Chapter 12: Brothers Practicing Calligraphy!

Aunt Song had been dealt with, but Mu Xinnuan knew that things were far from simple. At the very least, there was still Mu Xinyao! If she believed that just because her father had issued an order, Mu Xinyao would never be able to see Aunt Song again, then she would be far too naive!

Aunt Song had been in the Mu manor for many years, always appearing generous and gentle. She had bought off far more than just the people in her own courtyard! Furthermore, Mu Xinyao had the Old Madam backing her; how could she possibly underestimate her?

A figure in a verdant green dress lingered at the entrance of the Plum Garden for a long time, until the old woman who watched the gate accepted a bribe from Lining. Only then did she trot over and enter the Plum Garden directly, while the maid named Lining stood guard at the entrance, whispering, "Miss, you must be quick. Make sure no one discovers you."

"I know. You keep a good watch on the door. I'll be out in a moment."

Not far from the Plum Garden, a figure in light purple emerged from behind a parasol tree. On her clear, beautiful face, the corners of her lips curled up, and a flash of incomprehensible hatred shot from her eyes. *Mu Xinyao, if you didn't go to see her, I would be the one worrying!*

If it were an ordinary concubine, after such an incident, there would naturally be no possibility of a comeback. But Mu Xinnuan knew that this woman was no ordinary concubine; she was the Old Madam's own niece! She also had a decent maternal family to rely on—though not as wealthy as her own maternal grandfather's family, it was still a family of officials.

Mu Xinnuan watched Mu Xinyao enter the Plum Garden. While she wore a faint smile on her face, deep inside, a monstrous hatred surged like violent, crashing waves in her chest.

Her fingers clenched tightly, her exquisite nails digging deep marks into her palms. Although the skin hadn't broken, the marks would not fade for days.

*Mu Xinyao, Aunt Song, is this all it takes to break you? Hmph! This is only the beginning! Just you wait. The pain you inflicted upon me in my past life, I will surely make you pay back a hundredfold! You want to harm my younger brother, don't you? Fine! I will grant your wish. After all, A-Yuan still has to call me his eldest sister, doesn't he?*

Mu Xinnuan turned and left. Instead of returning to her own Yuexuan, she went to Jin Garden.

In Jin Garden, Mu Qingxuan was currently reciting books to Lady Li, while a young boy stood to the side—it was Mu Qingyuan.

Ever since Aunt Song was placed under house arrest that day and her servants were dismissed, Mu Qingyuan had been brought to Jin Garden to be personally cared for by his mother. Lady Li couldn't say she liked this concubine-born son very much, but she didn't hate him either. After all, he was her husband's flesh and blood, and Lady Li was not a cruel person; she had no intention of taking revenge on a small child.

Mu Xinnuan arrived at the entrance but did not rush in. She stood outside the curtain, listening until her younger brother finished reciting the entire *Thousand Character Classic*, only then signaling for the maid to lift the curtain.

"I haven't seen you for a few days, but my brother's studies have truly improved."

"Big Sister is here!" As soon as Mu Qingxuan and Mu Qingyuan saw her enter, they both rushed toward her. However, Mu Qingyuan was a step slower, whether because he was younger and had shorter legs, or because he felt a sense of trepidation toward his legitimate sister and brother.

"Is Big Sister's health better?"

Mu Xinnuan nodded. "Much better. Brother Zihe comes every day to supervise my medicine; how could I not recover quickly?" After saying this, she noticed Mu Qingyuan behind Mu Qingxuan and smiled. "A-Yuan, are you envious watching your brother recite?"

When Mu Qingyuan heard his eldest sister speaking to him, his eyes lit up, and he nodded excitedly. "Brother is so amazing!"

"Does A-Yuan want to learn?"

Mu Qingyuan nodded eagerly, while Mu Qingxuan to the side looked a bit unhappy, his little mouth pouting, clearly feeling that Mu Qingyuan had stolen his sister.

"A-Xuan, you are the older brother. Shouldn't you set an example for your younger brother?"

"Naturally!" Mu Qingxuan's expression immediately became proud, his little chest puffing out. "As an older brother, I must cherish my younger siblings and work hard to be a role model for them."

"A-Xuan says it so well! A-Xuan doesn't have a younger sister right now, only this one younger brother. Shouldn't you teach A-Yuan in your spare time?"

Mu Qingxuan thought for a moment, a look of realization dawning in his eyes. "Big Sister is right, that is indeed how it should be!"

"Good. Mother, please have the Four Treasures of the Study prepared so these two brothers can practice their calligraphy on the *kang*."

Lady Li smiled upon hearing this. "A-Xuan is fine, but how would A-Yuan know how to write?"

"If A-Yuan doesn't know, don't we have us?" Mu Xinnuan said, walking over to Lady Li. "Let the two brothers grow closer; there is no harm in it."

Lady Li thought it was true. Currently, the Mu manor only had these two male heirs. When they grew up, wouldn't they need to support each other? She waved her hand, ordered the servants to set up the Four Treasures of the Study, and then took her needlework to the side to begin her embroidery.

Mu Xinnuan and the two brothers began practicing calligraphy together.

Mu Xinnuan had already calculated the time. In at most a quarter of an hour, her father would return. Thinking of the significance of today, a dark glint flashed in the depths of Mu Xinnuan's eyes. Mu Qingyuan came to pay his respects to Mother every day. In her past life, it was because Mu Qingyuan was jealous of A-Xuan's learning that he had talked back to him, leading Mother to scold him for being disrespectful to his elder brother. When Father entered Jin Garden and heard Mu Qingyuan's crying, he had decided before even entering the room that Mother was mistreating the concubine-born son!

In this life, she would certainly turn all of this around; she would never let Father develop a rift with Mother.

However, what Mu Xinnuan did not expect was that in her past life, Father had returned to Jin Garden alone, but in this life, he was accompanied by his grandfather.

Mu Chang'an asked the maid in the courtyard who was in the room. Hearing the reply, he nodded and signaled for them to remain silent, then invited the Old Master to walk along the corridor. They happened to stop right in front of the window of the east side room.

"Eldest Sister, why do the characters I write look so much like caterpillars?" Mu Chang'an recognized this as the voice of the concubine-born son.

"Let me see. This is A-Yuan's first time holding a brush; you've already written very well!" The voice was clear and gentle—it was naturally Mu Xinnuan.

"But Brother writes so beautifully, why can't I do the same?"

"Your brother is two years older than you, so it is naturally different! When you reach your brother's age, perhaps you will write even better than him!"

Mu Qingxuan, hearing this, protested, "Big Sister is biased! You only praise A-Yuan!"

Lady Li laughed. "A-Xuan, you are the older brother, how can you be so petty? Your eldest sister sees that your brother is young and is just teaching him a bit more. Alright, you've practiced for a while now, are you tired? Would you like some snacks?"

"Yes, yes!" Mu Qingyuan was the first to toss his brush aside. Just as he was about to get off the *kang*, Mu Qingxuan let out a sharp shout: "Don't move!"