Chapter 52 Secret Feelings (III)

After returning to the Mu Residence, Mu Qing ordered two maidservants to take care of Mu Tingting, but he didn't look at her again. This daughter had made him lose all face; how could he still afford to love her as he did before?

The only reason he hadn't abandoned her was because her biological father had died saving the Old Madam.

"How did Mu Ruyue suddenly change so drastically?" Mu Qing frowned. If he had initially only harbored resentment towards her for hiding her abilities from him when she showcased the strength of a Third-level Martial Artist, now, knowing her true strength, he genuinely regretted it.

If he had known, he wouldn't have expelled her from the family. Now, it's too late to regret.

At this moment, clamoring sounds came from outside the Mu Residence. Before he could send someone to check what was happening, officials and their wives started walking into the hall.

"Family Master Mu, congratulations."

The first to speak was Zhang Lin, the Minister of Revenue, who entered with a broad smile and extended his congratulations.

Mu Qing forced a bitter smile: "What is there for me to be congratulated about?"

"Your eldest daughter, Mu Ruyue, won the championship of the competition and gained the attention of the Qingyun Sect. Isn't that worth celebrating?" Zhang Lin looked at him strangely as he spoke.

Mu Qing sighed helplessly and shook his head: "Lord Zhang might not know, but I have already expelled that rebellious daughter from the family. She is no longer a part of the Mu Family."

To his surprise, Zhang Lin did not turn away. Instead, he smiled and said: "Family Master Mu, as the saying goes, 'Blood is thicker than water.' How could Miss Mu Ruyue possibly leave the Mu Family for good? As her biological father, if you sincerely persuade her to return, I believe she will agree."

Feeling that Zhang Lin's words made sense, Mu Qing calmed his anxious heart. He began to accept the congratulations from others, believing that if he lowered himself and earnestly persuaded her, Mu Ruyue would eventually return to the Mu Family.

In the following period, not only some dignitaries from Feng City came to visit, but even people from the Qingyun Sect appeared, with some expressing intentions of taking her as a disciple. Yet, not even Mu Qing knew where Mu Ruyue was now, so he could only send people to search for her whereabouts.

As for Mu Ruyue herself, she hadn't left the Imperial Palace since departing, unaware that the Mu Family had been turned upside down in their search for her.

One day, she had just placed the refined elixirs into her Space Ring when she thought that it had been a long time since she saw Wu Yu, so after packing up her alchemy tools, she left the Mu Residence.

The shopkeeper of the Hundred Herbs Hall had become familiar with Mu Ruyue, so upon seeing her arrival, he directly led her to the alchemy room.

In the alchemy room, Wu Yu immediately saw Mu Ruyue entering. His eyes lit up, and he quickly stood up and walked towards her with large strides.

"Girl, why are you here?"

"I came to see you," Mu Ruyue blinked her eyes, glanced around, and asked, "Master, what are you doing now?"

"Hehe, it's nothing really, just that a medicinal herb in the Hundred Herbs Hall is wilting. I was wondering if there might be a way to save it."

As he spoke, Wu Yu's gaze fell on the herb on the table.

Following his gaze, Mu Ruyue saw an herb with eight-petaled flower-like features resting on the table. Its small yellow core was emitting a dim light, and the other petals were drooping; it was clearly near death.

"Eight-leaf Snow Lotus?" Mu Ruyue's heart stirred. This Eight-leaf Snow Lotus was an ingredient for refining the Earth-grade Intermediate Marrow Cleansing Pill. She hadn't expected to encounter it here.