Ch 27: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

Mu Xing looked at it suspiciously. “Really? But as I recall, in that first dream of mine, it would still be several years before the Marquis’s household discovered my identity, right?”

Besides, in this life Mu Xing had never even planned to go to the capital. He had thought it through quite clearly: as long as he didn’t go there, as long as he never met the Marquis’s household, his identity would never be exposed.

He didn’t value so-called bloodlines that much. The Mu family was fine. By comparison, he would much rather continue being their child.

“Did you tamper with something?” He had always felt that this light orb had no good intentions, even if every time it spoke it put on the appearance of acting for his sake.

But now, without its interference, how could the Marquis’s household suddenly discover the child had been switched?

The orb hastily denied it. “No, it wasn’t me, I didn’t. I’m just a useless little orb of light—how could I harbor bad intentions?”

Mu Xing gave a short hum, clearly unconvinced.

The orb said, “Returning to your rightful clan is what you ought to do, and it’s also the fate you must experience. Look, even though you ignore me, destiny still moves in the direction it should.”

Mu Xing shook his head. “I don’t think so. Isn’t a person’s life lived out by themselves?”

He pointed at himself. “If fate was already set, then why would you urge me to go early to the Marquis’s household to acknowledge kin? According to that dream, I wouldn’t even have been taken home by Mother, I should have been a beggar, dying in my teens. But now I’m living well. Obviously, that dream wasn’t real at all.”

He looked at the orb, smiling. “I even think you yourself aren’t real.”

“So don’t enter my dreams again and talk about useless things.”

The moment Mu Xing finished speaking, he opened his eyes.

He woke from the dream.

It was still before dawn, and he couldn’t sleep anymore.

Getting up and dressing, he stepped outside the courtyard, breathed in the cool morning air, and took a deep breath.

Thinking of what the orb had said in the dream, he shook his head.

Once, he had worried: if the Mu family learned he wasn’t their biological child, if the Marquis’s household came to claim him, what should he do?

But now he was calm.

Why care about others? He trusted the Mu family, trusted himself.

As for the Marquis’s household… it was only a matter of blood ties. The beggar in the dream cared about that—he didn’t.

At that thought, the qi inside his body suddenly surged rapidly, advancing noticeably in just a single moment.

Mu Xing was taken aback, then laughed. So this cultivation method truly lived up to the words “Xiaoyao”—free and unrestrained.

---

The next day would be Mu Jiawang’s wedding.

The Mu family had rebuilt a new house two years ago, neat and fine with green bricks and tile, spacious and beautiful. Each child now had their own room.

A lively day passed, and the following morning, just as the new bride was offering tea to the elders, a commotion rose outside.

Mu Jiafeng went out to look, and soon came running back shouting, “There’s a group outside, riding horses, with sedan chairs and a carriage—it’s so grand! They said they’re here to find Father and Mother.”

The Mu family members exchanged glances. They didn’t know any household so distinguished.

Mu Xing more or less knew who had come. Smiling, he said, “Maybe they’ve got the wrong family. Sister-in-law, go on and serve tea—I’m still waiting for the red envelopes from Big Brother and Sister-in-law!”

Everyone laughed, and the bride Wang shi blushed.

Before marrying in, she had inquired about the Mu family. She’d heard her husband had a younger brother who looked like an immortal child, said to be frail since birth and spoiled by the family. She had worried he might be hard to get along with.

But that unease had vanished the moment she saw Mu Xing yesterday.

Wang shi naturally thought: with such a beautiful younger brother, how could he possibly be difficult?

Never mind that the Mu family spoiled him—who wouldn’t like such a good-looking, delicate little youth?

Even if he were a bit spoiled in temperament, she could simply humor him.

---

Since people had come, the Mu family quickly finished the ceremony and went outside to see.

As soon as Mu Xing stepped out, he saw them: a line of guards in uniform riding tall horses at the front, two blue-cloth sedan chairs in the middle, and a carriage.

The riders didn’t dismount, and neither the carriage nor the sedan chairs lifted their curtains even a fraction.

Standing beside Mu Xing, Mu Jiajia muttered softly, “Who are these people, putting on such airs?”

Mu Xing whispered back, “Who knows?”

The lead guard, seeing them emerge, didn’t even properly look at them. From his high perch he asked, “Is this the Mu household of Dazhuang Village, master Mu Dazhu, madam Zhang Xinglan?”

