With Wu Zhixuan’s introduction, Mu Wan quickly integrated with her group, all daughters of high officials. Deeply engrossed in the conversation with their new ‘friend,’ the girls nearly forgot the original purpose of finding Mu Wan.
But in another private room separated by a few screens, someone still remembered.
Mu Rou leaned against the railing, her gaze scanning the crowd in the hall below. Her servant girl, Dingxiang, seemingly aware of her thoughts, remarked, “Second Miss Liu and her group spent the entire afternoon looking for the Eldest Miss but couldn’t find her. Perhaps she caught wind about Third Miss Wu planning to trouble her and didn’t dare come?” She soon shook her head, puzzled, “But this servant clearly saw her leaving the manor, and her carriage did arrive at Qingfeng Pavilion.”
Lianqiao clicked her tongue. “They sent so many people just to search for her. Even if Eldest Miss did come, she wouldn’t have any fun, right? What’s the point?”
Mu Rou gently fanned herself with a circular fan and let out a soft chuckle. “Whether she comes or not, it’s all embarrassing. Being too scared to come or coming only to hide like a mouse—both are pathetic. What’s the difference?”
Her gaze landed on a handsome man on the first floor, and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “What a pity. I thought she had some real ability.”
Lianqiao also noticed Li Yichen and spoke with pride. “There are ice bowls here too, yet Sixth Young Master insisted the old shop’s ones are better and went outside to buy one for you, Miss…” She paused mid-sentence, a sudden realization dawning upon her. “I think the Eldest Miss didn’t just stay away out of fear of Third Miss Wu and her group. She’s probably even more afraid of you.”
Mu Rou glanced up.
“Well, it’s pretty clear, isn’t it?” The servant girl chuckled. “What would happen if she came? The Marquis wouldn’t accompany her. Even in the unlikely event the Marquis showed up, he’d never be as considerate as Sixth Young Master, let alone competing for her sake. Whatever the outcome is, she’d lose miserably. Anyone with half a brain wouldn’t come just to humiliate themselves.”
Though the dowry couldn’t compare to the Eldest Miss’s, at times like these, their Second Miss undoubtedly had the upper hand.
Mu Rou, hearing this, felt pleased and once again lamented, “What a pity…” She had been looking forward to seeing her older sister’s complete defeat. Who knew Mu Wan would only make empty threats?
Perhaps her desire was too strong—because Mu Rou seemed to hear Mu Wan’s voice, faintly coming from one of the private rooms.
“…Li Liulang…”
Even Lianqiao stopped what she was doing. The master and servant exchanged glances, confirming they hadn’t misheard, and instinctively held their breaths.
“…He’s affectionate, yes, but also dissolute. Hardly a true gentleman. He’s no match for Qilang’s sincerity and sense of responsibility.”
Mu Rou looked up at Lianqiao for confirmation. “Is it her?”
Lianqiao thought it sounded a lot like Mu Wan, not just the voice but the tone too. “But how is that possible?” She leaned over the railing, peering in the direction of the voice. “That’s the private room of Cheng’en Marquis Manor.”
Dingxiang also chimed in. “It really doesn’t seem likely. Not just anyone can access the second floor today.”
As the main building of Qingfeng Pavilion, Mianfeng Tower was naturally spacious. On the north side of the first-floor hall stood a platform about fifteen meters square, surrounded by three tiers of spectator seating. The first floor comprised elegant seats and standing platforms bustling with people, while the second and third floors had private rooms. The private rooms on the second floor, in particular, had the best views and thus were fully booked by high-ranking officials and aristocratic families well in advance. Even wealth couldn’t secure a spot. Moreover, to prevent disturbances, access to this floor required a waist token.
The third floor, though similar to the second, had inferior views, making it a fallback choice for ordinary officials’ families.
Although Mu Wan held the status of future madam of Zhenbei Marquis Manor, she hadn’t married yet, and naturally lacked the connections to reserve a private room on the second floor. Moreover, even if she managed to do so, given how much attention she attracted, booking a private room would be akin to painting a target on her back. Knowing how timidly Mu Wan had avoided the various invitations that came to her after the engagement was announced, Mu Rou didn’t believe she had such courage.
