The peerless and dark princess

Zuo Ci handed the old slave's son to the secret guard and asked him to bring him back. At the same time, he took Zuo Qi to southern Xinjiang to gather some information to see if there were any other old subordinates left by his father.

Back then, Zuo Ci's father had accompanied the current emperor on his campaigns in Southern Xinjiang, and he had some former subordinates. Over the years, Zuo Ci hadn't been able to find many of them, and given his special status, he could only visit his sister in Southern Xinjiang on short notice. Now that Zuo Yunxin was already in Tianxue Mountain, Zuo Ci wasn't in such a hurry to return to Kyoto.

At the same time, Mu Heng followed Crown Prince Chen Yunjie to report the news of the visit to the emperor, but the emperor's eyes were dark. The crown prince and Mu Heng had to report the matter quickly, so they left the Qinzheng Hall.

Mu Heng had informants who relayed news of what had happened during this time, including Mu Wange's beating by Chen Yunfeng and the matter concerning the Chu family's legitimate daughter. However, none of this concerned Mu Heng; he cared about his own rapid rise to power and the reputation of his Shangshu Mansion. Mu Heng was surprised to see Mu Wange actually bring Mu Haolin back to the Prince of Yan's Mansion.

Three years had passed, and Mu Wange hadn't considered returning to Prince Yan's Mansion, maintaining a lukewarm attitude towards the Chu family. Otherwise, how could Mu Heng have allowed Shen Xinyue and Mu Ruohan to collude with the Second Prince? It was true that Mu Heng doted on Shen Xinyue, but compared to the official position, that little bit of favor was nothing...

In the evening, Shen Xinyue, Mu Ruohan and Mu Yucheng, who had just returned from the library, were waiting at the gate of the Shangshu Mansion. Shen Xinyue and Mu Ruohan were still tidying up their clothes, staring at the street in front of the mansion, waiting for Mu Heng to return.

Shen Xinyue deliberately did not inform Mu Wange and his sister, but Mu Lanxin, Mu Yuqi and Mu Qiaoyun had also arrived at this moment.

Sitting in the sedan chair, Mu Heng reflected on his recent trip abroad with Crown Prince Chen Yunjie. While the Crown Prince seemed to believe his allegiance, he still had doubts about whether he was on the Second Prince's side. He needed to get closer to the Crown Prince or achieve more with him, otherwise the Crown Prince might not truly consider him a confidant. Of course, he couldn't give up on the Second Prince, Chen Yunfeng. Mu Ruohan probably had a handle on the Second Prince's temperament by now, and if Mu Yucheng became close to him, wouldn't that mean he was on the Empress' side? Mu Heng was so consumed with mental calculations that he didn't notice the sedan chair had arrived at the Shangshu Mansion.

After being reminded by his servants, he finally got off the sedan chair. He saw that everyone except Mu Wange and his brother were already waiting for him at the door. Although it was not a big deal, Mu Heng still felt relieved, thinking that these people still cared about him as the head of the family.

However, there was still a hint of displeasure in the eyes of his legitimate son and daughter who didn't see him.

Shen Xinyue knew Mu Heng very well, so she immediately stepped forward and greeted him, "Master, thank you for your hard work."

As he spoke, he took the cloak that Mu Heng had taken off and handed it to the maid behind him.

"My eldest daughter, I guess she doesn't remember the day when the master returns. She's just a child, so the master shouldn't be too particular about this. It's enough for our illegitimate children like Ruohan and Yucheng to remember the time when the master returns..."

Mu Wange held Mu Haolin and stood quietly in the flowers not far away, listening to Shen Xinyue's slander without saying a word.

"Child? You're almost an adult, and you still don't take me, your father, seriously!!!"

Mu Heng became even more furious when he heard that Shen Xinyue was already unhappy about not seeing Mu Wange and his sister.

Mu Ruohan, Mu Yucheng and Mu Qiaoyun on the side were secretly happy. It turned out that their father didn't like Mu Wange.

"Mrs. Shen, how can you be so sure that I forgot the day my father would come home?"

Mu Wange held Mu Haolin in her arms and walked slowly to Mu Heng and Shen Xinyue. "Greetings, father. Lin'er, come here. This is father."

Mu Wange placed Mu Haolin in front of Mu Heng and asked him to bow to Mu Heng. "Madam Shen is so sure that Wange has forgotten because you didn't tell me at Tingxue Garden about my father's return today. If it weren't for my maid who was tending the flowers and plants seeing your brothers and sisters, Wange wouldn't have known about my father's return. Wange changed her clothes and hurried from Tingxue Garden to see my father. How come Wange is being called ignorant of etiquette in your words?"

"Miss, please don't talk nonsense. I sent someone to inform you. Otherwise, why would everyone else in the courtyard be here? And why are you the only one who arrived just now?"

Shen Xinyue had never expected Mu Wange to come, but as a master of domestic fighting in the inner courtyard, she came back to her senses immediately. Her eyes were red as she spoke, and her aggrieved look made her look pitiful.

Who is Kemu Wange? She is the Luo Xi of the 21st century. "Who knows who was sent to Tingxueyuan to deliver the message? Or maybe it was intentional. You know, I, Wange, trust you very much..."

"That's enough! What a shame to make such a fuss. Wange, your aunt is at least half the head of the inner house of the Shangshu Mansion. I'm afraid your maids and servants forgot to tell you the news."

Mu Heng interrupted Mu Wange unhappily. He had never had any patience for this dull daughter of the first wife. Moreover, Shen Xinyue was indeed his helper and his favorite, and she also gave him a smart daughter.

When it comes to which family has a more talented concubine than his, Muruohan has the honor of being the "most talented woman in Kyoto".

"Father, just because I didn't see Wangge here, Concubine Shen slandered me for not remembering the day you returned. Now, I've only told you what I know, and you're so partial to Concubine Shen. You're even suspicious of the maids in my courtyard... Is it because Mother is gone that you treat Lin'er and me so lightly? If you truly dislike us, then you should let Lin'er and I leave the Shangshu Mansion and let me and Lin'er go with my grandparents. Fortunately, my grandfather... so that I and Lin'er won't cause you any trouble."

Mu Wange pretended to cry sadly. Mu Haolin looked at his sister crying, and held Mu Wange's hand while his eyes were red. He didn't have much impression of this father.

"Elegy, elegy, that's not what father meant."

When Mu Heng heard Mu Wange say that they should return to their maternal grandfather's home, he remembered that this "insane" legitimate daughter of his had the support of the Prince of Yan's Mansion. If Mu Wange and her brother were really allowed to return to the Prince of Yan's Mansion, how would the court and the people view him, Mu Heng?

Mu Heng suddenly woke up and called Mu Wange in a gentle voice, "Didn't your father just return to the capital? I'm sorry that Wange and Lin'er have suffered. Later, I'll have my attendants give you the gifts that your father brought back for you and your sister..."

Shen Xinyue and the other three were very angry in their hearts, but they didn't dare to show it on their faces. They never expected that Mu Heng would calm down as soon as he heard Mu Wange mention Prince Yan's Mansion, which was very disadvantageous to them.

Yes, Mu Wange and his sister also have the Prince of Yan’s Mansion.

Mu Ruohan lowered her eyes, her eyes filled with venom: "I'll let you go for the next few days - Mu Wange. After the Hundred Flowers Banquet, I will not only be a talented woman in Kyoto but also the legitimate daughter of the Shangshu Mansion. I will take back everything you have. All of this belongs to me, Mu Ruohan..."