Chapter 36 Discovering Mu Qingyu’s Identity
“General Liang, what is the meaning of this?”
Under Wen Xueling’s cold gaze, Liang Jue quickly returned to normal.
He coughed, awkwardly touching his nose, “I mean, that scoundrel father of yours is not worth it. In the future, find someone who treats you and your mother well.”
“That’s none of General Liang’s concern.”
“Hey, hey, hey……That sounds a bit formal. I’ve always treated you like my own daughter. Just call me ‘Old Liang,’ it’s more affectionate.”
“……”
Wen Xueling began to consider whether to find a new collaborator.
Fortunately, Liang Jue soon reverted to his previous state and discussed with her the recent matters of checking the Prime Minister’s residence.
“The spies Wen Jingshu planted in the Liang family army have already been rooted out by us.”
“I’ve also assigned people to keep an eye on those on your list, to ensure they don’t have the opportunity to amass wealth and grow stronger.”
“However, your four elder brothers are a bit tricky......”
Wen Xueling narrowed her eyes, stating indifferently, “I’ll handle them myself.”
Recalling the deterrent power of the firearms she possessed, Liang Jue had initially wanted to acquire them with money. However, after seeing her mother today, he changed his mind.
“You’ve angered them today. Given that woman’s nature, she definitely won’t let it go. I’ll give you more hidden guards.”
Seeing that her most cherished person was Mu Qingyu, he said with a smile in his eyes, “Don’t rush to refuse. Even if you don’t want them, doesn’t your mother need them?”
Wen Xueling: “…...Thank you.”
She walked to the study desk and picked up a brush, meticulously drawing another diagram of a combat chariot.
In just a quarter of an hour, she had enhanced the Liang family army’s previously old and cumbersome assault chariots, improving their defense while also increasing their combat effectiveness several times over, making them capable of both offense and defense.
Liang Jue personally witnessed her ability to draw plans on the spot, his eyes almost overflowing with admiration.
“I don't owe you anything,” she said, putting down her brush and handing him the diagram.
“Besides the hidden guards, I also need you to investigate someone for me.”
Liang Jue raised an eyebrow: “Who?”
Wen Xueling turned to look at the bright moon hanging high outside the window, remembering the man with a distinguished demeanor, and said softly, “…...The Imperial Preceptor of Rong Kingdom, Wenren Yi.”
After she left, the bookshelf behind Liang Jue moved to either side, revealing a casual and languid figure in the study.
Liang Jue said with a dark face, “She’s still young, you’re not allowed to bully her.”
Wenren Yi glanced at him indifferently, watching Wen Xueling’s receding figure, his long eyelashes concealing the true emotions in his eyes.
Since she had already torn off the facade of gentleness and fragility with her scoundrel father, Wen Xueling had no intention of hiding anything anymore.
She openly brought Mu Qingyu back through the main gate of the Prime Minister’s residence.
The next morning.
When Xu Fu secretly sent word that her stepmother had cut off the daily supplies to the Small Building in the North Courtyard, and her scoundrel father had agreed, Wen Xueling knew that an irreconcilable situation had begun.
And this new steward......seemed to have chosen to stand on her side.
The Small Building in the North Courtyard had its own small gate, and going through it led directly to the back gate of the Prime Minister’s residence.
Wen Xueling sent Tang Chun out to buy fresh ingredients. They would cook their own meals in the small courtyard, thus not being restricted by the Prime Minister’s residence in terms of food.
As for her, she quietly awaited the troublemakers.
The first day was calm.
After nightfall.
When Xu Fu timidly entered the Small Building in the North Courtyard, Wen Xueling’s dark eyes showed little surprise.
She knew he would eventually come to her for his daughter.
“Young Miss,” Xu Fu respectfully knelt before her, kowtowing three times.
His address for Wen Xueling, in his eyes, was the greatest act of surrender, as in the past at the Prime Minister’s residence, only Wen Jin’An could be called Young Miss.
“This old servant is willing to stand on Young Miss’s side.”
“I only beg Young Miss for medicine to save my young daughter’s life. This old servant would die ten thousand deaths without regret.”
Seeing Xu Fu’s anxious and nervous expression, constantly glancing at the door in fear, Wen Xueling’s lips curved, but she did not believe his words of full assistance.
The human heart was the most unpredictable.
Especially men’s words, they were the least trustworthy.
She sat on a chair, propping her chin with one hand, her posture languid, her gaze fixed on the thirty-year-old man in front of her.
“Steward Xu, is it not too easy to take away priceless life-saving medicine from my hands with just a few words?”
Xu Fu looked up at her, meeting the unreadable expression in her eyes, and his heart skipped a beat.
He cautiously said, “I wonder what Young Miss desires? As long as this old servant can do it, I will spare no effort.”
“Since you are pledging loyalty, you must show me some sincerity, mustn’t you?”
She wasn’t in a hurry to learn about the illicit affairs of the Prime Minister’s residence from Steward Xu. With Wen Jingshu’s cautious nature, even if there were such matters, he wouldn’t let someone like Steward Xu know.
However, household matters were managed by Xie Siyu.
Those matters were closely related to Steward Xu’s daily life.
Wen Xueling knew he was a clever man; otherwise, he wouldn’t have replaced a born-and-raised servant to become the new steward.
“This......” Xu Fu’s face was indistinct in the dim study.
But from his hesitant voice, one could tell he hadn’t yet made up his mind.
“Since Steward Xu hasn't made up his mind yet, perhaps you should go back first, so as not to be seen and cause trouble for your position.”
Xu Fu, having risen to the position of the new steward in the Prime Minister’s residence, was naturally not a fool.
He had initially wanted to get the medicine to stabilize his daughter’s condition, but now, hearing Wen Xueling’s considerate words, he heard a chilling mockery in them.
“Young Miss......” He still wanted to argue for himself.
Wen Xueling, however, feigned weariness and told Tang Chun, who was standing by her side, “See him out.”
“Steward Xu, please.” Tang Chun unequivocally blocked his view.
Unable to do anything, Xu Fu could only get up and leave first.
Walking on the path in the Small Building in the North Courtyard, Tang Chun looked at the camellias in the courtyard and said pointedly, “Steward Xu, look, the camellias are in bloom. I wonder if next year’s camellias will be as beautiful as this year’s. Steward Xu could take his daughter out more often to see them.”
“Steward Xu, this servant will only see you this far.”
After saying that, she didn’t look at Xu Fu’s expression, but turned and walked back the way she came.
Steward Xu understood the maid’s words, and his face lost all color.
Back in the study.
Wen Xueling was drawing something at the desk. Tang Chun told her about Xu Fu’s reaction.
“Miss, can Steward Xu truly be trusted?”
“Whether he can be trusted or not depends on his choice.”
She didn’t stop writing, continuing to sketch the outline on the drawing paper, her voice faint, tinged with a casual coldness.
Tang Chun thought about her words while grinding ink.
A stick of incense later, Wen Xueling finally finished sketching someone’s portrait.
It was strikingly the image of him sitting in the Imperial Study the previous night.
Beneath his lazy and casual demeanor was the authority of a superior, and an undeniable oppressive presence.
“Yan Ze.”
Wen Xueling put the portrait into an envelope and took a piece of candy from the desk, putting it in as well.
“…...Send this to the Imperial Preceptor’s residence.”
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