Chapter 318: Dare to covet you? You're nothing but a mangy toad!

All that could be seen was the National Teacher letting out a sigh before he said: "Recently there have been anomalies in the heavenly signs; I fear the mortal world will also see more troubles."

Mu Yuanzhi seldom saw the National Teacher look so worried, except for the previous time when he let the Deposed Emperor go.

"What kind of anomaly?" Mu Yuanzhi asked.

"A heavenly dog devouring the sun, mirages, falling stars." the National Teacher said, "And these heavenly signs will occur within just two days."

"This is a natural phenomenon." Mu Yuanzhi said.

"You and I naturally believe it's just natural imagination, but most people, including His Majesty, will only worry that it will bring disaster." The National Teacher rubbed his fingers on the tea cup, "If opportunists make use of it, things will become complicated."

Mu Yuanzhi immediately thought of that shaman doctor, and then told the National Teacher everything that Pei Di had told her.

The National Teacher looked as if he had expected it, and was not surprised.

It seems he was referring to those opportunists when he spoke just now.

"This shaman doctor can make Xiao Yichen appear highly skilled in a short time, able to exchange blows with Gu Rongjin, and His Majesty will surely look at him with new respect." Mu Yuanzhi said worriedly.

"You're right; even if His Majesty knows the circumstances, he'll only think he really is capable, and besides, His Majesty doesn't have the same unconditional trust in me as he did for the Deposed Emperor."

"With a new emperor come new ministers," Mu Yuanzhi understood.

Even though they are people who have lived and died with the new emperor, they only remain on the surface of goodwill and will not truly gain the emperor's trust.

Moreover, the National Teacher let the Deposed Emperor go; speaking seriously, that offense merits beheading, yet the new emperor has already been quite merciful.

It's not unreasonable for him to distrust the National Teacher.

And that shaman doctor is surely coming after them!

"But even if they compete, the National Teacher's skill wouldn't lose to him, would it?" Mu Yuanzhi thought instinctively.

"Hard to say, there are always people stronger and heavens beyond heavens." the National Teacher said, "Furthermore, not judging heroes by success or failure is our emperor's creed."

Indeed, Mu Yuanzhi understood, after all the Deposed Emperor was one who turned the tide against the wind; being temporarily inferior doesn't mean lacking ability.

"In short, we need to be careful." The National Teacher looked at Mu Yuanzhi and said, "However, Princess, you need not worry too much; after all, the new emperor is not a dim-witted ruler, we should remain optimistic and guard against trouble before it arises."

Mu Yuanzhi nodded.

Yes, the new emperor is a wise ruler; this is a clear difference from the Deposed Emperor.

The crown prince's birthday banquet has passed; many envoys have already begun to return to their own countries, only the Infant Void Kingdom has not left, and moreover has no intention of doing so.

Mu Yuanzhi knew they had ulterior motives.

I really don't know what the Infant Void Heavenly Son is thinking; today he even sent people to deliver a pile of gifts, which made Gu Rongjin so angry he threw them all out and drove the envoys away.

He completely disregarded the Infant Void Heavenly Son's dignity and paid no heed to the friendship between the two nations, causing those officials to file over a dozen impeachment memorials against him; he even argued with them on the spot, rebutting each one.

Young Master Gu has a bad temper, and the crown prince's temper is even more explosive; this morning's court was filled with the smell of gunpowder.

After court, Gu Rongjin still went to threaten those officials one by one, almost causing a mob attack.

It was Gu Rongjin alone besieging a group of civil officials.

Qi Shihuai came to the princess's residence and related this incident as a joke to Mu Yuanzhi on the spot.

Upon hearing it, Mu Yuanzhi felt both moved and worried.

He, for her sake, fears no offense to the new emperor; what more could he ask for?

"Has His Majesty grown angry? What is his expression?" Mu Yuanzhi asked anxiously.

Qi Shihuai: "On the surface he isn't angry; besides, for a married woman to go and marry off, speaking of it would naturally invite criticism—the Infant Void Heavenly Son is clearly just trying to stir trouble."

"Isn't there still someone in court who wants us to separate?" Mu Yuanzhi scoffed.

He really is considerate.