The tone was unpleasant.

Mu Dazhu, an honest man, didn’t think too much of it. He simply answered politely, “I am Mu Dazhu, and this is my wife Zhang. May I ask who you are?”

The guard declared proudly, “My lord is of the Marquis of Cheng’en’s household in the capital!”

Mu Dazhu didn’t understand official titles, but hearing “capital” and “marquis household,” he knew it was impressive.

He grew uneasy, unconsciously standing straighter.

The guard then asked, “Do you have here an eleven-year-old young… master, with a birthdate on the ninth day of the ninth month?”

Eleven years old, ninth day of the ninth month—that was clearly Mu Xing.

At mention of his son, all of Mu Dazhu’s unease vanished.

He looked at the guard with vigilance. “Why are you asking these things?”

In fact, the Marquis’s household had already investigated everything before coming here. This was just a token question, and by their lord’s order, also a way to put on a show of authority.

That guard finally deigned to lower his gaze, letting it sweep down like condescension, and the moment it landed on Mu Xing standing behind Zhang, his pupils shrank.

Without even needing to ask, without even needing to guess, he almost instantly knew—this had to be the youth their master had spoken of, very likely the young lord.

If he weren’t the Marquis’s son, then in this poor and remote place, how could such an outstanding young boy have been raised?

Among their party, only he and Chen Mama, still sitting in the sedan chair and keeping up appearances, knew the truth.

At first, the guard hadn’t thought much of this “young master.” In his mind, even if the child carried the Marquis’s blood, raised for over ten years in the countryside, he would surely be nothing more than a crude, ignorant brat.

But seeing Mu Xing’s appearance now, he knew he was wrong.

He smiled at Mu Xing in a friendly manner and asked, “You must be the Mu family’s youngest son? Mu Xiaobao?”

In Dazhuang Village, everyone called him Mu Xiaobao since birth. That was also the name they’d uncovered in their inquiry—the very name the Marchioness had once scorned as vulgar and coarse.

Mu Xing ignored him.

He bore grudges—this man had barked at his father earlier, and hmph, he would remember it!

Seeing his silence, the guard merely thought him shy. He turned his horse and respectfully called toward the sedan chair ahead, “Chen Mama.”

From the carriage behind, a young maid hopped down to lift the sedan curtain, and an older woman adorned with jewels stepped out.

Mu Xing’s impression of these people instantly plummeted: one after another, so full of airs.

Even the guards and servants put on such grand manners—what kind of character could their master be?

As Chen Mama emerged, both the Mu family and the villagers gathered to watch were left stunned—never had Dazhuang Village seen such a wealthy-looking lady.

Even the ladies of prominent families in the county town didn’t always carry such presence.

Savoring their envious and awestruck gazes, Chen Mama felt smug and disdainful.

She lazily lifted her eyelids, looked over the Mu family, then—like the guard—her eyes locked firmly onto Mu Xing.

But Chen Mama was different from the guard.

She was a household-born servant of the Marquis of Cheng’en, a trusted aide of the old marchioness, raised within the household since childhood.

Why had the Lu clan of the Marquis of Cheng’en thrived for generations?

Because of their beauty. Over the course of this dynasty, the family had produced nearly ten imperial consorts.

Most recently, the favored concubine who had borne the Second Prince was the Marquis’s own sister—once hailed as the unrivaled beauty of the capital.

Chen Mama had watched that concubine grow up. And now, looking at this plainly dressed youth before her, she realized he outshone every member of the younger generation of the Marquis’s household. His features were strikingly like those of the noble concubine.

At once, her face bloomed with warmth. She walked forward, reaching out to grasp Mu Xing’s hand. “So this is our household’s young master? What a handsome and talented boy…”

But before she could touch him, another hand seized hers.

Though Chen Mama was a servant, she had lived more finely than most mistresses. Yet Zhang shi, hardened from years of mountain labor, had real strength in her hands.

One grab, and Chen Mama cried out in pain.

Zhang shi stared at her coldly. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Her mind spun rapidly. Her Xiaobao was so good-looking—could these people be human traffickers?

With that thought, her eyes toward Chen Mama grew even harsher.

Chen Mama snapped angrily, “You… insolent! Release me at once! Guards, drag this shrew away!”

The guards quickly dismounted and surrounded them.

