"Met Lord City Master." Mu Yuying and the others, although puzzled, did not neglect the proper courtesy and all paid their respects to Yan Yuchu.
Mu Ze, however, was still in a daze. He had thought that Yan Yuchu was only being polite on the surface and would show his true, ferocious colors once they entered the mansion. He was even prepared to act, ready to protect Mu Yuying and the others as they made their escape, reestablishing his image as their pillar of strength in their eyes. As for Mu Hanyan, wasn’t he very capable? Didn’t he want to stand out? He could just die for all Mu Ze cared.
But to his complete surprise, Yan Yuchu’s reception was warmer than if he were greeting old friends. His politeness was so exaggerated that Mu Ze even doubted whether Yan Yuchu would treat his own Yan Family’s disciples with such warmth.
At the back of the crowd, Jiang Yuzhe was also full of doubts. He had met Yan Yuchu once before and had some understanding of his extreme and eccentric character. Seeing Yan Yuchu now, all smiles and as warm as a spring breeze, he even doubted whether there was something wrong with his eyes.
It was eerie, truly too eerie.
"Young Master Mu, you must be exhausted from your journey and probably haven’t had lunch yet. Rest for a moment, have some tea, and I will arrange a banquet to welcome and refresh you," Yan Yuchu said enthusiastically.
What, invite them for tea and a meal too! Mu Ze’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He had been secretly hoping that Yan Yuchu was merely being superficially courteous and would soon show his true intentions, turning ruthless. Instead, Yan Yuchu became even more polite, far beyond what he had anticipated.
Logically speaking, since both the Mu and Yan Families were prominent families in the Capital, it wouldn’t be strange for the younger generations to mingle closely. But now, with the two families having fallen out—and you even taking Mu Family’s disciples hostage—what’s with all this politeness? Could it be that you’re actually afraid of Mu Hanyan?
The more Mu Ze thought about it, the more puzzled he became, and the more it irked him.
"There’s no need for that. I heard my Fourth Uncle Mu, Mu Ziqing, is currently in the City Lord’s Mansion. My visit this time is specifically to request his return; after all, being out for so long, the family and elders are concerned," Mu Hanyan said.
"Oh, you are talking about Fourth Uncle Mu? He is indeed in my mansion. Fourth Uncle Mu and I hit it off at first sight, so I asked him to stay for a few extra days. If I caused the Mu Family elders any concern, I apologize. I will have him come out right now," Yan Yuchu replied, feigning a sudden realization.
The guard beside them also smacked his forehead in a similar moment of realization, but unlike Yan Yuchu’s feigned enlightenment, was his authentic? Just a few days ago, he had been wondering why the Lord City Master had taken someone from the Mu Family captive. Now, connecting it to the rumors in the mansion, it all became clear.
So, it was a case of "love at first sight." That Mu Ziqing, Fourth Uncle Mu, was of an age that was neither too young nor too old, mature yet still spirited, and he was quite handsome and upright. Wasn’t it normal for the Lord City Master, rumored to have certain preferences, to take a liking to him?
But honestly, the Lord City Master’s change of heart happened too quickly. Upon meeting this Mu Hanyan, Young Master Mu, he had already transferred his affections, leaving past ones in the dust.
"Why are you not hurrying to invite Fourth Uncle Mu out?" Yan Yuchu, seeing the guard’s expressions of realization followed by contempt, wondered quietly why this fellow was acting crazy, and gave him a hard slap.
Fortunately, he didn’t know what the guard was thinking—if he did, he would probably have been so angry that he’d spit blood. That slap would likely have been the end of the guard’s life.
Soon, Mu Ziqing was brought out. He exchanged a glance with Mu Hanyan and, without saying a word, nodded in understanding. Follow current novᴇls on noⅴelfire.net