As Ning Hongchen's voice fell, the temperature in the room instantly dropped to freezing.
An undisguised killing intent soared into the sky.
Seeing this, Ning Hongchen quickly tried to comfort him.
"The forces behind this matter are definitely not limited to the Pei family alone, and the Pei family is very likely just a minor player among them."
Mu Zian glanced at Ning Hongchen, and that single glance sent a chill down her spine, making her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
Is this true?
Ning Hongchen looked at Mu Zian with an innocent expression and said.
Do you think I still need to lie to you now?
Mu Zian took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
The Pei family currently wields considerable power throughout the entire Dali region, and overthrowing them would not be a matter of a single day or two.
Even if the report reached the emperor, no one would believe a killer's testimony.
Besides, even if I killed the entire Pei family, what difference would it make? On the contrary, it would only cut off this only clue.
Rather than alerting them, we should unravel the mystery and expose the mastermind behind the Pei family.
However, the hatred of killing one's father cannot go unavenged. Since that's the case, let's take advantage of this imperial examination to collect some interest first.
With this thought in mind, Mu Zian's thoughts gradually became clear, and then he turned to Ning Hongchen, who was lying on the bed, and said.
"Let's go once you've recovered from your injuries."
Upon hearing this, Ning Hongchen immediately objected.
She gave herself to him, then traveled thousands of miles to seek refuge with him, and even told him such an important secret.
Now he's trying to get rid of me with just a few words.
Ning Hongchen had never done such a losing business before!
Just as Mu Zi'an turned to leave, Ning Hongchen threw herself into Mu Zi'an's arms and looked at him with the eyes of someone looking at a scumbag.
Putting everything else aside, Ning Hongchen's beauty is absolutely top-notch.
If you didn't know she was the top assassin of the Earth Burial Clan, her tearful and broken appearance would truly evoke pity.
Mu Zian reached out to push Ning Hongchen away, but Ning Hongchen clung to him like glue.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat enchanting.
Just then, the door creaked open.
Liu Rushi, dressed in a plain long dress, walked in carrying a bowl of tea.
For a moment, the three people in the room stared at each other, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.
Liu Rushi's gaze was fixed on Ning Hongchen, who was pressed against Mu Zi'an.
Ning Hongchen then looked at Liu Rushi, who was as serene and composed as a chrysanthemum.
In a split second, the two women simultaneously gave themselves their assessments.
"Vixen."
"Green tea bitch".
The moment the two met, a sense of tension filled the air.
Liu Rushi had a faint smile on her face.
But the hand holding the plate unconsciously tightened its grip a little.
"This girl is quite fit; she can jump around so quickly."
Upon hearing this, Ning Hongchen immediately retorted without hesitation.
"Thank you for your concern, sister. The Duke knows my health best."
Upon hearing this, Mu Zian, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, suddenly felt somewhat at a loss.
Liu Rushi smiled as she looked at Mu Zian, but for some reason, Mu Zian felt a chill run down his spine.
Ning Hongchen, on the other hand, had a "what's the use" expression.
She had an air of pride about being a mistress.
To prevent the situation from escalating further, Mu Zian quickly said.
"Indeed, this is my friend, who is currently being hunted down by his enemies and can only stay temporarily in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
Then he introduced Ning Hongchen.
"This is Miss Liu."
After a few seconds of contemplation, he finally spoke.
"He is a descendant of my father's old friend."
Upon hearing this, Ning Hongchen looked at Liu Rushi with a look of sudden realization, as if to say, "I almost thought you were the mistress of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
Liu Rushi always had a faint smile on her face, but there was a hint of coldness in that smile.
It was as if they didn't take Ning Hongchen's provocations seriously at all.
"This is bird's nest, red date, and lotus seed soup, which is good for replenishing qi and blood. Please enjoy it, Miss Ning."
After putting down the tray, Liu Rushi walked up to Mu Zian and then wiped the sweat from Mu Zian's forehead with her sleeve.
Then, glancing at Ning Hongchen to the side out of the corner of his eye, he said.
"There are many empty rooms in the Duke's mansion. Since you are Zian's friend, you can stay here without worry. If there is any inadequacy in your hospitality, please feel free to come and find me."
Liu Rushi's words made it very clear: you are now living under someone else's roof, so don't be too arrogant.
After wiping the sweat from Mu Zi'an's forehead, Liu Ru took out a gold-embossed invitation from her bosom and handed it to Mu Zi'an.
"Just now, the Ninth Princess came and said that since you are one of the supervisors for this year's imperial examination, you need to get to know the students of Dali beforehand. Therefore, she asks you to attend the poetry gathering on the painted boat tomorrow night."
"The Pei family will also be attending this poetry gathering."
Liu Rushi emphasized the words "Pei Family" very much, and Mu Zi'an naturally understood what Xiao Xiuning wanted to convey.
If one wants to suppress the cultivation of poor scholars by the powerful families of Dali, led by the Pei family, nothing is more suitable than a poetry gathering.
Xiao Xiuning also wanted Mu Zian to take this opportunity to discover talented students from impoverished families and thus effectively protect them.
Mu Zian accepted the invitation.
"I will arrive as scheduled tomorrow."
Mu Zian then looked at Ning Hongchen sitting on the edge of the bed, then at Liu Rushi standing to the side, and coughed awkwardly twice before speaking.
"Do not spread what happened today, so as to avoid unnecessary trouble."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com