The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 112 - 111

Chapter 111

Previously, Mu Gongzhen had long reached the entrance of the hall. He had stopped to listen to his father’s reproaches without any intention of interrupting. It wasn’t until he heard his father’s final sentence that Mu Gongzhen stepped inside, his gaze icy.

"If Father could have done that, it would have been good. My siblings and I wouldn’t have been born to be ungrateful children, causing you such heartache."

Mu Gongzhen’s voice was so cold that it sent shivers down the spine of anyone who heard it. Initially, Mu Cui Ming wanted to retort defiantly, but when he turned and saw the murderous glint in his son’s icy eyes, he quickly swallowed his harsh words.

Mu Gongzhen stopped in front of Mu Cui Ming and spoke in a chilling tone. "It’s unfortunate that you didn’t do as you said that day. Today, you’ll have to bear with the ingratitude of this son of yours..."

"You!"

Mu Cui Ming glared at his son with furious eyes, but Mu Gongzhen was unfazed. He turned and walked over to a chair opposite Mu Cui Ming, not bothering to show any respect or inquire about his well-being.

"Such rudeness! As the head of the house, you let a guest wait. Is this how a chancellor receives guests?" Mu Cui Ming couldn’t help but make a sarcastic remark at being ignored.

"For an uninvited guest like you, Father, why should I be polite? If we’re talking about manners, isn’t it even more impolite for an uninvited guest to come unannounced?" Mu Gongzhen glanced at his father and replied indifferently.

But Mu Gongzhen’s words left Mu Cui Ming speechless for a long while, his face darkening with barely contained rage.

"You..."

"If you came to see me just to say these things, then you should leave. I’ve already wasted enough time." Mu Gongzhen cut his father off quickly, his handsome face devoid of emotion but his eyes flashing with danger.

Mu Cui Ming, came back to his senses, swallowed his anger and got to the point of his visit. "I came because of the impending investigation. This is a serious matter. If the investigation begins, the Mu family is finished!"

"If there’s nothing wrong, why fear an investigation?" Mu Gongzhen replied calmly, pretending to be unaware of the deeper issues.

"That..."

Mu Cui Ming hesitated for a moment before deciding to confess in a low, shameful voice, as if admitting guilt. "...It’s because the money used to pay off debts and the remaining funds in the treasury all came from Shin Wang."

"Why should I help you? This problem is one that you created yourself. When you did it, you didn’t consult anyone. So why are you now thinking of consulting others? Whoever ties the knot must untie it themselves," Mu Gongzhen said coldly, his demeanor showing complete indifference to the matter.

"You can’t do this! Don’t forget, you also bear the Mu surname. If the Mu family is destroyed, you won’t escape unscathed either," Mu Cui Ming said through gritted teeth, his hands clenched into fists to suppress his anger.

Mu Gongzhen raised his eyebrows in surprise and replied, "Father, you misunderstand. This is a problem you created. Even if an investigation is conducted, you will be the one held responsible. Others in the family might get caught in the crossfire, but they won’t face severe punishment like an official who accepted bribes."

"As for me, I separated from the household before this issue arose. Even though we share the same surname, all evidence and connections point solely to you. As your son, I might face some minor repercussions, but it would likely just be a reduction in my stipend or a requirement to prove my worth through good deeds to offset any perceived wrongdoing. My position and power would remain unchanged." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"So, if you’re asking who is the one facing ruin, it is only you, Father..."

Upon hearing Mu Gongzhen’s words, Mu Cui Ming felt a momentary weakness and slumped into a chair, completely drained. He fully understood what his son had said, but he didn’t want to accept it.

He had fought through countless hardships to attain the position of Left Side Deputy Chancellor. He had become accustomed to the comfort and power that came with his role in the capital. If he had to lose this power and return to being a small official in a different city, he couldn’t allow that to happen!

No!

He would never return to being a small local official again!

Previously, he had sent someone to contact Shin Wang to ask for help, but Shin Wang’s men refused, advising him to help himself as Shin Wang himself was also in a difficult position. Moreover, they instructed Mu Cui Ming not to contact Shin Wang again to avoid drawing attention.

Mu Cui Ming had searched for someone who could help him from every possible direction but found no one. He then remembered his ungrateful son. Despite his dislike for his son, he couldn’t deny that his son was the only one who could help him now.

