Seeing her, Xu Minghui's spirits lifted. He tried to strike up a conversation several times, but she either avoided him or pretended not to see him, whispering with others. This left him disheartened.
At the same time, he felt wronged. They were clearly engaged, and it was only natural to be more intimate. Yet, she treated him as if he were a plague. Was she dissatisfied with this marriage? It was only now that this question occurred to him.
With such doubts, he looked at the matter again, and it increasingly felt like the truth. Although uncomfortable, after lunch, he still followed her, trying to be attentive. Unfortunately, the object of his affections didn't even glance at him.
Mu Fei, sitting in the carriage, lifted the curtain and looked at Xu Minghui's disappointed expression. She couldn't help but curl her lips. Although she didn't like him, with a man of noble birth bustling around her in front of so many people, it would surely make countless others envious.
The thought of the Crown Prince's promise to her, and the imminent realization of her dream, made the wind itself seem sweet. Upon returning home, she eagerly shared the good news with her mother.
Just as she was envisioning life in the Eastern Palace day by day, a rumor quietly began to spread through the streets and alleys of the capital.
"What did you say? The Mu family has another eldest daughter? How have I never heard of her?" This rumor reached Xu Minghui's ears, and he asked his personal attendant in disbelief, a premonition telling him this eldest daughter was a variable.
"Your servant only heard about it recently. It's said she is the legitimate daughter of the original wife, raised in the countryside since childhood. However, she has some mental issues. She's been back at the Mu family for a few months but has never left her room, sleeping all day. Another rumor, I don't know if it's true, is that the Mu family intends to marry that eldest daughter to you, because Miss Mu and Master Mu look down on your status." His personal attendant, Xi Zhu, spoke while casting sidelong glances at his master's expression, diligently relaying the information he had gathered.
"Who said this? How is that possible? Although our Xu family is not the most powerful in the capital, we are still a notable family. Our status and position are higher than the Mu family's. How could she look down on me?"
He said this, but in reality, he felt a flicker of uncertainty. He recalled the scene of their meeting that day, how she had never looked him in the eye from beginning to end. He wasn't without admirers; thinking of those who adored him, their shy yet furtive glances, his face paled, and he couldn't help but question loudly. However, in Xi Zhu's eyes, the louder his voice, the more guilty he appeared.
"Go and find out who Miss Mu Fei has been closest to recently, especially any young gentlemen," he said, looking at Xi Zhu with some nervousness, his fists clenched as he gave the uneasy order.
"Yes, Your Servant will go and inquire immediately." Xi Zhu immediately understood what his master wanted to know and hurried off. This was the future madam; no oversight could be afforded.
The well-informed Crown Prince had already heard about this and had also sent people to investigate who was opposing him. However, the investigation led them to beggars. According to their accounts, a strange beggar had come that day and mysteriously relayed the news to them.
However, they only saw her that once and never again. Where she went, they had no idea. Since they were all beggars and their faces were dirty, they couldn't clearly describe her appearance. The trail seemed to end there. The Crown Prince, unwilling to accept this, slammed his fist on the table, ordering them to continue the investigation.
Wu Caiwei feared being targeted. Fortunately, her reputation preceded her; everyone knew she disliked going out. She knew that rumors alone could not solidify the matter; further fuel was needed.
Thus, people began to notice the two seemingly infatuated with each other. Young Master Xu carried a portrait of the second Miss Mu with him, while the second Miss Mu wrote many poems and essays subtly expressing her feelings for Young Master Xu. This immediately became the talk of the town, making young ladies still in their chambers envious, believing the two were a match made in heaven.
Although the rumors in the marketplace might be true, Xu Minghui was certain he liked the second Miss Mu. He feared, as the rumors suggested, that the Mu family intended to marry the eldest daughter to him. At this point, he regretted not inquiring thoroughly, which resulted in the imperial decree not clearly stating her name. To solidify their engagement, when others asked him about their relationship, he simply smiled ambiguously, which others took as tacit consent.
Mu Fei, enraged, hid in her room, smashing cups. Her personal maid suffered; her arms were covered in bruises and contusions, all from her young lady pinching her in a fit of rage. Worse still, even though they were in unbearable pain and their faces were pale, they gritted their teeth and dared not make a sound.
Mu Fei felt she could not passively wait. Although confronting him might lead to endless trouble later, she had to resolve the current difficulties. She knew that despite the Crown Prince's promise to her, he was the most ruthless person. In his mind, power and status were paramount. If, due to Xu Minghui's persistent entanglement, the Crown Prince misunderstood her or lost interest, she would be forever regretful and miss the opportunity for the highest position.
One day, Young Master Xu received a letter from his beloved and couldn't believe it. He read it back and forth, and knowing she had invited him to meet at Ruyi Tower, he was overjoyed.
At the appointed time, he arrived early, requested a private room, and quietly awaited her arrival.
Fearing the Crown Prince would notice, Mu Fei dressed very discreetly, wearing a veil, and arrived quietly with a personal maid.
The moment she entered, a nondescript child in a corner of Ruyi Tower slipped out. Wu Caiwei heard the sounds of a few startled cats, quickly bolted the door, and secretly slipped out through the window.
The two met, and without a word, the other hurried to lead the way. Wu Caiwei dismissed him and, after fiddling with herself in a small alley, headed towards the private room.
Upon reaching the door, Xi Zhu reached out to stop her. Just as he was about to inquire, his body slumped to the side. Wu Caiwei quickly steadied him.
The two pushed open the room door as if no one else were there. The couple, who were in the midst of a heated argument, both turned to look at the doorway.
"Who are you? How dare you enter without my permission?" Xu Minghui was already furious. Seeing someone disobeying his command, he immediately shouted.
Wu Caiwei ignored them and waved her hand. The next moment, the two fell straight to the ground. Looking at the three people lying on the ground, Wu Caiwei's teeth itched with hatred. Su Dan Novel Network.
Killing them with one blow would be too easy. The original owner had wasted her life in the backyard; she would have her revenge.
Her gaze involuntarily fell on the unconscious Xi Zhu. The moment they met, she had drugged him. This man had been Xu Minghui's sharpest blade in his previous life; wherever he pointed, he would strike. The original owner had suffered greatly at his hands. Although she knew Xu Minghui was the one giving the orders, he was also an accomplice, wasn't he?
She slowly drew the knife from his waist and, without hesitation, plunged it in.