Chapter 32: Everyone in the Marquis’s Residence Harbors Their Own Schemes

Mu Zonghui sneered inwardly. Divorce? That foolish woman still wanted to return to the Duke of Huguo’s residence? Did she think she could shake him off and walk away unscathed? She was daydreaming!

The old madam’s vision darkened again, and it was only thanks to Concubine Lan supporting her that she didn’t collapse. She simply couldn’t understand—what on earth was happening to their Marquis’s residence these past two days? Why had she nearly fainted so many times?

Su San, however, had no interest in who was getting married or who was feeling faint. With a cold snort, she turned and headed back to her courtyard. She had an important matter to handle tonight—who had the time to waste words with this ridiculous family?

“Mother, let me accompany you back. I don’t want to stay here either.” Mu Zhu had felt slightly relieved after hearing Su San’s words. If Father really divorced Mother, then he could follow her back to the Duke of Huguo’s residence—that would actually be a good thing! At least he wouldn’t have to become a commoner.

But to his surprise, Su San merely shot him a cold glance, her voice laced with impatience. “Go back to your own courtyard first. I want some time alone.”

In the front hall, only the bewildered old madam, Concubine Lan, the fuming Mu Zonghui, and the guilty-looking Mu Fuxing remained.

“Xing’er, what is going on? Just now, your brother said the First Prince can’t attend court sessions—what does that mean? And why has our Marquis’s residence been stripped of its title, with His Majesty saying it’s all thanks to you? What does any of this have to do with you?”

Concubine Lan knew the truth best. The whole “Lucky Star” title for her daughter had been nothing but a scheme. But… if her daughter lost that status, she would just be a concubine’s child. A mere illegitimate daughter—who would still take her seriously? No dynasty had ever seen an illegitimate daughter become empress!

Ever since the palace banquet, Mu Fuxing had been in a terrible mood. Hearing Concubine Lan’s incessant questioning now only irritated her further. “Mother, can’t you just stop asking? So much has happened today—I’m not feeling great either. Can’t you let me have a moment of peace?”

Concubine Lan shrank back and fell silent.

But the old madam wouldn’t let it go. She still had a belly full of questions. “Child, don’t be too upset. Just tell me slowly—what exactly happened at the palace banquet today?”

Mu Zonghui understood his mother well. Before he became the Loyal and Brave Marquis—or rather, before he married Su San—he and his mother had lived a difficult, impoverished life. After all these years of comfort, how could she possibly accept returning to the life of a commoner?

He let out a heavy sigh. “Mother, what’s done is done—we can’t change it. The imperial decree has already been issued. Tomorrow, we should move into the secondary estate first. This residence must be returned to the Imperial Household Department. We’ll discuss the rest later. But don’t worry, Mother—I won’t give up so easily. And as for the First Prince… things won’t be as His Majesty claimed. There’s always a way. He still has a chance.”

The old madam seemed to take some comfort in her son’s words and nodded. Then she asked, “Child, what’s this about that calamity star? And how did the Crown Prince’s illness suddenly recover? Wasn’t he supposed to die within two days? Now that he’s fine, shouldn’t we have Fuxing marry into the Eastern Palace? We can’t let that calamity star take advantage of this for nothing!”

Mu Zonghui immediately raised his hand to cut her off. “Mother, you must never say such things again. Su San said something similar today, and it only infuriated His Majesty and the Crown Prince. Sigh… Since Fuxing wasn’t meant to marry into the Eastern Palace, we’ll just have to find another way. As for the First Prince… like I said, as long as we work hard, there’s still hope.”

Mu Zonghui glanced at Mu Fuxing, his brows slightly furrowing. He was starting to regret it—regret the decision he and Concubine Lan had made back then.

Today, he had witnessed Mu Ling’s brilliance firsthand. If he were being honest, a woman like that was more than worthy of being the Crown Princess—of being the Empress.

“Mother, perhaps we were wrong. That child, Mu Ling… perhaps she was meant for great things. If we had treated her better over the years, wouldn’t things be different now? I finally understand—His Majesty and the Empress care deeply for that child. Even the Crown Prince—throughout the banquet, his eyes never left her. Anyone could see it. Whether it was the Emperor, the Empress, or the Crown Prince—they all value Mu Ling greatly.”

Hearing this only enraged the old madam further. Her voice shot up several octaves. “That wretched calamity star! I knew she was nothing but bad luck for us! Since the Emperor and the Crown Prince care so much about her, why didn’t she plead for us? She’s a disaster through and through! Our Marquis’s residence has had nothing but misfortune because of her!”

Mu Zonghui shook his head in frustration. “Mother, from the moment she was born, we never cared for her. We left her to fend for herself in the countryside. And now, we forced her to marry a dying Crown Prince. Even in the days she spent back here, we never showed her any kindness—not even letting her stay in the main house. And we gave her not a single piece of dowry. We even forced her to write a severance letter, cutting ties with us. Mother, do you really think she abandoned us simply because she’s a calamity star?”

With a deep sigh, he continued, “If she were truly a calamity star, why did the Crown Prince recover? If she were truly a disaster, why do the Emperor and Empress adore her? Why does Prince Jing like her? Even the headstrong princess favors her? And I’ve even heard… yesterday, she saved the Southern Frontier King. Mother, think about it—does that sound like the work of a calamity star? If she were still part of our Marquis’s residence, just by marrying the Crown Prince, just by saving the Southern Frontier King—what would our status be now?”

The old madam fell into silence.

But… that monk had personally said that the child was a calamity star! That she was filled with ominous energy and would bring ruin to their house! How could she suddenly not be a disaster anymore? Could it be that… the monk…

A realization seemed to hit her, and she turned to glare at Concubine Lan, her voice filled with fury. “Tell me the truth—was that monk arranged by you? Just so you could turn your illegitimate daughter into the legitimate heir? Speak! Lan, if you dare lie, I’ll beat you to death today!”

Concubine Lan trembled violently, nearly collapsing to the floor. She knew that now that the old madam was suspicious, the truth would come out whether she admitted it or not.

“Mother, let’s not talk about this for now.” Mu Zonghui knew the truth. If he hadn’t been so enamored with Concubine Lan back then, he never would have agreed to such a plan. In the end, he was one of the masterminds behind it all.

“Fuxing will soon marry the First Prince. Perhaps… her fortune lies ahead.”

It was unclear whether Mu Zonghui was comforting the old madam or himself. But at least, his words managed to divert the old madam’s attention from her previous suspicions.

That night, no one in the Mu residence slept well.