“Ah, it’s Young Master Jiang!”
“The Jiang Family is the wealthiest in the world, with businesses spread across the Nine Continents. The famous Ruyi Workshop in Fengjing City belongs to the Jiang Family. I didn't expect him to come celebrate Prime Minister Mu’s birthday today.”
Seeing the flashy and ostentatious Jiang Mubai, Jun Moyi couldn't help but sneer, “Naturally, I can’t compare to the Jiang Family’s wealth that rivals a nation.”
“That’s easy to say, I’m naturally a warm-hearted person. If His Highness Prince Qi is short on funds, I’m willing to cover it for Your Highness, but…”
Jiang Mubai fanned himself, smiling like a fox, “I have a rule when lending money: no matter how much is borrowed, the interest is always eight fen.”
Someone asked, “Is that annual interest?”
“No, it’s eight fen per day.”
“Holy cow, that’s expensive! Why don’t you just rob people?”
Jiang Mubai shook his fan, “As the saying goes, it’s easy to borrow money but hard to collect debts. My Jiang Family’s money isn't blown in by the wind. If I don't charge high interest, everyone will come to me to borrow, and even if I had a mountain of gold, it wouldn't be enough to sustain it.”
That is true.
“So, what do you say, Your Highness Prince Qi, do you want to borrow?”
Jun Moyi’s face darkened, “No need. Tianshu, go back to the manor and bring one thousand tael of gold!”
“Yes.”
Jiang Mubai, having successfully tricked someone, finally had time to carefully observe the two little ones, Mu Yanli and Mu Yanxi.
They were indeed exquisitely beautiful, especially since both brothers shared the same fox eyes, clearly indicating they were twins. It’s just…
Hiss, why do they look a bit familiar?
Muttering to himself, Jiang Mubai smiled at the two like a wolf approaching little lambs, “Little sirs, did you really defeat Mu Shi'an?”
Mu Yanxi snorted, “That’s right.”
“Hurry up and tell me how you defeated Mu Shi'an?”
Mu Yanxi crossed his arms, looking incredibly arrogant, “Who are you? Why should we tell you?”
Jiang Mubai wasn't angry; he casually unclasped a Jade Pendant from his waist.
“If you tell me how you defeated Mu Shi'an, how about this as a thank-you gift?”
Mu Yanxi took the Jade Pendant and looked. Oh my, it was top-grade mutton-fat jade, worth at least fifty gold pieces.
Mu Yanxi immediately tucked the Jade Pendant into his robes and enthusiastically grabbed Jiang Mubai’s hand, “Big Brother, come, come, let me tell you in detail.”
“Mother, look at Second Brother’s greedy appearance. He was bought off by a broken Jade Pendant. He has no backbone.”
From a distant rooftop, Mu Yanxi complained in a low voice.
Mu Ning reached out and rubbed her daughter’s furrowed brow, smiling without speaking.
She knew her children well; the second child appeared sweet and innocent on the surface but was actually the most cunning and calculating.
Just look, in just one hour, he managed to swindle a thousand tael of gold and a near-mutton-fat Jade Pendant.
In comparison, she was more worried about the Eldest Child, Mu Yanli.
Although the Eldest Child possessed considerable skill, his character was too upright and incorruptible. In the Jianghu, such a disposition makes one prone to suffering losses.
Moreover, the Eldest Child defeating Mu Shi'an in one move today made Mu Shi'an, the New Top Scholar in Martial Arts, a laughingstock throughout Fengjing City, and it also cost Prince Qi a fortune. The Mu Family and Prince Qi likely won't let this go easily.
However, with her protecting him, no one would dare harm a single hair on the Eldest Child’s head.
Operating under the principle of getting value for money, Mu Yanxi’s description was vivid and lively. Jiang Mubai listened with great interest, but his gaze kept involuntarily falling on Mu Yanxi’s face and eyes.