Because his son held the position of the Left Side Chancellor, which allowed him to discreetly intervene in the investigation!

Although Mu Cui Ming hated to admit that his despised son was his last hope who could help him from this crisis, he had to accept it and come begging for his son’s help.

"M...my son, you must help your father! After all, I am your father. Yo...you have to help me, please." Mu Cui Ming discarded his anger and hatred toward his son, changing his demeanor from fierce to pleading as if he were a different person.

Mu Gongzhen glanced at his father’s demeanor briefly and narrowed his eyes slightly. "You still remember that you’re my father?"

"I remember! Of course, I remember! Earlier, when I scolded you, it was the words of a foolish old man. Don’t take it to heart,"

Mu Cui Ming said reluctantly through gritted teeth, feeling humiliated for having to plead with his son like this. However, for the sake of power, he was willing to endure.

Once he got through this ordeal, he would reclaim the dignity he lost today!

Mu Gongzhen noticed the momentary malicious glint in his father’s eyes and knew exactly what he was thinking. However, he was beyond caring at this point. The prey had already been lured into the trap. Finally, it was time for him to reap the benefits of this situation.

"It’s not that I can’t help you,"

Mu Gongzhen said, lowering his eyes slightly and revealing a sly smile at the corners of his mouth briefly. "But what will I get in return for helping you?"

"This...it’s only right for a son to help his father," Mu Cui Ming replied, not understanding.

"To me, everything is a transaction. Every negotiation must have an exchange because I don’t like being at a disadvantage," Mu Gongzhen crossed his arms and met his father’s gaze fearlessly, his expression serious compared to the indifference from before.

Mu Cui Ming looked into the deep, ocean-like eyes of his son, struggling to fathom the thoughts behind them. He quickly realized that what Mu Gongzhen said was true. If he couldn’t give his son what he wanted, there was no way the latter would help him.

Money?

The Mu family was struggling to survive. Where would he get the money to give him?

Power?

His son, being the Left Side Chancellor, already had more power than him. What authority could he possibly offer?

Mu Cui Ming pondered for a long time, while Mu Gongzhen didn’t press for an immediate answer, letting his father think it over. He watched the changing expressions on his father’s face with a wicked smile.

Mu Gongzhen already had a plan in mind. He intended to lead his father into willingly giving him what he wanted...

After some time had passed, Mu Cui Ming, had been thinking about what he would offer to his son in exchange, couldn’t find a solution. Finally, he reluctantly asked his son,

"...What do you want?"

"Would you really give me what I want?" Mu Gongzhen leaned back in his chair, his previously calm eyes turning cunning.

"If I can give it, I will!"

Mu Cui Ming pressed his lips tightly together under the pressure. He wasn’t foolish enough to agree immediately, unsure of what his son might ask for. All these actions were observed by Mu Gongzhen, who couldn’t help but smirk at his father’s pretended wisdom.

“Rest assured, this is something you can definitely give me,” Mu Gongzhen paused for a moment before continuing in a chilling tone, “I want to separate the family!”

Bang!

“No way!”

Mu Cui Ming sprang up from his chair so quickly that it tipped over, crashing to the floor. He immediately shouted his refusal without a second thought, glaring at the person in front of him as if he wanted to devour him.

“Nonsense! Separate the family? You must be dreaming. Do you know what it means to separate the family? Now that you’ve succeeded, you think you can kick me aside?” Mu Cui Ming, unable to contain his rage once again, pointed his finger and shouted at his son furiously.

“I think what Father is really worried about is that after I separate the family, you won’t receive any more fame and power,”

Mu Gongzhen replied calmly, unfazed by his father’s rudeness. His handsome face returned to an emotionless expression.

“I...”

Mu Cui Ming was at a loss for words because that was indeed what he feared. If it weren’t for Mu Gongzhen passing the examination as Zhuangyuan, becoming the Left Side Chancellor, and receiving royal wealth and so many honors, he would have kicked this ungrateful son out of the house long ago.

But now things were different. Mu Gongzhen was the golden pillar of the family. If they truly separated, what would he do?...

“No! Even if I die, I will never let you separate the family!” Mu Cui Ming declared decisively; his expression became fiercer, like he had made up his mind.

