Mu Wanqing worked for a whole day to finish processing the cow, braising and stewing it.

That night, the officials and guards had beef ramen for dinner, accompanied by a few cold dishes, and everyone was extremely satisfied with the meal.

Follow Miss Mu San and you will have delicious food every day.

Mu Wanqing was full, so she held the arm of Second Madam Mu and walked in the yard to digest the food.

The moonlight is bright, the breeze is gentle, it is so picturesque.

Madam Mu also ate two large bowls of noodles. She was so full, but she couldn't help herself. "This noodles is really delicious, but I don't know when I can eat it again."

When she thought of this, she couldn't help but eat another bowl.

Beef is not easy to get, and the Mu family only ate beef occasionally when they were in their heyday.

Mu Wanqing smiled and said, "There will be opportunities in the future." Everything is possible.

A tall figure came over, "Miss Third."

It was Du Shaoxuan. He didn't exchange pleasantries, but directly stated his intention, "Miss San, I will leave at dawn tomorrow, so I won't say goodbye to you. Take care on your journey."

He was heading to the capital, while she was going to Liangcheng, two completely opposite directions.

Madam Mu opened her eyes wide subconsciously. What was going on? When did they become so close that they needed to say goodbye?

Obviously, they had only met twice and it was just a chance encounter.

"You too, have a safe journey." A hint of melancholy welled up in Mu Wanqing's heart.

From now on, we will never meet again.

In this era when it is difficult to go out, it is so difficult to meet each other.

However, all good things must come to an end, so just take care of yourself.

She suddenly jumped up, "Ah, wait a minute, I have prepared a gift for you."

She turned around and ran away. Madam Mu was stunned for a moment, then quickly chased after her, not forgetting to ask, "When did you two become so familiar with each other?"

She has been working today as a quality inspector, the last step before the soap is sold.

"We just chatted a little more today." Mu Wanqing ran all the way and rushed directly to the room where the main wife of the Mu family lived.

After the eldest wife made some money, the women in the family no longer wanted to sleep in a dormitory, so they asked for two rooms with men and women living separately, so that at least they could take care of themselves.

, don't be sloppy.

Old Mrs. Mu didn't stop her as long as she didn't ask her for money.

Mu Wanqing knocked on the door frantically, "Mu Jinyao, Mu Jinyao."

Mrs. Mu, who was chewing a steamed bun, trembled and dropped the bun to the ground. "Why does it sound like Mu Wanqing's voice?"

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Mu family listened attentively and said, "It's her."

Old Madam Mu's face fell, "What is she doing here? Is she here to cause trouble? Jinyao, don't pay attention to her. She is disrespectful and has no manners."

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Mu family hesitated for a moment and said, "Maybe they are here to deliver food."

I smelled the tempting aroma of meat all day long, which made me very hungry.

Everyone in the room looked at Mu Jinyao in unison, their expressions excited, "Go open it quickly, go quickly."

Mu Jinyao stood up silently, took out a wooden box from the corner, and then went to open the door.

Mu Wanqing asked, "Mu Jinyao, where are the things?"

"It's all here." Mu Jinyao handed over the wooden box.

Mu Wanqing opened it and took a look. It was indeed what she wanted. "Thank you."

She took out a piece of silver and stuffed it into the other party's pocket, then picked up the wooden box and ran away. The Mu family was extremely disappointed, as it turned out that it was not food.

Are you kidding me? You've been cooking for a whole day, so what if you give me some? This is too stingy.

Old Madam Mu stretched her neck to look outside, and after confirming that Mu Wanqing had not turned back, she looked at her eldest granddaughter, "What is that? Why did she give you half a penny?"

Mu Jinyao spread out her palms, "She asked me to make a few bars of high-end soap, the money is extra."

Although it took a lot of effort, I made half a penny, which is not bad.

Old Mrs. Mu started cursing again, greeting the second branch's eighteen generations of ancestors every day.

Everyone was particularly helpless. The second wife's ancestor was also their ancestor. Was it really okay to scold her like this? This old lady was really something.

But Old Mrs. Mu refused to listen to advice. The older she got, the more stubborn she became. Even if she was wrong, she would still insist on having her own way.

That's all the fun she has.

Mu Wanqing doesn't care how others curse her behind her back. If they dare to curse her in person, she will lose if I don't slap her a few times.

She ran back and took out the wooden box like a treasure, "This is a gift for you. Whether you use it yourself or give it to others, it's good."

Du Shaoxuan opened the box and saw eight bars of soap, some as white as jade, some as bright golden, some as emerald green, and some as colorful as purple. There were two bars of each color, and each had a different scent.

But the same thing is that it smells good.

Not only are the colors beautiful, but the carvings of plum, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo also make it look particularly exquisite and high-end.

He was delighted, "Thank you."

