The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 102 - 101

Chapter 101

When Mu Cui Ming finished speaking, everyone in the room turned to stare at him in disbelief, not expecting him to say such a thing himself. Especially Elder Mu Furen, whose eyes widened in shock, her temple veins pulsating erratically.

"Do...do you realize what you just said?"

Elder Mu Furen’s voice was weak as she fixed her gaze on her son with a look of utter disappointment. Despite Mu Cui Ming causing this problem himself, he was trying to take advantage of his own son, showing hardly any humanity!

"What do you say to that? You, as the eldest son of the family, must take on the responsibility of looking after the family after me. Therefore, you should also cooperate and help resolve this issue!"

Mu Cui Ming ignored the various looks cast his way, only locking eyes with his son challengingly.

"Our family is currently struggling. Your sisters don’t even have dowries. If things continue like this, one can only imagine what the future will be like. And you, as the eldest son? You’ve never once thought to find a way to help, yet you think to separate and run away from the problem!"

Mu Cui Ming continued to pressure Mu Gongzhen, each sentence squeezing him to take on the responsibilities of the eldest son. He insinuated that Mu Gongzhen was avoiding the problem, lacking compassion and morality, and disregarding the family. If these accusations were to spread outside the manor, it would certainly damage Mu Gongzhen’s reputation, especially now that he had just been promoted to the Left Side Chancellor.

From beginning to end, Mu Gongzhen listened to his father’s rebukes without a word of rebuttal. When his father finished, he let out a cold smile, his sharp eyes gleaming icily, making those who saw it feel a chill down their spines.

"Father...when did I ever say I wouldn’t help?"

Mu Cui Ming was momentarily stunned, not expecting such a question. "We...well, you said you wanted to separate."

"That’s right. I said I wanted to separate...but I never said I wouldn’t help, did I?"

Mu Gongzhen spoke while narrowing his eyes, looking at the figure of the man he called his father as if he were staring at a fool. He then continued, "Moreover, I think I should remind you of a few things."

"Firstly, my separating the household is entirely appropriate according to custom. When the eldest son enters civil service and comes of age, he should move to his own manor. Especially if he receives a house granted by His Majesty, it is all the more fitting for him to move. Therefore, you cannot accuse me of separating to avoid problems..."

"Secondly, I have already informed everyone that I intend to separate the household. If I leave with nothing but myself as Father suggested, that wouldn’t be called separating the household but rather ’separating the family’!"

As Mu Gongzhen finished speaking, he immediately smiled, a smile filled with mockery directed at his father’s frozen expression. Not only Mu Cui Ming but everyone in the room shared the same stunned expression. Separating the household was normal, but separating the family was an entirely different matter!

Mu Cui Ming had momentarily forgotten this truth. Just now, he had only thought of seizing his son’s assets to secure his own escape. He hadn’t expected things to turn out like this. Even though he didn’t truly like his son, Mu Gongzhen was still his only son and heir to the Mu family!

Moreover, his son was currently flourishing, bringing honor and power to the family. If they were to separate the household, both sides would have to sever ties, and the reputation, power, and wealth they had gained would be lost. The Mu family would be left without an heir...

He would never allow that to happen!

Mu Gongzhen had now become the golden pillar of the Mu family. Without this pillar, the Mu family would not be able to stand firmly!

"Zh...Zhen child, calm down. We can talk this through,"

Elder Mu Furen quickly tried to calm her grandson, fearing he might rashly do something she dreaded. Although Mu Cui Ming was indeed wrong, deep down, she couldn’t agree to let the family’s separation happen.

Because it would jeopardize the Mu family’s future!

"Y...Yes, Young Master, please calm down. I’m sure the master didn’t mean it that way,"

Xie Yang couldn’t help but chime in. Even though as a concubine she had no right to voice her opinion, if Mu Gongzhen truly separated the family, the impact on the Mu manor would be unbearable for her.

Not only Xie Yang but everyone in the room began to persuade Mu Gongzhen to calm down so he wouldn’t think of separating the family again, especially Elder Mu Furen, whose face was now more serious than ever. Mu Cui Ming also refrained from further scolding his son, fearing that he might actually separate the family.

