The moment Mu Qing said those words, her younger brother finally turned his head and looked at her, slowly asking, “As usual—what is it?”
Even after more than two months apart, her little brother was still the same as ever—stingy with words.
Clearly, only a topic like this could prompt her studious, scholarly little brother to open his mouth.
Mu Qing chuckled, no longer playing coy, and directly took out the floor plan of Baihe Academy that her husband had drawn.
The moment the young master of the Mu family saw it, his eyes immediately lit up.
Though still young, he had always been very proper and did not directly snatch the much-anticipated map. Instead, he respectfully stepped forward and bowed to Mu Qing. “Thank you, Elder Sister.”
His prematurely mature demeanor, paired with his chubby, baby-fat-laden face, was simply too adorable.
Mu Qing couldn’t help but pat his head. Seeing his expression—slightly annoyed, yet holding back from dodging—only made her want to laugh more.
But she also understood that too much teasing could backfire, so she reined herself in at the edge of provoking him, quickly handed over the map, and even took the chance to give her husband a boost in favorability:
“This was drawn by your brother-in-law himself. Aren’t you going to thank him?”
Young Master Mu glanced at the map, then at the unfamiliar “brother-in-law” behind his sister. He paused in silence for a moment, then respectfully offered a bow in thanks.
Though he did politely express his gratitude, he didn’t call him “brother-in-law,” which made Mu Qing a little curious.
After all, her little brother might be quiet, but he’d always been obedient to her. Even if just for politeness’ sake, he usually gave her that much face and followed her instructions. But this time…
Could it be that Dragon-AoTian did something again?
Mu Qing looked at her brother, then at Dragon-AoTian, seeing that usual confident expression on his face. Her sense of unease deepened.
But before she could ask, her mother came out to clear up the confusion:
“My daughter, how thoughtful you are. Ever since you left, Ah Jiang has been waiting every day for his sister to return so he could ask about Baihe Academy. He’d already been thrilled just hearing bits about it from Young Master Liu. Now that you’ve brought this, he’s over the moon.”
With that, Mu Qing understood everything.
As expected, whenever something felt off, it was always tied to Dragon-AoTian.
But it wasn’t over yet—her father soon added fuel to the fire:
“Isn’t that the truth! My daughter, you wouldn’t know, but Young Master Liu may be young, but he passed the county exams just last year. While staying with us, he often discussed studies with Ah Jiang. Now he’s become your little brother’s personal tutor.”
So that’s how it is.
As expected of you.
Mu Qing held back a sigh, but her smile grew more graceful. “Oh? So Young Master Liu is now our family’s tutor? What about old Master Chen?”
Her father coughed awkwardly. “Old Master Chen was getting on in years. A while back, he retired and returned to his hometown.”
…
Come on now—was he seriously going to lie with his eyes wide open?
She knew better than anyone the bond between her little brother and old Master Chen. Unless something drastic happened, even if they tried to kick him out, he wouldn’t leave.
That man had been her brother’s first mentor, a renowned scholar in the surrounding counties. He once taught at Baihe Academy, but due to his age, had retired five years ago and moved back to Yuhang to enjoy his remaining years in peace.
Back then, Mu Qing had realized her brother’s potential and, fearing he’d be held back, had pushed for their father to find a proper teacher.
It had taken the family a long search to find Master Chen, and even longer to persuade him to leave his countryside home and teach at the Mu residence.
Master Chen was a true scholar, one who’d taught all his life and had long since stopped caring about wealth. He only agreed because of her little brother’s extraordinary talent.
After all, the only thing that could truly move a good teacher was an exceptional student.
He had said it himself when he began instructing the boy at five years old—he’d never seen such gifted potential and swore he wouldn’t leave until he’d cultivated it fully.
Her little brother had lived up to the promise. Not only did he excel in studies, he also deeply respected his teacher—an absolute model student. The old man cherished him like a last disciple.
For four years, the two of them had worked in perfect harmony. By nine, her brother was already qualified to take the child scholars’ exams.
