Chapter 94: Discussion

Chapter 94: Discussion

"...Before Uncle Mu passed away, his greatest wish was to see A'mu and me get married, so we said our vows right before him. Once his wish was fulfilled, Uncle Mu died in front of us. Afterwards, A'mu quickly laid him to rest and then set off for the capital with me."

Qiu Lianying knelt on the floor, head bowed, explaining everything that happened in detail.

"So, you two didn't actually..."

Lady Mei paused, leaving the words unsaid.

Everyone present understood her meaning. Qiu Lianying's face turned bright red, and she mumbled, "Mother, what are you saying! A'mu is still in mourning, how could he possibly... with me..."

She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.

Lady Mei was frustrated, she said coldly, frowning. "What? If he weren't in mourning, would you have just gone along with it and truly become husband and wife? If the Mu family hadn't suddenly suffered a catastrophe, and if your younger sister hadn't gone looking for you, wouldn't you have returned not just with a son-in-law, but perhaps even a grandson for me?"

"Mother," Qiu Lianying's eyes filled with tears, she said plaintively. "What kind of person do you take your daughter for!"

Lady Mei wanted to say more, but seeing her daughter's tear-streaked face, she swallowed the harsh words and turned away.

Qiu Lianying knelt in the room, weeping softly.

Qiu Shuiyi looked from one to the other, looking troubled.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Marquis of Yun'an's finger twitch on the bed, and she immediately cried out happily, "Mother, Father is awake."

Lady Mei looked down just as the Marquis of Yun'an opened his eyes, and she called out happily, "My Lord."

"What... happened to me?"

The Marquis of Yun'an murmured.

Lady Mei remained silent, helping him sit up against the soft pillows. She picked up a cup of water from the side and fed him sip by sip.

After finishing the cup, the Marquis of Yun'an was much more alert. His gaze swept past Qiu Shuiyi standing by the bed and Qiu Lianying kneeling on the floor. The words he heard before fainting echoed in his ears again, agitating him.

Noticing the change in his expression, Lady Mei quickly reached out to stroke his chest, while softly recounting the whole story of Qiu Lianying's ordeal.

After listening, the Marquis of Yun'an's expression shifted, his lips parting slightly. "That child... suffered so much?"

Lady Mei was taken aback. Though puzzled by the compassion in her husband's words, recalling what Qiu Lianying had said, she couldn't help but sigh. "That child is indeed pitiful, and he has a good character."

Not only had he saved her daughter who fell from the carriage, taken her in, ensured she never lacked food or clothing, but he had also cared for her in every way.

Bearing the massacre of his entire family, he disregarded his own safety to bring her daughter back.

Such deep affection moved even her, and thus she regarded Mu Yuanxi more highly.

Thinking of this, her anger mostly faded.

Fortunately, although this girl had promised herself to an outsider, she hadn't completely lost her senses and consummated the relationship.

When her Yun'an Marquis's estate married off a daughter, it should be done openly and with great fanfare.

Just as Lady Mei set down the cup, she heard the Marquis of Yun'an say, "Ying'er, you go back first. Yi'er, go and invite Young Master Mu in."

Qiu Lianying's sobbing stopped abruptly, and she asked in alarm, "Father, what are you going to do?"

The Marquis of Yun'an glared at her irritably. "What, are you afraid your father will eat your sweetheart? If he wants to marry a daughter of the Qiu family, he must show some sincerity."

Qiu Lianying was stunned for a moment, then her tears turned to laughter. Overjoyed, she performed a grand bow to the Marquis of Yun'an, her voice brimming with happiness. "Thank you, Father, for your approval."

The Marquis of Yun'an waved his hand dismissively. "Hurry up and leave."

Qiu Lianying wiped her tears, lifted her skirt, and turned to run out. The decisiveness of her action made the Marquis of Yun'an and Lady Mei's hearts clench.

"Yi'er, go and invite Young Master Mu," the Marquis of Yun'an said.

"Alright." Qiu Shuiyi nodded and turned to leave the room.

Recalling the Marquis of Yun'an's expression when he woke up, she felt something was off.

