By the time Mu Qing returned to Linqing City, three days had already passed.
As the eldest young lady of the Mu family, her sudden “disappearance” for three days had nearly driven her older brother Mu Hai to the brink of madness. Xueli and Bingtang had cried themselves red-eyed and hoarse—after all, who would’ve thought that a seemingly “ordinary” village visit for “leisure” and “inspection” would lead to Mu Qing vanishing into thin air?
Heaven knew how devastated Xueli had been when she returned with help to find the place empty, left only with a mess and some bloodstains.
Not even a full cup of tea’s time had passed, and their young lady—such a big living person—was just gone. There was no place to even cry.
She had immediately sent someone to inform Master Mu Hai, who was still in Linqing managing business matters. When he heard the news, he dropped everything and rushed to Daohua Village with his men.
They scoured the village for three whole days, combing through every inch, but didn’t find a single hair of Mu Qing’s.
Just as despair was sinking in, news came from the shop hands stationed in Linqing: “The Eldest Miss has returned.” They rushed back from Daohua Village at once.
When they saw Mu Qing sitting calmly in the inn sipping tea, Xueli and Bingtang burst into tears. Even Mu Hai, always composed, looked completely overwhelmed by the miracle of regaining what was lost.
Not that it was surprising. Even Mu Qing herself hadn’t expected this trip to Daohua Village to turn into such a rollercoaster.
Of course, she’d always known that Daohua Village, being the birthplace of the Dragon-AoTian male lead, wasn’t just some ordinary little village.
But what she hadn’t anticipated was that, even before the original plot had officially kicked off, just casually checking the place out would get her swept into such a storm—after nearly being gored by a mad ox, she encountered an even greater, utterly unexpected crisis.
And that crisis had come from none other than the “chivalrous” and stunning “hero” who had saved her from the ox.
Oh, right. He couldn’t be called “hero” anymore. Now that the contract had been formed, she needed to start calling him properly. After all, now that they were in this kind of relationship, she’d better start building good habits—she’d have to introduce him to her family once they returned to Jiangnan.
Thinking of this, she glanced up at the man beside her and happened to meet his gaze. That flawless face, even without much expression, radiated calm elegance—only made more stunning.
Though his complexion was still a bit pale and his head wound was wrapped in thick white bandages, it did nothing to diminish his natural grace. He looked every bit the refined and noble gentleman.
So all that talk about being “homeless”… wasn’t just a joke?
Recalling the expressionless way he’d delivered that line, Mu Qing’s mouth twitched slightly.
Alright then.
What’s done is done.
Besides, in this transaction, she wasn’t losing anything.
Mu Qing calmly shot him a “what are you looking at?” glance, then graciously accepted Mu Hai’s and her maids’ heartfelt concern for her safe return. Afterward, she smiled and said, “Let me introduce someone to you all.”
Then she turned directly, and without any pretense, gestured to the handsome man beside her. “This is Feng Qing. I was able to return safely from Daohua Village entirely thanks to his selfless rescue. His kindness in saving my life is beyond repaying, so I’ve decided—he will be my husband.”
Her words fell like a stone into a still pond—creating waves a thousand layers deep.
Her composed, reserved older brother banged into the table. Cautious and meticulous Xueli stood frozen in shock. Even the mischievous and clever Bingtang stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
Yet Mu Qing stood her ground with a calm, beaming smile, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
Of course, that was just on the surface. How many divine beasts were stampeding through her heart—only she knew.
No matter how stunned the others were or how Mu Qing managed their reactions, the man named “Feng Qing” maintained a faint, detached expression, exuding a “not moved by joy or sorrow” kind of demeanor.
Though a bit quiet, his words and actions were always proper, and paired with his astonishing beauty, he easily left people with a good impression.
Add to that Mu Qing’s silver tongue, and it didn’t take much effort to get everyone to believe the story of: “Ambushed on the road, rescued by a righteous man who risked his life, thus a marriage is the only way to repay the debt.”
After all, Mu Qing really had gone missing for three days.
Three days later, she returned to Linqing unharmed save for a few scratches, while the man beside her had a head injury. That, too, was real.
