The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 151 - 150

Chapter 150

"Why is that, Your Majesty?" Ming Kai looked up at the Emperor with confusion before lowering his gaze slightly out of courtesy.

Before the Emperor could respond, Mu Gongzhen stood up and walked over to stand beside Ming Kai, clasping his hands to ask for permission from the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, may I have the honor of explaining this matter to the Third Prince myself?"

"Go ahead, Master Mu," the Emperor nodded in approval.

"Your Highness, my sister was previously advised by a revered monk regarding her fate. It was said that she had an unfortunate destiny and must avoid marriage for the next two years. Therefore, my sister is not in a position to marry anyone at this time," Mu Gongzhen explained calmly, though his eyes were extremely cold.

Ming Kai raised his eyebrows in surprise. "An unfortunate destiny, you say?"

Fate and destiny were significant aspects of marriage customs in the Yingjie Region as well, especially for a marriage alliance with the royalty of the Yingjie Region. Hearing this, Ming Kai was troubled. However, the faint fragrance he had smelled earlier wafted to his nose again, reigniting his desire.

Ming Kai glanced at the beautiful lady sitting not far away with a look of infatuation before speaking firmly.

"This is not a problem at all. In that case, we can be betrothed now and wait for two years to hold the wedding in Yingjie. During this time, I will ensure her well-being as my future primary consort!"

Mu Gongzhen frowned deeply upon hearing this. It was clear that the foreign prince would not easily give up his intentions.

"Your Highness, the unfortunate destiny is not specified whether it pertains to my sister alone or to her future spouse. If she were to travel far and face any misfortune, I would be devastated for not being able to care for her. Moreover, if anything were to happen to you or your entourage due to my sister’s unfortunate destiny, we could not bear the responsibility for such risks,"

Mu Gongzhen reasoned calmly, trying to dissuade the prince. If it weren’t for the fact that Ming Kai was a foreign prince and an envoy, Mu Gongzhen would not have shown him this much courtesy. But if the prince insisted on marrying his sister, Mu Gongzhen would have to resort to other measures in private...

"Master Mu, you speak at length. Are you saying you do not want your sister to marry me!? Or do you think the Yingjie Region is not worthy of Young Miss Mu?"

Ming Kai’s temper began to flare. He was no fool and could easily see that Mu Gongzhen was trying to reject him in every possible way.

Mu Gongzhen narrowed his eyes at the prince with a cold gaze and replied icily, "Your Highness, I am merely stating the reasons and facts. As her brother, do I not have the right to speak on her behalf?"

"It’s not that you don’t have the right, but this is not an ordinary proposal. It is a marriage alliance between two regions, something beyond the sole decision of Master Mu..."

The Third Prince’s frustration was evident in his tone. Even if the other man was to become his brother-in-law, once the marriage took place, they would reside in the Yingjie Region, where Mu Gongzhen would have no influence.

"Master Mu, mind your words. Qingzhou and Yingjie have long enjoyed a good relationship. A marriage alliance is a sacrifice that the women of Qingzhou are expected to make for their country. I trust that Eldest Young Miss Mu understands this," the Empress Dowager admonished sternly, her expression growing more serious.

Mu Gongzhen glanced at the Empress Dowager momentarily before lowering his gaze to hide the murderous intent in his eyes. It seemed that this matter must be connected to the Empress Dowager; otherwise, why would she intervene and support the foreign envoy’s proposal so actively?

Satisfied that Mu Gongzhen had subdued himself as per her caution, she continued, "Eldest Young Miss Mu, are you willing to undertake this important duty for your country?"

Mu Qingxuan, who had been silently contemplating the situation, looked up at the sound of her name. She stood and walked to the front, stopping before the Empress Dowager and bowing respectfully correctly according to the custom. "Your Majesty, I understand the significance of this matter."

"Does that mean you are willing to marry and form an alliance between our regions?" the Empress Dowager asked again, her eyes briefly flashing with an unreadable expression that no one else noticed.

"Your Majesty, before I answer, may I ask the Third Prince a few questions?" Mu Qingxuan requested calmly, her face giving nothing away. Even Mu Gongzhen could not discern her intentions.

"Go ahead," the Empress Dowager nodded.

With permission granted, Mu Qingxuan approached Ming Kai who stood nearby, studying him closely to detect any anomalies while using the guise of asking questions to buy time. "Your Highness, I am curious why you chose me. I am fairly certain we have never met before, and there are many noble ladies suitable for this role. But instead, you choose me...I do not understand your reasons."

