Duke of Mu stared at Yang Zijin coldly, “Yang Zijin, what did you do to Yunong?”

Yang Zijin said with understatement, “Nothing. Miss Mu speaks vulgarly. I'm just helping the Duke to discipline her and let someone clean her mouth.”

“How can you do this? She is your….” Duke of Mu said hesitantly.

Yang Zijin sneered in her heart. It was true that face was the most important thing for Duke of Mu.

Lu'an and Wufu had clearly heard what kind of domestic affairs Duke of Mu had told Marquis Shuo? Just now, when the Duke of Mu was about to say something, they had a series of questions in their heads. Who was their Young Master?

They couldn't figure it out, so they just let it go. The Young Master treated them well, and no matter who he was, they would stay with him.

Shuo Ling played the sword in his hand and said as if nothing had happened, “My lord, there is no point in a stalemate like this. In my opinion, I think it's better to stop today, and my sword has no eyes. It would be bad if I accidentally hurt your precious daughter.”

With that, Shuo Ling placed the sword on Mu Yunong's neck, and Mu Yunong was frightened to tremble.

Duke of Mu detested Shuo Ling and said in a m.u.f.fled voice, “Shuo Ling, don't cross the line. I give you a face because of the late Old Marquis Shuo, but you are asking too much. Now in Jing City, the rumors about your private virtue are getting worse! You are a marquis, and after this, the people of the city will not talk too much about it, but Zijin is different. If you want to protect her, it's best to stay away from her.”

At this time, Shuo Ling kept silent, not because he was afraid of Duke of Mu, but because Duke of Mu was Yang Zijin's biological father. He felt that it was not wrong for the father to think about his daughter's reputation, only that Duke of Mu had taken the wrong approach.

Yang Zijin, who was on the side, looked at Shuo Ling's silence and saw the change in him. With his usual personality, how could Shuo Ling allow anyone to say such a remark? It must be because of her that Shuo Ling behaved like this today.

Yang Zijin felt that Shuo Ling shouldn't be bullied by Duke of Mu, and she replied, “What is Duke of Mu's point in saying that? Let alone that Marquis Shuo didn't know about it. Even if Marquis Shuo did it, it's me who should be investigated, and Duke of Mu has no right to interfere with it.”

Shuo Ling, who was on the side, was surprised and excited when he heard that Yang Zijin defended him so much, but his face was still cold and was unable to see any change.

Hearing this, Duke of Mu was so angry that he couldn't say anything. For a long time, he said, “Yang Zijin, you're so stubborn. I won't let this go. It's just a matter of time.”

Duke of Mu waved his hand and gestured for the guards to retreat.

Seeing that the guards had retreated, Yang Zijin winked at Wufu and Lu'an to untie Mu Yunong.

Getting the sign, Wufu and Lu'an went forward to untie the rope on Mu Yunong and took away the rags in her mouth. At this time, Mu Yunong, who was out of bondage, sat on the ground and cried loudly.

Duke of Mu stepped forward to crouch down in front of Mu Yunong and took her in his arms. Mu Yunong buried her head down and hugged Duke of Mu tightly, crying and complaining to Duke of Mu about her misery.

“Dad, I'm so scared. Yang Zijin found someone to knock me out and tied me up, and let someone pour cold water on my head.”

“Good girl, don't be afraid. I'm here. I will pick you up right now.” Duke of Mu said as he gently patted Mu Yunong's back, and his eyes filled with compa.s.sion.

Seeing this scene, Yang Zijin felt very ironic. If it was her who was tied up today, would Duke of Mu still condescend to come here for her, a daughter who grew up in a filthy place?

Yang Zijin coldly glanced at Duke of Mu and Mu Yunong, “I hope Miss Mu will mind her own business. Don't always think of coming to the Blossom Peach. I'm not easy to be bullied. Otherwise, I will tie you up once I see you.”

When Mu Yunong heard Yang Zijin's words, she felt more wronged and cried louder.

Duke of Mu picked up Mu Yunong and stood up. He looked at Yang Zijin with anger and annoyance, “Yang Zijin, that's enough. Yunong is already like this, and you're still threatening her. Do you really think that you're lawless with the support of Marquis Shuo?”

Yang Zijin felt strange about Mu Yunong's grievance. And those who didn't know what happened would think how she bullied her.

At the side, Shuo Ling looked at Mu Yunong's change in his eyes. Mu Yunong was born in the mansion of Duke Mu, and she was protected well by her parents. When she was a child, she was used to the flattering, so her family concept was weak. Although she was arrogant and careless when she faced Yang Zijin, in the heart, she had already regarded Yang Zijin as her own family.

“It is better for my lord to go back and take care of your daughter instead of lecturing me here. A young lady in a big family shouldn't stroll around in men's clothes.” Yang Zijin refuted back.

Hearing Yang Zijin's words, Mu Yunong finished her grievances and turned into sobbing in a low voice. She looked at Duke of Mu with a guilty expression.

Duke of Mu's face turned terrible. Was Yang Zijin talking about his incompetence in teaching his daughter in front of so many people?

