WBSGVS Chapter 157 V2

Grandfather Mu’s expression finally softened. At least Second Brother had some sense. He no longer looked at Mu Lan’er. Instead, he turned to Qingli, his voice gentler now.

“Good child. You’ve suffered enough. We’ll make sure you get justice. But for the sake of the other sisters in the family… we’ll need to handle this matter privately. Is that alright with you? As for Xie Rongyun… that depends on how you want to deal with him.”

Qingli answered sweetly, “Grandfather, I understand. We still have Sixth and Seventh Sister who aren’t married yet.”

Seeing his granddaughter so sensible, Grandfather Mu’s mood improved even more.

Qingli added, “But I don’t want her to die.”

Grandfather Mu froze in surprise.

Madam Mu, having been caught off guard once before, immediately sensed something was off as soon as her daughter opened her mouth. She frowned and said, “A’Li!”

Qingli smiled at her but insisted, “Since she likes Xie Rongyun, let them be together—but she can no longer do so under the name Mu Lan’er.”

From now on, that woman would have nothing to do with the Mu family.

In her previous life, the original Qingli had never been able to bring herself to truly go after Xie Rongyun. When she fell gravely ill a second time and was on her deathbed, she finally learned the truth and lost all hope in him. That was why the Mu family had never known what those two vile people had done.

Later, Xie Rongyun helped Mu Lan’er change her name and identity. After his wife’s death, he brought her back as a “new” wife with relative ease.

The Mu family had even felt guilty at the time, thinking Lan’er had stepped down to become a concubine because of her sister Qingli, so they helped her out. Otherwise, how could they have kept it hidden from all of the capital?

Mu Lan’er, who had already lost all hope, suddenly heard Qingli’s words. Surprise and joy burst into her eyes. She knelt and kowtowed in gratitude. “Thank you, Third Sister! Thank you!”

Grandfather Mu frowned. “Are you certain?”

Qingli smiled and nodded. “I want to see just how deep this so-called ‘love’ goes.” She turned to the girl still kneeling, too afraid to even lift her head, and crouched down, speaking softly, “The man you want—I’m giving him to you. I wish you two a long, blissful life.”

Mu Lan’er slowly looked up at Qingli’s elegant and radiant face, but a chill crept down her spine. A terrible foreboding welled up in her heart.

Grandfather Mu shot Lan’er a sharp glare but finally nodded. “Very well.”

That very night, Mu Lan’er was punished with twenty lashes for violating clan rules by none other than her father, Second Master Mu.

It was all kept quiet to avoid public disgrace, but it also laid the groundwork for faking her death.

After all, how can you convincingly fake a death without a real illness?

If it had ended easily, it would’ve been far too kind to Mu Lan’er.

After the punishment, Lan’er’s backside was soaked in blood. She was carried out of the Mu estate before dawn. Qingli used the cover of night to return to the Xie household.

To the outside world, Lan’er had suddenly fallen ill and was sent home for treatment—this silenced any gossip. According to the original Qingli’s memories, Lan’er had been pregnant at this time in the previous life, even a bit earlier than now. But since Qingli’s return had disrupted their relationship, the pregnancy didn’t happen this time.

Or if it had, it ended now. The injuries alone made it impossible for any child to survive.

Qingli thought that was just as well. She might tolerate raising a child who carried only half the blood of someone she despised, but she had no interest in raising a child born of two people she loathed.

The matter stayed under wraps. The servants and maids who knew were given strict instructions not to speak of it.

That afternoon, Xie Rongyun returned from the Ministry of Revenue and immediately felt something was off.

He had originally planned to visit Moon Laurel Court the previous night, but an issue with Concubine Xu had kept him away. He felt a bit guilty. Though he had many women—five concubines, plus a beautiful maid gifted by his older sister, Mu Lan’er still held a special place in his heart.

To avoid further mishaps, he rested briefly, then headed straight to Moon Laurel Court.

But the place was empty.

The maid assigned to care for Lan’er knelt upon seeing him. “Fifth Miss went to see Madam last night… and never came back.”

Xie Rongyun’s heart sank. Something was wrong. Lately, he had been overwhelmed with courtesans and political setbacks, and he had neglected his silent, ever-watchful wife. Had she caught on?

He said nothing and went straight to the main residence.

When he arrived, Qingli was calmly practicing her calligraphy. Qiyue stood beside her, showering her with compliments. “Madam, your handwriting is getting more and more beautiful!”

Qingli waved her off. “It’s alright, not too bad…”

Then Xie Rongyun’s voice rang out. “A’Li, where is Fifth Miss Mu?”

Qingli looked up with a smile. “Oh, Lan’er? She came down with a sudden illness last night. I was worried, so I sent her home.”

Xie Rongyun’s face darkened.

What kind of sudden illness could be that contagious? He guessed the truth immediately: Qingli had found out about their affair and sent Lan’er away.

The Mu family was known for strict discipline. If Qingli had told them anything, Lan’er would have suffered!

His stomach twisted with unease. He stepped forward and raised his voice. “She was perfectly fine. How could she suddenly fall ill? Did you do something?”

Qingli looked down at her paper, her tone indifferent. “If you don’t believe me, feel free to go to the Mu estate and ask for her back.”

“So you did know!” he growled, eyes narrowing.

Qingli scoffed, giving him a look like he was a fool. “You two were so obvious. I’m not blind, you know.”

“Then blame me!” Xie Rongyun snapped, flustered but trying to sound chivalrous. “This was all my doing! It had nothing to do with Lan’er. Just bring her back—”

Smack! A book flew at him, fast and fierce, hitting him square in the face. His cheek burned, and his nose stung.

Stunned, he wiped his face and yelled, “Are you insane?!”

Qingli sneered. “Didn’t you ask me to blame you? What, not enjoying it now?”

Xie Rongyun clenched his jaw. “Mu Qingli! What’s your problem? I admit I was wrong, but I’ve never mistreated you before this. And you and Lan’er had a good relationship. I already have plenty of concubines—what’s one more? Why?”

Smack!
Smack!

More books flew at him, cutting him off. He raised his arms in defense, but the next thing he knew, a porcelain vase came sailing toward him.

“!!”

His face turned pale. He stumbled back, retreating from the room, no longer the refined gentleman he always tried to be. Flustered and furious, he shouted, “You’re completely insane!”

He had never seen this side of Qingli. Even in his darkest days, she had helped him. Though she had kept her identity hidden, he had never truly suffered. But now—this was terrifying.

Qingli looked at him with disdain, her voice cold as ice. “You’re the shameless one. Remember what you just said, Xie Rongyun.”

His face twitched in alarm. Had she told the Mu family?

But if she had… why was she still so calm?

No, that didn’t make sense. The Mu family would never air their dirty laundry. At most, they’d just arrange a quiet divorce. Worst case, he could volunteer for an out-of-town assignment. Even if the Fourth Prince failed, as long as he achieved some merit, the new emperor wouldn’t discard him just because of the Mu family.

Or so he thought.

Before he could find an excuse to request a reassignment…

Two days later, an official order arrived—

He was being sent to suppress a bandit uprising.