Aerial Rain
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MSLV Ch 4 Part 1 – Seems Like Her Sister Has Suddenly Gained a Golden Finger. (I)

Mu Wan returned to the Mu family’s manor. Upon reaching the second gate1 and alighting from her sedan chair, she saw her second sister, Mu Rou, waiting there with several younger sisters, all born from their father’s concubines.

As she approached, they all curtsied respectfully, “Welcome back, Eldest Sister.”

Mu Wan almost immediately sensed something different about Mu Rou. This half-sister of hers, who usually liked to confront her with subtle provocations, now stood with her hands folded gracefully in front of her belly, performing an elegant, flawless curtsy, “Did you have a good journey, Eldest Sister?”

The courtesy was impeccably performed, not like something hastily learned at the last minute to show off, but more like a habit ingrained naturally over many years.

Mu Rou could not have possibly mastered all this in just one night. Furthermore, no matter how desperately Shen-shi wanted her precious daughter to learn the manner of the high society, the Mu family, being mere merchants, lacked the means to hire a high-quality teacher.

It was like comparing a low-tier university to a top-tier one—though both teach mathematics, the quality of faculty and depth of learning are not on the same level. As such, this raised a question: where did Mu Rou learn these manners?

Without showing her thoughts, Mu Wan nodded, “Where is Father?”

Mu Rou replied softly, showing the proper manner of an obedient younger sister, “In the drawing room, waiting for Eldest Sister.”

Every time Mu Wan mentioned their father Mu Xingde, Mu Rou usually showed a hint of resentment despite her gentle facade. Yet she now appeared entirely composed. Such self-control couldn’t have been mastered overnight…

Subconsciously touching the filigree bracelet on her wrist, Mu Wan noticed Mu Rou’s measured steps and suddenly said, “Since your name has already been submitted for the draft, Second Sister, you should behave yourself and stop harboring thoughts—…”

Before she could finish, Mu Rou’s expression changed abruptly, and even her voice faltered, “When was my name submitted?!”

Mu Wan acted like she didn’t understand, “It has been done, isn’t it? With such a golden opportunity, Madam would have immediately had Father submit your name.” Staring at Mu Rou’s pale complexion, she continued, “What’s wrong, Second Sister? It’s as if… the palace is such a frightening place for you.”

Mu Rou’s heart skipped a beat. She pursed her lips, trying to appear nonchalant, “What are you talking about, Eldest Sister? How would I know if the palace is frightening or not? I’ve never been there.”

Mu Wan shook her head. “That’s not necessarily true. There are rumors around, aren’t they? From what I’ve heard, the Emperor is plain-looking and has a sinister temper, while the Empress Dowager, born in a merchant family, isn’t exactly amia—”

Mu Rou hurriedly shut her off, “Hold your tongue! How dare you speak ill of the imperial family!”

The servants and the rest of the sisters were startled by this sudden outburst. Mu Wan raised an eyebrow and smiled confidently, “Then go ahead and report me, dear sister. If you do, our whole family will be doomed.”

Realizing she was no longer in the palace and had just overreacted, Mu Rou slowly let out a sigh of relief. Sensing Mu Wan’s disdain for the palace, she quickly thought of an alternative approach and cautioned, “You shouldn’t speak so carelessly about such things, Sister. What if someone overhears? It could bring trouble to our family, and you wouldn’t be able to escape punishment.”

“Besides, what I’ve heard is quite different. The Emperor is actually very handsome, even more so than the Marquis Zhenbei, and he’s very gentle and considerate…”

Mu Wan chuckled, “You speak as if you’ve met him yourself.”

Mu Rou lowered her eyes, “I have some friendship with the eldest daughter of Minister Sun’s family. She told me, so it must be true.”

Mu Wan mused, “I see.”

As the sisters chatted, they soon arrived in front of the drawing room of the main hall. Mu Wan hadn’t yet stepped inside when her father, Mu Xingde, emerged to welcome her, saying, “You’re finally back. Come here, let your father have a good look at you. Seems like you’ve lost weight.”

Following behind was Shen-shi, who put on a loving face as she greeted Mu Wan warmly. She then said tactfully, “I’ll go see if the stew for Eldest Girl is ready. Master, you and Eldest Girl haven’t seen each other in some time. Enjoy your chat.” With that, she ushered Mu Rou and the others away.

“Father is sorry for being absent when you returned,” Mu Xingde said as they sat down, his voice filled with concern. He explained why he hadn’t been able to personally collect Mu Wan from their hometown in Shangliu, “…Father went north on a business trip three months ago, planning to pass by Shangliu on my way back to the capital to pick you up, but there were some issues with the supply chain, and that caused a delay.”

Mu Wan wasn’t bothered, “Daughter was traveling with our own escort agency2. It was perfectly safe.”

Mu Xingde looked relieved, “Your mother arranged everything well; the agency hasn’t had any problems these past three years.”

Mu Wan just smiled and remained silent.

After Mu Xingde showed his fatherly concern by inquiring about Mu Wan’s life during her mourning in Shangliu, he gradually steered the conversation toward more pressing matters, “Father has heard about the recent incidents. Shen-shi indeed overstepped her bounds. I have already reprimanded her, and such incidents will definitely not occur again.”

