I Am Her Secret Beauty - Chapter 73

Realizing this issue now seemed a bit too late.

Perhaps because she had always been swept along by the tides of fate, Mu Xi only now discovered that she had never truly calmed her mind to carefully consider this most critical question.

So, what if they were the same person?

Her own thoughts from five years ago, even she herself didn’t know them.

A scoundrel losing their memories and turning into a kind-hearted, good person… that wasn’t an impossibility.

Only when standing before Nan Zhiya, bringing this matter to the table for a serious discussion, did Mu Xi realize she actually had no confidence to promise Nan Zhiya anything.

In front of her mother, the person who had loved her for nearly twenty-six years, she couldn’t tolerate even the possibility of a lie.

So, Mu Xi fell silent, stopping abruptly at “I don’t remember what happened.”

It made her seem even more like a heartless scoundrel refusing to take responsibility.

“Mu Xi? Do you have a headache?”

Nan Xi, seeing her suddenly go quiet and lower her head, leaned halfway off the sofa, trying to see if her expression showed any pain.

But she didn’t see Mu Xi in pain, only a kind of inexplicable confusion.

No matter what was troubling Mu Xi’s thoughts, the timing was all wrong.

Nan Xi had no choice but to speak for her: “Mom, what happened back then was an accident. Someone kidnapped and hurt her, which caused Mu Xi’s brain injury. So, she didn’t mean to hurt me. You can’t use this as a reason to break us up.”

“How can you prove it?” Nan Zhiya remained unmoved. “You’ve been in City Z for over a week. If you had found anything, I should have seen a complete chain of evidence by now.”

…

She was right. Nan Xi couldn’t produce any solid, irrefutable evidence right now, otherwise, they wouldn’t have to take turns arguing like this.

The more Nan Xi thought about it, the angrier and more wronged she felt. One misstep had led to everlasting regret. Mu Xi had finally returned to her and they were together again, only to run into Nan Zhiya’s opposition.

It was all her own fault, all her own fault. If only she had been more cautious and careful, then Mu Xi wouldn’t be suffering like this because of her.

Nan Zhiya watched as her daughter’s lips quivered and tears were about to fall, letting out a slow sigh.

Ever since she and Nan Lian had grown apart, she had reflected a lot. Then, after what Nan Xi said to her some time ago, Nan Zhiya had been constantly rethinking and changing her attitude toward her family.

She now fully understood that control couldn’t be selfishly justified in the name of love. So, when Nan Xi proposed moving out to live with Mu Xi, even though her first instinct was to oppose it, she had agreed and even given her the house in advance.

If possible, Nan Zhiya didn’t want to be at odds with her daughter again like this, not when their relationship had almost improved.

But the shadow Mu Xi had left on her was just too deep.

Five years ago, Nan Zhiya had almost lost her younger daughter. She still remembered how distraught Nan Xi had been back then, how she had given up on herself while threatening them not to investigate the other person’s identity.

Nan Zhiya utterly despised the one who had abandoned her younger daughter after ruining her. It had nothing to do with business rivalries or positions, it was pure malice and evil.

Now, seeing everything about to repeat itself, Nan Zhiya absolutely could not stand by and do nothing.

If Mu Xi was innocent, then she at least needed to prove her innocence. Otherwise, how could Nan Zhiya allow her to stay by Nan Xi’s side?

…Was that a bit too harsh?

Nan Zhiya softened her tone: “I’m not trying to tear you two apart. Of course, I want you to be happy. But Nan Xi, you have to understand me too, how can I feel at ease letting you be with someone who once hurt you?”

The goodwill she tried hard to convey in her words was successfully picked up by Nan Xi.

This made Nan Xi even more upset, because she could understand Nan Zhiya’s perspective.

That feeling made her like a mute who couldn’t speak, clearly knowing in her heart that Mu Xi was innocent, yet having no way to prove it to Nan Zhiya.

What should she do now? Was she going to have another cold war with her mother?

“I have no way,” Nan Xi bit her lower lip, her fingers gripping the edge of the sofa. “I’m too useless. If I were more capable, maybe I could prove Mu Xi’s innocence. But I can’t.”

Mu Xi turned sideways and saw how dejected Nan Xi looked at that moment.

She was useless too. She might know what to do, but after stepping down as the Nan family’s butler, she no longer had access to the resources she needed.

So, in the end, she was still useless.

But no matter what, she had to try again because she didn’t want to be separated from Nan Xi either.

“Madam, could you give us a little more time?” Mu Xi pleaded, not daring to meet Nan Zhiya’s eyes, as if she knew her request was too much to ask. “We have some leads now, but we still need to verify them.”

Nan Zhiya stared at her without speaking.

Ever since she found out who Mu Xi really was, her desire to speak with Mu Xi had plummeted. Besides, what Mu Xi was saying now wasn’t something she wanted to hear.

But Nan Xi chimed in: “Our trip to City Z wasn’t completely fruitless. Sister also helped us find some clues…”

“Nan Lian? She knows about this too?” Nan Zhiya couldn’t help but frown and interrupt.

Nan Xi felt like she had said something she shouldn’t have and immediately shut her mouth.

“You mean, after Nan Lian found out that Mu Xi was the person from five years ago, not only did she not oppose you two, but she even helped you?”

Nan Zhiya couldn’t make sense of it. The conflict between her and Nan Lian had nothing to do with Nan Xi. She had thought that if Nan Lian knew about this, she would definitely stand on the same side as her.