This entire scene was observed by Mu Yingying and Mu Qingxuan. They exchanged a knowing glance. Earlier, Mu Qingxuan had suggested that the three siblings separate from the Mu family to avoid future conflicts. However, Mu Yingying and Mu Gongzhen had immediately and decisively refused.

Mu Yingying had calmly explained her reasoning to her sister. Although she too wanted to separate from the family, now was not the right time. If they insisted on separating now, they would be at a disadvantage, and it was likely that more harm than good would come from it.

Firstly, the separation of a family branch must come from the mutual consent of both parties and must have a clear, significant reason. Especially in noble families, the separation must stem from major issues within the family, necessitating the use of family rules or national laws to legitimize the action. In the case of a prominent noble family like the Mu family, the repercussions could be widespread, making such a separation almost impossible at this moment.

Secondly, people in this land were instilled with essential moral principles from birth, the most important of which was filial piety. This principle greatly impacted the reputation and future of the children. If the three Mu siblings separated from the family, regardless of the reason, they couldn’t escape the label of being unfilial!

Separating from the family would be considered a severe violation of the principle of filial piety, which was seen as a grave offense. When children grew up, their duty was to show filial piety by caring for their parents and elders. If the three Mu siblings were to separate, it would permanently sever their ties with the Mu family, inevitably branding them as unfilial. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Being branded unfilial might seem minor, but it was a significant issue with far-reaching consequences. If Mu Gongzhen, as the Left Side Chancellor, was branded as unfilial, it would become vulnerable for other officials to attack, potentially leading to his dismissal. Filial piety was the foundation of all virtues upheld by everyone in the land. Without it, how could one be a good official?...

Mu Qingxuan and Mu Yingying would be equally affected, especially as women. If a woman was labeled unfilial, no family would want to befriend or marry her into family. They would be ostracized from society and bear this stigma for life.

Therefore, unless handled with great care and justified reasons for the Mu siblings to separate the family in a dignified manner, they would never allow themselves to be at a disadvantage. Thus, the idea of separating the family must wait for a more suitable opportunity...

Mu Yingying lowered her gaze to ponder something before looking up at her brother, signaling him. Mu Gongzhen, receiving his sister’s signal, realized something in his heart. A slight smile appeared on his lips as he shook his head gently.

It turned out that when Ying’er had their valuable items packed into the bestowed chests, it was for this reason. Ying’er had anticipated this all along...

"Father, do you still insist that we leave with nothing but ourselves?"

Mu Gongzhen asked his father with a casual tone, a mysterious smile on his face, causing Mu Cui Ming to shiver all over.

"B...but,"

Mu Cui Ming pursed his lips in reluctance, his face showing evident tension. If he allowed his son to take the family assets, how would he pay the debts? But if he insisted on his son leaving with nothing, it might lead to further problems.

What should he do then?

Mu Gongzhen glanced at his father’s hesitant demeanor with disdain. In the end, his father was still the same selfish man. If Mu Gongzhen hadn’t threatened him with the matter of family separation, his father would still be trying to take advantage of him. Since his father intended to exploit him and his siblings, it was time to fulfill his father’s desires, just a little!

“Since you accuse me of being unfilial, then I will show you my filial piety so that you cannot accuse me of anything in the future.” Mu Gongzhen met everyone’s eyes in the room as if inviting them to witness.

“The three of us will move to Zhuiping Residence with only the clothes on our backs, as you wish, Father. We will leave behind our personal possessions in the current quarters. However, the royal gifts I have received cannot be given to you and must be moved to Zhuiping Residence with us.”

“This...”

Mu Cui Ming looked up at his son in disbelief, his eyes flickering with hesitation. If he wasn’t mistaken, his son had received quite a number of royal gifts. It would be wonderful to have those in his possession...

It seemed Mu Gongzhen anticipated his father’s greed. He sneered briefly and said, “You wouldn’t think of taking my royal gifts too, would you, Father? Please think carefully...”

At those words, Mu Cui Ming snapped out of his thoughts. Royal gifts could not be touched by anyone other than the recipient!

Even though Mu Cui Ming desperately wanted to possess his son’s many royal gifts, he wasn’t bold enough to risk punishment by the law of the land. Moreover, even if he managed to get his hands on them, selling such items secretly to pay off his debts would be impossible. If the authorities found out, he would be heavily punished for disrespecting the Emperor!