I have to say that the girl in front of him is very kind-hearted. He only mentioned that the soap was good, and she quietly prepared this gift for him.

He hesitated for a moment, then took off the dagger from his waist and said, "This is for you."

Mu Wanqing accepted it happily, this was exactly what she wanted.

Both of them were very satisfied and chatted for a few more words before saying goodbye and returning to their respective rooms.

Du Shaoxuan walked a distance, looked back, and saw only the slender figure.

He returned to the room, put the wooden box on the table, opened it and looked at it for a few more times.

The soap is beautiful, but the wooden box is too simple and doesn't match it well.

"Ah Zhong, come here."

The follower quickly put down what he was holding and came over.

Du Shaoxuan ordered, "Put a beautiful jade box in these soaps. I want to give it to my aunt."

The follower was attracted by the soap, looked at it a few more times, and responded repeatedly.

"Hey, Master, where is your dagger? Did you drop it? Where were you just now? I'll go look for it right now."

He was so anxious that he kept jumping up and down. Du Shaoxuan said casually, "Give it away."

The attendant doubted his ears a little, "This... this is the birthday present that person gave you. It's not good to give it to someone rashly."

This dagger is no ordinary item. It is made of special fine iron. It can cut iron like mud and cut through hair with a single blow.

It is also Du Shaoxuan's favorite and he never leaves it for a moment.

Du Shaoxuan said as a matter of course, "If you gave it to me, it's mine. I can do whatever I want with it. It's not a big deal. I'll ask my cousin for another one."

Mu Wanqing is too honest, she needs a dagger to protect herself.

I would rather she stab someone than get hurt.

The follower's mouth twitched and said, "Okay, as long as you are happy."

On the other side, a cry of surprise broke out from the dim courtyard, "Mom, what did you say?"

Madam Mu covered her daughter's mouth and said in a low voice, "Yao'er, you have always been smart and should be very clear about your situation. Would you let go easily if someone like the Fifth Prince had an idea?"

Men have a strong possessiveness, especially a prince like this, who has been pampered since childhood and whatever he wants will be given to him.

No matter what it is, it is within your reach. What will happen if you can’t get it?

Mu Jinyao's face turned pale, "Mom, please stop talking."

Madam Mu loved her daughter the most. She took great care of her and couldn't sleep all night.

"If you want to be the Fifth Prince's concubine, I won't say much, but the Fifth Prince has a violent temper and will whip people at any time. He is definitely not a good match."

The most important thing is that Mu Jinyao’s identity is embarrassing and he must not show up in public.

You can't live in the dark all your life, confined to a small world, and lead a hopeless life.

"Let's take a step back. Even if it's not the Fifth Prince, there will be someone else. Your appearance is the root of trouble. Now our Mu family can no longer protect you."

She didn't want to say it so cruelly, but this was the cold truth.

Daughters of ordinary families would not be kept if they were beautiful, not to mention that they were now exiles. Even if something happened to them, they would have nowhere to appeal.

Since the day her house was searched, she has been worried and has not had a moment of peace.

If beautiful girls have no one to protect them, they will have a miserable end. Being a concubine is still good, but some will even become prostitutes.

"Mom." Mu Jinyao's eyes were red.

Madam Mu sighed softly, "I don't blame you, but if there are more such incidents and the tribe members are implicated, what will they do to you? This journey is full of dangers. What if someone has bad intentions? What will we do then?"

Her questions, one by one, were like heavy hammers hitting Mu Jinyao's heart, making it hard for her to breathe.

In fact, after the last incident, some tribesmen no longer liked her.

If she hadn't been in charge of a group of people, she would have been excluded long ago.

It was clearly not her fault, but she had to endure countless strange looks and criticisms.

Madam Mu was so worried about her daughter that she explained the situation to her, "You are talented and beautiful, and you have a very high aspiration. How can you be willing to commit yourself to such a dirty and despicable person? You might as well seize the opportunity you have now."

"The material of the young master's clothes is tribute satin. Only one hundred rolls are tributed to the royal family every year. The emperor will reward some of them to his close ministers and royal family members. Our Mu family doesn't have the face to do so. You can imagine how noble the young master's status is. He looks decent, and his demeanor is extraordinary. He is not inferior to those noble young masters at all. It is not an insult to you."

Compared to Mu Jinyao's original fiancé, he may not be as elegant, but he is more imposing.

Although she cannot be the principal wife, it is okay to be a concubine. As long as the concubine is favored, the principal wife has to give in to her.

Once you have children, you will have someone to rely on and you won’t have to worry about your life.

"If you can get close to him, you will live a safe and secure life. Even the Fifth Prince won't dare to take you away by force."

She analyzed everything to her daughter, hoping to help her get out of the current predicament.

Given my daughter's appearance, it would be very difficult for her to reach the border safely.

