WBSGVS Chapter 157 V1

There was a reason Mu Lan’er was this terrified.

The Mu family was a large, well-established clan.

Because it had been passed down through generations, the family rules were particularly strict. To ensure the family’s continued prosperity, even a flourishing tree needed regular pruning.

Second Master Mu was cast out from the main family precisely because of his reckless ambition. In his eagerness to gain merit, he turned against the once-friendly Xie family, even drawing swords against them. The consequences of his later actions sealed his fate—he alone was expelled. The other uncles of Mu Qingli, even the ones born to concubines, were still part of the family.

What Mu Lan’er had done wasn’t just a breach of the family rules—she had an illicit affair with a man.

If it were only that, she’d still be punished, sure, but probably no more than a few lashes with a cane.

But the real issue? The man she harmed was her sister.

Mu Lan’er was a concubine’s daughter, already of lower status. Yet Mu Qingli had always treated her kindly, going out of her way to protect and look after her, precisely because of that lower status. Their sisterly bond was well-known within the family. Even if the original Mu Qingli’s kindness began because of her fiancé Xie Rongyun, she had always been sincere in her care.

So, for Mu Lan’er to do something like this? Her consequences would be far worse.

But Qingli didn’t just want simple revenge.

This scandal couldn’t be made public—Mu family valued their reputation, and the original Qingli had close ties to them.

In ancient times, the honor or disgrace of one was shared by all. If word got out that a brother-in-law had slept with his sister-in-law, it would ruin the reputations of the other Mu daughters. Mu Lan’er humiliating herself was one thing, but dragging the rest of the sisters down with her? Unacceptable.

Besides, Mu Lan’er wasn’t even important in the grand scheme of things. No one would care if she were disgraced.

The Mu family would likely punish her, then quietly send her back to the ancestral home. If she survived, she’d be trapped in that village for life, never able to cause any more trouble.

If they were harsher, they might just have her killed.

In her previous life, Mu Lan’er ignored the original Qingli when she was sick, secretly started an affair with her brother-in-law, and later even became his concubine. She had the nerve to act like the victim, manipulating Qingli into giving up control of the household out of guilt, becoming the second mistress of the estate.

In this life, Qingli had already given her many chances, but she clung on like a leech. In the end, she still slept with the brother-in-law. Well, if she liked him that much, then as her elder sister, Qingli was going to make it official.

Sending her back to the village would be breaking up a pair of “lovers,” wouldn’t it?

But the original Qingli was just a young lady with only a few loyal maids like Qiyue. They could handle small matters, but erasing someone? Giving her a new identity to sneak back into the Xie family? That was asking too much.

It was much more efficient to let the Mu family handle it.

And besides, the original Qingli had been so wronged—her family deserved to know. Maybe they’d think twice the next time someone spread nasty rumors about her, and stand up for her instead.

Mu Lan’er had come in the dead of night, which spared Qingli the trouble of waiting. She had her bound and put on a carriage under the cover of darkness. They arrived at the Mu estate without drawing too much attention.

Father and Mother Mu had already gone to bed, but their daughter’s showing up in the middle of the night naturally caused a stir.

After hearing their daughter’s request, they braved the risk of a scolding and roused Grandfather Mu to the study.

Once everyone had gathered, Qingli began:
“Grandfather, Father, Mother!” she greeted, then turned to look at Mu Lan’er, whose expression had gone from twisted fury to limp despair. In a cold, steady voice, Qingli said, “Just half an hour ago, Mu Lan’er knelt before me, begging for forgiveness—because she gave her body to Xie Rongyun.”

The three elders of the Mu family: “???”

Still processing, the three turned their eyes to Mu Lan’er, each with an expression hard to put into words.

Mu Lan’er, essentially publicly executed on the spot, silently wept, regretting everything. Why did I even tell Qingli? she thought. If I had known it would lead to this nightmare, I would’ve kept it hidden.

She was finished.

This time, she probably wouldn’t survive.

Madam Mu, already in the know, still couldn’t hold back her rage. Her face darkened.
“You! You dared? Mu Lan’er, do you think your brother-in-law is the only man in the world?!”

Grandfather Mu’s wrinkled face turned red with fury. He hadn’t expected to be dragged out of bed in the middle of the night for this kind of scandal.

Father Mu’s face was stone cold. “Bring over Second Brother!” he barked.

No sooner had he spoken than Qiyue returned with a report—Second Master Mu had arrived. The man walked in nervously, his plump face wary. He assumed he’d gotten himself into trouble again and was about to be beaten by their father. But seeing the concubine-born daughter kneeling on the ground, he looked confused.

“Father?” Second Master Mu asked cautiously.

“You fool,” Grandfather Mu snapped. “You raised a bigger fool. Kneel!”

Without hesitation, Second Master Mu dropped to his knees and looked up anxiously.
“Father, Eldest Brother, what happened?!”

Madam Mu barked, “Ask your wonderful daughter! Is your sister’s husband the only man in this world? She had to go after her own sister’s man? And she dares call herself a daughter of the Mu family?!”

Second Master Mu turned to Mu Lan’er, his shock quickly turning to anger. She was still crying, her mouth gagged until someone removed it. She sobbed harder under her father’s glare, trembling violently, then began banging her head against the floor.
“I was wrong! Lan’er knows she was wrong!”

“Then why the hell did you do it?!” he shouted. “You’re trying to ruin our relationship with your uncle’s whole family!”

If the eldest branch turned its back on them, who would ever help them in the future?

Panic rising, Second Master Mu turned to Qingli’s icy expression and forced a smile.
“Ali… it’s all the fifth girl’s fault. If you must blame someone, blame her. I’ll make it official—I disown her! I, Mu the Second, no longer have this daughter!”

Mu Lan’er’s sobs froze. Her back stiffened. A moment later, she began to cry even harder.

Even her father had disowned her. Under Mu family law, she was as good as dead.