Chapter 640: Chapter 75: Deny If You Wish—What Can You Do About It?

Returning to the Sang Family, Mu Qingge only brought Mu Chen and Mu Peng.

King Sang Shun received them once again.

The bloody scene from the previous day left a deep impression on many guards and servants of the Sang Family towards Mu Qingge. They couldn’t understand why Mu Chen and Mu Peng were with the person who killed their Young Master.

It seemed like they even held her in high regard!

"Family Head Sang, I came this time to apologize for yesterday’s matter," Mu Qingge said to King Sang Shun, lowering her eyes to look in the direction where Mu Chen stood.

Understanding her intent, Mu Chen immediately stepped forward and bowed to King Sang Shun to apologize, "Family Head Sang, yesterday’s incident disturbed the Sang Family. It was entirely my fault, I hope the Family Head will not blame us."

After finishing, he presented some Spirit Stones and treasures, placing them in front of him, and added, "This is a small token of apology. I hope the Family Head will accept it."

After he spoke, Mu Peng stepped forward and said to King Sang Shun, "Yesterday, I accidentally hurt Miss Xuewu’s mother. I also came to apologize to the Family Head."

King Sang Shun quietly observed the two, and after they finished speaking, his gaze landed on Mu Qingge who remained indifferent.

A moment later, he said, "Forget it, let’s put yesterday’s matter behind us."

"Thank you, Family Head Sang."

"Thank you, Family Head Sang."

Mu Chen and Mu Peng both sighed in relief, stepping back behind Mu Qingge.

They all looked at Mu Qingge, thinking she asked them to apologize because she didn’t want to become enemies with the Sang Family, in line with Mu Luofeng’s thoughts of wanting to marry Sang Xuewu.

Little did they expect that after stepping back, Mu Qingge slightly nodded and calmly said, "Since yesterday’s grievances have been clarified, I would like to discuss another matter with the Family Head. It is said that Mu Liancheng has been staying at your mansion for several years. I have come today to take him away."

Mu Liancheng?!

Who is Mu Liancheng?

Both Mu Chen and Mu Peng felt inexplicably puzzled.

However, the surname Mu stirred their suspicions, and they cast doubtful glances toward King Sang Shun. ’Could it be that the Sang Family secretly imprisoned someone from the Mu Family?’

The most crucial aspect was Mu Qingge’s attitude. She wasn’t here for Sang Xuewu, but rather for Mu Liancheng, indicating this person was extremely important to her!

Though they didn’t understand who Mu Liancheng was, it didn’t prevent Mu Chen and Mu Peng from defending Mu Qingge.

Mu Chen slightly furrowed his brow, his tone not as apologetic as before. "The Sang Family has hidden someone from my Mu Clan?"

King Sang Shun glanced at him casually, then turned to Mu Qingge and said in a deep voice, "Is that how you speak of your father? Or how you speak to your grandfather?"

What!

Father?

Grandfather?

!

Mu Chen and Mu Peng were flustered!

They couldn’t figure out what the relationship between Mu Qingge and the Sang Family was.

Facing King Sang Shun’s questioning, Mu Qingge remained calm, without any unusual emotion. She had already guessed her identity would be revealed before coming. Moreover, after yesterday’s incident?

So, King Sang Shun’s words today did not surprise her. She merely turned her gaze to him slowly, her lips slightly curved, "Family Head Sang, please choose your words carefully. I grew up with my grandfather and aunt, and I don’t know who my grandfather is."

King Sang Shun’s profound and bright eyes looked at her, revealing a hint of disappointment. He sighed, "I don’t blame you; you have grievances in your heart, and that’s understandable."

"Grievances?" The smile on Mu Qingge’s lips became more apparent, carrying a hint of sarcasm. "Family Head Sang overthinks. I only came to take back Mu Liancheng. I promise that once I take him away, I won’t come to the Sang Family again, nor will I disturb the peace of anyone in the Sang Family."

"Why must you be like this? Do you know how sad your mother was when you left yesterday?" King Sang Shun’s tone grew heavier.