No matter the path, it was impossible!

Mu Cui Ming quickly dismissed the foolish thoughts from his mind and tried to regain his composure. “Alright, then. Do as you say.”

“I hope everyone here will witness that I have acted as a ’filial son’ according to Father’s words. If any unpleasant rumors arise in the future, I will have to come and ask Father about them myself...”

Mu Gongzhen swept his icy gaze across the room, causing Mu Cui Ming’s heart to race uncontrollably at the mention of a filial son.

Seeing that the matter was resolved, Mu Yingying walked up to her grandmother and said with a sweet, pleading tone. Although she knew it might not work, she wanted to try.

“Grandmother, please come stay with us at the new residence. I would miss you dearly.”

“My dear Ying’er, you’re so thoughtful.”

Hearing this, Elder Furen’s heart softened immediately. Her tense expression vanished, replaced by a gentle one, as she gently patted her granddaughter’s head, filled with affection.

“Grandmother will miss you dearly as well, but I cannot go and stay with you. I still have to take care of your other siblings here. Ying’er, don’t forget to visit me often, so I won’t feel lonely.”

“Grandmother...”

Mu Yingying bit her lip slightly and threw herself into her grandmother’s embrace, hugging her waist tightly. She buried her head in her grandmother’s lap, feeling a deep sense of longing. Even though she had anticipated that her grandmother would refuse to move to Zhuiping Residence with them, hearing it confirmed made her feel sad.

Throughout her time living in Qingyun City, it was only her grandmother who had always given her love and care. When she saw her grandmother faint from anger due to her father’s provocation a moment ago, she became even more worried that, in her absence, her grandmother would be further disappointed and enraged, causing her health to be worsened, by that vile man.

No matter how much Mu Yingying wanted her grandmother to move with them, she knew deep down that her grandmother would never agree. Her grandmother was concerned about the future of the Mu family, which was in the hands of her reckless son, and the future of her other grandchildren. This was why she would not leave the Mu manor...

“Yes, Grandmother. I will visit you often.”

Mu Yingying looked up with a wide, endearing smile. Despite the lingering sadness in her heart, she forced herself to appear cheerful to prevent her grandmother from worrying.

As for visiting this residence often...if possible, Mu Yingying would prefer not to come here frequently. To her, this move marked a partial severance from the Mu family. Apart from her respected grandmother, no one else in the Mu family mattered to her!

Elder Mu Furen gently patted her little granddaughter’s hand a few times before turning to speak to Mu Gongzhen. “Zhen child, you must take good care of your sisters. Don’t forget to come back and visit if you have free time. After all, we are still one family.”

“Yes, Grandmother,”

Mu Gongzhen replied with a gentle demeanor, lacking the sternness from earlier. He nodded to his two sisters before the three of them walked to the center of the hall and bid farewell to the Elder Furen together.

“It is time to move to Zhuiping Residence. The royal gifts have already been loaded onto the carriage. Therefore, we must take our leave. Please take care of your health, Grandmother...”

“Go on, then. There’s still much to arrange at the new residence. The sooner you finish, the sooner you can rest. If you need anything, you can always send someone to inform us,” Elder Furen said, waving her hand gently with a warm tone. A hint of sadness flickered in her eyes. Before she could even brace herself, her three grandchildren had already moved out.

Time truly flew...

As the three siblings were about to leave, Mu Gongzhen paused briefly and turned to speak to his father. “This time, my sisters and I are leaving with only the clothes on our backs and the royal gifts, as you wished. I hope what I left behind in the quarters meets your expectations, Father.”

Having said this, Mu Gongzhen gave a slight smile and turned to follow his two sisters, leaving Mu Cui Ming confused by his parting words. As the three siblings’ figures faded from sight, the hall returned to silence.

Elder Mu Furen lowered her eyes to hide the confusion in her gaze. She closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh. For reasons she couldn’t fully understand, she felt a strange sense of relief in letting her three grandchildren move out. Yet, another part of her felt a nagging worry, as if a premonition of impending trouble loomed on the horizon.

She could only hope that it was just her imagination running wild...

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