Chapter 97 Sweet Moments [IF Route] (Part Two)
Mu Qingheng took Mengmeng to find Mu Luo.
Having her older brother around is naturally the greatest happiness. She never forgets to act cute. Mu Meng hadn't walked more than a few steps when she looked up and stretched out her cute, short arms to be hugged.
Mu Qingheng gave her a light reproachful look, and said with a smile, "Luo Luo is right, our Mengmeng is getting lazier and lazier."
Despite saying that, he still bent down without hesitation and held the soft little girl firmly in his arms.
"Brother, do you know the Mu Ciyue that Young Master Zhenjiang mentioned? He also has the surname Mu, is he one of our imperial clan?" Leaning against her brother's chest, Mu Meng chatted with him in a soft voice.
Mu Qingheng smiled and pinched his younger sister's fair cheek, giving an ambiguous answer, "Well... we know each other."
"Is he really as bad as they say? My sister said they're a bunch of gossipy blabbermouths who don't know anything and just spread rumors. Could it be that they misheard something and passed it on incorrectly?"
Mu Qingheng said, "No. They're not wrong."
"Oh..." Mu Meng nodded thoughtfully, then asked after a moment's thought, "Have you ever met Mu Ciyue's son? Does he live in the Nine Heavens Gate or the Heavenly Clan's territory?"
Mu Qingheng hesitated for a moment: "I... Mengmeng, these... these are all unrelated people. You're so young, you should just be happy and carefree every day. Knowing too much will only cause trouble. Why bother asking about these things?"
He didn't answer, but cleverly changed the subject, asking softly.
Mu Qingheng paused, staring at his sister in disbelief. It took him a while to find his voice: "You...you were throwing stones at her from the side?"
“They’re really small, just tiny pebbles,” Mu Meng gestured with her fair, delicate fingers, then said with a hint of regret, “but it doesn’t seem to have helped my sister much, and no one has noticed what I’ve been doing.”
Mu Qingheng was both amused and exasperated. Very well, shouldn't he applaud her for her righteous act of helping her?
He truly hadn't expected this. He thought Luo Luo's fighting was already a headache enough, but she wasn't a child anymore; she was old enough to understand things, and her fighting usually had a reason. But Meng Meng, this little girl who barely reached his waist when she stood up, usually so well-behaved, gentle, and sensible that it was heartbreaking, had actually... gotten involved in a little fight?
Mu Qingheng felt he still needed to remind her of this: "Mengmeng, let it go this time. But if anything like this happens again, neither you nor Luoluo are allowed to lift a finger. You two girls are facing a dozen or so teenagers, all of whom are older than you. Who knows if they know their own strength? What if they hurt you?"
"But we still have Brother Jiu Yan, right? He'll help us."
“Even if he were here, it wouldn’t work,” Mu Qingheng laughed angrily. “He’s not even as good as Luo Luo; his spiritual power level is far inferior.”
Mu Meng thought for a moment, then said very realistically, "But no, brother. Before we started fighting, sister said they were all good-for-nothings and a bunch of useless trash. Dealing with them would be a piece of cake. Sure enough, even if they all joined forces, they wouldn't be a match for sister. Besides, even if sister misjudged, we could still run away if we couldn't beat them. And I have the spirit letter in my hand. If we can't beat them and can't run away and end up suffering losses, I will definitely send you a message immediately."
Oh well, let them be.
Mu Qingheng thought that if he cultivated more diligently, he would probably be able to refine two soul flowers before he reached adulthood. Then he could give one to each of them and he would have less to worry about.
She was so excited that she bared her teeth and brandished her claws, like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on.
Mu Qingheng smiled subtly, lifting her up slightly: "You can say whatever you want, but be careful not to fall."
"Oh..." Mu Meng quickly hugged Mu Qingheng's neck and earnestly discussed with him, "Brother, do you think this Brother Mu's background is very pitiful? The rumors outside are so nasty, who knows how much he has been bullied. Why don't we talk to Father and ask him to come and live with us? That way we can protect him from being bullied by others. Otherwise, how sad would he be if he heard those nonsense with his own ears?"
Mu Qingheng listened in silence until the end, then couldn't help but chuckle with a lowered gaze.
