A reminder like that made Leng Jian suddenly realize. In the instant he turned, his body vanished like an afterimage before the few people.
"What swift movement skills!" Mu Yanli clapped his hands in admiration.
Mu Yanxi stopped chewing his chicken drumstick, rubbing his little oily hands over his eyes. "Did I really see wrong? How did he instantly turn into air?"
Mu Yanxi gave him a disdainful look. "Idiot, this is called instantaneous movement technique."
Mu Yanxi was greatly astonished. "Wow, does such a magical technique truly exist in this world? I thought it was just a legend."
Mu Ning placed a portion of green vegetables into each of the three little ones' bowls. "The world is vast, and there are countless wonders. What you know is merely a drop in the ocean."
"Mother, can we..."
"No, eat it."
"Oh."
Watching the three little ones glare at the green vegetables in their bowls with deep resentment, Jiang Mubai laughed heartily.
As expected of the ill-tempered sort; even their bad habits were the same.
"Miss Mu, upon your return this time, you resolved Mu Shi'an and Mu Xi in one move. I am truly impressed."
Mu Ning smiled faintly. "I treated Young Master Jiang to a free grand show, and Young Master Jiang is treating us to a meal. It's just returning the favor."
Jiang Mubai fanned himself with his folding fan. The Eastern Phoenix pearl in his hair ornament refracted a bright luster with his movements, making him look quite dashing and unrestrained.
"What you say, Miss Mu, is that even if you hadn't invited me to watch the show, I should still treat you to this meal."
As he spoke, Jiang Mubai stood up and performed a proper bow. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jiang Mubai, an old friend of the ill-tempered one, ah, that is, Prince Qin, Jun Moyan."
"Mu Ning."
"Mu Yanli."
"Mu Yanxi."
"Mu Yanxi."
The three little ones announced their names one by one, then stared intently at Jiang Mubai.
Jiang Mubai touched his face, feeling somewhat bewildered. "What? Is there something on my face?"
Mu Yanxi suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. "Old Big Brother, no, Old Uncle, since this is our first meeting, shouldn't you give us juniors a meeting gift?"
Jiang Mubai was stunned and instinctively patted himself down. "Next time, I'll make it up next time."
"My Mother says that when people say 'next time,' 'some other day,' or 'in the future,' it's usually just empty talk that will basically never come true."
Jiang Mubai choked slightly. "Alright, alright. I was unprepared this time. You all tell me what kind of meeting gift you want, and I guarantee I will give it to you at our next meeting. Is that acceptable?"
Mu Yanxi spoke first. "I want a Ruyi Token."
The Ruyi Token was a symbol of status for the Jiang Family members. With the token, they could obtain money or goods from any of the Jiang Family's shops, up to a limit of ten thousand taels of silver annually.
Jiang Mubai tapped Mu Yanxi's forehead twice. "You are quite clever, finding yourself a long-term meal ticket."
Mu Yanxi proudly tilted his neck up. "Of course! It's not easy for my Mother to raise the three of us siblings."
"Fine, what about the two of you?"
"I want a short dagger that can slice through iron like mud."
Compared to Mu Yanxi's request, Mu Yanli's demand was incredibly modest. Jiang Mubai readily agreed.
Mu Ning glanced at the Eldest Child, feeling very pleased.
The Second Child had just tricked Jiang Mubai, so as the Eldest Child, Mu Yanli naturally wouldn't make an excessive request.
It was Mu Yanxi's turn, and she spoke up. "I want a Ten Thousand Year Black Tortoise Shell."
Jiang Mubai looked confused. "Why would a little girl like you want that useless thing? How about I give you a box of Eastern Phoenix pearls instead? Each one is as big as a cherry. Wouldn't they look beautiful made into hair ornaments or bracelets?"
"No, I only want the Ten Thousand Year Black Tortoise Shell. If you're unwilling to part with it, then just pretend I never said anything."
Jiang Mubai was momentarily stuck, then his eyes twinkled, and he became amused again. "Fine, I'll give it to you. But that item isn't in Eastern Phoenix. I'll send a message for someone to deliver it."
Mu Yanxi rarely offered a faint smile. "Thank you, Uncle Jiang."
"Good girl, you're welcome. Everyone eat, or it will get cold."
The three little ones returned to burying their heads in their food, and Jiang Mubai looked toward Mu Ning.
"As far as I know, Miss Mu used to reside in the Prince Rui's Mansion. But after today's events, staying at the Prince Rui's Mansion might be inconvenient, wouldn't it? If you need it, I can arrange suitable lodging for you."
Mu Ning found it amusing. "How is it inconvenient?"
Jiang Mubai pointed at the three children. "You and Moyan, you've even had children together. Even if you don't live in his mansion, you certainly shouldn't be living in another man's mansion, right? It wouldn't sound good if word got out."
"First of all, my relationship with Prince Rui is just a normal cooperative one. Even if there were something between Prince Rui and me, it's none of anyone else's business."
"..."
Mu Ning's words made Jiang Mubai both curious and excited.
He was surprised because Mu Ning was completely different from before. The former Mu Ning was Jun Moyan's number one fangirl; every time she saw Jun Moyan, her eyes would light up like a dog seeing a big bone, drooling, wishing she could pounce on him.
He was excited to see what reaction Jun Moyan's ice-block face would have upon learning that the mother of his children was living under the same roof as Prince Rui, that confirmed bachelor.
"Master."
Looking at Leng Jian kneeling before him, Jun Moyan did not look pleased. "You finally know how to come back. I thought your Master here would starve to death waiting for you."
"Master, please calm your anger. This subordinate will go prepare the meal."
Hearing that Jun Moyan hadn't eaten lunch, Leng Jian rose to leave, but after taking two steps, he returned.
"Master, this subordinate went to the Mu Manor."
Jun Moyan slightly curled his lips. "Oh? Was the Mu Manor's Birthday Banquet so good that you were so captivated you forgot to return?"
"Master, this subordinate did not go to eat at the banquet, but to see Miss Mu."
Jun Moyan adjusted his sleeves. "So, you're feeling lovesick and want to get married? Fine. When Wu Xin returns, I'll have him arrange it for you."
"No." Leng Jian quickly explained, "Master, you know which Miss Mu this subordinate is talking about, right?"
"I don't want to know, nor am I interested in knowing. But if you continue spouting nonsense here instead of preparing the meal, I might consider preparing a coffin for your Master."
Normally, nothing was more important than serving the Master his meal, but now, Leng Jian's mind was filled with the faces of the three exquisitely beautiful Little Masters.
"Master, you won't die from skipping one meal. This subordinate has something very important to report."
Without waiting for Jun Moyan's face to darken like the bottom of a pot, he continued, "Master, Mu Ning is back, and she didn't come back alone..."
Leng Jian recounted everything he witnessed at the Birthday Banquet without reservation.
As he finished, Leng Jian couldn't help but show joy. "Master, you have heirs! Miss Mu gave birth to three clever and beautiful Little Masters for you—two Young Masters and one Little Princess. You have no idea how much they resemble you."
By the time Leng Jian finished speaking, Jun Moyan's face had turned completely black as charcoal.
As the personal Dark Guard, Leng Jian clearly understood the reason for his Master's anger.
"Master, although Miss Mu took liberties with you back then, causing you to be ridiculed by the world for many years, that was so long ago. Considering Miss Mu gave birth to Little Masters for you, perhaps you should..."
"Shut up!"