The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 22 - 21

Chapter 21

His dreams had begun from the moment the Mu family moved to the capital. The changes that unfolded each year were as vivid as memories deeply etched in his mind.

It felt so real as if he had lived through them himself!

As time passed, his dreams morphed; what were once narratives filled with joy gradually turned to sorrow. The onset of misfortune traced back to when his youngest sister and grandmother arrived in the capital five years later.

He remembered distinctly: in those dreams, he had studied hard and successfully became Zhuangyuan, which brought immense joy to the Mu family. His younger sisters surrounded him, their congratulations never ceasing.

He thought achieving such status would make his father recognize his worth more, ensuring better care for his sisters. Yet, in that dream, he was gravely mistaken!

Not long after, his stepmother bore his father a second son. His father lavished the child with love and attention far surpassing anything he had experienced in decades.

This drove him to work harder, to achieve more, hoping to gain his father’s notice. Yet, his end came unexpectedly, murdered by bandits on his way back from a mission!

Mu Gongzhen believed that was where his dream would end, but it continued, unfolding events even after his death!

The ensuing nightmare was unimaginably horrific that even he had never dreamed that something like this could happen...

After his demise, his sisters were devastated. The image of them clinging to each other, weeping as if their hearts would break, stayed with him. And whenever he recalled that scene, his heart ached anew.

But what followed in his dream chilled him to the bone. His sisters were driven to their deaths by the hands of their own family!

The stepmother he respected, the half-sisters he adored, and the father he revered—all of them conspired to push his two sisters to their deaths right before his eyes. They schemed, slandered, and tarnished reputations until nothing was left intact.

Ultimately, his two sisters were sentenced to a merciless execution!

The tragedy that befell his sisters was too vile for him to accept, even as a mere dream!

Whether the vividness of these nightmares was to blame or something else, his thoughts and feelings gradually transformed, deviating from his initial dedication to study and create a bright future, making his father proud and ensuring his sisters lived happily.

He had changed his mind!

Now, his only wish was to prevent the events of his dreams from occurring!

Even if people thought he was delusional, he could not bear the thought of those terrifying dreams becoming reality, not even slightly!

Even if it meant becoming an adversary to his own family and Shin Wang, if it would prevent the nightmares from materializing and bring him peace of mind, he was willing to take that stand!

On the same late night, while turmoil unfolded in other parts of the Mu family manor, a secluded and quiet small house at the back of the manor seemed entirely cut off from the outside world.

Inside the house, the decor was plain. At a desk by the window, the reflection of a frail figure could be seen intently reading a book under the light of a lantern. Though young, the beauty revealed on her face suggested she would grow into a stunning belle, certain to turn heads!

Her eyes, charming as blossoms, focused on the content of the book, her expression serene. The aura surrounding her contrasted with typical nine-year-old girls, exuding a composed and cool demeanor.

A thirteen-year-old maid named Xiao Chun, the confidante of this house’s young mistress, entered the room with a tray of desserts paired with mild tea, a snack for her young miss during her reading time.

"Miss, your snack is ready."

Xiao Chun set down the plate of treats and teacup, then advised with concern, "It’s getting late, Miss. Please don’t overstrain yourself. You might harm your eyesight."

The nine-year-old, Mu Qingxuan, the eldest young miss of the Mu family, shifted her gaze from the book and smiled in response, "I understand, thank you so much, Xiao Chun."

"The Pingdan sweets we bought are almost gone. If it weren’t for me hiding them in time, I bet they would have all been devoured by Sixth Young Miss by now," Xiao Chun opened the paper wrap containing the Pingdan sweets and arranged them on an empty plate. While doing so, she couldn’t help but grumble a bit more.

"Sixth Young Miss has really gone too far! Just because she didn’t get the Pingdan sweets, she went as far as to complain to the Second Furen to confine you, and even had someone confiscate the sweets you like!"

Mu Qingxuan nibbled on a piece of Pingdan sweet while amusingly observing her maid grumbling with a twinkle in her eye.

Did Xiao Chun think she was confined and not allowed to leave the manor because of Mu Qin Shuang’s doing?

She was mistaken!

This incident wasn’t the handiwork of Mu Qin Shuang but was orchestrated by her kind-hearted stepsister, Mu Luofei!