Last year, he casually sat the exams and topped both the county and prefectural levels. If he secured first in the provincial exam this June or July, he’d complete the so-called “Minor Triple Crown.”
And he’d be the youngest in history to do it.
That’s what people meant when they talked about a prodigy.
After that, with the scholar title in hand, he’d attend Baihe Academy in September to prepare for next year’s provincial exam. It was a path old Master Chen had long planned for him.
So now to say that such a man had suddenly retired and returned home? Yeah, not buying it.
Mu Qing pressed her father with a few questions, and before long he spilled the truth—as expected, he’d been swayed by Liu Feng’s posturing and had earnestly invited him to tutor the boy, which had driven old Master Chen away in a rage.
Remembering how hard it had been to recruit Master Chen in the first place, Mu Qing couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
But what could she do?
It was done. She’d just have to personally visit Master Chen another day and apologize.
So before she’d even returned, Young Master Liu hadn’t managed to become the Mu family’s son-in-law, but he’d already become her little brother’s tutor?
Impressive, truly.
And with that…
A fresh wave of unease rose in her heart.
Sure enough, Liu Feng finally opened his mouth. “I wonder if Miss Mu could describe Baihe Academy a little? I may be lacking in talent, but I’ve long yearned to study there and wish to further my learning.”
Master Mu smiled. “Indeed, we’ve already discussed it. When the time comes, we’ll have Young Master Liu accompany Ah Jiang to the academy—they can look after each other.”
Wonderful. Everything had been arranged so clearly.
Mu Qing once again found herself admiring the sheer power of the protagonist’s halo. But at the same time, it ignited her competitive spirit.
As the male lead of this world, of course he came with plot armor.
The plot even seemed to be self-correcting now—her little brother, who didn’t exist in the original novel, had somehow been recruited as a potential sidekick. Incredible.
Clearly, she needed to up her game.
Fortunately, she never lacked for clever ideas. She immediately smiled. “On this matter, I have a better suggestion. Father, Mother, would you like to hear my humble thoughts?”
Both parents replied at once, “Another one of your ideas? Quickly, let’s hear it.”
Mu Qing smiled faintly, her tone calm. “Please, be patient. I’ll need to consult with my husband first. Husband?”
She called him, but there was no response. Curious, she turned her head—and froze.
At some point, her husband had joined her little brother, and the two of them were poring over the Baihe Academy map together.
Judging by their posture, her little brother had been the one to approach first…
The boy’s face was slightly flushed with excitement, his eyes brimming with admiration as he occasionally asked questions in a low voice. Gone was the usual aloof silence.
Her husband answered him with patience, explaining the layout with the calm poise of a true teacher—charming and authoritative.
Was this…
Mu Qing held back her growing joy and slowly walked over, gently asking, “Ah Jiang, husband, what are you two up to?”
Her husband looked at her, lips quirking into a faint smile, though he said nothing.
Her little brother, uncharacteristically eager, beamed and said, “Sister, Brother-in-law is explaining Baihe Academy to me. Turns out he has a close friend who studied there and knows all about which tutors collect what rare books.”
Ah? What now?
Looking at her brother’s sparkling eyes, Mu Qing wasn’t sure whether to marvel at his unshakable passion for learning or be amazed at the kind of friends her husband apparently had.
But regardless, this was fantastic news for her.
She couldn’t help but feel that ever since marrying this man, her luck had skyrocketed—even Dragon-AoTian didn’t seem like much of a threat anymore.
Just look—her genius little brother was already calling him “Brother-in-law.” With that hurdle cleared, the rest would be even easier.
Mu Qing flashed her husband a “well done” smile, then cheerfully turned her gaze toward the clearly displeased Liu Feng. She was just about to unleash her big move—
When suddenly someone outside announced, “The young lady from the cousin’s branch has arrived!”
Even before the words finished echoing, a sweet voice rang out with a laugh: “Cousin Qing is back? I’ve missed you so much these past few months!”
