Having made up her mind, Mu Xi instructed the Maidservant, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and lead the guest to the Water Pavilion for tea and rest."
"Yes."
Mu Ning smiled faintly, taking her Daughter's hand and following the Maidservant away.
Following the covered walkway to the very end, there was a lotus pond ahead. A stone bridge spanned the pond, its surface extending into the Water Pavilion built in the center of the lotus pond.
The Maidservant introduced the history and scenery of the lotus pond while leading Madam Mu Ning and her Daughter toward the stone bridge.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded from behind, and an unfamiliar Maidservant ran toward the three of them, holding a ceramic jar containing something unknown.
The Maidservant quickly reached Mu Ning and stumbled.
"Ah—"
"Crash!"
The scream coincided with the sound of the ceramic jar shattering, and everyone in the Water Pavilion looked over.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, this servant did not mean to, please forgive me, Madam..."
The Maidservant who fell knelt on the ground, repeatedly begging Mu Ning for mercy.
"It's fine, get up."
"Thank you, Madam."
The Maidservant stood up, filled with gratitude, but when she looked up, she was instantly stunned.
Mu Ning stood two steps away, her skin like snow and hair like ink, dressed in plain clothes whiter than snow, so beautiful she seemed otherworldly.
"How can this be?"
Hearing the Maidservant's involuntary murmur, Mu Ning let out a light laugh, "What, are you disappointed that my dress wasn't soiled?"
"No, no, this servant wouldn't dare, this servant just, just thought..."
Meeting Mu Ning's discerning eyes, the Maidservant was too flustered to even lift her head.
Mu Ning glanced toward a clump of canna lilies deep in the covered walkway, smiled lightly, and turned to leave.
"Slap!"
Mu Xi raised her hand and slapped the Maidservant across the face; half of the Maidservant's face immediately swelled up like a steamed bun.
"Trash, you can't even handle such a small matter! What use are you!"
The Maidservant cried and knelt, begging for mercy, "Eldest Young Lady, please calm your anger. This servant doesn't know what happened. This servant clearly followed your instructions to smash the ink jar at her feet, and the ink should have splashed everywhere, yet not a single drop landed on her."
"Eldest Young Lady, could the problem be with that Jiaoxiao Silk? This servant heard that Jiaoxiao Silk is impervious to water and fire, which is why it wasn't stained by the ink?"
Hearing the words of her personal Maidservant, Mu Xi's desire to seize it grew even stronger.
She was determined to have such a treasure!
After composing herself, Mu Xi brought the Maidservant to the Water Pavilion.
"Oh, Miss Mu's dress today is truly beautiful."
"Of course, this is Yun Jin worth a thousand pieces of gold. The annual tribute is only three bolts, and the Madams in the palace fight tooth and nail for it every year. Miss Mu is so fortunate; I heard Prince Qi specially spent a fortune to acquire this precious Yun Jin and ordered the best seamstress in the palace to sew it into a dress, rushing to deliver it into Miss Mu's hands."
"It truly makes us sisters envious..."
While Mu Xi responded modestly to the flattery of the crowd, her gaze subconsciously drifted toward Mu Ning and her Daughter sitting in the corner of the Water Pavilion.
Previously, she had only thought the flowing immortal dress was too plain, but now that she knew its origin, she found it increasingly beautiful, wishing she could immediately strip it off and wear it herself.
"Mother, that woman keeps staring at you; I wonder what wicked idea she's plotting now."
Mu Ning idly played with a teacup, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing on her lips.
"What are you afraid of? With you, my sweet little cotton-padded jacket, around, who could possibly bully me?"
"That's true."
Mu Yanxi tilted her chin up slightly with some pride.
The reason Mu Ning hadn't been soiled by the ink on the ground earlier was entirely due to a protective spell she had cast beforehand.
Several gorgeously dressed noble ladies surrounded Mu Xi, teasing her, "Miss Mu looks radiant and spirited; I suppose good news is approaching?"
"His Highness Prince Qi has maintained his residence for six or seven years but has never taken a Main Consort. As for the reason, you know, I know, and Miss Mu knows."
"It seems the next time we see Miss Mu, we'll have to change how we address her."
Mu Xi blushed under the teasing, when an incongruous voice interjected.
"Speaking of which, Miss Mu was also dragged down by Mu Ning. Back then, Mu Ning shamelessly schemed against His Highness Prince Qin, causing Prince Qin to be punished by His Majesty, which also ruined Miss Mu's Reputation. Otherwise, Miss Mu might have already achieved her goal with Prince Qi."
Why bring up that idiot? So unlucky!
Mu Xi secretly shot a glare at the speaker, putting on an expression of sadness.
"Eldest Sister probably just made a momentary mistake. She has been mentally unstable and erratic since childhood; as her sister, I should have taken good care of and restrained her. It's my fault for being momentarily soft-hearted and bringing her to the palace banquet, which led to such a huge mistake. Over the years, I often think of Eldest Sister, and every time I do, I feel immense regret."
"Sister Mu, how can this be your fault? Clearly, Mu Ning is shameless and licentious. She's always been a huge flirt, coveting His Highness Prince Qin's good looks, which is why she drugged and schemed against him when he was ill. A figure like His Highness Prince Qin, who is like an immortal banished to the mortal realm—how dare she covet him? Death would have been too easy for her!"
"Nonsense from that bitch and her mother!"
Mu Yanxi became furious listening, "It was clearly that pair of bitches who schemed against Mother, tricked you into the palace, and secretly put an aphrodisiac in your wine. Damn it, I can't stand it anymore! Today, I must expose her hypocritical facade!"
Mu Ning was quite troubled by her Daughter's volatile temper and quickly pulled out a marshmallow to appease her.
"Eat a candy and you won't be Angry anymore, good girl."
Mu Yanxi opened her mouth and let the marshmallow melt in, her Peach blossom eyes narrowing in enjoyment, just like Mu Ning's.
The marshmallows were made by Mu Ning herself; all three Children loved them immensely, but Mu Ning strictly controlled the quantity, worrying about cavities.
After eating the candy, Mu Yanxi became much calmer, like a kitten whose fur had been smoothed down.
Mu Ning gently wiped the powdered sugar from her Daughter's mouth and said softly, "You must eat rice one bite at a time, and handle matters one by one. Don't rush; the more you rush, the easier it is to make mistakes."
Mu Yanxi puffed out her soft pink cheeks, "I can't stand hearing them speak ill of you; it makes me furious."
Mu Ning helplessly pinched her Daughter's cheek, "Alright, whatever you wish, but don't make too much of a scene."
"Don't worry, Mother!"
Mu Yanxi happily jumped off the stool and walked toward Mu Xi's group without making a sound.
Not long after, a sharp voice rang out, "...So what if she wears a set of Yun Jin? She acts like a peacock showing off everywhere, as if afraid people won't know she's secretly involved with Prince Qi. A Daughter born to a lowly foot-washing Maidservant—she hasn't improved much from the former Mu Ning. She's so hypocritical it makes one sick!"
The Water Pavilion instantly fell Quiet.
The noble lady who spoke clamped her hand over her mouth, her expression filled with shock and panic.
What happened? How did she say what was in her heart?!