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墨書 Inktalez
"Hey, who made my Muxin angry?"
Suddenly, a deep voice came from outside the door. Xia Muxin raised the corner of her mouth and looked toward the entrance, where Shen Muhan approached with Ming Yi and a few others. He had changed into new clothes, which were handmade by Xia Muxin. Ever since he woke up that time, he had insisted she finish the unfinished embroidery on the sleeves, and this was the first time he wore it.
The light blue robe draped over his tall and straight figure, making him look absolutely perfect. Even before he got close, the unique scent of mint wafted to Xia Muxin's nose.
Shen Muhan's eyes sparkled with laughter; from the moment he entered, all he could see was her. He didn't even glance at his grandfather, great-grandfather, or parents.
Then, with a swift motion, he pulled Xia Muxin into his embrace. She looked up at him for a long time, her nose cautiously sniffing the air. After all, Ming Lie was not an ordinary person; last time he almost made her lose him, so she needed to confirm that he was truly unharmed before she could relax.
"What? You missed me so much after just a little while apart?"
Shen Muhan completely ignored the dozens of wide eyes staring at them. He gently ran his hand through Xia Muxin's messy hair and shot a cold glance at Qing Zhan, saying playfully.
"Uncle, they said I'm a country bumpkin."
After a while, Xia Muxin was almost certain that Shen Muhan was uninjured before she spoke in a teasing tone.
"So what if you're a country bumpkin? I like it just fine."
Shen Muhan shrugged off her words and directly took her toward the table on the east side. He poured her a cup of tea and tested its temperature before handing it to her, speaking slowly.
"They said I excel in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting but can't play the guqin."
Xia Muxin laughed; having gotten used to teasing him, she continued to speak.
"I won't look for a Courtesan, nor will I seek an old hag. What good are those?"
Um...
Uncle, did you really not just stand outside and eavesdrop on her words?
At this moment, the Su Family was in an awkward situation, and Su Xiuning was trembling with anger, her eyes glistening with mist, looking pitifully on the verge of tears. Only Shen Muhan remained indifferent, even if he had seen her distress.
"There's also an old man with a white beard who said we are not a match for you."
"Well, if he wants to marry someone suitable, he can do it himself. I'm not interested."
Um... Uncle, could you spoil me a little more? If I fly up to the sky, what will happen when I step on your head? Will you still want me?
Xia Muxin looked at Shen Muhan, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears. She was merely venting her frustration from earlier, but he showed no sympathy for the family and favored her in everything. It seemed that even if one day she made a huge mistake, he would still help her fix it. Yet, the more he did this, the more worried she became. She feared that this happiness was just a dream and that in the blink of an eye, he might become a stranger who would no longer cherish or spoil her.
"What's wrong, Girl?"
Seeing her like this, Shen Muhan grew anxious. He gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and asked urgently.
"Shen Muhan, come here! Look at what you've done to Xiuxiu! She's such a good girl; she's been so upset over you that she can't eat or sleep. And now you bring back some wild Girl and team up to put on a show! Let me tell you, whether you want to marry or not, you have to marry!"
Su Rong could no longer bear it. Over there, Su Xiuning had already turned into a crying mess while Shen Muhan was busy comforting that wild Girl. He couldn't hold back his anger any longer. Striding over, he grabbed Shen Muhan's arm and spoke sternly.
"Grandfather, everything between my cousin and me is your own misunderstanding. She has always just been my cousin; I've never had any other thoughts about her. You owe the Ouyang Family a debt; you should pay it yourself. If you want to marry someone, go ahead! Otherwise, you can drag a few brothers from the Su Family into this too. I already have a wife and I won't take anyone else. Don't push me; otherwise, I'll be like Mu Qing and leave without coming back. If it weren't for you stopping Mu Qing from finding Zhou Zhou, would he have left in anger for years? If you want to see the Shen Family die out completely, just say so—there's no need to go around in circles."
Su Rong's temperament surprised even Shen Muhan. If he didn't apply some pressure on him now, he would surely come knocking every day. If it weren't for his duties, he would prefer living an ordinary life on Daimiao Mountain—at least there wouldn't be these family disputes; all that existed there was warm and simple rural charm.
"Master of Bamboo, our boss hasn't had dinner yet, and we... are all hungry too, hehe..."
Shen Muhan had faced the old man from the Su Family with a red face more than once. The situation was even more intense this time because he owed a debt to the Ouyang Family, and all of that pressure fell on the Shen Brothers. First, he had pressured Mu Qing, and now it was the boss's turn. However, the boss was not as obedient as Young Master Mu Qing. Because of this, he chose to walk away, but the boss was different; once he set his mind on someone or something, not even death would change his decision. Seeing that the two were at an impasse, he quickly stepped forward to speak.
