Empress Dowager Zheng’s words undoubtedly demeaned the status of Mu Yunjin, Yan Lingshang, and the others present, causing them great embarrassment.
“This old one merely invited some young ones to share a drink and chat. Empress Dowager Zheng, you’re overstepping your bounds.” Empress Qin retorted, giving a look to Mamma Qu beside her.
Mamma Qu immediately understood, walking over to pour a cup of plum blossom wine for Empress Dowager Zheng. “Empress Dowager, this was brewed on Empress Qin’s orders. Please taste it.”
Empress Dowager Zheng glanced at the wine cup in front of her, showing no intention of drinking it. Instead, her gaze leisurely swept over those below, finally landing on Mu Lingzhu, who sat alone.
“Isn’t that the young lady who won the Literary Competition three years in a row? Western Yuan’s number one talented woman, the Fourth Miss Lingzhu of Mu Zhengzheng’s family?” Empress Dowager Zheng exclaimed, seemingly particularly surprised to see Mu Lingzhu left out.
Hearing these prefixes from Empress Dowager Zheng, Mu Lingzhu finally felt some comfort for her suppressed feelings throughout the day.
Involuntarily, she wanted to get closer to Empress Dowager Zheng.
“Xiangxian, this is where you’re wrong! This young lady has contributed greatly to our Western Yuan Country. How could you neglect her like this?” Empress Dowager Zheng turned her gaze, beginning to attack Empress Qin.
Seeing Empress Dowager Zheng deliberately bringing up Mu Lingzhu, Empress Qin wasn’t bothered and replied, “Empress Dowager Zheng, you misunderstand this old one. Isn’t it because we don’t have enough people here? Surely you don’t expect this old one to have Mamma Qu go sit with Fourth Miss Mu?”
…
…
“Besides, don’t keep talking about the Literary Competition. The champion changed this year, didn’t it? So this consecutive winning business isn’t anything special.”
Empress Qin’s few sentences immediately left Empress Dowager Zheng speechless.
Mu Yunjin ate the pastries on the table, appearing casual, but constantly listening to the conversation between the two elderly women. Especially after hearing Empress Qin mock Mu Lingzhu, she instinctively looked at Mu Lingzhu’s expression.
At that moment, the laughter in Mu Yunjin’s eyes deepened. If only she could laugh out loud right now.
Chu Li, looking at that face blooming with smiles, felt a slight movement in his heart. Since his earliest memories, he seemed to have never seen such a bright and captivating smile.
“That must be the rumored Third Miss Mu?” Empress Dowager Zheng changed the subject, directing her attention to Mu Yunjin.
Hearing Empress Dowager Zheng mention her, Mu Yunjin raised her eyes, meeting the Empress Dowager’s inquiring gaze.
Upon making eye contact with Mu Yunjin, Empress Dowager Zheng’s eyes showed disdain. “Indeed, she has a beautiful face, but it’s all appearance, with nothing inside.”
“If you insist on matching her with Li’er, in this old one’s view, she could only be a concubine.”
Facing Empress Dowager Zheng’s blatant verbal attack, Mu Yunjin seemed not to hear, continuing to break apart the pastry in her hand and eating it casually.
Beside her, Chu Li watched this scene with interest. If he hadn’t truly witnessed this little fox’s cunning that day, seeing her indifferent reaction now, he would have thought she was just as rumored.
“Empress Dowager Zheng’s words make no sense,” Empress Qin countered again.
“It has always been said that a woman’s virtue is her lack of talent. Jinner was born with heavenly beauty; together with Li’er, they would be a perfect match. Much better than those women who only know how to go to war and fight all day.”
Empress Dowager Zheng was once again left speechless by Empress Qin, especially when she mentioned women going to war and fighting. A cold gleam flashed in her eyes.
“Grandmothers, please stop arguing. Have a cup of wine to soothe your throats.” The previously silent Chu Qing raised his wine cup, gesturing to the two seated in the main positions.
