"I'll need Uncle Wang to take care of these thirty-one people. I want to train them to be my hands and feet in the future. Once they have fully recovered, please find someone to teach them various skills, Uncle Wang."

    "Yes, Young Lady," Uncle Wang responded before asking, "So, what plans do you have in mind?"

    "Firstly, I want them to have basic knowledge and survival skills. If they are to work for me in the future, they might face countless dangers. I don't want my efforts to be in vain because some of them lose their lives."

    Uncle Wang glanced at the young lady before him, understanding her concern for the thirty-one people. She feared they might not survive and wanted to train and provide them with ways to protect themselves. Despite her severe words, it was clear she cared deeply for them.

    Even though Mu Yingying's heart was filled with vengeance, she could still distinguish right from wrong. The wronged were always the guilty ones, and the innocent were not involved. If she was to use these people, she had to take good care of them, deserving of their loyalty and trust.

    "After they have learned the basics, I want Uncle Wang to help me select some of them. I want to divide them into three groups. The first group will be the intelligent ones, capable of administration and governance. I want to push them into the royal court."

    "The second group will be trained in combat skills. I want them to become like shadow guards for my use in the future."

    "And the third group will consist of those with quick wits, knowledgeable and capable of surviving in any situation because they will serve as my eyes and ears, specifically for gathering intelligence."

    Mu Yingying laid out her entire plan. She wanted to categorize the people based on their future roles to train them in specific skills. This would ensure that the right people were tasked with the right jobs, increasing the chances of success.

    Uncle Wang who had been listening intently, his eyes sparkled with admiration. He had not expected the young lady to have such a comprehensive and ingenious plan.

    If one intended to build a force, training people according to their use was crucial!

    Mu Yingying drummed her fingers on the table thoughtfully for a while before continuing, "Seven days from now, I want Uncle Wang to find a way to send five of our people to serve in the Mu family's manor and two in the Cheng family's manor."

    "The Cheng family?"

    Uncle Wang raised his eyebrows slightly. Why was the Cheng family involved? Was the Cheng family also one of those who harmed the young lady in her previous life?

    Mu Yingying's lips curved into a sly smile, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Yes, Uncle Wang...In my previous life, it was the Cheng family that meddled in the affairs of the Mu family. It seems I'll have to extend my reach this time."

    In her previous life, it was Cheng Fuyuan and her mother who overstepped their boundaries and interfered with the Mu family's affairs, causing significant distress to her and her siblings.

    Did those people think they were the only ones who could meddle in others' affairs?

    Sorry, but she was quite capable of meddling as well!

    The cunning smile on her youthful face made onlookers uneasy. Even Uncle Wang felt a silent condolence for the Cheng family.

    After their discussion, they returned to the main hall, where the doctors had finished treating and prescribing medicines for everyone. The thirty-one individuals looked noticeably better.

    "How are the injuries of each person, Doctor?"

    Uncle Wang approached one of the doctors, who gave a brief summary. "Overall, none of them are severely injured. But most have been beaten, resulting in multiple wounds. The lack of proper care and nutrition has made healing difficult."

    "However, there's one girl with severe symptoms. She has a chronic fever, and if treatment had been delayed any longer, it might have been impossible to save her life..."

    Mu Yingying, who had been listening quietly, thought of the emaciated, seemingly breathless figure in the stretcher that morning. If she remembered correctly, the girl's name was Fei Ren.

    The Fei family?

    There must be something extraordinary about Fei Ren for her intuition to be so strong.

    It was worth investigating further…

    "Please prepare the best medicine for her treatment, Doctor," Mu Yingying leaned forward and asked the doctor with a broad smile that endeared her to him. He nodded and smiled back.

    The little girl then glanced over the thirty individuals before something occurred to her. "Oh! Right...Please check his injuries too, Doctor."

    Mu Yingying walked over and gently led a young man who had been sitting inconspicuously in a corner to the doctor to have his right cheek injury examined.

    The young man, who was suddenly brought to the forefront, glanced at the small figure beside him. Although he had tried to remain invisible in the corner, this petite person still remembered him and specifically brought him to the doctor for his injuries.

    This was…

    He lowered his eyes to hide his confusion, quietly allowing the doctor to examine his wound.

    Mu Yingying wasn't concerned with his change in demeanor; she was merely worried about the young man's injuries. After all, he was now considered one of her people, and she was obligated to take care of him.

    "This wound is quite severe, leaving such a frightening scar. With my current abilities, I fear there's nothing I can do,"

    The doctor expressed regretfully. The injury was indeed beyond his capability to treat.

    "Thank you, Doctor," Mu Yingying nodded slightly and smiled broadly before turning to the young man. "Don't worry, I will find a way to heal this scar for you."

