Mu Qing’s husband drank that cup of wine on her behalf, officially kicking off his showdown with Liu Feng.
Everyone here was a scholar, and even a casual conversation could be full of subtle barbs—let alone after that little scene just now. It was very clear this was going to be a battle of wits.
This was the first time Mu Qing had ever seen her usually quiet and reserved husband in a verbal sparring match.
Of course, as the original Dragon-AoTian male lead, that Young Master Liu Feng was no slouch either.
The two men chatted eloquently over wine, touching on topics from astronomy to geography, from societal norms to cultural insights. Their back-and-forth had a definite undercurrent of rivalry.
Sitting at the main table, snacking and spectating up close, Mu Qing felt like—even though this was clearly a cockfight—the view was pleasant enough, thanks to both men’s good looks. Truly a feast for the eyes.
Later, her little brother Mu Jiang also joined in, and the sparring turned into a scholarly debate. Not long after, “Mr. Liu” fell slightly short in his knowledge reserves and had to bow out, effectively ending the contest.
As for her father, her mother, her adopted brother, her cousin, and the rest of the household staff, they had nothing to contribute aside from clapping and cheering “666.”
After the meal, everyone moved to the flower hall for tea and casual conversation. Since her adopted brother Mu Hai needed to report on his business dealings in the capital, he and Master Mu went to a study next door.
That left Madam Bai chatting idly with the younger generation.
Mu Qing made some small talk, then found an excuse to pull her cousin aside for a “stroll” in the back garden.
Before leaving, she leaned over and whispered to her husband that he could go rest first—she had something to discuss with him later.
He nodded, and not long after Mu Qing left, he also excused himself from the hall. However, instead of returning to the courtyard the Mu family had prepared for him and Mu Qing, he too headed in the direction of the garden.
Mu Qing and her cousin wandered through the garden, ostensibly admiring the scenery, but both of them knew full well it was just a pretense.
They both knew what this was really about.
It was just a matter of who would speak first.
Mu Qing wasn’t in a rush.
Though she hadn’t paid much attention to her cousin over the years, ever since the girl’s first visit to the Mu household—when she tried to snatch something from Mu Qing and got thoroughly beaten for it—she had developed an instinctive fear of Mu Qing.
Although Mu Qing had nearly been beaten herself by Madam Bai afterward, she had managed to wriggle out of trouble with a heartfelt, morally sound speech about “early childhood education”—even managing to brainwash her cousin a little in the process…
In short, the situation had evolved into this: despite being spoiled and indulged by everyone, her cousin grew into a headstrong and unruly young lady—but the one person she feared was her Elder Cousin Mu Qing.
Other people’s things, she would snatch if she wanted. Mu Qing’s things? She wouldn’t even dare look at them.
Everyone found this fascinating, but Mu Qing knew it was just a conditioned reflex.
Back when they were only three or four years old, Mu Qing had used brute force to subdue her, and that pain had left a lasting impression. From then on, whenever she saw Mu Qing, she instinctively recalled that childhood beating and became obedient.
It was the same logic as taming a wild horse—or a falcon.
It all came down to who was scarier. Of course, considering their tiny toddler bodies back then, the actual physical pain would’ve been minimal—it was mostly about psychological intimidation.
Sure enough, after a short silence, Yan Hong was the first to crack. She cautiously opened with, “Cousin, is there something you wanted to say to Hong’er?”
Mu Qing nodded and turned to scrutinize her cousin, staring at her until she fidgeted like a startled rabbit before finally sighing and saying, “Hong’er, you’re a clever, charming, and beautiful young lady. Why on earth are you fixated on someone like Liu Feng?”
The moment she said it, it was like she’d struck Yan Hong right in her weak spot. Her cousin immediately raised her teary eyes and said, “Cousin, how could you say that about Brother Liu? He’s a good man. The first day he came, he complimented my hairpin—the one my mother left me, the old golden phoenix hairpin. It’s so worn, but he still said it was beautiful… He must be a good person.”
Yan Hong was fully immersed in her sweet memories with Liu Feng, but Mu Qing could only stare, dumbfounded.
So that’s what it was.
Now she understood how her cousin had fallen so hard so quickly—this Young Master Liu really was skilled at flirtation.
His observational skills were terrifying too.
But her cousin was honestly too naive. She had the reputation of being “spoiled and headstrong,” but in reality, she was just a little bunny.
