Scared to Death, Baby!

Ning Xin Hai immediately became alert, releasing her divine sense upon hearing the young lady directly reveal the hidden truth. The slightest stir in the surroundings, the chirping of birds and insects, could not escape her perception.

"Miss, speak with caution—" Ning Xin Hai whispered a warning. If these words were overheard by anyone from the Yan Family, especially their old butler, who looked so gaunt and frail that Ning Xin Hai doubted he could withstand thirty moves against him, things would become troublesome. At the very least, it would affect the relationship between the Cui and Yan families.

"It's just the truth, what's wrong with saying it?" Cui Xiaoxin replied nonchalantly, smiling. "My uncle dotes on his son, overturning my plans with every move. He suspects Li Mu Yang, but lacks concrete evidence to prove Li Mu Yang's true identity. So, let him be exposed, let everyone focus their attention on him—the more people watching him, the harder it will be for Li Mu Yang to hide, won't it?"

"But, has he considered my feelings? Li Mu Yang is my savior. The reason the Crow targeted him and pursued him was because he was implicated by me—he was originally someone I owed a debt to, yet he was discarded by my uncle like roadside weeds. Trampled upon, and constantly in danger of losing his life, isn't that too unfair to Li Mu Yang?"

"Miss, you should have understood long ago—" Ning Xin Hai said with a deep voice. "In the eyes of some people, there is no fairness or justice, only the exchange of interests. Abandoning an unrelated person to protect their own son is a perfectly normal thing for them—they don't even need to pretend to hesitate."

"Yes. It's precisely because the people around us are like that that I'm so grateful—grateful that Li Mu Yang rushed forward in such a dangerous situation, using his slender body to block the sharp blade in the Crow's hand—"

"Li Mu Yang isn't slender now," Ning Xin Hai said with concern. "Miss, you've always been unwilling to let me investigate Li Mu Yang's true identity. But you must know that his hidden strength is truly astonishing—he blocked the Crow's attacks twice, and the second time, he even killed it single-handedly. The City Lord truly intended to expose him to the sun this time, but if he didn't have that kind of strength, if he had appeared vulnerable—the City Lord would have had a hard time succeeding, wouldn't he?"

"Li Mu Yang hasn't asked about my identity," Cui Xiaoxin said.

"But he doesn't know your identity."

"Do you think Li Mu Yang is an idiot? He's not. At least his performance during this time has shown me that he's not only not an idiot, but quite intelligent. I have a skilled bodyguard like you, and I'm escorted by guards whenever I go to see him. I'm related to the City Lord of Jiangnan City, and the City Lord's son is my cousin—do you think that's not enough to make someone suspect my identity? Yet he never asked."

"Because he didn't ask about your identity, you also don't allow us to investigate his?"

"One must be fair," Cui Xiaoxin said. "How much he knows about me, and how much I know about him. What's the benefit of knowing too much? It only brings trouble."

"With things having developed to this point, what are your plans, Miss?"

"We cannot let an outsider bear the danger of the Cui Family," Cui Xiaoxin said solemnly.

"Miss—" Ning Xin Hai quickly advised, "Absolutely do not oppose the City Lord. The moment you make a move, he will know your intentions. We are returning to the capital, why stir up trouble?"

"Yes. We are leaving, so we're just going to dump all the risks and responsibilities onto someone who had nothing to do with this matter originally—I can't do something like that."

"Miss—"

"Where is Yan Xiangma?"

"When I returned, I saw Young Master Xiangma's carriage heading towards Li Mu Yang's house."

Cui Xiaoxin pondered for a moment and said, "It seems we don't need to do anything. My uncle's wisdom is like the sea, yet he has his own opponents."

"Is Miss referring to Young Master Xiangma?"

"He is the best candidate," Cui Xiaoxin sighed softly. "Although it's unfair to him, he is, after all, a man of the Yan Family, and also a man of our Cui Family—he is my cousin, and it's only natural for him to protect me. If I have the chance, I will naturally repay this kindness tenfold. But Li Mu Yang—why drag an outsider into this?"

"I understand," Ning Xin Hai said softly.

"Protect my cousin's safety," Cui Xiaoxin said. "The turmoil in Tiandu has even affected Jiangnan City. After returning to the capital, I fear we will feel its chilling atmosphere even more?"

"Yes, Miss."

Ning Xin Hai left as quietly as she had arrived.

Cui Xiaoxin walked back and forth among the flowers, a deep worry etched on her brow.

In this incident, her uncle's instigation from behind the scenes likely had his own well-intentioned considerations.

What did he want?

In such a prosperous place, was the position of City Lord no longer enough to satisfy his appetite?

Sending Cousin Xiangma to the capital first this time also held a deeper meaning, didn't it?

