Chapter 11: A Good Show

Master Mu had always doted on Lanxi. Seeing the heavy expression on her face, he asked, "What is it? If there is something on your mind, speak up, and Father will settle it for you."

*Such deep father-daughter affection,* Liuyun sneered inwardly.

Recalling the humiliation she had suffered that day—how her father had shown such a lack of trust, how he had ordered people to beat her child to death—she clenched her fists tightly. She warned herself not to be impulsive and to remain calm. Only when she became powerful could she protect herself; otherwise, she would surely meet an even more tragic end than she did that day.

"Actually, there are some things Lanxi is unsure whether she should say. If she speaks, it will surely make Sister unhappy, but if she doesn't, it will affect the reputation of the Mu Estate. Lanxi is currently in a difficult position..." She furrowed her brows, lowered her head, and twisted her hands together.

"Just say what is on your mind, don't beat around the bush." Master Mu disliked it most when people were indirect. With a wave of his large hand, he said, "Speak."

Seeing this, Lanxi could only cast a cautious glance at Liuyun, as if worried her sister would be displeased. After a moment of hesitation, she said, "It is like this. This morning, Lanxi heard the servants talking about what happened when Sister fell into the lake yesterday. They said Sister pampers her maids and refuses to punish them when they are in the wrong, and such behavior causes the rules of the Mu Estate to vanish without a trace."

As if hearing a funny joke, the corners of Liuyun's mouth twitched slightly. Lanxi was certain that Liuyun wouldn't claim she had pushed her into the lake like yesterday, and she was also certain that her father wouldn't believe Liuyun's version of events. To think she dared to flip the truth so brazenly—it seemed Liuyun had underestimated her. Her father had always placed great importance on the household rules; there was a clear distinction between high and low, and the rules were numerous. Although he was usually very lenient with servants, he never tolerated those who committed actual offenses.

Liuyun understood in her heart that even if she were to accuse Lanxi now, she would be bitten back because there was no evidence, which would yield no benefit to her. Therefore, she would not alert the enemy prematurely. Moreover, given her current situation, there was no advantage in tearing the mask off and facing her early. Fortunately, yesterday's accusation had not made Lanxi realize that Liuyun had changed; she still viewed her as an ignorant and foolish sister.

However, Lanxi had forgotten one thing.

If Lanxi could play the role of the gentle and kind Second Young Lady, then Liuyun could naturally play the role of the ignorant and simple Eldest Young Lady. Sometimes, ignorance makes for an excellent mask, does it not?

Seeing that Liuyun remained silent, Lady Xia frowned and mused, "What you say is true. Then, how does the Second Young Lady think this matter should be handled most appropriately?"

"Naturally, according to the rules of the Mu Estate," Lanxi replied with a blink, as if it were the most obvious answer. Seeing Master Mu's brow furrowed deeply, she immediately added, "Daughter knows that Father is usually considerate of the servants, and that Sister is kind-hearted. But this trend must not be allowed to continue. If the servants act like Qianlan in the future, and everyone harbors a sense of luckiness, then the servants of our Mu Estate will be even harder to manage later on."

Lanxi spoke in a structured, orderly manner, framing everything from the perspective of the Mu Estate. The look of reluctance in her brows and the determination in her eyes earned Master Mu's great appreciation. Distinguishing between rewards and punishments had always been his style. Now that Qianlan had committed a mistake, she deserved punishment. The comfort he had felt because of Liuyun's sensible behavior vanished, replaced by a frown, as he felt Liuyun seemed to be overly protective of her own.

As things developed, Liuyun almost wanted to clap for Lanxi. With just a few words, she had changed her father's perspective. As expected of Lanxi, who understood her father best. However, if Liuyun were to compromise so easily, then Lanxi had underestimated her far too much.

"Lanxi is right. It should have been this way from the start," Master Mu nodded, agreeing completely with Lanxi's reasoning.

"Sister, please do not blame me for meddling; I am only thinking of your best interests. If you are good to the servants, they may not necessarily appreciate it. If they cause you trouble or heartache later, it will be too late to deal with them." Lanxi hid the triumph in her eyes. She was certain that Liuyun would not protect Qianlan. Even if Liuyun claimed in front of her father that she had pushed her, Lanxi had already prepared her excuses to exonerate herself. She was not the foolish Liuyun; since she dared to come here again, she was naturally prepared.

Liuyun did not miss the confidence in Lanxi's eyes and snorted inwardly. Since she liked to act, then Liuyun would play along.

Liuyun looked toward her father, appearing somewhat hesitant. "Lanxi only knows one part of the story and is unaware of the other. Daughter originally did not want to say anything, but if this matter is not clarified now, it would be unfair to Qianlan to let people misunderstand her for nothing."

"Is there more to this matter?" Master Mu asked, raising an eyebrow. Lanxi's gaze faltered for a moment.

"Yesterday, when Daughter and Lanxi were standing by the lake, only Lanxi's maid, Xiaotong, was by our side. At that time, I don't know what happened, but I felt someone push me and I fell into the lake. I was terrified at the time and only focused on struggling and crying for help. Yesterday, I thought Lanxi had pushed me and even argued with her. But thinking about it carefully, the matter is too strange. Lanxi was standing beside me, and the only person standing behind me was Xiaotong." Liuyun paused here and turned to Master Mu. "Daughter also does not wish to make a scene of this, as it is, after all, a family matter of the Mu Estate. If outsiders were to find out, who knows how they might mock our Mu Estate for failing to discipline its servants."

"You mean Xiaotong pushed you? This girl is actually so audacious that she dares to plot against my daughter!" Master Mu slammed the table and commanded toward the door, "Go and seize Xiaotong!"

Lanxi, who had been the one trying to frame others, was stunned. However, she reacted quickly and hurriedly said, "Father, Xiaotong has been with me since she was small. I know her character; she would never do such a thing. There must be some misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding? Does Sister mean that I am wronging your maid? A mere little girl—would I, the dignified legitimate daughter of the Mu Estate, really wrong a little maid?" Liuyun snorted coldly, her face full of displeasure. "Wasn't Sister just saying that if this matter were settled haphazardly, people might gossip and say our Mu Estate's young ladies are shielding their servants?"

"I didn't mean it that way." Lanxi bit her lip and lowered her head timidly.

Seeing her two daughters like this, Master Mu naturally frowned and prepared to speak, but Lady Xia pulled his sleeve and shook her head, saying gently, "This matter can be treated as large or small. If it was an unintentional mistake, then so be it. But if it was an intentional attempt to harm someone, our Master will certainly not tolerate such a person in the Mu Estate. Furthermore, this girl is, after all, the Second Young Lady's person. If people with ill intentions find out and add fuel to the fire, saying that the young ladies of the Mu Estate are plotting against each other, the matter will be difficult to clean up."

Lady Xia understood Master Mu well. Usually, he disliked dealing with the various affairs of the estate and turned a blind eye to the jealousies of the inner courtyard. But that did not mean he truly knew nothing. Once the matters of the inner courtyard became too disruptive and harmed the dignity of the Mu Estate, he would never tolerate it.

"Master, please do not be angry just yet. I believe this matter is likely a misunderstanding. Xiaotong has always been well-behaved and sensible; she wouldn't do something so foolish. Besides, she is the Second Young Lady's maid after all. If this news spreads, who knows what people will say. The Eldest Young Lady is your precious pearl and naturally cannot suffer such a grievance, but the Eldest Young Lady has always been reasonable; she would not jeopardize the reputation of the Mu Estate just to vent her anger." After Lady Xia finished speaking, she glanced at Liuyun while gently handing a teacup to Master Mu.