With the secret help of Xiao Yujue, Mu Jingrui successfully took over the Ministry of War and became an important official in the court, serving as the commander of the Shenji Camp and the Minister of War.
In everyone's eyes, Mu Jingrui's promotion was extremely fast. What surprised the outside world even more was that after he took over the Ministry of War, none of his subordinates were dissatisfied.
After the morning court session that day, Mu Jingrui took a sedan chair home. Just as he arrived at the door of his house, he heard someone calling him.
"Master Mu."
Mu Jingrui turned around and saw Lu Tong standing not far away.
Shangguan Wanning's face appeared involuntarily in his mind, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Lutong, your lady asked you to come to me?"
Lu Tong nodded, took out an envelope from her sleeve and handed it over, saying softly: "My lady heard that Lord Mu took over as the Minister of War, and she was happy for you. She asked me to give you this envelope, saying that you should be able to use it."
Mu Jingrui opened the envelope and found a list inside.
As expected, Li Dahai's guess was correct. Shangguan Wanning really had a photographic memory and wrote down all the people who had colluded with Li Dahai.
"Thank your young lady for me." Mu Jingrui put the list away and stuffed it into his sleeve. "Tell your young lady that I have already picked an auspicious date. The day after tomorrow, I will come to formally propose marriage."
Mu Jingrui's longing for Shangguan Wanning grew day by day, and he wished he could see her every day.
Lu Tong did not show any joy after hearing this. She looked up at Mu Jingrui, seeming to want to say something but stopping herself.
"What's wrong?"
Mu Jingrui caught the evasion in Lu Tong's eyes, and a sense of uneasiness surged in his heart. "Did something happen?"
Lu Tong's eyes instantly turned red, and she choked up and said, "The eldest lady...she was beaten by the master, and now she is lying in bed and can't get up."
Mu Jingrui's face changed suddenly.
In his impression, Shangguan Yue loved Shangguan Wanning very much and would give her anything she wanted. So how could he suddenly beat her so seriously?
"Midori, what happened?"
Mu Jingrui's face turned pale. Lu Tong didn't dare to look at him directly. She lowered her head and told him the details.
Shangguan Wanning had originally told her not to say anything, but if Mu Jingrui came to propose marriage as planned, he would find out sooner or later.
What's more, in this situation, Shangguan Yue may not be willing to oblige.
Mu Jingrui clenched his fists. He could almost imagine the heart-wrenching pain when the whip landed on Shangguan Wanning.
"I know what's going on. Lutong, go back first and take good care of Ning'er."
Lu Tong bowed and turned away.
Shangguan Wanning's wound hurt so much that she could only lie on the bed and sleep every day, waking up from time to time in a daze.
It was late at night and Lutong was the only one left in Shangguan Wanning's room to serve her.
She didn't dare to blink, for fear of missing Shangguan Wanning's needs.
Suddenly, a black shadow flashed by, and Lu Tong felt a fist in front of her eyes. Just as she was about to shout loudly, her mouth was covered by a big hand.
"Lutong, don't scream, it's me."
Mu Jingrui took off the black scarf that covered his face and let go of his hands.
Lu Tong heaved a sigh of relief.
"Master Mu..."
"How is Ning'er?"
Mu Jingrui couldn't stand the torment of missing his lover any more, so he sneaked into the Prime Minister's residence under the cover of night.
He walked to the bedside and looked at Shangguan Wanning who was sleeping soundly, feeling distressed.
"Master Mu, I will go out and get a basin of hot water for Miss to clean her wound. Please take care of it."
Lu Tong tactfully retreated.
Mu Jingrui sat down beside Shangguan Wanning's bed and gently held her hand against his cheek.
"If I had married you earlier, you could have stayed away from the disputes at home and wouldn't have to suffer like this."
In a trance, Shangguan Wan Ning seemed to sense a familiar breath. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Mu Jingrui really sitting beside the bed.
She managed a smile with difficulty. "Jing Rui..."
Mu Jingrui smiled gently and reached out to stroke her forehead. "Silly girl... I'm sorry, I came too late. I will come to your house tomorrow to propose marriage and marry you as soon as possible."
Shangguan Wanning's cheeks flushed, but she shook her head gently.
"Why? Don't you want to marry me soon?"
Shangguan Wanning raised her hand and pressed down Mu Jingrui's hand, her eyes gradually dimming.
"My father... I always feel like something is wrong. If I get married at this time, my mother will be the only one left at home, and she will be bullied to death by Aunt Zhao."
Mu Jingrui knew that Shangguan Wanning had a deep relationship with her mother, and at this time, he really couldn't force her.
"But now..."
In the fight between them and Aunt Zhao, it was obvious that the mother and daughter were at a disadvantage.
"How about I notify your grandfather and ask him to take you back to live with me for a while, and then make plans after your injuries have healed."
Shangguan Wanning still shook her head.
"Jingrui, help me up."
Shangguan Wanning endured the pain and sat up, and Mu Jingrui let her lean on him.
The two sat next to each other.
"Don't let my grandfather and uncles know that my father beat me."
Shangguan Wan Ning has been lying in bed these days, thinking about many things.
"Actually, my father didn't wrongly accuse me. I was indeed the one who caused the rash on Aunt Zhao's body. My original intention was to make my father think that she had an infectious disease and stay away from her for a few days so that I could spend more time with my mother."
"The rashes will naturally fade away in a few days. But I didn't expect my father to react so strongly. In the past, it would definitely not be like this. And Aunt Zhao, she seemed to know in advance that the rashes would not cause her too much harm, otherwise, they would not have come to ask for the antidote after I was beaten."
Mu Jingrui frowned.
"Do you suspect... that there is someone behind Aunt Zhao's back who is giving her advice?"
"Yes." Shangguan Wanning nodded, "The other party is definitely a thoughtful and resourceful person. If Aunt Zhao had such ability and intelligence, my mother and I would not be able to live in peace for so many years."
"So what are your plans now?"
"I can't let my grandfather know about my mother and I's current situation. I'm afraid my grandfather will join forces with my three uncles to embarrass my father. If there is a grudge between the two sides and they split into two different forces, I'm afraid they will kill each other in the future."
"You suspect... Xiao Zhenting is up to something?"
"I can't help but think so. Shangguan Xiaoxiao is now with Xiao Zhenting, and it's not surprising that the mother and daughter would stand on the same side with Xiao Zhenting. I don't want... my grandfather and my father to fight each other and let the fisherman benefit."
This is what Shangguan Wanning is most worried about.
"Then..." Mu Jingrui held Shangguan Wanning's hand tightly, "What can I do for you? You can't let me watch you get beaten and bullied?"
"There is something I really need your help with. Now, you are the only one I can trust."
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