Chapter 15

Mu Yuanzhi glanced at the anxiously worried Prince Pingnan; this prince had already looked at her with the kind gaze one uses for a daughter-in-law.

He didn't mind that she was an abandoned daughter.

Since Prince Pingnan's words made sense, the Emperor was delighted.

Not knowing, he only then remembered to ask Mu Yuanzhi how she was; the Emperor only then asked for her opinion at this point: "Mu Yuanzhi, what do you think?"

Everyone's gaze turned to Mu Yuanzhi, except Xiao Yichen, whose hand holding the cup kept turning.

Pei Shangyan couldn't say how he hoped Mu Yuanzhi would answer; the situation turning out like this was beyond his expectation; if not for his little sister's concern causing chaos… he blames himself for not usually teaching his little sister how to discern good men.

At this moment, Pei Shangling was thinking about how to respond if Mu Yuanzhi refused; he knew she deeply disliked Gu Rongjin and would certainly not agree, and would surely make a big fuss; if she insisted on having his little sister marry, he would not let it rest.

Under everyone's gaze, Mu Yuanzhi rose, made a slight bow, and said indifferently: "Everything follows Father Emperor's decision."

What?!

Everyone was caught off guard; everyone knows Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin don't get along; even if one were to concede, no noble lady would want to marry a good-for-nothing second-generation heir, let alone the pampered, arrogant, and willful Mu Yuanzhi—has she been locked away in Forever Lane and lost her mind?

Gu Rongjin, one of the parties involved, also suspected this; he even wanted to touch Mu Yuanzhi's forehead to see if she had a fever.

She actually has no opinion? Could she be planning to poison him secretly?

Gu Rongjin glanced at Mu Yuanzhi.

Her eyes also showed no hatred!

Prince Pingnan clapped happily: "Good! Good! Since the Princess has agreed, this is settled; Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Beside him, the Pingnan Princess Consort also beamed, hoping that once her son married, his temperament would improve, he would settle down properly, and not be constantly out of sorts.

"Does nobody ask me?" Gu Rongjin's extraordinarily handsome face fell.

"You brat, shut up!" Prince Pingnan wished he could plug Gu Rongjin's mouth that deserved a beating.

The Emperor pointed at Gu Rongjin and laughed: "My daughter is willing to marry you; do you still dare to complain?"

"Little Sister Mu Yuanzhi is heavenly beautiful and extraordinarily talented; I am unworthy of her."

Gu Rongjin spoke the truth, also reminding everyone that the infamous, spoiled princess had once propped up the barrier of the nation's safety with just her two hands.

The banquet's atmosphere suddenly turned strange; the Emperor seemed not to notice, and he spoke to break the tense silence: "Since that's the case, let it be so; today truly brings double blessings, I offer a toast to all!"

Xiao Yichen didn't know when he had set down his cup; when he reached for it again, he actually felt it was heavy, and his motion to lift it was half a beat slow.

Clearly having gotten rid of Mu Yuanzhi, he ought to be happy, so why does he feel a vague sense of loss?

Could habit be so terrifying?

Over the years, he has grown accustomed to her noisy presence by his side; now that she suddenly stops pestering him, he actually feels ill at ease.

Xiao Yichen tried to look past the arm blocking his view, the one raising the cup, to see Mu Yuanzhi, only to discover her gaze was again on Gu Rongjin; could she really have transferred her affection and taken a liking to Gu Rongjin?

Such a preference is far too downgraded!

Mu Yuanzhi noticed Xiao Yichen had been staring at her; she didn't understand what was so appealing about him, having already set him up with Pei Yunxi, what more could he want?

Really puts one off their appetite!

"Father Emperor." Mu Yuanzhi rose again: "Your subject feels unwell; I wish to retire first."

The Emperor nodded: "Since you're unwell, go rest early in your resting palace."

Seeing this, Prince Pingnan went past the National Teacher and urged Gu Rongjin: "What are you standing there for? Go after her!"

Never seen someone so stupid!

Gu Rongjin had no choice but to leave as well; he had originally intended to catch up with Mu Yuanzhi to tease her a few words, but no sooner had he stepped out of the palace gate a few steps than a black shadow leapt down: "Heir Apparent!"

"What is it?" Gu Rongjin withdrew the carefree smile habitually on his face, his gaze sharp and deep.

The visitor leaned in and whispered a few words in his ear; he curled his lips coolly: "Well done, let's go, it's time to close the net."

The man blending into the night exuded a deadly allure and danger like an abyss.

At this moment, an anxious figure hurried out from the hall, walking briskly away; Gu Rongjin saw clearly it was Xiao Yichen, and from his direction of departure, it seemed he was chasing Mu Yuanzhi.

Gu Rongjin told the visitor: "You go first; the Heir Apparent will arrive shortly."

The messenger still tried to urge, saying the situation was urgent, but when their eyes met Gu Rongjin's fierce, imposing gaze, they hastily bowed and withdrew.

The banquet was set at Shanglin Park, some distance from the palace; Mu Yuanzhi, seated in the carriage and resting with eyes closed, had the curtain suddenly flung open from outside as an uninvited guest leapt in—Xiao Yichen!

The carriage, which had been moving smoothly, lurched when Xiao Yichen forcibly jumped aboard; the horse was startled, the flustered driver barely managed to hold the white horse, the whole carriage shook violently, and Mu Yuanzhi, losing balance, slammed her head backward—

In the nick of time, Xiao Yichen reached out to shield her, sparing the back of her head from striking the carriage wall.

"Xiao Yichen, are you sick!"

Mu Yuanzhi glared angrily at the culprit.

Hearing Mu Yuanzhi scold him like that for the first time, Xiao Yichen could not hide his surprise; recalling how she had just smiled at Gu Rongjin like a blossom, his gaze darkened somewhat.

When did she start being so impatient with him, yet speaking gently to Gu Rongjin?

This time, her silent treatment toward him has gone on too long.

For this, she actually agreed to marry Gu Rongjin—utterly absurd!

"Have you made enough trouble?" Xiao Yichen asked coldly, suppressing his anger.

Mu Yuanzhi was practically laughing in anger: "Prime Minister Xiao, are you not ill? It was you who forcibly stopped my carriage, nearly injuring me, and then you ask if I've caused enough trouble?"

Barely finished scolding, the carriage jolted again; Mu Yuanzhi, losing her balance, lurched forward and fell into Xiao Yichen's arms!

The familiar embrace came too suddenly; memories buried deep in her mind surged forth, and in a daze she could not distinguish past from present. The chest that had once made her utterly enamored, she had thought would be her lifelong warm harbor, sheltering her from wind and rain, turned out to be her grave—he held her and killed her…

An uncontrollable sense of fear welled up; Mu Yuanzhi struggled, trying desperately to push away her nightmare.

"Don't make trouble, the carriage isn't steady yet—you'll get hurt!" Xiao Yichen held Mu Yuanzhi tightly, his low voice leaving no room for doubt as it fell in her ear.

The magnetic whisper in her ear accelerated her panic; she couldn't help trembling slightly.

However, Xiao Yichen completely failed to notice; he was busy scolding the driver.

Suddenly, the jolting carriage came to a halt; a head poked in through the window: "Prime Minister Xiao, what are you doing holding the future consort of His Highness the Prince?"