Originally, it wouldn't have been Yan Qingqing's business what they did, but now that they've set their sights on her family, if Yan Qingqing doesn't take action, she'll become a coward.

Yan Qingqing thought for a moment and whispered something to Mu Xi. Mu Xi listened with sparkling eyes and said, "I'll do it right now. I'll make sure no one notices anything."

Yan Qingqing nodded, but did not let Mu Xi leave immediately.

Mu Yang has visited several times in the past few days, but Mu Xi has not seen him.

Yan Qingqing had been wanting to talk to Mu Xi about this matter; it needed to be resolved no matter what.

So Yan Qingqing spoke up, "Mu Xi, I shouldn't be interfering in your affairs, but as your future mother-in-law, I want to say a few words from the bottom of my heart."

Some things you can only understand the suffering of by experiencing them yourself. The advice of outsiders is based on the perspective of saints, so you don't need to care about other people's opinions. Just follow your heart.

Whatever choice you ultimately make, Xiang An and I will support you.

Upon hearing Yan Qingqing's words, Mu Xi's vision blurred. She had been too afraid to face it, thinking that the madam would persuade her to let go of her prejudices and accept Mu Yang and the Mu family.

After all, the Mu family is a prominent family in Jiangnan, and as the eldest daughter of the Mu family, she carries far more weight than an orphan who marries Li Xiang'an.

But Mu Xi forgot that when Yan Qingqing arranged her engagement to Li Xiang'an, she was an orphan, and Li Xiang'an never minded her background.

She got stuck on her own stubbornness.

After being moved, Mu Xi wiped away her tears and said, "Madam, let me tell you a story."

Yan Qingqing knew that Mu Xi wanted to talk about her own things, so she smiled and said, "Okay, go ahead and tell me, I'm listening."

Mu Xi thought for a moment and said, "In Jiangnan, there is a wealthy family named Mu. The husband and wife were originally a loving couple."

Later, the lady of the house became pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl.

This should have been a very happy occasion, but the woman later died in childbirth.

The male head of the household was also ruthless; less than a year later, he married his cousin as his second wife.

At first, the second wife treated the two children quite well.

A year later, she had her own child, but the childbirth left her with health problems.

Therefore, the Mu family only had three legitimate children. Although the second wife was somewhat biased, the family was generally fair.

But one day, when the second wife's daughter went out to play with her friends, some people laughed at her, saying that she was the daughter of the second wife and would always be inferior to the daughter of the first wife.

Even if she gets married in the future, her dowry will be less than that of the late wife's daughter.

At that time, the first wife's daughter was already twelve years old, just beginning to blossom in her youth, and many people inquired about her and wanted to propose marriage.

So when the second wife's daughter came home, she started making a scene, refusing to eat or drink and even threatening to hang herself.

Seeing this, the second wife also had her own ideas.

She felt that the daughter of the first wife was blocking her daughter's way, and in addition, the master of the house made her perform the concubine's rites in front of the late wife every year during the sacrificial ceremony.

So she harbored resentment.

They immediately hired a slave trader to drug the original wife's daughter and sell her into a brothel.

It was thanks to the wet nurse who risked her life to save the child.

But the wet nurse was beaten to death, and before she died, she shouted to the child, "Run! Don't look back!"

The child ran forward as fast as she could, because she knew that if she were caught, her life would be over.

But the screams of the wet nurse behind him grew weaker and weaker.

The little girl escaped by hiding in a pigsty.

She hid in the pigsty for three days, fighting with the pigs for food when she was hungry, and only dared to come out after those who had captured her had left.

When she went back to find her wet nurse, the sight of her wet nurse lying dead in the wilderness with her eyes wide open was something she would never forget.

To avoid being hunted down or sold into a brothel, the little girl had to disguise herself as a boy and mingle among beggars, never daring to show her true face.

"Madam, how can such deep-seated hatred be forgiven?"

Yan Qingqing was surprised that Mu Xi had such a past, and reached out to hug her.

Given her past, anything she says is superfluous.

Mu Xi buried her face in Yan Qingqing's arms and burst into tears, as if she wanted to vent all the fear and grievances she had accumulated over the years.

Ruyi chased all the maids out of Yan Qingqing's courtyard, not wanting the second young mistress to be laughed at.

But as soon as Ruyi stepped out, she saw Li Xiang'an standing there with his back straight.

Ruyi quickly went over and bowed to him, but Li Xiang'an didn't react much.

He felt sorry for Mu Xi, but there was nothing he could do.

Ruyi hesitated for a moment before asking, "Second Young Master, would you like to go in and take a look?"

Li Xiang'an shook his head and said, "No need, don't tell Mu Xi that I came here."

Mu Xi is a naturally strong-willed person, just like him. He has known her for so long and has never seen her cry.

The fact that he could cry so bitterly in front of his mother shows how much Mu Xi trusts her, something he can't match. So it's best not to let Mu Xi know he's been here.

Ruyi watched Li Xiang'an's departing figure, somewhat bewildered. Logically, shouldn't their second young master have gone in to comfort Miss Mu?

Her older brother is still the best; whenever she's a little unhappy, he'll find all sorts of ways to coax her.

Thinking of this, Ruyi blushed with embarrassment. She secretly checked outside the courtyard and saw that no one was there before she felt relieved. Then she stood guard at the gate with peace of mind.

Mu Xi cried her heart out, wiping Yan Qingqing's face with snot and tears.

After she finished crying, she looked at Yan Qingqing's clothes, which were now stained with tears, and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Madam, I'll make you a new dress later."

Yan Qingqing chuckled and then said, "You silly girl, do you think I need this dress of yours?"

"Doesn't it feel better to cry now?"

Mu Xi blushed and nodded, whispering, "Much more comfortable."

Yan Qingqing then asked, "So, what are your plans for handling things next? Especially Mu Yang?"

Mu Xi snorted and replied, "He has recognized a thief as his mother, so it's impossible for us to be siblings anymore."

However, his second wife, whose health had been damaged by childbirth, treated him quite well.

I heard that he put in a lot of effort, especially in his studies in Muyang.

Therefore, I can understand his choice.

Mu Xi now commands the Li family's secret guards, so investigating the affairs of the Mu family in Jiangnan would be quite easy for her.

Yan Qingqing sighed and said, "Perhaps he doesn't know what that second wife did to you."

Mu Xi replied calmly, "It's better not to know. Knowing would put you in a dilemma, which would be even more difficult."

From Mu Xi's words, it's clear that she still has sibling-like feelings for Mu Yang.

Yan Qingqing said jokingly, "Then next time Mu Yang comes to our door, I'll have him kicked out."

Mu Xi hesitated for a moment before replying, "Madam, you can handle it as you see fit. I'm going to take care of my business."

After saying that, he flashed out of Yan Qingqing's room.

Yan Qingqing shook her head helplessly as she watched Mu Xi's retreating figure. They were all just stubborn kids with soft hearts.