The more he looked, the more familiar he seemed, yet he couldn't place it.
Before Mu Yanxi could finish speaking, he interrupted, “Little sir, have we met somewhere before?”
Mu Yanxi silently clutched the Jade Pendant in his robes, “Don’t think that by saying that, I’ll return the Jade Pendant to you. You’re a big boss, after all; you understand the rule of no refunds or exchanges once the deal is done, right?”
Jiang Mubai smiled with interest, “Don't worry, it’s just a Jade Pendant; I have plenty. But have we really not met? You look very familiar…”
Mu Yanxi rubbed his face, “Do I? Big Brother, you also look a bit familiar, like an older brother I’ve never met. How about this, do you want to take me as an adopted sworn brother? A Meeting Gift of just ten thousand gold would be enough. Of course, if you’re willing to share some of your family fortune with me, I would gladly accept that too…”
Jiang Mubai picked up his fan and lightly tapped Mu Yanxi’s head, “Kid, are you obsessed with money?”
Mu Yanxi rubbed his head, “Big Brother, think about it carefully. I’m leaving now, bye-bye.”
Watching Mu Yanxi scamper away, Jiang Mubai chuckled.
He wondered which child he was; quite interesting.
“Imperial Physician Liu, how is my son? Is his life in danger?”
Imperial Physician Liu wiped sweat while panting, “Lord Mu, please rest assured. Young Master Mu has fractures in his second and third ribs on the left side. As long as the broken bones are reset and set properly, combined with herbal medicine, he will fully recover after one or two months of Convalescence.”
“That’s good. Please set the bones for my son, Imperial Physician Liu.”
“Please have Lord Mu and his people wait outside.”
A moment later, Madam Mu rushed over with her Maidservant. Before she could catch her breath, she was severely scolded by Mu Yuanlin.
“What on earth are you doing? Shi'an suffered such a serious injury, and you are only arriving now!”
Madam Mu explained with extreme grievance, “There was a situation with Xi'er, so I went to handle it. When I heard Shi'an was injured, I rushed over immediately.”
Although Madam Mu didn't explicitly say, whatever required her personal attention must not have been a small matter.
With one person after another causing trouble on such an important day, Mu Yuanlin’s mood was understandable, his old face covered in dark clouds.
As noon approached, a servant came to report that the Eastern Phoenix Emperor’s imperial carriage was less than a *li* away from the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Mu Yuanlin and his wife immediately forgot about their son who was still receiving treatment and hurried out to greet the Emperor.
“We respectfully welcome His Majesty, may His Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ages!”
“Lord Mu, you may dispense with the formalities. Everyone rise.”
The Eastern Phoenix Emperor, dressed in casual attire, cheerfully approached Mu Yuanlin, “Lord Mu, today is your birthday, so all etiquette is waived.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The Eastern Phoenix Emperor looked around, “Hmm, why don't I see the Shi'an siblings?”
When the sovereign travels, the entire court of Civil and Military Officials must kneel to welcome him, yet neither sibling was present—this was a great disrespect.
Madam Mu quickly knelt down to explain, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Shi'an was seriously injured in a martial contest and is currently receiving treatment. Xi'er suddenly fell ill and is feeling unwell, so she dared not come out to face Your Majesty for fear of spreading illness. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness on her behalf.”
As the ruler of a nation, the Eastern Phoenix Emperor had eyes and ears everywhere; the Mu Family’s affairs naturally did not escape his notice.
After Mu Shi'an won the title of New Top Scholar in Martial Arts, the Emperor had been worried. Mu Yuanlin was already the Head of civil officials, and now his son was the Martial Champion. This father and son pair were too conspicuous. Furthermore, the second child’s close dealings with the Mu Family had long displeased him.
Now that Mu Shi'an had been severely injured by someone, it had fortunately resolved some of his troubles.
With this thought, the Eastern Phoenix Emperor glanced covertly at the third son, Jun Moming, standing nearby.