Had she not known better, she might have thought the same as Xiao Chun...

Mu Qingxuan smiled subtly, her smile filled with scorn for her own naivety, for once being foolish and blind to those who genuinely wished her well and those who feigned kindness for their own gains!

"You needn’t worry about them. It’s just confinement, isn’t it? As long as they don’t interfere and cause us trouble, that’s all that matters," she comforted her close maid with a relaxed demeanor, taking a sip of her tea to quench her thirst.

Seeing her mistress’s calm attitude, Xiao Chun lamented, "You’re too at ease, Miss. They’re closely guarding the exit at the front gate. You need to visit Doctor Li tomorrow; how will you manage to leave?"

"It’s not difficult at all. If the front gate is watched, we’ll just use the secret door. Problem solved," Mu Qingxuan replied nonchalantly, cleaning her hands before resuming her reading.

"A secret door? Don’t tell me..."

Realizing her young mistress had made up her mind, Xiao Chun sighed and did not interfere further.

She collected the items on the tray and exited the room, leaving Mu Qingxuan alone. Once Xiao Chun had departed, Mu Qingxuan gazed out the window thoughtfully.

She knew well how much Xiao Chun cared for her, but Mu Qingxuan was no longer a child. She had experienced these events once before and was determined not to let them repeat.

Yes!

The present Mu Qingxuan was no longer the nine-year-old girl!

But she was the eighteen-year-old Mu Qingxuan from a past life who had returned to the past!

She had come back six months ago during the Mu family’s relocation to the capital, as ordered by the Emperor. During the journey, the unexpected event allowed her spirit to return to her past self.

Six months ago.

On the rugged road filled with dirt and debris, stretching between two mountain ranges toward the central part of Qingzhou Region, the journey was encompassed by lush forests on both sides due to the valley terrain, occasionally bisected by a major river.

After Mu Patriarch achieved remarkable accomplishments, receiving an imperial edict to assume the position of the Left side Deputy Chancellor in the capital, the Mu family had to hastily commence their journey. Dozens of carriages promptly departed from Qingyun, heading straight for the capital.

Halfway through the journey, Mu Patriarch ordered the caravan to pause near the riverfront for a rest, allowing the horses and carriage occupants to stretch and relax. Mu Qingxuan, having endured the discomfort of the ride, stepped down from her carriage to stroll nearby and ease her aches, accompanied by Xiao Chun.

"If father hadn’t ordered this break, I fear my body would’ve succumbed to soreness for certain,"

Mu Qingxuan half-jokingly complained to Xiao Chun, stretching and admiring the view before them. The sight of the broad river against the steep mountains offered a visually soothing experience.

"It’s good that the master decided to stop here. Look, Miss, how pleasantly cool the breeze is," Xiao Chun closed her eyes to savor the refreshing atmosphere.

Following suit, Mu Qingxuan closed her eyes, stretched out her arms to welcome the breeze, feeling the cool comfort relieving her fatigue.

Suddenly remembering something left on the carriage, Xiao Chun opened her eyes and informed her mistress, "Miss, I’ve forgotten some dry food on the carriage. Allow me to retrieve it so we can have our meal here at noon."

Mu Qingxuan acknowledged with a hum, maintaining her stance with eyes closed, letting her hair and the hem of her clothes flutter in the wind. Her face, shining with remarkable beauty, matched the scenery, as if she were part of an exquisite painting.

However, from the perspective of someone not far from her, this scene appeared more like a provocative display inciting envy!

Twenty steps away, behind a large tree, someone watched Mu Qingxuan with eyes filled with hatred and clenched fists.

This girl was none other than Mu Luofei, the half-sister of Mu Qingxuan!

By chance, Mu Luofei walked by and saw Mu Qingxuan with her maid by the river. She stopped to watch them, but the more she looked at her half-sister’s beauty, which seemed to captivate all observers, the greater an uncontrollable jealousy within her ignited.

Because of Mu Qingxuan, she could never become the number one!

Since her birth, she was destined to be the second young miss of the Mu family, always overshadowed by Mu Qingxuan. Even though the latter was orphaned by her mother, she couldn’t deny the reality that she was the daughter of the former Furen.

While she, even having a mother as the Second Furen, remained merely a concubine’s daughter!

