The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 179 - 178

Chapter 178

The following day, the royal court officially announced the sudden passing of the Empress Dowager due to a severe illness. The Royal Ceremonial Bureau organized her funeral with the utmost respect, amidst the mourning of the citizens who had lost their beloved mother of the nation. Three days later, another shocking event rattled the populace.

The royal court conducted an investigation into the crimes of Shin Wang and several prominent officials. They were charged with conspiring to fabricate evidence against the now-deceased Mu family and with illegally amassing troops. Later, the investigation concluded with an official verdict: all those involved were sentenced to execution to restore justice to the wronged Mu family.

Hundreds of court officials were purged in this bloody crackdown, most of them loyal to the Empress Dowager and Shin Wang. After the executions, the capital was permeated with a stench of blood, causing fear and outrage among the people.

Once the purge ended, peace returned to the royal court. The Emperor decreed an open examination for selecting new officials, providing an opportunity for impoverished scholars to showcase their talents. This brought back a sense of enthusiasm among the populace, as scholars eagerly seized the chance to serve the nation.

With the conclusion of the examinations, the royal court was replenished with talented new officials. Where the court had once been filled with the descendants of the old aristocracy, it now welcomed officials truly skilled and capable.

The Emperor collaborated with the new officials to develop and govern the nation to prosperity once again. Amidst the prosperity and advancement of the Qingzhou Region, in the blink of an eye, two years had finally passed...

Two years later.

In a private room on the top floor of Ma Jun Tea House, a slender figure was leisurely sipping tea by the window. Her every movement exuded grace and elegance, captivating anyone who might glance her way. The aura around her radiated nobility and sophistication befitting a high-born lady.

As the young woman enjoyed her exquisite tea, a cry for help echoed through the window from the street below. When she turned to look in the direction of the sound, the sunlight streaming through the window illuminated her face, revealing an ethereal beauty akin to a masterpiece sculpted by the heavens.

Her oval-shaped face, large, lustrous eyes that sparkled like gems, and perfectly shaped nose complemented her full, rosy lips. Her cheeks were a delicate shade of pink, contrasting beautifully with her smooth, jade-like white skin. She was truly a rare beauty, one that could topple regions.

Despite her youthful bloom, like a flower just beginning to blossom, her beauty was already renowned throughout the land. It was unquestionable that as she grew older, her beauty would only become more radiant...

"Help! Thief! That thief stole my money!"

A middle-aged woman cried out for help from people on the street while chasing after a burly man running ahead of her, drawing the attention of passersby.

The young woman in the private room on the second floor of Ma Jun Tea House watched the scene below for a moment. Seeing that no one was stepping forward to help the middle-aged woman, she smirked cunningly. Gathering her internal energy, she flung the teacup in her hand towards the thief.

Thud!

"Ouch!"

The teacup struck the thief’s head with force, shattering into pieces and causing him significant pain and surprise. He fell backward, clutching his head, allowing the middle-aged woman to catch up and reclaim her stolen money.

The young woman in the private room who flung that teacup smiled slightly, her big round eyes twinkling with amusement. Just as she was enjoying the outcome, the door to her room opened, and an elderly man stepped inside.

"There is a report that the situation in the Daliang Region is stable, Miss. Our people, who were sent to establish a base and build a force two years ago, have succeeded in their mission. Our stronghold in Daliang is now fairly well-established and secure."

"Thank you, Uncle Wang. From now on, I will rely on you to manage things here,"

Mu Yingying responded with a smile. Though she had just passed the age to pin her hair a few days ago, her playful and mischievous nature remained unchanged, endearing her to Uncle Wang as always.

"Are you really planning to set out soon, Miss? Wouldn’t it be better if this old man accompanied you to provide assistance?"

Uncle Wang’s face showed deep concern. Knowing that the young woman was about to embark on a journey to deal with distant enemies, he couldn’t help but worry. Sensing his genuine concern, Mu Yingying offered a gentle smile. "I’m not a little girl anymore."

"If you accompany me to Daliang, who will look after our affairs here in Qingzhou? To me, Uncle Wang is the most trusted and respected person. No one can replace you. Besides, you’re not young anymore, and traveling far would be more dangerous than staying here."

