Chapter 117: Return to the Manor

Mu Yuqi returned without anyone noticing anything unusual about him. He led Wu Yanming and the others to his courtyard, and no one questioned it. After sending away the plain-looking maid in the yard, he surveyed the furnishings inside the house and remarked, “The Mu family is really quite poor. But that’s good—it makes it easier to stay hidden.”

Knowing that the patriarch indulged in luxury, Wu Yanqing suggested, “Let Shanshan attend to you.”

Mu Yuqi did not oppose the idea. His gaze flickered to Wu Shanshan, the young maiden, and he smiled silently. In the prime of youth, her curves were perfectly sculpted—where they should be full, they were full; where they should be slender, they were slender—she was naturally an enchanting beauty. If not for the issue of seniority, he wouldn’t mind accepting the filial devotion of a junior.

Wu Yanming added, “The situation is uncertain right now. It’s best that outsiders don’t know about the patriarch’s condition. Besides, this body has no blood relation to Shanshan. Keeping her here will make it easier to explain to the outside world.”

Reluctantly pulling his gaze away from his cousin, Wu Hongwu said, “Father and Third Uncle said the same: you are now Mu Yuqi, with no blood ties to our Wu family. If Sister Shan serves you, it is her blessing.”

“What about Shanshan?” Mu Yuqi asked.

“Shan’er will obey Grandfather’s arrangements,” Wu Shanshan replied softly. Her grandfather was none other than Wu Yanqing, the one who had first proposed this plan. If her grandfather wanted to curry favor with the patriarch, what could she do if she was unwilling? The Wu family had been exposed as outcasts, and a starving camel is still bigger than a horse; she dared not defy the family’s orders. Even if the patriarch had been overtaken and transformed into someone else, it was not something she could resist.

“Very well. The day the Wu family rises again, you will be its greatest contributors,” Mu Yuqi said with a pleased smile.

Outside the courtyard, Mu Yuqi’s servant, Little Shunzi, came running in a fuss. “Young Master, the clan leader is calling for you.”

Mu Yuqi furrowed his brows, about to lose his temper. Who dared be so reckless in front of him in the Wu family? Wu Yanqing quickly gave a signal, and Mu Yuqi suppressed his anger, waiting until Little Shunzi entered before asking, “Do you know what it’s about?”

Little Shunzi said excitedly, “The elders of the Yu family are departing early tomorrow morning and have promised to take a group of Mu family youths to the Imperial Capital. The clan leader wants the Young Master to lead the team.”

The Yu family was currently under intense scrutiny, with countless eyes watching them openly and covertly. Although the body takeover was secret, traveling to the Imperial Capital risked discovery by those old monsters. Mu Yuqi decisively instructed, “Tell them I am ill and cannot go.”

Little Shunzi thought he must have misheard. All the men of the branches were scrambling to go. The Young Master’s position as leader had been secured due to his close relationship with Miss Youwei. Now he said he was sick and wouldn’t go? The Young Master was glowing with health, hardly looking ill.

“Didn’t you hear? The Young Master is sick!” Mu Yuqi snapped, his natural aura of authority as a man long accustomed to power causing Little Shunzi to tremble and quickly leave.

After leaving Wu Shanshan to attend him, Wu Yanqing and the others exited the room.

“Shanshan, come here,” Mu Yuqi said lustfully, his lower abdomen burning with desire. Youth was truly a mighty capital! How long had it been since he felt such an impatient longing?

With fragrant softness in his arms, Mu Yuqi roughly tore open her clothes to reveal a peach-red strapless top. His breath grew heavy and coarse, just as he was about to make a move when a commotion erupted outside.

“Little Shunzi, the Young Master said not to be disturbed,” Wu Hongwu shouted loudly.

“How dare you block the lady’s way! See if the Young Master doesn’t kick you to death!” Little Shunzi yelled back even louder.

Wu Yanming came out of the east wing, scolding, “The Young Master is ill and must not be disturbed. Little Shunzi, please take the lady back. When the Young Master recovers, she may come again.”

To the Wu family, a cousin visiting the Young Master was often just a poor relative trying to climb into the lady’s position. Wu Yanming’s tone naturally carried a condescending air.

“Who are they? I don’t think I’ve met them,” Yu Youwei asked.

Little Shunzi said, “The Young Master went out for a bit and came back with three men and one woman.”

“Oh,” Yu Youwei responded, not pressing further, and walked straight ahead. She suspected something was wrong with these people but could never have dreamed her cousin inside had been overtaken.

The closed door opened, and Mu Yuqi appeared in the doorway. Upon seeing Yu Youwei in the courtyard, his eyes brightened. “Cousin, what brings you here?” Among countless women, few were like Yu Youwei. No, he had never encountered such a rare gem. She was somewhat innocent, her body not yet fully developed, yet exuded a blended charm of noble purity and alluring sensuality.

“It’s broad daylight. Why do you close the door to do something bad?” Yu Youwei asked bluntly.

Taken aback by his spirited cousin’s bluntness, Mu Yuqi coughed repeatedly, unintentionally affirming his illness excuse. “Cousin, what bad thing could I do in broad daylight?” he retorted lightly.

A strange feeling suddenly arose. Yu Youwei frowned sharply and spoke sternly, “Behave yourself before you reach Foundation Establishment. Also, things are chaotic outside right now. Have you figured out who these people are? And the woman inside—bring her out. I want to see what kind of sorceress or seductress could steal your soul.”

“Cousin, may I assume you’re jealous?” Mu Yuqi teased more boldly.

A flicker of suspicion crossed her deep eyes. Yu Youwei sensed something was wrong but dared not imagine he had been overtaken. Her expression turned cold as ice, and she said, “Cousin, it seems you are seriously ill. You won’t be going to the Imperial Capital. Neither you nor these people may leave the courtyard without permission. Little Shunzi, go tell my eldest uncle what I said.”

The Wu family members suddenly changed their expressions. The impatient Wu Hongwu barked, “The Young Master hasn’t said anything yet. Who gave you the right to issue orders?”

“You may ignore me and try to force your way through,” Yu Youwei said with a faint, ambiguous smile.

Mu Yuqi thought he might have offended his spirited cousin and said seriously, “Cousin, it was just a joke. No need to take it so seriously.”

“Cousin, I believe you have forgotten our agreement from the Qixi Festival two years ago,” Yu Youwei probed.

“Our agreement? Of course I haven’t forgotten. Cousin, don’t you understand my feelings for you?” Mu Yuqi replied tenderly, his words deliberately ambiguous. He was confident she would not find fault. But little did he know, the so-called agreement was entirely a fabrication.

Wu Yanqing noticed Yu Youwei’s unusual expression and sensed danger. He signaled his cousin, intending to seize her in one move.

“Don’t move,” Yu Youwei said calmly before adding, “Let’s all introduce ourselves.”

“Is this the Mu family’s way of treating guests? We are the Mu family’s eldest young master’s guests. If you do not welcome us, we will leave,” Wu Yanqing said sternly.

“Leave?” Yu Youwei smiled lightly. “Do you take the Mu family like your vegetable garden gate—coming and going as you please?”