"Madam," Yao Lu exclaimed in shock, "are you planning to escape?" She had followed Madam for her entire life, and at her behest, had committed many deeds.
Yet, all of them had been safely evaded, and those aimed at Jiang Nuan had been turned back. For some time now, she had begun to doubt her own capabilities.
Madam was also skilled in strategy; aside from matters concerning Mu Jiuchen, all her other plans had succeeded.
Only with Mu Jiuchen and Jiang Nuan had she hit a wall. This time, it was a complete downfall. Madam's long-suppressed rage was utterly ignited the moment Mu Jiuchen acquired her company.
"Madam, after we leave, what will happen to Miss and Young Master?"
Tan Xue's luggage was simple, just a stylish handbag.
She looked at Yao Lu and said, "As long as they were not involved in this matter, they will be fine."
"I must leave now; Mu Jiuchen will be here soon." Leaving here, she could still make a comeback. She had long been prepared.
It was a pity about the mansion, though. She had loved this mansion; in her original plan, it would have belonged to her forever.
She never imagined she would have to leave in such a disheveled state.
Yao Lu thought for a moment. It was fine. At her age, having to run around outside was too tiring.
Moreover, her husband and daughter were here. She could not be separated from them.
"Madam, I have been loyal to you all these years. I may not be able to accompany you on the road ahead. You must go on your own. I cannot bear to be apart from my children," Yao Lu said with sincerity.
Tan Xue no longer hesitated and left decisively.
However, after taking only a few steps, she saw the Old Master entering with two bodyguards.
Upon seeing the Old Master, Tan Xue's expression changed.
Grandfather Mu had received a call from his grandson and learned what Tan Xue had done to his great-grandson.
"Heh heh..." The Old Master sneered, "Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?"
Tan Xue also smiled, appearing calm, her tone as usual, "Just going out for something."
What did this old geezer want?
The Old Master's smile was chilling. He had never thought highly of the person before him.
Tan Xue's schemes were deep, yet his foolish son couldn't see it, insisting on marrying her back then.
More importantly, this woman had not been content after marriage, always staying close to the collateral branches. Her motive was simple: to have the Mu family support Mu Sicheng. Unfortunately, Mu Sichen was incompetent and often bullied the Ninth in his youth.
He saw it all and worried deeply. The last time, he had finally become angry.
Tan Xue had taken the Ninth to attend a birthday banquet for a certain important figure. The birthday gifts that day were all lavish.
Tan Xue had deliberately manipulated the Ninth into breaking a very valuable blue and white porcelain vase, for which his father punished him by kneeling in the snow.
That tiny figure, trembling in the cold wind, the stubborn Ninth refused to admit fault or apologize because he had done nothing wrong.
His scoundrel son didn't even inquire about the reason. At that moment, he knew that the Ninth could not survive in their hands.
He had watched everything. He had taken the pitiful Ninth to raise him by his side. From then on, he strictly forbade the couple from inquiring about the Ninth's affairs. Even so, Tan Xue did not let the Ninth go. In desperation, he had no choice but to send the Ninth abroad.
"Tan Xue, after all these years, your small and large maneuvers have been endless. This time, congratulations, you've finally played yourself out," the Old Master said happily.
Tan Xue's gaze suddenly sharpened. He had indeed come to stop her.
Tan Xue smiled mockingly, "Has Mu Jiuchen run out of people to use? Why would he send an old man like you?"
The Old Master was not angered. Instead, he smiled and said, "An old man is enough to send you to prison. Someone like you doesn't require a grand mobilization."
Tan Xue's eyes flickered. She could have left smoothly, but a stumbling block had appeared.
But where did this old man get his confidence? Was she, Tan Xue, someone he could capture?
Tan Xue glanced at the two bodyguards behind the Old Master and said with a smile, "What are you two waiting for? Throw the Old Master out."
The Old Master: "..." He hadn't anticipated such a turn of events.
Damn it!
This was embarrassing. Didn't that rascal Ninth say that the bodyguards in his courtyard were all trustworthy?
He glanced at the bodyguards behind him. The two bodyguards glared ferociously at him.
The Old Master: "..." What was going on?
"Hmph! Old geezer, if it weren't for your meddling all these years, my plans would have succeeded long ago. It's because of you that it's been delayed until now. Even if I die, I'll drag you down with me," Tan Xue said, enunciating each word with immense anger.
The Old Master's eyes flickered as he glanced at Yao Lu not far away.
No, Ninth was coming soon. He had to stall for time.
However, the next moment, the Old Master's hands were seized.
"Tan Xue, do you think you can escape? Dream on. Ninth is already outside the gate. I'll make sure you never get out for the harm you've done to my great-grandson."
"Including this villa you've coveted, I'll give it to my great-grandson. As for you, you've achieved nothing. Are you happy? Surprised?"
The Old Master laughed like a child, each word stinging Tan Xue's heart.
But she also knew the Old Master was stalling for time.
She had to leave. Once she was safe, she would find someone to kill this old man.
"Go," Tan Xue said, glancing at the two bodyguards. The bodyguards inside had all been bribed by her, just in case of accidents.
The two bodyguards threw the Old Master to the ground and quickly followed Tan Xue out.
"Oh my! These old bones of mine!" The Old Master's waist pained severely. He tried several times but couldn't get up, only able to watch helplessly as Tan Xue left with the two bodyguards.
Yao Lu shook her head slightly. Her fate with the Mu family had come to an end.
Being imprisoned for a few years would eventually lead to release, but life on the run would not be easy. A fallen dog would struggle even to eat. How could she escape with Tan Xue?
Just as Yao Lu was about to leave, she heard a commotion in the courtyard, followed by Mu Yunyun's angry roar.
Mu Yunyun blocked Tan Xue's path. "Tell me, who am I?"
Tan Xue looked at the two bodyguards and said, "Take her with us."
She had no more time.
Although she had given orders to stop Mu Jiuchen from entering, Mu Jiuchen was also skilled in martial arts.
The two bodyguards dragged the frail Mu Yunyun outwards.
"Let go of me, let go of me."
Mu Yunyun struggled with all her might. She had undergone a paternity test; she was not Tan Xue's child.
She had no relation to Tan Xue at all.
It was terrifying, such a life was too terrifying. She didn't even know who she was.
After walking only a few steps, they saw several bodyguards lying on the ground, groaning and begging for mercy.
Tan Xue froze, looking ahead in surprise at the slender figure and her swift, agile movements.
Another bodyguard fell. Jiang Nuan turned abruptly, her demeanor heroic and valiant. There were faint bloodstains on the ground. Her sharp gaze fixed on Tan Xue not far away, and she walked towards Tan Xue step by step.