Seeing that he didn't express his opinion, Mu Meng blinked her big eyes and asked curiously, "Brother, why aren't you saying anything? What are you laughing at? Don't you want to deal with him?"
"Hmm, no need," Mu Qingheng said in a particularly gentle tone, his clear, star-like eyes sparkling with subtle light. "As far as I know, he's doing quite well."
"Really? You know him?"
"Um."
Mu Meng wanted to say something more, but after opening her mouth, she decided against it. After all, they were complete strangers, and she didn't know their personalities or specific circumstances. If she rashly offered help, she didn't know if it would be considered an offense.
She found herself unable to do anything but quietly rest her head on Mu Qingheng's shoulder, occasionally rolling her bright eyes as if lost in thought.
Mu Qingheng's heart softened terribly, and he patted her with a smile: "Alright, Mengmeng, don't think about him anymore. I'm not lying to you, the one you're talking about... Brother Mu, isn't as vulnerable as you think."
"On the contrary, he was adopted by a very, very good family. He had loving parents, a lovely little sister, and some brothers. Everyone treated him very well." Mu Qingheng's clear and melodious voice sounded particularly deep in the quiet night, as pleasant as a breeze blowing through a bamboo forest, bringing a sense of coolness.
He gently comforted him, "You don't need to worry about him anymore. I know what kind of person he is; he can tell what's important. It's just some gossip; he won't take it to heart."
“However,” he changed the subject, “if he knew that you and Luo Luo fought for him because of these things, he would be really worried.”
Seeing his brother's certainty, Mu Meng gradually felt relieved and sincerely exclaimed, "This Brother Mu is such a kind person. Does he often come to Jiutianmen? I wonder when I'll be able to meet him..."
She was still a child at heart, rambling on and on, gradually shifting to other topics, and unknowingly forgetting about this incident.
They chatted all the way, and when they arrived at their destination, Mu Qingheng gently placed Mu Meng on the ground, patted the top of her head, and said softly, "Mengmeng, go in and tell Luoluo that she doesn't need to copy anymore. Then you two should go back to your palace to rest early and tell her not to worry. I will talk to Father."
Mu Meng, though young, was quite shrewd. She chuckled and said with her eyes crinkling, "Sister won't worry. I'll go in and relay your words to her, and she'll definitely drop her pen and leave."
Her description was so vivid that Mu Qingheng couldn't help but laugh: "That's quite accurate. Go on then."
Mu Meng took two steps forward, then suddenly turned around as if remembering something and asked with concern, "Brother, if you go to Father to plead for him, will he get angry with you? Otherwise, don't go alone, I'll go with you later."
She could sense that her father treated her brother differently from her and her sister. He was always more loving and lenient with her and her sister; but he was strict to the point of being harsh with her brother.
Mu Qingheng raised an eyebrow, knelt on one knee, cupped Mu Meng's chubby little face in his hands, and rubbed it twice with a smile: "Oh my... let me see, my Mengmeng is so good, she even knows how to care for her brother."
He stood up after he had finished rubbing his head, and gently patted his sister's fluffy hair. "Don't worry, Daddy won't scold me."
His voice was so warm, and the cool moonlight bathed him completely. He had no sharp edges whatsoever, yet even so, he was still breathtakingly handsome.
Like the gentlest and most powerful god in the world, he only needs to stand there and make a whispered promise, which is the most reassuring thing in the world.
Mu Meng didn't know how to express her feelings at that moment. The overwhelming joy and admiration were beyond words. She could only raise her cute little hand, hold her brother's hand, and gently shake it with a smile.
Then, with a smile playing on her lips, she turned and ran into the house to find her sister.
...
The Heavenly Emperor hadn't expected Mu Qingheng to come so late. A smile had just formed in his eyes when his expression suddenly hardened: "Heng'er, are you here to plead for that girl Luo Luo? Let me tell you, no one is allowed to plead for her this time. She's gone too far! A little girl like her has learned to fight, and she's used such vicious methods. Not only does she refuse to apologize, but her attitude is also so arrogant."
The Heavenly Emperor grew angrier as he spoke, and Mu Qingheng, at a loss for words, took the teacup and poured him a cup of tea with a calm and elegant gesture: "Father, don't be angry. Actually, this matter cannot be entirely blamed on Luo Luo."
