Chapter 81: Miss Yan

Wind blew in through the open floor-to-ceiling window, making the boy's blue-white bangs sway slightly.

Mu Xi held an unfinished score between his fingers, had changed into a somewhat formal outfit, and was on the phone.

"Huaixian brother."

His voice carried a hint of laziness: "Last time I had you look for that score in M Guo, any news?"

From the other end came Song Huaixian's proud voice: "Xixi! Can't you handle the brother you're looking for? Wait for me to go to Y Guo and I'll bring it to you!"

"Okay." Mu Xi narrowed his eyes.

Just after hanging up, soft footsteps came from outside the door; he turned his head and saw a small head peeking in.

"Second brother, are you ready over here? Grandfather said the luncheon is about to start."

She shook the delicate silver chain on her wrist.

It was given to her by Mu Xin last year on her birthday; the chain's end is adorned with several tiny sapphires, looking extremely beautiful on her wrist.

Mu Xi happened to be coming to find her; seeing her arrive, he quickly rose and, in passing, straightened her collar, his fingertips pausing when they touched the fabric.

"Why did you choose a plain-colored dress?"

Mu Youyu is currently wearing a mist-white dress, the collar embroidered only with a faint silver line, the skirt falling smoothly.

Her brown hair is tied up in a princess bun, she wears a small gold crown on her head, her features are made up with a light, subdued makeup, and beneath her long lashes her eyes are clear and bright.

The outfit won't be too eye-catching.

Combined with her appearance, she resembles a pampered princess from a fairy tale, making people unable to help glancing at her a few more times.

"Grandfather said there are many elders today... I think being too conspicuous isn't good." Mu Youyu waved her hand.

Grandfather had just been to the palace, so she had just seen him.

However, grandfather told her to look more lovely.

She still chose mist-white.

Later, grandfather told her to first go call her second brother to come along.

She had originally planned to call her second brother anyway, so she let grandfather return to the Duke's Mansion to wait for them.

"Let's go, let's go!" Mu Youyu said, then tugged Mu Xi along as she bounced downstairs.

Mu Xi wore a helpless smile: "Run slower, don't fall."

The two walked to the entrance of the Duke's Mansion banquet hall, where they heard faint conversation from inside, mingled with the ensemble of several instruments.

As they pushed the door open, the previously noisy hall fell silent for a moment.

Nearly everyone's gaze fell upon the two of them.

Mu Youyu was shielded behind Mu Xi, yet still locked by several familiar gazes.

"That's the little piano prodigy from the Duke's Mansion, right? Master Tan's direct disciple!" a girl gasped, then wore an enamored expression.

The little piano prodigy and his teacher are famous in the piano world; he is also the elder brother of Young Master Ai Luoxiu and a friend of Prince Xun Li.

With his blue-white hair and top-tier features, he's easy to recognize!

"Exactly! He's still the elder brother of Young Master Ai Luoxiu and a close friend of Prince Xun Li!" another girl stood on tiptoe to look, her voice full of infatuation.

"Look at his blue-white hair and those features—he practically walked out of an oil painting!"

"Who is beside the little piano prodigy? Is Young Master Ai Luoxiu cross-dressing?"

"You've forgotten what Miss Yan said at last year's royal banquet? This is Miss Mu, and she's sisters with her!"

"So she's Miss Yan's sister! Though, Miss Yan seems to be an adoptee of the Duke's Mansion, right?"

"Right, then is this Miss Mu also?"

Someone spoke up helplessly: "……This Miss Mu looks exactly like Young Master Ai Luoxiu! Don't you find her familiar? Young Master Ai Luoxiu used to walk around with her, don't you remember?"

"Oh! I remember now, that's Miss Mu."

Amidst the murmuring, the crowd spontaneously parted to make a path.

A youth in black formal wear, with a gold bow tie and a family crest pinned to his cuff, strode over quickly.

He ignored the surrounding gazes, walked straight to Mu Youyu's side, and bowed with a standard gentleman's salute.

"Miss Mu, hello, I am Count Mancen, Gelson Mancen. We met last year; I was near Young Master Ai Luoxiu then. I don't know if you remember me—may I have the honor of dancing the first dance with you?"

