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When Xuanji led Mu Shengsheng into the study, they saw Lan Xun standing at the desk, writing.
He was taking a rare day of rest, dressed casually in a wide-sleeved robe of moon-white bamboo pattern. His hair was casually pinned with a single jade hairpin, most of it flowing freely down his back. Coupled with his handsome face, he looked every bit the refined and elegant gentleman.
Seeing Mu Shengsheng arrive, he set down his brush, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked toward her. He first asked, “How is your body?”
Mu Shengsheng nodded. “Much better.”
Lan Xun sighed lightly and said truthfully, “You should know by now, Madam Cui of the Zhen Guo household wants to take you away. The Regency Prince refused, so she caused a scene at the mansion gates…”
Madam Cui, born of a noble family and a highly esteemed duchess, had stubbornly lingered at the prince’s gates, claiming that if Lan Xun did not hand you over, she would make the entire capital know that the Regency Prince had forcibly taken a civilian woman, their Zhen Guo household’s daughter-in-law. She even called people to watch, letting the situation escalate, all to force him to comply.
Lan Xun had no choice but to summon Mu Shengsheng and instruct her: “She insists on hearing your own answer before she will leave. Can you handle sending her off?”
“I’ll go,” Mu Shengsheng said, knowing this matter was hers alone. She couldn’t hide forever; she couldn’t always rely on Lan Xun to shield her.
Fearing she might not be able to deal with Madam Cui, Lan Xun added, “If you don’t want to go, they can’t force you. Just say whatever you want. I’ll take responsibility.”
With those words, Mu Shengsheng felt reassured.
She nodded. “Understood.”
Then Mu Shengsheng left, taking the prepared sedan chair. Xuanji held an umbrella for her as they headed toward the gates of the prince’s mansion.
Though the marriage had been arranged earlier, the family had only seen her portrait before. This was the first time Madam Cui had seen Mu Shengsheng in person.
At first sight, Madam Cui immediately understood what it meant to be stunned by someone’s beauty and realized why the usually indifferent Regency Prince would extend aid to a seemingly random woman.
Though veiled, her appearance was striking. Sitting in the sedan chair, braving the light rain, holding a paper umbrella, dressed in a rouge-colored gown, she seemed like a painting come to life. The veil only heightened her allure, leaving the imagination to wonder about the mysterious beauty beneath.
Originally, this marriage had been arranged between the Zhen Guo household and the young scion Fu San. Madam Cui had always assumed that, had her son still been alive, Mu Shengsheng would never have been his bride.
Now, seeing such a stunning beauty, if she were married posthumously to her son, he would surely be content in the afterlife.
Mu Shengsheng had long anticipated that the Zhen Guo household would not sit idle. So when she saw Madam Cui personally arrive, she was not surprised.
Stepping down from the sedan chair, she greeted Madam Cui politely, “Mu Shengsheng pays respects to Madam Zhen Guo.”
Madam Cui smiled graciously, feigning warmth and gentleness. “Miss Mu, you know why I’ve come. Today is your late husband’s funeral. It’s time for you to return with me to pay your respects. A married woman lingering at someone else’s mansion would be inappropriate.
“Rest assured, as the Zhen Guo household’s daughter-in-law, you won’t be treated unfairly. After the funeral, you need only remain a widow for your late husband. If necessary, I’ll summon the best doctors for you. If there’s no cure, I’ll ensure your departure is arranged with the proper dignity of a young lady of our household… You may name any conditions you wish.”
Veiled, Mu Shengsheng sounded delicate yet firm: “Madam Zhen Guo, the marriage I undertook was with Fu San by your household’s alteration. You know better than anyone that my intended husband should have been Fu San, not the one you arranged.”
Madam Cui said, “Miss Mu, you were near death. Only with my son would it be a proper match. Why let Fu San bear the title of widower at such a young age, preventing him from marrying again? Don’t you agree?”
Indeed, Mu Shengsheng couldn’t leave Lan Xun now and couldn’t implicate Fu San either. The only choice was to annul the marriage.
She turned away, refusing to look at her, and said, “I will not go with you. I will wait until my father returns to the capital to annul this marriage!”
Madam Cui laughed triumphantly. “You will come with me.”
She stepped closer under the pretense of adjusting Mu Shengsheng’s veil and whispered low enough for only her to hear, “Your two maid attendants, Zisu and Lvl Luo, are waiting at the Zhen Guo household. They are loyal to you—don’t let them down.”
No wonder she dared to come directly to the Regency Prince’s mansion—she had prepared in advance. Zisu and Lvl Luo were in her hands!
Zisu and Lvl Luo had grown up with Mu Shengsheng, essentially like sisters. Because of her illness, Mu Shengsheng couldn’t go out, so she spent all her time with them. They constantly devised ways to show her care, and were more than mere servants—they were as close as family.
Previously, Mu Shengsheng had worried about them, thinking her stepmother would likely sell them off. She hadn’t expected that they would be sent to the Zhen Guo household as bridal attendants!
Clenching her fists and gritting her teeth, Mu Shengsheng asked, “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
Anticipating her doubt, Madam Cui produced a pouch from her sleeve, revealing two red-threaded safety locks.
Mu Shengsheng immediately recognized them—they were Zisu and Lvl Luo’s locks, personally commissioned by her when they came of age, unique and engraved with their names.
She reached to take them, but Madam Cui quickly withdrew her hand, tucking them away, beaming with satisfaction. “Have you decided whether you’ll come with me?”
Mu Shengsheng was caught between a rock and a hard place. If she refused, Zisu and Lvl Luo would be in danger. If she went… her own life was likely at stake.