Chapter 47: Fiercely Protective
With a few deft words, Si Qingchen effortlessly diverted the attention that had been fixed on the two of them, effortlessly resolving Mu Qingcheng’s embarrassment as well. He cared little for what others thought of him—after all, he truly did harbor wayward intentions toward Mu Qingcheng. Yet, his intervention was prompted by his inability to bear the shy discomfort of the little one at his side. Every gesture and expression of Mu Qingcheng’s mattered deeply to him; the slightest unease would not escape his notice.
Moreover, he could hardly let it go when the little one had been wronged. The Si family had always been known for their generosity, but when it came to their own, they were fiercely protective—sometimes to an unreasonable degree. And this time... not even a moment could be wasted.
Ever since Mu Qingcheng’s injury was mentioned, Old Master Mu’s expression had sunk to its lowest ebb. Now, hearing Si Bei’s voice, his suppressed anger became all the more apparent as he spoke in a tone that brooked no argument. “Siyah, what exactly are you trying to do?”
“I... I see there’s nothing more for me here, so I’ll... I’ll take my leave,” Ran Siyah stammered, clearly guilty. Without another word, she hurried toward the door, caring nothing for decorum. But before the Mu family could react, Si Bei had already stepped forward, blocking her path.
“You...” Ran Siyah looked up, only to see an imposing man, his expression cold as ice, standing before her as immovable as a mountain. The force of his presence was enough to make her heart race with dread. Never before had the pampered Miss Ran encountered such a scene; tears welled in her eyes from grievance. After all, what harm could a young lady like her possibly intend?
At that moment, Old Master Mu spoke again, each word deliberate and commanding. “Siyah, come here and sit down. Tell me clearly—how exactly did your sister get hurt today? Matters concerning the Mu family, I want to hear from your own lips.”
Upon hearing this, Mu Qingcheng’s hands stilled their restless movement. Her eyes narrowed, a glint of icy disdain flickering within them. Her grandfather’s meaning was obvious—did he find Si Qingchen meddlesome?
“Si Bei, you may go for now,” Si Qingchen, well-versed in such situations, anticipated the mood and promptly dismissed his subordinate. Then, as if nothing were amiss, he continued, “Sir, it’s not that I wish to interfere in the Mu family’s affairs. It’s simply that Qingcheng was injured at my estate; naturally, I must offer an explanation.”
He looked at Mu Qingcheng without the slightest attempt to conceal his feelings, then his tone cooled as he added, “Besides, the incident today involved one of my stables’ most docile ponies. Miss Ran rode that horse earlier as well. I simply cannot understand how it became wild only when it was in Qingcheng’s hands.”
“I must ask Miss Ran to explain this matter.”
He was, after all, a man of formidable reputation. Even when facing elders, he maintained an unyielding composure. Si Qingchen nearly laid bare Old Master Mu’s misgivings, yet in the same breath, he entwined the Mu family’s ‘domestic affair’ with his own interests, making them inseparable. Now, even if Old Master Mu wished to protect his own, he had no choice but to provide the Si family with an explanation as well.
Such brazen cunning made Mu Qingcheng’s lips curl in a secret, amused smile—a detail not lost on the man beside her.
At this point, Ran Siyah, realizing there was no escape, could only steel herself and approach Old Master Mu. He regarded her, his anger barely restrained and threatening to erupt at any moment. Everyone knew Old Master Mu detested family discord, especially after that incident all those years ago. Now, before his granddaughters had even officially entered the same school, rumors of their strife had already broken out in public. And to have the aggrieved party come to his door for an explanation only made it worse, leaving his mind in turmoil.
His expression grew colder still as he looked at Ran Siyah.