Mu Qingge remained indifferent, "Family Head Sang jokes again. I have no impression of my mother, like strangers, why would there be sadness?"

"Still sulking." King Sang Shun concluded.

Mu Qingge laughed coldly, no longer explaining.

No matter how much she explained, he would still think she was just venting years of inner grievances—thinking she would, after venting, stage a touching mother-daughter reunion, and grandparents reunion?

That would be wrong! She was speaking the truth.

Her real purpose was solely for Mu Liancheng. Sang Lanruo couldn’t revive him, she could, so there was no need to keep him at the Sang Family.

Moreover, she truly didn’t know who her grandfather was and didn’t wish to be associated with the Sang Family.

Yet, King Sang Shun wouldn’t believe it.

The conversation between the two made Mu Chen and Mu Peng more perplexed about their relationship.

They knew Mu Qingge’s origins well; she came from the Linchuan Realm. Since she came from the Linchuan Realm, why would she have any connection with the Sang Family?

"Young Master." Mu Chen lowered his eyes and called out to Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge slowly lowered her eyes and said to Mu Chen, "You don’t need to intervene." This was her personal matter. Bringing them along was because of their abilities, preventing her from being constrained when dealing with the Sang Family.

Her words left Mu Chen and Mu Peng silent.

In their hearts, Mu Qingge was not Mu Luofeng, she didn’t need to fight for everything or solve everything for him. Mu Qingge could handle everything well herself; only when she needed help, they would act.

King Sang Shun fell silent, seeing the undisguised disdain in Mu Qingge’s eyes.

She wasn’t trying to play hard to get; she truly disdained the Sang Family, genuinely not wanting to have any involvement with them.

The main hall plunged into an eerie silence.

Mu Qingge stood up, breaking the silence, "If the Family Head cannot make a decision, please go and consult with someone who can. I’ll return in three days to take him. Besides, please tell her that since Mu Liancheng has stayed beside her for over a decade without waking up, it means she lacks the ability. She cannot do it, but I can!"

After speaking, Mu Qingge intended to leave.

"Wait." King Sang Shun suddenly called out, stopping her.

Mu Qingge turned and looked at him, her eyebrows slightly raised.

King Sang Shun gazed at her, their eyes meeting in mid-air, sparks flying between them. Suddenly, he laughed loudly.

The laughter came inexplicably, making Mu Chen and Mu Peng secretly wary.

Yet, in the depths of Mu Qingge’s clear eyes flashed a gleam of thoughtful light.

After laughing, King Sang Shun looked at Mu Qingge with determined eyes, "Compared to your siblings, you are much more interesting. You won’t acknowledge me as your grandfather either, but I won’t pass messages for others. Whatever you want to say to her, go and say it yourself."

Mu Qingge gave no reaction to his self-proclaimed ’grandfather’.

One might say the word ’grandfather’ was like a breeze passing by, not entering her ears, leaving no trace in her heart.

However, she understood the meaning behind his words.

He wanted her to see Sang Lanruo!

Should she meet her?

Yesterday she already saw her, but she didn’t even give this so-called mother a proper look.

Not meeting?

If she wasn’t going to meet, then why bother coming to the Sang Family?

"Please, Sang Family Head, inform me of the location." Instantly, Mu Qingge made up her mind.

"I’ll personally take you there." Unexpectedly, King Sang Shun stood up from his position as Family Head and offered.

His gesture made Mu Qingge frown slightly, unable to guess what he was trying to do. Why so enthusiastic?

"Young Master, you mustn’t!" Mu Chen stepped forward to stop them. He stood in front of Mu Qingge, blocking her from following King Sang Shun. Mu Peng also stepped forward, guarding Mu Qingge’s other side, with vigilance in his eyes.

They couldn’t figure out what relationship Mu Qingge had with the Sang Family.

But from Mu Qingge’s attitude, they could guess that she didn’t have a good impression of the Sang Family and harbored some unresolved grievances. If that were the case, they couldn’t let her take any risks.

Mu Qingge looked at the two of them but said nothing.

King Sang Shun looked over, his face slightly dark as he said to the two of them, "What? Are you afraid that I would harm my own granddaughter?"

