're really thinking in the wrong direction."
"..." The mistress glanced at Mu Hua, then turned to the maid standing beside her and said, "Go find the Third Miss."
"Yes..."
As the maid uttered a single word, Mu Hua quickly said, "Mother, there's one more thing. I hope you can bear it."
Hearing this, the mistress's brows furrowed. She looked at Mu Hua, who was inexplicably being so roundabout, and said impatiently, "Hua'er, just say what you have to say clearly. I'm not eighty years old, I can still handle this."
"..." Mu Hua gave a dry laugh and said, "Mother, Brother Shen saw my sister with a man at the back gate."
"You..." The mistress was startled, "What did you say?" She stood up abruptly.
Mu Hua watched her mother's expression gradually turn angry, then glanced at the maid who was about to leave, and said, "I said, my sister was with a man." After speaking, she walked around the table to her mother's side.
The mistress was stunned.
Seeing the mistress's stunned reaction, the maid quickly stepped forward.
Mu Hua supported her mother's arm and said, "Mother, I knew it would be like this, yet you insisted on hearing it."
The mistress glanced at Mu Hua, sat down, and said, "When did you see Shen Moyun?" She picked up her teacup and took a sip of water.
"Not long ago. He said not to tell Father yet, and that we should think of a solution."
"This is an act of deceiving the emperor," the mistress said in a low voice.
Upon hearing her mother's words, Mu Hua was momentarily speechless.
Just then, the woman in the coarse cloth dress gently knocked on the door and said, "Madam, I'm here."
Hearing this, the mistress glanced towards the door. Just as she was about to speak, Mu Hua said, "What are you doing here?"
"Fourth Miss, Madam sent me." The woman replied humbly.
"Madam..." Mu Hua said, looking down at her mother, "Mother, you asked her to come."
"Come in." The mistress said without looking at Mu Hua.
Seeing her mother ignore her, Mu Hua pouted unhappily and dared not speak.
Immediately after, the woman crossed the threshold and walked in.
This woman was named 'Mai Xia'. She was Mu Xiao's birth mother. Due to her unknown background, her status in the household was very low.
Because she was so low, she didn't even dare to look at her own daughter twice. The person who suppressed her was this mistress.
The mistress had not expelled her because she knew everything, especially about matters concerning the palace. Therefore, whenever the mistress encountered difficulties, she would call for her.
Within this deep mansion, she dared not resist and could only let the mistress command her, digesting any grievances by herself.
"Madam." She stopped in place and bowed her head slightly.
The mistress: "Did you hear?"
Upon hearing the mistress's question, Mu Hua became agitated, "You were eavesdropping!"
Mai Xia nodded, saying nothing.
Seeing Mai Xia's demeanor, Mu Hua became angry, "I am a young lady, and you're not even considered my father's concubine," she widened her eyes, "How dare you ignore me? You deserve a beating."
"Shut up," the mistress growled.
Mu Hua said aggrievedly, "Mother, how can you speak to me like this for her?" She lowered her head and stared at her mother.
"Hua'er, you should say less."
"Mother..."
"If you don't want to stay here, then leave." The mistress interrupted.
Upon hearing this, Mu Hua pouted, "Mother, how could you say that about me for Mu Xiao's lowly mother?"
"If you want to maintain your status, then be quiet. If not," the mistress said, looking up at Mu Hua, "then continue."
Hearing this, Mu Hua's eyes darkened, "Mother, she..."
"Silence."
"Oh." Mu Hua compromised.
Then, the mistress shifted her gaze to Mai Xia's face, "Do you have something to say?"
"Yes, Madam." Mai Xia nodded.
"Sit down and speak." The mistress gestured to the seat opposite.
For so many years, whenever the mistress needed her help, she would be particularly polite to Mai Xia. Mai Xia had long become accustomed to the mistress's reaction.
Therefore, to save the mistress face, she responded, "Yes," and then sat down.
The mistress: "You may speak." She said only after Mai Xia sat down.
Mai Xia: "Replying to Madam, I came as soon as you notified me. On my way here, I saw the Third Miss leaving."
"From the back door?"
"Yes, I thought you summoned me because of the Third Miss's matter, so I followed her. After that, I saw..." Mai Xia paused halfway through, shifting her gaze to Mu Hua's face.
Seeing Mai Xia look at her, Mu Hua frowned in deep confusion, "Why are you looking at me?"
"Fourth Miss and Third Miss have a good relationship, so I wanted to clarify. I came because of Madam's words. Regarding this matter, I only overheard your discussion, so," Mai Xia said earnestly, "I have no intention of causing discord."
"Are you afraid I'll report you?"
".." Mai Xia took a deep breath and said, "Fourth Miss, I am very humble in this household, so..."
"You are humble, yet you refer to yourself as 'I'. Shouldn't you call yourself an old servant at this time?" Mu Hua interrupted.
Mai Xia was not angry and said calmly, "Although I am not married to the Master, outside, everyone assumes I am the Master's concubine. If I were to call myself an old servant, it would likely tarnish the Master's reputation."
She was also persistent about her self-address. She had been punished and beaten by the mistress before for using "I" to refer to herself.
But even so, she remained the same.
Over time, the mistress had become accustomed to it.
"Alright," the mistress said, looking at Mu Hua.
Seeing her mother look at her, Mu Hua became unhappy, "Mother, she shouldn't..."
"She is an elder. If anyone is to speak, it should be me." The mistress interrupted, glancing at Mai Xia, "Don't worry, Hua'er won't spread rumors at Yanxing's place."
"..." Mu Hua was unconvinced and snorted softly.
Mai Xia smiled and said, "Madam, I'll continue. After that, I saw her open the door, and a man was standing outside. If I'm not mistaken, that man should be the young master of the Qiu family."