"I knew you would protect her. You just spoil her and indulge her," the Heavenly Emperor snorted twice, rubbing his temples helplessly, and couldn't help but mutter, "Look how spoiled you are now. With such a temper, how will she ever get married? No one will indulge her like you do."
Mu Qingheng laughed and said, "I have no choice but to indulge her. I'm keeping an eye on things. If Luo Luo's husband dares to treat her badly in the future, do you think I'll let him off easily?"
The Heavenly Emperor glared at him and laughed, scolding, "You're actually taking advantage of this. You're still a kid yourself, yet you're thinking so much."
He took a sip of tea, sighed, and asked, "What do you mean? Why isn't this Luo Luo's fault? She didn't tell me anything, but it seems she did? This little girl, she's starting to hide things from her father."
Mu Qingheng touched the tip of his nose and smiled, "No, Mengmeng told me." He briefly recounted the events of the day to the Heavenly Emperor.
The Heavenly Emperor remained silent for a long time after hearing this, his brows furrowed deeply. Suddenly, he slammed his hand on the table with a loud "bang!" He exclaimed, "Indeed, my rule is too lenient! Such rumors have managed to spread. That old bastard Lin Tongyan of Zhenjiang is truly living up to his name, spouting whatever comes to mind, and even his son can't control his mouth. They've completely forgotten their place. If they dare to say such things in the Nine Heavens Gate, who knows how much worse they must be saying outside! I must teach them a lesson. If they've had enough of Zhenjiang, they should all move to Tiancang for a while!"
Mu Qingheng smiled helplessly, his clear eyes gently advising, "Father, I'm not telling you this to make you angry."
Seeing that the Heavenly Emperor's expression had softened slightly, he paused and then said, "Now you know the whole story. There was a reason why Luo Luo hit someone. This little girl is exceptionally clever. I don't know when she discovered my background. This time, she did this to stand up for me. No wonder she was unwilling to tell you and me the truth."
The Heavenly Emperor thought for a moment and asked, "You just said that Mengmeng told you about this, so Mengmeng also knows about your affairs?"
Mu Qingheng rested his chin on his hand, tilted his head slightly, and unconsciously revealed a cool and aloof boyishness in his smile: "So please don't be angry, and don't punish Luo Luo. If you think it's wrong for her to hit someone, then punish me instead. After all, this matter was caused by me."
The Heavenly Emperor stared at Mu Qingheng in disbelief. After listening, he pursed his lips and rolled his eyes at him, unable to contain himself any longer.
Mu Qingheng couldn't help but chuckle: "What? Did I say something wrong again?"
"No, you, how can you take the blame for this? It's your fault, it all started because of you?" The Heavenly Emperor looked at Mu Qingheng with great confusion, not knowing whether to feel helpless or angry.
He stared at the young, stunning face opposite him, and as he looked, a pang of sadness gradually settled in his heart. He turned his head and sighed, "Has it been a bad thing for your father? I've been too harsh on you all these years, raising you to be such a calm and composed person. When my second brother was your age, he was still a child, carefree, lively, and unrestrained. Sigh..."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I overcorrected, I went too far..."
“That’s not how it is, Father. How could you think that way? If it weren’t for you, I can’t even imagine what I would be like today,” Mu Qingheng said softly, smiling slightly. “Back then, I was young and ignorant, only vaguely understanding the truth, and almost went astray. If you hadn’t discovered it in time, I’m afraid I would have already been possessed by a demon after undergoing a heart transplant…”
The Heavenly Emperor sighed softly, gazing at him with loving eyes, his paternal affection overflowing. "Good child, you were always a good child, the proudest son of the Heavenly Clan. You are very different from him."
He paused, then added, "You are a thousand times better than him, a thousand times better than me."
He knew very well that his child not only had a stunningly beautiful face, but was also intelligent, quick-witted, and insightful. Most importantly, he possessed a kind and tolerant soul.
Mu Qingheng smiled and said, "It's rare to hear Father praise me. I understand. But then again, please don't blame Luo Luo anymore. She's not bullying others or being arrogant. On the contrary, she's kind and righteous and can't stand seeing her brother being bullied."
The Heavenly Emperor took a deep breath, waved his hand, and said, "Never mind, I suppose you secretly let her go back to sleep, right?"
