Chapter 381

Mu Xi timely added: "Grandfather, things have come to this; pursuing Qing An further serves no purpose. What we need to do now is handle the follow‑up matters."

Le Ke La gazed at his second‑favorite grandson, his eyes solemn: "Xiao Xi, what do you think?"

Mu Xi did not answer immediately, but first glanced at Mu Xianqi.

Mu Xianqi understood, and no longer thought of hiding it from his sister, replying: "Back home, Mu Yichen and Mu Yichi have found out that the group providing false information are the Shen family."

Mu Xi poked her brother's arm again; Mu Xin's blue eyes flickered slightly as he spoke: "We've dug up several mid‑level executors from Y Guo, their identities wiped clean."

"But I and Jun Chenling's people have been watching that side's movements; lately they've made some moves, as if waiting to meet someone."

"On major occasions, he has always addressed Jun Chenling as 'Xun Li'."

Le Ke La narrowed his eyes, this didn't quite match what he'd found: "Who are they waiting to meet?"

"Yes." Mu Xin nodded, "They've lain low for ten years; they wouldn't surface for no reason now. Someone behind the scenes must be pulling the strings, and that person is someone from their own family's circle."

Song Yusui leaned back on the sofa, drawling: "So what we need to do now is wait for them to meet, then net them all in one go?"

Mu Xin looked at him: "Pretty much; the key is to lure them."

"How to lure?" Qing An asked immediately, his listlessness vanishing: "What do you need me to do?"

Mu Xin glanced at him: "You doing nothing is the biggest help."

Qing An: "Oh, okay."

Jun Chenling gave a low cough beside them, forcing back a smile at the corner of his mouth: "It's fine; Qing Wei and the others are still useful."

Song Yan had been silent; now he spoke slowly, voice icy: "Have you investigated the backgrounds of those people?"

Mu Xin gave the answer: "We've looked into it; behind the coup ten years ago stood an old family of Y Guo."

Song Lujing finally found a chance to speak: "Which family?"

Mu Xin and Jiang Liangjin exchanged a glance, then without prior agreement turned their gazes to Le Ke La in the seat of honor.

Le Ke La fell silent for a moment, then, just as he had discovered, uttered a surname: "Lailikan."

When that surname was spoken, several people present froze, those who didn't understand pretending they did.

The Lailikan family, one of Y Guo's oldest noble houses, has been on good terms with the Weiwika family for generations, intermarrying several times; their bloodlines and influence are intertwined, making them an ostensible allied family of the Duke's Mansion.

Mu Youyu had an impression of the Lailikan family; at a banquet before, her grandfather had also introduced her to them, and she instinctively looked at Mu Xin: "Brother, the Lailikan house… aren't they related to our family?"

Mu Xin: "Yes."

Song Yusui sat upright: "You mean the Lailikan family is the mastermind behind this?"

"Not the whole Lailikan family," Mu Xin corrected, "just a certain person or branch of it."

Jiang Liangjin and Mu Xin's people came to the same conclusion, their eyes slightly sinking as they clarified the context: "Someone is using the Lailikan family's banner to manipulate that group from behind the scenes?"

Mu Xin gave him a look: "As things stand now, that's how it looks."

Mu Xianqi frowned: "Do those people know?"

"No." Mu Xin said firmly, "They think they're working for the Lailikan family."

In reality, they're just being used as a pawn.

Qing An listened, his brows knitting tightly: "Then who is the real mastermind?"

Mu Xin fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly: "Still under investigation."

The hall fell silent for a few seconds.

Mu Youyu leaned against Jiang Liangjin's side, her fingers unconsciously twisting his cuff.

She understood what her brothers were saying, and also grasped the gravity of the matter.

Someone is secretly laying plans in Y Guo, using the remnants of the old nobility to stir up M Guo's situation, and even trying to move against the Weiwika family.

And she and the M Guo royal family are merely pawns pushed out in this game.

Jiang Liangjin sensed her unease, lowered his head and whispered: "What are you thinking about?"

Mu Youyu lifted her face, met his gentle gaze, and gave a slight shake of her head: "Nothing."

Jiang Liangjin did not press further, tightening his grip on her hand once more.

Le Ke La's gaze swept over the several young people, finally settling on Mu Xin: "What do you intend to do?"

Mu Xin did not answer directly, but first looked at Mu Youyu.

Mu Youyu blinked under his stare: "Brother?"

Mu Xin coaxed: "Youbao, for the next few days just rest properly at the Duke's Mansion; don't go out."

Mu Youyu looked at him, then at her grandfather, and finally at Jiang Liangjin.

Jiang Liangjin met her gaze: "Listen to your brother; I'll keep you company."

Mu Youyu gave an "oh" and obediently said: "All right."

Qing An muttered quietly to the side: "Then the itinerary I prepared would be wasted…"

Jun Chenling glanced at him: "Just settle down for a few days, Your Highness Qing An."

Qing An: "Oh."

Mu Xi stood up: "I'll go arrange personnel and add another layer of security around the Duke's Mansion."

Mu Xianqi rose as well: "I'll get in touch with Yichen and the others to see if there's any new news."

Song Yusui lounged on the sofa, no intention of getting up: "I'll just stay here; if anything happens, I can also protect my sister."

Song Yan and Song Lujing exchanged a glance and said in unison: "We'll stay too."

Mu Xin looked at Jun Chenling: "And you?"

Jun Chenling said casually: "I'll accompany you in investigating the case."

Qing An immediately raised his hand: "I want to come too!"

"Shut up." Jun Chenling interrupted him: "Stay by my side and don't act on your own."

Qing An: "……"

What the hell!

Mu Youyu watched her brothers each take on their tasks, the duties clearly divided, when suddenly an indescribable emotion surged in her heart.

She had been well protected since childhood, never truly seeing the scheming and intrigue of these dark places.

Now, hearing firsthand that someone was scheming against her in the shadows, even wanting to act against her family, the feeling of being targeted made her very uncomfortable.

She even felt nauseous.

Jiang Liangjin noticed her change in mood, lowered his head and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Mu Youyu shook her head, her voice muffled: "Nothing, I just think these people are really annoying."

Jiang Liangjin's eyes grew dark and cold, but after a moment softened with pity as he reached out to ruffle the top of her hair, "Rest assured, they won't stay happy for long."

Mu Youyu lifted her head to look at him, his face reflected in her clear eyes, "Has A Jin made a move?"

"Of course." Jiang Liangjin answered without hesitation, "Your affairs are my affairs."

Mu Youyu hooked her finger around his pinky, "You have to tell me about the progress, as we agreed."

Jiang Liangjin lowered his gaze, watching her hand hooked around his pinky, a hint of tenderness flickering in his eyes, "As agreed."

Time flowed quietly, and Mu Youyu stayed peacefully in the Duke's Mansion for a few days.

By the time she met the head of the Lailikan Family, she had already been staying in Y Guo for four days.

He had been brought here by Song Ze Yi.