The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 127 - 126

Chapter 126

Late that same night, after Xie Yang had spent the entire day preparing the quarters to welcome the return of the three women, she finally returned to her own quarters with a weary expression. Her close servant, Luo Hai, was massaging her arms and legs to relieve her of the day’s aches and pains.

"Today has been hard on you, Miss. There are only two days left, but we have just finished cleaning the three quarters. There’s still no time for any redecorating or refurbishing. Miss will have to work hard again."

Luo Hai flattered her mistress while continuing to massage her slender arms. Xie Yang did not stop her from speaking, as she herself agreed with her maid’s words.

Having only three days to prepare three quarters and completely redecorate and refurbish them was a heavy task, the hardest in several months.

Just managing the workers and coordinating with people outside for one day had left her body aching...

As Xie Yang was resting, a slender figure walked into the room with a tray of fragrant tea. Xie Yang glanced at her daughter and waved her close servant away.

"Mother...here’s some tea. I heard this tea helps relieve aches and pains."

Mu Tingge poured the tea into a cup and handed it to her mother before sitting down on a nearby chair.

"My dear Ge’er is so considerate, looking out for her mother like this," Xie Yang praised her sincerely before sipping the tea slowly until it was finished.

"Seeing how tired you are, Mother, I cannot be happy. The return of those three women is truly a bitter joke!"

Mu Tingge voiced her thoughts with displeasure. Although she was not the favorite granddaughter of her grandmother, her and her mother’s lives had significantly improved. Her mother had taken on the role of overseeing the household, almost like the lady of the house. And her, as her mother’s daughter, became the eldest young miss of the Mu family currently living in the manor.

If Bai Lijun and her daughters returned, wouldn’t her mother have to relinquish her authority to the other woman?

Wouldn’t all their efforts and struggles throughout this time be in vain?

Seeing the unwillingness in her daughter’s eyes, Xie Yang sighed slightly. "I know you’re unhappy. I am too.

“But those three are not returning empty-handed. They have the Empress Dowager backing them. We cannot do anything against them."

At the sound of her mother’s voice, Mu Tingge immediately retorted, "So we have to give in to them in everything, Mother? If Bai Lijun returns, you will be oppressed by her, and I will have to endure Mu Luofei and Mu Qin Shuang’s tempers. I...don’t want to endure it anymore."

"Listen to me. It’s true that we may have to sacrifice a lot this time, but remember my words: without sacrifice, there can be no victory. Although they have the Empress Dowager backing them, don’t forget that we also have someone supporting us. As long as we follow that person’s orders, we will surely be able to rise above this," Xie Yang said with a serious expression.

Upon hearing this, a handsome young man’s image immediately appeared in Mu Tingge’s mind. Ever since she had a chance encounter with that young man several months ago in the central commercial district, she had been unable to erase his image from her mind. Thinking of him now, her cheeks blushed endearingly.

As Xie Yang poured herself another cup of tea, she didn’t notice her daughter’s unusual reaction. She sipped her tea and continued, "All we need to do is endure for now. I will not let them bully us like before. Even though Bai Lijun and her daughters have the Empress Dowager’s support, and no matter how high their status has become, they cannot hide the great sins they committed years ago..."

Xie Yang’s eyes flashed with a cold light, her voice turning icy, surprising even Mu Tingge.

Even though Bai Lijun had become a Second Rank Lady and Mu Luofei had become Lady Ping An, this was still the capital, a place where many could be easily ruined in countless ways.

Especially regarding their reputations in high society...

Because the three women were supported by the Empress Dowager, Xie Yang and Mu Tingge, who were supported by Shin Wang, could not openly oppose them. However, there were still many ways to secretly counter them.

As long as she faithfully obeyed and followed Shin Wang’s orders fully, Xie Yang was confident she would receive benefits in return!

Xie Yang no longer feared Bai Lijun and her daughters as she once did, for she was no longer alone but had powerful support behind her...

Months ago, while Xie Yang was shopping in the central commercial district, she had stopped at the Ma Jun Tea House with her daughter. While they were enjoying tea and fine food in a private room upstairs, a mysterious man had entered their room, offering a proposal for cooperation.

The mysterious man had presented evidence of his close association with Shin Wang, which greatly alarmed Xie Yang and Mu Tingge. The subsequent proposal of cooperation had shocked them even more.

Shin Wang’s people wanted them to report on the happenings within the Mu household continuously and follow his orders fully, essentially becoming Shin Wang’s people.

Shin Wang’s people offered Xie Yang and her daughter financial support and manpower to help them maintain their power within the household and improve their living conditions. They also promised to enhance Mu Tingge’s reputation in society.

This proposal was like a gift from heaven, and Xie Yang did not hesitate to accept it, immediately switching allegiance to Shin Wang. She knew that no matter how loyal she was to the Mu family, as a concubine and with Mu Tingge being a concubine’s daughter, they would never be able to hold their heads high in the Mu manor.

The love of her husband?

Xie Yang had never felt or experienced it from the start!

If all the women sought their husband’s love, then why were there so many tragic stories involving women? Either the principal wives were neglected by their husbands in favor of concubines or concubines were dealt with by the principal wives until they could no longer survive.

No!

Xie Yang was not a foolish woman who believed in such love!

The past years had proven that mere love from her husband was not enough to improve their lives.

In contrast, with financial support, manpower, and a bit of help from Shin Wang, she and her daughter could turn their lives around. This was why Xie Yang did not hesitate to sell out the Mu family to Shin Wang.

After making a deal with Shin Wang’s people, Xie Yang continuously reported on the Mu manor’s movements. She also incited, sowed discord, and manipulated Mu Cui Ming’s thoughts to create numerous troubles, all according to Shin Wang’s orders.

