Chapter 446

Mu Yuanzhi, facing him, had naturally already seen it; she seized the moment to stir up a little trouble.

Not knowing whether the atmosphere had changed or someone was staring at him from behind, giving him a feeling like a prickle on his back, Mu Chengcheng suddenly turned his head and locked eyes with Yelu Kebao Ge.

Mu Yuanzhi was enjoying the show and had no intention of leaving.

This situation was of her own making; how could she not stay to watch?

"Grand Princess..." Mu Chengcheng felt very guilty, yet he couldn't help but carefully observe Yelu Kebao Ge's expression and gaze.

He feared her affection for him would vanish in an instant.

However, Mu Chengcheng was relieved that he hadn't answered Mu Yuanzhi's question just now.

Yelu Kebao Ge smiled at Mu Chengcheng: "Chengcheng, so you actually have someone you like? Why haven't you told me? I'd love to matchmake you two."

She smiled, but it was quite obvious she wasn't happy.

Mu Chengcheng was nervous, yet secretly pleased.

Did this mean that, in her heart, his position was actually quite prominent?!

"Of course not! Grand Princess, don't misunderstand—I don't like Miss Xixi; it was my sister who got the wrong idea." Mu Chengcheng hurriedly explained.

Mu Yuanzhi chimed in at the right moment: "Really? Then you like the Grand Princess, don't you?"

Her words made both Yelu Kebao Ge's and Mu Chengcheng's hearts leap.

Yelu Kebao Ge looked at Mu Chengcheng seriously.

Mu Chengcheng's heart raced.

He didn't know how to answer.

Whether he said yes or no, either could easily make the Grand Princess angry.

Rather than that, it might be better to say yes.

But if he did that, he could no longer get close to Xixi, who seemed indifferent to him...

It's all Mu Yuanzhi's fault!

If she hadn't spoken nonsense, this situation wouldn't have arisen.

"I... Grand Princess, please pardon me!" Mu Chengcheng clasped his fists: "To dare like you is like a toad craving swan meat; if I have caused you trouble, please punish me."

Mu Yuanzhi chuckled inwardly; his act was really convincing.

Yelu Kebao Ge's ear tips visibly reddened, his eyes brightened instantly, his expression shy and timid: "Who wants to punish you? What sin are you asking for?"

Mu Chengcheng felt a surge of joy, startled by the favor, and lifted his head: "What does the Grand Princess mean...?"

"What else could it mean? Are you a blockhead?!"

Mu Chengcheng looked like a naive youth, overjoyed yet daring not to show it too obviously.

Seeing this, Mu Yuanzhi lost interest and decisively left.

This way, Mu Chengcheng could no longer continue his two-timing and harass Xixi.

As for him and Yelu Kebao Ge...

Even if she kindly warned him, Yelu Kebao Ge wouldn't listen.

People sometimes need to fall flat on their faces to learn the pain.

The Ministry of Rites quickly drafted a procedure and submitted it to the emperor for review; if there were no issues, it would be passed to the Imperial Observatory, which would then select an auspicious date for Mu Chengcheng to return to his ancestral clan.

"Sir Sima, the emperor really values this Master Mu, doesn't he? He even had the Ministry of Rites and our Imperial Observatory jointly plan this; historically, only imperial relatives received such treatment!"

The shaman doctor glanced at the chief clerk and said: "It's not that Master Mu is important; it's because of the former Grand General, plus the Protector State Princess and Master Jin's connection—this matter must be handled carefully."

The chief clerk nodded repeatedly in agreement.

He craned his neck to watch the shaman doctor draw a circle on a certain date in the Tai Chu calendar, then couldn't help but ask curiously: "Sir Sima, you've chosen the eighth day of the second month from now, but I keep thinking the first day of next month would be better."

With such an obvious difference, wouldn't Sir Sima notice? The chief clerk wondered.

The shaman doctor looked at the chief clerk and smiled: "If you were sitting in the National Teacher's seat, you wouldn't ask this question."

The chief clerk hastily lowered his head: "It's because I lack skill."

Could there be some hidden trick he doesn't understand?

The shaman doctor was obviously stringing him along; picking a later date naturally leaves room for maneuver, but if it's too late it would arouse the emperor's suspicion—surely Mu Chengcheng wouldn't want that either, and would do everything possible to demand a change.

The eighth day of the second month from now is also a decent date, not far off—just right.

Of course, whether or not to stop Mu Chengcheng from entering the Mu family genealogy is not his concern.

The shaman doctor submitted the chosen date to the emperor and also sent someone to inform Mu Yuanzhi.

Upon seeing the date, Mu Yuanzhi knew the shaman doctor had lent a hand; the eighth day of the second month from now was still some time away—though not ample, it was quite good.

"It's a pity we have no clue at all as to why the blood would fuse," Mu Yuanzhi lamented, having recently pored over many ancient texts to no avail.

"The Qilin has replied; he and the master also have no clue, and the master said that after eliminating all possibilities, the blood fusion itself would be beyond doubt." Gu Rongjin handed Mu Yuanzhi the Qilin's reply.

"How could that be? He can't possibly be my brother!" Mu Yuanzhi instinctively objected.

But after calming down and looking at the letter, she felt this sentence might not mean what she thought.

What the monk meant was not that there would be no doubt if he were her brother, but that there would be no doubt about the blood fusion.

But isn't that the same thing?

At a time like this, how can he not speak in riddles?!

How annoying!

I've racked my brains and still can't figure it out!!

Seeing Mu Yuanzhi about to pull her hair out in frustration, Gu Rongjin knew she was terribly annoyed and couldn't help but suggest: "Xiao Yuanzhi, being this upset won't help; why not go outside to clear your mind? Invite Miss Xixi out for a stroll, some shopping, and cheer up."

"Strange, why don't you go with me yourself? Having me invite Xixi out is unusual," Mu Yuanzhi remarked curiously.

"No can do, I have something else to do later; otherwise such a good opportunity would definitely be mine!" Gu Rongjin said through gritted teeth.

"Where are you going?"

"Old Qi made an appointment with me, saying there's something important; I don't know if he's just fooling me." Gu Rongjin said.

"Since General Qi made an appointment with you, just go; Xixi can keep me company."

At noon, Mu Yuanzhi went to meet Xixi at the teahouse they had agreed upon.

"You finally thought of me!" Xixi happily complained: "It's been days; you came back and didn't even look for me to play! I thought you'd forgotten me!"

"Isn't this because you're busy with your brother-in-law's affairs?" Mu Yuanzhi sighed upon remembering: "Where did this person come from, really exasperating..."

"You think he's not your brother?" Xixi lowered her voice and asked.

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head: "Definitely not!"

"Great, I'm so annoyed by him, I originally didn't dare tell you, but it turns out you don't like him either—perfect! Indeed we're both allergic to idiots!" Xixi, who had been holding it in for a long time, went on: "That guy originally wanted to stick to Qi Shian, but after Qi Shian gave him a good scolding, he behaved and came to bother me!"