Even when they arrived at the border, the weather there was bitterly cold, the people there were tough and moral codes had collapsed, and that couldn't stop those covetous eyes.

In fact, Mu Jinyao understood it all, but she couldn't get over it psychologically, "Mom, you want me to offer myself to you, but I really can't do it."

She could accept marrying an ordinary man, in a formal ceremony, with the blessings of both sides' families and relatives.

Instead of sneaking into a man's bed and becoming a concubine who is not allowed to be seen in public.

Madam Mu gently held her daughter's shoulders and advised earnestly, "Yao'er, this is not only for yourself, but also for the Mu family. We are in great need of a backer right now. Whether we can turn things around depends on this. You are the hope of the entire family, so you must put the overall situation first."

They still hold on to the hope of returning to the capital, reviving their family and restoring their former glory.

Mu Jinyao's face became paler and paler. His lips were bitten and his mouth was full of blood. "I... let me think about it."

Madam Mu's eyes flashed with reluctance, but she hardened her heart and said, "There is no time. He will leave tomorrow morning."

She gently pushed her daughter and said, "Go quickly. I believe in my daughter's ability. She will definitely make a man become soft as silk."

Mu Jinyao is not only beautiful, but also talented. She is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, has excellent etiquette and is considerate. She is the partner that every man dreams of.

…

They had to set off tomorrow morning, but Du Shaoxuan was still writing a letter under the candlelight. After finishing it, he went over it word by word, and after confirming that it was correct, he put the letter into an envelope.

"Send it out now."

"Yes." The attendant did not dare to delay any longer and went out with the letter.

Du Shaoxuan rubbed his eyebrows. If possible, he really didn't want to go back to the chaotic capital.

However, Queen Qianqiu specifically asked him to attend, so he had no choice but to go back.

The door was gently pushed open, and the sound of footsteps was heard. He narrowed his eyes, drew out his sword, and turned around to swing it.

"Ah." The woman's terrified voice sounded, "Sir, it's me, I mean no harm."

Du Shaoxuan stopped his sword and looked at the beautiful girl in front of him, frowning slightly, with the sword still across her neck.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my room so late at night?"

The woman only felt that the sword was icy cold and almost froze her.

She was holding a plate, her body trembling, like a lily falling in the wind, with a kind of broken, fragile beauty. "My name... my name is Mu Jinyao, the eldest daughter of the Mu clan leader. I made some snacks for you to try."

Du Shaoxuan looked at her coldly, his expression as cold as snow, "Why?"

Mu Jinyao licked her lips and pulled herself together. "You may not remember me, but you saved my third sister and our Mu family that day. I am very grateful and want to express my gratitude."

Third sister? A smiling face flashed through Du Shaoxuan's mind, and his expression eased a little. "Are you Mu Wanqing's cousin? You don't look alike. She's prettier than you."

Mu Jinyao: ...

There's nothing wrong with his eyes? He's the first person to say that!

Seeing that she didn't say anything, Du Shaoxuan lost his patience and said, "I don't eat the food sent by others. You can take it back. Don't disturb my rest so late at night."

He refused explicitly, keeping people at a distance.

There was a flash of disappointment in Mu Jinyao's eyes. He was not moved by her beauty.

She took a deep breath, put the snacks aside, made up her mind, and reached to her waist with trembling hands to untie the belt. "In return for saving my life, I am willing to repay you with my body and serve you like a cow or a horse."

She was determined to give it her all, and if she failed, she would die, for the future of the whole family.

But my heart was filled with shame and despair.

She has fallen! Who could have thought that one of the two famous beauties in the capital would fall to this level?

Du Shaoxuan's face was extremely ugly. He turned his head to the side, walked to the door without hesitation, opened the room, and said, "Get out."

Mu Jinyao was so ashamed that she wanted to find a hole to crawl into, but she had no way to retreat. She slowly took off her coat, revealing her graceful figure. Her beautiful face flushed, "Please have mercy on me, sir."

"Get out of here..." Du Shaoxuan was furious, but before he could finish his words, he met a pair of black and white eyes and was stunned.

Mu Wanqing swore that she was really passing by, so she curiously looked over and said, "Wow."

Such a big and explosive melon!

Du Shaoxuan's first reaction was to cover her eyes, "Don't look, you are still a child."

Mu Wanqing: ...

Mu Jinyao: ...

Mu Wanqing wanted to pull his hand down, but Du Shaoxuan got anxious and somehow blurted out, "She wanted to molest me!"

The air suddenly froze, and there was nothing but awkwardness.

Mu Jinyao's blood rushed to his head, and his head was buzzing. Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

The author has something to say:

I'll update one chapter first. I've been sleeping poorly lately because of all the food I've been eating. If I have the energy tomorrow, I'll add another chapter. I mean if, ha, good night.