Counterattack of the Concubine’s Invincible Daughter

43. Where Is Xu Min?

Translator: Snowball

Xuanyuan Sheng came to his senses and continued to make fun of Gong Nongyue, saying, “Childe Nongyue, I’m quite unfamiliar with your noble character. Oh, by the way, remember to send 700 taels of silver to the Moonlight Pavilion tomorrow.”

Mu Yingxue looked at him with her eyebrows raised. Xuanyuan Sheng grinned at her, blinked and said, “You don’t have to pay for the guarantee fee.”

Mu Yingxue was speechless to hear that. She could only comfort herself that she made a cost-effective deal this time. After all, Nongyue only bribed this one with 700 taels of silver, while she got a dozen of people under control with the same amount of money.

Nongyue fiddled with the lid of the teacup and said slowly, “Don’t worry, Prince Sheng. I’ll keep my promise.”

Not until then did Mu Yingxue notice that he was drinking tea instead of wine. He drank the same when they were in the Predestined Match through Gold and Jade. It seemed that this person liked tea very much.

Seeing Xuanyuan Sheng was in a good mood for his money was guaranteed, Mu Yingxue couldn’t help but tease, “Little Sheng, if I had known that it was so easy to do business with you, I would have asked you for money directly.”

Xuanyuan Sheng, however, missed her point completely, “Little Sheng? How dare you call me that? I’m your brother, elder brother, understand? You disrespectful young girl. Are you asking for a fight?”

Mu Yingxue was amused. She just called it out casually, but didn’t expect it to roll off her tongue so smoothly, “Little Sheng, are you angry? If so, I should go.”

Xuanyuan Sheng was anxious, “Hey, you, do you really think that I’m not capable of doing anything to you?”

“Uh-huh. Wanna come and bite me?”

Mu Yingxue was in such a good mood that she bickered with Xuanyuan Sheng a few more times, totally forgetting that Nongyue was watching aside.

Nongyue enjoyed their show playfully. At first, he just silently watched, taking a sip of tea occasionally while slowly waving the paper fan. But in the end, he suddenly stood up and said to them with a smile, “I’m afraid I have to go now.”

It finally occurred to Xuanyuan Sheng that he had been busy talking with Mu Yingxue and had totally forgotten about his friend. He immediately said with embarrassment, “Okay, Brother Gong, don’t forget the money.”

Nongyue didn’t respond, shaking his head. When he took one step ahead, something occurred to him. He turned around and looked at Mu Yingxue, saying, “Miss Mu, are you leaving? I can walk you home on his behalf if you like.”

Mu Yingxue wanted to refuse, but when she looked up at the sky, it was already dark. Moreover, it was inappropriate for her to refuse his enthusiasm in front of Xuanyuan Sheng.

So she agreed, “Okay, I do have to go back to the mansion now. Little Sheng, enjoy yourself.”

Xuanyuan Sheng glared at her plaintively, but he knew that he shouldn’t keep her here since it was getting late, “Then, thank you for doing me the favor, Brother Gong.”

He then turned to Mu Yingxue and said, “Yingxue, be careful on your way home. If Childe Nongyue shows his true colors later, I won’t be able to save you.”

Mu Yingxue softly snorted, completely ignoring his joke.

Nongyue, however, acted as if he didn’t hear it. He turned around and walked out.

The days were particularly short in the second half of the year. After she got here, it only took a short time before the sky turned completely dark.

Fortunately, there were still some peddlers on the street. In front of every shop, there was a wind lamp, gently fluttering with the cold wind.

Mu Yingxue looked steadily all the way, and silently followed the right rear side of Nongyue, while Nongyue walked unhurriedly with his hands behind his back, keeping a perfect distance of ten feet from her all the time.

When they finally arrived at the Predestined Match through Gold and Jade, Mu Yingxue couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. She finally didn’t have to continue the walk like a mute.

Just as she was about to relax, something silvery white suddenly floated down from the pitch-black sky. She stretched out her hand to catch it, but it disappeared right after it fell into her palm.

Mu Yingxue was surprised, “It’s snowing?”

Looking up, she saw that Nongyue in the front had stopped, looking at the sky. The silver mask was like a bright moon under the night, giving off a cold light.

He said, “I’m afraid you should squeeze your time, Miss Mu. It will snow heavily.”

Mu Yingxue nodded as she replied, “Indeed. Thank you for walking me here, Childe Nongyue.”

Nongyue remained silent, as if he was gazing into the night sky, deep in thought.

Seeing him like this, Mu Yingxue directly passed by him.

But her wrist was grasped by him all of a sudden. Although their skins were separated by the sleeves, she could still feel his warmth. Instinctively, she turned her wrist around and freed herself from his control.

“What do you think you are doing?” She couldn’t help feeling embarrassed and annoyed, so she asked.

Nongyue curled up his mouth slightly, but his voice was very gentle as he said, “I just want to remind you to be careful along the way, Miss Mu.”

Mu Yingxue didn’t believe his perfunctory answer. When she recalled her reaction just now, she suddenly felt a chill in her heart. Was this person testing her?

She glanced at him sharply and said, “I know what to do. Mind your own business, Childe Nongyue.”

Nongyue shook his head with a smile and said, “I hope so.”

His curling lips and smiling eyes made him far away from a decent man in Mu Yingxue’s eyes. What a top-notch actor. He just played shrewd and scheming in front of Xuanyuan Sheng, but unveiled his true colours now.

“Bye then!”

After that, she left without looking back, leaving Nongyue behind. There were doubts in his eyes.