Mu Xing shoved Chen Mama aside and grabbed Zhang shi’s hand. “Who exactly are you people? To bully others so openly in broad daylight—do you hold no regard for the law of the land?”

Chen Mama, hearing his voice, forced herself to calm down.

The moment she had seen Mu Xing’s face, her dismissive attitude had shifted. Whatever else, with such a face, the Marquis’s household would never deny him—and he would likely win the noble concubine’s favor.

If she offended the Mu family now, Mu Xing might remember it against her.

And those words he’d just spoken…

She asked in surprise, “Young master, you’ve studied?”

By now, Mu Jiawang and Mu Jiafeng had stepped up protectively beside their mother and younger brother.

Mu Jiafeng, already annoyed by their arrogance, rolled his eyes. “And what’s so strange about that? Can’t country folk study? Not only my little brother—our whole family has studied!”

Even if Master Xie hadn’t acknowledged them as his disciples, they had still learned to read and write. They weren’t lying!

Chen Mama waved a hand, ordering the guards to step back.

She smiled warmly at Zhang shi. “It’s all a misunderstanding, Madam Zhang. I’m the stewardess of the Marquis of Cheng’en. Today I’ve come to discuss a most important matter with you.”

Zhang shi shook her head and stepped back. “We are just a peasant family. We have no ties to the Marquis’s household, and nothing important enough to discuss with you.”

Chen Mama’s smile tightened. “Madam Zhang truly won’t hear me out? Eleven years ago, at Qingshan Temple, the lady who gave birth alongside you—that was the Marchioness of Cheng’en.”

Zhang shi still remembered the night Xiaobao was born.

A sense of dread surged in her heart. She clutched Mu Xing’s hand tighter, her voice taut. “What are you trying to say?”

Seeing her reaction, Chen Mama smiled knowingly. “Too many ears here. Why don’t we go inside to talk?”

Zhang shi fell silent for a moment, glanced at Mu Dazhu, then turned and walked into the house.

Chen Mama ordered the guards to wait outside and followed her in.

Once inside, Chen Mama looked the room over with a critical eye. Only after confirming that the place was at least tidy did she pull out her handkerchief, wipe down a chair, and sit.

Mu Jiajia, seeing her pretentious manner, openly rolled her eyes.

“Please have the irrelevant people step out, Madam Zhang,” Chen Mama said smoothly. “Some matters—you wouldn’t want too many to overhear, would you?”

Zhang shi gave her a look of impatience, then suddenly slapped the table. “These are all my family. There are no ‘irrelevant people.’ What exactly are you trying to say, sneaking about like it’s some shameful secret?”

She wasn’t hot-tempered by nature, but this crowd had been putting on airs for long enough without saying a single useful word—it was downright irritating.

If not for the fact that the woman had mentioned Xiaobao, Zhang shi wouldn’t have let them in at all!

The bang made Chen Mama jump.

In the Chen household’s inner court, she usually dealt with noble ladies from powerful families, women whose servants were deferential and polite. When had she ever encountered such a coarse, brash woman?

She was sharp-tongued and skilled in manipulation, but against this kind of blunt force, she had no defense.

She reached for tea to calm her temper, only to realize that the Mu family hadn’t served her any at all—not because they didn’t know courtesy, but because her own behavior had already soured everyone’s mood. Who would bother to cater to this old crone?

Forcing herself to swallow her anger, Chen Mama finally said, “Since Madam Zhang insists, then I’ll speak plainly.”

She looked directly at Mu Xing. “According to the investigation by our Marquis’s household, your young son is in fact of the Marquis of Cheng’en’s bloodline.”

“Bullshit!” Zhang shi, after waiting so long only to hear that, could no longer hold back the fury she had suppressed.

She shot to her feet, jabbing a finger at Chen Mama, and cursed: “I wondered what nonsense you’d spout. So it’s to steal my son? I carried Xiaobao ten hard months in my womb, nearly lost my life to give birth, and this family has poured endless effort into raising him this far. And you—you dare, you actually dare to say such things?”

She pointed toward the door. “Get out. Or don’t blame me if I stop being polite.”

Mu Xing’s mouth fell open as he stared at her.

All his life, he had never seen Zhang shi this angry.

In front of him, his mother was always gentle and plain-spoken. Who would have thought, once roused, she could be this formidable?

Seeing her youngest son’s expression, Zhang shi softened at once. “Did Mother frighten Xiaobao just now? Forgive me, I’ll try to keep my voice down next time.”

