The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 31 - 30

Chapter 30

As time swiftly passed like a mere blink of an eye, the cold winter air enveloped Qingyun City. Flurries of white snow began to fall, prompting people to stockpile food reserves for the winter. In heavy snowfalls, they could remain indoors without worry of hunger.

In front of the Mu family manor, dozens of servants were busily clearing snow to prevent it from obstructing the pathways, cooperating in haste due to the progressively chilling weather. Despite it being daytime, the cold only intensified.

In the serene east wing of the Mu Manor, devoid of any human presence outside, all the maids had been dispatched by Mu Yingying to rest in their quarters to avoid catching colds.

Now nine years old, Mu Yingying had grown taller and her once chubby frame had slimmed down significantly. Her emerging beauty was now more than half apparent, her bright, large eyes gazing eagerly at the bowl of freshly made noodles, from which steam and enticing aromas wafted.

She swallowed hard, glancing up pleadingly at the towering figure before her, "Lu Jiu, can I eat now?"

"It’s still too hot. You might scald your tongue, Miss."

Lu Jiu replied calmly, his usually stoic and emotionless face momentarily softening. Though this change was subtle, Mu Yingying, accustomed to his expressions, noticed it immediately.

Now eighteen, Lu Jiu had grown into a tall and imposing figure, his face outside the mask now revealed a chiseled beauty akin to a celestial sculpture.

The young man had matured, becoming more composed and aloof, earning him the nickname ’Ice Block’ among the household members.

He knew this cold demeanor would remain only when he was with others, but it would melt away whenever he was with the little miss, a change occurring unconsciously every time. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"But I’m hungry now! Imagine eating hot noodles in this cold weather, ah...just the thought makes it delicious,"

Mu Yingying fantasized, smacking her lips and once again casting a longing look at him.

Sitting nearby, Su Su, engaged in embroidery, smiled at this interaction. Over the years, the young miss had grown more willful, often neglecting herself despite numerous warnings.

Only Lu Jiu could persuade her to listen, so these four years, he was always there to admonish her when she became stubborn. The young miss couldn’t compete with Lu Jiu at all.

Given his advanced martial prowess, he could easily overpower her physically; if gentle persuasion failed, he would playfully threaten not to make her beloved longevity noodles again.

How could the young miss resist?

She adored Lu Jiu’s longevity noodles, having relished them for years without ever growing tired. What secret ingredient, she wondered, made them so addictive?

Finally succumbing to her beseeching gaze, Lu Jiu flicked his palm and used his internal energy to cool the noodles to a perfect, warm temperature.

Seeing his acquiescence, Mu Yingying eagerly grabbed her chopsticks and began savoring the noodles, which, even after all these years, remained delicious and never failed to bore her!

In no time at all, the large bowl of longevity noodles was devoured swiftly. The petite figure leaned back against the chair, stretching out her hand to gently pat her slightly bulging stomach, closing her eyes contentedly.

"Lu Jiu’s noodles are the best!"

Lu Jiu glanced at the young miss’s satisfied demeanor for a moment before offering a small smile. He took the empty bowl to the kitchen and returned with a pre-prepared cup of herbal tea.

This herbal tea was known for its digestive and relaxing properties, perfectly suited for Mu Yingying who had just finished her hearty meal. "Here’s your tea, Miss."

Mu Yingying took the teacup leisurely. "How’s the trade in the capital? Encountered any issues?"

"Uncle Wang has sent word that, apart from some local rivalries in the capital affecting our interests, there’s nothing worrisome," Lu Jiu conveyed the contents of the letter he had read.

Since two years ago, Uncle Wang had been overseeing the expansion of their trade operations into various areas personally, and earlier this year, they finally ventured into the capital. Despite initial hurdles, Uncle Wang managed to find solutions. If critical decisions were needed, he would dispatch a speed messenger specifically to Mu Yingying.

"Tell Uncle Wang not to draw too much attention from the aristocrats for now. Just go with the flow. If those aristocrats want some bribe, let’s just give it to them. Once we have a firm foothold, we can reclaim what’s ours," Mu Yingying advised with a cool smile, her eyes gleaming enigmatically.

Trade in the capital was challenging; conflicting interests were common. Most shops in the capital had aristocrats backing them. For a new establishment without such backing, obstacles were inevitable.

But these people wouldn’t have their way for long. She would step back now to advance later. Eventually, the person’s heart would succumb to temptation. Now that they had ample wealth, why not use it to solve problems first and then reclaim it later?

