Chapter 15: The Stage is Set
As they walked down the quiet street, Mu Zhi’an inhaled the faint, sweet fragrance that lingered in the air. He couldn’t help but sigh, reflecting on the dramatic changes that had occurred in just a few short days.
These changes were especially evident in Bai Ruoxi.
If he had awakened his memories any later, he would have already been humiliated by Ye Yu.
After all, the old Mu Zhi’an, faced with Bai Ruoxi’s plea for help, would have surrendered immediately, transforming into a pathetic simp.
But simps were destined for misery.
If he hadn’t rejected her in the carriage that day, things would have unfolded very differently.
Ye Yu, failing to grasp this simple truth, had earned Bai Ruoxi’s disdain.
“Are you planning to confront Gongsun Xiong next, Young Master Mu?” Bai Ruoxi asked softly.
Gongsun Xiong was the patriarch of the Gongsun family, one of the two clans targeting the Bai family.
Unlike the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, which had arrived from outside, the Gongsun and Mu families were both long-established clans in Tianxuan City, their foundations deep and their influence vast. Rumor had it that the Gongsun family had more than one Core Formation expert among their ranks.
Mu Zhi’an snapped out of his thoughts. He turned to look at Bai Ruoxi, their eyes meeting. He shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. “Not yet. Let the rumors ferment for a while.”
Bai Ruoxi tilted her head slightly, a puzzled look on her face.
She didn’t understand what he meant.
Logically, he should spread the news of Gongsun Zan’s death at the hands of the black-robed man as quickly as possible. But he seemed to have other plans. She couldn’t decipher his intentions.
Mu Zhi’an didn’t bother explaining. He casually changed the subject. “Thank you for your handkerchief, Miss Bai. I’ll have it washed and returned to you soon.”
He paused. “Or perhaps I could visit the Bai Manor and return it personally. Although I doubt your mother would welcome me.”
If my mother knew you were coming, she’d probably have the servants roll out the red carpet. Bai Ruoxi thought to herself, her gaze fixed on the ground.
Her mother disliked Ye Yu but had always been fond of Mu Zhi’an, seeing him as a potential son-in-law.
When Mu Zhi’an had pursued Bai Ruoxi, Bai Yuanfeng had constantly tried to gauge her daughter’s feelings.
“Don’t be silly, Young Master Mu,” Bai Ruoxi murmured. “You’re always welcome at the Bai Manor. My mother would be delighted to see you.”
Delighted to see me?
Mu Zhi’an blinked, then seemed to understand. “It seems you have your own troubles, Miss Bai.”
Her tone and her dejected expression revealed the truth. She’d come to him repeatedly, not out of her own volition, but under pressure from her mother.
He could imagine how difficult it must be for a woman like her, accustomed to being admired and adored, to lower herself and beg a playboy for help.
However, that wasn’t his concern. His priority was to change her perception of him and deal with the black-robed man.
He reached out and gently took her hand, retrieving his umbrella.
“I’ll visit the Bai Manor soon and return your handkerchief, Miss Bai. And don’t worry, I’m sure you won’t be bored these next few days.”
Bai Ruoxi tilted her head, a strand of hair falling loose.
She looked at him, at the gentle smile on his handsome face, and for some reason, she believed him.
Things were about to get interesting in Tianxuan City.
…
As expected, by evening, the news of Mu Zhi’an’s heroic act, his slaying of the villainous Gongsun Zan, had spread throughout Tianxuan City.
The residents were abuzz with excitement.
It was a bombshell.
Gongsun Zan was a notorious playboy, a cruel and wicked young master. Mu Zhi’an was also a notorious playboy.
But now, one playboy had killed the other?
And Mu Zhi’an had acted out of a sense of justice?
That evening, the incident was the talk of the town.
“While Young Master Mu might have a reputation for indulging in pleasures, he usually confines himself to the pleasure quarters or seeks out willing partners. He’s not like Gongsun Zan,” one resident said.
“It’s understandable that he would intervene upon witnessing such cruelty. I would have done the same,” another agreed.
These were the people who believed in Mu Zhi’an.
Of course, there were also those who doubted the story.
“I don’t believe it. Mu Zhi’an probably saw Gongsun Zan assaulting that woman and decided he wanted her for himself. They argued, and Gongsun Zan was accidentally killed,” one skeptic argued.
“Besides, we don’t even know who spread this news. With the Mu family’s influence, it wouldn’t be difficult to fabricate a story,” another added.
Aside from those who believed Mu Zhi’an and those who viewed him with suspicion, there were also those who took a more… detached stance.
“Mu Zhi’an and Gongsun Zan? They’re both scum. Just dogs biting dogs. I say good riddance to both of them.”
These were the self-proclaimed “neutral” observers.
Only a small minority refrained from speculating.
They were the truly neutral ones, waiting for the truth to emerge before forming an opinion.
Unfortunately, they were few and far between.
As the city buzzed with rumors, Mu Zhi’an sat leisurely in his manor, sipping his tea.
“What time is it?” he asked the servant standing beside him.
“It’s you shi, Young Master,” the servant replied respectfully, her eyes filled with curiosity.
The servants of the Mu Manor had also heard the news. They were all eager to know the truth.
“You shi… It’s time.”
Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment, then set down his teacup.
It was time to pay a visit to the Gongsun patriarch.
