Chapter 18
Mu Manor, Qingyun City.
In the evening of the sa day after the individuals from the capital departed from Qingyun City, the Mu Manor returned to its usual serenity. The newly recruited servants were thoroughly trained to know their duties, working diligently without causing any issues, which greatly pleased Elder Mu Furen.
Recently, Elder Mu Furen had been preoccupied with resolving various issues and managing changes throughout the manor, particularly among the servants, to prevent any violent incidents like those before.
anwhile, in the eastern wing of the Mu Manor, tranquility prevailed. All the servants in that quarters were replaced with those loyal to Mu Yingying, orchestrated by Uncle Wang who covertly introduced these individuals into the Mu Manor during the recent bulk recruitnt.
When the Eastern Wing House was staffed entirely by people loyal to Mu Yingying, she could relax completely while inside, without the need to worry about prying eyes from the spies causing her distress.
Sitting on a daybed near the window at the very end of the room, a little girl was absorbed in reading a book, scanning each sentence slowly and thoughtfully, aiming to accumulate as much knowledge as possible. For her, knowledge would be a crucial weapon in any future endeavors.
During this mont, Lu Jiu approached and stood beside her, reporting, "Uncle Wang has sent word that everything has been handled properly. All items have been successfully sold off on the black market and converted into clean promissory notes. Should anyone from the capital investigate, they wouldn’t be able to trace anything back to us."
"Uncle Wang has divided these promissory notes into two portions. One portion is deposited at the Fengkong Repository, and the other is allocated for further investnt to expand our business operations and generate inco."
Mu Yingying diverted her gaze from the book, nodding at him. Uncle Wang truly understood her intentions. There was no urgent need for a large sum of money currently, so keeping an extensive amount at Fengkong Repository, despite it being the largest financial institution in Qingzhou Region, wasn’t necessary. It rely served as a depository without offering any interest or additional benefits.
Hence, it was deed wiser to utilize the available funds to expand and enhance their existing business ventures for future profit. Understanding this fact, Uncle Wang had prudently divided the funds: one part for ergency use at Fengkong Repository and the other for business investnt.
In the future, they would have nurous expenses, especially now, with the pressing need to nurture and train a personal army already causing concern. Training and providing for a large number of people to achieve optimal efficiency would inevitably require significant funds.
Previously, Mu Yingying had discussed and agreed with Uncle Wang that henceforth he would be responsible for recruiting trustworthy and loyal individuals to train and nurture, turning them into sharp blades for her in the future. However, as the number of people increased, so too would the expenses. Therefore, the most urgent matter at the ti is to acquire as much money and wealth as possible!
"Please tell Uncle Wang to proceed as he sees fit. I trust his judgnt," Mu Yingying responded with a slight smile before turning her attention back to the book in her hands. "Is everything handled with those people?"
"Yes, Uncle Wang has dealt with everything as you ordered, Miss. There was no bloodshed, just as you desired. We just caused the other party a bit of inconvenience."
"Being too comfortable can lead to complacency. A little hardship won’t hurt them," Mu Yingying smirked aningfully.
She had instructed Uncle Wang to avoid any bloodshed because any such violence could escalate into significant issues, prompting actions from the capital. She didn’t want to beat the grass and startle the snake[1] because the ti was not yet right.
Especially with that Auntie Yang. It was not yet the right ti for her to die. She still held nurous dire secrets about Bai Lijun and was a crucial pawn in Mu Yingying’s strategy to deal with Bai Lijun and her daughters. As long as the old woman remained useful, she intended to spare her life.
However, once Mu Yingying had resolved her affairs, she would ensure that this treacherous servant would not et a peaceful end!
"Oh, that’s right," Mu Yingying, suddenly recalling sothing, quickly turned to Lu Jiu, "Please ask Uncle Wang to find soone to teach us martial arts here in the residence."
Lu Jiu raised his eyebrows, "You wish to learn martial arts, Miss?"
