His entire family perished in battle; he rose from the ashes to conquer the world.

He certainly hoped that Mu Yuan could stay at the mansion, but he also did not want to get involved with the Crown Prince.

Having served as an official for many years, Xu Wei had long since seen through the ways of officialdom. He often observed that those who were most likely to inherit the throne would ultimately miss out on it due to various factors.

Currying favor with the crown prince is not a good thing, but a bad thing.

Unfortunately, he couldn't explain these things to his wife. If she spread them around, the Xu family would suffer as a result.

Xu Wei hesitated to make a choice, and Madam Xu looked impatient:

"Give me a clear answer!"

"Madam, please allow me a few days to consider this." Xu Wei was truly forced into a corner and could only use the excuse of consideration to stall for time, hoping that his wife would forget about the matter in a few days.

"Coward!" Madam Xu said with disdain, "I'm only giving you three days. If you don't give me a clear answer after three days, I won't show the same mercy as today. I'll kick Mu Yuan and the others out!"

After saying this, Madam Xu left without looking back.

Xu Wei was left standing there, at a loss.

He glanced back at where Mu Yuan lived, and the next moment, he froze.

But Mu Yuan was standing not far away.

Xu Wei panicked immediately. He didn't know when Mu Yuan had stood there, or whether Mu Yuan had heard the whole conversation between him and his wife, or only part of it.

"Nephew, it's so late, why aren't you resting?"

Xu Wei walked towards Mu Yuan, seemingly showing concern for him, but actually testing Mu Yuan's attitude. He wanted to see how much of his conversation with his wife he had overheard from the following exchange.

"Uncle Xu, I'm sorry to have troubled you." Mu Yuan looked at Xu Wei, who looked embarrassed, and sighed deeply, his emotions complicated.

Xu Wei was a high-ranking official of the second rank, wielding great power. Who would dare to bow down to him?

He was terrified of his wife, fearing her to death.

Upon hearing Mu Yuan's words, Xu Wei realized that Mu Yuan had probably heard every single word of their conversation.

"Nephew, don't laugh at your Uncle Xu for being weak. I will remember the kindness I have received for a thousand years. Back then, my wife's family did help me a lot, so it is only right that I tolerate it." Xu Wei revealed a smile that was more like a grimace.

It is clear that he had many grievances against his wife, but had been suppressing them because of the help she received from her family back then.

"Uncle Xu is a grateful person, I know that too. However, sometimes being too grateful will not earn you equal respect, but will instead encourage some bad habits!" Mu Yuan advised.

Upon hearing this, Xu Wei remained silent.

He knew, of course, that Mu Yuan's advice was well-intentioned, but over the years, he had developed a habit of doing things his own way. Trying to reassert his husbandly authority might just throw the house into chaos and cause a great deal of turmoil.

Seeing that he remained silent, Mu Yuan understood Xu Wei's thoughts, so he stopped trying to persuade him and turned to go back to his room to rest.

The next day.

Mu Yuan had just gotten up and hadn't had time to wash up yet.

A maid from the Xu household knocked on Mu Yuan's door.

Upon opening the door, one sees a maid carrying a tray filled with various exquisite breakfast items.

"Your Highness, this is breakfast that Madam specially ordered me to bring to you," the maid said timidly.

Mu Yuan was already used to Madam Xu's profit-driven behavior, and replied to the maid indifferently, "Put the breakfast on the table, and you can go and get back to work."

"Yes."

The maid placed the breakfast on the table and turned to leave.

Not long after.

Qin Hongxiu arrived at Mu Yuan's room.

Seeing the exquisite breakfast on the table, she picked up a pastry and exclaimed in surprise, "These are pastries from Liubiju! Such popular breakfasts, who delivered them?"

Mu Yuan wiped his face with a towel as he responded to Qin Hongxiu:

"Who else could it be but Madam Xu?"

"She's really willing to spend a fortune. Liu Bi Ju only makes three batches of breakfast a day, and once they're sold out, they're gone. Not only are they expensive, but many high-ranking officials and nobles can't even get their hands on them," Qin Hongxiu exclaimed.

She was born and raised in the capital, and has a thorough understanding of things happening in the capital.

"Is that so?" Mu Yuan smiled calmly.

Recalling Xu Wei's conversation with Madam Xu last night, and then Madam Xu buying such an expensive breakfast, Mu Yuan had already made a judgment in his mind. Madam Xu probably wanted to gain a good impression of herself through this method, and then let Xu Wei curry favor with the Crown Prince.

Although Madam Xu was indeed helping Xu Wei by doing this.

But in the long run...

It will only drag the Xu family into an endless abyss.

With the imperial power changing hands, various forces are stirring up trouble, and no one knows who the final winner will be. Making bets too early could very well result in total loss!

This is truly a case of good intentions gone wrong!

Just as Mu Yuan was pondering.

Qin Hongxiu picked up a piece of pastry and put it to Mu Yuan's mouth: "Don't think too much at this time. The most important thing is to fill your stomach first."

Mu Yuan opened his mouth to take the pastries Qin Hongxiu offered, and said with a smile:

"What? Only one night has passed, and you're already not saddened by what happened at the Qin residence?"

Qin Hongxiu said nonchalantly:

"Now that I've clearly refused to remarry, and as for my father, you said he's acting strangely, let's wait and see how things develop! Having figured all this out, why should I still be sad?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yuan smiled knowingly and said:

"You're quite optimistic."

"If you can't let go of your worries, you're just asking for trouble."

Qin Hongxiu picked up a pastry and put it in her mouth. You couldn't tell that she was sullen yesterday, but today she has completely emerged from the gloom.

I've had breakfast.

Mu Yuan and Qin Hongxiu were getting ready to go out.

However, as they passed through the hall, Madam Xu called out to them.

Her face was full of smiles.

"Madam Xu, is there something you need?" Mu Yuan asked, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes as he saw her beaming with joy.

"I was just about to come find you."

Madam Xu's joy was evident in her words.

"Looking for me?"

Mu Yuan frowned slightly.

"The Fourth Prince has sent someone to invite you to his residence to discuss important matters," Madam Xu said, pointing to the hall inside. "The person just arrived; they're inside."

Upon hearing this, Mu Yuan looked into the hall.

He had just met the Crown Prince yesterday, and today the Fourth Prince sent someone to invite him again.

This is a clandestine struggle for imperial power.

It looks very intense.

"Don't keep the guests waiting, hurry up and go inside." Madam Xu practically pushed Mu Yuan into the hall.

As far as Madam Xu was concerned, the more Mu Yuan was courted by the princes, the more valuable he would be to her. In this way, she could have Xu Wei curry favor with the princes and make the Xu family even stronger!

in the hall.

As soon as Mu Yuan entered, he saw a man dressed as a scholar sitting in a chair.

The scholar immediately stood up when he saw Mu Yuan arrive.

"Ouyang Xiu greets Prince Mu."

Ouyang Xiu bowed and clasped his hands in greeting, displaying impeccable manners and exuding the refined elegance of a scholar in every word and action.

"Did the Fourth Prince send you?" Mu Yuan asked.

"That's right," Ouyang Xiu nodded.