The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 132 - 131

Chapter 131

Zhuiping Residence

Late that same night, Mu Yingying was far from complacent about the return of the three mother and daughters. In the innermost study, the small figure was sitting and reading the reports she had received, unhurriedly.

Even though it was now the middle of the night, she remained seated on her chair, unmoving. Her big, round eyes scanned the information in the documents sheet by sheet, looking like a middle-aged woman with work to handle, entirely different from the childish appearance seen on the outside.

"Miss, here’s some tea and snacks."

Su Su entered the room, pouring tea into a cup and placing it on the table before her mistress, along with a plate of midnight snacks. Once Su Su had arranged everything, she walked around to the small figure and draped a prepared cloak over her.

"It’s almost the Zi hour[1]. Be careful of the cold air; it might make you sick."

"Thank you, Su Su. You should go to bed first. I’ll just stay a bit longer and then go to sleep."

Mu Yingying turned and spoke with a warm smile, her small hand pulling the cloak tighter around her body. Winter was approaching, making the night air chillier. The cloak provided considerable warmth.

"Let me stay with you, Miss. In case you need anything, I can help right away."

Su Su spoke, stepping to stand beside her mistress, seemingly intending to stay. However, Mu Yingying quickly refused. "No need, Su Su. There’s nothing here for you to help with. You have to wake up early tomorrow. I’ll go to sleep in my room soon."

"But Miss..."

"No buts, Su Su."

Mu Yingying interrupted with a playful smile. She only intended to read a few more documents before going to her room to sleep, just as she had said. There was no reason for Su Su to wait for her.

Seeing her mistress had no intention of changing her mind, Su Su finally relented. "...Alright then, Miss. But if you need anything, just call me anytime."

"Mhm," Mu Yingying replied briefly in her throat, turning her attention back to the documents.

In recent times, the business ventures of the three siblings had grown rapidly, especially the trade outside the capital, which had significantly increased profits. The trade within the capital was also growing, though not as swiftly as the trade outside the capital.

This was because the competition within the capital was fierce and varied among different factions, and Mu Yingying intentionally slowed down the growth of their business in the capital to avoid attracting attention from these factions.

Now was not the right time for them to reveal themselves, especially with the presence of an unknown enemy lurking in the shadows!

Thus, these businesses they held were like hidden cards that they had to keep concealed for as long as possible, to be used against their enemies when necessary...

While Mu Yingying was handling the documents, a tall figure dressed in black appeared before her, kneeling respectfully.

"What news do you have?"

Mu Yingying asked calmly, her eyes still fixed on the documents in her hands as if she had anticipated the person’s arrival.

"Miss, after Bai Lijun and her daughters returned to the Mu family, I noticed several anomalies. According to previous reports, the eldest daughter had severe facial injuries and a serious injury on her right leg, while the youngest daughter had severe facial injuries."

"However, what I saw was that both of them were without any visible injuries. Particularly, their faces were unmarred, and the eldest daughter could walk normally without any sign of injury on her right leg," the man in black reported in detail about the three women.

Mu Yingying was quite surprised upon hearing this. She was certain that the injuries the two sisters had sustained were severe and difficult to heal. Although there had been previous reports years ago about miraculous recoveries, she had remained skeptical.

Now, with their grand return to the family and confirmation from her own informant, she had no choice but to believe it.

It seemed possible that Mu Luofei and Mu Qin Shuang had been fortunate enough to find a divine doctor...

"Is there anything else?" Mu Yingying asked further.

"Yes, there is another unusual matter. The three of them were searching for something within your old quarters for a long time but ultimately couldn’t find it."

Searching my quarters?

Mu Yingying paused briefly, raising her eyebrows in suspicion. "What were they looking for?"

"Because I was at a distance, although I tried to use my internal energy to enhance my hearing, I could only catch that they were looking for something resembling a map."

"A map?"

Mu Yingying repeated, her eyes reflecting her puzzlement. Why would Bai Lijun want that?

And why searched for something resembling a map in her old quarters?

