Chapter 84: Mu Rongying

Chapter 84

Mu Rongying

Ever since following Kang Wang back to his palace, Mu Rongying felt as though she had made a grave mistake.

In truth, it wasn’t even her decision. It was a discussion that the Young Furen and Kang Wang had concluded themselves, without asking her opinion. Mu Rongying was merely a guest, and how could she dare to be difficult? When Nie Shuang told her to go, she had to go, even though deep down, she would have preferred to stay with the Young Furen.

The Young Furen seemed kind and friendly, and at her mansion, there were also three adorable children to play with...

Although the palace of Kang Wang was comfortable, Kang Wang himself seemed cold and distant.

He provided excellent care for Mu Rongying and Chunmei, placing them in the guest quarters, where they lived modestly. They didn’t even dare leave the quarters for fear of causing him trouble. Despite living in the same palace, she never saw him. Mu Rongying was very cautious, knowing that her Mu family and his Zheng family openly avoided each other. She shouldn’t involve herself with him any further. Just staying in his palace was already a favor she could never repay.

Today, palace servants came early to summon Mu Rongying, informing her that Kang Wang would be taking her out. Mu Rongying was surprised. Shouldn’t she be in hiding during this time? If people from Baihua Brothel knew she was still in Huangjing, wouldn’t that cause trouble? Nevertheless, she and Chunmei went out to meet Kang Wang at the front of the palace. He stood beside the carriage, tall and graceful, dressed in his signature light, calming colors. His hair was tied tightly, crowned with a jade headdress, exuding noble authority.

"Greetings, Your Highness,"

Mu Rongying and Chunmei curtsied gracefully. Kang Wang nodded indifferently, motioning for them to get into the carriage. It was the same carriage bearing Kang Wang’s insignia that she had ridden on her way here. Mu Rongying and Chunmei boarded quietly and sat properly. Once Kang Wang stepped inside, the coachman immediately set off. No one spoke a word during the ride. Mu Rongying kept her eyes down, staring at her hands folded neatly on her lap, her soft, youthful face showing traces of thought.

"Manager Wang wishes to see you, so the Lady Boss had me bring you to meet him,"

Kang Wang said first, though it was not directed at Mu Rongying. She kept her head down, saying nothing, while Chunmei bowed her head and softly replied, "Thank you, Your Highness." After that, the carriage fell silent again, saved for the sound of the wheels grinding against gravel and the clopping of horse hooves. Despite all her training in etiquette, Mu Rongying found herself sitting stiffly, her body growing tense.

"What were you thinking, running away from home? Did you not consider your duty to your family?"

Kang Wang tried to break the uncomfortable atmosphere, but his words carried a hint of reproach. Mu Rongying, still looking down, pressed her lips together slightly before replying.

"What do you mean by duty to the family, Your Highness? A family is merely a collection of descendants with the same bloodline. In my family, there are many branches, most of whom are ambitious and seek power. I do not share their views. Why must I sacrifice my own life for someone else’s ambitions? They use me as a tool in the name of the family. They seek power but use my life as a pawn. Before I fled, I thought long and hard about these things. In this life, I owe my parents, but I refuse to be anyone’s tool. If I wish to benefit my family, there are many ways to do so. I don’t need to sacrifice my life to compete with others in the inner palace."

Upon hearing her response, Kang Wang narrowed his eyes. She was not just a beauty, but a deeply intelligent young woman. At such a young age, she already had her own independent thoughts, unshaken by societal norms.

"You are mistaken. The comfort and luxury you enjoy, the education that allows you to speak so boldly, all come from the foundations laid by your ancestors. If not for their sacrifices, the Mu family would not be as powerful as it is today. Is it not ungrateful of you to speak this way?"

Mu Rongying sighed.

"To others, I may indeed seem ungrateful, seeking only my own happiness and disregarding the advancement of my family. But those are just words used to silence descendants and prevent them from rejecting the wishes of the family patriarchs. It is the happiness of the family members that should matter most. What good is the family’s advancement if it requires the lives of its descendants as sacrifices? If I must give my life in exchange, can I refuse the so-called kindness they’ve shown in raising me?"

Had Kang Wang not asked, Mu Rongying might never have voiced these thoughts in her entire life. But now that she had said them aloud, she couldn’t help but feel her words sounded a bit too audacious.

Kang Wang raised his eyebrows in surprise. Where had the tearful girl from a few days ago gone? The woman sitting before him now was stubborn, with a will as strong as a mule. If the elders of the Mu family heard her words, they would surely be enraged to death.

"Best you don’t repeat these words to anyone else,"

He said coolly, ending the conversation. In truth, he wasn’t sure he could win the argument. He found himself quietly agreeing with her, though. Power was alluring, and prominent families would do anything to maintain and seize it. Even if one did not desire it, how could one defy the expectations of their family?

Mu Rongying furrowed her brows slightly. It seemed like the only person who truly understood her was the Young Furen. Not only had Nie Shuang helped her, but she had also devised a plan to keep her from entering the palace. She didn’t hold to old-fashioned notions of duty to the family, unlike Kang Wang. He was probably like most scholars—stubborn and conservative. Oh! How could she forget? The Zheng family on Kang Wang’s mother’s side were civil officials, steeped in books and priding themselves on their scholarly ways. It was no wonder he thought that way.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the Nie family mansion. Kang Wang stepped out of the carriage and led the two women inside as if he was a frequent visitor. After exchanging greetings with the hosts, everyone took their seats. General Song tried to have his three little turnips formally greet their Uncle Wuqian, but to no avail. The children were terribly mischievous, crawling all over the place and refusing to clasp their hands and bow. This left Song Qilin embarrassed, especially after spending so much time teaching his children how to greet guests properly. Yet here they were, ignoring his instructions in front of such an important guest.

Bao Bao clambered across Kang Wang’s lap to reach Mu Rongying. He tilted his head up at her, as he often did when meeting new people. When the beautiful woman smiled at him kindly, he grinned back, flashing his tiny white teeth. His chubby little hand raised in a clumsy bow to the lovely lady, causing the adults in the room to burst into laughter.

"Bao Bao! Can’t you show your father a little respect?"

Song Qilin grumbled at his mischievous son. It was clear Bao Bao knew exactly what his father wanted him to do but chose to do otherwise. Nie Shuang laughed so hard she had tears in her eyes and reassured her husband.

"Come on, at least he learned something. Bei Bei, Xiao Hua Hua, give your respects to His Highness."

As soon as Nie Shuang spoke to the other two children sitting near Kang Wang, they obediently clasped their hands and bowed without hesitation.

"Bei Bei, Xiao Hua Hua...even you two are doing this now?"

Song Qilin suddenly felt that his once-mighty title of General had no weight at all. In his own home, he was practically irrelevant. Even the three little ones wouldn’t follow his commands.Kang Wang, seeing the expression on his friend’s face, laughed heartily. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. Song Qilin was indeed a fortunate man.