Although Mu Chen and Mu Peng were shocked, they still looked at Mu Qingge, awaiting her decision.

Mu Qingge remained silent.

Mu Chen hurriedly said, "Young Master..." He shook his head almost imperceptibly, wanting to tell Mu Qingge not to go with King Sang Shun easily. At the very least, to take them along.

Their concern was evident to Mu Qingge.

Her clear gaze moved from Mu Chen and Mu Peng to King Sang Shun. After a while, she raised her hand and pushed down the hand that Mu Chen had placed in front of her.

She instructed the two, "Wait for me here."

"Young Master!"

"Young Master!"

Mu Chen and Mu Peng both felt it was inappropriate.

But Mu Qingge’s decisions were never to be easily changed. She merely comforted the two with a sentence: "If the Sang Family Head wanted to harm anyone, there would be no need for such effort. This is the Sang Family, and with a single rally from him, the three of us would have a hard time leaving."

Her words made sense, and Mu Chen and Mu Peng finally conceded.

"Young Master, be careful. If anything’s amiss, cry out, and we’ll be there in an instant!" Mu Chen urged Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge nodded lightly.

In actuality, if there was any real danger, she’d just hide in her space and be perfectly safe.

Mu Chen and Mu Peng finally stepped aside.

Mu Qingge walked up to King Sang Shun and said, "Sang Family Head, lead the way."

King Sang Shun’s gaze swept over the three of them, then nodded almost imperceptibly, leading Mu Qingge out of the main hall and toward the courtyard where Sang Lanruo resided.

On the way, many from the Sang Family curiously observed Mu Qingge behind King Sang Shun.

Yet, under these curious glances, Mu Qingge maintained a calm demeanor without a hint of unease or anxiety. This drew a nod of approval from the observing King Sang Shun.

"What’s your relationship with those two? You were adversaries yesterday, but today they’re so loyal to you?" King Sang Shun couldn’t understand; yesterday she had killed their Young Master, that thing named Mu Luofeng, right in front of them. How come today, they’ve fallen under his granddaughter’s command?

Moreover, he didn’t forget that from the moment his granddaughter appeared yesterday, those two were exceptionally respectful.

"Isn’t the Sang Family Head interfering a bit too much?" However, his question wasn’t met with a satisfactory answer. Mu Qingge only retorted sarcastically.

King Sang Shun widened his eyes, then returned to normal.

He slowly shook his head, as if with a touch of admiration, and said, "Your character is quite like your mother’s."

Mu Qingge remained silent, not wanting to argue with him on this topic.

Her character like Sang Lanruo’s? Please, she’s not truly Mu Qingge. Her character has been like this since her previous life—she resembles herself!

After a while, King Sang Shun added, "Yesterday, I asked your mother if you had inherited the Sang Family’s bloodline, and her answer was no."

As he said this, he kept a close watch on Mu Qingge’s expression, seemingly searching for any hint of change.

However, Mu Qingge showed no change at all, as if she hadn’t heard that remark.

This reaction puzzled King Sang Shun, causing him to frown.

Meanwhile, Mu Qingge pondered in her heart why Sang Lanruo would lie.

Bloodlines are something one is born with. The previous Mu Qingge was a waste unable to cultivate, that’s one thing. But the bloodline shouldn’t be nonexistent.

Since this is the case, was Sang Lanruo truly unaware before leaving? Or did she lie to King Sang Shun?

However, if she didn’t know, she could just tell King Sang Shun she was unaware and not answer ’no.’ Such an answer can only come after confirmation.

No matter what Sang Lanruo’s intentions are, her answer to King Sang Shun spared Mu Qingge some trouble.

"It’s a pity that out of you three siblings, only Xuewu inherited the Sang Family bloodline." King Sang Shun continued probing with his eyes on her.

Mu Qingge caught the probing intent in his words and sneered inwardly.

Did he really think she was young and impetuous? That she’d be so upset about falling short and eager to argue that she had inherited the bloodline?

