Let's See Who Loses Their Cool First

The move was so obvious it was blatant, but Mu Xiangli believed that the spies in the Royal City didn't belong to just one faction. Among the countless spies, even if some were sober and cautious, there would surely be those eager to claim credit.

Additionally, he specially prepared another piece of news, intending to target Shen Hongyue with a deception, to test whether he had misidentified her on the street earlier.
......
"Damn it, who is spreading these rumors? Is that bastard behind this?" Mu Shijie was currently throwing a tantrum in his room.

Although the rumor hadn't reached the point where everyone knew, it had spread quite widely. Things like "the Mu Clan's legitimate heir cannot compare to a bastard son"—he had intended to use the Mu Clan's reputation and his sister's name to make friends in the Royal City, but now, how could he show his face?

The subordinate beside him waited for him to finish cursing before speaking: "Second Young Master, this news might not have been spread by the opponent. Setting aside whether Mu Xiangli is Mu Khoan, even if he is, he has just entered the Longwu Academy. He should be trying to sever ties with his past; why would he expose his identity as a bastard?

Furthermore, when I returned, I heard another piece of news. It says that Mu Xiangli, after entering the Longwu Academy, became arrogant and lost himself in pleasure houses, keeping a girl named 'Hong Yue' at Huanxiang Pavilion."

"There's such a thing?" Mu Shijie's brows furrowed upon hearing this, and he stood up to leave.

"Young Master, where are you going?"

Mu Shijie sneered, "To Huanxiang Pavilion. I want to see what this Hong Yue girl looks like. He, a bastard, where does he get the silver to keep a girl in a brothel? Does he even deserve it? If he likes her, I'll go and ruin her."

If it were truly Mu Khoan, he naturally wouldn't mention such things. But for Mu Xiangli, as long as he didn't admit it, it wasn't him. Words like "bastard" and "wretched spawn" had no power to hurt him.

"I wonder which side will lose their cool first." Mu Xiangli practiced his saber in the courtyard, feeling a bit curious. No matter what one does, once anger takes over, it's hard to stay rational. Let's see who loses their patience first.

Mu Shijie arrived at Huanxiang Pavilion. He had truly never been here; he had visited Jinchua Courtyard across the street many times. His status was noble; if he went out, he naturally went to the best places. Coming to Huanxiang Pavilion today was a step down!

Bao'er at the entrance naturally didn't know Mu Shijie's thoughts, but seeing his luxurious clothes, she knew he was a distinguished guest—a "fat sheep." She greeted him warmly: "Is this the Young Lord's first time at our Huanxiang Pavilion? Please, come in."

Without waiting for Bao'er to ask what kind of girl he liked, Mu Shijie spoke first: "Tonight, I want your girl Hong Yue to serve me."

Bao'er was stunned. "Girl Hong Yue? We don't have any girl named Hong Yue here."

Mu Shijie turned to look at the subordinate following him.

The subordinate was confused: "Impossible. The news I heard was very specific."

Mu Shijie looked at Bao'er: "Don't try to deceive me. If someone has already booked her, I'm willing to pay double the silver—no, triple!"

Bao'er looked at Mu Shijie, who seemed to have come specifically for her, and grew even more confused. Their Huanxiang Pavilion had never had a girl named Hong Yue. Could it be a male servant, or someone at Jinchua Courtyard across the street? But she hadn't heard of anyone named Hong Yue there either.

"Young Lord, we truly have no one named Hong Yue here. But our other girls are all exquisitely beautiful and can surely serve you well."

Mu Shijie glanced at his subordinate again.

The subordinate signaled he didn't know.

Mu Shijie didn't have much of a brain, but he was somewhat rational. He knew this wasn't Dong City and he couldn't be recklessly arrogant. A place like Huanxiang Pavilion surely had a powerful figure backing it; if he continued to cause trouble, he might be seen as a nuisance.

Since he was already here, he might as well find another girl to vent his frustrations. Thinking this, Mu Shijie said irritably, "Fine, you make the arrangements."

The movements within Huanxiang Pavilion naturally didn't escape the eyes of Shen Hongyue and her companions.

"The one who just arrived is Mu Shijie of the Mu Clan. He was just insisting on finding a girl named Hong Yue."

Shen Hongyue gritted her teeth. Hearing her companion speak, she tilted her head: "What do you mean?"

The companion was fearless: "Are you sure you haven't been exposed?"

Shen Hongyue: "I'll say it again, no!"

"You mean Mu Shijie running here shouting for Hong Yue is just a coincidence? This news was definitely leaked to Mu Shijie by someone, likely the Night Patrol Bureau and that Mu Xiangli. Even if you aren't exposed, there's at least something making others suspicious."

"It might not be that complicated," another person nearby said. "Maybe Mu Xiangli just wanted to play a prank on Mu Shijie, and since he can't stop thinking about you, he used your name."

"Enough!" Shen Hongyue didn't want to be the subject of their jokes.

"Whether the opponent truly suspects we are hiding here or just wants to deceive us, we need to investigate clearly."

Shen Hongyue said coldly, "Fine. The person has delivered himself to the door. Didn't you want to kill someone and frame them before? Who will go and make contact to see how useful this fellow is?"

"I'll go," one person said.

As a result, this person returned not long after leaving.

Seeing him, the others saw the fellow say angrily, "That guy already dragged a girl into the room to torment her."

Everyone was a bit speechless; he had only just arrived.

"Then wait until he's finished. I'm leaving for today."

"Looking at that guy, he won't show his face until dawn. I'll withdraw for now too."

They all had arrangements in the city and only gathered at Huanxiang Pavilion when there was business. The only one permanently stationed here was Shen Hongyue. She had a title at Huanxiang Pavilion, "Lu Cha." Normally, she didn't need to show her face. In special situations, she would take on the identity of a pure courtesan who sold her art but not her body.

Once the others left, Shen Hongyue drew the soft sword from her waist. The blade reflected her eyes, which were filled with killing intent. She truly wanted to open a hundred holes in Mu Xiangli right now.

Everyone had their own calculations; only Mu Wanqiu's side was relatively simple.

"Miss, who spread the news outside? This time, things might not go well."

Mu Wanqiu shook her head and sighed, "With Second Aunt's personality, whether there are rumors or not, things won't be good. Fortunately, he has a backer now and doesn't need us to worry."

The little maid whispered, "I also heard he's keeping someone at Huanxiang Pavilion. Do you think that time outside Cuihua Tower, he was..."

Mu Wanqiu poked the maid's forehead. "Rumors are just rumors. Besides, what does it have to do with us?"

The little maid pouted, "I think you still care about him, Miss."

Mu Wanqiu glanced at her. "That's because by blood, he is also my cousin. Before, in the house... Never mind, let's not mention it."

The little maid nodded repeatedly. "Yes, don't worry about the dirty laundry at home, Miss. You'll be a student of the Wenhua Academy soon."

Mu Wanqiu smiled faintly, her smile tinged with sorrow. Living under the same roof, how could one truly stay out of it? Thinking that entering the Wenhua Academy would allow her to draw a clear line was impossible.