She couldn't think of any illness that matched Xiao Azhen's symptoms, nor could she get tested, but she was certain that it was definitely not as simple as indigestion.
Moreover, this illness started when Ah-Zhen was very young and has lasted for many years. Recently, it has started to worsen, which is a very worrying sign.
This is a lovely child.
She desperately wanted to do something to prevent...the regret from happening.
Chapter Twelve
Mu Garden.
"Hello, Miss."
"Miss is back!"
The gleaming leather shoes clicked lightly as Mu Xing ran briskly into the living room, her only thought being to discuss Xiao Azhen's illness with her father. Her maid, Fu Guang, followed behind carrying a briefcase, but couldn't keep up, and could only whisper, "Miss, slow down, slow down!"
"And yet I long for my beloved, leaning against the railing... Oh!"
Mu Xing took a few steps upstairs, and almost bumped into her grandmother, the old lady of the Mu family, without paying attention.
She quickly took two steps back to steady herself: "Hey Grandma! Were you frightened?"
The old lady was over seventy years old. No matter how well she took care of herself, she was still old and her hearing was very poor. She frowned and shouted, "What shrimp? What shrimp are you talking about? Lobsters aren't even in season yet!" She almost fell down the stairs with her force.
Mu Xing rushed over to help her downstairs, saying, "It's nothing, but please take it easy!"
"Squid? Eating squid now won't do, we need fresh oysters!" Grandma came downstairs unsteadily, still shouting.
Mu Xing: "No... well, never mind, Fu Guang, you lend a hand."
The maidservant rushed forward to support the old lady.
Mu Xing helped the old lady to sit on the sofa, and then asked Fu Guang to fetch the new Lu'an melon seed tea she had just acquired and brew it.
"Grandma, didn't you say you were going to rest at the old house in Tonghua for a few more days?" Mu Xing asked his grandmother. "Why didn't you let anyone know you were coming back? My second brother and I could have come to pick you up."
The old lady slowly took a sip of tea, praised it, and then said, "Don't you love eating fresh oysters? Oysters around Qingming Festival are the fattest. Yesterday, when we were still at the old house, I told them to go to Haikou to pick them up in the early morning. They also brought a box of yellow clams."
Mu Xing quickly said, "Thank you, Grandma, you've really gone to a lot of trouble."
Grandma continued, "Don't you love boiled oysters the most? The new chef in the kitchen is a Westerner, and I told him to put in lots of milk skin..."
"That must be really fresh, I'll definitely eat a lot tonight," Mu Xing said enthusiastically.
As they were talking, Grandma suddenly sighed.
"Sigh, I'm getting old. This oyster soup is clearly the kind of flavor that Fu Xue likes. I must have been mistaken. Ah Xuan, you clearly hate oysters the most."
Upon hearing his aunt's name, Mu Xing felt a tremor in his heart.
She was allergic to seafood as a child, and hated oysters the most. She even told her aunt, who loved oysters, that she would never play with her aunt who smelled like oysters again. From then on, her aunt never ate oysters again.
"These oysters are so fresh, if Fu Xue saw them, she'd definitely throw some kind of 'seafood feast' or 'oyster feast'..." Grandma shook her head. "You don't like oysters, Fu Guang, go tell the kitchen not to prepare this dish..."
"No need! No need..." Mu Xing hurriedly said, "I'm not allergic anymore, Grandma, have you forgotten? I've changed my tastes in the US these past few years, oysters are so delicious."
She gently persuaded her grandmother, "Grandma, you're tired. Go back to your room and rest. I'll come and keep you company in a little while, okay?"
After helping his grandmother back to her room, Mu Xing closed the door and couldn't help but sigh.
Grandma doted on Auntie the most. After Auntie passed away, Grandma fell ill and was often in a daze, which worried them a lot.
She was feeling sad when she suddenly noticed her mother standing on the opposite building, looking at her.
She quickly smoothed her hair, pressed down the hem of her skirt that had been billowing up, and smiled at her mother, saying, "Mother."
Madam Mu looked her daughter over and, after confirming that there was no trace of men's clothing, said with satisfaction, "Alright, come here, your father and I have something to say to you."
Mu Xing took a deep breath, regained his composure, and ran all the way to the stairwell, reaching out to hug Madam Mu: "Mom!"