Mu Xing, wide-eyed with admiration, said, “No. Mother was amazing just now.”

Then he added seriously, “I’m strong now, don’t treat me like a child anymore.”

His martial training wasn’t a secret in the family. Everyone knew his talent far surpassed Mu Jiafeng’s, and that he had grown powerful in his practice.

But somehow, the whole household still saw him through a strange filter: even after watching him slay a wild boar and drag it home single-handedly, they still thought of Xiaobao as delicate and frail, a little treasure to be coddled and protected.

It gave Mu Xing quite a headache.

Chen Mama had indeed been cowed by Zhang shi’s outburst at first, but regaining her composure, she felt humiliated.

She flicked her sleeve and sneered, “Why such anger, Madam Zhang? Do you know who the Marquis of Cheng’en is? Would we come chasing after some backwater child without solid proof?”

Her tone turned cutting. “Let me be blunt—whether young master is the legitimate heir or even just a concubine-born, once he returns he’ll be a true son of the Marquis’s house. Far better than wasting his life in this wretched countryside!”

Seeing Zhang shi remain silent, she thought she had won the upper hand.

Her eyes ran over Mu Xing, and she pasted on a kindly smile. “Young master, Chen Mama isn’t a bad person. I was sent by the Marquis himself to fetch you to the capital. And what is the capital? The very foot of the Son of Heaven’s throne! Once you’re there, you’ll never want to return.”

Mu Xing stared coldly, saying nothing.

At first she had only thought him beautiful, but now—those dark eyes fixed on her, unblinking—Chen Mama shivered despite herself.

When Zhang shi heard her trying to coax her son, she shoved her backward with a curse: “Old witch, not a word of truth from your mouth! Still scheming to trick my Xiaobao?”

Chen Mama tumbled hard onto her backside.

Crying out in pain, she scrambled up, face red with anger, and shrieked, “You shrew! Who are you trying to fool? Look at your family of crooked melons and cracked dates—could they birth a young lord like ours? Don’t you dare deny we have evidence!”

She spat out: “Back then, the maid-in-waiting Zhu was married off to a worthless gambler. Resentful, she took the chance when you and Madam were in labor together and switched the children!”

Zhang shi’s face shook, and she forced out a cold laugh through clenched teeth. “I don’t believe it!”

“You don’t?” Chen Mama scoffed. “I’ll tell you—young master looks exactly like our Imperial Consort, the Marquis’s sister! And what’s more, doesn’t he have a red birthmark on his back? The Marquis has the same! That’s proof of bloodline.

“I’ve come to retrieve the rightful young master of the Marquis’s house. Who are you to stand in the way?”

Zhang shi was struck dumb, her mind reeling. The others too were stunned by the revelation, frozen in place, speechless.

Seeing this, Chen Mama felt triumphant.

She looked again at Mu Xing, coaxing:
“Little young master, trust Chen Mama. You are the honored young master of our Marquis’s household. The Marquis and Madam are your true parents—they miss you dearly and cannot wait to see you.”

Mu Xing raised his head, his bright eyes fixing directly on her. “Is that so?”

Those eyes were so clear and penetrating, it felt as though they could see through every hidden thought in her heart.

Chen Mama coughed lightly. “But of course. The moment the Marquis and Madam learned of this matter, they immediately sent me here.”

Mu Xing suddenly smiled.

He turned, walked to Zhang shi’s side, and grasped her hand. Her palm was icy cold—clearly she was not as calm as she appeared.

He held on tighter and looked up: “Mother, if you suddenly discovered that your own child had been lost outside, and then heard news of him, what would you do?”

Zhang shi instinctively answered, “Of course I’d rush over to see him, to check if he’s well…”

Her words faltered midway, and she instantly understood Mu Xing’s meaning.

Forcing herself to stay composed, she turned to Chen Mama and asked sharply: “And who exactly are you in the Marquis’s household?”

Chen Mama thought the other woman was yielding, so she straightened her back and said proudly, “This old servant attends upon the Dowager Madam herself, managing half the inner court.”

Zhang shi might not understand the twists and turns of noble families, but she could tell right away this woman was still just a servant.

The thought struck her like lightning.

She pointed at Chen Mama and sneered: “I may not be learned, but I know one rule at least. For a great house like yours, to welcome home a son lost for more than ten years—yet you send just a stewarding servant?!”

