The situation seemed dire, but Mu Zhi’an believed it was still salvageable.

However, he couldn’t save himself.

He needed someone to rescue him.

And that person… she would definitely come.

She was probably nearby, observing the unfolding drama with cold amusement.

He took another sip of tea, wondering how to summon his savior.

He heard footsteps approaching, and his heart leaped with hope.

The curtain to the room was pulled open, and a beautiful woman in a black dress, her figure alluring, entered, carrying a delicate wooden box.

It was Huang Manting.

She wasn’t the one he was waiting for, but she would suffice if she was clever enough, and willing to help.

She wasn’t his enemy, but she wasn’t his friend either.

She was simply a dominant young mistress who wanted to steal him from Bai Ruoxi.

Her presence here wasn’t surprising. News of the commotion in his private room would have reached her ears.

She surveyed the room, her gaze lingering on Lan Mulian, then on Bai Ruoxi, then on Ye Qian, who was staring at the floor, her expression downcast.

Finally, she looked at Ye Lingxuan, her elegance and poise undeniable.

She sensed the tension, the unspoken accusations, and a knowing smile spread across her lips.

The Mu family’s young master was quite capable.

She set the box down on the table, her voice smooth and alluring.

“I came to deliver the root you acquired, Young Master Mu.”

She had simply wanted to interact with him again, but she had stumbled upon a much more entertaining scene.

He coughed, his voice a bit strained. “Is there anything else, Miss Huang?”

He gave her a meaningful look.

She chuckled, her eyes twinkling. “No, it seems you’re occupied. I won’t disturb you any further. Please enjoy yourselves~”

She turned and left, her hips swaying seductively, a mischievous smile on her lips.

Mu Zhi’an’s smile faltered.

I knew it. I was right not to rely on her. That vixen…

Bai Ruoxi sighed softly. “I apologize for any trouble my Mu Lang might have caused. When we return to the Mu Manor, I’ll have a talk with him, and we’ll make sure such misunderstandings never happen again.”

She seemed delicate and fragile, but her words were sharp, her intentions clear. She looked at Mu Zhi’an, a charming smile on her lips. “Isn’t that right, Mu Lang?”

Ye Lingxuan frowned, and Ye Qian, who had been staring at the floor, looked up, her eyes wide with hurt. Lan Mulian also looked at him, her gaze cold and expectant.

Mu Zhi’an, forced to respond, said, “Ruoxi, I already showed you Miss Huang’s invitation.”

“Yes, I know she invited you to accompany her to the auction,” Bai Ruoxi replied, her smile unwavering. “I don’t mind you spending time with Miss Huang, or with Miss Ye, or with Miss Qian. I’m sure there’s a misunderstanding. We’ll discuss it later, to avoid any unnecessary complications, alright?”

She seemed gentle and yielding, but her words were a trap. If he agreed, he would be acknowledging their relationship, elevating her above the others.

She shouldn’t be so assertive. She was supposed to be the delicate, fragile beauty. Mu Zhi’an, his headache intensifying, marveled at the complexity of the female heart.

Ye Lingxuan suddenly spoke, her voice sweet and clear. “You two have such a wonderful relationship, Sister Ruoxi.”

“Even though Brother Mu used to frequent pleasure houses and harbor inappropriate thoughts about other women, I always believed he was a good person at heart. It’s heartwarming to see him… captivated by your charm.”

Her words sounded like praise, but there was a subtle bite to them. Are you complimenting me, or insulting me? Mu Zhi’an wondered, staring at her, his emotions a tangled mess.

He had to stop this before Bai Ruoxi turned into Dark Bai Ruoxi.

His savior wouldn’t be Huang Manting, nor the foolish Ye Yu.

He looked towards the curtain, feigning surprise. “Mengrou, is there something you need?”

It was his only option.

No one could possibly defuse this situation.

He could offer a thousand explanations, but they wouldn’t listen. They were angry, and anything he said would be wrong, only making things worse.

He had to separate them, then deal with them individually.

He wasn’t worried about losing their affection.

They knew he wasn’t a “good person.” They had chosen to interact with him despite his flaws.

