Chapter 2: Forced Confession

It was only at this moment that Liuyun finally understood something. It was as if she were seeing these people for the first time: her beloved man, the concubine who treated her like her own daughter, and her beloved second sister. She suddenly realized that she didn't seem to know them at all.

They wanted to drive her to her death, didn't they?

"Eldest Sister, don't look at Lanxi like that. Although we are close as sisters, I can still distinguish right from wrong. If you did something wrong, then you did something wrong. Sister, just admit your mistake to Father. You are Father's biological daughter after all; Father won't truly be angry." Lanxi pursed her lips and shrank her neck timidly, as if she had been startled by something.

"Admit my mistake?" Liuyun gave a cold laugh, the corners of her lips curling slightly. Her eyes, which were usually brimming with spirit, flashed with a sudden light. She tilted her head and said softly, "Yes, why shouldn't it be my fault? Failing to recognize people's true nature is also a mistake, isn't it?"

In his raging fury, how could Mu Qingyang listen to her words? Seeing her so obstinate only made him more livid. She actually dared to defy him so brazenly in front of outsiders. He pointed at her angrily, "Someone, bring the family discipline! Beat her! Beat her severely! Beat her until she admits her mistake, and beat her until she says who her lover is!"

In the vast front hall, the woman was forced to lie face down on a wooden bench. Long rattan strips lashed cruelly against her body. Her back was already a bloody mess, her thin clothes clinging to her with blood, and her arms were covered in bruises. In the quiet hall, there were only the muffled groans, thudding heavily into everyone's hearts.

"Master, the Eldest Miss has always been frail. If you continue like this, it will cost a life." The Third Madam, Lady Xia, walked in supported by a servant. She walked hurriedly, her breath coming in urgent gasps. She reached Master Mu in a few steps and knelt straight down. "The Eldest Miss is the Great Madam's lifeblood. The Great Madam passed away early, and Master, you promised the Great Madam that you would take good care of the Miss..."

Before she could finish, Lady Lin interrupted her. "Sister, you are mistaken. This concubine and Master have always doted on the Eldest Miss, which is why she has become the way she is today. The Great Madam was from a prestigious family; if she were alive today and saw the Eldest Miss doing such shameless things, she would likely be even angrier."

The woman in purple was the Third Madam of the Mu residence, Lady Xia, who was also a concubine long favored by Mu Qingyang. Her words indeed caused Master Mu's expression to pause slightly. He helped Xia sit down and said with frustration, "She has brought shame to her mother's face. It is because I have indulged her too much in the past that she has done something so disgraceful to our family. No one is to plead for her."

Mu Liuyun felt the taste of blood in her mouth, but she didn't know if she had bitten her tongue or if the whip had caused blood to surge from her throat. She silently turned her head, looking at the man who stood to the side with an expressionless face. He gazed at her indifferently; in those clear eyes that should have been tender enough to drip water, there was only absolute coldness, as if they were strangers.

This man was actually so heartless. He watched her being beaten until she was covered in wounds, yet he did not speak up to plead for her. Even if he didn't say the child in her womb was his, if he had only spoken, her father would have let her go—after all, this explanation was for him. But he remained silent throughout.

A throbbing pain pulsed in her lower abdomen. She knew she likely wouldn't be able to keep this child. Her fate with this child had lasted only a few short days. When she first learned of the child's existence, she had been ecstatic, thinking the child's father would be just as happy as she was. She never expected that man to feel not even a shred of joy.

Her lower body felt a sensation of wetness; she knew what that meant.

She curled her lips into a faint smile. It was better this way. An unwanted child—if it was gone, then so be it.

"Master, the Miss has fainted," the servant performing the execution reported.

"Throw her into the woodshed. No one is allowed to visit her." Mu Qingyang didn't even spare her a glance. He waved his hand, and once the people had carried her away, he turned to Shen Yi and said, "Nephew, regarding this matter..."

Before Shen Yi could speak, Lanxi, who was standing nearby, suddenly stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Father, the Mu residence does not have only one daughter. The marriage contract between the Mu and Shen families did not specify that it must be the legitimate daughter who marries. Although Sister has done something wrong to Big Brother Shen, our Mu family is not a people who break their word. If Big Brother Shen does not mind, Lanxi is willing to marry into the Shen residence."

"Xi'er..." Lady Lin frowned, feigning surprise. "What is the meaning of this?"

Master Mu's expression, however, wavered. Lanxi was indeed not wrong. The ancestors of the Mu and Shen families had arranged a marriage contract for the younger generations, but they had not strictly stipulated it must be the legitimate son and daughter. It was only because Liuyun was the eldest legitimate daughter that Master Mu had intended for her to marry into the Shen family. Now that she had done such shameless things, it was naturally impossible for her to marry into the Shen family. If Lanxi were married instead, it would silence the gossip; it would mean the Mu family had not broken its word, and Shen Yi would not speak out of turn.

Lady Xia, however, was extremely opposed. "Master, everyone in Linyang City knows that it was the Mu family's legitimate daughter who was to marry into the Shen family. To change it to a concubine's daughter now will surely invite gossip."

"So what? We will announce to the outside that Liuyun is suffering from a severe illness and is bedridden, unable to marry Shen Yi, and that Lanxi will fulfill the contract. As for the distinction between legitimate and concubine's children, it doesn't matter. Let Lanxi be adopted under Mengxian's name, and she will be the Mu family's legitimate daughter." Master Mu waved his hand, signaling Xia not to say any more. The matter was decided.

Lanxi curled her lips into a smile. "Thank you, Father."

Shen Yi and Lanxi exchanged a subtle glance. Lady Xia frowned deeply, while Lady Lin was quite satisfied with the current situation.

Just then, the Mu family's steward came rushing in and whispered a few words into Master Mu's ear. Master Mu's expression changed drastically, and he stood up abruptly. "I must leave for a few days. Ruyu, please handle the affairs of the manor. Yuanshan's health is poor and needs recuperation; please look after her."

Having said that, he strode away following the steward, completely ignoring the bewildered looks of the group behind him.

"Sister should go to the backyard to rest properly. Do not trouble yourself with the affairs of this manor." Lady Lin stood up, her expression turning serious as she instructed the maid beside Lady Xia, "Take the concubine back to rest. If anything happens, I will hold you responsible."

Lady Xia wanted to say more, but Lady Lin had already turned and left. When Xia tried to speak, the maid beside her pulled at her and shook her head. She understood the maid's meaning: she could no longer interfere in the Eldest Miss's matter. If the Master were here, she might have been able to plead more, but now that it was in Lady Lin's hands, there was nothing she could do.

She sighed and could only return to her own courtyard, silently hoping that the Master would return soon.