Chapter 15: The Stage Has Been Set
As the two walked along this secluded street, Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but sigh with a hint of emotion when he sensed a faint fragrant scent that seemed to linger beside him.
In just a few short days, obvious changes had occurred around him.
This was especially evident with Bai Ruoxi.
If his memories had awakened a bit later, calculating the time, he estimated that he would have already been trampled under Ye Yu’s feet and slapped in the face once.
After all, if it was his past self, when Bai Ruoxi requested his help, Mu Zhi’an would have probably surrendered directly and transformed into a clingy dog.
However, clingy dogs would never come to a good end.
If he hadn’t rejected her in the carriage a few days ago, there wouldn’t have been today’s result.
Ye Yu didn’t understand this point, which was why Bai Ruoxi disliked him.
“Does Young Master Mu plan to go see Gongsun Xiong next?” Bai Ruoxi asked softly.
Gongsun Xiong was the patriarch of the Gongsun family and one of the two major families besieging the Bai family this time.
Unlike the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, which came from outside, the Gongsun family and the Mu family were both native families of Tianxuan City with rich heritage. According to rumors, more than one Spirit Refinement realm cultivator existed in the Gongsun family.
Mu Zhi’an snapped out of his earlier reverie and turned his head, coincidentally meeting Bai Ruoxi’s gaze. He shook his head and smiled, “No rush, let the rumors ferment for a while first.”
Bai Ruoxi tilted her head slightly, a trace of confusion flashing through her beautiful eyes.
She didn’t understand what Mu Zhi’an meant by those words.
Theoretically, what Mu Zhi’an should do now was to spread the news of the black-robed man killing Gongsun Zan as soon as possible. But he didn’t seem to plan on doing that… This made her a bit confused.
Mu Zhi’an didn’t explain his plan and just casually changed the topic,
“Thank you for your handkerchief. I’ll have the servants wash it and send it back to you another day.”
Mu Zhi’an paused and said, “Or I’ll go visit the Bai family then… But your mother probably won’t welcome me.”
If Mother knew you were coming to the Bai family, she would probably be so happy that she would have the servants beat drums and gongs… Bai Ruoxi lowered her eyelids as she walked on the street, remaining silent.
Bai Ruoxi’s mother disliked Ye Yu but had always coveted Mu Zhi’an as a wealthy son-in-law.
When Mu Zhi’an pursued Bai Ruoxi in the past, Bai Yuanfeng would beat around the bush, trying to probe Bai Ruoxi’s thoughts.
“Young Master Mu is joking. If you want to come, the Bai family always welcomes you.” Bai Ruoxi parted her cherry lips and said softly, “Mother also really wants to meet you.”
Wants to meet me…?
Mu Zhi’an was stunned for a moment, then seemed to understand something and smiled, “It seems you also have quite a few difficulties.”
From Bai Ruoxi’s tone and even her dejected expression, it wasn’t hard to judge that this girl coming to beg him several times was probably due to the pressure from her mother’s side.
Thinking about it, it made sense. Letting a girl who was used to being adored like a star actively go request a debaucherous young master for help… For Bai Ruoxi, it was naturally an extremely difficult thing to do.
However, this wasn’t something Mu Zhi’an needed to consider… What he needed to do was just change Bai Ruoxi’s impression of him and handle the matter of the black-robed man well.
Mu Zhi’an reached out and gently held Bai Ruoxi’s cool, soft little hand, taking his umbrella from her hand.
“I will find time to visit the Bai family another day and return the handkerchief to you. Also, I believe Miss Bai won’t be bored these next few days.”
Bai Ruoxi tilted her head slightly, a strand of hair sliding down from her forehead.
She looked at the gentle smile on Mu Zhi’an’s handsome face and inexplicably felt in her heart that he wasn’t lying.
These next few days, Tianxuan City indeed probably wouldn’t be boring.
…
The news of Mu Zhi’an eradicating evil and upholding justice by killing Gongsun Zan spread throughout Tianxuan City in the evening as expected.
The commoners were almost in an uproar.
This was undoubtedly a bombshell.
Gongsun Zan was an ignorant debauchee obsessed with beauties, a wicked young master. Mu Zhi’an was obsessed with beauties and also a wicked young master.
But now, one wicked young master killed another wicked young master?
Moreover, it was Mu Zhi’an who saw injustice on the way and stepped forward to help?
On this evening, almost every household was discussing this matter.
“Although Young Master Mu is obsessed with beauties, he basically only goes to brothels or finds those without partners, unlike Gongsun Zan.”
“Him seeing Gongsun Zan oppressing a common woman and being unable to stand by, thus taking action, is understandable. If it was me, I would also do the same.”
This was the faction that believed in Mu Zhi’an.
Of course, there were also people who held opposing views.
“I don’t believe it. Maybe when Mu Zhi’an passed by that residence, he happened to see Gongsun Zan oppressing a common woman, and Mu Zhi’an also took a fancy to that common woman. Seeing her beauty aroused his desire, the two got into a conflict, and Gongsun Zan was accidentally killed by Mu Zhi’an.”
“In the end, who even knows who released this news? With the Mu family’s power in Tianxuan City, it’s too simple to fabricate some false information.”
Of course, besides the faction who believed in Mu Zhi’an and the faction who held the greatest malice and distrust towards Mu Zhi’an, there were other factions. For example…
“Mu Zhi’an and Gongsun Zan? These two are both no good. It’s just a dog biting a dog. They should both die together.”
Some people also put on the appearance of being “rational” and said such things.
Only a small portion of people didn’t discuss these matters.
They were the truly rational ones who wouldn’t casually spread rumors before the truth of the matter was revealed.
Of course, such people were ultimately in the minority.
And while the outside world was in an uproar because of this matter, at this moment, in the Mu residence, Mu Zhi’an was lazily leaning on a tea chair, holding a cup of hot tea and leisurely drinking it.
“What time is it now?” He turned his head to look at the maidservant beside him.
“Young Master, it is currently the hour of You Shi (Rooster) (5-7 pm),” the maidservant beside him respectfully said, but her lively big eyes were curiously observing Mu Zhi’an in secret.
The servants of the Mu family had also learned of this news, so they were all a bit curious about whether this news was true or false.
“The hour of You… Then it’s about time.”
Mu Zhi’an pondered in his heart for a moment, then gently put down the teacup.
It was time to pay a visit to that Gongsun patriarch.
