A Misty Night, With A Crystal-Clear Moon - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: The Confrontation in the Jade Emperor Hall

Linglong’s deliberate attempt to secure a position on the third floor was precisely so she could encounter more of Shanghai’s influential figures, thus increasing her chances of uncovering information about Yu Tianqi. Now that she finally had news of Mu Shaohui, she was determined to meet this person.

It was again the busiest time of day at the Moon-Gazing Tower. The Jade Emperor Hall (Yuhuang Ting) was the most luxurious and extravagant hall in the tower, mainly used to entertain the most powerful figures on the Shanghai Bund. This indicated that this Young Master Mu was a very important person.

Yu Linglong kept a close watch on the entrance. Around 6:30 PM, she saw several impeccably dressed individuals ascend the stairs, surrounded by a group of bodyguards. At this moment, she was conveniently near the kitchen exit, close to the staircase. She quickly walked over and carefully observed the group.

She tried to identify them based on Cui Xin’s description. The man in his forties, wearing a long gown and a black fedora, radiating authority, was undoubtedly Liao Qingyun. The man closely following him, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a scar on his face, must be A-Tian, whom A-Yuan had mentioned. She then looked at the man speaking to Liao Qingyun. He wore a black suit and a black fedora. But why does his appearance seem so familiar?

As she was thinking, someone suddenly patted her on the back. She jumped and turned around to see Xiao Yao staring at her curiously.

“What are you doing here? The building is very busy today. Hurry up and come help!”

She had no time to explain. She simply said “Oh” and followed him into the kitchen.

“Wait here. These dishes are for the Jade Emperor Hall. When the time comes, you’ll go in with the others to serve.”

She nodded in assent, but her mind was still struggling to place that familiar face. It’s him! The person who had openly confessed his feelings to her in Suzhou! He really is Young Master Mu! Her heart suddenly pounded with nervousness. She remembered harshly rejecting him, giving him no face at all. Lang Qiyou had said he was looking for her, so he must be connected to Yu Tianqi’s death, especially since he was close to General Feng! The more she thought about it, the more afraid she became. She immediately decided to hide.

But just as she was about to leave the kitchen, a cook called her over and placed a large platter in her hands. “Go, deliver this to the Jade Emperor Hall on the third floor.”

“I…”

“What do you mean ‘I’? Can’t you see we’re busy? Hurry up and go!”

The cook shoved her out without ceremony. She had no choice but to follow the other two maids, carrying the dishes up to the third floor. As soon as she reached the Jade Emperor Hall, she kept her head lowered as much as possible.

She nervously walked in and saw the group happily engaged in conversation, completely ignoring the serving maids. She felt slightly relieved. As she was leaving, she passed Mu Shaohui, still congratulating herself inwardly, when a voice suddenly commanded, “Stop.”

The entire hall fell silent. The two other maids also stopped.

“The two of you may leave.”

Yu Linglong’s heart pounded. Could he have recognized me?

“Turn around.”

Yu Linglong quickly racked her brain for a response, only to hear A-Tian say, “Young Master Mu told you to turn around. Hurry up and do it!”

So what if he recognizes me? She took a deep breath, turned around, and faced the group firmly. Mu Shaohui’s face first showed surprise, then brief disbelief, and finally, he pointed at her, walked out, and said, “Yu Linglong?”

Situ Nuo was also present. He had noticed Linglong the moment she entered. Seeing her head bowed, he assumed she was simply reluctant to serve guests and had been amused. Now, however, he felt a sudden unease.

“What are you doing here?” Mu Shaohui asked, perplexed.

Yu Linglong raised her head. “Why can’t I be here?”

Mu Shaohui looked Yu Linglong up and down again, then laughed disbelievingly. He turned to Liao Qingyun and said, “Master Liao truly is the boss of the Shanghai Bund, to actually make her a servant in your Moon-Gazing Tower.”

Liao Qingyun was still confused. “Oh? I don’t quite understand what Young Master Mu means.”

“Do you know who she is?”

“She? I only know her as Yu’er. Is she an old acquaintance of Young Master Mu?” Liao Qingyun knew Mu Shaohui was lustful and thought Yu Linglong might be a former mistress.

“Hmph! Yu’er? What Yu’er? She is the daughter of the former richest man in Suzhou, the notoriously infamous Yu Tianqi—that treacherous scoundrel who saw profit and abandoned righteousness, selling out the country! She is Yu Linglong!”

At these words, everyone’s faces changed color. This time, it was Situ Nuo’s turn to be shocked and disbelieving. He had known she was a young lady of status and good background, and her fall to this position he had attributed to the decline of her family fortunes, forcing her into this for survival. He never expected the truth to be so staggering.

“Yu Tianqi was a talent, but in the end, his elaborate schemes amounted to nothing. However, he raised an exceptionally fine daughter, more outstanding than a man. But what does that matter? She still ends up being humiliated by others!”

“Slap!” A loud slap echoed through the hall, startling everyone. A-Tian was about to stop Linglong, but Liao Qingyun’s look stopped him.

Mu Shaohui clutched his face, his eyes blazing as if he wanted to devour Linglong.

“Anyone in the world can speak of my father, but not you!” Linglong declared firmly.

Mu Shaohui lunged forward like a madman and violently grabbed Yu Linglong’s neck. “I’ll show you whether or not I can!”

Situ Nuo rushed forward, grabbing Mu Shaohui’s arm. “Young Master Mu, please calm down. Regardless of the circumstances, Yu’er is currently a person of the Qingyun Gang. If you intend to kill her, you must at least respect Master Liao’s presence.”

Mu Shaohui still refused to let go. Yu Linglong’s face turned pale as the bl00d was cut off.

Cui Xin, having been worried when Linglong failed to return and hearing from A-Yuan that Young Master Mu was here, sensed Linglong’s plan. She rushed into the hall and saw Mu Shaohui choking Yu Linglong. In a panic, she cried out, “Miss! Young Master Mu, let go! If you don’t let go, Miss will die right here! You once wanted to marry Miss and have been looking for her all this time, haven’t you? You don’t want to see Miss’s corpse, do you?”

Cui Xin’s words jolted Mu Shaohui. He slowly released his grip but still glared at Yu Linglong with fierce animosity. Yu Linglong’s whole body went limp. Thankfully, Situ Nuo was there to catch her so she didn’t collapse completely to the floor.