Mu Yingying pondered for a long time, trying to piece together the facts but still felt lost, unable to make sense of the situation.

"Keep an eye on them. If there’s anything new, report to me immediately," she commanded sternly. The man in black promptly acknowledged the order and vanished without a trace.

"Yes, Miss."

When the room was left with only Mu Yingying, she raised her hand to her chin, contemplating. A cold glint flashed in her big, round eyes.

Was the object Bai Lijun was searching for something she herself wanted, or was it something that her backer desired?

Since the enemy began their search in her old quarters, it was possible that the map-like object they sought was among the things they owned!

Mu Yingying glanced around her room and sighed. She couldn’t recall ever possessing anything like a map.

If it wasn’t hers, it could only belong to either Sister Qingxuan or Brother Gongzhen. She would ask them about it tomorrow...

The following morning, after the three siblings finished their breakfast together, Mu Gongzhen left for his duties at the governmental bureau as usual. Mu Qingxuan also prepared to go to the Imperial Academy.

While Mu Qingxuan was getting ready to leave the quarters, she noticed a familiar small figure standing at the door, waiting for her, with an unmistakable look of curiosity on her face.

"What brings you here so early today, Ying’er?"

Mu Qingxuan asked with a smile as she approached her younger sister. Mu Yingying, who had been waiting, immediately smiled widely at her. "You know me so well, Sister!"

"Of course, if there wasn’t something, you wouldn’t be waiting for me this early."

Mu Qingxuan raised her hand and affectionately patted her sister’s head. The two then walked side by side along the path, talking as they went.

"Actually, I have a question. If a scar on the face is severe, like from a burn or a deep cut, is there a way to completely heal it?"

"Mmm...if you use a specially formulated scar ointment for severe injuries, like the scar-eraser ointment you asked me to make before, it would take at least two to three years for the scar to fade completely."

Mu Qingxuan explained patiently, while Mu Yingying listened attentively, recalling the scar-eraser ointment she had asked her sister to make specially for Lu Jiu.

But thinking back to last night’s report, it mentioned that the scars on Mu Luofei and Mu Qin Shuang had healed in less than a year!

"Is there a recipe that works faster than your ointment, Sister?" Mu Yingying asked curiously.

"My master’s recipe, known as the divine doctor, is probably the best out there. However, there might be better recipes. But no matter how good the recipe is, healing takes time."

Mu Yingying nodded in agreement. No matter how miraculous the medicine, it still required time to heal.

"So, is there any way to heal severe scars without any trace within a year?"

Mu Qingxuan thought for a moment, her beautiful face showing some hesitation before she spoke. "I’m not sure, but I’ve heard my master mention that there are many ways to heal people since different doctors learn different techniques. Have you heard the phrase ‘using poison to cure poison’?"

"I have heard of it."

"Healing can be like that. Sometimes curing a disease requires using poison to cure poison. Herbs can be both medicines and poisons. Some illnesses can be treated with poison, but it comes with side effects that can’t be avoided. So, healing scars within a year might be possible using poison, which would be faster than regular scar treatments, but it would certainly come with severe side effects."

"Do you know how to use poison to heal scars, Sister?"

"I don’t know, but I’ll ask my master."

"Thank you, Sister!"

Soon, they arrived at the carriage at the manor’s gate. After seeing her sister off, Mu Yingying immediately returned to her quarters, pondering their conversation along the way.

From what she knew about the three women, it was likely that they used poison to heal their scars and injuries, allowing them to recover completely without a trace and within a short period of time.

Given their ambition and hatred the three had towards them, Mu Yingying wasn’t surprised they would go to any lengths to heal and seek revenge!

Even if the enemy had healed themselves, using poison must have serious side effects, as Mu Qingxuan had said. Although she wasn’t sure if Mu Luofei and Mu Qin Shuang had used poison to cure their wounds, if her hypothesis was correct,

These side effects would be a significant weakness for the enemy!

Mu Manor

Meanwhile, in the early morning, the Mu family members gathered in the hall of the main quarters to pay respects to Elder Mu Furen, as was customary. Bai Lijun and her daughters were also present.