Mu Qingheng lowered his eyes, smiled and remained silent. After thinking for a while, he said again, "There is one more thing, Father. The Second Young Master of Zhenjiang was seriously injured and has learned his lesson. You can give him a warning and a reminder, but don't let your anger get the better of you and punish them. Actually... strictly speaking, what they said is not wrong."
“Mu Ciyue’s evil deeds will surely bring about his downfall. He died without apologizing or repenting for his evil deeds. His death was indeed too easy,” Mu Qingheng said in a low voice. “As his surviving son, I…”
"You are not his child, you are mine," the Heavenly Emperor interrupted him forcefully, then glared at him with displeasure: "Don't say that only a few people in the Heavenly Clan know your background. Even if the entire Heavenly Clan knew, so what? Who can erase the merits on your body? You and him are two incomparable people. His sins were cleared the moment he died. He's dead, so there's no need to mention those things anymore. But you are different from him. You have always been an innocent and good child, and you always will be."
After speaking at length, the Heavenly Emperor glanced at Mu Qingheng with a hint of disdain, utterly speechless. "How could I have raised such a foolish son like you? Now that I think about it, it's all thanks to Luo Luo, who knows how well her brother treats her and knows how to stand up for him."
Mu Qingheng chuckled. His father didn't know, but Mengmeng did. However, Mengmeng didn't know who she was standing up for; she was just quite righteous.
He was filled with tenderness when he suddenly heard the Heavenly Emperor say hesitantly, "Heng'er, don't listen to those nonsense words. They're all rubbish. Don't take them to heart."
Mu Qingheng blinked, his whole demeanor as composed, elegant, and noble as a bamboo or a pine tree in the snow. He smiled and said, "Father, you are really overthinking things. How could I take those words to heart?"
Given all this, is there anyone in this world happier than him? How could he possibly be sad or upset? Wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?
Although Mu Qingheng didn't say much, the Heavenly Emperor understood what he was thinking and nodded with a smile, saying, "You really are the most intelligent and insightful child."
Mu Qingxing lowered his eyes and smiled, a fleeting gentleness on his face that seemed to belong to a deity.
...
As the seasons change, and spring turns to autumn, the days go by, and in the blink of an eye, Mu Luo is about to celebrate her coming-of-age ceremony.
But before her coming-of-age ceremony, a large number of hyena demons suddenly flooded into the Southeast Cloud Bay. They were extremely aggressive and the demon race was powerless to control them, so they had no choice but to ask the Celestial Race for help.
"Stop fooling around, Luo Luo. You stay home and prepare for your coming-of-age ceremony. You don't need to worry about the battlefield."
Mu Qingheng was about to muster his troops and set off when he heard Mu Luo's request. He was speechless and amused, and rejected it without thinking.
Mu Luo wanted to try again: "Brother, please let me go. This is no small matter; it's very dangerous."
Mu Meng was right beside her, and upon hearing this, she glanced nervously at Mu Qingheng.
Mu Qingheng lightly patted Mu Luo's forehead, "Don't talk nonsense, Mengmeng is still here, don't scare her."
He turned to look at his little sister beside him. She was as tender as a green bud on a branch in early spring. The girl, who was about to bloom, made him feel even more tender than when she was a child. "Mengmeng, don't worry. Your brother will be back in less than a month. You stay home and keep your sister company."
Like a mother hen, he gave instructions to one person after another: "Luo Luo, don't be willful. This matter isn't difficult. I'll be careful. I'm leaving now. The affairs of the Celestial Clan are still counting on you to help your father."
After calming them all down, Mu Qingheng patted each of his younger sisters' heads before turning and leaving.
No one saw Mu Meng gently bite her lower lip, her bright, watery eyes darting around, her clever and lively appearance revealing what she was thinking.
*
Mu Qingheng deployed the Tianhe Army this time, which is strong and suitable for quick battles. However, their enemy is also strong. Before they even reached Yunzhong Bay, they were attacked. Although they won a great victory, more than a dozen of them were injured.
After a moment's thought, Mu Qingheng told everyone to rest on the spot and sent the physician to treat the wounded soldiers.
Upon receiving the order, the healers hurriedly packed their things and called their apprentices to rush over.
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