Chapter 13: Watching the Show: Lying Costs Nothing

The servants did not move, but Mu Sang and the men brought back from the manor did. More than fifty men knelt on the ground in unison: "We will follow the Eldest Miss unto death!" These men all came from military backgrounds; their simultaneous kneeling and shouting were perfectly synchronized, their voices sounding like booming bells—deep, resonant, and ear-splitting.

This shocking scene startled many. Those quick to react immediately knelt on the ground: "This lowly one is willing to follow the Eldest Miss."

Seeing so many people kneeling, it was evident that the Eldest Miss had been prepared for this. The clever ones quickly chose their side; it seemed the weather in the Marquis's Manor was truly about to change.

Once these people knelt, most of the others followed suit. In an instant, eight or nine out of ten servants in the entire manor were on their knees. The dozen or so who did not kneel were either Mu Mingchong's personal confidants or people close to the Old Lady.

Seeing that the tide had turned, Mu Mingchong's expression became extremely unsightly. "Get up! All of you, get up!"

Mu Mingchong shouted in desperation, but the servants remained kneeling on the ground with their heads bowed, motionless. Infuriated, Mu Mingchong walked over and began kicking the people kneeling in the front, knocking them to the ground. "You dog slaves! You bastards! You eat my food and use my resources, yet you refuse to recognize your master? I'll kick you to death!" Mu Mingchong exerted force with his feet, cursing recklessly without restraint.

Mu Qi glanced at Mu Sang, who immediately understood. She walked over and stood in front of these people. Seeing that his attempts to beat the servants were being blocked by Mu Sang, Mu Mingchong grew even more enraged and raised his foot to kick Mu Sang, but he pulled it back halfway. Mu Sang's martial arts skills were formidable; he was merely a scholar without the strength to kill a chicken, and if they truly fought, he would inevitably be at a disadvantage.

"Mu Qi, what do you mean by this? Treating your Eldest Uncle like this—aren't you afraid of being struck by divine lightning?" Since Mu Mingchong couldn't beat Mu Sang, he didn't believe he couldn't deal with Mu Qi. Once he dealt with her, he wanted to see who would still back this dog slave.

Mu Qi looked at Mu Mingchong's pathetic display with utter disdain. If he truly had the courage to fight Mu Sang, perhaps she would think a little higher of this Eldest Uncle. "Don't worry, Eldest Uncle. If I am truly struck by divine lightning, it's only right that your entire family is struck first."

Mu Xiaqing truly could not stand Mu Qi's arrogance. "Mu Qi, don't get too cocky! I'm going to the yamen right now to report you for attempting to harm your cousin!" With her face covered in blood and a ferocious glint in her eyes, Mu Xiaqing truly looked like a malevolent ghost.

"Fine, go ahead and report me, Cousin. I also happen to want to ask the Magistrate: what is the crime for breaking a cup bestowed by the Emperor?" Mu Qi spoke off the cuff; after all, lying cost nothing.

Mu Xiaqing was momentarily choked with rage by Mu Qi's unexpected move. "Mu Qi, you're lying! That was clearly just an ordinary cup, and you were the one who smashed it!"

Mu Xiaqing had suffered a loss just now. Seeing Mu Qi's calm expression, she thought back to what her father had said—that the Marquis's Manor had been bestowed many things by the Emperor. *Could this cup really be an imperial gift?* Mu Xiaqing's heart raced with anxiety.

Mu Qi gave a deep, cold laugh. "Whether I am lying or not, the Magistrate will decide once we reach the yamen. My cup fell from your forehead; tell me, which one do you think the Magistrate will rule broke it?" Using the "imperial gift" card was too convenient; she believed Mu Xiaqing would have nightmares tonight.

"This girl is quite scheming. Watching such a good show makes this Prince's freezing ordeal worthwhile." The speaker was Prince Rui, Zhongli Wenhao. At some unknown point, he had climbed onto the wall of the Marquis's Manor, wearing an expression of leisurely enjoyment as he watched the drama unfold.

Feng Ying felt like crying upon hearing this. He was the one freezing, wasn't he? The Prince was wrapped in a sable cloak, while he had to stand in the wind to block it, his thin clothes fluttering messily in the breeze. He didn't understand what his master was playing at. If he was interested in her, he could just carry her back as a concubine. If he really didn't want to do that, he could just order Feng Ying to kidnap her and keep her in the manor; why stand on a wall in the freezing cold just to watch her act powerful in the courtyard?

Feng Ying was not only confused by his master, but also by Miss Mu in the courtyard. Clearly, that uncle's family were bad people; he could just have them dragged out and dealt with. Why waste so much breath arguing with them?

*Sigh, every single one of them is acting crazy.*

Seeing her uncle's family being suppressed by her, Mu Qi felt a sense of vengeful pleasure, completely unaware that while she was working so hard to seize power, someone was watching the show with ease.

Mu Xiaqing was completely stunned by the matter of the imperial cup, and even Mu Mingchong began to hesitate. Breaking an imperial gift was an act of great disrespect to the Emperor—a capital offense that could lead to the execution of nine generations. Although he intended to destroy Mu Qi, he had no intention of getting himself killed.

With this thought, his tone softened. "Qi-jie'er, we are all family. Why make such a fuss? Fine, fine, everyone disperse. From now on, Qi-jie'er shall be the Eldest Miss of the Marquis's Manor, and your monthly allowance shall be adjusted to the larger portion."

Mu Mingchong knew that if the commotion continued like this, he wouldn't come out on top. He decided to yield for now and think of a counter-strategy once he returned.

Hearing Mu Mingchong's words, Mu Qi felt amused. *Did I stage this whole thing just for a few taels of silver? What do you mean "adjusted to the larger portion"? As if I, the master of this manor, have to look at your faces for my allowance.* "Eldest Uncle, you are mistaken. It is true that you are family, but not with me. I am the master of the Marquis's Manor; you are merely residents."

Mu Mingchong's heart throbbed with rage. This Mu Qi was far too ungrateful. He, an elder, had already yielded, yet she, a junior, refused to take the opportunity. This was clearly a move to force him to tear off the mask of civility.

"Mu Qi, what exactly do you want?" Mu Mingchong suppressed his anger. He felt that if he gave up certain things, as long as Mu Qi's demands were reasonable, he was willing to give her some sweets.

Mu Qi shook her head. *Does Mu Mingchong have a problem with his brain? I've made it so clear, yet he still doesn't understand? Or does he think that because I'm young, my appetite is small and I can't swallow the whole Marquis's Manor?*

"Eldest Uncle, your question is quite funny. What do I want? What could I possibly want? What I ought to have is naturally the entire Marquis's Manor and all its properties," Mu Qi said nonchalantly.

As her voice fell, there were two sounds: a "pfft" and a "thud." Mu Mingchong had spat blood, and the Old Lady, who had been catching her breath nearby, fainted from shock.

Mu Qi toyed with the rabbit fur tassel on her cloak, looking completely innocent. She was merely reclaiming what belonged to her; did these people really need to react so strongly?

Wrapped in a black cloak atop the wall, Zhongli Wenhao thought that being physically weak was truly a hindrance sometimes. He only wanted to watch the show secretly, but his throat was being uncooperative; it felt incredibly itchy, and he desperately wanted to cough, yet he didn't want to miss the精彩 (wonderful) show. He kept his mouth shut and endured it, but eventually, he couldn't hold it back, and a cough escaped his lips.

The cough wasn't loud, but who was Mu Qi? The most outstanding mercenary of the 21st century. Her alertness was extremely high; almost the instant she heard the sound, she looked up toward the wall.