"Exactly, Xiao Yichen is secretly fanning the flames." Qi Shihuai laughed.

Mu Yuanzhi knew Xiao Yichen would have a hand in this as well.

"Old Qi, as soon as court lets out you vanish—surely you've come to my house to stir up trouble!" Gu Rongjin returned, hearing the servant say that Qi Shihuai had come; he knew there would be no good outcome, and sure enough, from afar he could hear him speaking ill of others.

"What? This general is clearly mocking your romantic rival for overestimating himself; don't wrong an innocent person." Qi Shihuai firmly denied.

"Don't come at me; you definitely already exposed my shortcomings earlier!" Gu Rongjin snorted coldly, sat down, and when facing Mu Yuanzhi immediately switched to a puppy-like expression: "My dear, don't listen to this brat's nonsense."

"Rongjin, you should still take it easy at court; even His Majesty finds it difficult." Mu Yuanzhi said.

Punishing him would be wrong, but not punishing him would also be wrong.

"At worst I'll retire and return home; I was even planning to take off my official hat today!" Gu Rongjin huffed, "If he has the same character as the Deposed Emperor, then I've misjudged him—I'm leaving!"

"Alright, alright, don't be angry; come, have a sip of tea." Mu Yuanzhi handed a teacup to Gu Rongjin.

"If it weren't for the fact that this idiot is a sovereign of a state, I wouldn't really dare to offend him directly; I'd go beat him up right now!" Gu Rongjin said.

"They're not really coveting me."

"Who knows? Men are all the same, except me." Gu Rongjin said, still making sure to exclude himself.

Qi Shihuai couldn't take it anymore: "You're really disgusting."

"What's it to you? Hurry back and stop bothering us as a couple." Gu Rongjin began to shoo them away.

"Fine, this general is just here to report to the Princess someone's brave deeds today, and then I'm leaving." Qi Shihuai rose to take his leave.

"General Qi, take your leave slowly."

Gu Rongjin: "Hurry up and go."

After breakfast, the emperor sent people to deliver some precious pregnancy-preserving medicinal herbs to the princess's residence.

Mu Yuanzhi couldn't help but find it strange that the new emperor is now sending gifts over—is he trying to placate them, or to show that he doesn't mind his attitude toward Gu Rongjin, or perhaps to put on a show for the Infant Void Heavenly Son?

Regardless, the new emperor is not angry, which is a good thing.

"These are all precious medicinal ingredients from the Imperial Medical Institute, right?" Gu Rongjin said, "Although our household isn't lacking either."

"This is His Majesty's good intention." Mu Yuanzhi had someone come to take inventory and store them.

"Indeed, this is to encourage me to keep pressing on, to give that mangy toad a bit of color to look at!" Gu Rongjin said, crossing his arms.

Mu Yuanzhi couldn't help but laugh: "They are a sovereign of a state, dignified and imposing, and you call them a mangy toad?"

"Daring to covet you is just a mangy toad!" Gu Rongjin snorted coldly, "How can you still speak up for a mangy toad? I'm jealous!" Gu Rongjin ground his teeth.

"No way." Mu Yuanzhi went to embrace her husband: "Don't be jealous, be good."

"You have to coax me properly."

"All right, all right, I'll go make you a post-meal snack?"

"Together."

"Let's go."

The young couple busied themselves in the kitchen for two hours before finishing the snack; this snack could no longer be called a post-meal treat.

"This is my first time making peach blossom pastry; I don't know if it's good or bad, and I even added the peach blossom wine the empress gave us before." Mu Yuanzhi said, handing it to Gu Rongjin's mouth.

Gu Rongjin laughed, "You're using me as a lab mouse, huh?"

"If you don't want to eat it, forget it."

Mu Yuanzhi tried to pull her hand back, but Gu Rongjin suddenly gripped her wrist, forcibly sending the piece of peach blossom pastry back to her mouth; she took a bite, and it was fragrant, sweet, and soft.

"Delicious!"

"Really? You're not just being biased?" Mu Yuanzhi was doubtful.

"You'll know if you just wait a bit longer." Gu Rongjin shoved the peach blossom pastry, of which he had taken only one bite, into Mu Yuanzhi's mouth, smiling as he watched her eat.