2696: Rumors Spread

Rumors Spread

Her Excellency Lady Qiaoqiao raised no objections. In any circumstance, she would willingly accompany Hubby, wherever he chose to go.1

"Even if it's a banquet, I wouldn't mind. If it comes down to it, I'd gladly don my red battle suit and join the fray!" she declared.

Mo Lian couldn't help but chuckle at her determination. "Qiaoqiao, what's going through your mind?"

Qiao Mu glanced up at him. "Oh, nothing."

Mo Lian leaned in, affectionately nuzzling her head. "That expression of yours gives away your desire to wear your red battle suit into battle!"

Qiao Mu found herself blushing slightly, feeling a touch embarrassed.

"This man seems to have an uncanny ability to read my thoughts," she mused inwardly.

Mo Lian held her delicate hand and reassured, "Don't worry, it's just a banquet we're attending. The main thing is that we've been back for a few days, so it's about time we reacquaint ourselves with everyone."

Qiao Mu nodded her head with a composed expression.

Understanding that she didn't hold much interest in these matters, Crown Prince Mo offered a few more casual remarks before guiding her outside.

The main courtyard of the eldest branch had been abuzz in recent days. The collection team, tasked with recovering the owed compensation of 280 thousand spirit currency, had been incessantly pressuring them. Mu Jingfeng's frustration had escalated to the point of boiling over.

Old Sir Duan, the esteemed patriarch of the Duan family, had expressed his willingness to contribute 50 million spirit currency to bolster the eldest branch's finances.

The Second Branch, Fourth Branch, and Fifth Branch maintained a deliberate silence, acting as if they hadn't heard anything. The Third Brother, Sixth Brother, and Seventh Brother were still unmarried and thus ill-equipped to handle the complex affairs in the eldest brother's domain.

Consequently, turmoil reigned in the entire Mu Clan, with the eldest branch at the center of the chaos.

Meanwhile, the Second Branch, Fourth Branch, and Fifth Branch looked on helplessly, unable to offer any assistance.

Mu Jingfeng endured three excruciatingly long days that felt like an eternity.

Then, on the fourth day, the whispers on the streets took an unexpected turn.

Gone were the rumors about the Mu Clan patriarch's alleged romantic escapades.

Instead, the focus of the rumors shifted dramatically towards the Crown Prince Consort…

When Caiqi rushed inside, her agitation was palpable as she relayed the unsettling news to Qiao Mu, who was lounging in the warm sunlight, engrossed in creating talismans.

"They're saying that that Xiao'xing girl was originally part of the Crown Prince Consort's entourage. Supposedly, after being dismissed from the service, she transformed into a fearsome monster and attacked the Crown Prince Consort."

"They're even asserting that the appearance of these monsters coincided with the Crown Prince Consort's return."

"On the day of the incident on Changle Boulevard, the Holy Daughter of the Lunisolar Shrine hinted that the Crown Prince Consort was a harbinger of disaster. According to the rumors, this is now being proven true. They're claiming that the presence of the Crown Prince Consort within the Mu Clan led to the emergence of these monsters."

Qiao Mu's talisman pen paused mid-stroke as she gazed at Caiqi, her expression tinted with concern. "Are these proclamations widespread throughout the city?"

Caiqi's face flushed with frustration as she nodded vigorously. "This servant heard these murmurs while I was out running errands and shopping."

Qiao Mu nodded thoughtfully. "Huifeng."

"At your service, Crown Prince Consort."

"Convey a message to Young Master Wu: I will accept a compensation of 280 million spirit currency tonight."

"And please inform Mister Xi that he should have the accountants ready. Tomorrow morning, we shall visit each shop and arrange for additional manpower to be stationed."

"Furthermore, have the manager and the elderly female servants prepared? We will depart together tomorrow."

"Absolutely, Crown Prince Consort." Huifeng lit yet another candle in quiet contemplation for Mu Jingfeng up on the peak.

Regardless of whether Mu Jingfeng was the origin of these rumors, the current situation suggested that the young crown prince consort was attributing blame to him out of caprice.

"That shall be all for now."

"Caixiu, Caiqi."

"Huifeng, instruct Li Ye to guard the Viscount entrance of the court. If anyone dares to force their way in, do not hesitate to eliminate the threat."

"Yes!" Huifeng nodded resolutely and promptly departed to execute the given directive.

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