However, Yang Zijin was right. If Mu Yunong had stayed in the mansion, she wouldn't have dressed up like a man and gotten caught by Yang Zijin.

Moreover, if it hadn't been Mu Yunong, his relations.h.i.+p with Yang Zijin would not have gone so far. It was estimated that Yang Zijin would be brought by the people he sent, and why should he be looked down upon here?

Thinking of this, Duke of Mu looked at Mu Yunong, and his mouth trembled slightly.

Mu Yunong looked at the expression in Duke of Mu's eyes. Suddenly, she was scared to breathe. It seemed that she just escaped from the wolf's nest and went back to the tiger's mouth. She regretted why she had gone to laugh at Yang Zijin. And she didn't make it but embarra.s.sed herself.

At this moment, Duke of Mu did not want to stay here anymore. He picked up Mu Yunong and walked out.

Yang Zijin's voice came from behind, “Take your time, my lord. I won't see you off.”

At this point, Duke of Mu's face was evil. He didn't turn round and said in a slightly trembling voice, “If anyone spreads the incident of today, I will definitely make the Blossoming Peach disappear overnight like the Spring Breeze.”

When Shuo Ling and Yang Zijin heard this, they smiled at each other. At this point, Duke of Mu did not forget to defend his face.

…

In the mansion of Duke Mu

Li Mingzi was so worried that she paced back and forth in the room. So, she went to wait at the door of the mansion and looked around.

But after a long time, they hadn't come back, and no one came to report. It made Li Mingzi more worried.

Finally, a carriage appeared in her sight, and she took a closer look. It was the carriage of the mansion of Duke Mu, and she hastened to welcome it.

As soon as the carriage had stopped, Li Mingzi lifted the curtain nervously and said, “My lord, you are back. How is Yunong?”

Duke of Mu was angry with Mu Yunong, when he saw Li Mingzi being so disrespectful outside the mansion. He gave Li Mingzi the cold shoulder, “As a d.u.c.h.ess, how can you run around outside? What a shame!” After saying that, he did not turn round and entered the mansion.

Li Mingzi didn't know what happened. She lifted the door curtain and saw Mu Yunong's appearance. Suddenly, tears couldn't stop dripping out. Mu Yunong was both aggrieved and afraid in her heart. When she saw Li Mingzi, she could no longer control her tears and pounced with crying, “Mom, I made father angry. I will never dare again, never dare again!”

Li Mingzi held Mu Yunong, who was crying, tightly in her arms, “Yunong, it's okay. It's all right. I'm here. It will pa.s.s.” After Li Mingzi finished, they wept together.

They carried each other into the mansion. The tears on their face had not yet dissipated. The maid who didn't know what happened followed behind them and didn't dare to go forward. When they just entered Mu Yunong's room and hadn't yet sat down, the guard of Duke of Mu came to send a message.

The guard Rui Dong made a salute to them and said, “Madam, the Duke is waiting for you in the study.”

“I know. Go down.” Li Mingzi had expected that it would come.

But when Mu Yunong heard that her father summoned them, her nose was sour, and the tears that had just stopped kept falling. She looked pitiful, “Mom, I'm afraid that father will punish me!”

“Don't be afraid. Your father is angry now. When you come, you confess your mistakes to dad properly, understand? Your father loves you so much. He won't punish you.” Li Mingzi comforted Mu Yunong, but she was not sure.

Mu Yunong repeatedly nodded, “Yes, I know.”

They teetered to the study, and Li Mingzi peeked at Duke of Mu, who sat at his desk without saying a word. The anger was still on his face, and Li Mingzi felt nervous, but she had to go forward.

“My lord, Yunong has already known that she was wrong. Please forgive her this time!” Li Mingzi said tentatively and winked at Mu Yunong.

Mu Yunong got the sign and hastened to kneel on the ground. She said in a tearful voice, “Dad, I really know that I was wrong. I promise that it will never happen next time!”

“Next time! You still want to have it next time! Li Mingzi, is this the good daughter you taught?” Duke of Mu looked at Li Mingzi, with anger in his eyes.

Mu Yunong cried louder, “There won't be a next time, dad. There won't be the next time….”

“No? Or not dare? You completely lose my face today. You still have the face to cry here!” Duke of Mu lowered his voice and finished with a cold snort.

Mu Yunong was so scared that she didn't dare to move and cry, but she couldn't stop her tears, which was like rain.

Li Mingzi was very distressed when she saw Mu Yunong like this. She hurriedly knelt down, “My lord, if you want to blame, you should blame me. It's me who didn't take good care of Yunong…Yunong has experienced so much today, and she is pathetic enough! My lord, if you have any anger, just pour it on me!”

Duke of Mu was silent.

Li Mingzi saw that things had a turn for the better. She wiped her tears and said, “My lord, you just give Yunong a chance. I'll discipline her in the future. Besides, what happened today can't blame Yunong alone. If Yang Zijin hadn't tied Yunong, how could this happen?”

“Really? It's Yang Zijin who forces Mu Yunong to wear men's clothes? A young lady doesn't stay in the boudoir and stroll around outside. Which young lady is like her!”