The peerless and dark princess

When Mu Wange returned to Tingxue Garden, she called Nanny Chen and asked her to bring Qingyu, whom she had asked her to bring with her, and let Qingyu stay with Mu Haolin.

"Qingyu, from now on you will stay by the young master's side."

"Thank you, Miss. Come, Qingyu, say thank you, Miss."

Standing there, Qingyu didn't quite understand what was going on. Qingzhu, standing beside her, was happy for her brother. If Qingyu couldn't stay at the Shangshu Mansion, she'd have to find a place to live outside. But Qingzhu was Mu Wange's maid, so she'd definitely be by her side all the time and wouldn't have the time to leave the Shangshu Mansion to look after her five-year-old brother. She wasn't happy about entrusting her to someone else. What if he got sold again?

"Alright. Your brother is just a five-year-old child, there's no need for so much formality. Qingzhu, take your brother to find the young master. From now on, let's add a bed for Qingyu in the young master's room. However, Qingzhu, let me make it clear to you first, because I don't think you two siblings are the kind of ungrateful people who would give this opportunity..."

"Yes, Miss, I, Qingzhu, will definitely follow you for the rest of my life. If my brother... well, there's no need for you, Miss. I will deal with him myself."

Qingzhu swore hurriedly.

"Well, there's no need to talk about this life. As long as you don't betray me, I won't do anything bad to you. Let's go, take your brother to find the young master."

Nanny Chen was a little confused after hearing what Mu Wange said. Qingyu was only five years old, what could she do with the young master? But she waited until Qingzhu took Qingyu away before asking, "Miss, Qingyu is only five years old. Qingzhu is here, and he followed her without asking, but he followed the young master?"

"Mammy, we've added so many servants to the courtyard, and they can probably do most of the things we can do. But, in the Shangshu Mansion, there's only one young child, Lin'er, and he doesn't even have a playmate. Look, Lin'er's temperament has faded. We let Qingyu stay with Lin'er so that he can have a playmate of the same age..."

Although Mu Wange didn't like others questioning his decisions, he explained it in detail because Nanny Chen was really doing it for Mu Haolin.

"That's true, but the young master is a legitimate young master after all, and it won't be long before he starts his initiation into the academy..."

Nanny Chen was probably not used to Mu Wange's decisive nature, so she spoke again with a bit of worry.

"Madam Chen, I know you're doing this for Lin'er's own good. As far as I'm concerned, as long as Lin'er grows up happily, I'll naturally consider everything else. Besides, if a three-year-old child were to go to the academy and encounter a pedantic teacher without anyone to talk to, he'd probably be harmed..."

Mu Wange changed the subject, "However, Nanny Chen, I hope you won't question what I say in the future. Now, I've come to my senses. The decision I made must have been carefully considered, and I don't want to be questioned again. Do you understand?"

"Old slave, old slave, I understand. I was overthinking it. From now on, Madam will definitely not question what you say, Miss."

Nanny Chen was startled by Mu Wange's sudden change of words, but she still believed in Mu Wange.

After informing Nanny Chen, Mu Wange summoned Shiqi to inquire about the recent activities of Shen Xinyue and Mu Ruohan. Oh, Mu Yucheng was still studying at the Academy, so he was quite knowledgeable, but he mostly studied with the Second Prince, Chen Yunfeng, unlike the Chu family's Chu Lixiu and Chu Lixiao, who were studying at the Shangshu Academy. Originally, the Chu Lixiao and Chu Lixiu brothers could have been officials a year ago, but the emperor pressured the Chu family to find an excuse to study at the Shangshu Academy with the Crown Prince, thus preventing the two brothers from holding any official positions.

Old Master Chu also agreed with the emperor's statement out of his promise to the late emperor. However, Chu Lixiao and Chu Lixiu had already made up their minds to go to the army for training, and the official positions in Kyoto were of no use to them.

Shiqi told Mu Wange about the recent activities of Shen Xinyue and her daughter. It was nothing more than Mu Ruohan preparing to shine at the Hundred Flowers Banquet, while Shen Xinyue was trying to convince Mu Heng to make her his legal wife. Shen Xinyue and Old Madam Mu hadn't always gotten along well, but now, to get promoted to legal wife sooner rather than later, she was actually visiting him every morning and evening.

Mu Wange laughed when she heard this. If Shen Xinyue had been more considerate, she would have been accepted by Old Madam Mu long ago. After all, Mu Heng was her son, and for the sake of her son, Old Madam Mu would never completely reject him.

It's a pity that Shen Xinyue is enjoying Mu Heng's favor and doesn't take Old Madam Mu seriously at all. How can she win her favor with such behavior?

Mu Wange felt that Shen Xinyue was usually quite smart, so how come... However, after listening to Shiqi's narration, he felt fortunate that nothing had happened during the time she was away.

Three days after Mu Wange returned to the Shangshu Mansion, Mu Heng returned with Crown Prince Chen Yunjie. Many things happened during these three days, including the simultaneous illness of the young men from prominent families who had come to the Prince of Yan's Mansion to propose marriage. The doctors couldn't find the cause, confirming Chu Moxuan's inherent evil spirit, which could only be contained by staying at the Prince of Yan's Mansion to find a husband.

However, for the sake of his legitimate daughter, Prince Chu Lianyao sent her to the Tianxue Mountain in southern Xinjiang to practice with his master for two years.

Chu Moxuan left Kyoto, and those young masters miraculously recovered slowly.

From then on, the princes and children of various noble families no longer dared to propose marriage with the Prince of Yan's Mansion. Power is a good thing, but one must have the life to enjoy it.

After Zuo Ci arrived in Southern Xinjiang, he went straight to the old slave. Fortunately, the old slave had been with the old prince since childhood and had prepared for the attack before the Rong Kingdom invaded. Zuo Ci, Zuo Qi, and several other secret guards rested for a while before taking the old slave's family and Zuo Yunxin to leave Southern Xinjiang to find another place to live.

On their way out of Southern Xinjiang, Zuo Ci and the others encountered Chu Lianyao's master, Master Yan. Atop Tianxue Mountain, the renowned Master Yan lived atop the mountain, known for his eccentric temperament and year-round abode. It was through a chance encounter with Old Master Chu that Chu Lianyao became his disciple.

When Master Yan suggested that Zuo Yunxin and the old slave couple be taken back to Tianxue Mountain, Zuo Ci and Zuo Qi did not believe it, because Zuo Ci had seen too many things over the years and could not trust someone as easily as before.

"Boy, I know you don't believe me. But your situation in Kyoto isn't too good right now. Can you really protect your sister? If you leave her with me, I can definitely keep her safe."

"Old man, you know this is my sister. How can I let you, an outsider, take care of her?"

"...Boy, the girl from the Chu family should be here soon. You should know Chu Lianyao from Prince Yan's Mansion. He's my disciple."

……

After repeated confirmation from Master Yan, Zuo Ci decided to leave Zuo Yunxin at Tianxue Mountain and personally escort her and the old slave couple up the mountain. He also told their son, Zuo Ci, to stay with him in Prince Heng's residence. At the same time, the old slave couple also told her about Zuo Yunxin's life story.

"Brother Zuo Ci, are you really my biological brother?"

"Yes. Yunxin, I really am your brother."

"What about our parents? Why have I been living in southern Xinjiang all this time?"

"It's a long story. I'll tell you once I've dealt with everything. For your safety, I have no choice but to leave you in Southern Xinjiang. Also, there are only two of us in our family, so... you should stay with Master Yan and learn well. At least, if I'm not around anymore, you won't be bullied by others..."

……

"Brother, take care of yourself. I'll be here waiting for you to pick me up."