Chapter 60: Pure-Hearted Mu Zhi’an |
Huang Manting, the daughter of the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce’s Master Huang, was an eighth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she had never been scolded or reprimanded. She displayed extraordinary talent from a young age, reaching the peak of Qi Condensation at thirteen and Foundation Establishment at fourteen.
She was intelligent and gifted, and despite her parents’ busy schedules, she hadn’t developed the spoiled and arrogant personality common among wealthy young mistresses.
However, her flaws were far more insidious.
…
Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce.
A luxurious mansion stood proudly in the heart of Tianxuan City’s most prosperous district.
The exquisitely decorated main hall exuded an aura of wealth and power. Huang Manting, known as the “Temptress,” sat gracefully, her legs crossed, her chin resting on her hand, her delicate feet swinging gently.
Beside her, the spy who had been tasked with investigating Mu Zhi’an stood respectfully, reporting his findings.
“Miss, this is what we’ve gathered on Mu Zhi’an.”
“Then, the Bai family faced misfortune, targeted by my father and the Gongsun family head. Bai Ruoxi had no choice but to seek the Mu family’s assistance… So far, so good.”
“But now, the Bai family head has returned, and the entrance exams are approaching. There’s no reason for Bai Ruoxi to be so devoted to him.”
With her strength, joining the Two Polarities Sect would be a simple matter. She might even secure an inner disciple spot.
Why would she be so committed to Mu Zhi’an? Unless… she was truly in love with him.
But she had despised him for so long. He hadn’t even been a backup option. Why had her attitude changed so drastically in just a few days?
“Could she be… under duress?” a servant asked.
Huang Manting tapped her foot, her voice calm. “Impossible. Unless the Bai family was facing annihilation, she wouldn’t submit so easily.”
“And besides… she didn’t seem unwilling yesterday.”
“Perhaps she simply fell in love with him,” the servant suggested.
Huang Manting’s shoe slipped from her foot. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “If that’s the case, it’s quite intriguing.”
How had Mu Zhi’an captured her heart in just a few days?
And… how would she react if she discovered that the man she loved was becoming someone else’s pawn?
She tapped her finger against the armrest, and the servant, understanding her meaning, knelt down and slipped her shoe back on.
A servant hurried into the hall, his expression hesitant. “Miss, Young Master Mu is here to see you.”
He remembered Master Huang’s instructions before leaving for the auction house: If Mu Zhi’an came calling, tell him that he was out on business.
He clearly wanted to avoid getting involved in the conflict between the Mu, Gongsun, and Bai families.
He was a businessman. Profit was his only concern.
Huang Manting raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you tell him my father isn’t here?”
“I did… but he said he was here to see you, Miss.”
“Oh?” She was intrigued.
As the largest trading house in Tianxuan City, the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce had dealings with many families, including the Mu family.
However, Mu Zhi’an had rarely spoken to her.
While she was considered a beauty, her personality wasn’t to his liking.
His sudden visit piqued her curiosity.
“Bring him in,” she said.
Moments later, a handsome young man entered the hall, escorted by a servant.
She smiled sweetly. “Young Master Mu, please, have a seat.”
After he sat down, she dismissed the servants and personally poured him a cup of tea.
“What brings you to our humble establishment so early in the morning, Young Master Mu?” she asked softly.
He chuckled, shaking his head. “I wasn’t planning to visit, but… I heard from my sources that you’ve been investigating me, Miss Huang.”
The Mu family’s reach was indeed extensive. She had only started investigating him yesterday, and the news had already leaked.
She narrowed her eyes, her voice clear and sweet. “Are you here to reprimand me, Young Master Mu?”
Her actions were simply to satisfy her curiosity. They wouldn’t harm the Mu family’s interests. Even if they found out, they would simply issue a verbal warning.
In other words, he was here to throw a tantrum.
But to her surprise, he shook his head.
“How could I reprimand such a beautiful woman?” he said, smiling.
She smiled back, enjoying his flattery.
She studied him, her eyes narrowed. “Then what brings you here…?”
“I’m here to satisfy your curiosity,” he replied earnestly.
“Instead of wasting time and resources on an investigation, I’ll answer your questions directly.”
She chuckled. “Coming here just to satisfy my curiosity? Isn’t that a bit reckless? What if Miss Bai finds out?”
Why does she sound so catty? He took a sip of tea, smiling. “She’s not the jealous type.”
He might not understand women, but he knew that Bai Ruoxi, despite her aloof exterior, was a forgiving person.
After all, with a heart that big… it was only natural for her to be understanding.
“I heard you pursued Miss Bai relentlessly, despite her constant rejections. Is that true?” she asked suddenly.
