Chapter 45: Wen Er Ye’s Frustration

Just as Mu Si was about to leave, he saw his niece and nephew returning. He knew they had stayed at the Wen residence the night before, but his eyes immediately fell on the jade pendant at Mu Rong Shu’s waist. He instantly recognized it as belonging to Wen Jing.

“Shu Er, why do you have Wen San Gong Zi’s jade pendant? How could you accept it?” Mu Si directed his question at Mu Rong Shu, but his eyes shifted to Mu Si Shu.

“Second Uncle, this is a thank-you gift from Wen San Gong Zi. If you don’t believe me, ask Big Brother.” Mu Rong Shu and Mu Si both looked expectantly at Mu Si Shu.

Mu Si Shu sighed and nodded reluctantly. He had indeed seen Wen Jing hand the jade pendant to his sister. While he hadn’t heard Wen Jing call it a thank-you gift, if his sister said so, he would back her up.

Mu Si’s disbelief was evident. Forgoing his plans to go out, he escorted Mu Rong Shu back to her quarters before pulling Mu Si Shu along to see their elder brother.

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In the Murong Family Study

“Big Brother, this is Wen Jing’s jade pendant! The Wen brothers each have one. I’ve seen Wen Ye flaunt his before. What does it mean if Wen San Gong Zi gave his to Shu Er?”

Mu Si paced anxiously, worried that the Wen family might try to whisk his young niece away.

“Second Brother, stop pacing. You’re making me dizzy. Look at this.” Mu Shi opened a compartment and retrieved a letter that had arrived the day before from Sage Shan Gu.

When he received the letter, Mu Shi was curious as to why it was addressed specifically to him. After reading it, everything became clear.

After Mu Si and Mu Si Shu finished reading the letter, their expressions mirrored Mu Shi’s initial shock.

“Big Brother, could this be a prank from Sage Shan Gu?” Mu Si asked, refusing to give up.

“It’s not. Shu Er is his disciple. He wouldn’t joke about something like this.” Mu Shi had already thought about it thoroughly and dismissed the idea.

“But didn’t the earlier fortune say her short life fate would be broken by her sixteenth birthday? Why has her fate changed again now that we’ve returned to the capital? And why does she need to find her destined person to ensure a long and smooth life?”

Mu Si was baffled, but the letter was explicit.

“Father, did Sage Shan Gu mention who this destined person is?” Mu Si Shu asked anxiously. Having waited so long for his sister to return home, he wasn’t going to lose her easily.

“The master said this person is already by Shu Er’s side and provided the birth month. I’ve ruled out all the men Shu Er has met since returning to the capital. Aside from those from her maternal family, Wen San Gong Zi matches the description best.”

Mu Shi felt a headache brewing as he thought about his findings. The Wen family was powerful and influential; it wasn’t like he could just snatch Wen Jing back for his daughter.

“Father, there’s something I need to tell you and Second Uncle,” Mu Si Shu said. After some hesitation, he recounted the incident where Wen Jing’s health visibly improved while holding Shu Er’s hand but deteriorated the moment she let go.

Mu Si Shu’s story plunged the room into silence.

“Big Brother, could it be that Wen San Gong Zi and Shu Er are fated to be together?” Mu Si mused. It seemed like the only plausible explanation.

“Regardless, we’ll focus on Wen San Gong Zi for now. Let Shu Er interact with him more. If he’s the one, the heavens are truly blessing our family. If not, we’ll keep searching. Meanwhile, find a way to get Wen Jing’s birth details for Sage Shan Gu to confirm.”

“Father, the Wen family treats Shu Er very kindly. Why not have her ask Wen San Gong Zi directly? Investigating privately might seem inappropriate,” Mu Si Shu suggested.

“I’ll handle this. Next time, I’ll get Wen Ye drunk and ask him.” Mu Si thought his plan was brilliant.

“That works, but keep it discreet. The Wen family elders are sharp.” Mu Shi reminded his younger brother. It wasn’t a lack of trust, but the Wen family’s cunning was undeniable.

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Meanwhile, in Mu Rong Shu’s Quarters

Unaware of the secret discussions, Mu Rong Shu held the jade pendant Wen Jing had given her and quickly fell asleep.

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At the Wen Residence

Mu Si wasted no time sending an invitation for drinks to Wen Ye. Though Wen Ye’s first instinct was to refuse, no good could come of it, his wife persuaded him to accept, citing the help Mu Rong Shu had provided their family.

Thus, Wen Ye set out in good spirits to improve relations. By the time he returned home, however, he was limping and fuming.

Madam Wen and the second Madam were discussing appropriate thank-you gifts for Mu Rong Shu in the matriarch’s courtyard when they saw Wen Ye hobbling in, supported by a servant.

“Mother, you must seek justice for your son. I’m so miserable!” Wen Ye “cried” dramatically as he leaned on the servant for support.

“Husband, what happened? Didn’t you go drinking with Mu Si? How did you end up like this? Did you fall?” the second Madam asked with concern, seeing his sorry state.

“Wife, that Mu Si is too much! He didn’t invite me for drinks at all, he just wanted to pick a fight!” Wen Ye exclaimed indignantly.

“But why would Mu Si want to fight you?” Madam Wen was skeptical. It couldn’t be for no reason.

“Don’t even get me started!” Wen Ye said angrily. “That Mu Si is completely unreasonable! He said Wen Jing shouldn’t have given his personal jade pendant to Miss Mu Rong, and it was my fault as his elder brother for not teaching him better. He claimed he didn’t want to hit Wen Jing because he feared upsetting his niece, so he beat me up instead! Mother, I’m so pitiful!”

Wen Ye’s story was so implausible that even the six-year-old Wen Yu didn’t believe it. The little boy tilted his head and asked, “Second Uncle, if it was about bad teaching, why didn’t he hit my father instead of just you?”

Wen Yu’s innocent question left Wen Ye speechless. How was he supposed to know? He and Mu Si had always been at odds. Maybe Mu Si was just looking for trouble on purpose.

“Stop wailing and let the family doctor take a look at you. From the sound of your voice, the injuries don’t seem too bad. Mu Rong Shu didn’t come home last night, so it’s only natural her uncle would be worried,” the matriarch said, brushing aside Wen Ye’s complaints.

After last night’s events, Mu Rong Shu had won the old lady’s favor. In her eyes, anything related to Mu Rong Shu was wonderful, and her connections were automatically viewed through rose-colored glasses.

“My life is so hard! The jade pendant was a gift from Wen Jing. Why am I the one who ended up getting hurt?” Wen Ye grumbled dramatically.

“Second Brother, are you sure it was the jade pendant that made Mu Si come after you?” Wen Jing finally spoke, piecing together the story.

“Of course! Mu Si said it himself. How could it not be true?” Wen Ye replied confidently.