Chapter 11: Murderous Intent, You're Not Dead Yet, Are You?

It was said that Leng Rumei’s blood was rushing to her heart in fury, and she was screaming and shouting. The person she wanted had been brought, but seeing Mu Qi sitting steadily upon the high platform, everyone stood frozen, not daring to step forward.

"Rebellion! This is pure rebellion! When the Master returns, he'll sell every single one of you!" While fuming, Leng Rumei stepped forward, attempting to snatch the canes from the guards' hands.

Unfortunately, she was neither as tall nor as strong as them, and more importantly, they refused to heed her. Within a few moves, she was pushed to the ground. Hearing that they were to be sold, the servants behind her finally found the courage to rush forward, but before they could take two steps, they were intercepted by people appearing from out of nowhere.

The commotion in the front courtyard was massive and had long since reached the Old Madam's ears. Moreover, with the shrewd Mu Xiaoqing present, how could a figure like the Old Madam not step out to lead the charge!

By the time the Old Madam arrived at the front courtyard, she saw two groups of people in a standoff. Her beloved daughter-in-law was currently sprawled on the ground with disheveled hair, and Ban Zheng was wailing as Leng Shaocai was beaten until blood sprayed. The Old Madam barked sternly, "Stop! All of you, stop! Qi-jie'er, are you trying to turn this household into a place of chaos? Quickly, release the people!"

Unsurprisingly, the Old Madam's words merely drifted lonely through the cold wind, falling softly without changing a single thing.

Seeing her mother fallen to the ground, Mu Xiaoqing's eyes had already turned red with rage. Looking at Mu Qi, who sat elegantly and composed upon the high platform, she marched over angrily and reached out, intending to sweep the teacups off the table.

Mu Qi did not utter a word; she merely looked at Mu Xiaoqing coldly. Her eyes served as a warning: if she dared to break even a single cup, she would pay the price.

To be honest, Mu Xiaoqing was a little afraid. The timid and weak Mu Qi had never possessed such a terrifying gaze. She was afraid, but she wanted even more to crush this woman's arrogance. She picked up a cup from the table, looked at Mu Qi provocatively, and slammed it hard against the ground.

The corners of Mu Qi's mouth curled into a smile, making her emotions unreadable, but her hands moved with incredible speed. Before anyone could see what happened, a shrill, miserable scream erupted from the high platform, followed by the sound of a cup shattering on the ground.

When the crowd looked over, they saw a bloody gash on Mu Xiaoqing's forehead, with blood streaming down.

The Old Madam was so angry her body swayed as she pointed at Mu Qi, shouting, "A disgrace to the family! A disgrace! Mu Qi, who gave you the audacity to bully your aunt and harm your cousin? Someone, come quickly! Seize the Seventh Young Lady!"

Mu Qi sneered. *Yes, who was it that caused the innocent Mu Qi to die a wrongful death, and sent me, an assassin, to help seek vengeance?*

Mu Qi stood up, brushed off her white cloak, and walked toward the Old Madam step by step under everyone's gaze. Her eyes were as cold as an ice cave in winter, making even the Old Madam shiver involuntarily. "The Old Madam asks me this? I would rather ask the Old Madam: this Marquis of Anding's manor was earned with my father's life. You live in my father's house and enjoy the wealth he brought you, yet how have you treated his daughter? From the time I was small until now, have you ever held me even once? My sisters had nannies to raise them; did you ever bother with me? My sisters had new clothes and jewelry for every season, yet I wore old clothes all year round. For over ten years, when you see my father in your dreams at night, have you felt even a shred of shame? I was merely punishing the servants who framed me, yet Grandmother wants to seize me. Are you certain you are truly my grandmother?"

Mu Qi spat out the last few words almost one by one, each heavy and deliberate. The Old Madam instinctively took a step back, whether out of fear from Mu Qi's fierce gaze or true guilt, it was hard to tell. Her hand trembled as she pointed at Mu Qi, her voice losing its confidence.

"Qi-jie'er, what nonsense are you talking? Am I a fake grandmother? Look at the mess you've made of the Marquis's manor! Release the people and apologize to your aunt and cousin. I will settle this matter; let it end here."

The Old Madam wore a mask of righteousness. Anyone who didn't know the truth would truly think this grandmother was wonderful and incredibly magnanimous toward Mu Qi.

"The Old Madam speaks so lightly," Mu Qi countered. "That vile slave nearly took my life. If he isn't beaten to death, word will get out that the Eldest Miss of the Marquis of Anding is easy to bully. As for an apology—my aunt slapped me yesterday, and my cousin smashed my cup. Shouldn't they be the ones apologizing to me first?"

Standing in the courtyard in her white cloak, Mu Qi looked solitary, proud, and cold—like a sovereign, sacred and inviolable. Her exquisite features radiated a chilling aura. If she wanted an apology, they would need the courage to give it.

"You bitch, in your dreams!" As soon as Mu Qi finished speaking, Mu Wanqing was the first to lose her temper, her shrill curses echoing from the high platform.

The Old Madam glanced at Mu Xiaoqing, signaling her to be quiet, then turned back to Mu Qi. Her eyes had turned to dissatisfaction; she knew that the offspring of an unrefined woman would never be respectable. "Qi-jie'er, have you had enough? The servant has been beaten, and you are standing there perfectly fine. Your aunt is an elder; how can she apologize to a junior? Apologize now and disperse the crowd. This commotion is completely lacking in decorum!"

The Old Madam had been a strong woman her whole life. Now that her son had finally become the Marquis of Anding, she was the absolute authority inside and outside this manor. She had been completely unprepared for Mu Qi's outburst yesterday and had suffered a great loss; today, she was determined to reclaim her dignity. If she couldn't even suppress a mere granddaughter, how could she maintain her standing among the ranks of the titled ladies?

Mu Qi glanced sideways at the Old Madam. This old woman was truly a piece of work. If there weren't so many witnesses, Mu Qi might have said, *"He harmed you, but you didn't die, did you?"* If you didn't die, you don't have to pay with your life. The life of a legitimate daughter of this Marquis's manor was truly worthless. "Because you are my father's biological mother, I address you with the respect of 'Grandmother,' but I have realized you are not worthy of the title. According to the laws of Eastern Wu, those who plot against their master shall be executed. Old Madam, surely you haven't even heard of laws that even a three-year-old understands?"

Mu Qi watched the Old Madam's expression as she spoke, watching her body tremble with rage. She continued, "But it is understandable if you haven't heard of them. After all, you were born in the countryside; your manners are crude and your knowledge is limited."

Mu Qi specifically chose to trample on the Old Madam's sore spots. The Old Madam loathed anyone mentioning her origins. For over ten years, she had maintained the airs of the Marquis's matriarch, and no one had ever dared to say such things to her face. To be insulted by her own granddaughter was both humiliating and infuriating. "Mu Qi, fine! Very well! Today, I shall act on your father's behalf to teach you a lesson, you disrespectful brat!"

As the Old Madam cursed, she swung her cane toward Mu Qi. But before the cane could touch her, Mu Qi reached out, caught it, and tossed it aside.

Mu Qi said coldly, "You are not qualified to act on my father's behalf, and you are even less qualified to hit me."