With mockery in her clear eyes, she looked at King Sang Shun and said, "I’m a member of the Mu Family; naturally, I’ve inherited the Mu Family bloodline."

In her words, she took pride in the Mu Family bloodline and saw no regret in not having the Sang Family bloodline.

Her response made King Sang Shun’s eyes flicker, thoughtful.

His probing never ceased, and even that earlier question was not entirely to test whether she possessed the Sang Family bloodline; part of it was to gauge her temperament.

If she couldn’t withstand verbal provocation, eager to explain herself, his impression of his granddaughter would greatly diminish.

"Perhaps it wasn’t apparent when you were young, so how about I conduct a test for you?" King Sang Shun offered further.

But Mu Qingge’s gaze turned playful as she replied, "Sang Family Head, aren’t you mistaken? I’ve come to pick someone up, not to undergo any bloodline assessment."

She refused!

Her indifference and rejection led King Sang Shun to increasingly suspect that Mu Qingge might have inherited the Sang Family bloodline, possibly even richer than Sang Xuewu’s.

King Sang Shun’s doubts were clear as day to Mu Qingge.

Yet she remained indifferent.

Just because she wasn’t willing, did King Sang Shun think he could force her to undergo bloodline verification? Even if he discovered she had the Sang Family artifact refiner bloodline, so what?

She didn’t want to stay in the Sang Family or have any ties with them; could King Sang Shun stop her?

After probing all the way, they finally reached the remote courtyard where Sang Lanruo lived.

This place seemed like a completely different world from the Sang Family’s main residence, serene and secluded, even somewhat desolate.

Moreover, upon approaching, a chill was felt in the air, deterring any closeness.

Due to Yuanyuan, Mu Qingge was highly sensitive to temperature. Long before reaching the courtyard, she sensed the surrounding temperature drop.

"Your mother sought Mystic Ice specifically to preserve your father’s corpse from decay," King Sang Shun explained, seemingly casually.

Mu Qingge remained silent.

As they arrived outside, a voice of surprise emerged.

"Boss! You really came!" Sang Yichen stopped practicing martial arts in the courtyard as soon as he saw Mu Qingge and excitedly ran towards her.

Before Mu Qingge could speak, he started chattering away: "Xuewu and I thought you might come in a few days, but you came today, so Mom will definitely be happy when she hears..."

"Yichen," Sang Xuewu interrupted him as she emerged from the house.

Sang Yichen turned to her joyfully, saying, "Xuewu, look who’s here!"

Sang Xuewu approached them, first bowing respectfully to King Sang Shun, then exclaimed to Mu Qingge, "Boss."

Sang Yichen promptly bowed to King Sang Shun, calling, "Grandfather."

King Sang Shun nodded slightly, then asked, "Where’s your mother? In the ice cellar again?" With that, he frowned.

However, Sang Xuewu shook her head, saying, "Mom’s not in the ice cellar today. After you left yesterday, she went to the Artifact Refining Room and hasn’t come out since."

"Artifact Refining Room?" King Sang Shun was slightly surprised, but his eyes shifted before he snorted coldly, "I thought she had come to her senses. However, it seems she’s still sulking with me."

With that, he instructed the two of them, "Go call her. Tell her that the daughter she longs for day and night has come to see her."

This statement made Mu Qingge frown discontentedly.

She was not here to see Sang Lanruo, nor did she want Sang Lanruo to misunderstand.

Sang Yichen quickly nodded and headed towards the Artifact Refining Room, while Sang Xuewu stayed to lead them inside and serve tea.

Mu Qingge did not sit down, instead she said to Sang Xuewu, "Take me to see Mu Liancheng."

Sang Xuewu hesitated for a moment, then nodded instinctively.

King Sang Shun did not stop them from leaving.

Through the secret passage in Sang Lanruo’s room, Mu Qingge, led by Sang Xuewu, entered the ice cellar. In the center, a massive piece of Mystic Ice was placed.

The emitted cold air clung to everything inside, encasing it in layers of ice.

On the Mystic Ice lay a tall man, his eyes were closed as if he were simply sleeping.

Mu Qingge slowly approached; the closer she got, the quicker she felt her heartbeat.

