The Aloof Prince Chapter 28 - Deliberately Adding walls

Translator: Rize

Editor: Larkspur

Rope, planks, shattered vase; as Lu Gonggong mulled over the scene before him, he touched his nose.

“It seems that this old slave arrived just in time to give this decree.”

Lu Gonggong glanced at Mu Yunjin who was holding the imperial edict and then turned to address Mu Xiang.

“The Sixth Prince himself asked the Emperor to bestow a decree for this marriage. It just shows how much the Sixth Prince particularly wants this marriage. Therefore, in these two months, I ask Xiang Ye and Xiang Madam to take good care of the Third Miss. By all means, do not let any accidents happen, otherwise, the Sixth Prince and His Majesty, will not be magnanimous.”

When Lu Gonggong finished speaking, he swept a look across everyone present, cupped both hands to bow in ceremony, then excused himself. Looking at Lu Gonggong's retreating figure, Mu Yunjin slightly raised her eyebrow, this old fellow is a little interesting. Just then his words are a warning to Mu Xiang and Su Biqing.

From the moment Mu Lingzhu had heard Lu Gonggong finish announcing the decree, her whole body was trembling, her face deathly pale. She had been fighting back her tears, she was so dazed that she could sense nothing at all. A full eight years... she had liked Chu Li for a whole eight years. But now, the Emperor had bestowed the marriage... Chu Li would marry Mu Yunjin! She lost, in spite of everything, she still lost!

“Zhu'er!” Su Biqing called out.

Su Biqing had noticed Mu Lingzhu's strange behavior. She glanced at the decree and slightly grit her teeth. She’d thought today would mark the end of Mu Yunjin. Little did she expect that halfway through a decree bestowing a marriage would arrive.

Mu Xiang had a lot running through his mind. He glanced at the bright yellow imperial edict, a complicated feeling surfaced in his heart. Today, the imperial edict was passed down. Mu Yunjin was about to become a part of the Royal household, he could no longer offend this person. Thinking of Yiyang's injury, Mu Xiang felt the breath stick in his throat, suffocating him. This was the first time he felt like his teeth got knocked out and tasted blood. Utterly vexing!

Mu Yunjin coldly looked at the three people in front of her, she slightly narrowed her eyes, finally, her gaze rested on Mu Xiang.

“Father, aren't you going to kill me? You can now begin.”

Mu Xiang was flabbergasted, that obscure anger resurfaced, he let out a heavy snort and reached out to point at her.

“To have this kind of evil daughter is this family's misfortune!”

Seeing his contempt for her, Mu Yunjin laughed cynically. Although her eyes smiled, she concealed within them a glint of cold rage.

“Since there is nothing else, I will be going back to rest. I accompanied the Sixth Prince for tea all afternoon, so I am really tired.”

Mu Yunjin yawned, and walked in the direction of the Listening Flower Pavilion. After Mu Yunjin left, Mu Xiang suddenly slumped to the ground, panting lightly, creasing his brows and sighing from time to time. Su Biqing watched the scene, tightly pursed her lips, and hesitantly talked.

“Yunjin, that child, just met the Sixth Prince a few times and is already not attaching importance to us. If in the future she becomes the mother of the country, then this Prime Minister’s Residence...”

Su Biqing did not dare to continue her words. Mu Lingzhu slowly finished the sentence in her own mind. She firmly bit her lips and cast a meaningful look at her mother. Su Biqing's eyes met Mu Lingzhu’s, flashed a knowing smile. Soon after, she looked at Mu Xiang and comforted.

“At this point, excessive thinking is useless. Husband should go back to rest first.”

“Okay.”

Mu Xiang nodded somewhat strained. Then he got up and left in the direction of his own dwelling. When Mu Xiang left, only Su Biqing and Mu Lingzhu remained inside the front hall. Mu Lingzhu looked at Su Biqing, tears glistening her eyes.

“Mother, there are still two months before she reaches the marriageable age, you have to find a way for me to be able to take her place.”

...........

Once Mu Yunjin returned to Listening Flower Pavilion, she immediately tore the imperial edict in her hands and threw it on the ground. Zi Xiang was stupefied; she immediately crouched down to pick up the pieces of the imperial edict.

“Miss, you don't fear for your life, even daring to tear a decree....”

What?! Confer marriage...to Sixth Prince?

When Zi Xiang pieced together the torn pieces of the edict, she was astonished. For a long time, she stood still and then suddenly exclaimed.

“Miss, this decree is granting you and Sixth Prince marriage?”

Mu Yunjin’s cold eyes stared at a thrilled Zi Xiang.

“You can still recognize the letters...”

“Congratulations Miss! Congratulations Miss!” Zi Xiang couldn’t conceal her joy, she was truly happy for her mistress.

Mu Yunjin was on the verge of being driven mad. She went to her room and shut the door tightly. She lunged head first on the couch. Blame her own cheap mouth, why did she have to mention that bird blindness?! This time she threw herself head-on into the clutches of trouble. Still, Chu Li is also very impulsive. Couldn't he just wait for his anger to dissipate before making a decision?! Mu Yunjin stopped thinking and let out a heavy sigh.

At dawn the next day, Mu Yunjin was still fast asleep when several twittering birds woke her up. She dreamily opened her eyes, only to hear Zi Xiang's laughter together with the chirping of birds. Mu Yunjin immediately got up, put on her shoes, and walked to the door. She opened the door only to find Ding Xian and Zi Xiang standing in the courtyard. Zi Xiang held a birdcage, inside were several crested mynas. Seeing the caged little birds, Mu Yunjin's eyes suddenly dimmed. Ding Xian caught sight of her and immediately ran up to her, and respectfully addressed Mu Yunjin.