His relationship with Bai Ruoxi, his presence at the auction with the Ye sisters, would only annoy them.

And a scoundrel wasn’t afraid of annoyance. He was afraid of indifference.

When your actions no longer elicited any emotional response… it was time to surrender and start over.

As expected, they all turned to look at the curtain.

But there was no response.

He was about to call out again when the curtain was pulled open, and a woman in a yellow dress entered the room.

Her expression was cold, her gaze sweeping over them before settling on Mu Zhi’an.

Seeing his usual confidence shattered, his smile strained, Wei Mengrou couldn’t help but smirk.

It was satisfying to see him suffer.

“Young Master, there’s been an incident at the manor. You need to return immediately,” she said, her voice cool and indifferent.

The other women had played their parts. Now it was her turn to shine.

Mu Zhi’an, relieved, stood up, feigning concern. “An incident?”

He looked at the others. Bai Ruoxi’s eyes were downcast, her expression unreadable. Lan Mulian held her teacup, her gaze icy. Ye Lingxuan stared at him, her eyes filled with distrust. Ye Qian wouldn’t meet his gaze, her head lowered.

Their attitudes had shifted dramatically. Even Bai Ruoxi, usually so gentle and affectionate, was ignoring him.

One trip to the auction house and he had ruined everything.

At least they haven’t discovered the snow lotuses. He sighed inwardly, a flicker of gratitude amidst the despair.

This misadventure seemed disastrous, but if he could just escape this room, he could salvage the situation eventually.

And leaving wouldn’t be difficult. He was only officially involved with Bai Ruoxi. The others couldn’t object to his departure.

However, his efforts with the Ye sisters were probably wasted. And Lan Mulian wouldn’t speak to him for a while.

“Since there’s an urgent matter at the manor, and the auction is almost over. I’ll take my leave.”

He coughed, his voice a bit strained. “We’ll see each other again.”

As expected, no one stopped him.

If their affection for him was as strong as Bai Ruoxi’s, he wouldn’t have escaped so easily. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or to lament his inefficiency.

He left the room with Wei Mengrou, his gaze meeting Ye Yu’s.

Ye Yu smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. “It seems your philandering ways have finally caught up to you, Young Master Mu.”

Mu Zhi’an, his mood sour, ignored him.

Enjoy your petty victory while it lasts… Ye Yu thought to himself, then turned to the Ye sisters, who had emerged from the room.

“Lingxuan, let me escort you back to the manor.”

This incident had sparked a sense of urgency within him. If he didn’t act, his cousins would be stolen from him.

However, Ye Lingxuan, holding her sister’s hand, declined politely but firmly. “Thank you for the offer, Brother Ye Yu, but our carriage is waiting.”

While Mu Zhi’an’s behavior had upset her, Ye Yu’s actions were even more repulsive.

Ultimately, Mu Zhi’an had kept his promise, even rejecting the advances of two beautiful women to meet with them.

The only problem was his relationship with Bai Ruoxi, and her bold declaration.

Lan Mulian also emerged from the room, her gaze sweeping over Ye Yu coldly before she descended the stairs gracefully.

She didn’t leave, however. She went backstage, where Feiying was waiting for her.

…

The carriage rattled along the street towards the Mu Manor, Mu Zhi’an lost in thought.

Wei Mengrou sat across from him, her beauty as striking as ever, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.

“I won’t help you next time,” she said suddenly.

Her expression was cold and impassive. She knew exactly what he had been up to.

“Did you arrange for someone to escort Ruoxi back?” he asked.

Bai Ruoxi was angry. She wouldn’t ride in the same carriage as him.

Wei Mengrou nodded curtly. “But she might not return to the manor.”

If she didn’t return, it meant she was truly angry. He would have to visit the Bai Manor. He glanced at Wei Mengrou, her figure alluring, her profile beautiful.

She smirked, her voice laced with amusement. “You’re all alone again, Young Master.”

“Even if I am, I still have you,” he replied with a chuckle.

She scoffed, her expression unchanging, her amusement turning into disdain.

She leaned back, her gaze drifting towards the window.

After a long silence, she lowered her eyes, her emotions hidden.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay