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Mu Wan, having obtained the information she wanted, rose gracefully and smiled. “The Marquis would never act dishonorably. He is, after all, not Li Yichen, who only has room for love in his heart. All of this is just wishful thinking on your part, Second Sister.”
“I can see you’re not in the best mood, so I won’t disturb you further.”
Seeing Mu Wan’s smug demeanor, Mu Rou lost her composure again. “A man’s affections may not matter to you, but what about the man himself? You should enjoy these next few years, Eldest Sister, because the hard days of widowhood will be plenty.”
Mu Wan assumed she was referring to a figurative ‘widowhood’ and smiled slyly, deliberately misinterpreting her words. “Hearing you say that makes me even more optimistic. If the Marquis’s life is short, wouldn’t I become the only master of the Zhenbei Marquis Manor? The entire estate would be mine!”
She spoke with such annoying excitement and anticipation that Mu Rou’s mood sank even further.
Feeling refreshed, Mu Wan left Zhushi Courtyard.
After her figure was gone, Mu Rou swept the poetry collection off the table in a fit of rage. “Burn it,” she commanded coldly.
Her servant girl Lianqiao was equally indignant. “Eldest Miss is obviously feeling uneasy. Why else would she choose today, of all days, to come here—right when the Xie family is making the marriage proposal? She’s clearly trying to flaunt herself because the Marquis didn’t show up. Afraid that Madam and you might mock her, she hurried over to put on a facade.”
She then tried to console Mu Rou. “My mother always says that in life, only those who drink the water know its warmth or bitterness. For women, a husband who cares about their well-being is far more important than status or power.”
Mu Rou was still frustrated, “I’m only angry because she belittled Liulang.”
In her previous life, Liulang had married such a shallow, selfish, and ignorant woman. How difficult his days must have been? And yet, despite that, he still honored her as his wife. Even after reaching the position of Senior Grand Secretary, he kept giving her unmatched prestige, respecting her to the very end, and not allowing anyone to slight her. And she has the audacity to say that Liulang only had love in his mind and had no sense of responsibility?
’She is the unworthy one!’ Thinking of this, Mu Rou sneered. “Does she think life in the aristocratic families is so easy to enjoy?”
Third Miss Jiang barely enjoyed her glory before passing away in depression. Without the luck she had in their previous life, let’s see if Mu Wan could sit comfortably as Marchioness Zhenbei!
Then, thinking about Li Yichen’s meteoric rise to power in the coming years, Mu Rou’s mood brightened again. “I was being petty. What’s the point of sisters bickering? When the time comes, I’ll help Eldest Sister out. Let’s hope she does better than Third Miss Jiang and manages to hold out until widowhood.”
After a moment of thought, Mu Rou suddenly stood and said to Lianqiao, “Help me change clothes.”
Lianqiao was puzzled. “Where are you planning to go, Miss?”
Mu Rou smiled gently. “We have distinguished guests visiting today. It’s only proper that I greet them.”
Nothing invites comparison like a direct contrast. Though palace life in her previous life had been harsh, it wasn’t without its benefits. At the very least, her etiquette and poise were impeccable, even by the standards of true high-born ladies.
…
“… Widowhood?” On the way back to Wutong Courtyard, Yunling scoffed in disdain. “Second Miss sure knows how to make things up. First, she mocks you for not being loved by men, and when she sees you don’t care, she outright curses you to have no man.” Then she gave Mu Wan a thumbs up, “Unfortunately, her opponent is you, Miss, so she still has to admit defeat. For you, being a widow is actually a benefit, since you can inherit the entire estate of Marquis Zhenbei. Truly one of a kind!”
“Did you notice it, Miss? Second Miss’s face turned completely dark with anger when we left. She always acts so lofty, but the moment she sees you marrying into a higher-ranking family, she just can’t conceal her jealousy.”
Yunling went on and on, but Mu Wan was busy processing the information she had just pried from Mu Rou. ’Well, Yunling isn’t entirely wrong,’ she thought. If Mu Rou was truly as lofty as she presented herself to be, she would have had countless opportunities after being reborn. Why would she need to steal someone else’s fiancé? Parts of her remarks could be disregarded, but some words rang true…
For instance, in the future Mu Rou had experienced, the Empress Dowager must have issued a similar edict, selecting the third young lady from the former Minister Jiang’s family—the one who resembled Miss Xu—as Xie Heng’s bride. For some unknown reason, Xie Heng had also chosen to accept the edict and marry her.
This time, similar events unfolded, but with a different bride. This meant that Xie Heng’s selection was purely random, without any targeted schemes or plots. What pleased Mu Wan most, though, was Xie Heng’s treatment of the wife he didn’t care about: letting her live in luxury, enjoy the finest things, and flaunt the title of Marchioness of Zhenbei as she pleased.
Mu Rou had blurted these almost without thinking. Given her mindset of wishing Mu Wan would remain humiliated and insignificant, she should have assumed that Mu Wan was unloved by Xie Heng and lived in constant fear of the Xie family. Yet, she also mentioned enjoying two years of a good life, which could only mean it was something she had once known to be true.
Most crucially, it seemed highly likely that Xie Heng had indeed brought back the Ninth Prince and found the imperial edict of succession in the previous life, leading to Empress Dowager’s eventual downfall.
To be certain, Mu Wan had deliberately tested Mu Rou by casually calling Xie Heng ‘the Emperor’s uncle.’ Mu Rou had shown no reaction to the statement, indicating she was accustomed to it. This meant that for a significant period in her previous life, Xie Heng had truly been the Emperor’s uncle.
So, to sum it up: no risk of being implicated as part of the nine familial exterminations, and she could simply enjoy the privileges without as much as lifting a finger.
The most tempting point for Mu Wan was this: once everything settled and Miss Xu returned to the capital, she could gracefully step aside and negotiate a divorce from Xie Heng. Perhaps her cooperative attitude would even earn her some protection in the future—after all, women in this era must marry, but divorced women have the opportunity to establish their own households, as her mother had done.
So, by spending a few years at the Zhenbei Marquis Manor, enjoying the luxuries, and finding a few reliable backers, she could achieve personal freedom through a divorce later. Compared to being trapped in the inner yard for a lifetime, forever under a husband’s control, this plan was far more appealing.
As the sayings go: uncertainties come with opportunities. This marriage edict, which came abruptly and disrupted her entire plan, might not be a bad thing after all.
Yunling, seeing the smile on Mu Wan’s face, thought she had come up with a clever plan. “Miss, have you figured out a way to make the Zhenbei Marquis take a fall?” Her tone was eager, clearly displeased with how Xie Heng had ignored Mu Wan.
Mu Wan’s expression immediately turned serious. “You must not speak disrespectfully of His Lordship!” She earnestly proceeded to lecture Yunling, “With great power comes great responsibility. Marquis Zhenbei has worked tirelessly and made immense contributions to the country. As individuals who live peacefully under his protection, isn’t it only right for us to heed his words?”
Yunling: “???”
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Author’s Note:
Mu Wan before learning about the salary and benefits: “They’re forcing me into this. I’ll destroy him!”
Mu Wan after learning about the salary and benefits: “My future boss doesn’t care what I do and pays generously. I’m perfectly fine being a docile little ant and happily enjoying the perks.”
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I can’t love Mu Wan enough!!!! She is 🔥
I love her sm XD
I just found this novel and it’s interesting! I like the fl lolll