"This..."

Ming Kai hesitated for a moment; he himself didn’t know why it had to be this woman. He had never known her before, but when he smelled a faint fragrance and saw Mu Qingxuan earlier, all of his attention was inexplicably drawn to her.

However, stating this reason would sound unconvincing and inappropriate...

As Ming Kai fumbled for an answer, Mu Qingxuan took the opportunity to observe his body closely. Once she noticed his dilated pupils, Mu Qingxuan suddenly thought of something. She then quickly scanned down and saw the beads of sweat forming on his forehead and neck, along with the unusual tension in his throat.

This...

Piecing together the events, Mu Qingxuan finally understood the situation. Previously, she hadn’t understood the abnormality of the fragrance on her new attire, but seeing the Third Prince’s abnormal behavior made her think of something.

The fragrance on her body was typically harmless, but when combined with a love potion, it yielded a terrifying effect. The love potion could be administered in various forms, including inhalation and consumption. Given that only the Third Prince exhibited abnormal symptoms, it was likely that the potion had been mixed into his food or drink.

Once Ming Kai consumed the love potion, when he smelled the fragrance on Mu Qingxuan’s body, it triggered a powerful reaction. Those affected by the love potion would develop an intense infatuation and desire for the woman emitting the specific scent. Such potions were strictly forbidden and extremely rare.

The fragrance had been deliberately sprinkled on Mu Qingxuan’s spare attire she had prepared and kept at the guest pavilion!

It became clear that someone had orchestrated the entire scenario from the beginning!

Realizing the scheme, Mu Qingxuan allowed a subtle smile to escape her lips, unnoticed by others. She had to admit that her enemies had crafted a well-laid plan. Anyone else might have been trapped with no way out. However, using a love potion as a main course, did they think it would work on a doctor like her...?

"Regardless of the reason, I am grateful for Your Highness’s honor. However, I hope Your Highness will reconsider. A marriage alliance is a significant matter, and the woman chosen must be exceedingly suitable."

As she spoke, Mu Qingxuan flicked her sleeves to grasp her hands while respectfully bowing to the Third Prince. With a flick of her sleeves, she discreetly released a powdered antidote for various toxins, including love potions, toward him. Unaware, Ming Kai inhaled the antidote, and clarity began to return to his mind.

The antidote acted swiftly. The previously dazed eyes of Ming Kai regained their sharpness. His thoughts, once clouded, cleared up significantly, allowing him to reason and analyze the situation more effectively than before. No longer was he overwhelmed by strange emotions and thoughts.

As Ming Kai’s senses started to return to normal, confusion clouded his mind. His recent behavior seemed uncharacteristic. He looked at the beauty before him with a mix of suspicion and surprise. Though Eldest Young Miss Mu was indeed exceptionally beautiful, there were more suitable candidates for a marriage alliance.

Why had he insisted so fervently on marrying her?

Seeing the clarity return to his eyes, unlike before, Mu Qingxuan knew he had recovered from the effects of the love potion. Thus, the concern over the marriage alliance seemed to dissipate...

While the Third Prince was confused because he had just returned to clarity, in the others’ eyes, it appeared as though the prince remained silent, not outright rejecting the proposal despite Mu Qingxuan’s suggestions. The Empress Dowager, watching from her elevated seat, observed the unfolding events with a smile hidden in her eyes.

If Eldest Young Miss Mu were to marry into the Yingjie Region, the Empress Dowager would no longer have to worry about the Emperor forming an alliance with Mu Gongzhen through a marriage with Eldest Young Miss Mu!

Since the last hairpin ceremony, after the Empress Dowager received news that the Emperor had bestowed numerous gifts, including the millennium jade hairpin, she had been having a bad premonition. If the Emperor married the sister of Mu Gongzhen, another faction in the royal court would fall under the Emperor’s control.

Considering taking the power of the Mu family into her own hands by having Shin Wang marry Eldest Young Miss Mu first was hindered by the unfortunate destiny issue. Moreover, the Empress Dowager had a new option to control the Mu family, which was Lady Ping An, or Mu Luofei, the second young miss of the Mu family. This made the Empress Dowager decide to eliminate Mu Qingxuan and pave the way for Mu Luofei to marry Shin Wang quickly to form an alliance with the Mu family.

Amidst the silence at the banquet awaiting the Third Prince’s response, Wan Ningtong, sitting besides, calmly sipped her wine, her eyes filled with a subtle smile while maintaining her composed demeanor. She watched the events unfolding as if watching a farce.