"Qiu family..." The mistress frowned, "Are you referring to Qiu Yan?"
Mai Xia nodded.
The mistress was stunned.
Mu Hua thought for a moment and said, "Didn't my sister already sever ties with Qiu Yan? Why... are they still together?" As she spoke, she touched her ear in disbelief.
Mai Xia added, "Oh, right, Madam, I heard them say they were going fishing."
"Fishing..." The mistress thought for a moment and said, "There's only one lake here, so they must be going there."
Mai Xia said nothing.
Mu Hua asked, "Mother, what do you want to do?"
Then, the mistress stood up, "What else can I do? I'll go find her now."
"Mother..."
"You come with me. Your sister usually listens to you more, so try to persuade her," the mistress said, looking at Mai Xia, "Who do you think revealed this matter?"
"The Mu family's prestige here is quite high. If I'm not mistaken, it must be a concubine in the harem who told King Jin about this matter. So, the urgent priority now is to get past King Jin." Mai Xia said calmly.
"King Jin's hurdle..." The mistress repeated, then turned her gaze to Mu Hua's face.
Mu Hua gave a dry laugh, "Mother, why are you looking at me?"
"Did King Jin ask Shen Moyun to investigate?" The mistress asked.
Mu Hua nodded, "Yes, Brother Shen told me himself."
"..." The mistress ignored Mu Hua. Instead, she lowered her eyes and repeated the name 'Shen Moyun' a few times before saying, "It seems that at that time, we can only bribe Shen Moyun."
"Bribe." Mu Hua was surprised, and then thinking of Shen Moyun's gentle attitude when he spoke to her, she couldn't help but feel shy, "Mother, why don't I do it?"
"No, you go persuade your sister. I'll have..."
"Mother, I like Brother Shen. It's not good for you to refuse me like this." Mu Hua was unhappy.
The mistress frowned, "I was just afraid of tiring you. You know how stubborn your sister is."
"You... my sister doesn't like me either, to be honest," Mu Hua said aggrievedly, "I'm even afraid of saying the wrong thing and offending my sister."
"Then you saying it is better than me saying it." The mistress insisted. After a moment's thought, she added, "As long as you persuade your sister, I'll give Shen Moyun to you as well."
"Really?" Mu Hua's eyes lit up.
The mistress nodded.
Mu Hua smiled, "Alright, Mother, I can definitely persuade them well."
"..." The mistress nodded slightly and looked at Mai Xia, "You help me think of a plan."
"Yes, Madam."
"Well, you can stay here then."
"Thank you, Madam."
The mistress said nothing and left with Mu Hua.
On the other side.
Mu Anxiao and Jia followed Feng Qishi to a tree not far from the lake. Mu Anxiao released her hand, took two steps forward, and peered at Qiu Yan and Mu Yanxing, who were fishing by the lake, chatting and laughing. She whispered, "These days, they certainly know how to enjoy themselves."
Feng Qishi stood behind Mu Anxiao, also looking at them and said, "After a while, you go over yourself." He took a step forward.
"I go over myself?" Mu Anxiao expressed surprise, turned around, and looked at Feng Qishi, whispering, "Aren't you coming with me?"
Feng Qishi lowered his head to meet Mu Anxiao's eyes and said, "If I go out with you, don't you think," he leaned down, intentionally bringing his face close to Mu Anxiao, "she won't suspect that you and I are involved?"
"..." Mu Anxiao was startled by the proximity. Just as she was about to step back, Feng Qishi grabbed her arm, and she exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing?"
"You have a wound on your back," Feng Qishi said coldly, straightened up, and let go of her hand.
Mu Anxiao was embarrassed, "I know, you don't need to tell me."
Jia looked up at Feng Qishi's calm expression, then thought of Feng Qishi's previous superb healing skills. He said, "Why don't you use your magic to heal her wound?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao looked down at Jia and said, "You've said it well. Since you've chosen to help, help me all the way." She raised her arm and held it in front of Feng Qishi, "Help me heal my wound." She stared at Feng Qishi's face.
Seeing this, Feng Qishi's eyes flickered, and he said, "No."
"Why?" Mu Anxiao frowned.
Feng Qishi took half a step back, thought for a moment, and pretended to be nonchalant, "You have a wound on your body, which makes it more convincing."
"Convincing..." Mu Anxiao said, looked down at her arm, and laughed, "What you said makes some sense. Later, I'll just say you beat me."
Feng Qishi dodged his gaze again and said, "Just limp over there, pretend it's a chance encounter, and curse me as you go."
"Curse you, alright," Mu Anxiao's heart was filled with excitement, "I'll curse you. Just thinking about it makes me feel good."
"What do you mean?" Feng Qishi disliked Mu Anxiao's reaction and asked coldly.
"Shen Moyun, I just don't like you. There's no other meaning." Mu Anxiao pointed at Feng Qishi's face and instantly got into character, becoming arrogant.
Feng Qishi looked at Mu Anxiao's arrogant expression and said helplessly, "As long as you're happy."
"I don't need you to say it, I'm very happy." Mu Anxiao was arrogant.
Feng Qishi was speechless for a moment and said, "By the way, someone else heard them talking just now. I estimate that person has already informed the Madam. If nothing unexpected happens, they might come soon. Do you know what to do then?"
Mu Anxiao's lips curved, "I understand everything you're saying. I know what to do." After speaking, she turned and walked towards the lake.
Feng Qishi sighed and looked down at Jia, who was staring at him, and asked, "What are you looking at me for?"
Being asked by Feng Qishi, Jia awkwardly turned his face away, "I wasn't looking at you." As he spoke, his eyes darted around.
Feng Qishi frowned as he looked at Jia's expression.