Chapter 1697 - 1692: Mu Xiaxia Wants to Be a Concubine

"All of them?" Mu Shuangshuang furrowed her brow, her pupils contracting.

The County Magistrate knows about Mu Dade and Ruan Xiao Jiao?

"Indeed! Actually, no matter who holds this position, my father would have someone watch over them! Even if it’s me!

Lord Liu, the Prefect of Qianzhou Prefecture, once warned my father that the docks must remain orderly. Because the large shipments leaving here are headed for the Capital! If something goes wrong, my father’s official hat might not be safe!"

Zheng Zhi spoke with a serious expression.

Upon hearing this, Mu Shuangshuang nodded.

Even though she was still unsure in her heart whether the County Magistrate truly knew about Mu Dade and Ruan Xiao Jiao’s affair, Mu Shuangshuang decided not to mention it for now.

Seeing Mu Shuangshuang not speak for a long time, Zheng Zhi said to her, "You don’t need to worry too much. My father always says that debts have their masters; whoever makes a mistake should bear the responsibility!

This matter has nothing to do with your third and fourth branches, so it won’t involve you!

Zheng Zhi’s words gave Mu Shuangshuang some relief.

She was glad she came to find Zheng Zhi first.

She even heard such important news from his mouth.

With this, Mu Dade would also face his own consequences without needing her intervention.

As for Mu Dazhong and Mu Danian, they also brought it upon themselves. If they really end up in prison because of this, it’s their punishment!

After all, those two were quite troublesome even back in the village.

"Thank you!" Mu Shuangshuang said to Zheng Zhi.

"I’ve told you before, there’s no need to thank me! By the way, the vegetable garden is thriving now, and the women there are all hard workers. When you have time, come take a look!" Zheng Zhi said.

"Anytime!" Mu Shuangshuang replied.

"How about tomorrow? The weather should be nice as well!" Zheng Zhi suggested.

"Alright!" Mu Shuangshuang nodded.

Achieving her goal, Mu Shuangshuang naturally didn’t stay long in Zheng Zhi’s place.

She bid farewell to Zheng Zhi and left the private room of Jiu Si Xuan.

Outside the door, she encountered Mu Xiaxia, who was holding a tray of tea.

It had been a while since they last met, and Mu Xiaxia seemed to have undergone some changes.

Changes from the inside out.

The present Mu Xiaxia seemed much more confident than before.

In the past, Mu Xiaxia was indeed charming, but she always seemed a bit timid, walking as if she had done something wrong.

But today, she walked with her head held high.

Comparing to the past, she had clearly upgraded a level.

Was it Zheng Zhi who taught her?

Mu Shuangshuang wondered in her heart.

Mu Xiaxia spoke up, "Sister, are you going back?"

"Yes!"

"Could you wait for a moment? I’ll ask the young master for leave and come out! I have something I want to talk about with you." Mu Xiaxia said politely.

Mu Shuangshuang nodded, "I’ll wait for you on the first floor!"

After a moment of waiting, Mu Xiaxia came downstairs.

She went straight to Mu Shuangshuang and said, "The young master granted me leave for the day. Would you accompany me for a walk and perhaps some shopping?"

Mu Shuangshuang, having nothing special to do, did not refuse Mu Xiaxia’s request.

A woman’s shopping typically involves looking at jewelry and cosmetics.

Even Mu Xiaxia couldn’t escape this cliché.

She took Mu Shuangshuang from one stall to another for a look.

She even insisted on buying Mu Shuangshuang a hairpin.

Upon asking the price, it was over 200 coins, and Mu Shuangshuang refused to accept it.

But she couldn’t oppose Mu Xiaxia’s insistence on paying.

This made Mu Shuangshuang owe Mu Xiaxia a favor.

Mu Shuangshuang was always generous, to friends and family alike.

But towards the fourth branch, she only did her part, seldom doing even a little more.

During her stay in the county, except when necessary, she rarely visited the fourth branch.

After all, there was still a knot in her heart.

As expected, this knot might never be untied.

"Sister Shuangshuang, do you think...if I get married, would it be good?" Mu Xiaxia suddenly asked.

"Of course, it would be good!" Mu Shuangshuang nodded.

"What if I become a concubine?" Mu Xiaxia asked again.

Mu Shuangshuang’s brow furrowed immediately, "Better to be a poor man’s wife than a rich man’s concubine! Xiaxia, don’t go down the wrong path!"

In Mu Shuangshuang’s heart, she could share everything with others.

Except for a man.

If she had to share a man with many women, she would rather leave gracefully than debase herself.

Upon hearing this, Mu Xiaxia’s smile faded a bit.

She was still smiling, but it wasn’t as genuine as it initially was, now even a bit forced.

"But what if...what if I truly like him?" Mu Xiaxia hesitated for a long while before cautiously asking.

"If you like him, you should be his wife. Why be a concubine?" Mu Shuangshuang was puzzled.

"Status, my status is low, his status is high," Mu Xiaxia replied.

"Xiaxia, listen to me, loving someone won’t change because of their status, position, family background, or knowledge.

If he truly likes you, no matter what you are, even if you’re a beggar, the position of his wife would be yours! Moreover, he wouldn’t look for any other woman.

But if he treats you as a dispensable plaything, today making you a concubine, he can still look for others tomorrow!

And you’ll eventually be forgotten due to aging and the fading of beauty!" Mu Shuangshuang shared her thoughts with Mu Xiaxia.

She couldn’t guarantee that Mu Xiaxia would understand this truth.

But she knew, if she didn’t speak up, she might never have peace in her life.

Mu Shuangshuang’s words undoubtedly brought a lot of shock to Mu Xiaxia.

These words were something she had never heard before.

In her mind, if the match wasn’t equal, she could only be a concubine.

Even being a concubine felt like a climb up the social ladder.

It was a grace she should be thankful for.

Yet, her cousin said every word as if teaching her to rebel...

Mu Xiaxia hesitated, caught between two conflicting thoughts.

She wasn’t sure which path she should choose.

"Xiaxia, may I ask you a question?" Mu Shuangshuang suddenly inquired.

"Go ahead, sister!"

Mu Xiaxia looked at Mu Shuangshuang, her gaze devoid of any resentment.

"Are you talking about Zheng Zhi?"

Mu Xiaxia was taken aback, as if she hadn’t expected the person before her to guess the matter so accurately.

"Yes, it’s him, although...although he doesn’t know yet, the lady said she would speak to the young master, I..."

Zheng Zhi was very handsome, a renowned businessman, and the son of the County Magistrate.

In other words, he was not only capable but also held a high status.

Any normal woman would be attracted to him.

Mu Xiaxia, having spent most of her life in the countryside with little interaction with men, was more susceptible to temptation.