    The young man looked up at her serious face and then lowered his gaze again, feeling an inexplicable emotion that even he couldn't understand.

    Mu Yingying, accustomed to his reticence, didn't press further. She turned and was about to go check on the others but then turned back to the young man, driven by curiosity.

    "What should I call you?"

    He paused before answering, "I don't have a name. You can call me whatever you wish."

    "…Is that so?" Mu Yingying raised her eyebrows slightly, thought for a while, and then decided on a name. "From now on, you'll be known as Lu Jiu."

    "Lu, meaning jade, and Jiu, meaning destiny. You are the jade of destiny!"

    "Jade of destiny?" He echoed the name softly. "Am I worthy of such a name?"

    Mu Yingying tiptoed, reaching out to pat his shoulder encouragingly, "Maybe not now, but who knows about the future!”

    “Right now, you might be like an uncarved jade, but since fate has brought you to me, then consider it your destiny. I'll be the one to carve and polish you into a valuable jade..."

    Newly named Lu Jiu watched her walking away for a long time. Time seemed to freeze for a moment as her words echoed in his head.

    Could he…really become a valuable jade?

    After wrapping up the affairs, Mu Yingying and Su Su prepared to return to Xiang Rong Building. But before leaving, she whispered some instructions to Uncle Wang.

    They returned to Xiang Rong Building through the back door, picked up a few pieces of jewelry, and then took the Mu family's carriage back to their residence.

    Time flew by quickly, and more than ten days had passed. Today was the day Cheng Liting was supposed to return to her true home, the Cheng family manor.

    Mu Yingying pleaded with the Elder Furen to allow her to accompany Cheng Liting back to her home. Initially, the Elder Furen was concerned about her granddaughter's safety and hesitated to agree. But, succumbing to the persistent begging, she finally relented, as usual, letting Su Ming, a trusted maid, and five other attendants to follow to ensure the Seventh Young Lady's safety.

    Mu Yingying didn't reject the kind gesture from her grandmother, and in fact, she was quite pleased by it. Having her grandmother's attendants accompany them would certainly make the Cheng family more wary, and also reinforce Cheng Liting's favored status in the eyes of the Elder Mu Furen!

    Inside the spacious carriage of the Mu family, which was moving along the road, there were only two figures sitting and chatting lightheartedly, their laughter occasionally echoing outside the carriage.

    During these past ten days, Mu Yingying had been in an exceptionally good mood. Having Uncle Wang as her assistant meant she didn't have to plan and execute everything herself, significantly reducing her physical and mental burden and allowing her some leisure time to enjoy the tranquility.

    Although this peace was only temporary…

    Soon, there would be a major event, and she would have to play her role and manipulate the situation from behind the scenes. Therefore, she took full advantage of this brief ten-day respite to relax.

    "We're almost at the Cheng’s manor, Miss,”

    Su Su, walking along the carriage, called out as a signal for those inside to prepare to disembark.

    The laughter and conversation inside the carriage ceased, and the smile on Cheng Liting’s face slowly faded. Her bright eyes dimmed.

    In the end, she had to return to this hellish place...It was time to wake up from the dream.

    Would it be too selfish of her to wish to continue staying at the Mu family manor?

    Cheng Liting pressed her lips tightly, her eyes flickering with hesitation. She wanted to ask to stay at the Mu family manor for a few more days, but she couldn't bring herself to do so. After all, she was a Cheng and had to return to the Cheng family manor eventually.

    Mu Yingying noticed Cheng Liting's confusion, hesitation, and distress expressed through her eyes. She reached out to hold the other party's hand, offering comfort.

    "Sister Liting, don't worry. Perhaps, you may find out that the Cheng's manor now isn't the same as when you left. "

    Cheng Liting looked up at Mu Yingying, puzzled. Mu Yingying smiled mischievously and added, "Let's just wait and see."

    When the carriage stopped, Su Su came to help her little lady down, followed by Cheng Liting. They were greeted by the grand entrance of the Cheng family manor, which soon swung open to welcome them inside.

    Cheng Liting was surprised to see so many people waiting to welcome her. In the past, she was almost invisible, hardly noticed by anyone, but the scene before her seemed like a dream.

    "Our Third Young Lady has finally returned. Did you know how much your Second Mother and siblings have missed you?"

    A voice as sweet as honey called out, drawing everyone's attention. The owner of this voice was a young woman in her early twenties, radiantly beautiful, with eyes emitting slyness like a female fox spirit. Dressed in a pink and purple attire that complemented her fair skin, she was even more enticing.

    This woman, named Mian Li, was the favorite concubine of the Governor Cheng, recently elevated to the position of Second Furen of the Cheng household. With her stunning beauty and charm, she quickly became her husband's favorite.