Given those facts, they couldn’t come up with any other plausible explanation besides this man saving her.
After all, their eldest miss had been pampered her entire life. The idea that she alone could escape from some vicious assailant in one piece was simply impossible.
No one questioned the story—but marriage, that was another matter entirely.
As the eldest daughter of the Mu family, her marriage was not something that could be decided lightly—even Mu Hai dared not speak too freely about it. Though everyone in the household treated him as the legitimate young master of the Mu family, he never forgot he was an adopted son and Mu Qing’s older foster brother. He would never overstep his bounds.
In the end, matters of marriage must be decided by the parents. Since the elders were still en route, no matter what the young miss said for now, the final decision would be made only when they returned to the Mu family and met Master Mu and Madam Bai.
As for Bingtang and Xueli, they had even less to say—they were Mu Qing’s closest maids, fully accustomed to following her lead in all things. In daily life, Mu Qing might rely on them for everything, but when serious matters arose, it was always her word that counted.
So, just like that, within the Mu family’s merchant caravan bound for the capital, the matter was settled.
Perhaps not expecting things to be resolved so easily, even Chu Yu—disguised as Feng Qing—showed a rare hint of surprise.
Compared to the previous dynasty, this current one had granted women greater standing. Among more progressive noble families—especially among the affluent merchants in the provinces—women were often seen managing affairs and appearing in public. Yet even so, the nation still largely clung to the ancient notion of “male superiority.”
While the Mu family was indeed a wealthy household from Jiangnan, he hadn’t expected their daughter to wield such authority. It caught him off guard.
But Chu Yu had also realized that this so-called Mu family young master wasn’t the true heir. With the information Shadow Thirteen had gathered, it wasn’t hard to understand why this young woman could speak with such finality here.
Still, in a merchant caravan composed of adopted sons, maids, and hired hands, she could say whatever she wanted.
The real trouble would start once they returned to the main Mu household in Jiangnan.
In this dynasty, filial piety was held in the highest esteem. In front of her parents, surely she wouldn’t remain so bold and unrestrained?
Hopefully not.
Agreeing to this contract and playing the role of husband was merely a temporary measure.
Once they left Linqing and shook off the dangerous pursuers, he could find a chance to withdraw.
Chu Yu silently reviewed his plans for the future—only to suddenly find his hand being grabbed by the woman once again.
He stiffened instinctively and nearly pulled away, but she only tightened her grip.
What’s more, she leaned in and whispered by his ear, “We’re practically husband and wife now. Don’t act so distant—we don’t want to break character.”
He was momentarily dazed, and by the time he processed her words, she was already pulling him out the door.
Her hand was much smaller and rounder than his—soft and warm, just like the smile on her face, both strangely reassuring.
Even he found this level of contact… just barely tolerable.
Definitely not because she insisted on playing some ridiculous “exposure therapy” routine, constantly initiating physical contact until he got used to it.
Ever since he began planning that major operation, this was the first time Chu Yu felt something had spiraled beyond his control. Though helpless, he also felt… a hint of amusement.
Since the situation was still unclear and he needed to keep a low profile for a while longer, indulging this woman’s antics for a few days wouldn’t hurt.
As she felt the tension in his hand easing, Mu Qing secretly sighed in relief. Thankfully, this man had solid mental fortitude—he’d actually taken her half-baked “desensitization therapy” theory seriously.
It seemed that for someone with this level of “touch aversion,” so long as he cooperated and received repeated exposure, he might slowly recover.
Honestly, she had no intention of meddling in someone else’s psychological issues. But with everything happening the way it did, she figured she might as well help.
After all, her parents weren’t going to be easy to fool. Even a “contract husband” like him would need to at least look convincingly in love.
Fortunately, there was still time—no need to rush. She was very confident.
Thinking this, Mu Qing flashed her trademark smile at the man—whose looks were so dazzling yet whose movements still remained slightly stiff—and said sweetly:
“Husband, let’s go. Time to make some money in the capital.”
Wait they decided to enter a contract off screen? Did i miss a chapter or something?