CHAPTER 453: CHAPTER 453: PLEADING

Mu Yunlie slightly lowered his eyes, "Then why did you decide to speak up today?"

Mu Ziqing glanced at Yan Qianyi, then looked at Mu Yunlie, "I said it because I’m grateful to Qianyi today. Normally, when Zixuan bullies me, I dare not speak out because even if I did, grandfather would at most punish Zixuan a bit, but afterwards, I would be bullied even worse."

Taking a deep breath, Mu Ziqing continued, "Just now when grandfather asked me if what Zixuan said was true, Zixuan was also secretly giving me looks, threatening me. If it had been the me from before, I would definitely have admitted that I was the one who started it, it wasn’t Zixuan’s fault."

"But today, seeing how Qianyi stood up for me, I suddenly had the courage."

"I’m fed up with days like these."

"Ah Lie, in the Mu Family, the only brothers I truly acknowledge are you and Ah Chang."

"You are three years younger than me, you might not remember some things from when we were little, but I remember them all."

"When it was just the three of us children in the Mu Family, we got along really well, pure and innocent, not like now..."

"Now, though there are many more brothers and sisters, everyone is secretly competing, trying to gain more benefits for themselves, there’s no real sibling affection to speak of."

"So, I really do want to help you, I didn’t want to explain everything just now also because I had concerns..."

Yan Qianyi gently patted Mu Ziqing’s shoulder, feeling some pity for her.

"Big sister, thank you for telling us this, if Mu Zixuan bullies you again in the future, just tell me and Ah Lie, we’ll definitely take your side. Right, Ah Lie?"

Mu Yunlie nodded, his eyes complex as he looked at Mu Ziqing.

He really didn’t have much of an impression of playing with Mu Ziqing when they were kids.

Perhaps because he left the Mu Family too early, and had biases against the people of the Mu Family, he didn’t feel much for this cousin.

Yet he hadn’t expected that he still meant something in the heart of this cousin.

Mu Ziqing wiped her tears away, "Ah Lie has come back, I’m really happy. I still remember when I was in the second grade of elementary school, I came home crying because I was bullied by classmates, and Ah Lie was still in kindergarten back then, pouting and waving his fists, telling me that he would protect his sister when he grew up."

Looking at the sparkling smile in Mu Ziqing’s eyes, Mu Yunlie felt a bit awkward.

He was naturally aloof, and found it hard to adapt to this sudden display of familial affection.

The main thing was, he really didn’t remember anything from the time when he was wearing split pants.

Yan Qianyi smiled. She completely believed what Mu Ziqing said.

Whenever Ah Lie had an outbreak, he seemed to revert to his childish self, acting fierce in a childish way, just as Mu Ziqing had described.

"By the way, how did you find out that there was something fishy about Uncle’s fall from the building years ago?" Mu Ziqing asked.

It was evident that Mu Ziqing didn’t believe Yan Qianyi’s previous explanation.

Yan Qianyi said, "Big sister, you’re clearly very smart, yet you call yourself dumb."

Mu Ziqing said, "I’m indeed not smart, it’s just that I happened to overhear a quarrel that year, and I accidentally overheard your conversation just now, so I guessed that you must have come back to investigate the truth about Uncle’s fall."

Mu Yunlie said, "Knowing too much is not good for you, don’t talk about today’s matters to anyone else either."

Mu Ziqing nodded, "Yes, I understand, besides you two, I have never told anyone, this is the first time I’m saying it. If there’s anything you need my help with in the future, just tell me, I’m always at home, and it’s easy to coordinate with you on anything."

"Alright, big sister, let’s add each other’s contact information first."

Yan Qianyi and Mu Ziqing added each other as system friends, and then went together to the main house for dinner.

Normally, only Mu Huaner, who had not yet married, stayed in the main house to dine with Old Master Mu, while people from the other branches dined in their respective quarters, each having their own chef.

Only when there were important matters or guests at home would the entire family sit together.

This time, because Mu Yunlie had returned, Old Master Mu wanted him to spend more time with the family to foster relations, so he had called everyone together.

At the moment, the large dining table was filled with people, with only Mu Zixuan absent.

Shen’s wife kept giving her husband Mu Kang secret looks, hoping he would plead for their daughter.

But Mu Kang ignored her.

He had also wanted to go to Old Master Mu to plead for mercy immediately after hearing that Mu Zixuan was punished to kneel in the ancestral hall.

But after learning that not only had Mu Zixuan hit Mu Ziqing, but also pushed the pregnant Yan Qianyi, he immediately dismissed the idea of pleading.

Having made such a huge mistake, if he spoke up, Old Master Mu’s anger would inevitably come down on him, and he would also offend Mu Yunlie.

Seeing that she couldn’t rely on her husband, Shen’s decided to take matters into her own hands.

She picked up a glass of juice, smiling warmly at Yan Qianyi.

"Qianyi, we are really happy that you and Ah Lie have come back. When you’re free, come back a bit more to see grandfather. Here, your aunt-by-marriage will substitute juice for wine and toast you."

Yan Qianyi quickly said, "Aunt, you are an elder, Ah Lie and I really can’t accept your ’toast,’ we should be toasting you instead."

Shen forced a cheerful smile, "Qianyi, you’re really sensible, so likable."

"Thank you for the compliment, Aunt."

"It’s not a compliment, it’s the truth. You’re so much more sensible than Zixuan. That child has been spoiled by her father. I hope you and Ah Lie won’t take her behavior personally."

Yan Qianyi smiled lightly and nodded gently.

Shen sighed, "Ah... Zixuan has been busy with business matters these few months, barely touching ground. I don’t know if kneeling for a full day in the ancestral hall without food or drink will affect her health. Qianyi, if you are no longer angry, could you please speak on behalf of Zixuan and ask grandfather to excuse her punishment?"

Yan Qianyi was drinking juice and her lips curved in a cold smile.

She knew it—Shen’s sudden enthusiasm had a reason behind it.

Beside her, Old Master Mu’s face darkened.

Mu Kang urgently tugged on his wife’s clothes beneath the table.

But Shen ignored it, continuing, "Qianyi, you’re pregnant now, you should be more broad-minded, don’t get angry easily, and do more good deeds—it’s also accumulating blessings for the baby in your belly."

Nobody at the dining table said a word.

Anyone who wasn’t a fool could hear the hidden meaning in Shen’s words.

Mu Kang scolded softly, "If you can’t talk properly, then don’t speak! Just eat your fill and go back, don’t embarrass us here!"

Shen replied, "What I said is the truth, and I’m saying it for Qianyi’s own good."

Yan Qianyi set down her juice glass, smiling faintly, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt. Rest assured, I have completely let go of Zixuan’s matter, and it doesn’t bother me at all."

Upon hearing this, Shen’s face brightened, and she quickly looked at Old Master Mu, "Dad, you see, Qianyi said she’s not..."

"I’m not angry, but that doesn’t mean my sister didn’t do anything wrong," Yan Qianyi interrupted Shen.