Her words, filled with care and concern, touched Uncle Wang deeply. It seemed as if the young woman before him was still the same five-year-old girl he had known, only now grown up.

"Very well, Miss. I won’t let you down. While you’re away, I’ll ensure everything here runs smoothly."

"Thank you,"

Mu Yingying responded cheerfully. Shortly after, she left Ma Jun Tea House and headed back to Zhuiping Residence. Upon her return, she found the once serene residence bustling with activity like never before. Servants were busy with their tasks, and the entire residence was decorated with festive red items.

Mu Yingying quickly made her way to her sister’s quarters. Upon arrival, she found Mu Qingxuan dressed in a magnificent red wedding gown, adorned with intricate, flying, golden phoenix embroidery, symbolizing elegance and power.

"Is this the wedding dress that my brother-in-law sent?"

Mu Yingying approached her elder sister while admiring the gown. Mu Qingxuan turned to her sister with a shy smile. "Mm...it arrived this morning."

"This dress must have taken at least three months to make. Every detail is so meticulously crafted. My brother-in-law is very attentive to you," Mu Yingying praised, playfully teasing her sister, making Mu Qingxuan blush.

"Tomorrow, you will be married. I will miss you dearly."

"It’s me who will miss you. Soon, you’ll be traveling far to Daliang. It will be a long time before we meet again." Mu Qingxuan’s face showed sadness instantly. Though tomorrow was her wedding day, instead of being happy, when she remembered that her sister would be leaving for a distant land after a few days of her wedding day, Mu Qingxuan could not help but feel sad.

Seeing her sister’s expression, Mu Yingying reached out and held her hand, consoling, "Time will pass in the blink of an eye. Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it. For now, let’s focus on your wedding tomorrow. Soon, you will be the mother of the nation."

Mu Qingxuan knew her sister didn’t want her to worry, so she let the matter drop. The two sisters then busied themselves with selecting accessories for the wedding ceremony tomorrow.

After the Empress Dowager and Shin Wang were dealt with two years ago, peace had prevailed. The relationship between Mu Qingxuan and Chen Feng Yue had blossomed by leaps and bounds. Their mutual affection grew openly, and finally, more than two years had passed and it was time for the two of them to get married as the imperial decree had been announced two years earlier.

...

..

.

The next morning, before dawn broke, everyone at Zhuiping Residence was up early, preparing for the important ceremony. As the morning wore on, Mu Qingxuan, adorned in her luxurious wedding attire, stood at the entrance of the residence, awaiting the arrival of her groom. Mu Gongzhen and Mu Yingying stood by her sides, flanking her on both sides.

Normally, for the wedding of the Emperor and the Empress, the royal court would send a ceremonial palanquin to escort the bride to the palace for the ceremony. However, Chen Feng Yue desired to personally lead the procession of betrothal gifts on horseback to fetch the bride from her residence and bring her to the palace himself. Despite the objections of many officials, who deemed it inappropriate, Chen Feng Yue paid them no mind.

Soon, lively music could be heard from not far away, and a procession of people approached the entrance of Zhuiping Residence. As they came into view, the residents of Zhuiping Residence saw the imposing figure of a young man in a red wedding robe on a large black horse. It was none other than Chen Feng Yue, the ruler of Qingzhou!

Chen Feng Yue rode his steed toward Zhuiping Residence at a leisurely pace. Upon seeing his bride in a fiery red wedding gown, his previously stoic heart swelled with warmth and excitement.

After arriving at the entrance, he dismounted and walked over to take his bride’s hand, leading her to the large ceremonial palanquin prepared for her. Mu Gongzhen and Mu Yingying followed, boarding the carriage arranged for them. The entire procession then made its way back to the palace.

The wedding procession soon reached the palace, where the official ceremony began. The bride and groom performed the rites, bowing to heaven and earth, with the court officials as witnesses. Once the ceremony was completed, Mu Qingxuan was formally appointed as the Empress, with an imperial decree announced across the land.