"Yes...I cannot always rely on deceptive tactics as before. Especially when these strategies are inherently risky. The more formidable the enemies, the more I need to be able to defend myself."
Mu Yingying spoke earnestly. She had been contemplating this for a while. Even though she had shadow guards for protection, she couldn’t always depend on others. She needed to prepare herself to the fullest to rely on her own strength in tis of necessity.
Not only she but all her people as well needed to be capable of looking after and protecting themselves. She did not want to lose anyone else again. Being under her command, she must take good care of them.
"In addition to myself, everyone in our quarters must also participate in this martial arts training. This way, we won’t waste our ti idly," Mu Yingying stated, then turned back to her reading. Lu Jiu agreed with the young miss’s opinion and did not inquire further, simply acknowledging with a "Yes, Miss."
Uncle Wang coordinated efficiently. Just two days later, he had arranged for top experts to co and teach at Mu Yingying’s residence. Each morning and evening, Mu Yingying, along with all the servants in her quarters, would regularly train in martial arts with these experts.
Although the initial phase was strenuous, causing every person’s body to ache and nearly collapse, especially for Mu Yingying, who was just a five-year-old child, they did not give up and continued to learn persistently with determination.
Thus, these days passed rather peacefully for Mu Yingying. She didn’t need to plan any troubleso sches because she intended this period to be for preparation for future battles.
She was not yet ready to confront those in the capital city. She still needed to build her forces to be greater, to withstand the upcoming huge raging storms from the capital!
Mu Yingying only sent a big gift to the Mu family in the capital as a greeting gesture and hoped that it would please them to so extent...
Mu Manor, Capital City.
Months had passed since the envoy was sent back to transfer assets from Qingyun City. However, it had been several tens of days past the expected return date, and there was still no sign of the carriage convoy that was supposed to have arrived back at the capital.
The Second Furen, responsible for managing the household’s internal affairs and expenses, grew increasingly anxious. The assets brought back in the first transfer were nearly depleted. Initially, the substantial expenditure was for purchasing a new manor in the capital, with land prices significantly higher than usual, especially in the noble residential area. Land and property prices in this area surged trendously.
Mu Patriarch, who had been promoted to the rank of Left side Deputy Chancellor, could not afford to lose face by buying a mansion in a middle-class district. They decided to invest more than three-quarters of their total wealth to purchase property in the high-class noble area and then expand the mansion to accommodate the family mbers.
In addition to that, there were household expenses needed to support the family and servants. With a larger mansion, the number of servants that followed was not enough for operational needs. Thus, the Second Furen had to take out money to buy dozens more servants for use in the manor, significantly increasing the payroll expenses for people in the household.
Moreover, there were extensive expenses related to social engagents. The Mu family, now elevated in status, was the focus of the capital’s high society, leading to nurous invitations to upper-class gatherings.
Mu Patriarch could not afford to lose face. He ordered the Second Furen to purchase high-quality household items and luxurious tailor-made clothes, ensuring the ladies of the Mu family could attend these events without feeling inferior.
As a result, the available funds were spent until only a trifle remained!
If the people sent back to Qingyun City did not return to the capital within this month, the Mu family might face dire financial straits!
Inside the largest and most splendid room of the mansion, a beautiful thirty-year-old woman sat analyzing the accounts with a worried expression. Though this woman had entered her thirties, her youthful appearance made her seem only in her mid-twenties.
She was Bai Lijun, the Second Furen of the Mu family!
Known for her beauty, her graceful figure and sweet face endeared her to many. When she first attended a high-class banquet three months prior, her beauty beca the talk of the town.
Many other Furens envied Bai Lijun’s preserved youthfulness and sought her companionship to learn her beauty secrets, easing her integration into high society and gaining her significant reputation.
Even among the gentlen, Mu Patriarch, her husband, felt a surge of pride when others jokingly expressed their envy for his beautiful wife.
Yet, nobody knew the twisted heart hidden beneath this lady’s sweet exterior...
