Concubine Ruan twisted her handkerchief, her eyes darting as she snapped, “Absurd! You think a few empty words can cover up the capital crime of disguising yourself as a man? Are you trying to drag the entire clan down with you? Hurry and sever ties with the Murong family. Don’t implicate us.”
The moment the words capital crime were spoken, everyone present turned pale.
Murong Chong pressed his temple, cursing himself for ever taking such a foolish and ignorant woman as a concubine.
“Is it your place to speak here?” Murong Yun shot her a glance from the corner of her eye. Taller than most women, she looked down at Concubine Ruan as if at someone beneath her. “Remember your status. I am the legitimate eldest daughter, while you are merely a concubine.”
The force of her presence stunned Concubine Ruan. The once gentle and harmless little girl who had left the residence for two months had returned completely changed. In the past, Murong Yun would give her a measure of respect, but now she tore off her dignity in front of everyone.
“I… I’m only concerned about the safety of the Murong family. That’s only natural…”
“Is it Father’s intention to drive me out of the Murong family? If so, I have nothing more to say.” Murong Yun did not even bother to lift her eyelids toward her.
“Enough, Concubine Ruan.” Murong Chong closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, the anger had already receded. Taking a deep breath, he asked, “Where did you learn all this?”
“I have been close friends with a young lady of the Xie family since childhood. She once let slip details about their canal transport business, saying that some dealings must be done, or else their lives would be in danger.” Murong Yun delivered the explanation she had long prepared.
Before fleeing the Murong residence, she had learned most of the relationships and complex family backgrounds through the original body’s closest maid, Xiao Qian.
Sorting through those memories had been exhausting. Murong Yun had even written them all down in detail until her hand ached.
Xie Zhizhi and Murong Yun had been close friends since childhood. The Xie family’s canal transport business was extensive, involving cloth, grain, medicinal materials, and more. To protect their business, they encouraged their younger generation to study diligently and enter officialdom to shield the family. In recent years, the Xie family had scaled back, focusing on quality rather than expansion. Because of this, whenever Xie Zhizhi occasionally revealed bits of information, Xiao Qian would relay everything to Murong Yun in detail.
“Disguising myself as a man to take the imperial examinations was truly a last resort. Once I eliminate the corrupt threats, I can completely sever ties with the Murong family.” Murong Yun’s gaze was hollow as she spoke weakly.
Everyone feared death. She understood that.
Madam Zhou pulled Murong Yun behind her. “For Yun’er to achieve the title of top scholar, it’s as if our Murong ancestors’ graves are smoking with fortune. Husband, wouldn’t you agree?”
Murong Bin, standing beside Concubine Ruan, immediately lost face. He was the same age as his sister and had failed the examinations repeatedly. Though he was still young and had opportunities ahead, how could he not feel jealous when his sister, disguised as a man, succeeded on her first attempt?
Murong Chong waved his hand decisively. “Steward, it’s time we properly reassess the servants in this household.”
Disguising herself as a man to enter the residence might be dismissed as childish mischief at first, but over time, secrets were bound to leak.
Steward Yao bowed. “This old servant understands.” He quietly withdrew and shut the door behind him.
“Concubine Ruan, Murong Bin, your petty schemes—I’ve turned a blind eye before. But now the survival of this household is at stake. Watch your tongues!” Murong Chong’s tone turned cold and menacing, carrying undeniable authority.
In business, one inevitably encountered filth and danger. Without this level of resolve, one might as well not conduct business at all.
Concubine Ruan trembled, tugging at her son as the two hurriedly responded, “We understand.”
Madam Zhou took her daughter back to her chambers to change clothes. Inlaid with floral patterns, the bronze mirror reflected the graceful figure of a young woman. Her brocade ruqun trailed to the floor, a pale apricot inner garment wrapped around her shoulders. The hairdresser placed a hairpin adorned with tiny pearls into her hair, while coral earrings brushed lightly against her earlobes.
The reflection was as beautiful as a blooming lotus. Murong Yun stared for a moment before turning to show Madam Zhou.
“My Yun’er.” Madam Zhou stroked her daughter’s back, examining her face carefully. “You’ve grown thinner.”
Though it had only been two months, it felt like years apart.
In those two months, her daughter had gained a calmness and dominance that had replaced her former timidity.
Murong Yun felt slightly awkward. She rarely experienced such warmth from her parents, yet she did not resist. Smiling, she said, “I went out to gain experience, not to enjoy myself. Naturally, I’ve shed some of my childishness.”
As the dressing maid withdrew, she whispered something to Madam Zhou, whose expression changed drastically. She dropped the curtain, grabbed her daughter’s arm, and demanded, “When did you get injured on your chest? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Unable to resist, Murong Yun allowed her to look. Being too forceful might hurt her mother’s feelings.
When the hideous scar was revealed, Madam Zhou covered her face with a handkerchief and wept. “If I had known, I would never have let you leave!”
That day, when her daughter disguised herself as a man, Madam Zhou had deliberately turned a blind eye. Her daughter finally had her own ambitions, which brought both joy and worry.
Murong Yun quietly adjusted her clothes, not daring to say a word.
“Quick, fetch the ointment from the hidden compartment in the west wing,” Madam Zhou said, gripping her calloused hands with a frown. “Bring more. The calluses on your hands can be treated as well.”
