“Commandant Wu is indeed as impartial as ever, even after ten years.”
“It is said that since he took charge of the prisons, he has handled over one hundred thousand various criminal cases, and the heads he has severed are more numerous than the pigs a butcher has slaughtered.”
“No wonder everyone outside calls him King Yama Wu.”
Hearing that Wu Zongxian was going to sentence her to immediate execution, Mu Xi panicked and looked toward Jun Moyi again to seek help.
The latter gently shook his head, signaling her to remain calm.
Mu Xi calmed down.
It would be fine; with her father here, with Prince Qi here, she would definitely be fine.
That bitch Mu Ning caused her to be publicly humiliated and so wretched; once she got through this crisis, she would definitely make the other party wish she were dead!
Mu Xi thought hatefully, glaring at Mu Ning as if she could devour her.
The latter was leisurely playing with the three children and didn't glance over here at all, which angered Mu Xi so much she almost spat blood.
After circling around, the ball was kicked back to Emperor Dongfeng. He looked at the three exceptionally beautiful little ones surrounding Mu Ning, and his body suddenly straightened.
Hiss, his attention had been focused on Mu Ning before, so he hadn't carefully considered the origins of these three children.
These three little ones look about five or six years old; calculating the time, doesn't that mean...
Outsiders did not know what Emperor Dongfeng was thinking. They only saw him suddenly sit up straight and assumed he was about to issue an imperial decree. Everyone held their breath, not daring to make the slightest sound.
“Minister Mu, this is a family matter. You decide how to deal with Mu Xi. As for you, your poor discipline warrants a three-year forfeiture of your salary.”
Emperor Dongfeng’s light handling of the situation clearly showed he intended to protect the Mu Family. This was undoubtedly great news for the Mu Family members, but it wasn't very friendly toward Mu Ning.
Countless gazes of sympathy and pity turned toward the four of them—the mother and her three children—though there were also looks of schadenfreude.
For example, Madam Mu and Mu Xi.
Seeing the unusual calm on Mu Ning’s face, Emperor Dongfeng felt a mischievous urge. “Mu Ning, do you find my judgment fair?”
Fair to your mother.
Mu Ning cursed him internally but put a faint smile on her face. “This subject has no objections. What this subject seeks is only for the truth to be revealed to the world so I no longer bear this stigma. As for anything else, Mu Xi and I are sisters after all; blood is thicker than water. If she can truly reform, that would naturally be excellent.”
Since she couldn't change the outcome, she might as well use the opportunity to earn a good reputation for herself.
Emperor Dongfeng smiled like an old fox. “Yes, very good. You are indeed the Eldest legitimate daughter; this demeanor is worthy of emulation by other Noble Daughters of Prominent Families. It must have been hard for you to endure so much suffering. How about this: I will grant you one request. As long as it does not endanger the nation or involve the common people, I will grant it.”
This statement caused an uproar among the officials.
Some believed Mu Ning should seize the opportunity to ask for the title of Commandery Princess or County Princess. With a noble title, even Madam Mu would have to show her deference.
Some believed Mu Ning could ask for a good marriage, as remarrying would be difficult with three burdens in tow.
Others thought Mu Ning should take this chance to reclaim her position as the Eldest legitimate daughter of the Mu Family, along with the dowry and properties she was owed.
After all, Li Changge had married into the Mu Family with a magnificent dowry, and those assets were now controlled by Madam Mu and her daughter.
Under the curious and tense gaze of the crowd, Mu Ning spoke calmly.
“This subject hopes that Father will punish Mu Xi today in the exact same manner he punished this subject back then.”
Hearing that Mu Ning only requested something so small, everyone couldn't help but feel regret, but only Madam Mu and Mu Xi’s expressions changed drastically.
“Granted.”
Emperor Dongfeng’s word was final. Even though Mu Yuanlin was extremely unwilling, he had no choice but to obey. He publicly announced that Mu Xi was to be expelled from the family and her name struck from the genealogy records.
From this day forward, Mu Xi was no longer a member of the Mu Family.
“No! Don’t! Father, I don’t want to be expelled from the family! Mother, say something, hurry up and plead for me…”
Madam Mu stepped forward and hugged her daughter tightly, covering her mouth while comforting her in a voice only the two of them could hear.
