His entire family perished in battle; he rose from the ashes to conquer the world.

Upon discovering that Lan Que was so eager for revenge that he disregarded everything, Zhu Zhu advised him:

"This isn't the capital. You'd better avoid causing trouble. If you keep going against Mu Yuan, next time it won't just be a beating."

Although she didn't know Mu Yuan very well, after what happened at the county government office and his plea for leniency just now, Zhu Zhu knew that Mu Yuan was not someone to be trifled with.

If Lan Que remains obstinate and insists on provoking Mu Yuan, thus making an enemy of him, then things will get complicated.

However, blinded by hatred, Lan Que could no longer listen to any advice. In all his life, everyone around him had treated him with utmost respect and courtesy.

Of course, Lan Que's courage to seek revenge was not entirely due to his status and position.

There is another reason.

It came from the imperial court!

He had heard in the capital that the imperial court was going to take action against the Mu family, intending to suppress them and weaken their power in the southwest.

Right now, he and Mu Yuan have become enemies.

If revenge is successful.

They won't worry about paying any price afterward.

He might even receive a reward from the imperial court for this.

"Mu Yuan, you just wait!!!"

Lan Que's eyes were filled with resentment and venom.

In the blink of an eye.

Three days have passed.

Today, the Xiping Prince's Mansion is brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers.

Guests came in an endless stream to offer their birthday wishes, and the entrance was bustling with activity.

Although the Mu family had suffered misfortune before, the Mu family had guarded the southwest for generations and had an extraordinary foundation. This is why many distinguished guests still came to celebrate the birthday of the old lady of the Mu family.

Grandma, may you live a long and healthy life, as long as the Southern Mountains!

Mu Yuan bowed deeply to Old Madam Mu, who was seated in the main seat, and then presented the birthday gift he had chosen a few days earlier: "This is a birthday gift that your grandson and sister-in-law have selected for you."

"That's very thoughtful."

Grandma Mu's face was full of kind smiles.

Just when the atmosphere was harmonious.

"Prince Ning has arrived."

A loud shout came from outside.

The next moment, accompanied by a burst of wild laughter, Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, walked in laughing.

Mu Yuan frowned subconsciously as he watched Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, stride in. Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, had been coveting the Mu family's military power in the Western Army for quite some time.

Moreover, they had a grudge against each other before.

His visit today is not simply to celebrate Old Madam Mu's birthday.

In addition, Mu Yuan also noticed that Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, was accompanied by a man and a woman.

The man was Lan Que, and the woman was Zhu Zhu.

The arrival of Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, instantly turned the previously harmonious atmosphere to freezing point.

"Grandma Mu, I heard you're celebrating your 70th birthday. I've come uninvited. I hope you're not angry?" Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, spoke with a smile, but there was a clear hint of provocation in his expression.

Given the large number of guests and the status of Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, Old Madam Mu naturally could not refuse Zhu Zheng's request.

"How could that be? Your Highness's presence is a great honor to my humble abode; we are too busy welcoming you to be angry."

"That's what Old Madam Mu replied."

"Let me introduce you." Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, raised his hand and pointed to Zhu Zhu, who had come with him and was standing on the left: "This is my second brother, Princess Zhu Zhu, the daughter of Prince Jin."

"This old lady greets Princess Zhuzhu," said Old Madam Mu, nodding.

"No need for such formalities, Madam. In terms of our relationship, I should call you Granny Mu," Zhu Zhu said with a smile.

Compared to Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, whose smile was tinged with provocation, Zhu Zhu appeared quite sincere.

"This is Lan Que, son of Duke Lan Shi of Liang." After introducing Zhu Zhu's identity, Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, pointed to Lan Que standing on the right.

"Junior Lan Que greets Old Madam Mu."

Lan Que simply clasped his hands together without bending over.

After all, he had been hit on the buttocks dozens of times a few days ago, and the injury on his buttocks had not yet healed. If he made any large movements, it would aggravate the injury and cause severe pain.

Old Madam Mu was unaware that Lan Que and Mu Yuan had become enemies. Out of respect for her guest, she sized Lan Que up and down, then nodded and said:

"Indeed, he is a handsome and talented man, possessing the demeanor of the Duke of Liang!"

"Thank you for your kind words, Madam." As Lan Que expressed his gratitude, he glanced at Mu Yuan, who was standing next to Madam Mu, out of the corner of his eye.

Mu Yuan happened to be looking at Lan Que as well.

Their eyes met.

Lan Que's eyes were filled with undisguised hatred.

In contrast, Mu Yuan's eyes showed no emotion whatsoever, as if Lan Que did not exist.

"Grandma, I've gone to great lengths to celebrate your birthday," said Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, as he raised his hand to clap his hands.

As the applause subsided, a strangely dressed middle-aged man walked in.

The middle-aged man flipped through it casually.

Suddenly, a huge peach appeared in his hand.

His ability to conjure peaches with a flick of his wrist drew curious glances from the crowd, with some even applauding and cheering.

The previously oppressive atmosphere eased somewhat at this moment.

A middle-aged man carrying a large peach walked up to Old Madam Mu and said, "I am Liu Qian, but I have come with His Highness to offer this peach as a birthday gift. I wish you a long and healthy life."

Grandma Mu, seeing the enormous peach, beamed with joy and said:

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, here's a reward."

As soon as he finished speaking, a maidservant carrying a tray full of gold ingots walked up to Liu Qian.

Liu Qian's eyes gleamed with greed as he saw the tray filled with gold ingots, and he took it without hesitation.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Madam Mu."

Having witnessed the entire process, Mu Yuan became extremely vigilant.

Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, introduced Lan Que and brought along the magician Liu Qian. It seemed like he was there to celebrate the old lady's birthday, but he actually had ulterior motives.

As Mu Yuan had predicted, things turned out just as he had expected.

After Liu Qian performed a magic trick and presented a peach, easing the tension, Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, spoke:

"Grandma, Liu Qian also has a skill called 'Fishing the Moon from the Sea,' which is very lifelike. Today, he wants to present this skill to everyone in front of you, firstly to broaden your horizons, and secondly to celebrate your birthday."

Although Old Madam Mu was already in her seventies, she was not senile. Seeing Zhu Zheng's strong recommendation, she quickly waved her hand and said:

"In my opinion, let's just forget about it. It's just a birthday celebration, and everyone should be happy. There's no need for such extravagance."

Faced with Old Madam Mu's polite refusal, how could Prince Zhu Zheng of Ning possibly let it go? Everything he had just done was for this moment.

"Old Madam, you're really showing me no respect!"

Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, frowned: "I kindly invited the best magician, yet you're making excuses. Could it be that you're afraid I'll frame you?"

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Mu was caught in a dilemma.

Just then, Mu Yuan, who hadn't spoken until now, said, "Grandma, since it's the Prince's good intention, let's not spoil the fun."

Seeing that her grandson showed no sign of panic, Old Madam Mu finally nodded in agreement:

"Then let's go with Yuan'er's suggestion."

"Both the matriarch and the commander-in-chief have spoken, Liu Qian, you'd better perform well!"