This man, practically a romance predator, had tricks for days. Even if his methods were a little crude, paired with his good looks and overpowering main character aura, reeling in her cousin had been all too easy.
Mu Qing sighed, then gently explained Liu Feng’s true nature in hopes that her cousin might pull back before it was too late.
But the moment she started, Yan Hong burst into tears.
“Cousin, you’re not like me. You have Aunt and Uncle who love you. My real mother died early, and Father only cares about my brothers. That new wife of his might pretend to spoil me, but she’s not my real mother… I know Brother Liu’s just sweet-talking me, but if he made me happy, then he has to keep doing it for the rest of my life.”
Mu Qing hadn’t expected her cousin to be so clear-eyed about it all.
But knowing the truth and still diving in… that was beyond help.
You can’t wake someone who’s pretending to be asleep.
Watching her cousin’s determined little face, Mu Qing felt a headache coming on, but there was nothing she could do. This was her cousin’s choice. Persuasion wouldn’t work.
“Fine,” she said. “As long as you’re sure.”
Yan Hong stopped crying and smiled. “Cousin’s not mad at me?”
Mu Qing replied, puzzled, “Why would I be mad? But in the future…”
Yan Hong cut in, “The future is too far away. I’ve never failed to get what I want. He’s provoked me, so he shouldn’t expect to walk away.”
Looking at her cousin’s face full of resolve, Mu Qing could only smile bitterly. This was probably a recipe for a doomed marriage.
She hadn’t wanted to be the original novel’s main wife, but she didn’t want her cousin to be the rebound either… Still, if someone insists on digging their own grave, who could stop them?
With nothing more to say, Mu Qing let her cousin return first, while she wandered the garden a while longer—partly to avoid more awkward chatting, and partly to consider her next steps.
After all, though her husband had stepped in earlier and shut down Liu Feng’s probing remarks, it was clear that man wasn’t going to give up so easily.
He was truly the embodiment of Dragon-AoTian—the more indifferent you were, the more he wanted you. It was a textbook trait.
But that didn’t mean she’d bow her head and betray her nature—there was no way she’d act like her cousin, so lovestruck and desperate.
She refused to believe she couldn’t escape this script. If a little pestering from Liu Feng could shatter her plans, then she could kiss her dream of being a happy, wealthy spinster goodbye.
Now that she was “married,” all she had to do was hold the line for a year. Once Liu Feng unlocked new story arcs, they’d naturally drift apart and never cross paths again.
That was the plan, at least—until she looked up and saw her husband’s figure in the distance.
He stood in a secluded corner up ahead, speaking to a man dressed in black. It looked like they were discussing something serious.
Mu Qing hesitated but decided not to disturb them. She turned to leave.
But her husband had already noticed her. Before she could turn away, he waved the black-clad man off and walked straight toward her, asking, “Wife, were you looking for me?”
Mu Qing shook her head. “Just walking off dinner. I happened to pass by. If you’ve got things to handle, don’t mind me.”
She didn’t press him at all about what she’d seen. But her husband said, “It’s taken care of. Back in the flower hall, you mentioned wanting to discuss something?”
That reminded her. She perked up. “Oh, yes. I do. Since you grew up in Tongzhou, I was thinking… should we move there for a while next month?”
Chu Yu was slightly taken aback and didn’t respond immediately.
Mu Qing quickly added, a little apologetically, “I forgot about Aunt Feng… If you don’t want to go back…”
Chu Yu shook his head. “It’s fine.”
Mu Qing let out a sigh of relief and smiled. “Great. Then I’ll talk to Father and Mother tonight. But… aren’t you curious why I want to move?”
Chu Yu looked at her for a moment, then calmly said, “Your brother.”
His expression said it all—“Isn’t it obvious?”
Mu Qing burst into laughter.
She hadn’t noticed it before, but now it was clear—her husband and her little brother actually had a lot in common. Looked like they’d get along famously.
She was already dreaming of blissful days ahead. With her last concern resolved, it was time to get to work.
She and her husband walked and chatted as they made their way back.
But just after they left, a figure emerged from a grotto behind the rock garden.
Dressed in scholar’s robes, hair tied neatly, and face strikingly handsome—it was none other than Liu Feng.
His eyes, usually filled with charm, were now dark with resentment. He glared in the direction the couple had gone, and punched the tree beside him.
“Well played, Eldest Miss Mu!” he spat through gritted teeth. “Mu Miaoniang—this isn’t over. Just you wait!”
