CHAPTER 497: CHAPTER 497: MALICIOUS INTENTIONS!

Old Master Mu’s declaration left everyone with expressions of surprise on their faces.

Normally, many people strove to form a connection with the Mu Family, many flattering and seeking to acknowledge Old Master Mu as their godfather or grandfather.

But Old Master Mu hadn’t taken a liking to any of them.

Just now, on the way to the restaurant, Mu Huaner noticed Old Master Mu’s fondness for Yan Chuhua, but she didn’t expect that he had already acknowledged a god-granddaughter.

Even Yan Chuhua herself was completely bewildered.

They had been playing with crickets just a moment ago; they hadn’t acknowledged any kinship, had they?

Only Yan Qianyi understood, her lips curling into a smile.

Ah Lie was right; the people of the Mu Family were all shrewd, except for that idiot Mu Zicheng.

Indeed, Old Master Mu was a cunning businessman.

Acknowledging Princess Chu Hua as his god-granddaughter was all beneficial and not harmful to the Mu Family.

After all, in Old Master Mu’s mind, Yan Chuhua and Xia Ziyu were engaged, and she might become the Federation Empire’s Princess or even the Queen in the future.

Now, by making this announcement in front of everyone, Chu Hua would find it difficult to refuse afterward.

"Grandfather, are you serious?" Mu Zicheng inquired, still not giving up.

"Nonsense, Chu Hua already called me grandfather!" Old Master Mu glared at Mu Zicheng, then turned to Yan Chuhua with a smile, "Isn’t that right, Chu Hua?"

Yan Chuhua smiled and nodded her head.

Her response wasn’t incorrect.

She had indeed said to Old Master Mu: If you are Qianyi’s grandfather, then you are mine, too.

And she did indeed call him grandfather.

She was quite happy to share a grandfather with Yan Qianyi.

But Mu Zicheng was furious, "Grandfather, aren’t you worried that this sudden person acknowledging you as her god-grandfather has malicious intentions and is after the Mu Family’s wealth?"

"What are you talking about!" Yan Chuhua was displeased, "I didn’t think that at all! Don’t project your petty thoughts onto others!"

Yan Chuhua was not one to be easily pushed around.

Even though she was at someone else’s home, she wouldn’t let herself be slighted in the slightest.

"What I’m saying is the truth!" Mu Zicheng glared at Yan Qianyi, "It’s your plan, isn’t it?"

Mu Yunlie hadn’t acknowledged his relation to the Mu Family for so many years.

Now, he and his wife suddenly returned to reconnect, not only stealing his position as the successor but also bringing a stranger to fawn over grandfather.

Wasn’t it just because they thought grandfather was getting senile and wanted to take advantage of him for more benefits?

Yan Qianyi chuckled and didn’t bother engaging in a verbal exchange with Mu Zicheng.

"Scoundrel!" Old Master Mu smacked the table in anger, "You don’t need to eat anymore, go to the ancestral hall and kneel as punishment right now!"

Mu Kang’s wife Shen Zhen quickly interceded, "Dad, please don’t be angry. Zicheng is ignorant, I’ll make sure to teach him properly when we get back."

"You’ve spoiled your son rotten!" Old Master Mu pointed at Shen Zhen, "If you plead for him again, go kneel with him as punishment!"

Shen Zhen immediately shut her mouth, not daring to intercede any further.

"Get out!" Old Master Mu scolded, "Such a spoil-sport!"

Mu Zicheng stood up and left.

Mu Zixuan watched his retreating figure with a feeling of guilt, suddenly feeling responsible for his predicament.

If she hadn’t complained to her brother earlier, he wouldn’t have upset grandfather now, trying to defend her.

At the dining table, nobody dared to speak.

It had been many years since Old Master Mu had made the younger generations kneel at the ancestral hall as punishment.

Everyone had thought that his temper had mellowed with age.

He had been punishing the younger generation one after another lately.

First, it was Mu Zixuan, and now Mu Zicheng.

He didn’t know who would be next.

At this moment, those present realized more profoundly that today one must not offend Yan Qianyi no matter who else they might cross.

Yan Chuhua also felt the tension in the atmosphere and tapped on her wristband a few times, sending Yan Qianyi a message.

"Qianyi, sorry about that, I couldn’t hold back just now. I haven’t messed up your plan, have I?"

Upon seeing the message, Yan Qianyi immediately replied, "No problem, it doesn’t matter whether Mu Zicheng is here or not."

Despite sitting next to each other, they started exchanging messages.

Yan Chuhua asked, "When should I start?"

Yan Qianyi replied, "Let grandfather eat something first. His mood will definitely be terrible once things start."

Yan Chuhua responded, "Okay, just tap me lightly under the table with your foot when it’s time."

Yan Qianyi instructed, "Mu Chen is very low-key in public and doesn’t like to talk. You’ll need to catch his attention later and make him look into your eyes."

Yan Chuhua agreed, "Understood. His Spiritual Power Value is average, so he will definitely be hypnotized with just one glance into my eyes."

Yan Qianyi concluded, "Okay, let’s eat first. The Mu Family’s chef has excellent cooking skills."

Seeing this message, Yan Chuhua immediately picked up her fork and knife.

Mu Huaner started speaking to ease the atmosphere.

To cheer up Old Master Mu, other people also began to join the conversation.

On the surface, the atmosphere finally seemed a bit more harmonious.

Old Master Mu also solemnly introduced Yan Chuhua to everyone.

But he did not reveal Yan Chuhua’s status as a princess of the Luoke Empire.

With the precedent set by Mu Zicheng, everyone was very friendly to Yan Chuhua and seemed very welcoming of her joining the Mu Family.

Yan Chuhua was outgoing and greeted everybody in turn, appearing very generous and proper.

Towards the end of dinner, Yan Qianyi gently tapped Yan Chuhua’s foot under the table.

Yan Chuhua immediately got the signal, set down the fruit in her hand, wiped her mouth, then looked towards Mu Kang.

"Uncle, I heard from Qianyi that you enjoy painting in your spare time. I also love painting. Could I please learn from you?"

Mu Chen had been silently eating his meal the entire time, not saying a word, nor had he glanced at Yan Chuhua. He seemed to be in his own world.

Now that Yan Chuhua suddenly called out to him, he instinctively raised his eyes to look at Yan Chuhua.

The moment their eyes met, a faint shimmer flickered through Yan Chuhua’s azure irises.

Mu Chen was startled, his gaze suddenly became vacant, and he instantly lost the light in his eyes.

Yan Chuhua said, "Uncle, I have a few questions for you."

Mu Chen simply nodded dumbly.

At this time, nobody had yet noticed anything amiss.

The people of the Mu Family all had ordinary Spiritual Power Values and were unable to detect the sudden fluctuation in spiritual power.

Nor did they know that Yan Chuhua was a Special Ability User with powers of hypnosis and charm.

Not until Yan Chuhua asked her first question...

"Uncle, was it you who pushed third uncle off the rooftop?"

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expression changed dramatically, filled with shock and confusion.

"Yan Qianyi!" Mu Huaner suddenly shouted, glancing at Yan Chuhua, then at the stupefied Mu Chen, and finally sensing something was wrong, "What are you doing with your friend?!"

Mu Huaner’s sudden loud voice startled Mu Chen.

He blinked, seemingly about to awaken from the hypnosis.