The emotion felt like it didn’t belong to her, yet it seemed to be hers!

As she got closer, she finally saw clearly what the man lying on the Mystic Ice looked like. Handsome and resolute!

In her heart, Mu Qingge used four words to describe Mu Liancheng’s appearance — it had the masculine beauty of being gallant and resolute. Even with his eyes closed, quietly sleeping, you could imagine the scene of him awake, donned in armor and helmet, smiling broadly on a steed.

It was a comforting, warm smile.

As if he could open up a vast sky for everyone.

The Young General of the Mu Family Army!

Once heralded by the people of Qin Country as Mu Xiong’s successor, Mu Liancheng, the young general who struck fear into enemy troops, famed since youth, with glorious achievements.

Now, lying lifeless before her!

This was all thanks to the Imperial Family’s malice!

A flash of coldness passed through Mu Qingge’s clear eyes. Even though she had long avenged and slaughtered the Imperial Family, seeing Mu Liancheng again stirred a subtle killing intent within her.

All the changes in fate began with the selfishness of the Imperial Family!

Mu Qingge looked at Mu Liancheng, even though they were separated by death, she felt the resonance of blood connection. This was not about kinship; it was about their shared identity as soldiers, both having sacrificed everything to defend their country, ultimately falling victim to calculated schemes.

Smack!

Mu Qingge suddenly saluted Mu Liancheng.

This was out of respect for a soldier!

Her straight posture, the indomitable spirit, stood by Mu Liancheng as if carrying on his will.

Sang Xuewu was taken aback by Mu Qingge’s action. She couldn’t quite understand it but felt it was the best tribute to her father.

Like that night on the Sunset Grassland, the war drums resounded throughout half the night.

That passion, that fierce guarding of inner beliefs, that protective heart, it was something her upbringing could never allow her to experience.

She admired it and longed for it.

Behind her, at the entrance to the ice cellar’s passage, Sang Lanruo appeared accompanied by Sang Yichen.

They arrived just in time to see Mu Qingge’s salute to Mu Liancheng.

This scene brought tears to Sang Lanruo’s eyes, as she seemed to see again Mu Liancheng’s heroic demeanor from when they first met.

Mu Qingge slowly lowered her hand, solemnly speaking to Mu Liancheng: "I’m here, if there’s a chance for you to come back to life, I will do everything possible." Her voice carried a promise.

Footsteps came from behind.

Collecting her emotions, Mu Qingge turned around.

Reflecting in her clear eyes was a figure connected by blood.

"Ge’er..." Seeing Mu Qingge looking her way, Sang Lanruo couldn’t help but call softly with a trembling voice, reaching out a hand wanting to touch Mu Qingge’s cheek.

But halfway through, Mu Qingge’s words froze her in place, "Thank you, madam, for taking care of the Young General at Mu Mansion all these years."

"Ge’er, you..." Sang Lanruo’s eyes were filled with shock and heartbreak.

Mu Qingge’s words made her feel like she was a complete stranger.

Yet Mu Qingge seemed to overlook the pain in Sang Lanruo’s eyes, continuing, "I’m here today to take him away. Madam has kept him for nineteen years, and it’s clear there are no other options. In that case, he should return to the Mu Family, so that members of the Mu Family can handle it."

"Ge’er... are you really going to treat your mother like this?" Sang Lanruo’s heart ached unbearably. Her daughter’s words seemed to slice her apart.

Mu Qingge remained calm, saying, "Madam jests. Mu Qingge lost her parents when she was young, so how could there be a mother today?"

"No! That’s not true! Ge’er, listen to your mother’s explanation!" Sang Lanruo’s heart shattered, the despair of losing her daughter weighed heavily.

Mu Qingge clearly perceived this, and her brow furrowed slightly.

"Mom! Don’t get too worked up," Sang Yichen hurriedly comforted.

Sang Xuewu added quickly, "Mom, your health is weak; we should leave here." Then she quickly explained to Mu Qingge, "Boss, mom took care of dad for many years; the cold air invaded her body, entwined with deathly energy, leaving her very frail. Moreover, her years of yearning and gloom have left her perpetually melancholic, unable to bear further distress."