Bai Lijun, while examining the account figures, furrowed her brows tightly. The treasury had dwindled to less than ten thousand taels of gold. Why hadn’t Auntie Yang brought the people back yet?
Could sothing have happened along the way?
She set down the account book, her thoughts drifting. Recently, she had to decline many invitations to save money, but such frugality could not continue indefinitely.
Creak~
Suddenly, the door opened, and the sound of hurried footsteps rushed in, throwing oneself into Bai Lijun’s arms, "Mother!"
The small figure of a six-year-old child, with fair, rosy skin, has a charmingly small and adorable face, inheriting unmistakable beauty from her mother. However, at her young age, her beauty has yet to fully reveal itself clearly.
She was Sixth Young Miss Mu and the youngest daughter of Bai Lijun, the Second Furen in the Mu family, known as Mu Qin Shuang.
"This child...Have you co to your mother with so matter again?"
Bai Lijun asked with a chuckle, affectionately stroking her daughter’s head before lifting her gaze to her elder daughter who followed behind.
The nine-year-old girl, bearing a sweet countenance much like her mother, nad Mu Luofei, the elder daughter of Bai Lijun and the second young miss of the Mu family. She approached and sat beside her mother; her face sullen.
Sensing her eldest daughter’s irritation, Bai Lijun’s concern deepened, ready to inquire. However, Mu Qin Shuang interjected, "Mother, I want to eat Pingdan sweets! Qingxuan got so, so I should have them too!"
Her whiny, demanding tone echoed, compelling her mother to respond soothingly, "Pingdan sweets? What does it have to do with Mu Qingxuan?"
"This morning, I passed by and slled sothing delicious from the back quarters. When I peeked, Qingxuan was enjoying Pingdan sweets. When I asked for so, she refused to share! I want them too, Mother! I want them!"
Tears welled up as Mu Qin Shuang pouted, clutching her mother’s dress tightly while sobbing loudly, causing Bai Lijun a headache from her youngest daughter’s tantrum.
Mu Qingxuan, the person ntioned, was none other than the Eldest Young Miss Mu, the daughter of the late Furen.
"Don’t cry, my brave little Shuang’er. I’ll ask the cook to prepare lots of Pingdan sweets just for you," Bai Lijun consoled her, gently patting the little one’s back to calm her sobs.
"You promise, Mother?" Mu Qin Shuang ceased crying imdiately upon getting her way.
"Of course, I promise,"
Bai Lijun assured her with a tender smile, making Mu Qin Shuang beam with joy. She pecked her mother’s cheek and wriggled out of the embrace.
"Shuang’er loves you the most, Mother! Now, I’ll go play," the little girl said with a big smile and imdiately ran outside to continue playing.
Exhaling deeply, Bai Lijun then turned to look at her eldest daughter’s discontented expression. After dealing with the younger daughter, she now had to take care of the older one. Being a mother was not easy at all.
"Now, Fei’er, who has upset you this ti?"
"Who else but that Qingxuan!" Mu Luofei snapped back, venting her frustrations, and narrating her grievance.
"Last ti she went to the market, so young misses saw her. Even yesterday, while I was out, they were still talking about her, praising her beauty, and disparaging by saying I’m less attractive than my older sister!"
"She’s not my older sister!"
"I will not accept it, Mother! I must be more beautiful than her!"
Mu Luofei yelled out, her patience exhausted. Her usually sweet and innocent eyes suddenly flashed with intense hatred. She loathed her half-sister to the extre! Why did such a woman even exist in this world!
Bai Lijun sighed again, thankful that only their own people were around the quarters, preventing her eldest daughter’s tantrum from becoming public knowledge. Everyone outside only knew the Mu family’s Second Young Miss as a beauty with a gentle and easygoing nature.
However, Bai Lijun knew all too well that her eldest daughter was temperantal, prone to outbursts of anger, and always harbored jealousy and envy toward her half-sister.