Following the wedding ceremony, the celebration commenced that evening. Nearly all the court officials and their families attended the grand banquet. Numerous foreign envoys also joined the celebration, making the event even more spectacular.

Guests streamed in continuously. Mu Yingying, seated at her designated spot, picked up some snacks to pass the time. Her big round eyes surveyed the women attending the event with interest. This banquet allowed officials to bring their families, resulting in the children of various noble families dressing meticulously.

Ladies, young and old, adorned themselves with exquisite jewelry and beautiful attire, aiming to use this banquet to reveal their shine in high society.

Mu Yingying observed them with interest, enjoying the sight of such splendid beauty. With nothing else to occupy her time, she chose to admire the elegantly dressed women gathering here.

As Mu Yingying sat there, she inadvertently became the center of attention. Her beauty, renowned as the greatest in the land, drew many admiring glances from men and envious looks from women, who felt overshadowed by her radiant presence.

Additionally, Mu Yingying’s status further piqued people’s interest. The Mu family was at the peak of its power. Mu Gongzhen, her eldest brother, held the position of Left Side Chancellor, while Mu Qingxuan, her sister, was now the Empress. This made Mu Yingying, the youngest sister, akin to a little princess, catching the eye of many power factions.

As guests continued to arrive, the noise in the hall suddenly subsided. Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Mu Yingying turned to follow everyone’s gaze toward the main entrance. As she followed everyone’s gazes, she saw a young man striding into the banquet with a commanding presence.

His face was flawlessly handsome, with well-defined features that exuded an aura of power, making people instinctively feel a sense of awe. His sharp eyes, although cold and emotionless, carried a certain charm that attracted people’s attention. He could be called the most striking man who caught everyone’s eyes, making it difficult for anyone to look away, especially the women, who seemed to be lost in a long reverie.

Even Mu Yingying was not exempt...

She stared at the unfamiliar man with a feeling of familiarity. What captivated her was not his striking appearance but his eyes, which reminded her of someone. It was the reason she couldn’t help but stare at him without blinking.

At that moment, the young man turned and met Mu Yingying’s gaze. As their eyes locked, she saw a clear gentleness and warmth in his eyes. Those eyes were both gentle and warm, making one yearn for them, an expression Mu Yingying would never forget despite not having seen it for many years.

It’s him...

Mu Yingying’s face lit up with a broad smile, her big round eyes sparkling like stars in the night sky. This change in her expression did not go unnoticed by the young man, whose heart fluttered for a moment before a wave of warmth surged within him.

The young man followed the eunuch leading the way to his designated seat, amid the attention of the women in the banquet. His seat was among the foreign envoys and was positioned at the forefront, indicating his significant importance among the foreign dignitaries, likely from a major region deserving of great respect.

Soon, the Emperor and Empress arrived at the grand hall, and the banquet officially commenced. Palace dancers performed to the rhythm of the music, while palace maids served food and wine to the guests. After the dance, the officials began to step forward to offer their blessings to the Emperor and Empress.

During this time, the young man, who had drawn the attention of many women, stood up and walked towards the Emperor and Empress to offer his congratulations with a polite demeanor. From his words, the guests finally learned his true identity.

"In the name of the Crown Prince of Basui, I wish His Majesty and Her Majesty a harmonious and loving life, remaining as a beacon for the people for tens of thousands of years."

"Thank you, Crown Prince, for joining us in this celebration. Zhen hopes the relationship between our two regions will remain strong and enduring," the Emperor replied with a smile. The presence of the Crown Prince of the great Basui Region at the celebration was a significant honor for Qingzhou.

"It certainly will," the Crown Prince responded with a slight smile before returning to his seat.

As the banquet progressed to its final moments, Mu Yingying excused herself for a stroll in the imperial garden. With her sister now the Empress, she had the freedom to wander the garden without issue. While she was standing and gazing at the stars in the night sky, someone draped a large cloak over her shoulders in the darkness.

When Mu Yingying turned to look, she found it was the Crown Prince of Basui, and the cloak wrapped around her was certainly his. Under the moonlight, his sharp, handsome features were illuminated even more vividly, making it difficult for Mu Yingying to look away, as if she were entranced.

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