Chapter 95: Mu Shen

Chapter 95

Mu Shen

Mu Rongying hadn’t noticed Kang Wang’s demeanor and didn’t realize that her words had displeased the noble man. She assumed that he would be relieved to know she wouldn’t be a burden to him any longer. She herself had no expectations—such a good man was far beyond her reach. It was enough for her to admire him from afar.

Mu Rongying thought of her mother. Her mother had been a beautiful woman from a noble family and, upon marrying into the Mu family, had become the envy of many. The Mu family was powerful—its sons were prominent officials for generations, and daughters who entered the palace as concubines were always favored. The family had deep roots. However, despite the wealth and servants, Mu Rongying had never seen her mother happy. Her mother gave birth to three sons, and Mu Rongying was the youngest. Born with beauty, she was doted on. Yet, her father continuously brought in concubines, one after another, piercing her mother’s heart. Mu Rongying often saw her mother weep. Determined to make her mother proud, she studied diligently, excelling in every subject, hoping her father would one day turn his attention back to her mother. Sadly, even until her mother’s death, her father never cared.

Mu Rongying’s efforts were in vain, and they only brought trouble upon her. She had been her grandfather’s most cherished granddaughter, known for her intelligence from a young age. As she grew older, she remained unaware that the family, who had been treating her well, had plans for her all along. They wanted her to enter the palace to serve the Emperor old enough to be her father, competing with thousands of concubines for his favor.

Even within the Mu family household, she had already seen more than enough. She couldn’t even be sure that her mother’s death was due to illness. After her mother’s death, her father’s concubine was elevated to the status of Furen, and her children were recognized as legitimate. If Mu Rongying allowed herself to be used as a tool for the family’s ambitions, she would have wronged her mother.

"Rongying, don’t let anyone use you as a tool,"

Her mother had told her in her final days, with no love left in her heart. In the end, her mother found freedom.

“Why should I love him? He only married me to gain my father as an ally. All these years, I’ve been sad for nothing. Now that I finally understand, my time is up.”

Her mother smiled as if to mock herself. But when she turned to Mu Rongying, her eyes were filled with warmth and love. Her mother lovingly stroked her face and pulled her into an embrace.

“My daughter, this family uplifts men and devalues women. I do not worry about your brothers, but I fear that when you grow up, they will use you as a pawn for their advancement. It is a shame I won’t be here to protect you.”

In the end, her mother passed away, leaving behind only those final words and her wish for Mu Rongying’s happiness.

Perhaps this was for the best. There was nothing to regret...

Mu Rongying sighed inwardly. Let’s forget about love, she had seen enough of it. From now on, all she wished for was to live in peace. She no longer dreamed of true love. The feelings she had for Kang Wang would remain a sweet memory she would keep in her heart.

Kang Wang sipped his tea, his expression displeased. Mu Rongying noticed his silence and was about to excuse herself when someone came in to report that representatives from the Mu family had arrived.

She shifted uncomfortably and glanced at Kang Wang, worried. She hoped the person her grandfather had sent wasn’t her third uncle...

Soon, the servant led the guest into the room. The man who entered was in his thirties, tall with thick eyebrows and large eyes. He respectfully bowed to Kang Wang, then glanced at Mu Rongying, who was seated on the other side, carefully examining her. Mu Rongying bowed to her uncle before lowering her head to avoid his gaze.

It was the person she least wanted to see: her third uncle...Mu Shen.

Mu Shen was the trusted son of a secondary branch of the Mu family, a confidant of the family patriarch, Grand Chancellor Mu. He didn’t hold any official position, but in his younger days, he was rebellious and spent time wandering the martial world. In recent years, he had been entrusted with important tasks by Grand Chancellor Mu, managing affairs behind the scenes. When Mu Rongying was a child, he doted on her more than anyone. Recently, when everyone else supported sending her to the palace, he was the only one who opposed it. Besides her deceased mother, Mu Shen was the only person who cared about her well-being.

If it were anyone else, upon hearing that Mu Rongying had lost her value, they would have left her behind without a second thought. Now that she was no longer useful, they wouldn’t care whether she lived or died. But her third uncle, Mu Shen, wouldn’t leave her alone. He would likely take her back under the family’s protection.

Behind Mu Shen were four attendants. Three of them were servants of Mu Rongying’s father. Although he hadn’t come to retrieve his daughter personally, he had sent trusted people to assist Mu Shen. The other attendant was a middle-aged woman, a Momo who served closely with Mu Rongying’s grandfather.

Mu Shen clasped his hands together, thanking Kang Wang directly and without pretense, stating that he was here to take her back. Kang Wang casually picked up his teacup, slowly running his slender fingers along the rim, showing no rush. When Mu Shen finished speaking, Kang Wang remained silent.

“Please, Your Highness, have mercy,”

Mu Shen kneeled, unsure of what Kang Wang was thinking.

Kang Wang finally set the teacup down on the table and spoke in an even tone, without revealing any emotion,

“Young Master Mu Shen, may I ask what Lady Boss has told you?”

“She said that...Mu Rongying...belongs to Your Highness now.”

“Is that not clear enough? She has given herself to me. How can you take her away? A concubine of a Wang like me can she be given to someone else?”

At the end of Kang Wang’s words, there was a hint of genuine anger. Mu Shen quickly responded, his voice anxious to correct the situation.

“It’s not like that, Your Highness. The Mu family is deeply grateful for your assistance in protecting my niece. However, as she is a descendent of our family, now that she is safe, it is only right that she returns to us. I trust Your Highness understands the complexities of power within the court. I can assure you that what has transpired will not be disclosed.”

Kang Wang laughed mockingly.

“I fear your Mu family thinks that a Wang like me is unworthy of becoming your son-in-law.”

Mu Shen immediately kowtowed in apology. Though he did feel that way, he knew that if he didn’t bring Mu Rongying back, her status beside Kang Wang would remain uncertain. The mother of Kang Wang, Zheng Xian Fei, would surely not welcome Mu Rongying as a daughter-in-law. No matter how noble her birth, in the current turbulent climate of the royal court, it was impossible for her to become Kang Wang’s consort.

Mu Rongying looked at her third uncle sympathetically. She understood his intentions and wanted so badly to tell him that she did not wish to return. But in this situation, she had no place to speak, even though it was her life that was being decided by these two men.

“You may rise, Young Master Mu Shen,”

Kang Wang finally said. After all, he had to show some respect to the Mu family; otherwise, it would create unnecessary enmity. Still, Mu Shen remained kneeling.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I’ve brought the wet nurse who is close to Mu Rongying. She’s been through a great deal of distress and fear. May I ask Your Highness’s permission for the wet nurse to speak with her, to comfort my niece?”

Upon hearing this, both Kang Wang and Mu Rongying exchanged a glance. Of course, everyone knew the real purpose of this request—the wet nurse wasn’t there to comfort her, but to inspect whether she was still a virgin. Mu Rongying exhaled quietly, relieved that she had made a decisive choice the previous night.

Kang Wang gave a bitter smile. This young woman had predicted everything so precisely. Even he himself must have been in her predictions, and he had willingly allowed himself to become a tool for her to use. He averted his gaze from her and turned to Mu Shen.

“Very well. In the meantime, Young Master Mu Shen, let us discuss how to handle this matter.”With permission granted, the Momo immediately came forward to assist Chunmei in helping Mu Rongying out of the room.