The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 125 - 124

Chapter 124

When the close servant heard her mistress’s words, her worries vanished completely. If Her Highness spoke in such a manner, then it truly seemed that there was nothing to be concerned about.

After all, Her Highness was the Empress Dowager, who had gone through countless schemes in the royal palace to reach this point. How could she easily be outwitted by common folk?

"In that case, Your Highness, what would you have me do next?"

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly, pondering something. After a moment, her eyes gleamed with cunning. "Summon the three women to meet me here."

"Yes, Your Highness," the close servant responded, then left promptly.

While waiting for the three women to be summoned, the Empress Dowager rose and walked over to a potted plant by the window to pass the time. She picked up a pair of scissors and began to trim the flower branches leisurely. It was not long before the three women arrived at the hall. She then put down the scissors.

"Long live Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager."

The three women curtseyed respectfully. The Empress Dowager glanced at them briefly, seemingly unintentionally, but her eyes showed a fleeting sign of approval.

The clothing and accessories the three women wore were now made of fine silk and adorned with expensive jewelry, all of which had been personally bestowed by the Empress Dowager herself. Now, dressed meticulously, the three mother and daughters appeared elegant and befitting the status of high-ranking nobility.

Since they were intended to be pawns, they must be made into pawns of the highest quality!

"You may rise,"

The Empress Dowager said with a faint smile, her tone warm and gentle like the sunlight, easing the three women’s wariness and nervousness inside their hearts.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the three women said in unison before rising as instructed and following the servant to the prepared seats.

"Have you been resting well these past few days? If there is anything you lack, feel free to inform Ai Jia’s people," the Empress Dowager said with a friendly smile, her expression sincere as if genuinely concerned for their well-being.

"Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness. During this time, we three have been well taken care of, all thanks to Your Majesty’s mercy. We are deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s great benevolence."

Bai Lijun’s response was quite clever. It praised and flattered the Empress Dowager’s benevolence, which greatly pleased her.

"That’s good to hear. Since Ai Jia had you brought into the palace temporarily, Ai Jia hasn’t had the chance to formally thank my benefactor. If it weren’t for Young Miss Mu saving Ai Jia, who knows if Ai Jia’d still be sitting here today..."

The Empress Dowager sighed, her face showing clear worry. Her eyes reflected fear when recalling the past incident, but they turned grateful as she looked at Mu Luofei.

"It was because of Your Majesty’s grace and virtue that you were protected and kept safe. I was merely fortunate to be passing by. How could I dare consider myself your benefactor?" Mu Luofei quickly responded, lowering her gaze humbly.

The Empress Dowager observed the young girl’s demeanor for a moment before smiling subtly, unnoticed by others. She then turned to compliment Bai Lijun instead.

"Mu Furen, you have raised your daughter well. Look, despite her merits, she refuses to accept them, embodying the saying, do good without expecting anything in return."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. My daughter was simply lucky to be passing by, so she had the chance to assist you. For the matter of returning the good deeds, we would like to accept only Your Highness’s benevolence," Bai Lijun replied humbly, her beautiful face showing sincere gratitude, as if she truly did not seek any reward.

"That’s not right. When one does good, one must be rewarded,"

The Empress Dowager argued back. "For the rewards, Ai Jia will issue an imperial decree to announce it. Do not refuse."

"Currently, outside the palace, there are many varieties of chrysanthemums in full bloom, most of which are tributes from foreign lands and are quite rare," the Empress Dowager paused, then nodded to her close servant knowingly.

"The chrysanthemums in Ai Jia’s palace are the most beautiful. Ai Jia believes many young girls would not want to miss the opportunity to view them,"

Following the Empress Dowager’s words, the close servant invited Mu Luofei and Mu Qin Shuang to stroll through the chrysanthemum garden next to the palace. Seeing their mother’s nod, the girls followed the servant out.

With only the Empress Dowager and Bai Lijun remaining in the palace, the atmosphere became tense. When the Empress Dowager mentioned the chrysanthemums, Bai Lijun realized that the Empress Dowager wanted to separate her daughter and talk to her alone.

Although she didn’t know it whether good or bad, Bai Lijun couldn’t help but feel anxious. She maintained a calm expression, but her hands, held together, were sweaty from the nervousness.