He had offered to answer her questions, so she wouldn’t hold back.
“It’s true,” he admitted with a chuckle.
He had indeed been rejected repeatedly, treated with disdain. She had only tolerated him because of his family’s status.
But technically, he was still pursuing her, and she was much more receptive now, even shy at times.
“Then how did you manage to win her over in just a few days?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
He smiled. “I used the same methods as before.”
He sighed dramatically. “Ruoxi is a simple girl. Perhaps she was moved by my sincerity.”
She chuckled softly. “Congratulations, Young Master Mu. She’s a beautiful woman.”
He smiled. “I consider myself lucky.”
She changed the subject. “Miss Bai’s performance yesterday was quite impressive. She defeated Gongsun Cheng with a single strike. How much do you know about that bronze sword of hers?”
This was the real reason for her investigation. While she was curious about their relationship, she was more interested in Bai Ruoxi’s power.
He pondered for a moment. “I don’t know the details, but I doubt anyone at her level can defeat her.”
She stared at him. “You’re that certain?”
“You’re at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, aren’t you? You saw that sword’s power. You should have a better understanding than I do,” he replied.
She fell silent.
She didn’t want to admit it, but when she saw that sword… she felt a sense of dread.
She kept telling herself that if she could avoid that strange attack, she would have a chance… but could she truly avoid it?
“It seems Miss Bai will be the first among our generation to join the Two Polarities Sect,” she murmured.
He smiled, but didn’t answer.
He was simply here to negotiate with the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, to put on a show for the Gongsun family. This conversation was merely a way to pass the time.
She leaned forward, her voice a soft murmur. “I might not be a match for Bai Ruoxi, but what if…”
She placed her hand on his, her eyes meeting his. “What if I were… her rival?”
“Forget about being her husband. Be with me instead.”
She gently squeezed his hand.
He frowned, feigning hesitation, but a flicker of interest appeared in his eyes. “Miss Huang, that’s… inappropriate. I can’t betray Ruoxi.”
She smiled, her grip on her teacup tightening, spilling tea on her chest. She gasped, rising to her feet. “Oh no, Could you help me… clean this up, Young Master Mu?”
He looked down at her, his voice strained. “Miss Huang, I really can’t… Ruoxi would be furious.”
“Please, just help me”
She took his hand, placing a handkerchief in it, guiding it towards her chest.
He sighed, reluctantly complying.
She watched him, a flicker of disdain in her eyes.
Bai Ruoxi might be powerful, but her taste in men was disappointing.
A few simple tricks, and he was already smitten.
Today, it was wiping spilled tea. Next time, it would be licking her feet.
That was how you trained a man.
“I apologize for the trouble, Young Master Mu,” she said softly, her eyes filled with feigned remorse. “You’re not angry with me, are you?”
“Miss Huang, please, don’t tell Ruoxi. She wouldn’t forgive me,” he pleaded.
“If she won’t forgive you… you can always be with me,” she murmured. “By the way, we’re hosting an auction in a few days. I’d like to invite you to my private room. Would you do me the honor?”
She looked up at him, her eyes pleading.
“If you refuse, I’ll have to tell Miss Bai about this.”
He hesitated, his expression conflicted. “But I can’t betray Ruoxi. Oh, what am I going to do?”
He sighed dramatically.
She smiled, her charm captivating, her voice soft and sweet. “Just this once, spend some time with me… please?”
She clasped his hand, her eyes filled with a girlish vulnerability.
Her voice, her beauty, her pleading… a weaker man would have succumbed to her charms.
He looked at her, his acting skills impeccable, and sighed, squeezing her hand gently. “Alright, but please, Miss Huang, don’t threaten me like that again.”
“Really? Thank you!” She clapped her hands excitedly, a strand of hair falling across her face, adding to her allure.
They chatted for a while longer, his gaze lingering on her, as if captivated by her beauty.
Then, seeing that it was getting late, he rose to his feet, preparing to leave.
“I’ll see you at the auction, Miss Huang,” he said, bowing slightly.
She nodded, smiling. “I’m looking forward to it.”
He left the Chamber of Commerce, escorted by a servant.
He flexed his hand, recalling the feel of her touch.
Hmph, she wasn’t even half as substantial as Bai Ruoxi.
No wonder she wasn’t considered the most beautiful woman in Tianxuan City.
Firstly, her personality was unpleasant. And secondly… she was lacking in certain areas.
He climbed into his carriage. “Take me to the Tide Sea Inn,” he instructed the coachman.
He might as well buy some osmanthus cake and visit Lan Mulian while he was out.
The snow lotus he had given her was probably wilting. He could replace it with a fresh one.