Mu Wan pouted playfully, “I know Father cares for me. All this fuss over the marriage with the Zhongyong Count Manor is unnecessary; no matter how much Madam and Second Sister make a scene, it’s ultimately my marriage. Even Old Madam Li supports me. Father, you should talk to my sister too. Behaving like this could ruin her reputation. Unless I call off the engagement, what future does she expect? Does she intend to be a concubine? Even if I allowed it, the Li family would surely object. Who would want to be the public laughingstock?”

Mu Xingde paused, then explained, “This isn’t entirely your sister’s fault. You know how much she respects you. But that Li family boy… he’s the one infatuated with your sister.” He let out a deep sigh, his tone earnest, “Wanwan, the world is a harsh place for women. No matter how glamorous it might seem from the outside, a woman’s position is precarious without her husband’s support. Initially, when the engagement was set, our families were well-matched, and if you were wronged, Father could stand up for you. But now, with the Li family gaining favor with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, they’ve risen rapidly. If not for this marriage contract, our family isn’t even qualified to talk on an equal basis with the Li family. I fear I might not be able to protect you in the future.”

Mu Wan looked at him, “What do you mean, Father?”

A smile appeared on Mu Xingde’s face, “This year, our family is also eligible for the imperial draft. Father was thinking, wouldn’t entering the palace be better than marrying that Li’s sixth son?”

Mu Wan raised an eyebrow, “We dare not stand up against the Count of Zhongyong family, and you think we can stand up against the Emperor?”

Mu Xingde coughed lightly, still treating Mu Wan like a naïve little girl, “Of course they are not the same; there is a stark difference between marrying into the Zhongyong Count Manor or marrying into the imperial palace. Li Liulang has no feelings for you, and a forced melon is never sweet. As for the imperial palace… the current Empress Dowager was also born into a merchant family. When the previous emperor was still alive, she was often bullied by high-ranking consorts, so she actually disliked girls from prestigious families. That’s why the threshold for this year’s draft has been specifically lowered. You and Her Majesty come from the same background, so she would definitely favor you. Who knows, perhaps our family could even produce an Empress!”

Mu Wan frowned, deep in thought. Such specific intel involving the imperial family was not something Mu Xingde could have gathered easily, especially since the imperial edict for the draft had been issued only two days ago. And yet, he spoke with such certainty…

Mistaking Mu Wan’s silence as a sign of contemplation, Mu Xingde continued, “Father has made some inquiries, and it turns out the current Emperor is not only young and handsome but also very kind. Don’t you love delicious food and fun things? Naturally, the palace has every best thing in the world.” He sighed with relief, “Father has always been worried that you might suffer if marrying high, but I also couldn’t stand the thought of you marrying below our status. Fortunately, there is this perfect solution. It appears our Wanwan is indeed blessed.”

He seemed convinced that, under the doting care of Xu Qinglan, Mu Wan had grown up naïve and innocent. Like many girls her age, he believed she dreamed of marrying a handsome and gentle husband, and would be eager at the prospect of becoming the most honored woman in the world.

But to his surprise, even after so much persuasion, Mu Wan simply smiled and flatly refused, “I don’t need it, Father. Give that blessing to my second sister instead.”

Mu Xingde’s words suddenly stuck in his throat, his expression turning comical. Mu Wan showed a magnanimous smile as she continued, “After mother passed, I’ve thought a lot. You always favor me, which isn’t fair to Second Sister, especially in such important matters. Father, I think you should treat us more fairly.”

“Besides, you know how strict the palace is, and I’m too wild by nature. With my temperament, I’m afraid I’d be beaten to death within two months of entering the palace. Second Sister, on the other hand, is beautiful and talented, well-behaved, and has the perfect bearing of an empress!”

Mu Xingde painted a lot of rosy pictures in order to persuade her, and Mu Wan naturally could, too. She proceeded, full of confidence, “As for me and Li Yichen—you don’t have to worry, Father. Once my sister becomes the empress, you will be the new State Uncle. Not to mention the Zhongyong Count Manor, even Marquis Zhenbei would have to be polite to you!”

“…” Mu Xingde was speechless.

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Translator’s Note:

Now that AerialRain is taking more novels, we re-arrange the release schedule. Don’t worry, we only shifted the release days, it’s still twice a week schedule.

Monday & Thursday: Daughter of the Dao and Devil Venerables, Transmigrated into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt, Three Years After Falling Off a Cliff

Tuesday & Friday: After Transmigrating Into the Cannon Fodder Real Daughter The Plot Changes, The Healer Demands Payment!, Wake Up Male Lead You Belong With the Female Lead!

Wednesday & Saturday: His Secret Guard, Marrying the Short-Lived Villain

Sunday: Extra releases and sponsored chapters


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  1. Large manor in ancient China was built on a vast ground, with a cluster of individual residences (courtyards) standing together within the same enclosure, connected with arrays of open corridors and pathways. Traditionally, men and women lived separately, and female members of the household resided beyond the second gate, inside an area known as an inner yard or backyard.
  2. Escort agency: a group of professional escorts who provide protection to traveling merchants

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