Why did the Empress Dowager want to speak with her privately?

Could she have found out about that matter?

Impossible!

As Bai Lijun was lost in her thoughts, she heard a faint sound of something being placed on the table. When she looked up to look at the source of the sound, she saw that the Empress Dowager had set her teacup down on the table beside her and was looking at her with an inscrutable gaze.

Although the Empress Dowager’s face was still adorned with a smile, Bai Lijun couldn’t help but feel a shiver of apprehension.

"Do not worry, Mu Furen. Ai Jia just wishes to discuss something with you privately,"

The Empress Dowager said with a slight smile. After exerting enough pressure on the other party, she began the conversation in a more casual tone.

"Ai Jia understands that previously, due to some internal family issues, Mu Furen and your daughters were sent to a temple in the countryside. For a lady to be sent away without a clear reason surely impacts her reputation significantly. If you return to the Mu manor without addressing this, it will be difficult to live peacefully amidst the numerous rumors."

The Empress Dowager spoke in a measured tone before turning to Bai Lijun with a knowing smile, "Wouldn’t you agree, Mu Furen?"

"Yes, Your Majesty..." Bai Lijun replied softly, looking down at her lap.

"However, since Mu Furen’s daughter has proven to be Ai Jia’s benefactor, Ai Jia will personally assist in ensuring that the three of you return to the Mu manor with honor."

Upon hearing this, Bai Lijun looked up at the Empress Dowager in astonishment. While she had anticipated that events would unfold this way, as it aligned with their goals from the start, she hadn’t expected the Empress Dowager to offer her support so readily...

Seeing that her fish had taken the bait, the Empress Dowager continued, "But, Ai Jia also has a proposal for you."

"To be straightforward, even if you and your daughters return to the Mu manor, the ongoing conflict with Mu Gongzhen, the legitimate wife’s son, would make it difficult for you to remain there. Now that Mu Gongzhen has become the Left Side Chancellor, opposing him is even more challenging."

The Empress Dowager’s words were not exaggerated, and Bai Lijun understood this well. Even if they could return to the Mu manor with the backing of a certain person, that person only wanted them to follow orders without guaranteeing their safety from Mu Gongzhen.

There was even a risk of being targeted by the three siblings!

"Ai Jia’s proposal is that Ai Jia will support you and your daughters myself. Others will know that you are under Ai Jia’s protection, ensuring your reputation remains intact and allowing you to return to the Mu manor in grand fashion. If Mu Gongzhen wishes to act against you, he would have to consider Ai Jia’s authority..."

This offer was indeed tempting, as expected by the Empress Dowager. Bai Lijun’s interest was evident, though she had not yet accepted. Her contemplative demeanor and conflicted expression in her eyes did not escape the Empress Dowager’s keen observation.

With the Empress Dowager’s support, they would no longer need to worry about anything. Being under the Empress Dowager’s protection meant they could return to the Mu manor securely, and even an old woman like Elder Mu Furen wouldn’t be able to touch them.

This proposal was highly appealing!

Bai Lijun’s eyes gleamed slightly as she considered the benefits she would gain. However, she did not hastily agree because a proposal always comes with a condition.

"What does the Empress Dowager wish for me to do?"

The Empress Dowager smiled, a cold smile that sent shivers down one’s spine. "Not much. I just want you to keep a close watch on the Mu family and report everything to Ai Jia."

"You are the lady of the house, and your daughters are the young misses. You can observe the household affairs more thoroughly than Ai Jia’s spies, especially Mu Gongzhen. Now that he has moved to Zhuiping Residence, it’s difficult for Ai Jia’s people to infiltrate. But for you three, it should be easier to find a chance to gather information and keep an eye on Zhuiping Residence."

Bai Lijun immediately understood the Empress Dowager’s intention: they were to be spies, reporting on the movements. They might be able to keep an eye on the Mu manor.

But, with Zhuiping Residence...it would be challenging.

"Surely the Empress Dowager knows that we don’t get along with the Eldest Young Master. Now that he has moved out, it will be difficult for us to gather information easily," Bai Lijun stated honestly.