Madam Mu stroked her daughter's hair and led her towards the study: "How did you feel at the clinic?"
Mu Xing then recounted his experience at the clinic—naturally omitting the unpleasant parts.
The two entered the study, and Mu Xing hurriedly ran to Master Mu's desk: "Father! What book is this?"
Madam Mu sat down on the sofa and asked, "Speaking of which, have you met with Youcheng these past few days?"
Mu Xing was fiddling with her father's stethoscope when she heard this, and then casually said, "Mother, why are you bringing him up?"
"Well, your mother and I called you here precisely because of this matter," said Master Mu.
Upon hearing his father speak, Mu Xing had no choice but to put down the instrument and sit properly beside Madam Mu.
“Back when your aunt passed away, before you went to study in the United States, our family and the Song family were engaged. Now that you have returned from your studies, it is only natural that the marriage should be put on the agenda,” said Master Mu.
"I just returned from the old house the day before yesterday, and Madam Song sent someone to deliver an invitation, inviting us to a gathering at the Song Mansion. I suppose it's to discuss the wedding."
When they got engaged, Mu Xing was only sixteen and had no concrete concept of marriage. In the past few years, while studying in the United States, she has witnessed many cases of "free love" and has developed a vague idea about marriage and love, but it is just wishful thinking and empty fantasy.
But now, all illusions have been shattered by Song Youcheng.
Perhaps there are indeed women who can accept their husbands' infidelity, or even having multiple wives and concubines, but she is definitely not that kind of person.
However, although she was determined to break off the engagement, she did not plan to tell her parents until she had a clear discussion with Song Youcheng.
She tentatively suggested, "Marriage...should we wait a bit longer? I don't feel ready yet..."
Madam Mu glanced at her: "What do you need to prepare? What you need to worry about is what happens after you get married."
Master Mu also said, "The Song family's child has accomplished some things in the past few years. He has a good education and now works at Guangze Bookstore. I think he is a serious and down-to-earth child. The only problem is that you have been independent since you were young and have your own ideas. Your mother and I have rarely restricted you. Now that you are getting married, the Song family is a scholarly family with strict and orderly rules. We are just worried that you will not be able to adapt to the Song family and will have many troubles."
"Strict family rules, aren't they?" Mu Xing couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Madam Mu sighed, her eyes suddenly reddening: "Actually, how could I not be reluctant to part with you? I only have you and your eldest brother as my children. Although your eldest brother is not married, he is far away in Nanjing. You and your second brother have been abroad for so many years, and now that you've finally returned, you're getting married again. I really... sigh, no matter how good the Song family is, I really wish you would get married a few years later."
Mu Xing quickly moved over and hugged Madam Mu: "Mom! Since you say so, then I won't marry him. I don't care about the Song family or the Liu family, I don't care at all..."
Before she could finish speaking, Mu Xing was suddenly slapped by Madam Mu: "What are you saying, child! How can you not get married!"
Mu Xing: "Alright, then I'll marry you... please stop crying."
"You've ruined my makeup..." Madam Mu gave Mu Xing a disdainful look. "You should hurry up and get married. Honestly, your hair is so short. How are you going to wear a wedding dress? All you do is go out and act like a tomboy. You're such a worry. Do you even remember the divination Master Green Water gave you? Look at your forehead! Stop wearing those suits and robes, you hear me?"
"Okay, okay..." Mu Xing nodded helplessly.
During the next two days at the clinic, Xiao Azhen did not appear, presumably because she had not finished her medicine. Naturally, Bai Yan did not come either.
Mu Xing continued to practice medicine at the charity clinic in the mornings, and in the afternoons, despite Dr. Zhao's disapproval, he tried his best to study. Fortunately, Dr. Zhang was kind-hearted and gave Mu Xing his well-organized medical notes, providing him with many conveniences, for which Mu Xing was very grateful.
After several busy days, the day arrived for the banquet at the Tang Mansion.
Located within the British concession, the Tang Mansion was a residence left behind by warlords who were forced to move north. The renovated mansion is magnificent, with its streamlined European-style architecture surrounded by lush gardens, and its luxury and grandeur need no further explanation.
A row of cars stretched out from outside the garden, like a winding black dragon, containing well-dressed people waiting to catch a glimpse of its bustling prosperity.
Mu Xing followed the elders into the hall. What greeted him was a melodious and light piano piece, a warm and fragrant atmosphere, and the usual hustle and bustle, dullness, and boredom that was exactly as he remembered.
