Chapter Sixty-Nine: Some rituals must be completed.
After leaving those words, Mu Cenlin's tone was curt, and he disappeared behind the door.
Li Bao'er was picking up a piece of crystal-clear cake when she heard this and paused for a moment. Watching his back as he left with a hint of resentment, she blinked and muttered to herself, "...What's wrong now? He's so unpredictable." Then her attention was drawn back to the food, and she decided to fill her stomach first.
Mu Cenlin strode out of the bridal chamber, his usual cold expression returning to normal.
The banquet was over, the guests were nowhere to be seen, and only the servants were silently and efficiently cleaning up the mess. The hall seemed much emptier, with only a few people remaining near the head of the table.
The Empress Dowager sat enthroned, her face serene yet exuding an air of authority. Li Xiangyuan and Wang Qingzhi stood below, their faces still bearing the lingering fear and unease. Wang Zheng stood a little further away, arms crossed, his brow furrowed, his sharp eyes scanning his surroundings. Princess Kangning was nowhere to be seen. Upon seeing Mu Cenlin emerge, all eyes instantly turned to him.
The Empress Dowager spoke first, glancing behind him: "Lin-ge'er, you're out? How's Bao'er? Is he alright? Was he frightened?"
Li Xiangyuan and Wang Qingzhi immediately looked over anxiously. Wang Qingzhi couldn't help but take a half step forward, her eyes filled with tears: "Your Highness, Bao'er, she..."
Mu Cenlin nodded slightly: "She has woken up, eaten some food, and is in relatively good spirits. However, she suffered some blows to the back of her neck and still needs to rest."
Upon hearing that her daughter was unharmed, Wang Qingzhi's legs went weak and she almost collapsed. Li Xiangyuan quickly supported her, saying repeatedly, "Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you for saving me!"
The Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief and chanted a Buddhist prayer: "Amitabha, it's good that everything is alright, it's good that everything is alright." She paused, her gaze turning serious. "I have ordered a thorough investigation into today's events, and all those involved have been placed under surveillance. As for that girl Kang Ning, I have also assigned people to keep a close watch on her, and I will never let her cause any more trouble. As for Yuan'er..." The Empress Dowager's tone darkened when she mentioned Mu Yuan, filled with obvious disappointment and anger, "...Once he wakes up, I will personally interrogate him and give you and Bao'er an explanation!"
“No need for Grandmother to trouble herself.” Mu Cenlin interrupted the Empress Dowager without any politeness, his tone resolute and leaving no room for negotiation. “She came for my Prince Jing’s mansion and almost ruined my Princess Consort’s reputation. This debt should be settled by me personally.”
A complex expression of mixed admiration and worry flashed in Wang Zheng's eyes.
The Empress Dowager's composure finally crumbled, and she said in a low voice, "Lin-ge'er! Kangning is, after all, the adopted daughter of the Eldest Princess! This matter concerns the face of the royal family; how can you handle it privately? I know you are angry, but..."
"Royal dignity?" Mu Cenlin sneered, his laughter full of sarcasm. "When Kang Ning plotted to frame the Prince's wife and the prince on her wedding day, did she ever think about the royal family's dignity? When she did such a vicious and despicable thing, did she ever consider the Princess's dignity?"
He stepped forward, his gaze sharp as he looked directly at the Empress Dowager: "Grandmother. If she can harm my Princess today, she will dare to do even more outrageous things in the future. This person must not be let off lightly. Otherwise, how can I, Mu Cenlin, protect the people in my household in the future?"
“I must personally interrogate this person. As for how to deal with him… I will consider the Princess’s feelings. But she must pay the price. Otherwise,”
His gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on the Empress Dowager's face. His tone was calm yet carried a chilling threat: "I don't mind using my methods to let everyone know what happens to those who mess with my Prince Jing's Mansion."
The Empress Dowager finally closed her eyes wearily, waved her hand, and said in a weak voice, "Enough... enough... take her away. But... Lin'er, for my sake, spare her life."
Mu Cenlin got the answer he wanted, bowed slightly, and said in a still icy tone, "Your grandson knows what he's doing. Farewell."
He turned and coldly ordered the figure in the shadows, "Yuan Ting! Take men and bring Kang Ning to the dungeon! No one is to visit him without my order!"
"Yes!" Yuan Ting's figure appeared and disappeared like a ghost.
Mu Cenlin didn't go to the dungeon; he went back to his room first. As soon as he opened the door, he saw a figure lying on the bed.
Li Bao'er had already removed the heavy phoenix crown herself, and her long, dark hair was spread smoothly on the pillow, making her small face appear even whiter. Perhaps because she had eaten her fill, Bao'er slept very peacefully, her breathing even, her long eyelashes resting peacefully under her eyelids, all the emotions she had when she was awake gone, leaving only a kind of unguarded tranquility.
Mu Cenlin stood there for a long time, and finally could only let out a very soft sigh of helplessness.
Really... carefree.
His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on the still wrinkled but still bright red veil beside his pillow.
Mu Cenlin walked forward as if possessed, picked up the red veil, and ran his fingertips over the exquisite embroidery on it.
Then, he bent down and very carefully covered Li Bao'er's head with the bright red silk again.
With the light in front of her blocked, Li Bao'er, who was sleeping, seemed to move slightly as if she was not used to it, but she did not wake up.
Mu Cenlin's heartbeat became somewhat erratic at that moment.
Looking at the blurry outline shrouded by the red veil, I took a deep breath, reached out, pinched a corner of the veil with my fingertips, and solemnly lifted it.
The candlelight once again fell upon Bao'er's peaceful sleeping face.
Mu Cenlin gazed at her, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the veil. His deep voice quietly rose in the silent bridal chamber, carrying a hint of barely perceptible obsession and satisfaction:
"originally……"
"It is I, the king, who should lift the lid."
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