Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Old Master Xiaâs expression darkened and he looked at her with malice in his eyes.
Xia Muqing sat back down and continued cooking the grilled fish.
Old Master Xia took two steps forward when he remembered what happened to the guards earlier on. He froze on the spot.
He flicked his sleeves and left.
Once he left, the black eagle scurried out from the darkness and stood guard beside the grill, staring at the fish on it.
Xia Muqing tapped and chided it with a chuckle. âYouâre useless.â
While they were having fun, Old Master Xia wasnât in a good mood.
He marched towards Ruan Yuâs courtyard.
When Ruan Yu heard that the old master had arrived, she was so surprised that she instructed a maid to help her to doll herself up.
Scrutinizing her reflection in the mirror, she frowned and asked, âXiaotao, I think there are more wrinkles around my eyes recently.â
The servant, Xiaotao, didnât stop moving her hands. She said with a smile, âNo, Madam youâre still charming. Iâm envious of your skin. Otherwise, you wouldnât have attracted Old Master to come here every day.â
Ruan Yu chided, âYou really are bold.â
However, there was satisfaction in her eyes.
Thus Xiaotao wasnât afraid. She grinned as she styled her mistressâ hair.
Touching her hair gently, Ruan Yu said with a smile, âYour skills are still the best.â
Saying so, she took out a silver hairpin and handed it to her. âThis is for you.â
Xiaotao was naturally grateful.
Hearing sounds at the door, Ruan Yu held the hem of her dress and hastily strode to the door.
Seeing that Old Master Xia had entered, Ruan Yu rose and approached him. Before she could say a word, she was slapped across the face.
The way she approached him was as if she was asking for a beating.
Ruan Yu fell to the ground in a panic, looking confused.
The servants in the room didnât dare to make a sound.
Only then did Old Master Xia feel that he had vented his anger.
Ruan Yu snapped back to reality and said with an embarrassed expression, âMaster, I donât know what I have done wrong to deserve this treatment.â
Old Master Xia wasnât guilty as he replied coldly, âItâs all your fault as a mother that Chuxing has become so shameless. The Xia family canât tolerate such a shameless daughter.â
Gritting her teeth, Ruan Yu could only swallow her anger and stand up.
She covered the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief and sobbed. âOld Master, you know that Chuxing has always been obedient and sensible. This incident is definitely not her intention.â
Old Master Xia frowned. âWhat do you mean?â
Ruan Yu inched closer to him. Knowing his temperament, she reached out and gently stroked his chest.
Seeing that he didnât reject her, she knew that he had softened.
She said meaningfully, âThe Xia family has always been fine, but ever since Xia Muqing came back, so much has happened. I thinkâ¦â
Old Master Xia asked, âYou suspect that Xia Muqing did it?â
Ruan Yu waved her hands pretentiously and answered, âI donât dare to.â
Old Master Xia was deep in thought.
He sighed and said, âI donât know whatâs wrong with that girl. I canât do anything to her as well.â
She didnât care if she was scolded, and no one could beat her up now. It was really a headache.
Ruan Yu finally understood why he was so angry. It turned out that he had lost to Xia Muqing and he was using her as a punching bag.
She silently cursed Old Master Xia for being useless while bearing a grudge against Xia Muqing.
However, she smiled coquettishly and probed, âI heard that Prince Yu wants to take in a concubine recently. This is a good opportunity to curry favor with Prince Yu.â
Old Master Xia paused and he was tempted by the idea.
She hesitated. âAlthough Prince Yu is a prince, heâs already more than fifty years old. More than ten of his wives have died in succession. Iâm afraid that lass wonât agree either.â
Ruan Yu continued, âThat lass should contribute to the family. If she marries Prince Yu, it will be considered that our family is connected to the emperorâs family.. Itâs her honor.â