Chapter 86: I Can Recall the Decree

"You think just one hairpin can make Father Emperor decide Gu Rongjin is guilty?" Pei Shangyan retorted to Mu Yuanzhi.

Mu Yuanzhi: "Of course not, so you had to search Pingnan Wangfu, arrest Gu Rongjin, but didn't expect him to flee; yet you could then take advantage to make a big fuss, only you didn't expect Pingnan Wang to lead troops into the capital."

However, the General Who Suppresses Rebellion has returned; this must have been beyond Pingnan Wang's expectations, right?

"Such a good opportunity to completely remove Pingnan Wang—why hasn't Father Emperor taken action? So the question circles back, because you lack solid evidence."

After Mu Yuanzhi finished speaking, without waiting for Pei Shangyan's reply, she knew from his expression that her guess was completely correct.

She discreetly checked the letter from Gu Rongjin hidden in her clothing.

Perhaps Pingnan Wang intentionally placed the letter with her, so they couldn't find it.

We must not let these people know that Gu Rongjin is a person of Frost Descent.

Pei Shangyan remained silent for a while before speaking, his expression troubled: "Mu Yuanzhi, since you know Father Emperor is determined to remove Pingnan Wang this time, stop being obstinate and break off your engagement with Gu Rongjin."

Seeing Mu Yuanzhi's eyes flicker, he thought she was wavering and hesitant, so he seized the moment to continue reasoning with her: "This marriage was mistaken from the start; turning back now is still possible, but continuing to sink into the mire will only devour you."

"It's not this marriage that's wrong." Mu Yuanzhi smiled slightly. "It's the beginning."

"The beginning? What beginning?"

Pei Shangyan seemed to suddenly think of something, his body trembling slightly.

"No, how could Younger Sister Mu Yuanzhi mean that?"

"He must be overthinking it; how could Younger Sister Mu Yuanzhi possibly think that, as their sister, a daughter is wrong?"

Pei Shangyan kept trying to convince himself, but the empty sorrow in his heart kept spreading.

At that moment, the Chief Eunuch, who had somehow entered and then left Xuanshi Hall, said to Mu Yuanzhi: "Princess, His Majesty summons you."

What does the Son of Heaven want to say by seeing her?

Mu Yuanzhi instantly grew nervous; she furtively felt for the position of the letter.

"Younger Sister Mu Yuanzhi! Watch your words!" Pei Shangyan worried, almost instinctively wanting to follow her inside.

But the Chief Eunuch stopped him: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, please stay; His Majesty only allows Princess Mu Yuanzhi to enter."

"Even I cannot enter?" Pei Shangyan persisted.

"His Majesty specifically said only Princess Mu Yuanzhi may enter alone." The Chief Eunuch gave an apologetic smile, embarrassed, looking at Pei Shangyan.

Pei Shangyan had no choice; he could only wait here.

Anyway, the capital's highest alert has been lifted; for now there's nothing urgent he needs to attend to immediately.

He really couldn't rest easy about Mu Yuanzhi.

Mu Yuanzhi entered Xuanshi Hall; the General Who Suppresses Rebellion wasn't there, nor was Pingnan Wang.

Strange, where are they?

Could Xuanshi Hall have another exit?

Before Mu Yuanzhi could wonder long, the Son of Heaven waved her over.

"Mu Yuanzhi, Father and daughter haven't sat down for tea and chat in a long time; today this pot of Longjing tea is pre-rain Longjing from Cloud Border, which I greatly enjoy."

He personally poured tea for Mu Yuanzhi.

The atmosphere right now bears no resemblance to having just experienced a gripping major event; instead it feels like any ordinary day, with clear skies, sitting down to sip tea and chat.

But they haven't done this in ages—so long that Mu Yuanzhi can't even recall that they once had many such moments.

The first time she drank tea she found it bitter and unpleasant, so she spat it out outright; back then she paid no heed to etiquette, doing whatever she liked; the Crown Prince would have scolded her, but the Son of Heaven would not—he would indulge her, smiling as he wiped her mouth and taught her how to appreciate tea.

Mu Yuanzhi lifted the teacup, and in a daze she seemed to see her former face—young, innocent, very foolish.

The tea leaves floating in the brew swirled, dispersing that face she disliked; when reflected again, it was already expressionless.

She took a sip; it was unpleasant.

Actually she doesn't like Longjing tea, but the Son of Heaven has probably forgotten.

"You and the Heir Apparent have spent quite some time together—has he told you anything?" the Son of Heaven brought up casually.

Actually he was testing her; she knew.

Mu Yuanzhi: "He's unserious, all he talks about are flowery, moonlit words."

Hearing this, the Son of Heaven raised his brows: "So he hides it well even in front of you?"

Mu Yuanzhi set down her teacup, looking doubtful, and asked: "He isn't the murderer, right, Father Emperor?"

"I also hope he isn't." The Son of Heaven also set down his teacup, with a hint of regret: "Rongjin is someone I've watched grow up; he is still your fiancé, and I naturally don't want him to go down a dead end—what about you, Mu Yuanzhi?"

The Son of Heaven's words seemed to remind her of her relationship with Gu Rongjin.

Mu Yuanzhi: "As your subject, I naturally also trust my future husband."

"Do you still want to marry him?" the Son of Heaven's brow furrowed ever so slightly.

"This is the good match Father Emperor bestowed; as your subject I ought to cherish it." Mu Yuanzhi answered each time carefully, without mistake.

Yet the Son of Heaven seemed dissatisfied, lifting his teacup then setting it down again with considerable force; he looked at Mu Yuanzhi anew, but she always lowered her gaze, not meeting his eyes, her words merely perfunctory, with no substance.

This was utterly unlike before.

Perhaps realizing just now how strained their father‑daughter interaction had become, the Son of Heaven inexplicably felt vexed.

Originally today's affairs were already enough to vex him—each one useless!

Even his formerly most obedient daughter now vexed him endlessly.

"If you don't wish to marry, I can withdraw the decree." the Son of Heaven suddenly said.

Mu Yuanzhi didn't expect the Son of Heaven to say that; she had thought he summoned her this time merely to try every means to extract information—could this also be part of the ploy?

"As long as you tell me the truth."

Indeed!

Mu Yuanzhi thus knew the Son of Heaven would do or say anything without regard for her.

"As your subject I know nothing; I fear disappointing Father Emperor." Mu Yuanzhi still stuck to that excuse.

How come, for no reason, the emperor wouldn't even think to search her? The letter on her shouldn't be discovered.

"I naturally believe my own daughter, but Mu Yuanzhi, if we don't search your Weiyang Palace, I'm afraid we won't be able to convince everyone." The emperor seemed rather embarrassed.

"Go ahead and search, after all it's not the first time."

"I, your subject, am willing to cooperate."

The emperor, feeling somewhat vexed, stood up, took a few steps, then turned back to look at Mu Yuanzhi, his voice noticeably more agitated than before: "I ask you one last time, do you really intend to marry Gu Rongjin? Even if he seems to be fleeing to avoid guilt? Even if the Pingnan Wangfu is already in peril?"

The emperor hadn't spoken to her with such ups and downs in a long time; Mu Yuanzhi paused before replying, "I, your subject, believe him, and I also believe the Pingnan Wangfu."