Chen Mama froze.

Zhang shi hugged Mu Xing close, her eyes reddening. “So, not even his own father or mother came. Not even a proper elder. That alone shows you never truly valued Xiaobao. If you really looked down on this child, then why scramble over here to seize him?”

Her earlier fury now turned into raw heartache.

“You must already know how frail he was since birth. His father and grandmother and I have watched over him day and night, never daring to slack, always fearing he might… slip away. It’s been so hard to raise him to this point, finally healthy and lively. Even if he truly were some Marquis’s young master, he wasn’t raised for you to belittle!”

And she wasn’t wrong.

When the Marquis’s household received the news, apart from the Marchioness, no one took Mu Xing seriously.

First, the house was not lacking in sons. Second, learning he’d lived in the remote countryside for over a decade, they subconsciously assumed he was crude and unpresentable, sure to disgrace the family.

Most crucially, the boy who had been swapped with Mu Xing—Lu Jiaming—was the Dowager’s darling and the Marchioness’s precious heart.

No one was willing to part with him, nor did they plan to return him.

As for Mu Xing, they only meant to bring him back so the Marquis’s bloodline wouldn’t be left outside.

The Marchioness had shown some concern at first, but when Jiaming overheard the news, he fainted on the spot, fell into a fever, and kept crying for his mother. After that, she could no longer spare a thought for Mu Xing.

Chen Mama knew full well: how could a child unseen for ten-plus years compare to the one doted upon daily?

That was why, from the beginning, both she and the lead guard had dismissed Mu Xing.

Servants’ attitudes always followed their masters’.

But such things she could not admit aloud.

So she smiled and said, “Madam Zhang, what words are these? The young master is the Madam’s own child, a true heir. Who would dare belittle him? As for why the Marquis and Madam did not come—surely you understand, the matter is still being kept quiet, not to be paraded publicly. Once the young master is acknowledged, there will be a grand banquet, the world will be told of his return.”

“Kept quiet? Why keep it quiet?” Mu Xing suddenly interjected, staring curiously at her. “Is it because my years outside are too shameful? Or does the Marquis’s house have other plans?”

Then he asked, “Since you’ve come to fetch me back, when will my father and mother’s own lost child be returned here?”

He felt Zhang shi’s hand tremble slightly in his grip as he said it.

Chen Mama faltered, then blurted without thinking, “Our young master will of course remain in the Marquis’s house.”

She turned wary eyes on Zhang shi. “What do you mean by that? Do you harbor designs on our young master?”

Mu Xing let out a soft laugh.

“Chen Mama,” he said slowly, “you’ve brought so many here to fetch me, claiming it’s the Marquis’s household reclaiming their bloodline—a glory to us Mu family. And yet, if my mother wishes to see her own flesh and blood, that’s called scheming?”

Chen Mama retorted as if self-evident: “How could your Mu family compare with the Marquis’s house?”

“Why not?”

Madam Mu’s voice rang out, steady and cold: “Our Mu family may be humble, but we are an upright, clean-living household. We may not be as grand as a Marquis’s, but does that give you leave to trample us?”

She wasted no breath, only stared straight at Chen Mama. “If your Marquis’s house wants to take Xiaobao, bring human witnesses, evidence, and an official writ. Send a proper master of the household to receive him. Only then will we not stand in the way. Otherwise, never!”

“You old hag…” Chen Mama began furiously.

Mu Damei only looked at her son. “Dazhu, see the guest out.”

Chen Mama was “escorted” away.

The family glanced at each other, none knowing what to say.

Zhang shi collapsed into a chair. The newlywed Wang-shi, just inside the door, didn’t even dare speak and hid behind her husband.

Mu Xing looked around at them all, cleared his throat, intending to say something to ease the mood.

But that sound alone seemed to shatter the silence, and the room instantly grew lively.

Grandma Mu was first to grab him. “Xiaobao, don’t be afraid. Grandma and your parents will stand behind you—we won’t let you suffer even the slightest grievance.”

Zhang shi quickly came back to herself, looking him over anxiously. “Xiaobao, don’t be sad, don’t get angry—you’ll upset your health. Tell me, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Mu Jiawang added, “That’s right, Xiaobao, don’t overthink. You’ll always be our Xiaobao. If you don’t want to go, no one can take you away. But if you do want to go to the Marquis’s household…”

He said solemnly, “Big brother will personally take you. I wouldn’t be at ease unless I saw you safe with my own eyes.”