Seeing her father's genuine concern for Mu Yuanxi, could it be that Father already knew about his origins?

Could her brother-in-law have a significant background?

Lost in thought, she arrived at the main hall. Qiu Lianying was beside Mu Yuanxi, excitedly telling him something, her eyes, which had been crying, now shining like gemstones.

Mu Yuanxi's usually cold and stern brow held a touch of softness as he listened attentively.

It was as if a special magnetic field surrounded the two of them, making it impossible for anyone else to intrude.

"Sister... Young Master Mu, my parents wish to see you," Qiu Shuiyi spoke up.

"A'mu, you should go quickly," Qiu Lianying urged, her limpid apricot eyes filled with a smile. "My father has agreed. He won't make things difficult for you."

Mu Yuanxi looked down, gazing deeply at her smiling face. "Alright."

He stepped towards Qiu Shuiyi.

She was about to lead him away when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Shen Yuchao staring straight at her.

Her face flushed, and Qiu Shuiyi directly led him away.

...

Recalling the faint blush on the young girl's face, Shen Yuchao was in a rather good mood. He picked up his teacup and took a slow, deliberate sip.

As the lid was placed back down, a familiar, pretty face entered his line of sight.

He remained composed, giving a slight nod. "First Miss Qiu."

Qiu Lianying twisted her fingers, hesitant to speak.

Shen Yuchao waited quietly, the smile on his lips didn't waver.

After a long moment, Qiu Lianying finally spoke. "I'm sorry. Running away from the marriage arrangement, I wronged you."

Shen Yuchao's brow moved slightly.

Once the apology was out, the rest became easier to say. Qiu Lianying said sincerely, "For over ten years, my parents have been as loving as ever. Growing up surrounded by that, I naturally came to believe that one must be mutually devoted to one's future husband."

"When I was yearning for love, I was suddenly told that I had a fiancé since birth, which made me instinctively feel aversion and resistance."

"So, when the incident happened, my first reaction was to flee. To flee from that marriage contract, and to flee from you." Qiu Lianying continued slowly, "I didn't realize how much trouble my actions would cause for my family and for you."

"But I don't regret it."

She lifted her face, a smile appearing on her stunningly beautiful face, her eyes blazing like the scorching sun. "On the contrary, I am immensely grateful."

"Regardless, I am the one who wronged you," Qiu Lianying said, looking at Shen Yuchao. "Now that things between you and Yi'er are final, she is a good girl. I hope you will not harbor any dissatisfaction toward her because of my existence."

As if seeing Qiu Lianying for the first time, Shen Yuchao stared at her intently, observing the determination in her eyes that seemed to say: if he treated Qiu Shuiyi poorly, she would go to any lengths to make him pay.

Shen Yuchao suddenly laughed.

His laughter was clear and bright, like the sound of a bubbling spring.

"Miss Qiu, rest assured. My feelings for Yi'er will never change."

...

"This is the place."

Qiu Shuiyi stopped before the door. "Father, Mother, Young Master Mu is here."

Upon receiving a response, she pushed the door open.

The maidservants had made themselves scarce. The Marquis of Yun'an had already risen from his bed and was seated in the outer chamber.

Madam Mei stood by his side.

After ushering Mu Yuanxi inside, Qiu Shuiyi very discreetly closed the door behind them.

She'd just pressed her ear to the door when the Marquis of Yun'an's voice came from within.

"Yi'er, you've had a long and tiring journey. Shouldn't you go back and rest?"

Qiu Shuiyi pouted and drawled a reluctant "Oh" toward the room before leaving unwillingly.

Returning to the front hall, she found only Shen Yuchao remaining. She asked, "Where's my sister?"

Shen Yuchao replied, "She went to settle that Mu family boy."

Qiu Shuiyi let out a small "Ah," having nearly forgotten about the little one, Mu Sichuan.

With light steps, she took a seat beside Shen Yuchao.

In such a public setting, it was inappropriate for them to act intimately, but even just sitting like this put her at ease.

...

"Young Master Mu, I am already aware of the matter between you and my daughter."

The Marquis of Yun'an spoke gently.

