Chapter Sixty-Four: Princess Kangning Disrupts the Marriage
The noise in the front hall did not stop after the bride left; on the contrary, it became even more lively as the banquet officially began.
As the groom, Mu Cenlin naturally became the focus of everyone's toasts. He moved among the guests with a cold and aloof expression and a distant smile. Every gesture of his exuded an inviolable princely majesty.
The officials from the Crown Prince's faction exchanged glances, took the lead in raising their wine glasses, and put on enthusiastic but insincere smiles, stepping forward to offer words of congratulations that were not entirely sincere.
"Congratulations, Your Highness Prince Jing, on this joyous occasion!"
"Your Highness and the Princess are a perfect match, a match made in heaven!"
"May Your Highness enjoy a long and happy marriage and have a son soon!"
Mu Cenlin remained expressionless, merely nodding slightly and gesturing with his wine glass, his cold demeanor making him unapproachable.
At this moment, Mu Yuan, holding a cup of wine, slowly walked forward.
His smile maintained its usual gentle and refined quality, but upon closer inspection, it inevitably appeared somewhat stiff, and the depths of his eyes were icy cold, devoid of any joy.
"Your Majesty, congratulations." Mu Yuan raised his cup, his voice not loud, but loud enough for the small circle of people around to hear clearly. "I really didn't expect that it would be you, Your Majesty, who would finally win the heart of your beauty. Bao'er was so devoted... Oh, look at my memory, she should be called Second Sister-in-law now. I just wonder, what did Your Majesty see in Bao'er? Was it the support of the Prime Minister's Mansion, or her... intelligence in being able to quickly discard her former master like trash?"
These words were extremely malicious, implying that Mu Cen's motives for the marriage were impure, and also reminding everyone of Li Bao'er's past infatuation with him, attempting to cast an awkward shadow over the wedding.
The surroundings quieted down instantly, and many people perked up their ears.
Mu Cenlin slowly turned around, his wine glass still untouched. His gaze swept over Mu Yuan like a blade, and a faint yet dangerous smile curved his lips.
"Third brother seems particularly concerned about my family affairs?" His voice was deep, tinged with a lazy sarcasm. "Could it be that you've been relatively free lately, giving you the leisure to constantly think about my queen? I'll remember this concern. As for what I value in her..."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice lower, yet each word was clear, carrying an absolute possessiveness and an unquestionable authority: "She is His Majesty's bestowed wife, the Princess Consort of Jing, whom I have married through proper channels. That is enough. If Third Brother has any doubts, he may wish to ask Father Emperor himself."
Mu Yuan's expression stiffened slightly, his smile faltered, and a hint of annoyance flashed in his eyes.
He was about to speak again when he was interrupted by a sharp and angry female voice...
"Mu Cenlin!"
The shout was filled with unbelievable anger and grievance, and everyone turned to look in astonishment.
At the entrance of the hall stood a woman, travel-worn and with slightly disheveled hair. Her face was radiant, but now it was flushed with anger, and her beautiful eyes were fixed on Mu Cenlin as if they were about to spit fire.
It was Princess Kangning, who had been traveling for many years and had just returned to the capital!
She had clearly rushed here without even changing her clothes. Upon learning that the wedding was over, she pushed aside the guards who tried to stop her and rushed in.
"Kang Ning?" Mu Cenlin frowned slightly, clearly displeased by her sudden appearance and loss of composure.
"You actually got married?!" Princess Kangning ignored everyone else and rushed to Mu Cenlin, her voice trembling with excitement. "I've only been away from the capital for half a year! And you've already married someone else?! And that sickly Li Bao'er at that?! What makes her so special?!"
She became increasingly agitated as she spoke, her gaze suddenly sweeping towards the direction of the bridal chamber. Filled with intense jealousy and arrogance, she blurted out without thinking, "You! You go and divorce her right now! Immediately! Right now!"
These words caused an uproar in the room!
Although Princess Kangning was the adopted daughter of the Eldest Princess, she was raised by the Eldest Princess herself and was of noble status. The Eldest Princess lived a secluded life, detached from worldly affairs, and never married. She had only one adopted daughter, Kangning, so Kangning was deeply loved by the royal family and was known in the capital for being arrogant and willful.
But no one expected that she would dare to say such absurd, rude, and shocking things in front of all the officials on the day of Prince Jing's wedding!
Upon hearing this, the Li family members all turned pale. Although Li Xiangyuan disliked his eldest daughter, Kang Ning's arrogant words in public were undoubtedly a slap in his face!
A hint of amusement flashed in Mu Yuan's eyes as he quietly took a step back.
Mu Cenlin's face instantly darkened, and the pressure around him plummeted. He stared at Kang Ning with a dangerous look in his eyes.
“Kangning,” his voice was icy cold, “you have gone too far. When did it become your place to interfere in my family affairs?”
"I don't care!" Princess Kangning was startled by his coldness for a moment, but her long-indulgence in her willfulness made her unwilling to give up easily. "You know perfectly well that I love you! How can you marry someone else?! I don't care! You must divorce her! Otherwise... otherwise I'll tell my uncle! Tell my mother!"
"Isn't that sickly man in love with the Third Prince? Why would you marry such a promiscuous woman?!"
Kangning attempted to exert pressure by using the eldest princess and the emperor.
Mu Cenlin's last bit of patience ran out. He took a step forward suddenly, and the powerful pressure made Princess Kangning involuntarily take half a step back.
"Go ahead and sue if you want." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling ferocity. "But before that, if you dare to show the slightest disrespect to my queen, don't blame me for disregarding the princess's feelings and asking you to leave the palace!"
"You!" Princess Kangning trembled with anger, tears welling in her eyes, but she was truly intimidated by Mu Cen's undisguised murderous aura at this moment, and dared not throw a tantrum for a moment.
That's enough.
A calm yet authoritative voice came from the main position.
Everyone looked over and saw that the Empress Dowager had put down her teacup at some point, calmly watching the farce unfolding below. Her face showed little anger. Princess Kangning, only then noticing the Empress Dowager's presence, immediately softened her tone, but still called out aggrievedly, "Grandmother! Look at him..."
"Kangning," the Empress Dowager interrupted her, "you have traveled a long way and must be tired. But this is the Prince Jing's residence, and today is a wedding personally bestowed by the Emperor. All those present are important officials of the court. How can you be allowed to make such a ruckus and behave so improperly? What kind of decorum is this?"
The Empress Dowager turned her gaze to Mu Cenlin, her tone softening slightly, but still carrying a hint of admonition: "Lin-ge'er, today is your joyous occasion, it is not advisable to get angry. Kangning is young and has been spoiled by me and the Princess, she is a bit impatient and doesn't know how to speak properly. As her elder brother, you should not take it to heart."
Kang Ning said in disbelief, "This marriage was arranged by my uncle? How is that possible? Everyone in the world knows that my uncle doesn't like my second brother!"
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