"Ai Jia understands that. But it would still be easier for you than outsiders. At least, as a family, you have opportunities to visit more frequently..."

Though the Empress Dowager spoke with a smile, her words placed immense pressure on Bai Lijun. It was a proposal she couldn’t refuse, especially with the Empress Dowager’s eyes fixed on her, making Bai Lijun break into a sweat.

What the Empress Dowager wanted wasn’t impossible for Bai Lijun, but keeping tabs on Mu Gongzhen was quite difficult for her, so Bai Lijun was hesitant to quickly accept this proposal.

She had just found a way to return to the manor, so she could not afford to provoke Mu Gongzhen during this time, or else it would result in their own downfall again.

Yet, they couldn’t refuse the Empress Dowager’s demand...

The Empress Dowager gave Bai Lijun time to think, confident that she wouldn’t refuse her proposal. Though the task might seem difficult, opportunities to act would arise frequently.

After about fifteen minutes had passed, Bai Lijun finally decided. She bit her lip before looking up at the Empress Dowager, giving an answer.

"I accept, Your Majesty."

The Empress Dowager smirked. "Ai Jia knew Mu Furen would be sensible."

"I will do as you wish, Your Majesty. But I hope you will protect my daughters and me as promised," Bai Lijun reminded her of the promise.

"Of course, Ai Jia keep my word."

Seeing that the cooperation she hoped for was going well, the Empress Dowager ordered her servants to escort Bai Lijun and her daughters back to the next-door palace that had been prepared for them earlier. When the three returned to their residence, the servants left them alone.

"Mother, what did the Empress Dowager say?" Mu Luofei scanned the room to ensure they were alone before approaching her mother and asking in a hushed voice.

"The Empress Dowager will help us. From now on, everyone will know that we are under her protection, so we need not worry about our reputation anymore."

Bai Lijun gently patted her daughter’s head. Hearing this, Mu Luofei’s eyes lit up instantly. The incident in Qingyun City had made them constantly worried about their reputation.

But now, they no longer had to worry about it because they were under the Empress Dowager’s wing!

"Both of you, go pack your things. We will soon return to the Mu manor,"

Bai Lijun said to her daughters with a smile. They obediently followed their mother’s instructions and went off to pack their belongings.

As Bai Lijun started packing her own belongings, a servant walked in with a tray of food. When Bai Lijun met the servant’s eyes, she immediately realized this was no ordinary servant.

"Your lunch is served,"

The servant said with a smile, placing the tray on the table and setting up the dishes. As she was about to leave, she turned back and added, "Today’s chicken soup is especially delicious. I hope you enjoy it, Mu Furen."

"Thank you," Bai Lijun responded with a faint smile.

After the servant left, Bai Lijun inspected the area around the soup bowl. When she lifted the bowl from the table, she found a small piece of paper stuck to the bottom.

Bai Lijun quickly removed the paper and set the bowl back down. She then walked into her bedroom to unwrap and read the note. Throughout her stay in the palace, she had been receiving messages from a certain person through such notes.

This time was no different...

When Bai Lijun unfolded the paper, the message revealed only three words: ‘Three siblings, search, map.’

Bai Lijun stared at the three words, confused, and tried to decipher their meaning.

Three siblings?

Search?

Map?

The three siblings likely referred to Mu Gongzhen and his two sisters. The word search probably meant she had to find something from these three siblings. But what about the map?

Or did that person want her to find a specific map that the three siblings possessed?

Bai Lijun pondered the meaning for a long time before walking over to the lamp in the corner of the room. She held the piece of paper to the flame, burning it until it turned to ashes.

If her guess was correct, that person wanted her to find a certain map that the three siblings had...

But what kind of map was it?

Why did that person want a map that was with the three siblings?

After destroying the evidence, Bai Lijun returned to sit and think on the bed. Ever since she and her daughters were saved by that person, he had not given any special orders. He only instructed them to recover and stay hidden for a long time. That was until a few days ago when they appeared to help the Empress Dowager.

All of that was part of that person’s plan!

Now, not only did the Empress Dowager want her to keep an eye on Mu Gongzhen and report on his movements, but even that mysterious person wanted her to find something from the three siblings for him.

Why was everyone so interested in those three siblings?...

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