Not just that, in Qingyun City, everyone praised that Eldest Young Miss Mu resembled her beautiful mother and would undoubtedly grow into unparalleled beauty. What about her?

Was she not beautiful too?

Because of Mu Qingxuan, she had to be inferior in everything!

She hated her immensely, hated the superior birthright of her half-sister so much that she wished to drag her down into the mud! She loathed her renowned beauty so much that she yearned to mar her face to teach her a lesson!

If only she didn’t exist, her life would have been better...

Mu Luofei, blinded by jealousy and losing self-control, saw the moment Xiao Chun left, leaving Mu Qingxuan alone. She glanced around to confirm others were gathered far away, leaving the vicinity near them deserted with only empty carriages.

Seizing the opportunity, Mu Luofei stealthily approached her half-sister, trying to move as quietly as possible, her eyes fixed on the figure ahead with deep-seated loathing.

Unaware of her approaching doom, Mu Qingxuan remained relaxed, eyes closed.

Mu Luofei, who seemed to lose her sense and driven by an impulsive rage, pushed Mu Qingxuan’s back forcefully.

Splash!

She watched with perverse satisfaction as her half-sister plunged into the river, hoping Mu Qingxuan would sink beneath the waters, never to resurface.

"Help...help me!"

Mu Qingxuan, caught off guard and struggling in the water, tried frantically to stay afloat, calling for help.

The depth and the strong current made her swallow a lot of water, and amidst her blurry vision, she could only see a vague figure on the shore. Not knowing who it was, her instinct was to cry out, "He...help...save...me!"

While Mu Qingxuan fought for her life, swallowing more water, the blurry figure remained unmoved, simply watching her desperate fight for survival without any intention to assist.

Who was that?

Who was there?

Why wouldn’t you help me?

Why just stood there watching me, letting me die?

Mu Qingxuan, seemingly exhausted from struggling, had her cries for help fade gradually, her flailing limbs weakening, her consciousness slowly fading away.

Her eyes, fixed on the silhouette of someone on the shore, gently closed as her body sank beneath the river, losing sight of any figures above the water.

Once Mu Luofei couldn’t see Mu Qingxuan’s figure in the river anymore, she snapped back to reality. Her face turned pale, eyes wide open in extreme shock, her body trembling as if seized by utmost fear.

What...what had she done?

She had acted impulsively!

Mu Qingxuan...was gone!

Had Mu Qingxuan drowned?

No...it wasn’t intentional!

It wasn’t her fault...It was Mu Qingxuan who fell in by herself; she didn’t push her!

Mu Luofei, now panic-stricken, was overwhelmed by what had happened. Her eyes were filled with fear, her mind in turmoil, arguing with herself about what to do next.

"Qingxuan, sh...she fell by herself. I’m not involved!" Mu Luofei murmured as if deciding something, then clenched her fists, her wavering gaze fixed on the water where Mu Qingxuan had disappeared.

"Yes! It was Qingxuan herself. She wasn’t careful and fell into the river. I just happened to see it!"

Having found an excuse, Mu Luofei quickly turned and walked away, her young face tense. At that moment, she thought only of getting as far from the scene as possible, to act as if she had seen nothing.

However, Mu Luofei was unaware that the entire incident had been witnessed by someone all along!

That observer, who had seen everything from beginning to end, was none other than the eight-year-old third young miss, Mu An Yue, Mu Luofei’s younger half-sister.

Mu An Yue, who had never expected to encounter such a critical incident, was stunned for a long while. She hid behind a carriage, watching the unfolding events in shock.

She couldn’t believe she had witnessed the second young miss attacking the eldest one like this!

After Mu Luofei left, Mu An Yue walked to the spot where Mu Luofei had stood, looking for the eldest sister’s figure to ensure she was indeed gone. Then, Mu An Yue turned and walked away in another direction immediately.

On her way back, she was deep in thought the entire time, fully aware of the gravity of the incident she had just witnessed. Yet, she dared not speak of it to anyone!

Because the perpetrator was Mu Luofei!

Mu Luofei was the beloved daughter of the Second Furen, cherished and cared for as if she were a precious gem. Furthermore, her father also held great affection for this Second Sister. Should she bring this matter to her father, she feared he would never believe her.

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