5190

Chapter 5190: 5.0942 An Old Mother's Heart

This time, Mu Xiaoxue braced herself, extending her hands to meet her mother's. After all, under her father Mu Jinghong's stern gaze, if she recoiled again, it would surely displease him. In the entire City of Shadows now, the only one who could protect her was her father. She naturally couldn't risk incurring his anger over minor matters.

However… the moment her mother's withered, bone-thin, and intensely cold hands touched her, Mu Xiaoxue couldn't help but feel a shiver of dread. These truly felt like the hands of a dead person; they held no warmth, and her back was faintly marked with decaying sores.

She didn't know what kind of feelings her father harbored for this mother of hers. He could actually embrace someone so bone-like, covered in festering sores. No wonder City Lord's wife Zhuo Yan was so jealous of her mother. Compared to the City Lord's wife, it was clear that her father's love for her mother, Mu Qingya, was beyond question.

Mu Xiaoxue took a deep breath, almost using all her strength to grasp Mu Qingya's bony hands. As she touched them, she realized her mother was missing two little fingers, startling her so much that she almost let go again.

She heard Mu Qingya say disjointedly, "Xiao... Xiaoxue. Jinghong…"

Mu Jinghong quickly held her, saying in a deep voice, "I'm here, Qingya. Don't worry, your illness will definitely get better. I'll send the best people to treat you."

"But before I finalize things with the Second Young Master, you'll have to endure staying here for a few more days."

Mu Qingya exerted a great effort to slowly nod. "I… I know."

However, she knew her own body best. This physical form was on the verge of collapsing. After experiencing so many medicinal trials, her ability to endure until today was already a testament to her sheer luck! But she didn't know how long she could last. She had a vague idea that once her body completely collapsed, it might turn into a puddle of flesh, or perhaps something even uglier. She didn't want to scare her daughter, Xiaoxue.

Her Xiaoxue was so perfect, resembling her in every aspect. This girl had a broader future and greater prospects; she couldn't stay in a place like Tianyun, she couldn't…

Mu Qingya gripped Mu Jinghong's hand tightly, speaking word by word with great difficulty, "I… I want you to promise me, one… one thing."

"Me… me dying, it… it doesn't matter. But… but our daughter, she… she cannot… join… join Tianyun." Mu Qingya said in a deep voice. "I… I want her to leave… leave… Tian… Tianyun, leave."

"Qingya, don't get agitated yet," Mu Jinghong said repeatedly to Mu Qingya. "Qingya, why would you say that? Xiaoxue, when did she join Tianyun?"

Mu Qingya held Mu Xiaoxue's hand, a hint of nervousness in her bony expression. "Even… even if not now, it… it doesn't mean she won't… won't in the future."

"I… I'm… almost… almost gone. They… they are inhumane, Xiaoxue… is my daughter, she meets… all… all the requirements."

"They will… demand… Jinghong, please… please, for our years of… marriage… you… you must help… help Xiaoxue, help her… escape."

Mu Xiaoxue remained silent, her face as still as water.