vstars Chapter 376 Endless Entanglement!
Chapter 376 Endless Entanglement!
Duanmu Chuze knew that Li Haoran also harbored feelings for Mu Xinnuan, but since Li Haoran had wisely chosen to remain silent, he naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to remind Mu Xinnuan. He wasn't yet aware enough to help his beloved cultivate her romantic prospects.
Since the tea party that day, two imperial edicts have been issued from Kunning Palace. One edict betrothed Sun Ruoxiang to Duanmu Chen, and the other betrothed Duanmu Jing to Chu Rong.
The first imperial decree made Mu Xin Nuan feel somewhat disheartened, after all, the Empress's power was not something anyone could challenge.
This second imperial decree left Mu Xin Nuan stunned for a long time. She naturally knew that Duanmu Jing liked Chu Rong, but she didn't expect the Empress to act so quickly, directly issuing an imperial decree to marry the two of them.
Duanmu Jing must be overjoyed, right? I wonder what Chu Rong is thinking? Chu Rong's uncle and aunt must be happy. Chu Moli, surely she won't think Duanmu Jing is unworthy of her brother this time?
They hadn't seen Chu Rong since he left the Mu residence. He hadn't appeared at the Qinghua Pavilion in the Imperial Garden that day either. Mu Xin Nuan had been worried that it would be too awkward if they ran into each other, but to her surprise, not a single member of the Chu family showed up, not even Madam Chu.
It seems that Her Majesty the Empress was worried that other girls might develop feelings for Chu Rong, so she hid him away early on!
She wasn't surprised at all that the Empress would take a liking to Chu Rong.
The Chu family were military families, and Chu Qinghe held command of hundreds of thousands of troops. The Empress naturally couldn't allow either Prince Ming or Prince Kang's men to win him over first. Duanmu Jing's relationship with the Crown Prince was clearly better than Prince Ming's. Therefore, the Chu family naturally had to side with the Crown Prince.
Is this blatant paving the way for the Crown Prince the Empress's own idea, or is it actually the Emperor's idea?
Mu Xin Nuan wasn't particularly concerned about these things. She knew that this marriage was something Duanmu Jing had been looking forward to for a long time. However, whether this marriage would fulfill Chu Rong's wishes was another matter.
For several days in a row, things were calm.
Mu Xin Nuan waited for several days but did not hear the imperial decree to grant Duanmu Chu Ze a concubine. Could it be that Cheng Zhen really persuaded the Empress?
In truth, Mu Xin Nuan overestimated Duanmu Chu Ze. Although he was resourceful, it was the Crown Prince who truly persuaded the Empress!
The Crown Prince's thinking was actually quite simple: he couldn't let a woman push Duanmu Chuze away. Most importantly, apart from Mu Xin Nuan, he seemed to have no interest in other women. In that case, even if he were to be granted a concubine, it might not necessarily be a good thing.
Prince Ming and Prince Kang left the capital one after the other. The Crown Prince and Duanmu Chen personally saw them off at the city gate. This scene of brotherly affection was repeated twice before temporarily coming to an end. Because Duanmu Chuze was not yet married, he would leave the capital a few days later, and no one in the court dared to object.
After watching Prince Ming and Prince Kang leave the capital, Mu Xin Nuan felt much calmer. At least, Prince Ming wouldn't cause her any more trouble. She wouldn't have to be so worried when she went out anymore. However, the thought of Duanmu Chen made Mu Xin Nuan's eyes darken again.
Compared to Prince Ming, this Prince Changsun seems more impulsive and uncontrollable. This is not a good thing for him.
It's true what they say, what you fear most is what happens.
That day, Mu Xin Nuan was invited by Sun Ruo Xiang to the Sun residence as a guest. Although it was called a guest visit, in reality, she was asked to help choose some patterns and fabrics to prepare clothes for her to wear after the wedding, as well as some small items that she would need.
However, to her surprise, Mu Xin Nuan had only been there for a quarter of an hour when a servant came to report that His Highness the Great had arrived.
Sun Ruoxiang is Duanmu Chen's concubine. Even if betrothal gifts are to be sent, it should be arranged by the Ministry of Rites and the Inner Palace. Why did His Highness Changsun come by himself?
Sun Ruoxiang was first startled, then her face flushed slightly, and the affection in her eyes was not hard to see.
Mu Xin Nuan didn't show it on her face, but she was slightly puzzled. She had just arrived, and he followed right after her. Was it really just a coincidence?
"Sister Sun, will His Highness the Great come to the backyard? Should I avoid him?"
Sun Ruoxiang hadn't thought of this. It was only after being reminded by her that she realized that now that they had the imperial decree for their marriage, there was nothing wrong with Duanmu Chen visiting her backyard.
"You've met His Highness the Grandson before, so why are you avoiding him?"
"That was before. Now, we are both engaged. If my fiancé sees another woman, I will also be unhappy."
Sun Ruoxiang seemed a bit confused and at a loss for what to do. "Then what do you suggest we do?"
"Well then, your household should have a back door, right? I'll leave through the back door first. I'll come back to keep you company another day. You're not getting married tomorrow anyway, what's the rush?"
Mu Xin Nuan's slightly teasing tone calmed Sun Ruo Xiang down a bit. "Alright, you can go now. If word gets out, it will definitely damage your reputation."
Mu Xin Nuan nodded, not daring to delay at all. Sure enough, she had just left Sun Ruo Xiang's courtyard and had Mu Hua hide outside when she saw Madam Sun leading Duanmu Chen inside.
Mu Xin Nuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and the coldness that had not been seen for a long time finally crept into her eyes again. What exactly did Duanmu Chen want to do? Was he crazy, or stupid?
This relentless pursuit will not only prevent him from winning her heart, but it might also incur the Empress's wrath! If things go wrong, she might be reduced to ashes!
It's not wrong for a woman to be beautiful, nor is it wrong for her to be talented! But if she is simultaneously favored by several men in the royal family, then that would be a grave mistake!
The current emperor is wise, but he is not a very merciful person! If the death of a mere female official can bring stability to the Dayong royal family, why wouldn't he be happy to do it?
Mu Xin Nuan took a deep breath and hurriedly went out the back door. Mu Qing had already arrived at the front door and called the carriage over. As Mu Xin Nuan got into the carriage, she saw people who looked like guards heading towards the back gate of the Sun residence.
Mu Xin Nuan quickly ordered, "Hurry up! Go back to the manor immediately."
When the guard came out, he only had time to see a cartwheel, and he didn't know whether it was a carriage from the Mu family or not.
Mu Xin Nuan felt a fear she had never felt before!
Her hands were clasped tightly together, her long nails piercing her palms, but she was completely unaware!