“Xi’er, be good, don't cause trouble. If you anger the Emperor, none of us will fare well. Don't worry, as long as your mother is alive, I will definitely plan for you…”
At this moment, Mu Xi couldn't heed Madam Mu’s advice. Her years of striving were all for the day she could become the Princess Consort of Prince Qi and eventually reign over the world as Empress.
But if she bore the guilt of plotting against the Imperial Family and harming her legitimate elder sister, she would never have a chance to ascend the Empress’s throne in this lifetime.
“No, Mother, I cannot admit guilt, or my life will be ruined…”
Seeing her daughter struggling incessantly, Madam Mu hardened her heart and quietly reached toward the Fengfu acupoint on the back of her daughter’s head.
Mu Xi, who had fallen unconscious, finally quieted down.
Mu Ning, who witnessed this scene, couldn't help but show a faint surprise and contemplation in her eyes.
A woman who lived deep within the inner quarters actually knew the pressure-point techniques of the Jianghu practitioners.
It seemed this Madam Mu held quite a few secrets.
“Alright, the matter finally has a resolution. It is getting late, and I have official duties to attend to, so I will return to the palace now. All you esteemed ministers are free to do as you wish.”
Emperor Dongfeng left as soon as he spoke, but he paused when passing by Mu Ning and her three children.
His gaze swept across the faces of the three cute babies one by one, finally resting on Mu Ning, and he said meaningfully, “Well raised,” before striding away.
As Emperor Dongfeng departed for the palace, the other guests also rose to take their leave.
“To have a Birthday Banquet turn out like this, the Mu Family has truly lost face this time.”
“Exactly. To think such a daughter with a heart like a venomous snake could come from such a prestigious Noble Family. The Mu Family’s century-old reputation is ruined.”
Although everyone left hungry, they had certainly enjoyed the spectacle and were left wanting more.
It was just a pity that the hundreds of tables of delicious delicacies would only end up benefiting the beggars of Fengjing City.
Once most of the guests had left, Mu Ning prepared to depart the Mu Manor with her three children.
However, before they got far, Mu Yuanlin stopped them.
Mu Yuanlin stared at her with malicious eyes. “Wicked Daughter, did you return just to take Revenge on the Mu Family? If I had known, I shouldn't have been soft-hearted and spared your life back then.”
Mu Ning raised an eyebrow. “So, the people who tracked and assassinated me afterward were sent by you?”
Mu Yuanlin remained silent, which served as tacit confirmation.
Mu Ning let out a light sneer. “I think Minister Mu is mistaken. It wasn't you who spared me; it was your people who were incompetent at killing me.”
Mu Yuanlin clenched his jaw, his expression filled with anger.
In fact, he had indeed sent people to eliminate Mu Ning to settle everything once and for all. Who knew that the daughter who had been foolish for over a decade would suddenly stop being foolish, not only evading layers of deadly traps but even killing the Jianghu assassins he had hired at great expense.
Afterward, Mu Ning fled into the extremely perilous Bai'e Mountain with her three infants.
Bai'e Mountain stretched for a thousand miles, with steep terrain, countless ferocious beasts, miasma, poisonous plants, and insects. Even the most experienced hunter could not survive inside for more than three days.
Therefore, when he learned Mu Ning had entered Bai'e Mountain with her children, he was certain she was seeking her own death and recalled the assassins he had dispatched.
The three little ones nearby heard that Mu Yuanlin had sent assassins to murder their mother. Their little faces darkened, and cold air emanated from them.
Mu Yanxi could barely restrain herself from raising her small, snow-white paw, but Mu Ning gently held it.
“Minister Mu need not be confused. I returned this time specifically to repay grievances with grievances and debts with vengeance. Everything you inflicted upon me back then, I will return to you one by one.”
Mu Yuanlin seemed to have heard a joke, his expression full of contempt and disdain.
“Do you think that by clinging to Prince Rui, you can do whatever you want in Fengjing City? You are merely a pawn Prince Rui is using to check me. Once you are no longer useful, do you think Prince Rui will let you and your children live?”