Chapter 459: No matter what you do, I

Several servants were discussing heatedly.

"That voice sounds like the eldest young master?"

"I think so too!"

"It couldn't really be the eldest young master, could it? He just seemed to have gone over there!"

"Why don't we go take a look? With so many distinguished guests today, if something happened it wouldn't be good."

"You're right, let's go have a look."

"Good!"

These few people agreed and went together to the courtyard where they thought they heard someone shouting for help.

"Where are you guys going? Perfect, I have something I need a few people to do."

Mu Mingcheng suddenly appeared before the several servants.

They stared at each other, and one hesitated, saying, "Is that the eldest young master? We thought we heard someone shouting for help in the front courtyard."

"No, I just passed through the front courtyard." Mu Mingcheng said, "Maybe you misheard. How could someone be shouting for help?"

"Maybe…"

They weren't entirely sure either, since the eldest young master said he'd just passed through the courtyard, so they must have misheard.

They had thought the voice sounded a bit like the eldest young master earlier, but it looks like they really made a mistake.

The bustle at the Grand General's Manor continued, with guests coming and going without end.

"His Majesty has arrived! The Empress has arrived! The Grand Empress Dowager has arrived!"

As the sharp voice rang out, everyone present fell silent, respectfully welcoming the imperial household.

They hadn't expected the Son of Heaven himself to come in person, and even the Grand Empress Dowager, who rarely appears, was in attendance! It seems the Son of Heaven truly values the Grand General's Manor.

Mu Yuanzhi also hadn't expected the Son of Heaven to come; she glanced sideways behind her, but Gu Rongjin wasn't there, and she wondered how things were going.

"Missy, it's harder for me to see you these days than to see the emperor," the Grand Empress Dowager said, leaning on Zhang Mama and Shu'er as she walked toward Mu Yuanzhi.

"I beg your pardon, Grand Empress Dowager." Mu Yuanzhi really hadn't visited to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager in a long time; when she had just returned, she had wanted to go, but was told the Grand Empress Dowager had caught a chill and was not receiving visitors, so she only sent some gifts to comfort her.

"The Princess has to be busy with the child, with the Ministry of Works, with her elder brother's affairs—it's never-ending," Zhang Mama laughed.

The Grand Empress Dowager snorted, "Don't make excuses for her—so busy you can't even find time to pay respects? I see you've simply forgotten the old lady."

"I beg your pardon, Grand Empress Dowager." Mu Yuanzhi was speechless.

"You've forgotten, Grand Empress Dowager—the Defender State Princess came to visit you when you were ill and saw no one," Shu'er reminded the Grand Empress Dowager.

"Hmph, you two always speak up for this missy—I really don't know whose side you're on."

After the awkwardness, the Grand Empress Dowager's face finally broke into a smile again; she took Mu Yuanzhi's hand, looked her up and down, and said, "You seem thinner."

"Thinner?" Mu Yuanzhi herself hadn't noticed; she touched her face and felt it was fine.

Zhang Mama added, "Being able to stay slim after giving birth is a good thing."

"Have you been worrying more lately?" the Grand Empress Dowager asked, "Is it about your older brother?"

Mu Yuanzhi nodded.

The Grand Empress Dowager glanced over, saw Mu Mingcheng, then withdrew her gaze and said, "The Empress can't stop praising him, saying he's a hero among youths, drawing his sword to help when he sees injustice."

Mu Yuanzhi listened to the Grand Empress Dowager's tone, seeming not to agree much.

"But I don't see you siblings being close at all."

"This… if I try to explain it… it's hard to say," Mu Yuanzhi wanted to speak but held back.

She again had no proof or evidence, and could do nothing against Mu Mingcheng for now.

"What's so hard to say? It either is or it isn't."

Seeing Mu Yuanzhi want to speak but hold back, the Grand Empress Dowager said again, "All right, you don't need to say it—it's written all over your face."

"Grand Empress Dowager!"

The subject of their discussion, Mu Mingcheng, came over.

The Grand Empress Dowager told everyone, "It's windy here; I'll go inside to wait at the banquet hall."

Several people understood without words, nodded in agreement, and Mu Yuanzhi, as host, led the way.

It seems the Grand Empress Dowager herself doesn't want to see Mu Mingcheng either.

Sure enough, old ginger is spicy—she saw right through Mu Mingcheng's character at a glance.

Mu Mingcheng, undeterred by the setback, continued to fawn over everyone, chattering away as he cleared the path.

No matter what others' attitudes were, he kept a beaming smile, making it seem to the clueless as if others had wronged him.

After the Grand Empress Dowager took her seat, he went to flatter the Son of Heaven, keeping himself busy.

Mu Yuanzhi occasionally glanced past the guests toward the outside, and finally spotted Gu Rongjin!

She walked over, pulled Gu Rongjin aside, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Shi Huai doesn't know where he ran off to!" Gu Rongjin felt it was strange.

With Qi Shi Huai's skills, it's impossible he couldn't beat Mu Mingcheng, right?

Could it be that someone else sneaked in?

Today there are too many people here, the noise is chaotic; it wouldn't be strange for a highly skilled martial artist to slip in unnoticed……

"You can't find him anywhere?" Mu Yuanzhi felt puzzled.

She had just seen Mu Mingcheng appear here unharmed and felt it odd; sure enough, nothing had progressed.

"Right, it's too strange—could he have been captured?" Gu Rongjin couldn't help but think that, otherwise where would the person have gone?

Mu Yuanzhi was about to say something when the steward came over, so they had to keep quiet for now.

"Princess, Prince Consort, the auspicious time has arrived," the steward reminded.

Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin exchanged a glance.

The auspicious time has arrived, but they still aren't completely sure—what should we do?

Should we take a risk?

Gu Rongjin leaned close to Mu Yuanzhi and whispered: "I'll go look for Shi Huai again; you act as the situation demands, of course the decision is yours—no matter what you do, I'll support you."

"Mmm!" Seeing Gu Rongjin's unconditional support and trust, Mu Yuanzhi instantly felt full of confidence.

Actually, their guess is already pretty much spot on; all that's left is to verify it!

But in order to be cautious, they have delayed taking any action.

But time is short; she simply doesn't want this impostor to sully, sully the eyes of the Mu family ancestors!

Mu Yuanzhi steadied her mind and followed the steward forward.

Along the way, everyone again congratulated Mu Yuanzhi, spouting auspicious phrases nonstop; Mu Yuanzhi couldn't hear a word. She looked ahead and saw the Mu Cheng city, feeling that his petty, triumphant face was becoming more and more obvious.

Xixi pressed her lips, watching Mu Yuanzhi walk past in front of her; she still couldn't remember anything, couldn't help at all, now she could only watch helplessly as things took a turn for the worse.

And the Pei brothers each had their own thoughts; Pei Shangling's face showed he didn't dare! Pei Shangjue's expression didn't show, but his gaze kept fixed on Mu Yuanzhi as she walked past; Pei Shangnian and Pei Shanghua only felt that fate was playing tricks—since their older brother had returned, they ought to step aside even more!