"I heard you’ve been unwell occasionally, Mother. With winter approaching, you must take better care of yourself. I have some ginseng and nourishing herbs that the Empress Dowager bestowed upon me. I’ll have them sent to you."

Bai Lijun spoke with concern, glancing at Elder Mu Furen’s tired face before lowering her eyes to hide her peculiar expression.

"There’s nothing seriously wrong with me. I can still stay strong for a long time. You don’t need to worry about me. But thank you for your concern." Elder Mu Furen replied with a smile that was neither warm nor cold.

Indeed, after several misfortunes befell the Mu family recently, Elder Mu Furen had become somewhat frail and occasionally fell ill. However, it wasn’t anything severe, so she didn’t pay much attention to it. But since Bai Lijun offered such prestigious gifts from the Empress Dowager, Elder Mu Furen wouldn’t refuse and accept them gladly.

This was not for her own use but to keep for future emergencies...

Bai Lijun smiled slightly, unfazed by the elderly woman’s sarcasm. She maintained her gentle facade and changed the topic.

"Last night, my husband allowed me to resume overseeing the household. Hence, Concubine Xie has someone delivered the account books and keys to me this morning. As for what you hold..."

"I only have the dowry ledgers of my granddaughters and a few keys to storerooms. Or do you wish for me to hand those over to you as well?" Elder Mu Furen asked coldly, narrowing her eyes at the woman before her.

"I wouldn’t dare, Mother," Bai Lijun quickly denied, as if fearing a misunderstanding.

"Even if you are back as the Furen of the household, I am still the grand matron of this household, your mother-in-law, and the Elder Furen of the family. I still hold authority over the household," Elder Mu Fuen replied sternly, her expression ice-cold.

"I understand, Mother,"

Bai Lijun nodded in agreement before continuing, "...but now that I am a Second Rank Lady, I am no ordinary Furen of the household anymore.

"In terms of rank, my title as a Second Rank Lady is higher than yours, Mother. However, I do not intend to use my rank to change our customs. Nevertheless, the Mu family is now under much scrutiny, including that of the Empress Dowager. If I, a Second Rank Lady, do not have full authority over the household, wouldn’t that raise suspicions among outsiders about internal problems in the Mu family?

"Those who know the situation might understand, but those who don’t...might think that you, Mother, are undermining my authority."

Although Bai Lijun’s tone was humble and respectful, her eyes were cold and indifferent.

Her words left many in the room astonished, including Elder Mu Furen, who didn’t expect Bai Lijun to use her title as leverage!

She claimed she didn’t want to flaunt her rank, but her actions were nothing short of a threat!

"You..."

Elder Mu Furen gritted her teeth in anger. Despite her desire to refute Bai Lijun’s words, she couldn’t find any argument, as everything Bai Lijun said was true.

If this had happened when Bai Lijun was still just an ordinary Mu Furen, it wouldn’t have been unusual for Elder Mu Furen to share part of the household management authority with her. However, now that Bai Lijun has been appointed as a Second Rank Lady, her status is higher than that of the mother-in-law like her.

By sharing household management authority with Bai Lijun in this manner, Elder Mu Furen was not only undermining and showing distrust in the Second Rank Lady but also questioning the judgment of the Empress Dowager!

Questioning the judgment of the Empress Dowager was akin to inviting trouble!

Good!

Very good!

Bai Lijun had used this advantage to seize power from her!

Elder Mu Furen tried to suppress her anger. Fortunately, she had already instructed her trusted aides to handle important matters the previous night. Thus, even if she had to return the authority to Bai Lijun, it wouldn’t be entirely unfavorable.

Meanwhile, Bai Lijun did not rush Elder Mu Furen for a response. After all, she hadn’t left any other options for her from the start. She merely sat and watched the elderly woman’s restrained demeanor with satisfaction.

In the past, it was she who had to endure the old woman’s condescension and insults. Now it was time for the tables to turn.

To be continued in volume 5.

[1] Zi hour starts from 11:00 PM to 12:59 AM.

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