Chapter 6: 6.第6章 做人要有一点节操

“Stop... stop... *cough, cough*... Did you hear me? Stop!” Fu Lingrui clutched the red silk ribbon around his neck, feeling as though he were about to suffocate.

It wasn't until he was dragged in front of Xiaobao and Ye Beiling that he finally managed to fumble a dagger from his person.

Just before the dagger could touch the red silk, the ribbon suddenly loosened and swiftly retreated.

The attendants who had just dismounted scrambled to support their master.

Fu Lingrui, consumed by shame and rage, barked, “Who! Who is it this time! If you have the guts, state your name!”

Nearby sat an unremarkable carriage. Inside sat a person wearing a bamboo hat and cloth robes; clearly, the red silk had nothing to do with him—he was merely a servant.

The curtain of the carriage was suddenly flung open. “Mu Xiaobao, if you dare go around recognizing godfathers behind my back again, believe me, I’ll kill you!”

The woman stepping off the carriage was aggressive. Without sparing a glance at the group, she strode purposefully toward Xiaobao.

“How many times have I told you? A person needs to have some integrity. Don't go around recognizing godfathers everywhere; leave some face for your mother.”

As the woman chased after him, Mu Xiaobao clutched his head and hurriedly hid behind Ye Beiling. “Mother, my integrity is still intact! This uncle isn't my godfather yet...”

Fu Lingrui, rubbing his throat which felt like it was burning from the constriction, refused to be treated as if he were invisible. “Stop right there! Was it you who launched a sneak attack on this young master just now?”

Mu Lingbo shot him a sideways glance, the corner of her lips curling up.

Fu Lingrui—five years later, and he was still such a scoundrel!

Back then, the Fu family didn't just have one useless second young lady. It was simply that Fu Lingbo had no sword spirit, meaning she was born unable to practice swordsmanship. Combined with the early death of her parents leaving her without support, and her cowardly, yielding personality, it allowed this lazy, profligate wastrel to trample all over her.

Her sisters were jealous of her status as the future Crown Princess, her brother disdained having such an embarrassing sister, and this younger brother, who had grown up spoiled yet was inferior in every way, could only find a shred of pride by bullying her.

“Was it not you who was just scolding my son?”

Startled by that freezing gaze, Fu Lingrui felt even more displeased. “So what if I did?”

Having lost enough face and suppressed enough anger, he waved his hand. “Attack them!”

The crimson silk ribbon flickered. Before his subordinates could even get close, a powerful surge of sword qi repelled them ten meters away, sending them crashing into tree stumps, dazed and dizzy.

Fu Lingrui froze. “You...”

Mu Lingbo turned her head, ignoring him entirely, focused only on chasing Mu Xiaobao around Ye Beiling. “You dare run? Come here obediently! Before, when you complained your allowance was too small and recognized those three, I endured it! But now, you want to recognize just anyone; your standards are getting lower and lower.”

Mu Xiaobao kicked his short legs, continuing to run circles around Ye Beiling. “Mother, this uncle said he is rich.”

“What did Mother tell you? How many people pretend to be wealthy just to save face when they don't have a single cent in their purse? How could you fall for it so easily!”

Ye Beiling’s expression began to twitch as Mu Lingbo used the child to vent her frustrations. Finally, as Mu Lingbo chased Mu Xiaobao, she couldn't help but stomp her sword in front of her to block the path.

Mu Lingbo stopped. Only her hair and the crimson veil fluttered slightly under the pressure of the sword qi.

Her sword was forged from an ancient weapon and possessed immense power of its own. Even a casual movement like this produced extraordinary sword qi.

Yet, this woman stopped with complete composure and slowly raised her head.

The previous rowdiness vanished in an instant. Her beautiful eyes swept over her with a cold mockery, and she sneered, “Could it be that you were called out and are now acting out of shame?”