Sang Xuewu’s words elicited no reaction from Mu Qingge.

She silently watched Sang Lanruo’s deep pain, feeling no sympathy. ’Why regret now when it’s too late?’

"Boss, I beg you, let’s talk outside first." Sang Yichen pleaded urgently.

Each tear from Sang Lanruo turned solid in the cold air before falling, her sorrowful gaze made her appear deeply pitiable.

Mu Qingge turned her eyes to look at Mu Liancheng for a moment, then headed towards the exit of the ice cellar.

She indeed did not want these matters to disturb Mu Liancheng’s peace.

As Mu Qingge left, Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen quickly helped the despondent Sang Lanruo out of the ice cellar. Once they left the ice cellar and Sang Lanruo’s room, Mu Qingge finally felt less cold around her.

Walking back to the front yard, King Sang Shun was still in the room having tea.

He lifted his eyes to look at Mu Qingge, and then saw the three people hastily following her, including the ice crystals slowly melting on Sang Lanruo’s cheeks. He put down the teacup in his hand and asked, "What happened?"

"You all go out, I want to talk to Ge’er alone for a few words." Sang Lanruo suddenly broke free from Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen’s support.

King Sang Shun glanced at Sang Lanruo, his eyes shifting back and forth between her and Mu Qingge.

After a slight pause, he stood up and said, "Xuewu, Yichen, come out with me."

Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen looked at Sang Lanruo uneasily, and then at Mu Qingge.

"Boss, please, please!" Sang Yichen clasped his hands and begged Mu Qingge with a pleading expression.

Mu Qingge just cast a faint glance without making any promises.

King Sang Shun took the two out of the small courtyard, leaving a space undisturbed for the mother and daughter with unresolved conflicts.

"Ge’er, you’ve grown up." After the three people left, Sang Lanruo slowly approached Mu Qingge, carefully scrutinizing her appearance.

Her eyes were filled with complex emotions: guilt, heartbreak, regret, longing...

All these emotions, at this moment, transformed into ink, allowing her to carefully sketch the image of Mu Qingge.

When her gaze fell upon the earring worn on Mu Qingge’s left ear, she pleaded hesitantly, "Ge’er, I know you hate mother, blame mother. But, can you take off the earring and let mother see your true appearance?"

Mu Qingge’s gaze slowly moved over, landing on her.

In that instant, Sang Lanruo felt as if she was pricked by needles.

Mu Qingge’s mouth curled into a mocking smile, "Madam, you must be joking. This is my true appearance; could there possibly be a fake one? After all, this is the look my mother personally gave me."

Sang Lanruo suddenly staggered, only by gripping the table’s edge tightly did she not collapse.

Mu Qingge’s words pierced her heart, crumpling the collar she gripped.

The tears she had barely managed to control slid down again. She shook her head continuously, murmuring, "It’s all my fault, my fault." The earring, it was personally put on her daughter by her, and she had personally told her, you are the young lord of the Mu Mansion, you are a man. Now, how can she have the face to request her to take off the earring?

"Ge’er, can you forgive mother?" Sang Lanruo suddenly lunged towards Mu Qingge, trying to grab her sleeve.

However, Mu Qingge seemed to have already anticipated her intention, withdrew her hand, avoiding contact.

Forgive?

These words should be asked to the already lost Mu Qingge!

If it weren’t for the lie of the woman in front of her, Mu Qingge should have been the esteemed young lady of Duke Yongning Mansion, enjoying privileges without worries. With Mu Xiong’s affection for her, Mu Lianrong’s regard, she could have had anything she wanted, and certainly wouldn’t have ended up going to the Sunset Wilderness to die, ultimately benefitting her.

Mu Qingge’s heart was very complicated at this moment.

Without Sang Lanruo’s earlier decision, perhaps she would still be a drifting lonely soul, maybe even long since vanished. In this regard, she seemed like she should be thankful to the person in front of her.

However, she couldn’t forget the nearly three months spent with the true Mu Qingge.

