Chapter 29: Imperial Capital University

Chapter 29: Imperial Capital University

Yun Mu's cheeks flushed deeply, and her heart raced wildly.

In contrast, the man beside her seemed unperturbed, his facade as impervious as a bronze wall or an iron fortress.

To conceal Hao Tingcheng's identity, Yun Mu returned to the Hao family's ancestral home alone.

The household servants had long retired for the night, leaving only a single wall lamp illuminating the living room.

Li Yunlan sat elegantly on the sofa, savoring her fine wine. Upon catching sight of Yun Mu entering in a disheveled state, she lashed out with a cold remark.

"Certainly an impeccable daughter-in-law my Hao family has. Causing a ruckus unchecked outside and then wandering about until the dead of night before returning home," Li Yunlan reprimanded coldly. "Yun Mu, do you have any regard for the law?"

Yun Xiaosha's physique was genuinely frail; after a day of exertion, Yun Mu was utterly exhausted and had no desire to engage with Li Yunlan.

She bypassed the sofa and headed straight for the stairs.

"Deaf, are you?" Li Yunlan set down her wine cup with a thud, rising to her feet. "Yun Mu, how could you ruin Yun Shuiyao's face today? She's your own sister. How could you be so ruthless and heartless?"

"Yun Shuiyao is Jinzhou's betrothed!"

The future matriarch of the Hao family must not be disfigured in any way.

Throughout the entire imperial capital, however, Yun Shuiyao was the most suitable match for Huo Jinzhou among all the prestigious young ladies.

Particularly the immense wealth of the Yun family.

Even amidst the scandal involving Yun Shuiyao, Li Yunlan remained unwavering in her support for the woman.

Yun Mu abruptly turned her head, her beautiful eyes cold and devoid of warmth, fixing Li Yunlan with an intense gaze.

She smiled. "With my skills, if I were to target Yun Shuiyao, I could slice off more than just half her face – it wouldn't be just a mere cut. Now, I'm the one being hunted by everyone. Who's truly harming whom?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlan furrowed her brows.

Yun Mu's words were not without reason.

Yet, how could she bear to be reprimanded by a junior with just a few words? Her anger only intensified. "You're simply jealous that Yun Shuiyao has Jinzhou and remains as beautiful as a flower, so you want to destroy her! Yun Mu, you're so malevolent!"

"Is that enough commotion?"

Suddenly, a solemn and stern voice echoed from the staircase.

Old Master Ho was descending the stairs steadily, positioning himself unobtrusively in front of Yun Mu, his sharp gaze fixated on Li Yunlan.

The atmosphere was thick with tension.

Li Yunlan clenched her fists in defiance.

"Father, Yun Mu is wicked and ruthless. Keeping her in the Huo family will only bring disaster sooner or later!"

Huo Elder's deep voice rose in pitch. "I know how to distinguish right from wrong. I trust Yun Mu. Am I, an old man, no longer capable of deciding who should stay or leave in this household?"

The temperature in the living room plummeted instantly.

Li Yunlan hurriedly clarified, "Father, that's not what I meant. I'm doing this for Tingcheng, to protect him from being approached by ill-intentioned people..."

Huo Elder's wrinkled face was stern as he coldly harrumphed. "You have no business interfering in Tingcheng's affairs. Focus on your own son's mess!"

The rumors surrounding Huo Jinzhou and the two Yun sisters had caused quite a stir in the capital, with public opinion turning increasingly unfavorable.

Li Yunlan also felt a twinge of guilt. Despite her reluctance and anger, she could only retreat to her own room.

"Thank you, Grandfather."

In front of Elder Huo, Yun Mu's gaze held a touch more sincerity.

Today, it was the first time that Elder Huo stood up to express his belief in her.

Mr. Hao gazed at Yun Mu's disheveled state and the swollen half of her face beneath the veil, a sigh escaping his lips filled with sympathy.

"Since you suffer when you return to the Yun family, there's no need for you to go back anymore. This place will be your home."

Yun Mu's expression softened; she could tell that Mr. Hao's words came from the bottom of his heart.

She approached and supported Mr. Hao's arm, behaving like a child seeking affection.

"Alright, from now on, I'll consider this my one and only home."

Alone in this world, Elder Huo was the first person to extend kindness toward her.

At this moment, at least half of Yun Mu's emotion was genuine gratitude.

Elder Huo patted Yun Mu's head and said, "Today is your birthday. Grandpa also prepared a gift for you, but I'm not sure if you'll like it."

With that, he took out a document.

Yun Mu took it and unfolded it, only to find an acceptance letter from Imperial Capital University!

"You're the young madam of the Huo family. Although they are your support, they can't be your shield forever. You have to be strong on your own to live without depending on the Yun family or anyone else's favor. Yun Mu, are you willing to go to school and learn, empowering yourself?"

Learning?

That won't be necessary.

In her previous life as a female war goddess, what couldn't she do? How formidable was she?

But in this world, she was merely a foolish girl who had just regained her wits. Any display of skills would require an explanation.

Otherwise, acquiring skills out of nowhere would arouse suspicion in anyone.

Thus, attending Imperial Capital University suited her perfectly.

Moreover... she could finally live the life of a regular university student, attending classes and enjoying campus life!

"I'm more than willing, Grandfather. You're too kind!"

The young lady twirled happily with the admission letter in her hand. Her clear eyes shimmered under the light.

Two knocks sounded.

A figure seated in a wheelchair was silhouetted at the entrance, shrouded in shadows.

Huo Tingcheng had returned.

Back at the Huo residence, he resumed his sickly appearance, sitting in his wheelchair draped in a black blanket, his face pale and wan. Despite his melancholy demeanor, an air of elegance and refinement clung to him.

What an excellent pretense you put on!

Huo Lao Ye's anger flared upon seeing his grandson return late. "Scoundrel! You still know how to come back? Your wife is about to be bullied to death!"

Huo Ting Cheng slightly lifted his eyelids and glanced indifferently at Yun Mu, as if he had just learned of her being assaulted. He furrowed his brows.

"How did you end up looking like a swollen bear? Did the Yun family do this?"

Yun Mu couldn't help but recall that awkward scene, her expression turning awkward. She reluctantly hummed in response.

"Useless."

Huo Ting Cheng harrumphed and wheeled himself back to his room.

Yun Mu stopped the elderly Huo from dishing out punishment and followed him back to their quarters, closing the door behind them.

"Hao Lao Ye gave you your acceptance letter?"

Yun Mu was taken aback. "How did you know? Were you eavesdropping?"

Huo Tingcheng shot her a disdainful glance.

"I'm the one who wants to send you to university," he said lazily, leaning back in his wheelchair with a cigarette between his fingers, lighting it up. "Imperial Capital University has the best medical professors and research facilities in all of Country Hua. I'll give you a month to find a cure for me."

"One month?" Yun Mu scoffed softly. "The world's top medical experts haven't been able to heal you for years, and you're giving me just one month? Do you think I'm some immortal being?"

Huo Tingcheng's handsome, dark brows knitted together slightly as he spoke in a deep voice, "Because the poison in my body has worsened, I can only suppress it for another month at most."

Yun Mu fell silent.

Surprise, shock, and disbelief flickered in her eyes as she stared at the man before her.

Yun Mu was alarmed. No wonder his complexion had been deteriorating these past few days...

The poison had suddenly worsened, hadn't it?