Zhong Ling was holding Mu Wanqing's hand, her face full of curiosity and confusion.
"Big Sister Mu, isn't it strange?" the girl chattered, her voice clear as an oriole's. "The servants said that guest came to see Mother. But why is Brother Lin Xuan going with her? And... and the way Mother looked at Brother Lin Xuan just now was so strange..."
At that, a flicker of understanding crossed Mu Wanqing's cool eyes.
She had noticed that unusual intimacy too.
It was no simple gratitude or trust, but the wholehearted dependence and sense of belonging that a woman felt only toward a man.
"That's a matter for the elders. We shouldn't ask too many questions," Mu Wanqing said flatly.
Instinctively, she felt the relationship involved was not something a naive girl like Zhong Ling should pry into.
"But I'm curious!" Zhong Ling tugged at her arm, wheedling. "Who exactly is that guest? Is he a bad man who bullied Mother? Is Brother Lin Xuan standing up for her? Oh, I really want to know!"
Her eyes darted about as an idea struck her. "Big Sister Mu, you're so skilled in martial arts, and you move so quietly."
"Will you come take a look with me? Just one peek, then we'll leave!"
"If I go alone and Mother catches me, she'll definitely scold me. Come with me, please? Please..."
The girl tugged at her sleeve and kept shaking it. Her big, bright eyes were full of pleading, making her impossible to refuse.
Mu Wanqing sighed helplessly inwardly. She hadn't wanted to go, but she couldn't resist the little sprite's persistent coaxing. She was also worried that Zhong Ling might sneak off to peep alone and cause a disturbance, which would only make matters worse.
"...Just one look." In the end, she