Mu Jiajia and Mu Jiafeng both chimed in:

“Xiaobao, don’t think too much.”

“I didn’t react just now—if that old hag dares come again, I’ll curse her until she can’t speak back!”

“If you go to the capital, I’ll go with you.”

“Me too. The capital’s far, right?”

“Far or not, it must be so much fun…”

Mu Jiawang finally snapped. “Fun? Fun your head! You two shut up!”

Mu Jiajia and Mu Jiafeng exchanged a glance and laughed.

Mu Xing also burst out laughing.

He knew they were joking on purpose, just to make him smile.

That was family. Even at such a moment, they only thought of cheering him up.

In a small voice he said, “Don’t worry. From their looks, they don’t even care much if I return. I won’t go with them. I’ll always be Mu family’s Xiaobao.”

Mu Jiajia seemed relieved, but also torn. She muttered, “But the Marquis is such a high official. If you became their young master, you’d live so well.”

She even imagined aloud, “Eating delicacies, riding horses and sitting in carriages like they did just now… I’ve never ridden in a carriage. Maybe you could even meet the Emperor!”

She looked at Mu Xing. “Staying here, wouldn’t you be missing out?”

The others, too, couldn’t help thinking along those lines.

Mu Xing shook his head. “What’s there to envy? Here, I’m everyone’s Xiaobao. In the Marquis’s household—you saw it—even their servants didn’t treat me like anything.”

At those words, the Mu family thought back on Chen Mama’s attitude and their hearts sank with worry.

Zhang shi said, “That’s true. Thinking on it, the Marquis’s house isn’t all that, is it?”

Her eyes filled with tears as she hugged him. “It’s just that your father and I are useless—we couldn’t give you a better life.”

Mu Xing: “…”

He helplessly hugged her back. “Xiaobao’s life is very good. Mother and Father are good. Grandma is good. Eldest brother, second sister, third brother are good.”

He glanced at Wang-shi, hovering cautiously behind Jiawang, and his eyes curved with a smile. “And sister-in-law is good too.”

As always, Mu Xing was the joy of the family. At his words, laughter burst out all around.

No one mentioned the Marquis’s young master again—as if he never existed.

But Mu Xing knew. They hadn’t forgotten. They just didn’t want to say it in front of him, afraid he’d be upset.

But he truly wasn’t upset.

And in any case, it wasn’t something he could avoid.

Leaning in his mother’s arms, he asked, “If I really am the Marquis’s son, then… the child who should have been Mu Xiaobao—what will you do about him?”

The family fell silent again.

After a long while, Zhang shi whispered, “I… I want to see him.”

Fearing Mu Xing would mind, she added quickly, “Just one look. From Chen Mama’s tone, he seems to be very favored in the Marquis’s household—he surely wouldn’t want to come back with us. I just want to see what he looks like.”

“I’d like to see him too.” Mu Xing patted her hand. “If I must go to the Marquis’s house, then you’ll come with me. Grandma probably wants to see her grandson too. Father certainly does…”

He counted them off, then made the decision: “Why don’t we all go together? Just treat it as a trip to the capital to see the world!”

Just then, Mu Dazhu came back in. He said nothing, just scooped Mu Xing up and shifted him in his arms, muttering, “Still so thin.”

The man who could never find sweet words used his actions to tell Mu Xing—today’s events hadn’t changed a thing.

Mu Xing, unwilling to concede, pinched at the flesh on his arm. “I’ve put on weight!”

*

That night, Mu Xing lay in bed.

The house was quiet, but he knew many of them likely wouldn’t sleep.

A premonition stirred in his chest—and sure enough, his mind wavered and he was pulled into that familiar darkness again.

The light orb glowed brighter than usual, clearly excited.

“You’re going to the Marquis’s household, aren’t you?” it said happily. “Let me tell you— the boy who was switched with you, Lu Jiaming, he’s the most beloved in the family.”

Mu Xing: “Oh.”

The orb prattled on: “Do you know how spoiled he is? He drinks tea from tribute crystal cups, his clothing and expenses equal to the Dowager’s, even the Imperial Consort likes him and summons him to the palace every few days…”

Mu Xing rubbed his temples. “You say the same things every time. Can’t you come up with something new?”

