Chapter 91

The next morning.

At the Duke's mansion.

The garden air was filled with the fresh scent of roses and morning dew.

Mu Youyu was sitting on a wicker chair in the garden, cradling a warm glass of milk and sipping it slowly, about to call Jiang Liangjin back.

Then a servant hurried over, respectfully saying, "Miss, Prince Qing An of M State wishes to see you; he is waiting in the front hall."

"Qing An brother?" she exclaimed, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes.

Wasn't he with Brother Huaixian in M State?

She set down her cup, and Mu Youyu ran toward the front hall, her fluffy skirt swaying gently with her steps.

Just as she turned into the corridor, she saw a tall figure leaning against the pillar.

The youth stood backlit, wearing a black embroidered formal outfit, tall and slender, with slightly curled black hair and deep, sharp golden eyes.

Though he usually exuded an icy, unapproachable aura, the moment he saw Mu Youyu, his frost‑laden eyes instantly softened.

"Qing An brother!" Mu Youyu exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she smiled and waved at the boy.

Qing An Mo Heng He, the beloved little prince of M State, is also a close brother to Mu Xin.

When she was young and visited the Duke's mansion, she often saw Qing An following behind her brother.

Although his gaze was icy toward others, the moment he saw her he would pull out snacks and trinkets like a magician, treating her as his own little sister.

Over time, she grew accustomed to calling him "brother."

Qing An strode over with his long legs, reached out, and gently ruffled her hair in a familiar, affectionate gesture.

He showed none of the ferocity rumored to belong to "M State's most troublesome little prince."

In front of outsiders, he is a formidable figure who can silence nobles with just a glance.

He bent slightly, his tone openly affectionate: "Little Treasure, long time no see—have you missed me, your brother?"

In the past, whenever he came to Y State, he sought Mu Xin, so he had long since regarded this soft‑spoken little girl as his own sister.

But later he became busy with imperial household affairs, and Mu Xin was tied up with various duties, so their meetings grew infrequent.

Mu Youyu's eyes lit up instantly, and she softly replied, "Yes!"

Qing An walked back to the garden with her, casually pushing the small cake on the table toward her, and said, "Is Brother Xin again caught up in imperial matters? He doesn't even have time to show up for his sister's identity reveal—I even rushed over from M State especially for this!"

Mu Youyu bit into the cake, mumbled, "Brother said he'll definitely be here tomorrow."

She lifted her gaze to Qing An, her clear eyes full of curiosity: "Qing An brother, did you come especially to back me up?"

"What else?" Qing An raised an eyebrow, lightly tapping her forehead with his fingertip.

Mu Xin told him that the Duke would announce her identity at tomorrow's imperial banquet.

Qing An came here just to back her up!

Mu Youyu blinked and said, "Thank you, Qing An brother, but you didn't have to come all this way."

"Why not?" Qing An immediately frowned, pinching her soft cheeks with a hint of reproach.

"You're not only Mu Xin's real sister, but also my acknowledged sister! Tomorrow you'll reveal yourself as the Duke's mansion's young lady—how could I not be your support? Besides, as your brother, I'll naturally protect you well for Mu Xin."

Before Mu Youyu could respond, Qing An lowered his voice, a hint of menace in his tone: "By the way, I heard yesterday that Gesenlun dared to be disrespectful to you?"

His golden eyes turned icy in an instant, his aura sharpening—completely different from the gentle boy just moments before. "Rest assured, I've already sent someone to deal with him. Anyone who dares to harm you or scheme against the Duke's mansion will find the Man Gen family doomed this time!"

If anyone else said that, it might sound exaggerated, but coming from Qing An, no one dares to doubt it.

Everyone knows that the little prince of M State always keeps his word, and his methods are especially cold and ruthless toward those with ill intent—many nobles fear him.

Qing An's gaze sank.

Although Gesenlun is a manager under Mu Xin, he sometimes liaises with M State's cooperation.

But he came today to show those watching Little Treasure's identity that, besides the Duke's mansion and the imperial household, the M State imperial household is also her backing!

And those eyeing the Duke's mansion and Mu Xin's resources, upon seeing him, should also restrain their thoughts.

Watching him shift his demeanor in an instant, Mu Youyu comforted him like a little adult: "All right, Qing An brother, I'm fine, and my second brother and grandfather have already made arrangements."

Hearing this, Qing An's cold aura vanished instantly, returning to his gentle little‑prince self: "Our Little Treasure is well‑behaved, unlike Mu Xin—every time I help him sort out trouble, he complains that I'm meddling."

Thinking of this brings tears.

He paused, his tone serious: "But you're different—you're the sister we both protect. Whoever dares to bully you, I'll be the first not to let them off."

Mu Youyu smiled brightly: "Qing An brother, you're wonderful!"

Just as she was speaking, she looked up and saw Mu Xi walking toward her.

"Second brother!"

"Little Treasure." Mu Xi replied warmly.

Upon seeing Qing An, a flicker of surprise crossed Mu Xi's eyes before he smiled, saying, "You came quite quickly—I thought you wouldn't arrive until this afternoon."

Since both Song Huaixian and Qing An were in M State, he assumed they'd arrive together.

"Of course."

He didn't wait for Song Huaixian!

Qing An stood up, and he and Mu Xi exchanged a glance, full of unspoken understanding.

"Tomorrow Little Treasure will reveal her identity; as her brother, I'll definitely come early to back her up, so those nobles can see she's not only protected by the Duke's mansion and Mu Xin, but also backed by our M State imperial household."

Mu Youyu's soft, sweet voice: "Qing An brother, you're wonderful!"

Qing An's gaze returned to Mu Youyu, his tone instantly softening: "Little Treasure, I'll attend tomorrow's banquet together with your brother Huaixian and Mu Xin."

He had also prepared a gift especially for her.

Before coming this time, he had gone through every treasure in the M State imperial household's vault!

Just waiting for tomorrow's banquet!