Chapter 60: Making Light of a Serious Matter

"This matter, the victim is Zhiyan; I have handed over all decision-making power to her, she can handle it however she wishes." The emperor said, looking at Mu Yuanzhi.

Mu Yuanzhi was stunned, her heart full of doubt.

What does the emperor mean by this?

Leave it to her to handle? She can handle it however she wishes?

How is that possible!

She didn't believe it; she knew clearly her place in the emperor's heart, the emperor's anger now wasn't because of her, but because of his disappointment in his son and future son-in-law.

"Zhiyan, come over to Father Emperor." The emperor beckoned to Mu Yuanzhi.

Mu Yuanzhi instantly understood, just like that day, the emperor speaking privately with her was nothing more than setting conditions; he could never really expose their two crimes publicly.

One is the heir apparent, the other a senior minister; the emperor couldn't bear to, for the sake of her, an extra so-called daughter, heavily punish his two right-hand men—obviously impossible.

So that's what leaving it to her to handle means.

Mu Yuanzhi followed the emperor to the side hall; the emperor, just as before, acted like a kind father, taking her hand and asked anxiously: "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head; the emperor nodded: "Good that you're not."

He paused then said: "A woman's chastity is the most precious thing; Zhiyan, you have always been sensible and aware of the bigger picture. I hope you understand that your elder brother and your future brother-in-law are pillars of the empire. Although they did this thoughtless act, their intention must have been for your good, just misguided."

"Father Emperor, no need to say more."

It's too disgusting; Mu Yuanzhi doesn't want to hear another punctuation mark!

Racking their brains to come up with all those frivolous words— isn't it just to get those two off the hook?

She had long known this; her heart had already turned cold, it wouldn't hurt anymore.

Perhaps it was Mu Yuanzhi's firm, impatient words that embarrassed the emperor; he cleared his throat before sighing: "Father Emperor knows you feel wronged; you may propose any conditions you like, as long as Father Emperor can fulfill them."

What the precondition is, he didn't say; Mu Yuanzhi also understood— they couldn't make those two's crimes public, nor would they be heavily punished.

"After all, you haven't suffered any actual harm; we're all one family— can't we just make a big issue small?"

Mu Yuanzhi laughed— what a claim of no actual harm, what a "make a big issue small"!

Fighting them is indeed like striking a stone with an egg.

But the future is long; she simply doesn't believe she can't win!

Mu Yuanzhi swallowed her anger, but had no intention of just letting it go: "Since Father Emperor said I can raise any conditions, I'll speak plainly—I have only one request, not an excessive one; if Father Emperor agrees, I too will agree to make a big issue small."

The emperor: "Speak."

"I want Father Emperor to order a search of all properties under my fourth brother's name!"

She absolutely cannot let the Qilin fall into Pei Shangling's hands!

The emperor eyed her suspiciously: "Why is that?"

"Just agree, Father Emperor." To prevent Pei Shangling from biting back, she can't say much for now.

The emperor nodded: "Fine, a trivial matter; I agree, I will hand you the imperial edict for the search."

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

The emperor let out a deep breath of relief from his heart.

Inside the hall, upon learning they could return, Xiao Yichen and Pei Shangyan both felt incredulous; looking again at Mu Yuanzhi's expression, she seemed perfectly fine, not at all dissatisfied.

Too strange.

Pei Shangyan had all day dared not look at Mu Yuanzhi; now, after finally mustering the courage to meet her eyes, he discovered her coldness had grown even stronger.

His blood instantly turned cold throughout his body.

Not even the coldest winter month is as cold as he is now.

Her not quarreling or making a fuss instead gave him a sense of helpless despair.

He wished she would grab his collar, confront him about why she did this, scold him, hit him— then he might feel a bit better.

Now they seem to have become complete strangers, leaving him at a loss.

"Little sister Zhiyan..."

Pei Shangyan watched Mu Yuanzhi brush past him, his gaze straight, not pausing even a moment; neither his eyes nor his heart held him anymore.

He really had pushed her away with his own hands...

Pei Shangyan felt immense regret, his remorse making his intestines feel emptied.

Had he, in the name of doing her good, hurt her and finally severed their sibling bond?

The lost and dispirited Pei Shangyan didn't know how he had walked out of the hall; seeing Xiao Yichen step out behind him, his anger flared: "It's all your fault! You return my sister to me?!"

The guards stationed outside were startled; when had they ever seen the Crown Prince lose composure like this?

In front of everyone, he actually laid hands on the Prime Minister?

What happened?

Xiao Yichen felt heavy-hearted; Pei Shangyan still came to provoke him, his eyes flashing with sharpness: "Crown Prince, please conduct yourself properly— you were the one who plotted this!"

His voice carried resentment, and he shoved off Pei Shangyan's hand without courtesy.

"Enough! Do you want to openly brawl outside the hall?!" The emperor's stern voice suddenly boomed; he hated that iron could not be made into steel, glanced at each of them, and said: "All of you go back to reflect— unbecoming!"

Xiao Yichen and Pei Shangyan both wore cold, grim faces as they glanced at each other, unwillingly performing the salute and withdrawing.

"If it weren't for Zhiyan's sense of propriety, you'd belong in the Imperial Court of Justice!"

The emperor's furious words made the attending guards and palace maids wish they could vanish on the spot— what would they do if they learned what they shouldn't have?

What fault did the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister commit to provoke the emperor's such anger?

But no matter how they guessed, this matter would have no answer.

Because Mu Yuanzhi had already gotten what she wanted, she took the imperial edict and rushed nonstop to search all properties belonging to Pei Shangling.

"Little Zhiyan, did His Majesty really just brush over this matter like that?" Gu Rongjin asked in a tone dark and unclear.

Mu Yuanzhi nodded: "Exactly, he wouldn't punish his two beloveds over such a trifle— you could have guessed that too."

Then she can only exchange what she most wants to exchange now.

If she lets those two people go for now, she can keep the Qilin safe, and she is willing.

"Guessing is one thing, confirming it is another." Gu Rongjin clenched his fist then loosened it, and he asked again: "Where are you going now? You look like you have something big to do."

"I'm going to find my junior martial brother." Mu Yuanzhi shook the imperial edict in her hand.

"Your junior martial brother? Ah, that little brat who only knows how to cry? I've seen him once, he was only this tall." Gu Rongjin indicated the height on his own belt.

Mu Yuanzhi couldn't help laughing: "That was ten years ago; he's this tall now."

She took Gu Rongjin's hand and placed it on his shoulder.

Gu Rongjin took the opportunity to grasp that hand: "You finally laughed."

Only then did Mu Yuanzhi realize she had indeed laughed; happiness truly could lighten her mood.

Only then did she notice her hand was held by him, and she quickly pulled it back: "Don't get handsy!"

"What? You were the one who first touched her little hand."