Chapter 287 Obtaining the Letter
After settling in at the camp and washing up, before she could even have her dinner, Qi Qingyuan, accompanied by two guards and four servants carrying food boxes, came to request an audience.
She was naturally delighted and quickly invited him in.
Qi Qingyuan brought exquisite pastries and fruits, which he arranged on the table with his servants before sending everyone away.
Mu Xi served tea as usual, but did not send Cao Pan'er away as well.
Now that the two were sitting face to face, Mu Xi finally got a clear look at Qi Qingyuan, the richest man in Yan Sheng, whom she had long admired.
Qi Qingyuan was over fifty years old, with a lean and refined appearance, exuding a gentle and serene air. He had changed into an even more understated dark-colored long gown.
Although he exuded the dignified air of someone who had lived a life of luxury for many years, he was probably still reeling from the loss of his beloved daughter. Coupled with the fatigue and shock of his journey, his eyes, which were usually wise and deep, were now filled with fine blood vessels. There was an unyielding grief and a layer of gray shadow in his eyes, and a deep frown line between his brows.
Mu Xi had many questions to ask, but didn't know where to begin, so she politely warmed up the atmosphere by saying, "Elder Qi, please have some tea. The tea is rather rough on the journey, please forgive me."
Qi Qingyuan was humble and avoided eye contact: "This old man is not worthy of such a title from Your Excellency. Please just call me by my name."
Mu Xi would never do that, and recalling the same look Qi Qingyuan had given her when they first met, she smiled slightly: "Old Master Qi probably recognized me as a woman disguised as a man at first glance, didn't he?"
"Don't blame me, sir, I'm rude to you." Qi Qingyuan bowed.
Mu Xi wasn't bothered by anything, she was just curious: "I'm curious, I was raised as a boy since I was a child, which has given me a natural temperament that makes it very difficult for anyone to recognize me. How did Elder Qi recognize me at a glance?"
Qi Qingyuan maintained a humble and cautious demeanor, but upon hearing Mu Xi's question, his expression suddenly darkened: "To my shame, this is still my daughter... She was lively and active from a young age, just like a boy, and as she grew up, she also liked to dress as a man and go out with me. Therefore, I am not surprised that my daughter dresses as a man."
"Ah..." Mu Xi didn't expect to touch on someone's sore spot so quickly, and immediately apologized, "Mr. Qi, please accept my condolences. I shouldn't bring up your sad story, but I once met Miss Qi and was also deeply saddened to hear of her passing. I just don't know why Miss Qi died so young?"
"This..." Qi Qingyuan pondered for a long time, but still seemed to have something he couldn't say. "My lord, I apologize. My daughter died suddenly from an illness, and medicine was ineffective. As for my daughter's death... I really have nothing to say."
This answer is quite contradictory.
Mu Xi knew what the other party was worried about, so she got straight to the point: "Since Elder Qi knows my identity, then he must also know my relationship with Marquis Shen Lun of Yong State, but does Elder Qi know... what exactly is the relationship between me and my uncle?"
"This..." Qi Qingyuan couldn't help but raise his eyes again to scan Mu Xi, cautiously remaining silent.
Mu Xi laughed heartily: "Elder Qi, there's no need for any concerns. I've heard that you and my uncle were old friends, but your relationship fell apart because of your daughter's marriage. I can also tell you frankly that my conflict with Marquis Shen Lun of Yong is deep and irreconcilable. And today, most of the questions I want to ask are to better understand my uncle. As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle.' And the enemy of my enemy is my friend. So, in that sense, we can be considered friends."
Qi Qingyuan's expression showed surprise, mixed with doubt and uncertainty.
Still fearing he wouldn't believe her, Mu Xi changed the subject and asked the question she most wanted to ask first: "Several years ago, Marquis Shen Lun of Yongguo imprisoned Mu Xun, the second young master of the Jin Fangjun family, at the Yanshan camp, forcing me to go to the East Sea to marry into the family as a hostage. Since then, Mu Xun and I have been irreconcilably opposed to that Marquis Shen. I have searched for Mu Xun everywhere for so many years without success, but if Elder Qi has ever seen Mu Xun in these years, he should know what Mu Xun's attitude towards Marquis Shen is. Although Marquis Shen and I are indeed related by blood as uncle and nephew, after many things over the years, we have long since become like oil and water."
"Ah..." Upon hearing these words, Qi Qingyuan's expression changed several times.
Mu Xi smiled helplessly again: "This is a family scandal. If Elder Qi still doesn't believe me, I have nothing left to prove it."
"No... Your Excellency is too kind. I believe you, after all..." Although a resolute look flashed in Qi Qingyuan's eyes, he stopped halfway through his sentence.
"If Elder Qi trusts me, I'll get straight to the point." Mu Xi didn't press further, since what she wanted to ask wasn't easy to say.
It is true that Qi Qingyuan had a long-standing friendship with Shen Lun and privately supported former members of Qianyan. However, it is unknown whether he knew Mu Xun's true identity or how much of Shen Lun's core secrets he was involved in.
Especially regarding Mu Xun's true identity, it was unclear whether Qi Qingyuan knew the inside story, so he had to ask cautiously: "As far as I know, Elder Qi and Marquis Yong fell out because of your daughter's marriage, and your daughter has taken a liking to Mu Xun. However, does Elder Qi know Mu Xun's true identity?"
"Ah, it's you, Lord..." Qi Qingyuan exclaimed in surprise.
Without needing to answer, Mu Xi already had the answer, and his expression immediately darkened: "Since Elder Qi knows, then there is nothing to worry about in our conversation. Although I am a descendant of the Mu family and still hold the title of a feudal lord, this title is not unique to the Mu family, but has been passed down since ancient times. I am not a member of the Mu family who opposes the former royal family. Please put your mind at ease, Elder Qi."
"Ah..." Qi Qingyuan could not hide his surprise even more.
Regardless of Qi Qingyuan's thoughts, Mu Xi spoke up: "I don't care whether it's Yan State or Yu State, Xi Clan or Mu Clan. This identity is only to make it easier to find him. I have been searching for Mu Xun for several years. During these years, I fear that Marquis Yong has moved Mu Xun many times. I wonder if he has ever hidden him in Elder Qi's residence? Does Elder Qi know where Mu Xun is now?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Qingyuan finally sighed and had no more doubts: "Alas... before my daughter passed away, the Prince was hidden by the Marquis of Yong in a mountain villa outside my Xiangnan City."
"Ah, is that so? Was he alright before? And now? Where is he?" Mu Xi finally got a definite answer and quickly asked.
"Later? I don't know much about what happened after that. After all, the Marquis of Yong only borrowed my residence. I didn't dare to ask too many questions about other matters. The few times I was able to see the prince were only because the Marquis of Yong wanted to keep changing places for the prince and didn't want more people to know the inside story, so he had no choice but to bring me along. But even those few times, I didn't do anything wrong, but it harmed my daughter..." Qi Qingyuan spoke subtly, but he vaguely revealed his dissatisfaction and fear of Shen Lun.
Mu Xi was startled, then remembered the question she had only half-asked earlier: "If Elder Qi is saying this, does that mean Miss Qi's death has anything to do with the prince's imprisonment?"
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