Mu Qingya stood there in complete bewilderment, unable to comprehend her daughter’s current behavior. She remained frozen in place, her entire being immobilized.
“Consort, Consort,” the elderly maid swiftly attempted to console her. “The assertive young lady may have just been misguided in her thoughts. She likely didn’t intend to oppose you.”
“Judging from the assertive young lady’s expression, something appears rather amiss. Consort, you should return to the Mu Clan to check on the assertive young lady’s condition.”
Mu Qingya instinctively sensed that there was something suspicious about Mu Rouxuan’s demeanor.
While she was indeed concerned for her daughter, she also felt a pressing need to follow up personally on Qiaoqiao’s situation.
Mu Liang noticed Mu Qingya’s hesitation and quickly extended his cupped fists, saying, “Please rest assured, Consort. My subordinates and I will spare no effort in our quest to locate Miss Qiao. We shall be vigilant and leave no stone unturned in our search.”
Mu Qingya smiled and nodded. “That is reassuring. Thank you, Mu Liang.”
“You are too kind, Consort.” Mu Liang was deeply honored and offered another respectful bow before stepping back.
Nevertheless, Mu Qingya’s unease regarding her daughter remained. Assisted by elderly maid Qiu, she was gently guided into the carriage and directed it toward the Mu Estate.
Upon her arrival at the estate, Mu Qingya, accompanied by elderly maid Qiu and her attendants, proceeded to her daughter’s Lotus Pavilion courtyard.
Mu Qingya furrowed her brow in puzzlement upon learning that her daughter had barricaded herself in her room after her return.
Just a short while ago, when Mu Rouxuan departed the Mu Clan for the Imperial Academy, she had exhibited a demeanor of excitement and happiness, seemingly eager for her life at the academy. Yet, who could have foreseen that within a few days, she would return bearing the weight of various grievances?
Mu Qingya sighed, pushed open the door to her daughter’s adjacent study, and entered.
“Xuan’er, what has happened to you?”
Mu Rouxuan, consumed by anger, had wrapped herself tightly in a blanket. She sobbed softly.
Upon hearing the voice, Mu Rouxuan jerked away and shouted, “You don’t even acknowledge me as your daughter. Why are you still looking for me?”
Mu Qingya found herself momentarily stunned. “I don’t acknowledge you as my daughter?”
“Xuan’er, please don’t make a scene.” Mu Qingya reached out to pull the blanket away from her daughter’s body. Surveying the redness in her tear-filled eyes, she furrowed her brow and continued, “Someone at the academy has wronged you, haven’t they?”
Mu Rouxuan burst into tears.
“Mom, there’s a crack in my Spiritual Ruin Realm!”
“What?” Mu Qingya’s expression shifted, her gaze growing inscrutable. “A crack in your Spiritual Ruin?”
“Yes, it’s because of her! That so-called Younger Sister.” Mu Rouxuan couldn’t restrain herself from shouting through clenched teeth. “She disrupted my mental state, that’s why… that’s why…”
She proceeded to recount everything that had transpired at the academy, including her conversation with Shi Yongqian.
All her grievances, pain, shock, and resentment spilled out before her mother.
She had anticipated that her mother would offer words of solace, but to her astonishment…
Mu Qingya regarded her impassively. After a prolonged silence, she remarked, “So, you believe that your Spiritual Ruin Realm fractured because your sister displayed exceptional talent? That this incident unsettled you?”
Mu Rouxuan found her mother’s words biting and her countenance fluctuated several times. She couldn’t help but retort defensively, “She’s an orphan without parents, who roamed the Sikong Planet for years. How could she compare to me?”
“Fool!” Mu Qingya regarded her daughter with a cold gaze.
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