Was she regretful, if asked?

Xie Yang could firmly say no!

Because since then, she received a lot of money from Shin Wang, along with many people to command, enabling her to control everyone in the household. She also used the money to buy many things for her comfort and secretly bribed others to pave the way for her daughter’s future.

Since her daughter was born as a concubine’s daughter, a significant disadvantage for a woman, Xie Yang was willing to do anything to remove these obstacles for her daughter’s future.

Even if Bai Lijun and her daughters returned to the manor, Xie Yang would not let them hinder her plans!

Meanwhile, on Mu Jie’s side, after returning to her own quarters, Nanny Fang had Lu Xin guard the entrance to prevent anyone from approaching. Nanny Fang then went inside to discuss with her young miss.

“It’s just as Eldest Sister predicted; the three of them have indeed returned to the manor and hold higher positions now...”

Mu Jie frowned in worry, her small face showing signs of deep thought. She couldn’t understand how Mu Luofei had become Lady Ping An.

Besides, Bai Lijun was appointed as a Second Rank Lady.

The royal decree stated that this was because Mu Luofei saved the Empress Dowager’s life during an assassination attempt. However, wasn’t it a bit too fortunate for those three?

"Now we can confirm that the people from Zhuiping Residence weren’t lying. It’s likely they knew about the return of the three beforehand; otherwise, the eldest young miss wouldn’t have advised you to approach the Elder Furen,"

Nanny Fang voiced her thoughts, to which Mu Jie agreed. If she hadn’t gained her grandmother’s favor beforehand, life would be much harder now that the three had returned.

"Now that Mu Luofei has become the Lady, with her spoiled and arrogant nature, she’ll probably disregard everyone in the household even more. Perhaps...even Grandmother might find it hard to handle those three," Mu Jie couldn’t help but worry.

Bai Lijun’s expulsion was ordered by Elder Mu Furen, which likely left her resentful. Upon her return, Bai Lijun would surely seek revenge for past grievances.

"If that’s true, we might have already displeased the second young miss. This quarters used to be hers, but now it belongs to you..."

Nanny Fang hesitated to say anything further, looking troubled. The Second Young Miss was known for holding grudges, and knowing that her former quarters was now Young Miss Mu Jie’s, it would likely anger her.

"We’ll deal with that later, Nanny."

Mu Jie smiled bitterly, taking a deep breath before continuing, "Please send a letter to Zhuiping Residence, Nanny. Since we’re now on the same side as Eldest Sister, we can ask her for help with this matter."

"Yes, Miss."

Nanny Fang immediately nodded in agreement. To face a great Buddha, one must seek assistance from a powerful person to avoid dire situations.

Zhuiping Residence

In the main quarters at the center of the manor, two siblings were sitting and chatting leisurely until a maid brought in two letters. The atmosphere in the room became tense as soon as the letters were handed over.

Mu Qingxuan read the first letter with a frown. It was from their grandmother at the Mu manor, detailing the imperial decree announced that morning about Bai Lijun and her daughters’ return, as well as Mu Luofei’s new title as a lady. Consequently, the Mu manor had to prepare a grand welcome for their return.

The preparation for this event led Elder Mu Furen to decide to renovate Mu Yingying’s old quarters completely and give it to Lady Ping An. Besides writing a clear explanation of her reasons, Elder Mu Furen also inquired about the well-being of her three grandchildren with genuine concern.

After reading the letter, Mu Qingxuan handed it to her younger sister sitting beside her and then unfolded the second letter.

This letter was from Mu Jie, asking for help and advice on how to deal with Mu Luofei and her mother. Grandmother’s decision to give Mu Luofei’s quarters to Mu Jie had made her worried that the three would target her first, prompting Mu Jie to write and seek guidance.

When Mu Qingxuan finished reading, Mu Yingying took the letter and read it with a calm expression, showing no signs of panic or surprise.

When Mu Qingxuan read those letters, she couldn’t help but being shocked by the appearance of their enemies, but then she realized from her sister’s indifferent face that Mu Yingying had already known about this for some time.

"Ying’er, did you know about this beforehand?"

"Yes,"

Mu Yingying replied shortly before placing the second letter on the table. "Eldest Brother and I have known about it for a while but didn’t tell you because you were busy with matters at the Imperial Academy."

"How...did this happen?" Mu Qingxuan asked in confusion.

"The details aren’t entirely clear yet, but one thing I’m sure of is that the return of the three isn’t a coincidence. We just don’t know who is behind them," Mu Yingying summarized before reaching out to hold her sister’s hand in comfort.

"Don’t worry, Eldest Sister. It’s good that they have returned. We can make them pay for what they did!"

Initially, Mu Qingxuan was worried, but seeing her sister’s resolute expression, her worries were relieved significantly. Over time, she had learned to trust her little sister and eldest brother fully.

Since Ying’er said not to worry, she wouldn’t worry...

"What about Mu Jie? Her concerns are valid and worrisome,"

Mu Qingxuan asked about the second letter. Knowing Mu Luofei’s nature since their past lives, she understood that Mu Luofei would likely target Mu Jie first because her quarters had been taken.

However, since Mu Jie was now on their side, they wouldn’t let her suffer.

"It’s not difficult. As long as we can divert Mu Luofei’s attention, Mu Jie will be safe,"

Mu Yingying shared her thoughts. She had already planned for this when she advised Mu Jie to seek their grandmother’s favor in her previous letter. Today’s events were not entirely unexpected for her.

What concerned Mu Yingying more was the unknown figure behind the three!

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