“Such a situation.”
Although Mu Zhenfeng’s eyes were filled with disbelief at Liu’s account, his heart was somewhat swayed.
“Yes, if I speak a single lie, Master, you may kill me without hesitation.”
Seeing his hesitation, Liu nodded firmly, lifting her head with a look of seeking death as she spoke to him.
“Very well, I will not pursue the matter concerning Qing’er. But was Qiu Xiang’s death truly unrelated to you? Where is the real eldest daughter of the Liu family now?”
After Liu’s repeated explanations, Mu Zhenfeng pondered for a long time but could not fathom her motives. Yet, the Grand Preceptor was not someone he could easily question, leaving him no choice but to swallow this bitter pill in silence. However, the death of his beloved woman still weighed heavily on his heart, and with pain in his eyes, he questioned her directly, no longer concealing his knowledge of her true identity.
“Qiu Xiang’s death was truly not my doing—it was carried out by the Grand Preceptor’s men. As for the real eldest daughter of the Liu family, I do not know. By the time the Grand Preceptor sent me, she had already vanished without a trace.”
At Mu Zhenfeng’s direct questioning, Liu’s expression turned cold, her gaze distant, yet she remained silent, lowering her head.
“Sigh… Get up. You and Qing’er will manage the household affairs together from now on. But I hope you will behave yourself in the future. Let the family live in peace without stirring up trouble. If I discover any further schemes, do not blame me for disregarding our years of marital ties. Someone, escort Madam back to her room.”
Liu’s explanation suggested that everything was the Grand Preceptor’s doing. Though Mu Zhenfeng was deeply puzzled by the Grand Preceptor’s actions—how could anyone, no matter how cruel or wicked, harm their own daughter so ruthlessly?—he recalled how Consort Hui had quickly fallen out of favor and met a sudden, tragic end, while the Grand Preceptor rose in favor. It all seemed too coincidental.
The Grand Preceptor’s actions must have been secretly instructed to Liu. If he were to punish Liu now, word might reach the Grand Preceptor, and his modest marquisate could suffer the consequences. For the sake of the noble title he had worked so hard to attain, he decided to spare Liu. Watching her rise with tears in her eyes and a repentant expression, he issued a cold warning before allowing her to leave. Only after she nodded repeatedly in agreement did he call for the maids outside.
As Liu was escorted away by the maids, her demeanor humble and remorseful, she bowed to him before departing. Mu Zhenfeng sat back, lost in thought.
“What? Liu has been released? Wan Chun, are you absolutely certain?”
Wan Qing was in her courtyard, preparing to meet Bai Nianlong at Linglong Pavilion with Hong Lian, when Wan Chun rushed in with the shocking news. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“Yes, Miss. I heard it with my own ears. Madam left the Nether Abode on her own to see the Master. At first, he refused, but she threatened to kill herself, forcing him to meet her. They spoke in his room for a long time, and afterward, the Master had her escorted back. I couldn’t believe it either, so I went to Madam’s courtyard and saw her being helped inside by Chun Cao and Chun Hua. They were ordering maids to prepare bathwater to cleanse her of ill fortune. Other maids were sent to summon the eldest and third young misses to see her.”
Wan Qing’s disbelief was met with Wan Chun’s earnest recounting of what she had witnessed.
“What on earth happened? Liu tried to harm Father! Releasing her is just inviting trouble. Wan Chun, go to Aunt Xue immediately and tell her that Father hasn’t been feeling well lately. Ask her to stay by his side more often. Hopefully, Aunt Xue’s presence can temper Liu’s malicious intentions for now. Let’s proceed to Linglong Pavilion. Xia Tao, you two stay here. If anything unusual happens in the front courtyard, send someone to Linglong Pavilion to find me immediately. Understood?”
Wan Chun’s words about Liu’s sudden release left Wan Qing utterly bewildered. She couldn’t fathom why Mu Zhenfeng would release someone who had plotted against him and even killed her mother. The anomaly troubled her deeply—something must have happened to prompt this.
Though she didn’t know what Liu and her father had discussed, the strangeness of it all demanded caution. After instructing Wan Chun, who nodded and hurried off, she gave similar orders to Xia Tao before turning to Hong Lian.
“Let’s go,” she said, leading the way out.
“Miss, are you worried Liu might harm the Master again?”
In the carriage, Hong Lian noticed Wan Qing’s furrowed brow and troubled expression, prompting her to ask.
“We must stay vigilant. I have a feeling Liu won’t give up so easily. I hope I’m wrong,” Wan Qing replied, though her tone betrayed her lingering unease.
They soon arrived at Linglong Pavilion.
“Miss, you’ve arrived. Please, take a seat. Earlier, I had Hong Lian examine your birthmark, which was presumptuous of me. If you hold any resentment, I, Bai Nianlong, sincerely apologize.”
Inside Linglong Pavilion, guided by Hong Lian, Wan Qing was led to an elegantly decorated room adorned with jewels, its entrance draped with a pearl curtain. Upon entering, Bai Nianlong, dressed in white and exuding grace, rose to greet her. As Wan Qing sat, Bai Nianlong bowed deeply, her apology earnest.
“No need for formalities, Madam Bai. I’ve come today solely to understand why you instructed Hong Lian to do this.”
Wan Qing’s response was calm as she regarded Bai Nianlong, who smiled warmly before sitting. Cutting to the chase, Wan Qing pressed for answers.
“Since Second Miss Mu is direct, I shall not mince words. An old friend of mine once gave her daughter a jade pendant. I once held that child in my arms, and she bore a white rose-shaped birthmark on her left arm. The jade pendant you wear matches the one my friend gave her daughter, which is why I grew suspicious.”
Bai Nianlong’s explanation was straightforward as she met Wan Qing’s gaze.
“Oh? So, Madam Bai knew my mother?”
The mention of the white rose birthmark on her shoulder stunned Wan Qing. Aside from Granny Liu and Chun Hong, only her mother could have known of it. Bai Nianlong’s words left no room for evasion.
“You have it on your shoulder?” Bai Nianlong’s eyes widened in shock and joy, her voice trembling with emotion as she stepped back, overwhelmed.
“Yes, I do. Is this the one you mean?”
Bai Nianlong’s reaction puzzled Wan Qing. Her mother, a noblewoman of the marquisate, having ties with someone from Daqi? The implications were baffling. She pulled aside her shoulder garment, revealing the birthmark.
“It is indeed the same. But I have one more question. Others may not know, but when I held my friend’s daughter as a child, I accidentally injured her. Second Miss Mu, may I examine your right thumb?”
Tears welled in Bai Nianlong’s eyes as she gazed at the familiar birthmark, her voice thick with emotion. Yet, a trace of doubt lingered as she made her request.
(To be continued…)
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