Chapter 39 Another Kind of Provocation
Mu Xi's heart had unknowingly begun to lean in one direction: "You're so 'ambitious' just to give yourself an heir?"
Qi Erniang, having gone all out, had no more reservations: "I've been good at business since I was little. The family fortune my father originally left behind was less than 30% of what it is now. It's only after many years of hard work that I've managed it. If I were a man, it would probably be even more than this. I've worked so hard to earn this fortune, and I don't want to leave it to those in the clan who are waiting to 'eat up the family line,' nor do I want to leave it to some male descendant without blood ties. I only want to leave it to my daughter with blood ties, so that she can live better than me and can do whatever she wants from a young age."
Mu Xi had to admit that these words had moved her.
Qi Erniang went a step further: "In Yansheng, no matter how capable a daughter is, it's useless. Married daughters have no right to inherit. Daughters who stay at home can only receive less than 10% of their dowry if they lose their parents or brothers, and all the family property falls into the hands of their clansmen. I don't have excessive expectations, I only hope that one day, if the heir becomes a 'female princess,' the laws in the fiefdom can be slightly modified, even if it's just to the point that, in the absence of a male heir, a daughter at home is eligible to inherit most of the family property. Even if the laws cannot be modified, if the heir regains the title of princess, I would even 'offer' all my family property to the princess and ask for her protection, so that my daughter can live a safe life."
Under a feudal lord, there is a high degree of autonomy. If Mu Xi could truly become a female feudal lord, it wouldn't be impossible for her to make minor modifications to the female succession system within her fiefdom, within certain limits of her authority.
Although the princess had no real power, her title was still there, and "offering gifts" was a common practice for merchants of low status to evade taxes and seek protection.
Mu Xi was already tempted: "You trust me that much? Just because I'm a woman?"
"Yes, precisely because the young master is a woman." Qi Erniang nodded without any pretense this time, further inciting, "Although the young master is of noble birth, even I find it extremely unfair that he has suffered so much. He should have been raised in a life of luxury, yet he has been forced to conceal his true identity. With his looks and character, if he hadn't been disguised as a man, he would surely have found a suitable husband. But now, judging from his age, he has probably already missed the best age for marriage. Is it only because he was born a woman that he is destined to sacrifice himself for his brothers?"
Well……
Yes, the original owner sacrificed so much, only to fake his death and change his identity at the age of twenty (by Chinese reckoning). Wasn't his marriage delayed too late? Was he held back too much?
Although Mu Xi had no intention of getting married, she still felt indignant on behalf of the original owner whenever someone brought it up.
but……
Is this another form of sowing discord?
Mu Xi didn't dare turn her head, but desperately glanced at Mu Xun out of the corner of her eye.
Qi Erniang clearly hadn't figured out Mu Xun's identity, which is why she spoke these words without any restraint.
Mu Xun, however, remained calm and composed, standing dignifiedly to the side, as if what Qi Erniang said had nothing to do with him.
Qi Erniang continued her rambling: "I had no choice, and neither did the young master. I am unwilling, and neither is the young master. I dare not compare myself to the young master, but I am willing to serve him like a dog or a horse. If the young master achieves success, I will also be able to share in his glory. How could I betray the young master? I, Qi Yingyu, dare to swear to all the gods in the heavens, to the Goddess Yiguang, and to the Sea God that if I ever betray the young master, may I be condemned to the hellish realm of beasts for all eternity, never to die a good death, never to be reborn."
Mu Xi had always regarded oaths as empty words, but she had unknowingly been hit where it hurt by the previous words: "Qi Yingyu? Your name is really convoluted. I hope I didn't trust you wrongly."
"I swear, I swear..." Qi Yingyu, the second aunt of Qi, was about to repeat her oath again.
Mu Xi raised her hand to stop her: "I'm doing this not only for you and me, but also so that all women in the world can have a little more autonomy and a little more choice."
Qi Yingyu knew she had finally received a word of relenting, and she pounded her head on the ground, almost crying: "The young master is so benevolent and righteous..."
“However…” Mu Xi wasn’t easily fooled by a few words. “If what you’re saying is true, then tell me, where does your daughter live?”
“A three-courtyard house located three to five li away in Huaihua Lane in the East City.” Qi Yingyu said without the slightest hesitation.
"Inside Moyang City?" Mu Xi was somewhat surprised.
Qi Yingyu also said helplessly: "I don't want to either, but the manor outside the city has never been safe, and further away there are even more bandits. Although there are many people and eyes in the city, as long as we are careful, at least our safety can be guaranteed."
Mu Xi nodded: "If it is verified that your illegitimate daughter is indeed living there, then... I want that house and all the houses next door. I will guarantee that your daughter will not know that the house has changed hands."
Qi Yingyu immediately understood that this meant they wanted to take her daughter hostage.
But since she had already given the instructions, she had anticipated this outcome and did not hesitate: "I will certainly obey the young master. I originally bought the several courtyards around that house to avoid being noticed. It will not be difficult to hand them over to the young master now."
"It's not just your daughter and house, but also you, all your property, everything you have..." Mu Xi looked at Qi Yingyu's attitude and guessed that what she said was probably true, so he had to make a promise instead. "Remember, this is not a threat. You and I are partners with common interests. If one day I get what I want, you will also get what you want. If I die, you will not have a good end either."
"This servant swears to be loyal to you to the death." To show her loyalty, Qi Yingyu directly changed her self-reference.
"Hey, remember this, we're business partners." Mu Xi remained calm, then changed the subject, "Since you've had ambitions in business since childhood, and you share the same surname and clan as the 'Qi Family of Xiangnan,' you must also aspire to become the 'richest woman in the world,' right?"
"Ah, Your Highness..." Qi Yingyu was pleasantly surprised. Her two small eyes, which had lost their luster after days of torment, immediately opened wide and shone brightly.
Mu Xi's ability to "draw big promises" was honed through countless trials in her previous life: "There's nothing surprising about it. Although I can't become a female monarch, helping you become the 'richest woman in the world' is not necessarily difficult. Do you know what the fastest way to accumulate wealth is in the shortest time?"
“Uh…” Qi Yingyu’s eyes darted around, clearly indicating that she had a well-thought-out plan, but the words that came out were, “This servant is dull-witted, please enlighten me, Your Highness.”
"I will not do anything that violates natural law and human ethics or breaks the law," Mu Xi said bluntly, seeing through the situation clearly. "I am referring to 'monopoly'."
Qi Yingyu suddenly realized: "Yes, yes... Your Highness is wise."
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