It was in the middle of the night, and the snow was falling heavily. Mu Yingxue finally made her way back. However, the harem of the Mu’s Mansion was in chaos.

Amidst the cries of pain, Xu Min calmly stroked the smooth fur on the back of Little Jingle, asking with a piercing gaze, “Are you clearheaded enough after the beating? Shouldn’t we have a talk about how your master pawned the rewards bestowed by His Majesty?”

Liu’er sobbed as she fell on the bench, her back already in a mess of blood and flesh.

“Madam, my master didn’t pawn the rewards. I dare not lie! Please, spare me, Madam!”

Xu Min paused for a moment, and her sharp nail cover accidentally scraped the flesh of Little Jingle, causing a sharp bark.

“Is this the only answer you have got? You bitch, do you think I’m old or stupid?”

She beckoned the servant resolutely. The latter got her instruction and raised his hands, the thick stick falling on Liu’er’s back again.

Regardless of the rules, Ouyang Ruo squealed and rushed forward from the ground. Liu’er was too weak to make a sound, so she stumbled to her side and protected her with her body.

“Madam, you can’t beat her anymore. She’ll die if this continues!”

Ouyang Ruo cried out. Liu’er was the only personal maid that Mu Yingxue had got, and her status in her heart had long surpassed that of an ordinary servant. If anything bad happened to her, Yingxue would surely be heartbroken.

When Mu Yingxue stepped into the courtyard, she almost bumped into Mammy Qiao, who was pacing back and forth in the corridor, burning with anxiety.

She grabbed Mammy Qiao’s hand and asked, “What happened? Where are my mom and Liu’er?”

As soon as she came in and saw the yard in disorder, she used her uncanny vision to look around and found that Ouyang Ruo and Liu’er were not there. Feeling puzzled, she went in. But seeing Mammy Qiao in a panic, she felt her heart lurched to a stop.

Not surprisingly, when Mammy Qiao saw her, her tears poured down before she could finish her words.

“Miss Yingxue, you’re finally back. Madam, please… Hurry up and save her…”

Mu Yingxue could tell that something terrible must have happened. She asked, “Mammy Qiao, just calm down. Tell me, where is my mother? And where is Liu’er?”

Mammy Qiao wound down at the sight of the determination in her eyes, explaining to her, “Hongyu took them away. They are at Madam Xu’s courtyard right now!”

Mu Yingxue was startled to hear that and hurried out immediately. After taking two steps, she turned around and asked, “Why does that old witch want them there?”

Mammy Qiao knew that she was in a hurry, so she quickly told her the ins and outs of the matter.

“Mei Qianqian, you bitch!”

Mu Yingxue seemed to have figured out something. She narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists in her sleeves. If anything bad happened to Ouyang Ruo and Liu’er, she would definitely make her opponent double pay the price!

“Mammy Qiao, come with me!”

Before Mammy Qiao could react, Mu Yingxue had already pulled her up and used her Qing Kung skill to rush toward Xu Min’s residence.

Soon, they arrived at the gate of the courtyard and saw two young male servants standing on both sides with solemn faces. They looked at each other as if they knew she would come. One of them asked, “Miss Yingxue…”

Mu Yingxue had no time to talk nonsense with them. She grabbed the man and asked, “Tell me, where is Xu Min?”

When the servant saw her look, he had a feeling that she wanted to tear him apart. His face immediately turned pale with fright, “In, in the courtyard…”

Mu Yingxue pushed him away and walked in with Mammy Qiao, wearing a sullen face.

In the distance, she heard Ouyang Ruo’s crying, and her heart was suddenly in her throat.

She had no time to take Mammy Qiao with her. Jumping onto the roof and then running a few steps, she landed lightly in the courtyard.

Before Xu Min and others could see her clearly, she had already taken a quick step to lift Ouyang Ruo up and protected her behind her back.

Xu Min was not surprised to see her. She said with a fake smile, “Yingxue, you’re late. Anyway, it’s good that you’re here. I have something to ask you face to face.”

Ouyang Ruo also sobbed to her in a low voice, “Yingxue, Liu’er, she…” After saying so, Ouyang Ruo choked with sobs.

Mu Yingxue followed her gaze and saw Liu’er lying on a bench beside her, lifeless. It was hard to see her face clearly through her disheveled hair, but she could still recognize her figure.

Looking at her bloody back and hands that were trembling weakly, Mu Yingxue couldn’t help thinking about the concerned look on Liu’er’s face. She only felt a twinge of pain in her heart. Great rage almost drove her crazy and her eyes became bloodshot as she turned to stare at Xu Min.

Xu Min was about to be mad at her for ignoring her questions, but when she saw her fierce look, she couldn’t help but feel a little anxious.

“Mu Yingxue, why don’t you pay your respects to Madam Xu? You are becoming more and more unruly!”

Mu Yingxue followed the sound and couldn’t help but sneer. Some people were just like stinky insects that couldn’t be driven away and wasn’t afraid of death. Even if you had already given her a chance to live, she didn’t take it seriously but looked for death.

Mu Yingxue moved so quickly like a gust of wind. Before the rest could realize what had happened, there were slapping sounds sounded in the yard. Xu Min felt too dizzy to see clearly, so she rubbed her eyes in haste.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw Mu Yueli standing foolishly still. Then, she blinked her eyes and a painful expression appeared on her face. She covered her cheeks with both hands and cried out, regardless of her manners, “Mu Yingxue, you bitch. How dare you slap me again?!”