Fortunately, Suyi had not promised to come back with him.
The old masterâs birthday was just around the corner. Hai Rong was going to leave after a few days. They would never meet each other.
âGrandmaster Hai Rong, my fatherâs illness depends on you. I hope that itâs not troublesome for you.â
âTroublesome?â Hai Rong laughed. âIâm indebted to that young girl and Iâm also Huanâerâs master. Treat the old masterâs illness is my responsibility. It is late now. I have some business with Qian Kun. Iâll take my leave now.â
He smoothed his long sleeves when he finished talking. He got up from his seat.
He stopped walking and turned around to ask Mu Ling something that he had suddenly thought of. âBy the way, I heard from the people of the Mu family that the old master dislikes Qingyan. Is that true?â
Mu Lingâs facial expression changed. He was infuriated.
Just who on earth gossiped about that in front of Grandmaster Hai Rong?
âGrandmaster Hai Rong, thereâs nothing like that. The old master has been not quite himself recently. He is unable to think properly given that heâs ill. Qingyan is my motherâs niece. Why would my father dislike her?â
Hai Rong was rather displeased with what Mu Ling said.
Who would claim that oneâs father was unable to think straight?
But, it did not concern him much because it was another familyâs problem. He did not give much comment on that.
âFine. Iâm just telling you what I heard. One thing you need to remember. Old Master Mu Ling could not be provoked. If he dislikes Qingyan, just ask her not to appear in front of him. If he is provoked, his illness might worsen...â
Mu Ling felt awkward.
Qingyan had treated his mother nicely. If his fatherâs illness grew serious because of Qingyan...
âIn fact, I donât want to put my nose into other peopleâs affairs. But, I heard some rumors in the Mu family. Qingyan claimed that the young girl is her elder sister. So, I need to give you some advice. What a bastardly thing you have done. Mu Ling, I have always thought that youâre a responsible man when I first met you. You would never do what you have done by abandoning your wife and choosing your concubine over your wife.â
Mu Lingâs lips trembled. âGrandmaster Hai Rong, itâs impossible that I will do that. I am always hoping that my wife would come back. Itâs her who is unwilling to...â
Grandmaster Hai Rong shook his head helplessly.
He would never have gotten involved in the Mu familyâs affairs if Qingyang was not that young girlâs sister. He had said that for that young girlâs reputation.
However...
Hai Rong could not help but frown again when he remembered what he had heard at the Mu family. âQingyan is your cousin. Her elder sister is your cousin too, isnât it? But, why have I never heard of her?â
Mu Ling was rather anxious now. He remained calm. âSheâs a distant relative. She came to us because something had happened to her family. But, sheâs unwilling to trouble us so she did not stay here. The people from the Mu family do not know about her. Initially, I had promised Qingyan to take care of her so I traveled the world with her. That was when we got to know you.â
âOh!â Hai Rong learned of the bigger picture now. âThatâs what has happened. I thought that sheâs Qingyanâs younger sister. Since sheâs a distant relative and no one knows about her, it wonât matter much. But, you should be careful. Your wife will always be your wife. A concubine is just a concubine and she could never be compared to your wife.â
Mu Ling lowered his head. âIâll heed your advice and be more careful in the future.â
âIâll not say much. Mu Ling, the old master is my patient now. I donât want anybody to provoke him and influence his health. If this condition continues, Iâll never treat his illness again.â