A deep male voice suddenly rang out behind her, startling even Mu Yunjin. She silently cursed herself for not paying attention to her surroundings while slowly turning around.

Perhaps because the voice was indeed very loud, Mu Lingzhu and the middle-aged woman who had been in the courtyard now walked out through the gate.

Upon seeing the scene at the courtyard entrance, Mu Lingzhu smiled imperceptibly, then bowed slightly to the person at the gate. “Father, Sister.”

Hearing the title “Father,” Mu Yunjin’s eyelids twitched slightly, and she too pretended to bow.

“Kneel!” The Minister glared at Mu Yunjin standing before him, all his displeasure written on his face.

The Mu family was considered among the elite in the entire Western Yuan Kingdom, with each generation producing extraordinary individuals. Yet in this generation, they had the misfortune of having Mu Yunjin, such an incompetent person—timid and meek in her daily life, with little to say, making her entirely unsuitable for refined society. She had single-handedly lowered the Mu family’s prestige by a level, truly the family’s greatest stain.

Therefore, whenever the Minister saw Mu Yunjin, he always felt he had failed his ancestors. Even though she had the face of a heavenly beauty, in the Minister’s view, without real substance, it was still in vain.

On the other side, Big Madam Su Biqing, who stood beside Mu Lingzhu, also spoke up, “Yunjin, how dare you leave Shihua Pavilion without your father’s permission? You truly don’t know your place.”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin’s lips curved slightly upward. She directly ignored the Minister’s words and fixed her gaze on Big Madam Su Biqing. “I merely came out for a walk. Mother, saying I ‘don’t know my place’ seems a bit harsh.”

…

…

“You…” Su Biqing’s face instantly turned ashen, having never imagined that Mu Yunjin would dare to talk back to her.

Beside her, the Minister watched this scene and immediately roared in anger, “Rebellious daughter! You dare to talk back to your mother? Kneel before me!”

Hearing the Minister’s voice again, Mu Yunjin maintained a faint smile on her face. It seemed this Minister truly despised Mu Yunjin. In just three sentences since they met, every word was filled with rage. Now he even called her a “rebellious daughter.”

Mu Yunjin, oh Mu Yunjin, you have truly suffered.

“What if I don’t kneel?” Mu Yunjin slightly raised her chin, her gaze meeting the Minister’s already reddened eyes directly.

Mu Yunjin’s words startled all three people before her. They never imagined that such words would come from Mu Yunjin’s mouth.

Especially the Minister, who was accustomed to seeing Mu Yunjin as timid as a mouse. Hearing her say such words now, he instantly felt his authority challenged, and his anger intensified. He raised his hand, ready to strike Mu Yunjin.

Before the Minister’s hand could land, Mu Yunjin stepped back, steadily avoiding his swing.

Watching the scene before her, Mu Lingzhu covered her mouth and smiled, then addressed Mu Yunjin calmly, “Sister, even though you are about to marry into the Sixth Prince’s household and become the future wife of the Sixth Prince, you are still unmarried. Father and Mother have raised you for so many years; you should still respect your parents.”

Hearing Mu Lingzhu’s words, Mu Yunjin glanced at her indifferently, thinking to herself that Mu Lingzhu was indeed capable. In just a few sentences, she had painted her as an ungrateful white-eyed wolf.

“I was wondering where your courage came from today, leaving without permission and talking back to both me and your father. So it’s because you think you’re going to be the Sixth Prince’s wife.” Su Biqing spoke, her eyes revealing contempt.

After a pause, Su Biqing glanced at Mu Yunjin, then looked at the Minister and spoke softly, “My lord, as you can see, this girl Yunjin is truly unsuitable for refined society.”

“If not, tomorrow I shall go to the palace and report today’s events truthfully to Empress Qin, and request that Empress Qin cancel this marriage or perhaps choose someone else?”

The Minister heard Su Biqing’s words and frowned deeply, but eventually nodded, agreeing with Su Biqing’s suggestion.

Mu Yunjin watched as these three family members worked in concert against her and couldn’t resist the urge to pour cold water on their plans.

So, Mu Yunjin spoke in a chilling tone, “If that’s the case, then tomorrow I shall visit Empress Qin together with Mother.”

“There are many things I’d like to discuss properly with Empress Qin.”

“For instance, Empress Qin doesn’t know that I’ve been confined in the mansion for years. Father has been deceiving Empress Qin about this matter…”