Chapter 94

What's going on?

Pei Yunxi doesn't understand.

Not only does she not understand, but the other party, Mu Yuanzhi, also doesn't understand; she glares at Pei Shangling: 'What do you mean?!'

'What do you mean? Perform the wedding bow!' Pei Shangling retorts.

Mu Yuanzhi finds it funny, she looks at Xiao Yichen, who actually also looks completely unsurprised!

Absurd, making her hold this red silk together with Xiao Yichen and Pei Yunxi to perform the wedding bow, as if three people were getting married—are you sick?!

She isn't even marrying Xiao Yichen!

'Gu Rongjin isn't here, so Xiao Yichen will stand in; after all, you're getting married together.' Pei Shangling said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Same principle as just now substituting for kicking the bridal sedan.

'I disagree, it's utterly ridiculous!' Mu Yuanzhi threw away this red silk.

Xiao Yichen's anger flared instantly, as if what was thrown wasn't the red silk but his feelings, their years of affection.

'Don't miss the auspicious time, delay my sister's wedding!' Pei Shangling said these words sincerely; today is a fine day, calculated by the National Teacher, and if Mu Yuanzhi's fuss causes a delay, he won't let it go!

As soon as Pei Shangling spoke, the emperor's face darkened.

Xiao Yichen's parents also wore looks of resentment.

This Princess Mu Yuanzhi remains as willful as ever; if this causes any trouble in their son's marriage, what can we do?!

The originally embarrassed matchmaker, seeing the emperor's displeased face, hurriedly said: 'It's fine, Princess Mu Yuanzhi, just a substitute; Prime Minister Xiao is your brother-in-law, family matters are no distinction.'

She herself felt her excuse was far-fetched, but if she didn't say it, it wouldn't just be a matter of being far-fetched; it would be a question of whether she could keep her head!

Pei Yunxi, seeing this, suppressed her displeasure and spoke magnanimously: 'Exactly, Sister Mu Yuanzhi, it's just a stand-in; it's not really letting you bow with Brother Chen in marriage—I am Brother Chen's wife.'

While being considerate of the bigger picture, she didn't forget to assert her own authority.

Although she also thought this was strange and bad, she couldn't go along and refute, otherwise she couldn't strike at Mu Yuanzhi.

Anyway, Brother Chen can only be her prince consort!

The atmosphere on site was silent, an invisible pressure weighing on Mu Yuanzhi's shoulders, forcing her to comply.

It seemed as if her unreasonable fuss was preventing the wedding from proceeding.

'Since family can substitute, fine.' Mu Yuanzhi walked to her dowry, smiling: 'This duck is my dowry, thus my family; it can stand in.'

Xiao Yichen's eyes nearly burst; what did she mean? Did she think he was worth less than a duck?!

She'd rather let a duck substitute than have him?

Xiao Yichen felt he had suffered great humiliation, his chest heaving.

Pei Shanghua couldn't help but interject: 'Ah Zhi sister, you're not comparing Young Master Jin to a duck, are you?'

'I think he'd be happy.' Mu Yuanzhi said solemnly.

Her words provoked loud laughter, yet the atmosphere inexplicably improved.

After all, Gu Rongjin seems indeed not to care about such things.

At this moment the National Teacher seized the chance to say: 'If that's the case, let's not delay the auspicious time, Your Majesty, do you agree?'

The emperor glanced sideways at the National Teacher, smiled and nodded: 'Your words are correct, beloved minister.'

With the emperor's assent, no one dared to object further.

Pei Shangling secretly clenched his fists, wishing he could slaughter all the chickens, ducks, and geese present!

This Mu Yuanzhi girl is truly obstinate!

It's fine, he still has a last trick up his sleeve; nothing is set yet!

As he met Pei Shangjue's gaze, he gave a firm nod, signaling Pei Shangjue to stay calm.

Mu Yuanzhi then retorted to Pei Yunxi: 'Since you're so eager to marry Prime Minister Xiao, you go ahead and bow; I and my little duck substitute will follow behind.'

She hefted the little duck and smiled at Pei Yunxi.

Although Pei Yunxi, wearing the red veil, couldn't see Mu Yuanzhi's smile, hearing the cheer in her voice she could imagine Mu Yuanzhi's expression at this moment.

Damn Mu Yuanzhi, insisting on mocking her—what a nasty mouth!

But Pei Yunxi soon had no time to deal with Mu Yuanzhi, because she was about to bow with Xiao Yichen and become his wife!

Pei Yunxi felt sweet inside; after the three bows, she pulled the red silk tight, drawing her groom near.

Xiao Yichen, however, was not in such a mood; his eyes held a knot, constantly looking toward Mu Yuanzhi.

Mu Yuanzhi walked holding her little duck, not sparing a glance for Xiao Yichen.

'How could you think of using a duck for the wedding bow?'

On her way back, someone suddenly swooped down to block her path.

It was Qi Shihuai!

'I thought the Princess would only seek my help when she had no other choice,' Qi Shihuai said with a mocking smile.

'General, you're overthinking.'

'Really? Between me and Xiao Yichen, the Princess should choose me, right?' Qi Shihuai said confidently.

Mu Yuanzhi: 'No one will be chosen; I will only choose Gu Rongjin.'

'You love Gu Rongjin that much?' Qi Shihuai sized up the bride, 'Is it because he protects you everywhere, or because you want the Pingnan Prince as your backing? But clearly he can't protect you now nor serve as your backing.'

Mu Yuanzhi curled her lips: 'The rebel general, after years of campaigning, knows the capital inside out.'

'Easy enough, after all my spies are spread throughout Jingcheng.' Qi Shihuai raised his brows proudly, 'I can tell the Princess where your brother Gu Rongjin is now.'

Mu Yuanzhi's heart stirred a bit, but she quickly returned to calm: 'If the General knew, he'd have gone to arrest him already.'

'Oh? Perhaps the General is in league with him.' Qi Shihuai gave a mysterious smile.

Mu Yuanzhi frowned.

Impossible; this person must be talking nonsense, otherwise he couldn't have brought troops back to the capital to report.

"Hahahaha, just kidding, wishing the Princess a happy marriage." Qi Shihuai glanced at the little duck Mu Yuanzhi was holding before speaking.

"Thank you." Mu Yuanzhi didn't mind his sarcastic remarks at all.

After she walked away, Qi Shihuai then said to her back: "What this subordinate said is true, Princess, if you need anything, come find this subordinate anytime."

Really? Which sentence? Are you in cahoots? Or do you have news?

"Anytime, oh, tonight works." Qi Shihuai winked at her.

Mu Yuanzhi didn't stop, walking straight away.

The Prince Consort's residence originally belonged to Mu Yuanzhi, and later naturally became Pei Yunxi's place, and the emperor also had no intention of building a new Prince Consort's residence, but now Pingnan Wangfu is under martial law, so Mu Yuanzhi naturally cannot marry into Pingnan Wangfu, therefore the emperor let the Prince Consort's residence become her temporary residence for the wedding.

Mu Yuanzhi gazed at the rear courtyard full of big red lanterns, feeling a bit dazed, to the extent that she didn't even notice someone standing behind the lanterns at first.