‘But the voice does sound too much like her… ‘
While Mu Rou was still speculating, the voice spoke again. “You all continue chatting. I’ll go change my clothes.”1
Mu Rou and Lianqiao exchanged glances and stood up. “We shall change clothes, too.”
The ladies’ room in Mianfeng Tower was located in a separate backyard right behind the main building, a long row of individual chambers that provided ample space. When Mu Wan finished tidying up and stepped out, she saw a figure standing by the corridor, exuding an extreme sense of poise and cold detachment. Mu Wan couldn’t help but smile. “Even if you’re waiting to greet me, Second Sister, you don’t need to be so stiff. You’re being far too formal.”
Mu Rou, who had been staring at the chambers, froze for a moment before hesitantly shifting her gaze to Mu Wan. Her eyes gradually widened in disbelief. “Mu Wan?”
Mu Wan clicked her tongue. “Such disrespect! This isn’t the well-mannered Second Miss Mu I know,” she said, raising her hand to gently touch her cheek. “What is it? Is my beauty so stunning that it’s revealing your true nature?”
Mu Rou finally confirmed that the beautiful woman before her was indeed Mu Wan. For a moment, she forgot what she had planned to do, her mind consumed by a single thought: ‘How is this possible?!’
She suddenly recalled hearing rumors in her past life after entering the palace about the wife of the Tanhua scholar, whose beauty was said to outshine the entire capital. Back then, she had assumed Mu Wan’s grace and charm came from being cultivated in the Zhongyong Count Manor. Even her mother, during her rare visits, had dismissed the rumors as mere flattery. Mu Rou believed it, and had attributed the praises Mu Wan received to politeness and exaggeration. She didn’t expect it was actually true…
“Why?” Mu Rou blurted out unconsciously. With such looks, why had she hidden them? If her mother had known about Mu Wan’s appearance earlier, she would surely have…
‘So that was it!’ Mu Rou gritted her teeth. If her mother had known about this earlier, she would have secured a ‘good match’ for Mu Wan long ago. For a merchant’s daughter without power, catching the eye of someone influential would have been enough. No matter how unwilling Mu Wan is, it would be useless in front of power and status. Not even Mu Xingde’s favoritism could help her…
Now, however, Mu Wan was no longer just a merchant’s daughter. She was about to become Marchioness Zhenbei and no longer needed to conceal her beauty.
Noticing Mu Rou’s expression, Mu Wan chuckled. “As expected of Second Sister—your mind works quickly when you’re plotting bad ideas. But things are already settled. My future husband is the Marquis of Zhenbei, the Commander of the Mingjing Bureau. Whatever you’re planning, Second Sister, you better cease it, or you’d just be digging your own grave.”
Seeing Mu Rou pursed her lips, Mu Wan continued in a serious tone. “Second Sister, you’ve already achieved your goal by marrying into the Zhongyong Count Manor. Why not focus on managing your marriage and stop trying to cause trouble for me? Let’s not interfere with each other’s lives.” With that, she patted Mu Rou on the shoulder and walked away.
Lianqiao finally snapped out of her shock. “Second Miss, how did… how did she…”
Mu Rou clenched her fists, her lips curling into a cold smile. “She’s indeed good at turning things around. She’s the one who’s always suppressing me, stealing my limelight, and now she tells me not to resist? Just because she’s the eldest daughter, all the best things and all the glory are supposed to belong to her?!”
Watching Mu Wan walk through the small door at the back of the main building and head upstairs, Mu Rou exhaled deeply and began walking back with Lianqiao. “Let’s go back and deal with this later.”
Following behind, Mu Rou couldn’t help but notice how every passerby seemed to be drawn to Mu Wan. Their eyes filled with amazement, admiration, and appreciation—things every young woman dreamed of…
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The fact that Mu Rou knew her mother would’ve made sure Mu Wan attracted someone powerful early on if they knew how beautiful Mu Wan is just makes me so sad for the previous Mu Wan. Her life must’ve been awful bc of this mother-daughter pair. And let’s not even mention how delulu Mu Rou is.
This is so good, awaiting your update.