Once they’d established a strong trade base in the capital, moving forward would be easier...

Over the past four years, Uncle Wang had expanded their trade operations to cover the southern part thoroughly. Now, as they pushed into the capital, Mu Yingying could be considered as wealthy as the top tycoons there.

With financial worries out of the way, they could fully focus on developing their private forces, which were nearing a thousand individuals. They were well-cared-for and efficiently trained according to their abilities.

Mu Yingying did not restrict their freedom. If they had completed their training and were sent on missions to different areas, she only asked them to remember that they were her people, and the assigned duties must always come first.

Moreover, if they wanted to do anything, she wouldn’t forbid it. If they wanted to have a family or have children to carry on the family name, she would provide support readily and happily. Because in the end, they were just normal humans with feelings and desires to fulfill.

However, they must always remember who they belong to...

"What’s the situation in the capital now?" Mu Yingying inquired, setting her teacup down, relaxing against the chair back.

"After the announcement of the Zhuangyuan exam results months ago, storms are brewing. Many nobles seek to ally with our eldest young master," Lu Jiu paused before adding, "However, he remains neutral, avoiding entanglements with any faction."

She chuckled softly, "Humph! Most of the new Zhuangyuan are usually under the direct command of the Emperor, being his people. And those old nobles dream of poaching them? Daydreaming!”

In her previous life, when her brother became a Zhuangyuan, he was always on royal assignments. Be it public or secretive royal decrees, her brother received them all, evidencing the Emperor’s trust.

Prominent young talents attracting attention isn’t strange. Yet, they’d need the Emperor’s consent to be swayed!

Lu Jiu observed her momentarily, his heart fluttering unexpectedly at her cunning charm. Why did he find her mischievous nature so endearing?

He shook his head inwardly, dismissing strange thoughts, and continued, “Our informants monitoring Commander Wei’s manor reported embezzlement in military funds again.”

Mu Yingying raised her eyebrows slightly, thinking that their audacity was so great!

"I do admire their boldness," she voiced a restrained laugh, her eyes flashing mischievously. Once a thief, always a thief, it seemed.

The Wei family, once caught embezzling military funds, had grown significantly wealthier two years ago after the union with the eldest young miss of the Bai family. Despite their newfound wealth, their greed remained unquenched, as Mu Yingying had predicted; they dared to embezzle again.

How could Deputy Commander Wei, having tasted the sweet allure of easy money, resist such temptation?

Anticipating this, Mu Yingying had specifically assigned people to keep a watchful eye on the Wei manor ever since they allied with the Bai family, and, true to form, Deputy Commander Wei did not disappoint her expectations.

"Have all the evidence been gathered?" she inquired eagerly, to which Lu Jiu confirmed, “Our people had collected all necessary evidence and witnesses, Miss.”

"What about the Bai family’s clandestine support to the rebels?"

"That issue has been addressed long ago. All evidence is with Uncle Wang, and key witnesses have been secured and sent to the capital."

At the conclusion of Lu Ji’s report, Mu Yingying’s lips curled into a sinister smile. With all pieces in place, it was time for retribution!

The sins of both the Wei and Bai families were immense!

Moreover, in the last four years, Bai Lijun frequently collaborated with her natal family, exchanging some information with money. But it should be said that Bai Lijun was extracting benefits single-handedly far greater than she gave.

That woman was so scheming, taking a lot of assets from Bai family. Unbeknownst to even her father, she had amassed a personal fortune dwarfing the collective wealth of the Mu family!

Living luxuriously in the capital, the three of them had hoped for a beautiful future but had no inkling of the impending doom.

Mu Yingying allowed her debtors their momentary joy, intending first to make them feel the grip of control. Like chicks that could be crushed anytime, she wanted to deliver a painful demise to those who once inflicted suffering.

As for the Wei and Bai families’ misdemeanors, Mu Yingying had no intention of taking an action herself. Instead, she saw this as a perfect congratulatory gift for her brother.

Her brother was newly appointed as a Zhuangyuan, burdened with high expectations yet devoid of substantial achievements, and pressured by surrounding political forces. Armed with these evidences, he would surely face his forthcoming battles more comfortably.

Thus, Mu Yingying compiled years of evidence against both families to present to her brother as a congratulatory gift!

She hoped that her brother would appreciate this gift as well...

To be continued in Volume 2

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