Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: God of War Gu Yunyi: Where Is Your Young Master?

“There are thieves among us here. It is the duty of the Capital Security Office to apprehend them immediately,” Qin Fen declared before turning and leaving.

Gu Yunyi chuckled softly but remained silent.

Soon, a commotion erupted beneath the Moonlit Pavilion.

“Hey, what crime have these people committed? Even the Capital Security Office has been stirred up?”

“They look unfamiliar, probably their first time at the Moonlit Pavilion. Just now, the Lady of the Marquis of Wuan cried injustice, claiming someone is maliciously defaming the mistress of the Marquis’s household. Such a heinous act!”

“Haha, that’s hilarious! That Fang lady looks sharp-tongued and bitter. I’ve heard—”

“The Marquis of Wuan’s legitimate eldest daughter has often suffered harsh treatment from her stepmother ever since her birth mother passed away! Just last night, if not for the Regent Prince’s intervention, she might have been beaten to death with sticks!”

As the man finished speaking, the crowd’s curiosity ignited like wildfire; their eyes gleamed with intrigue.

“Come on, tell us what really happened!”

“Yes, don’t hold back! If you don’t spill, don’t think you can leave. I live for this kind of gossip.”

The man hesitated, “It’s not appropriate... but I suspect these arrests are likely connected to that matter.”

At this, the gathered crowd fell silent, yet their thirst for gossip only deepened, an unbearable urge clawing at them like a cat’s scratch.

Noticing their heightened interest, the man suddenly smiled mysteriously. “If you’re really curious, why not send someone to keep watch at the Marquis of Wuan’s residence?”

The Moonlit Pavilion’s guests were either wealthy or noble; upon hearing this, many dispatched their servants to stake out the Marquis’s estate.

“Go quickly! Make sure to gather enough gossip—no, I mean news, news!”

Everyone knew that the young lady of the Marquis of Wuan’s household was the future consort of the Regent Prince. Learning more about the household’s affairs could only bring benefits.

In a shadowed corner, unseen by others, the man who had spread the rumors tore off his human-skin mask, revealing himself to be Mo Bai, the personal guard of Mu Wanwan.

He then entered the Elegant Pavilion and knelt halfway on the floor.

“I am Mo Bai, on behalf of my young master, to thank the esteemed general for his aid!”

Gu Yunyi cast a sidelong glance at Mo Bai. “Rise. You remain here, but where is your young master? I have not shared a drink with him for some time.”

Mo Bai bowed his head low. “The young master has matters to attend to and has left me to stay on alert in the capital—ready to respond at any moment.” His tone betrayed some unease.

Unfortunately, Gu Yunyi did not notice anything unusual, only repeatedly sighing, “Without Brother Mu, drinking and tea-tasting lose some of their charm. When your young master returns, be sure to inform me immediately.”

“Yes!” Mo Bai replied weakly.

He dared not imagine what Gu Yunyi’s expression would be if he knew the young master was a young lady.

Mo Bai pictured the scene in his mind — ah, the image was too perfect; best not to dwell on it.

At dusk, Lady Fang brought a child of about seven or eight years old to the Listening Breeze Courtyard.

Upon seeing the child, Nurse Rong’s hatred boiled up; not for any other reason, but because the child resembled Xiao Rongli too closely.

It was obvious the child was an imposter.

“Cough, cough,” Mu Wanwan lightly cleared her throat, worried that Nurse Rong’s unblinking gaze might betray her emotions.

The fake Rongli smiled sweetly upon seeing Mu Wanwan. “Sister, sister! Rongli has finally seen you! It’s been so hard and sad without you in the mansion!”

He spoke as he ran toward Mu Wanwan.

“Stop!” Mu Wanwan frowned and rebuked. Seeing the fake Rongli’s flustered expression, she inwardly sneered but outwardly showed indulgence.

“Sister is ill; do not come too close, lest you catch the illness!”

In truth, she despised the impostor.

What audacity—to flaunt such crude disguise skills before her.

The fake Rongli smiled awkwardly. “Sister cares for Rongli.”

He took Lady Fang’s hand and sweetly said, “Mother, Sister is ill. May Rongli stay and care for her?”

Care for her?

Beware of deceit.

Mu Wanwan’s brows knitted subtly as she spoke first. “Yes, Mother, Rongli has been frail since childhood and difficult to raise. Before he turned six, Nurse Rong and I cared for him extensively. Although he is seven now, Mother has assigned him a separate courtyard, but his health remains weak. I am truly worried and have discussed with the Prince whether Rongli might be brought into the Prince’s mansion for better care—”

Before she could finish, Lady Fang interrupted sharply.

“That won’t do. Rongli is the Marquis’s heir. Though he was excluded from the genealogy for being weak, he is still the Marquis’s bloodline. How could he enter the Prince’s mansion with you? If that got out, how would the Marquis save face?”

Fearing Mu Wanwan might make other moves, Lady Fang tightly gripped Xiao Rongli’s hand, claiming—

“Qingqing, your courtyard has only Nurse Rong as a servant. Rongli might not adapt well here. I think he should return to his original courtyard, where I can raise him properly.”

“Mother, I still wish for Rongli to stay in my courtyard. I believe he would not mind,” Mu Wanwan said, her eyes fixed unwaveringly on the fake Rongli, showing reluctance.

This pleased Lady Fang. “No need. When Rongli goes out in the future, he represents our Marquis’s household. All his upbringing must follow our family’s rules. Besides, you are still ill; wouldn’t that only delay him?”

The fake Rongli hurriedly waved his hand, putting on a face of disdain. “Sister, your courtyard is too simple to suit the status of the Marquis of Wuan’s young master. Why not let me stay with Mother? Rest assured, she treats me very well!”

Mu Wanwan smiled faintly, a smile not reaching her eyes, watching to see how the fake Rongli would perform.

He slowly lowered his head, casting a guilty glance at Mu Wanwan, then cautiously said,

“Sister, are you upset? Actually, during the days you were away from the mansion, Mother never took off her clothes, always caring for and comforting me—”

“Wuwuwu... Sister, for Rongli’s sake, will you please listen to Mother from now on?”

Fake Rongli looked up at Mu Wanwan with anxious eyes.

“After you marry into the Regent Prince’s mansion, Rongli will be alone in the Marquis’s household. Rongli is scared! Whenever I think of the schemes of those noble families outside, I tremble inside, afraid I won’t manage and will tarnish your and your husband’s reputation... Sister, when that time comes, you will use the Prince’s power to support Rongli, won’t you?”

The child’s delicate features and wide, innocent eyes blinking made it easy to feel moved. Yet, when Mu Wanwan saw this young brother’s face, an overwhelming hatred surged within her.

“Very well, Sister will agree to you,” she said, a strange smile curling on her lips.