The light orb paused before replying, “But this time is different. You might not be able to picture it just from my words, but if you saw it with your own eyes, the feeling would be completely different.”

It coaxed him softly: “Mu Xing, this was supposed to be yours. You were born far more handsome than him, naturally likable. Even if he has eleven years of affection over you, as long as you strive for it, everyone will like you. The love that belongs to you will come back to you.

“He’s just a thief who stole your life. Don’t you want to watch him lose everything, to suffer the pain you went through in that dream?”

“As long as you want it, you can have everything. The entire Marquis’s household… could all belong to you.”

Bathed in the orb’s nonstop brainwashing, Mu Xing drifted off to sleep. By the time he woke up the next morning, his head was full of “the whole Marquis’s household belongs to you.”

He shook his head, thinking maybe the orb had found the wrong person.

If it were someone else, they might actually fight for it.

But what use was the Marquis’s household to him?

He had no shortage of food or clothes. As for grandeur and wealth, he had seen far more in his past life in a modern, developed society.

The point was, the orb didn’t understand him at all—he simply didn’t care.

The people of the Marquis’s household hadn’t left, but Mu Xing didn’t mind. The next day, he went to Xie Wang’s place to study as usual.

Xie Wang asked him once, “It seemed lively at your house yesterday?”

Mu Xing knew his master didn’t concern himself with outside affairs, so he probably didn’t know what happened. He told him the whole story.

“The Marquis of Cheng’en?” Xie Wang thought for a moment, then sneered. “A sycophantic, treacherous lot!”

“Huh?”

Mu Xing blinked. “Master, you even know about the Marquis’s household?”

Xie Wang tapped his head with a brush. “What does your teacher not know? That place is no good, filthy and foul. The court is full of fools and incompetents. Only the Marquis of Might is worth anything, but… loyal ministers and good generals are shackled everywhere.”

Mu Xing didn’t understand much, only praised, “Master is amazing, you even know about the court!”

Xie Wang only sighed.

Mu Xing asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xie Wang shook his head. “Nothing. Keep writing.”

So Mu Xing didn’t ask further and obediently practiced his calligraphy.

For several days, people from the Marquis’s household came daily to the Mu house. Fearing Mu Xing, they didn’t dare use force, only tried persuasion.

Later, they stopped coming, though guards still lingered outside the village.

About ten days later, Chen Mama arrived again, decked out in finery. She said, “You all think I’m not respectable enough, so you won’t let the young master return. I’ve written to the lord and lady. Well then, our fourth master is personally coming to fetch him. He’ll arrive in Dazhuang Village tomorrow.”

She didn’t bother pretending to be kind anymore, flicked her handkerchief, and said, “Young master, pack up whatever you have. Don’t delay tomorrow’s hour.”

Though her words said that, her manner clearly showed she didn’t think there was anything worth packing here.

Mu Xing replied, “My family doesn’t feel at ease. They want to come with me to take a look.”

Chen Mama forced a smile. “What’s there to be uneasy about? Our Marquis’s household isn’t some shabby little place, yet you fuss over this and that.”

Mu Xing said, “Not only that. My parents want to see your young master too.”

Chen Mama’s face instantly hardened. She looked at the Mu family as though they were filth. “What do you mean by that? Trying to cling to our young master? Don’t even think about it! Who do you think you are? Who is he? How dare you harbor such thoughts?”

Mu Xing corrected her calmly: “My parents aren’t anybody. They’re just the biological parents of the ‘respected young master’ you speak of.”

Chen Mama snapped, “Impossible!”

Mu Dazhu and Zhang shi clasped each other’s hands tightly.

Mu Xing glanced back at them, sighed, and said, “I don’t want to do this either, but you’re forcing me.”

He lifted his head and fixed Chen Mama with a sharp gaze. “My parents don’t want anything else. They just want to see what he looks like. If he doesn’t want to come back, we won’t force him. But if you refuse even this, then I’ll reveal the truth of his and my identities.”

Chen Mama’s face changed dramatically.

Recalling the dream, Mu Xing continued, “I suppose your Marquis’s household has kept this a secret all along. Even if you take me back, you’ll give me some other identity. You never intended to reveal the truth, did you?”

Regardless of her expression, he boldly threatened:

“Even if your household protects him, once it’s known he isn’t truly of Marquis blood, it will still have quite an impact on your young master, won’t it?”

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