Xia Muxin was also taken aback by Shen Muhan's attitude. At that moment, she could feel his vibrating chest and the endless fury within him. Moreover, when he spoke about Mu Qing and Zhou Zhou, he did not mention Old Master Su's obstruction. One was his own younger brother, and the other was his maternal grandfather; it must have been quite difficult for him.
Old Master Su's eyes turned red with anger as he raised his hand and slapped Shen Muhan across the face before turning to leave without a word.
The sound of the slap echoed through the hall. A trace of blood appeared at the corner of Shen Muhan's mouth, but he did not flinch and maintained his original posture.
The slap brought everyone in the hall back to their senses. Su Tian bit her lip as she looked at her father, but after a long while, she did not utter a single word.
"Brother Mu Han..."
It was Su Xiuning who stumbled over, tears streaming down her face as she reached out to touch Shen Muhan, only to be avoided by him.
"Indeed, a married daughter is like spilled water. Your son is useless in court and can't suppress those old thieves, so you want to drag your own grandson down with you? Isn't it because of the Su Family's power? If the Shen Family were just minor officials of fifth or sixth rank, would you still act this way? Moreover, you keep praising your granddaughter for her abilities—she's the first beauty with both talent and grace. Are you really going to rely on someone who doesn't even care for her? Tell me, are you helping them or harming them? I may be just a country girl, but I know how to be grateful and repay kindness rather than ruin someone else's life to satisfy my own vanity. Such a person may seem splendid on the surface but is rotten to the core."
Xia Muxin coldly watched the figure leaving through the door and spoke without mercy.
Each word struck deep into the hearts of the Shen Family members, causing them to lower their heads in shame. Meanwhile, every member of the Su Family turned red-faced; what a sharp-tongued girl she was! In just a short time, she had seen through everything so clearly; it was evident how different Shen Muhan's perspective was.
"Uncle, let's go. Muxin has prepared something delicious for you. Ming Yi, go find some ice."
After speaking, Xia Muxin didn't even glance at the tearful Su Xiuning as she wrapped her arm around Shen Muhan's and gently brushed her small hand against his swollen face before softly speaking.
Shen Muhan was not affected by the earlier slap; he playfully scratched Xia Muxin's nose with his finger and led her toward the kitchen. Ming Yi and the others let out a sigh of relief before rushing off to find some ice.
Xia Muxin entered the kitchen, intending to send Shen Muhan away, but he refused to budge, insisting on watching her cook. With no other choice, she resigned herself to his presence. Ming Yi quickly brought over some ice, and at that moment, Shen Muhan held a piece of ice against his face, his gaze never leaving the busy woman.
Meeting her truly felt like a stroke of luck.
“Ming Yi, the chefs in Shen Manor are all from the palace. Mu Han is notoriously picky about food; how did this girl end up cooking for him?”
Su Xiuning had not left. The Su couple could not persuade her to go, so they allowed her to stay and instructed Qin Matron to keep an eye on her to prevent any trouble. Now, seeing the kitchen door slightly ajar and Ming Yi and the others guarding it— even the butler was not letting anyone in— she grew anxious and began pacing, stepping forward to question Ming Yi in a tone befitting a young lady of the Su Family.
Ming Yi maintained his composure, observing with a calm demeanor. As soon as Su Xiuning finished speaking, he replied:
“The master said it depends on the person!”
“Depends on the person...”
Hearing those words made Su Xiuning twist her handkerchief into a tight knot. She stood on tiptoe, straining her neck to look into the kitchen, but after peering for a long time, she saw nothing— not even a shadow of Shen Muhan or Xia Muxin.
Frustrated, she stomped her foot.
“Miss Su, this kitchen is filled with smoke and dirt; you should rest for now. They won’t come out until it’s time,” Ming Yi said, watching Su Xiuning stretch her neck and widen her eyes in desperation. If looks could pierce through walls, she would have done so by now. He couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at her antics and kindly suggested.
Their hearts had long been connected with Xia Muxin; what kind of mistress would cook for her servants? What kind of lady would sew clothes for them and share meals at the same table? Even when busy or tired, she would ensure there was food left for them, never treating them as mere servants.
They cherished the simple life at Daimiao Mountain, enjoyed the laughter of their leader, appreciated every member of the Xia Family, and felt warmth from many villagers who made them truly experience what it meant to have a home.
After all, most of them were orphans whom their leader had taken in, teaching them martial arts and tactics so they wouldn’t starve or be beaten or humiliated. Their leader's happiness was their happiness.
"Hmph, it's just cooking a few dishes. I can do that too."
Su Xiuning, after all, was a young lady of a prominent family; she had learned everything she needed to. Moreover, she understood Ming Yi's words very clearly and the meaning behind them. With a glare at Ming Yi, she waved her handkerchief and left.
"Muxin, thank you!"
In the kitchen, Xia Muxin was preparing braised chicken. At that moment, she had just covered the pot and stood idly by the stove when suddenly, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist. The refreshing scent of mint filled her nostrils as Shen Muhan pressed his left cheek against hers, resting his chin on her shoulder, and spoke softly.
