Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Prince Rui Visits the Residence—Turns Out to Be a Green Tea (Part 2)

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Mu Lianrong’s words made Mu Ge seem to understand something.

For someone like Mu Xiong, with a family background like the Mu Family, to tolerate Mu Qingge’s antics outside, it was probably out of sheer helplessness. Because they would rather see a scoundrel who disgraces the Mu Family than a day when they see Mu Qingge’s corpse.

In the eyes of the world, the illustrious Mu Mansion, with its overwhelming power, lived such a stifling existence?

A sense of anger rose in Mu Ge’s heart.

For a moment, she couldn’t tell if this emotion came from herself, or from the body of Mu Qingge.

“Also, Xiyue is a good child. Auntie sees that she is sincere towards you. Even though you cannot marry her as your official wife, giving her the status of a noble concubine would be good. Think about it carefully.” Mu Lianrong suddenly threw out a sentence.

“…” Mu Ge was stunned. What official wife? What noble concubine? Could it be that she has to marry and take concubines for the Mu Family to continue the lineage?

It was as if a divine thunder struck directly at Mu Ge. She roared in her heart: ’I can’t do it!’

Mu Lianrong didn’t stay long in Chi Yun Garden. After You He brought food, she left. Mu Ge ate a bit, took a refreshing bath, changed into dry clothes, and fell into a deep sleep before she could feel any change in her body.

In the morning, Mu Ge woke up to Hua Yue’s naturally charming voice.

Groggily sitting on a chair, allowing Hua Yue and You He to dress her and style her hair, Mu Ge was too exhausted to even want to open her eyes.

“Young Lord, would it be alright to wear this Nongmei Jade Crown carved with green jade today?” You He asked softly, holding a finely carved hair crown adorned with pale red rubies.

Mu Ge opened her eyes slightly, glanced at the crown in You He’s hand, and said indifferently: “Too gaudy.” With those words, she randomly picked a hair crown from the ones laid out on the table and tossed it to You He: “Here, this one’s not bad.”

With her head lowered, You He saw that Mu Ge had chosen an ordinary and unadorned Ancient Jade Hair Crown. As a close maid, she couldn’t even recall when it had appeared in Chi Yun Garden.

You He held the hair crown, surprised by Mu Ge’s choice.

Hua Yue also looked at the simple hair crown and quickly said: “Young Lord, every time you go to see Prince Rui, don’t you always dress up meticulously? This hair crown…”

Sensing the cold glint from Mu Ge’s eyes, You He hurriedly glared at Hua Yue, who stuck out her tongue and lowered her head, not daring to say more, focusing on smoothing out the wrinkles on Mu Ge’s garments.

A moment later, Mu Ge, dressed in a fiery red brocade robe like flames, left Chi Yun Garden. Atop her head was the plain hair crown that clashed with her vibrant outfit.

In the front courtyard, in the main hall of the Mu Mansion. Mu Xiong sat in the main seat with Prince Rui, Qin Jinhao, who had come to visit, sipping tea and chatting idly.

Qin Jinhao’s appearance didn’t surprise anyone. After all, he had mentioned yesterday upon leaving that he would come to the Mu Mansion, just not expected so soon.

If it weren’t for Qin Jinhao’s early morning visit, Mu Ge would probably still be lazing in bed.

Accompanied by You He and Hua Yue, Mu Ge arrived at the main hall. Just as she was about to enter, she unexpectedly found Bai Xiyue, who shouldn’t have been there, sitting by Mu Xiong and Qin Jinhao’s side, brewing tea and burning incense for them.

Mu Ge raised an eyebrow, then heard Hua Yue’s murmuring voice behind her: “This Miss Bai is indeed something, every time Prince Rui comes, she appears coincidentally.”

Hearing this, Mu Ge’s gaze discreetly wandered over Bai Xiyue and Qin Jinhao.

“Ge’er, since you’re here, why are you standing outside?” Mu Xiong noticed Mu Ge standing at the door and quickly called out.

Mu Ge stepped inside, but before she reached the group, she heard a timid and delicate voice that made one want to protect it: “Brother Mu is here, I… I didn’t intentionally appear before His Highness Prince Rui. It was grandfather who asked me to come brew tea. Once the tea is brewed, I’ll leave.”

As soon as she finished speaking, all eyes fell on her. Her slight trembling shoulders and pitiable appearance aroused the protection instincts of all male creatures.

“How cunning! Last time, the Young Lord merely warned her not to appear in front of Prince Rui, and she tearfully insisted she had nothing to do with him. Now that the Lord and Prince Rui are present, she comes out to act pitiful.”

Hua Yue’s words made Mu Ge realize that there was a complicated story between Mu Qingge and Bai Xiyue.

“What’s going on? Prince Rui mentioned Xiyue’s tea skills, so I asked her to come over,” Mu Xiong explained.

As it happened, the person at the center, Prince Rui, Qin Jinhao, showed no reaction, but his subtle gaze of pity towards Bai Xiyue didn’t escape Mu Ge’s sharp eyes.

Mu Xiong’s words made Bai Xiyue appear even more innocent.

Mu Ge gave her a mocking look and smiled at Mu Xiong: “Grandfather, it seems Qingge never said anything.” After saying this, she brushed past Bai Xiyue and sat directly in the empty seat next to Mu Xiong.

Bai Xiyue’s face turned pale, her head lowered even more, no one saw the faint resentment flowing in her innocent eyes.

Just seated, Mu Ge smiled at Qin Jinhao: “Prince Rui, it’s thoughtful of you to come see me. But isn’t it a bit early?” Then, with playful eyes, she continued: “Could it be that you miss the fragrance of tea from our Mu Mansion so much that you came early?”

These words, with a hint of implication and tease, made Bai Xiyue’s lowered cheeks flush red, her eyes filled with expectation and shyness as she secretly glanced at the cold-faced Qin Jinhao.

Mu Xiong reproached: “Ge’er, don’t speak recklessly.”

Mu Ge pouted, her gaze more playful.

Qin Jinhao’s eyes flashed with annoyance, but he forced a slight smile: “Last time, when I visited the Mu Mansion, I happened to taste Miss Bai’s tea skills, and when chatting with the Lord today, I mentioned it.”

He paused, then continued with a pampered and indulgent tone: “I promised Qingge some trinkets to ease your mind, but after returning to the mansion yesterday, I couldn’t think of an appropriate gift. So today, after court, I came with the Lord, planning to invite Qingge out to see, and if anything catches her eye, she could just say so.” Throughout, he never looked at Bai Xiyue, as if she wasn’t there at all.

All along secretly watching Qin Jinhao, Bai Xiyue couldn’t hide her disappointment and jealousy upon hearing this.

“So that’s how it is.” Mu Ge smiled and suddenly glanced at Bai Xiyue, asking: “Xiyue sister, would you like to come with us?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep