Enchantress Amongst Alchemists: Ghost King's Wife Chapter 2 - They Are a Family Instead

“Ting Er!” Clutching her hand tightly, he declared with profound emotion, “The moment you surrendered yourself to me a month prior, I vowed to marry you! However, the betrothal between this good-for-nothing and myself was an imperial decree from my royal grandfather. Obtaining his consent to revoke the order will require some time. Yet, have faith in me; you shall soon be my wife.”

The unfolding scene before Mu Ru Yue’s eyes inflicted deep wounds. Her gaze, now red-rimmed and brimming with animosity, fixed upon Mu Ting Er. “Mu Ting Er, you are merely an adopted daughter, whereas I am the genuine young mistress! I trust you comprehend your standing!”

Pa!

As these words left her lips, a resounding slap brutally connected with her cheek. Mu Ru Yue’s body quivered, her fingers finding the burning mark on her face. She slowly turned her head, her eyes disbelieving as she looked at the middle-aged man beside her. “Father, how could you……”

“Insolent child! Who permitted you to address Ting Er in such a disrespectful tone?” The middle-aged man’s expression was frigid, acting as if the person before him was not his own flesh and blood, but a mere servant to be berated.

“Father, I am your daughter!” Mu Ru Yue’s voice trembled, thick with emotion. Tears welled in her eyes as she continued, “She is merely adopted. Father, why have you……”

“Daughter?” The middle-aged man scoffed. “A daughter like you is the eternal shame of my life! Although Ting Er was adopted, her innate talent is extraordinary. She is my pride! Do you truly believe you possess the right to be matched with Crown Prince Jing? I shall be unambiguous: I have actively facilitated this arrangement. Why else do you imagine no one has approached you yet?”

It felt as though lightning had split a clear sky. Mu Ru Yue trembled, her lips pressed firmly together as she regarded her blood relative.

“Elder Sister Ting Er, are you well?”

At this very moment, Mu Yi Xue, who shared the same parents as Mu Ru Yue, bypassed her biological sister as if blind, proceeding directly to Mu Ting Er’s side, whose face was already streaked with tears.

“Elder Sister Ting Er, do not fret. Xue Er and Father will safeguard you. We shall not permit that individual to usurp your husband.” Mu Yi Xue offered an adorable smile before her gaze shifted to Mu Ru Yue. Disdain filled her eyes as she added, “Furthermore, within the Mu Family, Mu Ting Er is my sole elder sister. This disgrace does not warrant the title of my sibling. I truly cannot fathom how Mother gave birth to such trash. She is unworthy of being a Mu family daughter!”

“Father, Xue Er……”

Mu Ting Er glanced gratefully at the two. Unseen by anyone, a sneer curled her lips at that instant.

‘Mu Ru Yue, I swore long ago to seize everything that belongs to you! It is your own fault for being the legitimate young mistress of this household, while I was merely adopted. The primary reason I, a girl you always scorned, could ascend to this position above you today is solely because you are trash incapable of cultivation. However, it is likely impossible for you to suspect how you became such trash. When you were five, before your innate talent assessment, I poisoned your meal. Moreover, no one could possibly suspect that a mere four-year-old me would possess such cunning.’

Mu Ru Yue’s heart grew ice-cold as she observed the scene of familial harmony. A stark realization dawned upon her: she was nothing more than an outsider.

Haha!

A sudden, unhinged laughter erupted from her as she violently lunged towards a nearby tree, still cackling.

Her abrupt action startled the onlookers. Mu Ting Er’s expression contorted in panic; she never anticipated that she had driven her stepsister to seek death. How utterly dull would it be if she were to perish now?!

Just as she moved to intervene, a middle-aged man raised his arm, blocking her way.

“Since she wishes for death, let her have it. It will be as if I never fathered such a daughter.”