Chapter 243

Mu Yuanzhi also wasn't clear: "No one saw Pei Yunxi die; the chance she was rescued and is alive also exists."

Moreover, she truly didn't think she would mistake Pei Yunxi's silhouette.

"How about I go check who rescued her?"

He originally thought the life or death of an insignificant woman had nothing to do with him, but he didn't want to see her in trouble.

That day he had no clue at all, not knowing who came to rescue Pei Yunxi, or whether it was related to Ah Zi.

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head: "No need; you have more important matters, don't waste your time on an illusory silhouette."

"Senior sister, I'll go, that'll do!" Qilin, who had somehow come up, volunteered himself.

Gu Rongjin was speechless: "Come on, just you? Running around the streets aimlessly?"

He had no intelligence network at all.

Qilin pressed his lips: "Better than not looking, right? Just tell me yes or no."

Gu Rongjin: "Alright, you're right, I'll leave it to you, Detective Qilin."

"Leave it to me!"

"Miss Mu!"

A soldier hurried over: "Miss Mu, Heir Gu, Pei Shangnian has awakened!"

Mu Yuanzhi nodded: "I know."

"He's finally awake, and he really can sleep." Gu Rongjin thought that if Pei Shangnian didn't wake up, he'd want to toss him out!

Dragging that burden while walking is quite troublesome.

"Little Mu Yuanzhi, do you want to go see him?"

"I don't want to see him, what's there to see." Aside from Prince Jia, she didn't want to see anyone from the Pei family.

Gu Rongjin: "Then just ignore him."

He turned to the soldier: "Keep an eye on Pei Shangnian; no matter how he makes a fuss to see Miss Mu, don't indulge him, and if necessary give him a lesson."

"Yes!"

The imperial army retreated from Xiangcheng in haste, leaving many things behind; after Mu Yuanzhi and company arrived, they occupied the original mansion and barracks.

As for the prefect here, he naturally chose to surrender!

"Prince Jia, General Qi, Heir Gu, I, the lowly official, have finally awaited your arrival; our prefecture will at last see the dawn's light!" The prefect was extremely fawning.

Gu Rongjin waved his hand: "You have nothing more to do; go arrange Pei Shangnian and Pei Shangling, then do what you need to do."

"I, the lowly official, understand; I will surely keep those two prisoners under tight guard!" He had already become adept at calling the two princes prisoners.

The imperial army abandoned Xiangcheng; the Jia army garrisoned here, and in the blink of an eye half a year passed, during which both sides remained peaceful, as if dividing rule along the Yangtze.

Only they themselves knew: one side was nurturing strength, the other lying in wait to strike.

The Jia army's northern expedition banner had been raised for over half a year, yet they had not engaged in any major clash with the imperial forces, leaving neighboring barbarian states bewildered; those eager to move dared not act rashly, fearing to follow in the footsteps of Fusang and Huangli states.

At this time, rumors spread across the land, claiming Prince Jia had long become a puppet of Yingxu State, having turned traitor during his time as a hostage there, which is why he raised the banner of rebellion!

Such a divisive scheme need not be guessed to know it was spread by the court.

Mu Yuanzhi thought they were trying to catch up after eating shit—only now, at this point, did they think to manufacture public opinion; could they even pull it off? First, Prince Jia repelled the allied forces, a heavy mark in the people's hearts and in history, impossible to blacken.

Anyone with sense knows the court is timid both outward and inward, utterly useless.

"Senior sister, senior sister, your birthday is coming soon; for now don't put military affairs first—these days we should think about how to celebrate properly!"

As soon as Qilin arrived, he saw Mu Yuanzhi fully focused on the map and couldn't help but say.

"Besides, senior sister, this time you're turning eighteen—you ought to celebrate properly!"

"What's so special about eighteen?" Mu Yuanzhi stretched, "It's just another year older."

"Very special, every birthday is special; one should properly celebrate, give oneself a vacation, and go eat, drink, and have fun with one's brother-in-law!" Qilin dumped a heap of various pamphlets he'd gathered onto the table: "These are all the good food, fun, and sights near the prefecture; take your time looking, and later enjoy yourself with your brother-in-law!"

He originally wanted to say bring him along, but then thought better not to interfere with the couple's deepening feelings.

"You want to go play? I can accompany you today." Mu Yuanzhi saw through Qilin's thoughts at a glance.

"Really?!" Qilin was overjoyed!

He really did want to go out and play with Mu Yuanzhi, but she usually buried herself in weapon research, and he didn't want to bother her daily, so he ended up going out alone.

Mu Yuanzhi glanced out the window; the weather was fine today, so she decided to go outside for a stroll to clear her mind.

Who would have thought that as they reached the door, a disheveled woman in ragged clothes came running and fell to her knees before them with a thud.

Qilin hadn't yet realized who it was, and instinctively stepped in front of Mu Yuanzhi to guard against her trying to extort them.

Mu Yuanzhi, however, recognized her at first sight.

She was surprised for a moment, then curled her lips and smiled: "I wondered who it was; turns out it's Consort De."

Qilin eyed the beggar-like woman up and down with suspicion.

"Consort De? Deng Xieyu! How could she be here?"

"What's this nonsense now?!"

Perhaps the address was too mocking; Deng Xieyu's face instantly grew more flustered, she composed herself, eyes brimming with hot tears, and called out: "Zhi'er..."

What an unpleasant way to address her.

Mu Yuanzhi's look of disdain was obvious; seeing this, Deng Xieyu felt even more embarrassed, she lowered her gaze at her own pitiful state, and tears streamed down her face: "Zhi'er, Mother has nowhere left to go; please don't drive Mother away, alright?"

Now she's calling herself Mother again? Mu Yuanzhi scoffed: "Deng Xieyu, your daughter has become a fugitive; you've mistaken the person."

Deng Xieyu knelt there, sobbing, and soon attracted passersby who pointed and gossiped.

Mu Yuanzhi grabbed Qilin and walked away.

These two mother and daughter, their coercive tactics are exactly alike—no wonder they're blood-related!

She didn't want to know why Deng Xieyu was here, whether she'd been expelled from the palace gates, nor did she care whether this woman lived or died.

"Zhi'er!" Deng Xieyu hurriedly crawled forward on her knees, playing the victim to the hilt.

To outsiders, it seemed as if Mu Yuanzhi was utterly heartless.

Qilin was very displeased: "Hey, you vicious woman, what trick are you playing? Don't pull this again—haven't you mother and daughter caused us enough trouble? I've never seen such shamelessness; are you looking for a punch?!"

His voice was loud, so that those passersby would clearly understand who was right and who was wrong, not be misled, lest even eight mouths couldn't make it clear.