Fortunately, Suyi had not promised to come back with him.
The old master’s birthday was just around the corner. Hai Rong was going to leave after a few days. They would never meet each other.
“Grandmaster Hai Rong, my father’s illness depends on you. I hope that it’s not troublesome for you.”
“Troublesome?” Hai Rong laughed. “I’m indebted to that young girl and I’m also Huan’er’s master. Treat the old master’s illness is my responsibility. It is late now. I have some business with Qian Kun. I’ll take my leave now.”
He smoothed his long sleeves when he finished talking. He got up from his seat.
He stopped walking and turned around to ask Mu Ling something that he had suddenly thought of. “By the way, I heard from the people of the Mu family that the old master dislikes Qingyan. Is that true?”
Mu Ling’s facial expression changed. He was infuriated.
Just who on earth gossiped about that in front of Grandmaster Hai Rong?
“Grandmaster Hai Rong, there’s nothing like that. The old master has been not quite himself recently. He is unable to think properly given that he’s ill. Qingyan is my mother’s niece. Why would my father dislike her?”
Hai Rong was rather displeased with what Mu Ling said.
Who would claim that one’s father was unable to think straight?
But, it did not concern him much because it was another family’s problem. He did not give much comment on that.
“Fine. I’m just telling you what I heard. One thing you need to remember. Old Master Mu Ling could not be provoked. If he dislikes Qingyan, just ask her not to appear in front of him. If he is provoked, his illness might worsen…”
Mu Ling felt awkward.
Qingyan had treated his mother nicely. If his father’s illness grew serious because of Qingyan…
“In fact, I don’t want to put my nose into other people’s affairs. But, I heard some rumors in the Mu family. Qingyan claimed that the young girl is her elder sister. So, I need to give you some advice. What a bastardly thing you have done. Mu Ling, I have always thought that you’re a responsible man when I first met you. You would never do what you have done by abandoning your wife and choosing your concubine over your wife.”
Mu Ling’s lips trembled. “Grandmaster Hai Rong, it’s impossible that I will do that. I am always hoping that my wife would come back. It’s her who is unwilling to…”
Grandmaster Hai Rong shook his head helplessly.
He would never have gotten involved in the Mu family’s affairs if Qingyang was not that young girl’s sister. He had said that for that young girl’s reputation.
However…
Hai Rong could not help but frown again when he remembered what he had heard at the Mu family. “Qingyan is your cousin. Her elder sister is your cousin too, isn’t it? But, why have I never heard of her?”
Mu Ling was rather anxious now. He remained calm. “She’s a distant relative. She came to us because something had happened to her family. But, she’s unwilling to trouble us so she did not stay here. The people from the Mu family do not know about her. Initially, I had promised Qingyan to take care of her so I traveled the world with her. That was when we got to know you.”
“Oh!” Hai Rong learned of the bigger picture now. “That’s what has happened. I thought that she’s Qingyan’s younger sister. Since she’s a distant relative and no one knows about her, it won’t matter much. But, you should be careful. Your wife will always be your wife. A concubine is just a concubine and she could never be compared to your wife.”
Mu Ling lowered his head. “I’ll heed your advice and be more careful in the future.”
“I’ll not say much. Mu Ling, the old master is my patient now. I don’t want anybody to provoke him and influence his health. If this condition continues, I’ll never treat his illness again.”
