diskusbooks Chapter 171 Discovering His Identity!
Chapter 171 Discovering His Identity!
Jin Hui and Mu Xinyao met here both to prevent gossip and to ensure that the scene would reach the ears of Mu Chang'an or Madam Mu.
Their goal was clear: to let the people in the household see them talking together, but without allowing anyone to say anything. After all, they were in broad daylight, and they were behaving in a respectable and proper manner, with nothing shameful about them.
When Mu Xin Nuan heard the news Rong Yue had gathered, she merely smiled. It seemed that in this life, Mu Xin Yao still had her eye on him as always! She just wondered if Jin Hui would still be willing to fall for her if he knew that she was the second daughter of the Mu family, born out of wedlock, rather than the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife.
Well then, why not test their sincerity?
After giving a few instructions in a low voice, Mu Xin Nuan continued to paint with her head down, as if she hadn't heard anything.
Rong Yue was quick-witted, so she deliberately walked a little faster. When she arrived at the second gate, she bumped into Mu Xinyao seemingly unintentionally.
"This servant deserves to die. This servant did not do it on purpose. Please forgive me, Second Miss."
Seeing that the person who bumped into her was Rong Yue, and noticing that something seemed to have been knocked over, Mu Xinyao, wanting to appear gentle, said softly, "Get up. What are you in such a hurry to do?"
"Reporting to Second Miss, Eldest Miss said that the three young masters have been working very hard lately, and specially instructed me to tell the kitchen to prepare some tonics to send over. Unexpectedly, I was in a hurry and did not watch where I was going, and bumped into Second Miss. Please punish me, Second Miss."
From a servant's perspective, Rong Yue's attitude was impeccable. She was also extremely respectful to Mu Xinyao. However, after hearing the address "Second Miss," Jin Hui frowned almost imperceptibly. Could it be that the one he had been longing for was actually born out of wedlock?
"Get up! The tonics are all spilled on the floor. How are you going to go to the outer courtyard? And how are you going to explain this to your elder sister when you get back to Yuexuan?"
Mu Xinyao's expression was somewhat worried, and her voice was extremely soft, filled with sympathy for the maid. It seemed that she was unintentionally implying to Jin Hui that no matter how good the rumors about Mu Xinnuan were, she was actually just a mistress who mistreated her servants.
Having followed Mu Xin Nuan for so long and having witnessed the methods of the Song family back then, how could Rong Yue not understand the hidden meaning in this second young lady's words?
"Second Miss is overthinking it. Eldest Miss is always kind-hearted and will certainly not blame me. It is Second Miss who has been alarmed. I'm afraid Eldest Miss will scold me when we get back."
Rong Yue was also clever; her words were perfectly tactful!
Hmph! You say the eldest young lady is a wicked mistress, so she is? Now that I've said this, anyone who hears me will think she's a kind older sister who cares for her half-sister! Besides, I was ordered to deliver tonics to the three young masters.
Mu Xinyao never expected that a lowly maid would dare to play tricks on her like this! A vicious glint flashed in her eyes, but it disappeared in an instant. In front of outsiders, she should maintain her dignified and gentle image.
"Yes, eldest sister has always been kind to us younger brothers and sisters. In that case, may I go back and put in a good word for you?"
Still not giving up? They're always trying to smear their young lady. How could this second young lady be so malicious?
Rongyue lowered her head, her face full of disdain, but her words were respectful: "There's no need to trouble you, Second Miss. If there's nothing else, I'll go back to the kitchen and get some more tonics. Luckily, the nannies prepared a lot today."
"Go ahead."
After Rongyue successfully completed her mission, she headed towards the kitchen.
Mu Xinyao naturally had no idea that Jin Hui had misunderstood her identity!
Before Jin Hui arrived, he had instructed his servant to give the old woman some money. However, after the old woman went to Yuexuan to report back, she was told by Granny Yu that the eldest young lady did not know anyone from the Dingyuan Marquis's residence. Perhaps the person had mistaken her for someone else, and it was very likely that she was the second young lady.
The old woman guarding the gate thought about it and agreed. The two young ladies were only a year apart in age, and from their appearances, it was impossible to tell the difference. Then she thought again, since she had already taken their money, she couldn't very well refuse to do their bidding. After all, they were people from the Marquis of Dingyuan's household, weren't they?
Sure enough, when the old woman reported to the second young lady, she caught a glimpse of the second young lady's delighted expression. It seemed that the young master had indeed made a mistake.
However, the old woman guarding the gate had neither the need nor the obligation to clarify all of this for him, which led to Mu Xin Nuan's carefully arranged scheme.
"So it's the Second Miss? I was being presumptuous. I always thought it was the Eldest Miss Mu. I only realized my mistake today. I apologize." Jin Hui was a smart man. Before he understood just how much influence this Second Miss held in the Mu family, he naturally wouldn't offend her, nor would he want to leave a bad impression on others.
Mu Xinyao was slightly taken aback, a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes, followed by a hint of resentment!
Mu Xin Nuan, it's Mu Xin Nuan again! Why does everyone like Mu Xin Nuan? They praise her like a fairy, but she's clearly a vicious woman with a heart of stone! She really doesn't understand, do these people have eyes? Are they only able to see her pretty face?
Mu Xinyao gritted her teeth; no matter how unwilling she was in her heart, she couldn't show it on her face.
"Yes, so the person you admire, young master, is actually my elder sister? I shouldn't have come." Mu Xinyao said, her face showing a slight disappointment and heartache, which made one's heart tighten at the sight!
Such a delicate and vulnerable expression, so desperately in need of pity and care, would surely move any man's heart.
Jin Hui was no exception!
"Miss Mu, please wait."
As soon as Mu Xinyao turned around, Jin Hui quickly called out to her, "Second Miss, I am Jin Hui from the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence. As a fellow illegitimate child, I can understand your difficulties."
Mu Xinyao's body stiffened slightly, but a hint of smugness flashed in her eyes. She still kept her back to him. "Young master is a man, and now he has achieved official rank. Unlike me, I am but a concubine's daughter in the inner quarters. Every word and action of mine is under scrutiny. Although I live a life of luxury, I am like walking on thin ice in the mansion. How could you possibly know the hardships I endure?"
Jin Hui was taken aback. He was born out of wedlock, so he assumed that all children born out of wedlock would have a hard time. He believed that children born out of wedlock would always bully others, and even the most virtuous and gentle ones would sometimes unintentionally bully their sisters born out of wedlock.
In an instant, Jin Hui suddenly felt taller and more imposing. The young girl in front of him was so delicate and graceful. As a man, how could he not protect her?