The elders were greeted with rounds of pleasantries and introductions, and naturally, the younger generation, including Mu Xing, were also brought out for an "exhibition." Whether they liked it or not, everyone wore smiles, and everything was so harmonious—except for Madam Mu's occasional disapproving glare at her daughter: Remember, you are a "young lady" of the Mu family, not a "young master"! Don't think that just because you're allowed to wear a suit you can act like a tyrant!
Before leaving home today, Mu Xing begged and pleaded until Madam Mu finally agreed to let her wear a suit. Faced with her mother's warning, she could only lower her head and apologize, but remained resolute in her determination not to repent.
What else can we do? Are we supposed to let her wear a dress and tell Young Master Tang, "Hello, the person you were shopping with the other day was actually the eldest daughter of the Mu family who is about to get married?"
Then she probably can't keep her face anymore.
After the elders had finished exchanging pleasantries, they finally decided to let the younger generation off the hook and allow them to socialize on their own.
As soon as he entered the venue, Mu Xing saw Li Yining, Wang Mengwei and Song Youcheng standing on either side of the hall.
These three men were clearly all poised to capture her, but she only wanted to see one person. So as soon as Madam Mu agreed to let her go, she hurriedly slipped away with her second brother—no, she didn't want her second brother.
"Second brother, you go and have some fun by yourself. I'm going to find some ladies to play with so you won't feel uncomfortable," Mu Xing said, pretending to be very considerate.
Unaware of what was going on, Mu Yun felt that his sister was truly considerate, and hurriedly retreated into the group of men—but there were also many unmarried young ladies eyeing him covetously!
Finally able to be alone, Mu Xing exchanged a glance with Song Youcheng across the crowd, then turned and left the hall, heading towards the garden.
She wanted to clarify with Song Youcheng that she wanted to call off the engagement before the wedding preparations officially began, and also return the engagement bracelet to him.
Stroking the sandalwood box in his hand, Mu Xing lowered his head and walked into the garden when a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Why did Young Master Mu come out alone?" It was Tang Yu.
He laughed and said, "Could it be that the host has been unkind and neglected Young Master Mu?"
Mu Xing quickly put away the sandalwood box and exchanged polite but respectful pleasantries. As she spoke, she glanced back and saw Song Youcheng, who had followed behind, pause and retreat.
Well, she wasn't prepared to have someone eavesdrop on her.
"I am truly ashamed that I did not recognize Young Master Tang that day," Mu Xing said.
Tang Yu said, "Young Master Mu has only recently returned to the country, and I have only just arrived in Wenjiang myself, so it's normal that I don't recognize you."
After exchanging a few perfunctory words with him, Mu Xing was about to find an excuse to leave when Tang Yu suddenly said, "Speaking of which, quite a few friends have come today. The banquet was rather restrained, and I've been thinking of having another gathering. Of course, we'll also have..." He made a knowing look, "I wonder if Young Master Mu would do me the honor of joining us for a get-together?"
Mu Xing received his hint precisely.
Did he want to... go to the brothel again?
She immediately became interested: "That would be great!"
Chapter Thirteen
Having arranged to leave with Tang Yu after nine o'clock, Mu Xing thought for a moment and then tentatively asked, "The two young masters from the Wang and Song families, I suppose they won't be coming with us?" She didn't want to go to a brothel hand in hand with her ex-fiancé.
Tang Yu thought for a moment: "I've heard that Second Young Master Wang never goes to brothels, and as for Third Young Master Song... I heard he's engaged to my sister, so it's not appropriate to invite him again. By the way, didn't my sister come today?"
Mu Xing said without batting an eye, "My younger sister has been bedridden for several days since returning from America due to acclimatization issues. She is very disappointed that she cannot attend the banquet."
Tang Yu said a few polite words of regret before returning to the hall to greet the other guests.
Just as Mu Xing was about to go back to find Song Youcheng, a person suddenly walked out from behind the flower bushes. It was Li Yining.
She frowned at Mu Xing: "You were just saying where you were going to play, so why did you lie to Young Master Tang that you have a younger sister?"
Knowing she was going to ramble on, Mu Xing didn't want to talk much, and only said, "It's just for fun."
Li Yining glanced at her face: "Are you still angry with me?"