    Since Cheng Furen was confined to her quarters, Mian Li had taken over the management of the household, becoming the mistress of the Cheng family by default. The true mistress of the house could only vent her frustrations on inanimate objects, powerless to change her situation.

    "Welcome, Seventh Young Lady Mu. As the Second Furen of the Cheng family, I must express my sincere gratitude to the Mu family for taking care of our Third Young Lady all this time. The goodwill that the Mu family has extended to us will surely not be forgotten by the Cheng family."

    Mian Li greeted the young lady before nodding to Su Ming and the attendants of the Elder Mu Furen who had accompanied her. It was clear to anyone with a sense that Mian Li's words were intended for the Elder Mu Furen's people.

    Mu Yingying paid little mind to being ignored, instead finding herself intrigued by this Second Furen. This woman really knew how to speak well.

    Initially, it was the Cheng family member who was at fault, but just now, she did not even hint at the reasons that led Cheng Liting to stay at the Mu family's manor, merely expressing gratitude for the Mu family's care for Cheng Liting.

    Even though it was entirely the Cheng family's fault that they had to take care of Cheng Liting in the first place!

    Mu Yingying smiled inwardly, thinking that Cheng Furen must be facing a formidable foe like this Second Furen.

    It seemed the Cheng family manor would be lively for quite some time...

    "Let's head inside. Father and Second Mother have prepared the residence for Ting'er,"

    Mian Li said, using an affectionate term for Cheng Liting that made her shudder involuntarily. Still confused by the sudden changes, she didn't respond but simply followed the group inside.

    The Cheng family's servants came forward to help with the luggage and cater to Cheng Liting, overwhelming her to the point of being unable to react properly.

    Mu Yingying, walking behind, smirked before following at a leisurely pace.

    Soon, they arrived at a newly renovated, spacious residence house surrounded by beautifully arranged flower beds and scattered large trees that added to its serene ambiance. Dozens of maids were lined up at the entrance, ready to welcome the Third Young Lady.

    "These maids have been specially selected to serve this quarters,"

    Mian Li explained softly, as if she were a caring mother speaking to her daughter.

    "Welcome, Third Young Lady," the maids bowed in unison.

    “This…”

    Cheng Liting was flustered, unsure how to handle this abrupt change. So, Mu Yingying stepped beside her, teasing, "Sister Liting's residence is so grand! I must visit you here often."

    "I'll have to trouble you in advance, Second Furen,"

    She added, addressing Mian Li with the innocent demeanor typical for young children. Mian Li internally rejoiced at the prospect of the Seventh Young Lady Mu visiting often, which would strengthen the bond between the two families and likely earn her husband's praise.

    Just thinking about it made her eyes sparkle with cunning delight as she responded softly, "The Cheng family welcomes the Seventh Young Lady Mu at any time."

    Mu Yingying glanced at Mian Li, her smile carrying a hint of cunning, then linked arms with Cheng Liting to explore the interior of the residence, which did not disappoint in its elegant decoration and clear division of living spaces.

    The two girls proceeded to the bedroom, where Mu Yingying casually locked the door before sitting beside Cheng Liting on the spacious bed.

    "Sister Liting, is the Cheng’s manor better now than before?"

    Mu Yingying asked, tilting her head and waiting for an answer. After hearing the question, Cheng Liting glanced around the room thoughtfully before responding, "...It is better now."

    "In that case, you don't need to worry about anything, Sister. This is what you deserve as a young lady of the Cheng family," Mu Yingying reassured her, reaching out to hold her hand. "Listen to me, Sister Liting, you are different now. You are not alone anymore!"

    "You have me and grandmother by your side now. You don't have to endure things you shouldn't have to. You don't have to let anyone bully you anymore."

    "Sister Liting...you must become stronger. Only the strong can survive!"

    Mu Yingying spoke seriously. Although she had arranged for people to help Cheng Liting within the Cheng family, anything could happen. It was best for Cheng Liting herself to be cautious and become stronger quickly, so she wouldn't be harmed again. Mu Yingying would also silently support her.

    Cheng Liting, who had never seen the little girl so serious before, couldn't help but be surprised. However, it didn't take long for her to understand that the warnings given by the little girl were all true. She had endured enough. Did she need to keep enduring?

    The answer was no!

    She had experienced happiness while at the Mu family's manor and would never allow herself to experience that misery again!

    Cheng Liting’s once dim eyes suddenly sparkled with determination. Filled with resolve, she looked back at the little girl and replied with conviction, "You can trust me, Yingying. I will become stronger!"

    "That's wonderful to hear!"

    Mu Yingying beamed with happiness. When a person was determined to fight, results would naturally follow. Although Cheng Liting might face some difficulties in the beginning, the experience would teach her to grow and become stronger!