"Mother, you must deal with Mu Qingxuan for !" Mu Luofei implored. Bai Lijun soothed her, "Don’t worry, I will prohibit her from leaving the manor. That way, you won’t have to endure being compared to her anymore."
Hearing this, Mu Luofei cald down, expressing her grievance, "Thank you, Mother. But, why do people always compare to her? What does she have that I don’t?"
"Absolutely nothing, my dear Fei’er. You are the epito of beauty and intelligence, incomparable even to the young misses in the capital,"
Bai Lijun reassured her daughter, hugging her with affection. Mu Luofei’s mood brightened, and a genuine smile spread across her face.
Once the girl’s spirits were lifted, and she had received what she wanted, she returned to her own quarters. As long as Mu Qingxuan remained inside, she would not encounter anyone, and there would be no further comparisons.
anwhile, Bai Lijun’s smiling face turned into a grim expression, her eyes reflecting a sinister glint. Her daughter must be the best! The daughter of that detestable deceased woman had no right to be above her daughter!
Bai Lijun called for a servant, commanding firmly, "Issue an order: The Eldest Young Miss is forbidden to leave the premises under any circumstances!"
"Yes, Miss,"
The servant responded, quickly turning to relay the order to the servants and the residence of the eldest young miss at the end of the compound.
As Bai Lijun was resting, good news that she had eagerly awaited finally arrived, "Miss, Auntie Yang has returned to the residence."
Her eyes imdiately opened, sparkling with joy, and she hurriedly dressed to go to the main hall. At last, the financial troubles would be resolved. She had been burdened with this concern for days, leaving her no ti for anything else.
Tired both ntally and physically...
When Bai Lijun arrived at the main hall, she found her husband was already there. He was a robust and well-proportioned man. Although he was in his late thirties, his appearance remained strikingly handso and valiant.
Mu Cui Ming glanced at his beautiful wife and greeted her with a warm smile. Bai Lijun returned the smile and sat down next to her husband. In front of her was Auntie Yang, who she hadn’t seen for many months, standing with her head bowed.
"How have you been, Auntie Yang? This long journey must have been tough for you."
Bai Lijun asked Auntie Yang with genuine concern. The latter was not only her close confidante but also the wet nurse who had raised her. Thus, Bai Lijun held deep respect, love, and attachnt for Auntie Yang.
"Miss ..." Auntie Yang bowed her head even lower, pretending to be hesitating and not responding, which made Bai Lijun curious.
"What has happened?"
Yang Sui, noticing that Auntie Yang was reluctant to speak, volunteered to answer on behalf of her aunt, "Master, Miss, Auntie Yang suffered injuries during her trip to Qingyun City. The wounds have not yet healed, but she insisted on returning quickly to reach the capital as soon as possible."
"What did you say!"
Bai Lijun exclaid loudly, standing up to support Auntie Yang with concern. She scanned for the injuries ntioned, stopping at the bloodstains on the back of Auntie Yang’s attire.
"What exactly happened? Why is Auntie Yang injured?" Mu Cui Ming asked with furrowed brows, increasingly worried as he saw his beautiful wife distressed.
"The...there’s nothing, Master, Miss," Auntie Yang replied with a trembling voice, seemingly trying to conceal the truth. Bai Lijun countered, "How can there be nothing! We can all see the blood on your back!"
Mu Cui Ming looked at the bloodstains on the old woman’s back and his expression turned more solemn. "Auntie Yang, tell us right now what happened! You are both a close confidant and the wet nurse to my wife. I must ensure you are well cared for. If soone dared to harm you, I would not let them off!"
Auntie Yang smirked cunningly, her eyes twinkling peculiarly before she feigned a sad expression as if she had suffered greatly.
Now that she had returned to the capital, this was her territory, and she wouldn’t let those who had hard her live well!
Especially the Elder Furen, who had banished her!
She was determined to seek her revenge!
[1] Beating the grass and startling the snake; an idiom, aning: to avoid acting prematurely or incautiously and alerting others to your plans.
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