The Mu mansion was grand and vast, with numerous servants. They proceeded towards the main hall, passing through winding corridors where many maids and wet nurses were seen.
Those people stared at Mu Qingyao, all stunned at first glance, their eyes filled with confusion. Who was this elegant and captivating woman?
A light green long dress wrapped her graceful and alluring figure. She moved with light steps, her posture elegant, her expression serene and contented, like a star high in the night sky, drawing gazes but remaining untouchable.
Only after they walked past did the maids and wet nurses snap back to reality, their voices buzzing with discussion.
“Was that the Third Miss just now?”
“It must be! Green’er and Xiao Mei are in front, and Mei Xin is behind.”
In an instant, the entire Mu mansion knew that the Mu family’s Third Miss was actually a beauty of unparalleled loveliness and national charm.
She truly inherited the beauty of her Prime Minister father and third concubine. Compared to the Third Miss, the eldest and second daughters were like clouds and mud.
The Mu mansion, vast in area, was evenly distributed and opulent everywhere.
It was indeed worthy of being a Prime Minister’s mansion.
It took a full fifteen minutes to walk from the back courtyard where the family members resided to the main hall. Along the way, the maids and wet nurses were all wide-eyed.
Mu Qingyao’s mood inexplicably improved, her smile radiant. The joy radiating from her made Mei Xin, who followed behind her, feel happier too. She said softly, “Miss, be careful.”
At the main hall, layers of white jade steps led down from outside the door. On each step, two servants stood, in neat rows.
The steward of the Mu mansion, standing on the white jade steps, was, without exception, stunned the moment Mu Qingyao appeared. Finally coming to his senses, he led a group of servants in a respectful greeting, “Third Miss has arrived.”
Mu Qingyao nodded slightly, not speaking. Mei Xin supported her as she stepped onto the white jade steps, and immediately, voices from within the main hall could be heard.
“Father, you must do justice for your daughter! Qingyao almost killed me today. If you don’t believe me, ask Second Sister! She saw it with her own eyes.”
It turned out Mu Qingzhu was lodging a complaint. Mu Qingyao’s lips tightened, her eyes deepening as she stepped inside.
The main hall was brightly lit by hanging colored lanterns, as bright as day, illuminating every corner. Expensive landscape paintings hung on the walls.
Precious antiques were displayed in display cabinets, and musk burned in golden censers. Maids in luxurious attire stood to the side. In the very center was a round table carved with intricate patterns and inlaid with jade, surrounded by round stools covered with brocade.
At this moment, several people were already seated around the round table. In the most central position sat Mu Qingyao’s Prime Minister father, Mu Hen. To his lower right was the First Madam, in her forties, slightly plump.
She wore luxurious brocade clothing, her hair adorned with dazzling pearls and jade. In her eyes, however, gleamed a calculating glint.
Beside the First Madam sat her daughter, the eldest daughter of the Mu mansion, Mu Qingzhu. Then followed the Second Madam and the Second Miss, in order.
The moment Mu Qingyao appeared, the main hall fell into silence. The First Madam’s eyes were filled with shock, followed by unwillingness. The others were equally astonished, and no sound was made for a long time.
Who was this woman?
The Third Miss of the Mu family? Even Mu Hen was stunned. Although he had seen his daughter before, his concern for her injuries had made him overlook her unique qualities.
Seeing her now, he saw a woman standing gracefully in the soft lamplight. Her face was like exquisite makeup, her every movement elegant and self-assured, exuding an air of nobility, yet with a captivating aura. Motionless, she was already the most attention-grabbing.
Mu Qingyao slowly walked in and sat in the empty seat to the left of her Prime Minister father, speaking calmly.
“Sister, what were you just saying?”
Her clear voice carried no emotion, like a gentle breeze softly caressing Mu Qingzhu’s heart, causing her to tremble. Recalling the events of the afternoon, she couldn’t help but shiver and quickly shook her head, “Nothing.”
The usually arrogant eldest daughter of the Mu family was afraid of the Third Miss. This was another realization for everyone present.
Everyone’s gaze swept towards Mu Qingzhu, and then shifted to the Third Miss. The First Madam’s gaze suddenly became ferocious.
Although this Third Miss was somewhat different, she was still born to a concubine. Her daughter was the legitimate child. This girl was so arrogant, she couldn’t stand it.
“Mu Qingyao, I ask you? Did you nearly kill your sister this afternoon?”
Mu Qingzhu lowered her head, a strand of hair falling onto her temple, obscuring the sharp light in her eyes.
Mu Qingyao, don’t think I’m truly afraid of you. I just want to use Mother’s hand to teach you a good lesson.
As soon as the First Madam finished speaking, the Second Madam and the Second Miss, Mu Qingxiang, couldn’t help but feel a little worried. Although their father doted on their Third Sister…
But if she really admitted to this, it would be utter defiance, and even their father would likely punish her.
Although Mu Hen doted on Mu Qingyao, as the Prime Minister and patriarch of the Mu mansion, he naturally possessed the necessary dignity. A stern expression appeared on his resolute face, and he turned to look at Mu Qingyao seriously.
“Yao’er, did you really do this?”
Mu Qingyao’s eyes turned cold. She calmly raised her gaze to look at her Prime Minister father and spoke with a faint smile.
“Father is truly muddled. Haven’t you ever wondered why your daughter has always liked chasing after men?”
Mu Qingyao’s tone was light, as if discussing the weather. However, this subtle maneuver, like pushing aside a thousand pounds with four ounces, immediately deflected the issue.
A hint of confusion flashed in Prime Minister Mu Hen’s eyes. He quickly glanced at the First Madam, and his cold voice rang out, “Yao’er, is there something you haven’t told Father?”
The First Madam and Mu Qingzhu were startled and looked up at Mu Qingyao simultaneously.
They saw the woman elegantly extend her jade-like, slender fingers, pick up chopsticks, and begin to eat her dinner, completely ignoring their consuming gazes.
“Mu Qingyao? You?”
The First Madam was furious. The father had turned his suspicions towards her, likely thinking she had framed Mu Qingyao, causing her to act foolishly all day.
Now, she feared she couldn’t explain herself. This Mu Qingyao was truly ruthless.
The First Madam wished she could bite that little vixen, but in front of her husband, she dared not act on her own. Her expression changed, and she spoke with a smile.
“My Lord, the food has gotten cold. Let’s start dinner quickly.”
Mu Hen’s expression was displeased, a dark glint in his eyes. He glared at everyone at the table, finally looking at Mu Qingyao with a much gentler tone.
“Yao’er, if you have suffered any injustice, you must tell Father. But don’t forget what you promised Father?”
A smile curved Mu Qingyao’s lips, and she nodded. In fact, she had grasped Mu Hen’s weakness.
Mu Hen, as the Left Prime Minister of the current court, held immense power, yet he happened to have a foolish daughter, making him unable to hold his head high in public.
This daughter had just promised him not to act foolishly anymore. How could he let her go back on her word now? Therefore, at this moment, no matter who upset her, they would likely not have a good outcome.