"Uncle, your childhood must have been very tough, right?"
Seeing Muxin's eyes inexplicably glisten with tears, he rubbed his cheek against hers a few times before she gently said.
"I actually have a twin sister who came out just a tea time before me. But when I was ten years old, the Northern Desert sent troops to attack the Tianli Kingdom. At that time, the Tianli Kingdom was embroiled in a Succession Struggle; its power was scattered and it had no heart to fight back. Later, my father took my ten-year-old sister and me to hold our ground on the battlefield so that the Tianli Kingdom wouldn’t be completely destroyed. However, we didn’t win either because the emperor of the Northern Desert took a liking to my ten-year-old sister. My parents and grandfather opposed it, but my maternal grandfather insisted on sacrificing the small for the greater good and arranged this marriage with the Retired Emperor behind our backs. The emperor of the Northern Desert was already over fifty years old. My sister ultimately couldn’t overcome that hurdle and took her own life on the way to marry him. Her blood and wedding dress were indistinguishable; the entire Jiaozi was stained red, and it was I who sent her off..."
Xia Muxin felt Shen Muhan's hands trembling around her waist, and her heart suddenly ached.
"After that, I vowed to become strong enough to protect everyone around me. But I hate him—so much hate... My sister’s incident became a fatal wound for our Shen Family. Every time my mother hears her name, she falls ill; it’s terrifying—so terrifying..."
"Uncle, don’t say anymore. Don’t say anymore. Muxin will always be with you and will never let anyone in our family suffer any more harm."
Xia Muxin didn’t know how to describe her feelings at that moment; instead, she turned around and hugged Shen Muhan tightly, gently patting his back with her small hands.
Everyone has their vulnerable side. Uncle... he has always pretended to be strong; he just doesn’t want to show his weakness in front of others.
"Uncle, is that pendant at your waist from your sister?"
He had always worn a green pendant around his waist; it was hollow in the middle but engraved with the character for 'storm.' She had never seen him take it off. Several times she wanted to ask about it, but every time he looked at that pendant, he seemed lost in thought or in a bad mood, so she held back her questions. At this moment, however, she felt certain about it.
Shen Muhan calmed his emotions, taking the pendant from his waist and placing it in his palm, as if savoring the moment.
"Yes, this is the only gift I ever gave her. I carved this character myself. I had planned to give it to her on her wedding day, but in the end, I never got the chance."
"What happened afterward? Did the Emperor blame you?"
"After that incident, my father wanted to resign and take us away from the capital. The Retired Emperor, however, conferred upon him the title of Duke of Stability. As the name suggests, it was meant to stabilize the realm, a sort of compensation for the Shen Family. But while he could avoid court matters, he could not escape his responsibilities on the battlefield."
"Uncle, I really dislike your grandfather—very much."
Xia Muxin tied the pendant back at his waist and then tilted her head back, speaking angrily.
"You’re not marrying him, so why do you need to like him?"
A hint of melancholy flashed in Shen Muhan's eyes as he teased her.
"Uncle..."
"Jin..."
This was Xia Muxin's first time so boldly offering her lips. At that moment, all she wanted was this; it was the only way to distract Shen Muhan. After all, the dead were gone and could not be revived. She just hoped he could remain as invincible as ever, unaffected by any power or evil that might threaten him.
Shen Muhan was surprised by Xia Muxin's actions but quickly shifted from passive to active. In that kitchen, they kissed each other passionately, losing themselves in the moment.
"Ah... how can they do this? How can they!"
Meanwhile, up in a large tree, Su Xiuning had Matron Qin bring a ladder. She climbed up to a branch and found a good position. Just as she peered through the window, she saw two bodies pressed closely together in a heated kiss. Instantly, she clutched her head and screamed wildly, her eyes flashing with cold fury.
Shen Muhan, I waited for you for ten years. Throughout those ten years, how I wished that one day you would turn around and look at me, smiling as you said, "I have been waiting for you too." But instead, you have betrayed me.
You trampled on my dignity and crushed my self-esteem. Fine, fine...
Heh heh...
"Miss, Miss, what is wrong?"
Qin Matron looked at the woman in the tree who was laughing eerily and immediately panicked. She hurriedly jumped and shouted from below the tree, but Su Xiuning seemed enchanted, only laughing incessantly, a chilling smile that sent shivers down her spine.
This made her anxious; after all, the Su Family had entrusted her to protect Su Xiuning. She couldn't let anything happen to her. Thinking this, she lifted her skirt and climbed up the ladder.
Just as she had climbed two rungs, she saw Su Xiuning's face twisted in a grimace, looking down with a terrifying smile. Suddenly, a figure dropped down. Qin Matron was so frightened that her legs went weak. She reached out but couldn't grasp the figure and could only shout urgently:
"Miss, Miss..."
- End of Chapter -
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