Seeing Chu Qing offer a way out, Empress Dowager Zheng decided to take it, picking up her wine cup and taking a small sip.
After drinking, Empress Dowager Zheng still felt frustrated. She had just engaged in several verbal battles with that old woman Qin Xiangxian and had lost each time. It was truly infuriating.
“All of you, now that you’ve met at this old one’s place today, this old one will host more banquets in the future. You must not disappoint this old one by declining.” Empress Qin spoke with a smile, addressing the younger generation below and deliberately ignoring Empress Dowager Zheng.
Before anyone could respond, Empress Dowager Zheng again couldn’t restrain herself and spoke up, “This old one has a maple leaf forest that is full of red maples all year round. Why not come to this old one’s place next time?”
“…”
The banquet, after Empress Dowager Zheng’s arrival, came to a hasty end.
After it concluded, Empress Qin specifically walked to Chu Li’s side, her eyes filled with mirth. “Li’er, Jinner is unfamiliar with the palace. Please escort her.”
Mu Yunjin, standing nearby, instinctively touched her neck upon hearing these words.
Mu Lingzhu, hearing Empress Qin’s instructions, immediately stepped toward Mu Yunjin. After steadying herself, she secretly glanced at Chu Li, then curved her lips into a smile, looking at Mu Yunjin. “Sister, let’s go together.”
“Fourth Miss Mu, would you accompany this old one for a walk in the Imperial Garden?” Empress Dowager Zheng, who had descended from the main seat, walked to Mu Lingzhu’s side, smiling affectionately at her.
Mu Lingzhu paused, naturally unable to refuse the Empress Dowager’s invitation. So she bowed to Chu Li and then followed Empress Dowager Zheng away.
…
On the path leaving Plum Blossom Garden, Mu Yunjin and Chu Li walked side by side, both with tightly closed lips, showing no intention of speaking to each other.
As soon as Mu Yunjin left the Plum Blossom Garden, she sensed that the guards who had previously accompanied Chu Li had once again emerged.
Though she was curious whether this man was constantly being hunted or something, as he always had guards densely surrounding him whenever he went out.
But given her current predicament of feigning foolishness, she was not in a position to ask such questions.
After leaving Plum Blossom Pavilion, Mu Yunjin could no longer bear the oppressive atmosphere. She stopped and bowed slightly to Chu Li beside her. “I know the rest of the way out of the palace. There’s no need to trouble the Sixth Prince further.”
“Very well.” Chu Li nodded faintly, looking at Mu Yunjin, his eyes somewhat profound.
Mu Yunjin smiled, feeling a sense of relief, and immediately turned around, quickening her pace toward the palace exit.
Behind her, Chu Li stood in place, watching Mu Yunjin’s retreating figure.
Ding Xian, standing to the side, followed his master’s line of sight and couldn’t help but cough. “Your Highness, could it be that you’re interested in this Third Miss Mu?”
Hearing this, Chu Li gave Ding Xian a cold glance. “This prince is merely curious about how far she’ll go with her act of hiding her true abilities.”
“Follow her and ensure she safely exits the palace.”
Ding Xian was left speechless. He pursed his lips and walked in the direction Mu Yunjin had left.
Mu Yunjin quickly exited the palace gates. As soon as she did, Zixiang, who had been waiting for her outside the carriage, immediately approached. “Young Miss.”
Mu Yunjin smiled at Zixiang and was about to head to their carriage.
Just as she was about to board, she remembered that Mu Lingzhu had been called away by Empress Dowager Zheng, and she didn’t know how long their conversation would last.
She had no desire to wait for Mu Lingzhu.
So after a moment’s hesitation, she said to the coachman, “Wait here for Lingzhu. Zixiang and I will return on our own.”
Hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, the coachman grunted slightly, not bothering to respond to her.
Mu Yunjin, accompanied by Zixiang, strolled along the main street. Beside her, Zixiang seemed somewhat worried, frequently reminding Mu Yunjin.