Mu Yuanxi performed a deep bow. "The circumstances were sudden. I've done wrong by Miss Qiu."

His movements were proper yet carried a trace of a worldly, free-spirited air, complementing his sharp-featured, handsome face in a particularly pleasing way.

The Marquis of Yun'an lowered his gaze, concealing the complexity in his eyes. When he looked up again, not a trace of abnormality remained.

He said, "Since you and my daughter have already performed the wedding ceremony before your late father, it would be heartless of me to forcibly separate you."

Mu Yuanxi abruptly raised his head.

The Marquis of Yun'an smiled. "How about this? Let go of the past, abandon thoughts of revenge, become a live-in son-in-law for my household, and so the two lovers can be united."

"I've heard you also have a nephew still alive. I will raise him as a grandnephew of the Qiu family. For literature, he shall have a great scholar as his teacher; for martial arts, a renowned general as his instructor. What do you think?"

Mu Yuanxi remained silent.

The Marquis of Yun'an and Madam Mei quietly awaited his reply.

After a long moment, he said hoarsely, "My apologies. I must respectfully decline your generous offer, Marquis."

Madam Mei couldn't help but press, "Is it because you disdain the idea of marrying into the family?"

Mu Yuanxi shook his head. "Madam, what you may not know is that I am not the biological son of the Mu family. My father raised me as his own son since childhood. For over twenty years, he was endlessly kind to me and never neglected me. Yet, not only have I been unable to repay his grace, but because of the secret of my background, I brought disaster on the Mu family, getting them all killed. If I cannot avenge them, how can I face the thirty-six lives of the Mu household? How would I differ from a beast?"

He bowed with clasped fists. "I beg the Marquis to grant me two years. Once I have taken my revenge, I will surely come to the capital to apologize to you, Madame Marquis, and to Miss Qiu."

Madam Mei was taken aback.

She hadn't expected this young man to be so deeply loyal and righteous. She couldn't help but glance at her husband.

A peculiar gleam flickered in the Marquis of Yun'an's eyes, and a hint of admiration appeared on his face. He said slowly, "Your purpose in coming to the capital this time was just to see Ying'er home?"

"Not only that," Mu Yuanxi replied without concealment. "Beyond that, I wished to provide for my young nephew."

"Oh?" The Marquis of Yun'an raised an eyebrow. "How can you be sure I would accept that child into your home?"

Mu Yuanxi said, "Miss Qiu is pure and kind-hearted. Parents who raised such a daughter must be tolerant and benevolent. Furthermore, before his passing, my father left me all the family's assets. This money may be insignificant to the Marquis's household, but it is more than sufficient to raise a child. If you are unwilling, Marquis, I will find a kind-hearted family for my young nephew."

The Marquis of Yun'an pondered. "You say you are not the biological son of the Mu family. Then, on this trip to the capital, do you not wish to seek out your birth parents?"

Mu Yuanxi was startled, then gently shook his head. "Before his death, my father told me he found me by a riverbank. Since they chose to abandon me, why seek them out and be a nuisance to them?"

This time, the Marquis of Yun'an's silence lasted even longer.

He let out a long sigh. "The matter of revenge is not urgent. Stay with us for now."

Mu Yuanxi was puzzled. "What do you mean, Marquis?"

"Some matters are not yet clear. Once I've figured things out, I will explain to you."

The Marquis of Yun'an raised a hand. "You may go."

"I take my leave."

Mu Yuanxi bowed and turned to depart.

Watching him go, the Marquis of Yun'an's eyes held extremely complex emotions.

As his wife, Madam Mei knew him best, yet she was also utterly confused now. "What do you intend to do, Marquis?"

The Marquis of Yun'an glanced sideways and took his wife's hand. "Ajun, there is something I need to verify. Allow me to confirm it before I tell you, alright?"

Madam Mei shot him a sidelong glance and muttered, "What matter is so important that you must keep it from me?"

Despite her words, she did not press further.

The Marquis of Yun'an smiled and called out, "Xia Lu."

Light, quick footsteps soon sounded outside the door. "What are your orders, Marquis?"

"Go and invite His Highness the Prince."