She couldn’t forget this girl who lived a brief life burdened with lies, and ultimately vanished like smoke saving her.

If it weren’t for Sang Lanruo’s earlier decision, perhaps she wouldn’t have been reborn, but the real Mu Qingge wouldn’t have died, she would have enjoyed her true life.

Therefore, Sang Lanruo’s apology shouldn’t be for her, but for the true Mu Qingge.

She once promised Mu Qingge that since she had taken over her body, she would accept everything about her. Her identity, her family. Even at that time, the very frail Mu Qingge had a desire in her heart to protect her family.

However, now when facing the closest kin of Mu Qingge, she felt a desire not to be involved.

"Ge’er, I know you have resentment and grievances in your heart, and your mother understands. Whether you acknowledge me as your mother in your heart or not, there are some things I want to say to you." Mu Qingge’s silence gave Sang Lanruo the opportunity to continue speaking.

Sang Lanruo slowly walked back to the chair and sat down, resting on the armrest. She began to speak to Mu Qingge about the events of the past——

"Back then, when I gave birth to you, the Imperial Family was eyeing the Mu Family covetously. They even said that if you were born a daughter, they would arrange a marriage for you into the Royal Family. If you were a son, you’d inherit the Mu Family’s title, and the Princess would be married to you." Sang Lanruo said faintly.

"Regardless of the possibility, the Imperial Family’s aim was for the Mu Family’s military power. So after you were born, your father and I secretly discussed and decided to publicly announce you as a boy. First, to prevent you from being married into the Royal Family, second, to buy time for the Mu Family to catch a breath under the Imperial Family’s pressure. Third, with a heir, the Mu Family could stabilize military morale, thus causing some imperial provocations to be futile. We planned to reveal your identity once the situation stabilized and the Mu Family became strong enough that the Imperial Family would not dare provoke us easily. Your father thought that your grandfather, he, and your uncle could support the Mu Family, granting us a stable and peaceful life... However, before all that was achieved, the ambitious Imperial Family couldn’t wait to act. First, under the pretense of eradicating bandits, they dispatched your grandfather and father away from Luodu, and later seized the opportunity when your grandmother, younger uncle, and aunt were out, to fabricate a tragedy. Your aunt survived, but your grandmother and younger uncle perished under the cliff." Sang Lanruo gradually fell into memories of those years.

Mu Qingge only listened quietly, without interruption.

Just like Jiang Li said, she also wanted to hear Sang Lanruo’s explanation and see whether her indifference over the years was intentional or unintentional.

"The news of your grandmother and younger uncle’s deaths, the Imperial Family bypassed the Mu Mansion and sent a message directly to your grandfather. In his grief, he led the troops back alone, leaving your father to lead the remaining Mu Family Army against the enemy. Originally, they were just some mountain bandits, and your father could easily handle them. Even in grief, he might have returned victoriously sooner rather than later. I was in the mansion arranging the funerals, comforting your grandfather, waiting and hoping for news of your father’s triumphant return. But... what I received was the news that due to overwhelming grief, he led his troops recklessly, fell into the enemy’s trap, resulting in the total annihilation of the army!"

Sang Lanruo clutched the edge of the table, the veins on the back of her hand bulging and her knuckles turning white. "I don’t believe it! I absolutely can’t believe such an outcome! Besides, they didn’t even bring back the bodies!" Her eyes reflected a trace of separation.

Mu Qingge’s gaze flickered, but she said nothing.

"So, I decided to leave the Mu Mansion and personally find your father. I wanted to know the truth! If he truly died in battle, I would recover his body, if he was falsely killed through conspiracy, I would find the real culprit and avenge him! Then, follow him wherever he goes!" Sang Lanruo’s eyes were burning with the flames of revenge, entwined with the aura of death.