“I will help you escape this predicament. Not only will you retain your position as Left side Deputy Chancellor, but this threat will disappear like a baseless rumor. All I ask for is an official document of separation. I won’t announce it. Outsiders will still see us as the same Mu family, unchanged.”

“Not only will you escape this danger, but you will also continue to have wealth and power in the future,”

Mu Gongzhen observed his father’s hesitant expression and continued, “You will have all of this...just by giving me and my sisters the document of separation.”

Mu Cui Ming couldn’t help but hesitate. If it were truly as his son said, he had nothing to lose. But what if something unexpected happened in the future and his son used the document of separation to kick him out?

Wouldn’t that be bad?

“No matter what, there will be no separation! I will never agree!” Distrustful, Mu Cui Ming still refused, unchanged.

Mu Gongzhen was not surprised by this. He knew his selfish father would not easily let go of him, the treasure trove. This situation simply needed a bit more pressure.

“I’ve made my offer. Since you refuse, I won’t do anything that doesn’t benefit me,” Mu Gongzhen said coldly, his eyes flashing with an icy gleam that sent a shiver down his father’s spine.

"You can’t do this..."

"Escort the guest out!"

Mu Gongzhen turned to Ding Yang and ordered sternly before rising and walking back into his own quarters, not bothering to listen to Mu Cui Ming’s continued protests. He left Mu Cui Ming shouting after him for a long while.

"Wait! You can’t do this!"

"You ungrateful son, come back here now!"

As Mu Cui Ming was angrily shouting at his son, a figure stepped in front of him to block his path, preventing him from following Mu Gongzhen inside.

"Mu Patriarch, please..."

Ding Yang said calmly, gesturing towards the door of the hall.

This action was nothing short of an outright dismissal. Mu Cui Ming glared at Ding Yang before angrily returning to the Mu family manor. Upon arrival, he vented his anger by destroying objects in his quarters again.

After Ding Yang had escorted the guest to the manor’s gate, he immediately returned to report to his master inside the room.

"Young Master, Mu Patriarch has left."

"Tell the staff to lock the manor’s gates. From now on, for the next two days, we will not receive any guests, especially those from the Mu family," Mu Gongzhen instructed his confidant, continuing to read his book.

"Understood," Ding Yang replied promptly. Seeing that his master had no further orders, he voiced his curiosity.

"...Young Master, do you think Mu Patriarch will agree to the separation?"

Ding Yang, standing in the corner of the room, had overheard all the earlier arguments. He had been surprised when he first heard his master express a desire to separate the family. However, he was eventually pleased at the prospect of his young master finally breaking away from the selfish father.

Yet, the plan fell through when Mu Patriarch refused, which he found quite regrettable...

"He will certainly agree to the separation," Mu Gongzhen responded with confidence.

"But why do you think so, Young Master? Mu Patriarch seemed so adamant about refusing earlier. What could change his mind so quickly?" Ding Yang asked, puzzled, still remembering Mu Patriarch’s resolute refusal.

"It’s because his selfishness and greed know no bounds," Mu Gongzhen set the book aside and gazed out into the dark night, his eyes growing colder.

"When one cannot suppress their selfishness and greed, they will do anything to maintain their desires, just like my father who will never let himself lose power."

"When the investigation begins, he will feel the danger creeping in. We just need to let him experience the sense of loss that was too unbearable. Soon enough, he will come back with the document of separation I want and beg me to save his false honor..."

"As long as his greed remains, a person like him will never be able to abandon his power. He will then give me what I want himself!"

Under the moonlight streaming inside the room through the window, illuminating his cold face, Mu Gongzhen’s expression turned into a chilling smile like a demon’s, his eyes glinting with a ruthless, sinister light.

Now, his father was nothing more than a chick in his grasp. Every step his father took was under the control and guidance of the three siblings.

Originally, this investigation was set up to diminish the power of Shin Wang and to use Mu Cui Ming as a pawn to indirectly strike Shin Wang. However, upon hearing his father’s various insults towards his mother in the hall, Mu Gongzhen immediately decided to change his approach.

Since he could reap other benefits from this situation, he would take as much as possible!

The long-awaited goal of separating the family would finally be realized...

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