“These are from practicing swordsmanship.” Murong Yun casually picked up a curtain rod and demonstrated a few moves.
Madam Zhou stepped back in shock. “In just two months, you’ve learned so much!”
Literature, martial arts—she had mastered them both. Could her daughter truly be a genius?
Madam Zhou even felt tempted to boast about her daughter to the noble ladies around her. She had grown tired of hearing about accomplishments in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
After spending some tender time together, a maid knocked on the door. “Madam, it’s time for your medicine. Doctor Bai said it must be taken three times daily without fail.”
Madam Zhou waved her hand. “I know.” Then she smiled gently. “Don’t worry. It’s been raining constantly, and my legs feel weak. Once the weather clears, I’ll be fine.”
Murong Yun nodded hesitantly, her memory aligning with what was described in the book.
Her mother had always been frail. The still-living old matriarch had urged Murong Chong to take a concubine.
Murong Chong, unusually devoted to a man of this era, had refused outright. Only after Madam Zhou failed to conceive for years following Murong Yun’s birth, and under the old woman’s threat of death, did he finally take Concubine Ruan.
After she gave birth to a son, the old matriarch passed away, satisfied that the family line would continue.
Outside, the rain drizzled steadily. Murong Yun tightened her grip on her mother’s hand.
Over the next few days, she would carefully examine her mother’s condition. If she could treat it thoroughly, there would be no need to rely on medicine indefinitely.
Because Murong Yun’s actions had caused quite a stir, Murong Chong ordered that no one was to leave the residence for the next two days. The steward personally handled all necessary purchases.
With the rain continuing, Murong Yun slept through the afternoon, later reclining in a grand chair by the courtyard entrance, gently rocking.
When the rain finally stopped, she picked up an umbrella and stepped out on tiptoe.
“Miss, be careful of slipping! Where are you going? I can hold the umbrella for you,” Xiao Qian exclaimed.
Since waking from her illness, the young lady seemed like a completely different person. She only vaguely remembered the past, and her every gesture carried none of her former self.
“Are these my only shoes? Do I have any that are more durable?” Murong Yun looked down at her light green embroidered shoes. They matched her apricot skirt perfectly, but on the wet ground, they quickly became muddy, which was a pity.
Xiao Qian smiled proudly. “Miss, you jest. Your shoes are always custom-made by the Winter Embroidery House’s head artisan, and even the colors are carefully chosen. How could there be such a thing as ‘durable’ shoes?”
The sun broke through, casting golden light across half the courtyard.
“Young Master—” Xiao Qian curtsied to the approaching figure.
Murong Bin blocked their path, making no move to let them pass.
“Speak plainly, younger brother.” Murong Yun was in a good mood, her tone calm.
After all, family should try to get along.
“If I secretly report you to the authorities, will I be spared punishment?” Murong Bin clenched his sleeve, summoning courage.
“Miss…” Xiao Qian glanced back anxiously, silently praying for someone to come and help. The young master always schemed against her mistress, exploiting her previous softness.
“Instead of wasting time on such thoughts, you’d do better to read The Laws of Daying. If you’re not afraid of death, go ahead and report me. Your head will fall first, while I’ll at least die later, somewhere far away.” Murong Yun lifted her chin with disdain, her gaze steady and fearless.
Murong Bin stared at her in disbelief.
Was this really the timid elder sister he remembered? Her sharp eyes carried an undeniable edge.
Had her former submission all been an act?
“You’ve grown quite imposing, haven’t you?” Murong Bin sneered. “Even if you placed first as a top scholar, you’re still a woman.”
Xiao Qian frowned, hesitating to speak out of turn, but Murong Yun gently pressed her hand.
Stepping out from under the umbrella, Murong Yun approached him and said coolly, “Imposing? Not really. I simply possess real ability—something that provokes jealousy in certain people.”
With that, she raised her hand as if to strike. The force of her presence startled Murong Bin, who stumbled backward, slipped on moss, and fell hard, crying out in pain.
“Hey—” Having gained nothing and unable to win the argument, he shouted angrily, “Who knows what dirty tricks you used to become top scholar!”
His mother had once told him that the best way to ruin a woman was through slander.
Murong Yun’s hand, which had just lowered, swung back and struck him cleanly across the face, leaving him dizzy. “Insolence! The provincial results are decreed by the court. How dare you spout such nonsense!”
Concubine Ruan hurried over from the small garden, initially intending to watch the spectacle from afar. But if she delayed any longer, her son would suffer terribly.
“Yun’er, calm down! Your brother spoke out of panic, worried about the family,” she said hastily, forcing a smile.
“Since Aunt says so, I won’t pursue the matter. But remember, younger brother, desperation is no excuse to speak recklessly in the future.” Murong Yun blew lightly on her palm after the strike.
Ah, she might have used a bit too much force. Hopefully, her younger brother wouldn’t suffer any lasting effects.
“Miss is mighty!” Xiao Qian cheered from behind.
After sixteen years of frustration, her mistress had finally struck back.
Murong Yun returned to her courtyard when the steward rushed in anxiously. “Miss, this is bad! The Xie family has been convicted. Their entire household has been sealed!”