The light in Sang Lanruo’s eyes suddenly dimmed, her emotions plummeting: "I searched for three whole days and nights and finally found your father. His lifeless appearance left me devastated. No matter how much I refused to believe it, he was still gone, still left me. At the peak of my despair, people from the Sang Family, sent by my father to find me, appeared by my side. They found me, wanting to take me back to the Sang Family. But I didn’t want to leave. Perhaps they saw the death wish in me and told me your father could still be saved as long as I followed them back to the Middle Ancient Realm, back to the Sang Family. The Middle Ancient Realm has methods to bring people back to life. Clinging to a sliver of hope, I believed them, believed that your father was simply asleep, and as long as I found the right method, I could wake him up."

"So you left Linchuan and the Mu Mansion without a word?" Mu Qingge interrupted coldly.

This was what truly gnawed at her heart!

Sang Lanruo shuddered, seemingly aware of what Mu Qingge held grudges against. She painfully closed her eyes and explained to Mu Qingge: "Ge’er, believe me, it’s not what you think... I agreed to leave with them. But I intended to send a message to the Mu Mansion, to your grandfather, informing them of my and your father’s whereabouts, and wanted to tell them your true identity. But those three were afraid I would regret it, so they kept a strict watch over me, not allowing any contact. By the afternoon of the second day, they were ready to take me and your father away. Even after my desperate pleas, they agreed they would pass a message to the Mu Mansion. Yet, when I returned to the Sang Family, I realized they had just deceived me to ensure my compliance."

Was it all a series of unfortunate coincidences?

Mu Qingge was somewhat unwilling to accept this explanation. "And during these nineteen years, everyone was deceiving you, making you unable to send a message back to the Mu Family, back to Linchuan?"

She questioned aggressively.

Sang Lanruo shook her head, tears flowing, and after taking a deep breath, she continued: "Upon returning to the Sang Family, I found I was deceived, my spirit shattered. After I fainted and regained consciousness, my father told me I was pregnant, with your father’s child, I had to deliver them safely. At that time, I could only plead with my father to send my news back to the Mu Family, and about you too, telling the Mu Family that as soon as I revived your father, I would return with him. However, he said that the Sang Family had spent too much effort in finding me and resolving the issue with the Ying Family, which caused dissatisfaction among the clan members, and they could no longer assist in sending a message. Without his help, I could only seek help elsewhere, but each time I offered artifact refining as a condition to those people, hoping they would deliver the message, it all ended in futility... Later, when my father found out, he merely warned me, ’Do you think the passage between the Middle Ancient Realm and the Linchuan Realm is so easily opened? Those who took your refined weapons, would they deplete resources just for a mere Treasure Artifact?’ From then on, I knew they were all liars!"

How difficult was it to send a message from the Middle Ancient Realm to the Linchuan Realm?

Mu Qingge thought carefully about herself, apart from using the Divine Level Elixir once in exchange with Han Caicai, using the Han Family’s teleportation array to send Mu Yi, there was only the Communication Talisman Si Mo gave her.

Previously, Sang Yichen also mentioned that the teleportation array of the Sang Family was damaged and had long been unusable.

"After so long, I also felt the Mu Family may have assumed I was dead too. Perhaps because you were too young to keep the secret, you told everything to your grandfather and aunt, and there was little point in me sending a message, so I could only do everything to save your father and then seek the Mu Family’s forgiveness with him. But I didn’t expect, you actually... actually..." Sang Lanruo’s heart was painfully torn apart.

When her daughter appeared before her as a man, she guessed one possibility. That was for these nineteen years, Mu Qingge had been living under the identity of a man.

The grievances and dangers involved, one could only imagine.

"Ge’er, I’m sorry! It’s your mother who has wronged you!" Sang Lanruo wept bitterly.

"And what relation do you have with the Ying Family?" Mu Qingge was not moved by her tears and asked.

Sang Lanruo’s body stiffened, and she told Mu Qingge: "Before I left the Sang Family, my father had already betrothed me to the Ying Family. Only later, he found out I was already married and pregnant, so he apologized to the Ying Family and canceled the engagement. The Sang Family paid a hefty price for it, losing a chance to restore its Primordial Energy."

Mu Qingge remained silent.

She had heard all she needed to hear.

"In three days, I’ll come to take Mu Liancheng." Mu Qingge left these words as she departed from Sang Lanruo’s small courtyard.