Gasps rose and fell around them.

Everyone knows Count Mancen, Gelson Mancen—only 23, young and accomplished, handsome! He rarely initiates a dance invitation at banquets!

What's more, the other party is Young Master Ai Luoxiu, Miss Yan's sister, a young lady of the Duke's Mansion!

Although Young Master Ai Luoxiu is not royalty in Y Guo, Prince Xun Li treats him like a biological brother!

Other countries, especially the king of M Guo and his two hot-tempered princes… also view him differently.

Young Master Ai Luoxiu's fame has spread throughout the neighboring countries.

"Does Count Gelson Mancen doing this not fear trouble from Young Master Ai Luoxiu?"

"Aren't you afraid Young Master Ai Luoxiu will chop him?"

Before Mu Youyu could speak, Mu Xi stepped forward first, speaking in standard Y language: "Sorry, my younger sister isn't feeling well today, so she can't present herself."

His fingertip lightly touched Mu Youyu's wrist: "If you don't want to talk, just go play; you can also go find grandfather, and I'll cover for you."

Mu Youyu's grandfather is Duke Paveika, her mother is the eldest daughter, so she also counts as a young lady of the Duke's Mansion.

Her mother only stayed at the Song family with her grandmother when she was young, occasionally coming to Y Guo for a month or two during summer and winter breaks.

In Y Guo, only those who have seen her can recognize her identity, after all, her face, identical to Mu Xin's, is not just for show!

Those spreading rumors around have also been warned by Mu Xin.

She heard it and just nodded.

Gelson Mancen, because of Ai Luoxiu, can understand Now we need to output lines: English.

He also clearly heard Mu Xi's words and immediately became dissatisfied.

He said in an aristocratic Y language tone: "Miss Mu, Duke Peiweika is still handling affairs in the back; even if you go now, he won't be there. Why don't you stay and finish this dance with me? I'll personally take you to find the duke later, how about that?"

Mu Xi: "……"

Is he pretending I don't exist?

He clicked his tongue, shielded his sister behind him, and his tone turned cold: "Don't you understand human speech? I said she's unwell."

Gesenglun saw his cold Expression, seventy percent like Ai Luoxiu's, his face stiffened, and he felt uneasy.

He somewhat regretted coming here.

Mu Youyu tugged at Mu Xi's sleeve: "Brother, let's go get something to eat?"

Mu Xi raised a Smile, his voice softening: "Okay."

Gesenglun remained stiff, not moving.

Just then, a few people in servant uniforms hurried over.

One of them respectfully said to Mu Xi: "Young Master Xi, Duke Peiweika is looking for you; he says there's important business to discuss—please come now!"

Mu Xi paused, handing the small cake he'd picked up to his sister: "I've just arrived in Y Guo; what could my maternal grandfather possibly want to discuss with me?"

Even if he were looking for someone, it'd be for Ae, right?

The servant kept his head low, said nothing more, and simply said respectfully: "Young Master Xi, please come."

Mu Xi hesitated a moment, then turned his head to look at his sister.

Mu Youyu was eating cake with a small spoon, hearing this she also looked puzzled: "What does Grandpa want with Brother?"

"Mu Xi Brother!" a clear female voice rang out, breaking the stalemate.

Mu Youyu turned her head and saw a familiar girl.

A moonlight-white dress outlined the girl's slender figure.

Her flaxen curly long hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands of varying length hanging from her forehead, accentuating her swan-like neck.

Her brow bone slightly lifted, the corners of her mouth holding a smile beneath her high nose bridge, and even her dark eyes curved.

She emanated an unsheathed vibrant aura, yet was also wrapped in a touch of alluring charm; every frown and smile resembled a delicate classical painting.

The silent Gesenglun beside him saw her, his expression softened, and he revealed a standard Smile: "Miss Yan."

Although Miss Yan had previously given them false information and played with them, after inquiring they learned she meant no harm.

She had also kindly asked about Young Master Ai Luoxiu's schedule for them; at most they'd just be angry, not blame her.

Of course, part of the reason was also not daring to offend the people around Young Master Ai Luoxiu.

Of course, part of the reason is also that they dare not offend the people around Young Master Ai Luoxiu.