Volume One, Chapter 16: Family Ties Are Her Weakness

She covered her brows, hiding the intense coldness in her eyes, biting her teeth in hatred—

The Marquis of Wu’an’s residence, the Fang family—they truly deserved to die.

Only yesterday had they ruthlessly attacked A Li, and today they were impatiently producing an impostor.

And they dared to think this would bind her, forcing her to wholeheartedly use the power of the Prince Regent’s mansion to pave the way for the Marquis of Wu’an’s family!

Fine, fine—what a cunning move to kill with a blow to the heart!

Mu Wanwan fixed her gaze steadily on the fake Rong Li, casually brushing her hand across his cheek. The other immediately dodged sharply, alert and wary.

Mu Wanwan’s smile deepened.

This wicked Marquis’s household was truly rotten to the bone.

If she guessed correctly, this child should be Fang’s own son, Xiao Ruyan, the same age as A Li.

“Qingqing, why are you smiling?” Fang felt a chill run down her spine from the inexplicable smile at Mu Wanwan’s lips, her heart uneasy.

Could she have seen through Ruyan’s disguise?

Impossible—this was a precious item she had paid dearly for. As a young lady, how could she possess the sharp insight to see through it so easily?

Surely she was overthinking it.

“I’m simply smiling because A Li has grown up well, thanks to your good guidance, Mother!” Mu Wanwan’s smile widened, then she slowly lowered her eyes, her expression restrained, but her gaze brimmed with vengeful fury.

She gasped deeply for breath.

“*Cough, cough, cough...*” She coughed lightly for a moment.

Then she spoke weakly, “Mother, my body is seriously depleted and I’m extremely weary. A Li has been frail since childhood, and I worry about passing this on to him. Perhaps you should take him back first. I have Nurse Rong here to take care of me.”

She closed her eyes, her face laden with helpless apology. “A Li, I’m sorry. Your sister’s body is truly uncooperative and needs time to recover—*cough, cough, cough!*”

Another bout of harsh coughing escaped as Mu Wanwan pressed a handkerchief tightly to her lips.

When the cough eased, the pristine white cloth bore a vivid crimson stain, like a bright wintersweet blossom in full bloom—strikingly conspicuous!

Fang’s heart swelled with satisfaction at the sight, her eyes rolling with contempt.

So she was a spent force; it seemed there was nothing to worry about after all.

---

The fake Rong Li looked utterly stunned, his mouth slightly parted, eyes blank and confused.

Nurse Rong, anxious, hurried forward, collapsing onto Mu Wanwan’s bed with a thud, trembling hands and eyes reddened from worry.

“Miss! Miss!” Her tone was cautious and gentle, as if afraid of shattering a treasured object.

The old nurse’s eyes brimmed with tender tears, instantly tearing through Mu Wanwan’s frozen heart.

For seventeen years, she had wandered alone—trained in martial arts by her master, taught medicine by her mistress, schooled in assassination and survival tactics by the head of the secret guards, and instructed in military strategy by the Mu family army...

To win, she would spare no effort, even at the cost of herself.

Everyone told her she was strong and must remain so.

Tears were the one thing she must never have, for they were the mark of the weak. She was strong; she should bleed and sweat. Tears were just a ruse to deceive her enemies and seize the moment to strike.

Since then, Mu Wanwan had learned to lick her wounds alone, slowly burying her longing for family deep inside.

Only in the dead of night did she dare recall her sister and the few years spent with their birth mother.

Indeed, no matter how much she endured, she was only seventeen—how could her heart not yearn for familial love?

But in this cannibalistic Marquis’s household, where scheming abounded, where was there any warmth? There was only Nurse Rong and A Li.

Her pale face softened with a sincere, faint smile. “Nurse, I’m fine.”

“Don’t worry. For A Li’s sake, I’ll grit my teeth and endure. I must pave the way for his future. I will not let myself fall!” Mu Wanwan said, tears flickering in her eyes.

This scene nearly broke Nurse Rong’s heart. She hurried to help Mu Wanwan up, her voice trembling with emotion, “Miss, let me support you. Take it slow!”

Mu Wanwan tugged at the corner of her mouth, gently closed her eyes, then looked through tear-glazed eyes at the frightened fake Rong Li.

“A Li must be scared. I’m fine, but I probably won’t be able to accompany you for a while. You must take good care of yourself—”

Before she could finish, the fake Rong Li, relieved and eager, interrupted, “It’s nothing. I can manage on my own. Since sister needs to rest, I won’t disturb her.”

Then he looked at Fang. “Mother, let’s go.”

Fang concealed her pride and excitement.

Xiao Qingqing still hoped to recover?

Ha! What a dream—maybe in the next life!

---

Today, she came to Tingfeng Garden just to play a part, all to please the Marquis and confuse others.

In her view, rather than using Rong Li to control Xiao Qingqing, it would be better to create an opportunity to marry her own daughter into the Prince’s mansion. Wouldn’t that be a permanent solution?

Thinking of this, she forced a fake smile and took the fake Rong Li’s hand.

“Qingqing, since you’re tired, we’ll come visit you another day.”

As they reached the threshold, she suddenly turned back.

“Oh dear, how could I forget such an important matter!”

“Someone, quickly bring the clothes and jewelry I prepared for the young lady.”

Fang beckoned, and the servants outside carried trays covered in red cloth, likely containing dresses, headdresses, ornaments, and pearl hairpins.

“I specially chose these for you. When you become the Princess of the Prince Regent, don’t ever forget the Marquis’s household. Always speak well of your father in front of the Prince.”

“In this great family, which daughter does not consider her family? After all, the Marquis of Wu’an’s household will always be your strongest support.”

Fang’s eyes darkened, a smile lingering on her face, though the expression was strange no matter how one looked at it.

Mu Wanwan appeared surprised—she hadn’t expected Fang to be so considerate—but she returned the smile warmly:

“Mother, I am truly grateful for your kindness. As the Marquis of Wu’an’s daughter, how could I not speak up for my father?”

Mu Wanwan glanced at the fake Rong Li and smiled. “As long as the Marquis’s household treats A Li well, how could I not appreciate it?”

Her show of weakness pleased Fang instantly.

She looked triumphant, unable to suppress the upward curve of her lips.

Hmph, after all, she was just a girl in her teens. As soon as she offered a little sweetness, the girl began to let down her guard, even gazing at her with longing and affection.

Family love truly was the best weapon to manipulate her.

“If Qingqing thinks this way, I’m relieved. After all, we are family.” Fang revealed the red cloth on the trays. “Look, do you like these? If you do, keep them as your dowry.”

“No! I don’t agree.”