Meanwhile, inside the Jinling Hotel.

After Bai Zhiqing hung up the phone with Mu Qingxue, she looked at Luan Hongyue and the others and said, "Qingxue has agreed to go and persuade her grandfather, but I'm not confident of success."

"Let's hope for the best; all we can do now is leave it to fate."

Luan Hongyue sighed deeply. Even with her exceptional intelligence, she had no solutions at this moment. The Yang Family and the Jiang Family were targeting the Lu Family together, leaving no room for schemes or tricks.

She knew very well that the alliance between the Yang Family and the Jiang Family against Lu Tianxing was merely due to Jiang Haochen and Yang Tiansi's personal vendetta with Lu Tianxing. The real clash was about destroying the Lu Family. The united force of several families left no room for politics, only brute strength. In the end, the strongest would win; the weakest would lose and perish.

The room fell silent once again.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Lin Qianru looked at Bai Zhiqing, whose bloodshot eyes and weary face evoked concern, and said gently, "Zhiqing, why don't you get some sleep first? You've been traveling all day because of the situation with me and Xiao Man, you must be exhausted. Rest awhile — Hongyue, Xiao Man, and I will wait here, and we'll call you if Tianxing returns."

"I can't sleep. Perhaps you should rest, while Hongyue, Xiao Man, and I wait."

Bai Zhiqing shook her head softly, truly afraid of missing the chance to see Lu Tianxing first.

"Ah... "

Lin Qianru glanced at Bai Zhiqing's appearance and sighed lightly; if Bai Zhiqing couldn't sleep, neither could she.

Xue Man remained silent, only clenching her fists, guilt deep within her eyes. If she hadn't insisted on acting tough, Lu Tianxing might never have been in trouble, nor would he have been trapped in a scheme.

"Lu Tianxing, you bastard, you're nothing but trouble. You better be okay, otherwise, I'll join you in hell to teach you a lesson."

Xue Man thought to herself, a trace of determination flashing on her pretty face. If something really happened to Lu Tianxing, she would go with him.

Luan Hongyue also did not leave, sitting on the sofa, her beautiful eyes shining as she pondered how to break out of this trap.

...

With news spreading that Old Sir Lu had been ambushed and gravely injured, his life hanging by a thread, a storm was brewing across China. Countless factions were on the move. The Lu Family, the dominant force of Jiangnan for centuries, was finally about to fall.

In a quiet room within the Mu Family estate in Beijing...

Mr. Mu sat on the sofa, sipping tea quietly, his face calm, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts.

Opposite Mr. Mu was an elderly man with graying hair and a somewhat fierce gaze, sipping tea as well.

This old man was the second elder of the Mu Family, the brother of Mr. Mu — Mu Qingliu.

"Brother, you must have heard the news from Jiangnan. Old Master Lu is gravely injured and on the brink of death. Do you still have hope for the Lu Family? Without Lu Tiankuang, who in the Lu Family can resist the combined forces of those families? Qingxue must cease all contact with Lu Tianxing," Mu Qingliu said, taking a sip and placing the teacup heavily on the table.

"Second Brother, if you're here to discuss this with me, I am already aware. If there's nothing else, you should leave. Remember, Qingxue is my granddaughter and yours. Do you really want to see her marry someone she doesn't love and suffer her whole life? When did our Mu Family need to resort to such methods for prosperity?" Mr. Mu replied solemnly, looking at Mu Qingliu.

"Brother, I understand your thoughts, but you know as well that the Third Young Master of the Lu Family is already married. If Qingxue marries him, she would only be a concubine. Do you want our Mu Family to become a laughing stock?"

Mu Qingliu raised his voice, "Moreover, Brother, you know the situation of the Lu Family. With Lu Tiankuang about to die, how long do you think the Lu Family can last? Being indecisive will only invite chaos. Do you want Qingxue to suffer forever or just temporarily? Besides, the Tang Family is the top family in Shu, and Tang Qingyun is the most outstanding talent of his generation. Qingxue would undoubtedly live better marrying into the Tang Family. Feelings can develop over time."

Hearing Mu Qingliu's words, Mr. Mu remained silent, bowing his head in deep thought.

Since Mu Qingxue secretly ran off to Jiangnan, Mr. Mu suspected she had fallen for Lu Tianxing. If Lu Tianxing were unmarried, a marriage between him and Mu Qingxue would have been ideal. However, Lu Tianxing was married, with lingering relationships with other women. Under such circumstances, marrying Mu Qingxue to him would be a disgrace the Mu Family couldn't accept, even if he agreed. The rest of the Mu Family wouldn't consent, especially given the dire situation of the Lu Family, a clear losing battle. Who would willingly step into such peril?

"Brother, think carefully. The Lu Family is like a clay idol crossing the river, unable to protect itself. The Jiang, Yang, and Tang families are united—do you think the Lu Family can hold on? It's better to pull Qingxue out before she gets too deeply involved, or it will be too late for regrets," Mu Qingliu continued to persuade.

"Alas, Second Brother, you should understand Qingxue's temperament. Forcing her to do something might backfire," Mr. Mu sighed. He hoped for Qingxue's marriage to the Tang Family but had to consider her feelings.

"Brother, Qingxue is part of the Mu Family and must accept the arrangements of the Mu Family. Also, I believe Qingxue understands this. Don't you want to see the Mu Family grow stronger in your lifetime?"

Just as Mr. Mu was about to speak, brisk footsteps were heard from outside, and the door was knocked upon and opened. Mu Qingxue, face full of anxiety, entered hurriedly.

"Qingxue, why are you here at Grandpa's so late?"

Mr. Mu looked at Mu Qingxue entering, his eyes filled with indulgence, yet he sighed inwardly, almost guessing her reason for coming at this hour.

"Thud."

Seeing her grandfather and her second grandpa Mu Qingliu, Mu Qingxue paused briefly but quickly composed herself, falling to her knees, tearfully looking at Mr. Mu with a face full of pleading, "Grandfather, I beg you, please save Tianxing. Qingxue has never asked anything of you, but this time I'm begging, grandfather, please help me..."

Mu Qingxue's voice carried a sobbing tone, full of entreaty. Her heartbroken appearance made one want to wrap her in a comforting embrace.

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