However, when she heard a deep voice break the silence, her face froze momentarily as if struck by lightning.

"The matter of proposing to Eldest Young Miss Mu is impossible...because Eldest Young Miss Mu is already betrothed to Zhen."

Chen Feng Yue, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke amidst the quiet. Though his demeanor was relaxed, his tone carried a weight of seriousness, indicating his sincerity.

This statement struck like lightning in the middle of everyone’s head at the banquet, including Mu Qingxuan and Mu Gongzhen. Both siblings looked up at the Emperor with shock, as did the Empress Dowager sitting nearby. Her previously calm face showed a brief moment of panic before regaining her stern expression.

"Your Majesty, such matters cannot be spoken of in jest,"

The Empress Dowager said sternly, seemingly to reprimand him for making light of marriage matters. She thought the Emperor was merely trying to reject the proposal for Eldest Young Miss Mu, thus intervening to correct the situation.

Chen Feng Yue glanced at the Empress Dowager briefly before exchanging a knowing look with his close confidant, Eunuch Fu. "Zhen is not joking. Zhen simply didn’t expect to announce this so soon. Zhen had prepared an imperial decree beforehand, planning to announce it after the New Year for everyone in the region to know. However, due to the circumstances this time, Zhen must announce it now."

As he finished speaking, Eunuch Fu, who had already been sent to retrieve the decree, stepped forward and stood beside the Emperor, unfurling the decree in his hand to announce it to everyone at the banquet.

"By Imperial Decree...Given that Eldest Young Miss Mu is a woman of great virtue, brimming with talent and a kind heart, possessing all the qualities fitting for the position of the mother of the nation. However, due to her unfortunate destiny, His Majesty has decreed to propose to Eldest Young Miss Mu and betroth her first, waiting for a period of two years before proceeding with the marriage and officially appointing her as the Empress!"

Eunuch Fu’s announcement echoed throughout the hall, solidifying the reality for everyone at the banquet, especially the Empress Dowager, who felt her face go cold for a moment. The Emperor’s declaration was akin to slapping her in the face in front of everyone.

"Eldest Young Miss Mu, receive the imperial decree."

Eunuch Fu walked towards the young woman, speaking in a gentle voice, unlike his usual tone. A bright smile appeared on his face, knowing that the person in front of him was the beloved of his master. He had to show the utmost respect.

Mu Qingxuan looked at the decree in confusion before turning to her brother for his opinion. Although she had a good relationship with Chen Feng Yue, she never imagined that he would issue an imperial decree to make her Empress.

Her mind was filled with mixed emotions, ranging from joy and excitement to doubt and uncertainty.

She wondered whether this decree was a genuine expression of his feelings for her or merely an attempt to help her out of the current situation for her brother’s sake...

While waiting for Mu Qingxuan to accept the decree, Chen Feng Yue on the throne locked eyes with her. Seeing the hesitation and uncertainty in her eyes, his heart ached slightly.

After all this time, did she still not trust me?

As Mu Qingxuan looked up at the person on the throne and saw the fleeting pain in his eyes, she felt a sudden tightness in her chest. Instinctively, she stepped forward to accept the decree.

"I accept the imperial decree!"

Amidst the shocking events, many were astounded and found it hard to believe what was happening. Both Mu Luofei and Bai Lijun watched the scene unfold with resentment. They never expected Mu Qingxuan to rise to the position of the future empress, making the difference in their statuses increasingly apparent.

Mu Luofei clenched her fists tightly, struggling to suppress the rage boiling inside her. She glared at Mu Qingxuan with such intensity it seemed she wanted to tear her apart.

Why did that wretched Mu Qingxuan always get ahead?!

Why did everything always favor her?!

Why?!

Not only Mu Luofei, but Wan Ningtong, sitting not far away, also widened her eyes in disbelief as she stared at the imperial decree in Mu Qingxuan’s hands. Her lips trembled, but no sound escaped. Her delicate hand clutched the porcelain wine cup so tightly that it shattered without her knowing, causing crimson blood to stain her palm, creating a gruesome sight.

However, this pain paled in comparison to the agony in her heart.

At last, what she had feared all along had come to pass!

Despite all her efforts and preparations to become the future empress, despite watching the Emperor for many years with the hope of being by his side someday, and despite training herself in every way to be worthy of him,

Despite all of that...today, an unknown woman had snatched that near-attainable hope from her!

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