Yan Xiangma was indeed going to find Li Mu Yang, because by finding Li Mu Yang, he could also take a look at Li Sinian.

Yan Xiangma liked Li Sinian.

He had never met a girl like her. She was indifferent to him and even mocked him, looking at him as if he were a pile of dung. This was completely different from the girls who had previously flocked to him like moths to a flame upon learning his identity or seeing his handsome face.

Most importantly, she was so cute and beautiful. Her eyes seemed to possess a spiritual quality, and every movement exuded youthful vitality, making anyone who saw her feel happy and free from worries.

Yan Xiangma was very angry. He had come to visit Li Mu Yang, but the Li family's door was shut tight, and no one was home.

"Young Master, perhaps we should come back tomorrow?" Li Da Lu said softly, comforting Yan Xiangma as he followed him.

"Come back tomorrow? Then I came here for nothing today?" Yan Xiangma fanned himself vigorously, extremely annoyed.

"Then shall we wait at the door?"

"Wait? Who am I? I am the City Lord's son, the most famous young master in Jiangnan City. You want me to wait? When have I ever waited for anyone?"

"Then what does Young Master mean?"

"Find them, bring them back to me."

"Yes, Young Master. I'll have people inquire around the neighborhood." Li Da Lu waved his hand, and his subordinates scattered to get busy.

"Young Master, why don't you rest in the carriage for a while?"

"No. What if my clothes get wrinkled?"

He had woken up early to groom and dress, wearing his most expensive and handsome clothes, all to make Li Sinian's eyes light up.

As a result, Yan Xiangma was now disappointed.

Soon, a subordinate reported the information they had gathered. Something had happened at Li Mu Yang's pastry shop, and Li Mu Yang had rushed over to help.

Yan Xiangma was overjoyed upon hearing this. If Li Mu Yang was helping at the shop, then Li Sinian would be alone with him when she returned—he would have more time and space to show off his elegance, extraordinary demeanor, and profound knowledge.

However, on second thought, this wouldn't do. If Li Sinian knew that something had happened to her family's shop and he did nothing about it, how would she view him?

Wasn't I worse than dog shit back then?

With a wave of his hand, Yan Xiangma declared, "A friend in need is a friend indeed. Let's go."

Yan Xiangma didn't get to help, because by the time he arrived, the crisis had already passed, and the City Lord's Mansion's gendarmerie had surrounded the pastry shop.

The gendarmes, clad in Imperial uniforms, had Li Mu Yang completely encircled, swords drawn and arrows nocked. A single misstep could lead to a brutal fight.

Yan Xiangma's heart skipped a beat; this disaster was more severe than he had imagined.

He charged towards the pastry shop with his men. When the outer soldiers tried to stop him, he smacked one on the head with his fan and yelled, "Open your damn eyes and see who Yan Xiangma is—"

Li Da Lu arrogantly pulled out a token from his embrace. He smugly put it away only after every soldier had gotten a clear look.

The soldiers saluted and cleared the way, and Yan Xiangma swaggered in with his entourage.

"Li Mu Yang—" Yan Xiangma's heart jolted as he saw Li Mu Yang's bloodshot eyes. Damn, this is another sign of him transforming. If he loses control, I fear no one here will survive.

"What happened?" Yan Xiangma turned and barked at the gendarmerie captain.

The gendarmerie captain recognized the notorious young master of Jiangnan City and respectfully hurried over, saying, "Young Master, there's been a murder here. That kid beat and killed people, and we need to apprehend him—"

"Beat and kill people? Which eye did you see that with?"

"Young Master, I received a report—"

"A report? Who reported it?"

"The person who reported it has already left—"

"How do you conduct your investigations? Are all your eyes blind? Is there no law in Jiangnan City anymore? Do you people not follow the law?" Yan Xiangma pointed at the gendarmerie captain's nose and berated him.

"Young Master, your subordinate—where did I go wrong?"

"As a party involved in the case, I saw it with my own eyes—it was those thugs on the ground who rushed into the shop, hacking and slashing, and demanding our wallets, saying they were going to rob us—they were clearly after me, they wanted to kill me—"

"Young Master, didn't you—just come in?"

Slap—

Yan Xiangma swung his fan again, cursing, "I just had an upset stomach and stepped out for a moment. I could have just left, but I couldn't let a loyal and brave person suffer and be wronged by you scoundrels, so I detoured back."

Yan Xiangma pointed at Li Mu Yang and said, "If it weren't for him fighting back with all his might, risking his life to save me, I would have already—already—"

Yan Xiangma's eyes reddened as he patted his chest and said, "You have no idea how dangerous the situation was back then, it scared me to death—"

"—"