But Nan Zhiya wasn’t someone easily swayed.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have remained formidable all these years, to the point of almost treating her own children like subordinates.

In fact, she had already thought of a plan.

Even though Nan Xi would still oppose it, it was milder than either tearing them apart outright or letting them be together freely.

If Mu Xi had any decency left, she should accept this compromise.

“I can help you investigate too,” Nan Zhiya said calmly.

Nan Xi’s heart stirred, as if a flame of hope had ignited before her eyes: “Really?”

“Really.”

But when Nan Xi looked up and saw her mother’s expression, she felt that tiny spark of hope extinguish with a splash.

How could she not recognize that curve at the corner of Nan Zhiya’s lips? Since childhood, whenever she tried to bargain with Nan Zhiya, she had never once come out on top.

Nan Zhiya was well-versed in negotiation tactics and business fairness. Of course, she would dangle an attractive offer first, just to lure her in.

“But there’s a condition, right?” Nan Xi deflated once again.

“Yes.”

Nan Zhiya shot her an approving look.

She began stating her conditions: “My requirement is that until I uncover the truth of the matter, the two of you must temporarily separate and not stay together.”

“…” She knew it.

Having been worn down by Nan Zhiya too many times, Nan Xi was beginning to understand her methods.

Just as Nan Zhiya had anticipated, Nan Xi immediately rejected the proposal: “No.”

But it didn’t matter. This suggestion wasn’t meant to extract a promise from Nan Xi in the first place. What Nan Zhiya wanted to see was Mu Xi’s attitude.

“What do you think?” Nan Zhiya finally deigned to look directly at Mu Xi.

Mu Xi glanced at Nan Xi.

They both knew Nan Xi would never agree.

But Mu Xi felt…

If the truth was bound to come out sooner or later, then making some concessions to expedite the process wasn’t entirely unacceptable.

She was well aware of Nan Zhiya’s capabilities. In truth, both Nan Lian and Nan Xi had relied on the influence of Yaori, using Nan Zhiya’s channels to get things done.

Moreover, Nan Zhiya was too experienced, shrewd, and even ruthless. She knew exactly how to handle such matters because she had done it countless times before.

If Nan Zhiya was willing to help them investigate…

Seeing the flicker in Mu Xi’s eyes, Nan Xi knew she had already agreed inwardly.

“Don’t nod, don’t nod,” Nan Xi whispered repeatedly to Mu Xi, but Mu Xi only responded with an apologetic look.

It’s over.

How had they already been torn apart from within?

“It seems you’ve made your decision,” Nan Zhiya said, somewhat satisfied. “If you’re certain of your innocence, this decision will surely benefit you.”

“…Thank you, Madam.”

Nan Xi really wanted to give Mu Xi a beating. If Nan Zhiya weren’t her mother but some peer, she’d have loved to pack the two of them together and give them both a thrashing.

Even though she couldn’t overpower either of them, pinching their arms a few times would at least vent some of her frustration.

But since Mu Xi had already made her stance clear, hitting her would be pointless.

“Are you going to lock me up, then?” Nan Xi gritted her teeth. Though she was speaking to Nan Zhiya, her eyes were fixed fiercely on Mu Xi, making the latter shrink in shame. “Otherwise, I’ll find a way to go to her no matter what.”

“No.”

Nan Zhiya had already reflected deeply on this. How could she possibly do such a thing? That would only push her daughter further away.

She raised her hand and pointed at Mu Xi. “I’m going to lock her up.”

If she couldn’t lock up her own daughter, she could certainly lock up a scoundrel who had done wrong.

Mu Xi: “?”

Nan Xi: “?”

“Just keep her in the house. There are plenty of empty rooms here, and Mu Xi is familiar enough with the place. You can choose any vacant room you like to stay in, as long as you don’t leave. Of course, I’ll have the butler lock the door.”

Nan Zhiya turned to Sean, who had been keeping her head down and shrinking into the corner. “Trouble you, butler. Please make sure she doesn’t come out.”

The new butler, who had a very low presence, immediately accepted the order: “Yes, Madam.”

“…”

The arrangements were so thorough that Nan Xi couldn’t find any room to maneuver.

Mu Xi might have found a way, but she was too honest, especially in front of Nan Zhiya, where she resembled a quail. At this point, she was probably already thinking about which empty room would be best to stay in.

Sure enough, Nan Xi soon heard her speak up: “Can I stay in Nan Xi’s old room?”

“No,” Nan Zhiya flatly refused.

“Apologies, Madam,” Mu Xi apologized instantly, pursing her lips as she said, “Then I’ll choose the guest room at the southernmost end of the first floor.”

“Agreed.”

Nan Zhiya said to Nan Xi, “Then you may leave.”

“…”

“If you’d like to stay a while longer, I don’t mind. I happen to be in the mood for some tea with company.”

“Fine.” Nan Xi squeezed the word out through gritted teeth, then shot Mu Xi a fierce glare. “It’s been a long time since I had tea with Mom. I miss the taste of home-brewed tea.”

This couldn’t be blamed on Nan Zhiya.

She had merely offered a choice, it was Mu Xi who agreed to her suggestion.

Damn it, Mom really knows how to use tactics.

By now, she was already blaming Mu Xi and couldn’t even spare the energy to blame her mother.

Nan Xi felt that to truly get a handle on Mu Xi, she needed to spend more time with Nan Zhiya, she was sure to learn something.