“Young Miss, perhaps we should head back quickly. If the Fourth Miss returns first, it won’t be easy to explain why we’re late.”
Mu Yunjin looked at the crowded street, her gaze slightly distant, the corners of her mouth curving into a smile. “Look how wonderful the outside world is, yet I’m bound to a place like Shihua Pavilion.”
“Young Miss…” Zixiang frowned, though sympathetic to her mistress’s grievances in the Prime Minister’s mansion, she was more afraid of Mu Yunjin being punished by the Prime Minister again.
She had served Mu Yunjin since childhood and had witnessed many of the injustices her mistress had suffered.
“Alright, alright, I’ll go back. I give in to you, girl.” Mu Yunjin, impatient with Zixiang’s urging, finally agreed and turned to head back to the Prime Minister’s mansion.
Seeing that Mu Yunjin had heeded her words, Zixiang followed beside her with a smile.
Upon returning to the Prime Minister’s mansion, as they passed through the front hall, they happened to encounter Prime Minister Mu, who had just returned from drinking tea with old friends. Upon seeing Mu Yunjin, his face immediately darkened, full of displeasure.
“Father.” Mu Yunjin pretentiously bowed to Prime Minister Mu, then prepared to walk past him back to Shihua Pavilion.
“Wait.” Prime Minister Mu stopped Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin halted, looking toward Prime Minister Mu, waiting for what he had to say. Beside her, Zixiang trembled with fear.
“Today, Empress Qin invited you and Zhu’er to the palace. Did she say anything?” Prime Minister Mu inquired.
Mu Yunjin shook her head. “Empress Qin merely set up a wine banquet in the Plum Blossom Garden and invited us to taste plum blossom wine. Beyond that, nothing else was said.”
Hearing this, Prime Minister Mu’s brow furrowed. He knew asking this brainless girl would yield nothing of value.
Feeling somewhat irritated looking at Mu Yunjin, he waved his hand. “You may go.”
“Yes, Father.”
After Mu Yunjin left, Prime Minister Mu sat alone in the front hall, silently pondering the current political situation at court.
Currently, the Emperor had yet to appoint a Crown Prince. Among the princes, only Third Prince Chu Qing, Fourth Prince Chu Ye, and Sixth Prince Chu Li could be considered capable of assuming major responsibilities.
Among these three princes, he was more inclined toward Chu Li.
But now, with Empress Qin intent on matching Mu Yunjin with Chu Li, though not a bad thing for the Prime Minister’s household, that girl Yunjin…
Prime Minister Mu thought for a moment, let out a slight sigh, dipped his finger in tea, and slowly wrote the character ‘snow’ on the table.
But quickly, he wiped it away with his sleeve.
Just as he was thinking, a carriage stopped outside the mansion, and Mu Lingzhu walked in slowly. Upon seeing Prime Minister Mu, she bowed deeply in greeting.
Seeing Mu Lingzhu, the gloom on Prime Minister Mu’s face dissipated considerably, and he revealed a rare smile. “I heard Empress Dowager Zheng kept you behind for a private conversation. What did she say?”
Hearing this, Mu Lingzhu slightly lowered her eyes, speaking somewhat dejectedly, “Empress Dowager Zheng intends to match your daughter with Fourth Prince Chu Ye.”
“Chu Ye?” Prime Minister Mu was somewhat surprised.
Mu Lingzhu nodded, her eyes reddening slightly. “Father, your daughter does not wish to marry the Fourth Prince. Your daughter’s heart belongs to the Sixth Prince; in this life, she only wants to be the Sixth Prince’s wife.”
“Silence!” Prime Minister Mu glared at Mu Lingzhu. “If anyone heard those words, it could cost you your head!”
“Sit down first. Tell me everything said at Empress Qin’s banquet today, as well as what Empress Dowager Zheng said to you, in complete detail.”
“Yes, Father.”