“Third Miss, these crested mynas, were sent by the Sixth Prince.”

“Chu Li sent them?”

Mu Yunjin slightly narrowed her eyes, she didn’t understand what Chu Li was planning.

“Yesterday, the Sixth Prince accidentally injured those crested mynas. Upon returning to the palace, he recalled that the Third Miss had said that the Listening Flower Pavilion is gloomy. So, he ordered me to send you some crested mynas.” Ding Xian explained.

Mu Yunjin furrowed her eyebrows in anger. She was very, very furious. Even if Chu Li killed those birds yesterday, sending her these birds today.... was he deliberately adding walls for her?

Ding Xian seemed to remember something, from the inside of his sleeves he pulled out three pieces of paper banknotes and offered them to Mu Yunjin.

“Today is the third day. Here are the 30,000-gold worth of banknotes. Third Miss can take these to the bank to exchange into silver taels.”

Mu Yunjin listened and glanced at the bank notes in Ding Xian's hands. She furtively pondered, if she received these banknotes, that jade would completely belong to Chu Li. But if she didn’t accept, the jade would still be with Chu Li. It’s highly unlikely that he’d easily return it to her. She paused, wrapped her arms around herself, and slightly raised the tip of her brow.

“These banknotes, I want Chu Li to give it to me in person.”

“Yes, Third Miss.”

Ding Xian didn’t say anything else. Being with Mu Yunjin for a few days, he knew that this Third Miss was very likely to make her own arrangements. Without a choice, he could only agree. When Ding Xian left, Zi Xiang happily looked at the birdcage in her hands and walked towards Mu Yunjin.

“Miss, the Sixth Prince is really attentive towards you. He especially found some birds to relieve you of your boredom.”

“These crested mynas weren’t sent for amusement, but to warn me instead.”

Mu Yunjin sighed and walked back into her bedroom leaving Zi Xiang puzzled. She hung the birdcage on a branch at the side, then followed Mu Yunjin inside.

“It is reasonable to say that Miss marrying the Sixth Prince is a happy occasion, but why does this servant feel that the Miss seems to be unhappy?”

Zi Xiang looked at Mu Yunjin who was sitting by the dressing table. She picked a wooden comb and helped her sort her hair into a bun. Mu Yunjin hooked her lips into a smile and faintly spoke.

“To leave the Prime Minister’s Residence is a happy occasion but marrying into the Royal Family is not necessarily a good thing.”

“Makes sense! In light of the Sixth Prince's natural aptitude, it is highly probable that he will be conferred the title of Crown Prince and ascend the throne as the Emperor. When that time comes, Miss will become the Mother of the Country. You will certainly have many worries. Just in the Harem, there will already be a lot of crafty plots and machinations....”

Zi Xiang while chattering suddenly realized her Miss’ attitude was justified. Listening to Zi Xiang babbling far ahead, Mu Yunjin laughed helplessly. With her devil-may-care persona, she was definitely not suited for the imperial palace.

After she’d changed into presentable clothes, she heard a knock on the door of the Listening Flower Pavilion. Zi Xiang immediately went out to open the door. She saw Aunt Li standing at the doorway.

“Aunt Li, it's you.”

Zi Xiang looked at the person who came. She’s slightly dumbfounded, but then her little face turned cold.

“Aunt Li why have you come here?”

Aunt Li arrogantly looked at Zi Xiang, pushed her to the side, then went in. Mu Yunjin, who had just walked out of her room, saw this scene. She couldn’t help sneer.

“What wind blew for Aunt Li to come here?”

“This slave was ordered by the Madam to wait on the Third Miss before your marriage. I have especially come to teach the Third Miss some basic rules and etiquettes.” Aunt Li replied.

A person sent by Su Biqing. Mu Yunjin reckoned that this woman was once again plotting something. She laughed.

“Since Aunt Li has come to teach me etiquettes, then how come I don't see you paying your respect to me? No matter what, I am the Third Miss, inside this residence, I am still your master.”

Then, Mu Yunjin turned to Zi Xiang, “Go and get me a chair.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Zi Xiang immediately ran and brought a chair. Mu Yunjin then sat down, she indolently yawned and crossed her legs. She leisurely looked at Aunt Li.

“All right, Aunt Li please start.”

Upon seeing this, Aunt Li’s began to wonder, this little slut is really different than from before. Earlier whenever she’d see me, she’d avoid me. But today, even daring to make me pay obeisance? But thinking about it again, Aunt Li remembered Su Biqing's orders. For now, she’d only clench her teeth and put on an act. She moved her body.

“This old slave pays her respect to the Third Miss.”

“Oh? That was a greeting?”

Mu Yunjin looked puzzled. Knitting her brows, she thought hard for a bit.

“No, No! Last time you did not pay your respect to my Fourth Sister like this.” Mu Yunjin gestured and added, “Aunt Li, last time you bowed much deeper than this.”

Aunt Li lifted her eyes and saw Mu Yunjin. She had her hands on her knees as she mocked her with her eyes. She even glimpsed a flash of craftiness in those eyes.

Aunt Li immediately understood this little slut is deliberately ridiculing me. But at this moment, she couldn’t counter anything that Mu Yunjin said. After a while, Aunt Li closed her eyes, might as well just do it. Kneeling, prostrating, she performed the huge ceremony.

“This slave pays her respect to the Third Miss.”

Upon seeing this, Mu Yunjin cried in alarm. “Aunt Li is an elder in this Residence, such a big ceremony, Yunjin does not dare to accept! Zi Xiang, lend an arm to support Aunt Li up.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous              Next