Chapter 12: Go With the Flow

Before Master Mu could speak, Lan Xi had already knelt before him, tears welling in her eyes. "Concubine Xia is right. Regardless of whether Xiao Tong did this intentionally or unintentionally, someone from my courtyard has made a mistake. I have failed to discipline my servants properly; please, Father, punish me."

This submissive and conciliatory manner caused Master Mu's heart to soften. He had always doted on Lan Xi; although she was merely a concubine-born daughter, she was extremely sensible and considerate. She never made things difficult for him and always considered his perspective. In contrast, Liu Yun frequently caused trouble and often embarrassed him by failing to read the room.

He gazed at Liu Yun in silence, calculating how to resolve this matter.

"Sister, what you say is truly amusing. I, as your elder sister, haven't even spoken yet, yet you keep mentioning punishment, as if your sister and Father are both heartless people. Even if Xiao Tong is someone from your courtyard, it doesn't mean you must bear the responsibility for her mistakes. Besides, as Concubine Xia said, this might just be a misunderstanding. Why must you preemptively strike like this, making it seem as though I, your eldest sister, am some kind of ruthless person?" Liu Yun propped her head up with her hand and let out a light laugh, her brow filled with a playful mockery that made it impossible to tell if her words were true or false.

Beside her, Qian Lan lowered her eyes, feeling immense shock at how calm the Eldest Miss was. Had this happened in the past, the entire Mu Estate would likely have been turned upside down by the Eldest Miss, yet now she was so composed that it was truly startling.

"Master, it seems our Eldest Miss has truly grown up." Lady Xia smiled warmly, a flash of gratification passing through her eyes as she looked at Liu Yun. She had just been wondering how she should react if the Eldest Miss insisted on making a scene, but she hadn't expected the Eldest Miss to have no intention of causing trouble at all.

"Indeed, Liu Yun has grown up." Master Mu also broke into a smile. He was a shrewd businessman and had sensed something unusual in Liu Yun's atypical attitude, but such a change was exactly what he had hoped for.

Liu Yun was, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Mu Estate and held a noble status. Even if she did not receive his favor, her position remained. Her future marriage would always require careful consideration. Master Mu had always worried that Liu Yun's temperament was too impulsive and reckless, fearing she might bring trouble to the Mu Estate in the future. Seeing that she had become much more sensible now, he felt somewhat relieved.

Lan Xi stared through her tearful eyes with a look of grievance and said softly, "Xiao Tong has been with me for many years, after all..."

"Let Liu Yun handle this matter. She is grown now and capable of managing the affairs of the estate. In the future, when she marries, she will need to act as a mistress of a household. Master, what do you think?" Lady Xia smiled submissively toward Master Mu, then turned to Liu Yun. "Master has always said that the Eldest Miss should help Sister Ruyu manage some household affairs. Previously, the Eldest Miss was young, but in a few months, she will celebrate her coming-of-age ceremony. It is time she begins to learn."

Master Mu nodded. "That is true. Then let this matter be handled by Yun'er."

Lan Xi gritted her teeth. She truly did not want to hand the girl over to Liu Yun. She was well aware of the methods Liu Yun used to torment servants. Whether Xiao Tong could survive in her hands was secondary; if she were coerced into a false confession and turned around to bite back, claiming that she, the Second Miss, had ordered her to push the Eldest Miss, then Lan Xi would be unable to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.

"Father, I am afraid that might not be appropriate." Liu Yun cast an ambiguous glance at Lan Xi's restrained expression, secretly admiring her in her heart. It was rare to see a girl who had not yet reached her coming-of-age ceremony possess such restraint and inner composure.

"Why is it inappropriate?" A hint of interest flashed in Master Mu's eyes. His daughter rarely displayed such a calm and unhurried demeanor; this air of being prepared and composed was something he greatly appreciated.

Just as Liu Yun was about to speak, she was interrupted by a fit of coughing. She pressed her right fist against her lips, letting out intermittent coughs. It took a while for her to catch her breath before she said in a low voice, "My body has not yet recovered, and I do not have the mental strength to deal with this matter right now. Why not leave Xiao Tong to Lan Xi? I believe Lan Xi will give me an explanation. What do you think, Father?"

Seeing Liu Yun's pale complexion, Master Mu could not help but frown. He glanced at the silent Lan Xi and finally nodded in agreement. "Very well, then let Lan Xi handle this matter. You focus on recovering your health; do not trouble your mind with these things."

"Yes, I will certainly give Sister an explanation," Lan Xi replied repeatedly.

Just then, the housekeeper's voice came from outside the door. "Master, you made an appointment a few days ago for Physician Liang from the medical clinic to examine the Third Madam. He has arrived at the front hall."

"Understood." Having said that, Master Mu stood up and left Liu Yun's room with Lady Xia. Faking exhaustion, Liu Yun had no choice but to let Lan Xi take Xiao Tong back to her own courtyard.

After a long while, Qian Lan could no longer help but ask, "It was clearly Xiao Tong who pushed the Miss. Why didn't the Miss keep her to investigate thoroughly and instead let the Second Miss take her away?"

"Wan Qing, what do you think?" Liu Yun did not answer, but instead beckoned Wan Qing, who had just entered with a bowl of medicine, to come closer.

Handing the medicine to Liu Yun, Wan Qing immediately said, "The best choice for the Miss was to push this hot potato away."

"How so?" Qian Lan frowned, looking confused. "Was it just because she didn't want to offend the Second Miss?"

"Although Xiao Tong is the Second Miss's person, she is ultimately just a servant. Even if the Eldest Miss punished her, it would only give the impression of bullying the weak. Everyone would surely think the Eldest Miss was using a pretext to blame Xiao Tong, and they would only see Xiao Tong and the Second Miss as innocent victims." Wan Qing paused, and seeing Liu Yun nod, she continued, "But by letting the Second Miss handle this matter now, it forces her to take a stand. Regardless of whether Xiao Tong did it, the Second Miss will definitely act to protect herself. If she protects Xiao Tong, everyone in the Mu Estate will think she is a mistress who shields her servants. If she sacrifices Xiao Tong, then one must ask: who will ever dare to be truly loyal to the Second Miss again?"

Qian Lan looked at Liu Yun in sudden realization and blurted out, "When did Miss become so shrewd?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere instantly froze. Qian Lan realized she had spoken out of turn and immediately knelt to slap her own mouth. "This servant spoke recklessly."

Just as Wan Qing was about to make excuses for her, Liu Yun waved her hand and smiled. "Get up. You aren't wrong. In the past, I was too naive, which allowed people to scheme against me without my knowing. This time, they are determined to see me dead; if I am not clear-headed after this, then I truly am too foolish."

While such a reason might not be entirely convincing, it held a high degree of credibility, after all, Liu Yun had nearly drowned in the lake.

Of course, what they did not know was that there was another reason why Liu Yun acted this way—it was just uncertain whether what she anticipated would actually happen.