Chapter 73 Bao'er Protects Her Husband in Public
"If Father Emperor feels that I hold military power and am too powerful to overshadow you, you may take it back now."
Mu Cen paused, his gaze sweeping over the Princess and Empress, whose expressions had changed drastically. His voice grew even colder: "As for the war that will inevitably break out in the Western Regions soon, if Father Emperor feels that there are more suitable generals in the court to replace me, he may send someone else. I have no objection."
His words were nothing short of a blatant threat! Everyone knew that the situation in the Western Regions was tense, with a major war imminent, and that apart from Mu Cenlin, no one in the court could shoulder this immense burden! He was using the stability of the border and the safety of the nation to force the emperor to concede!
"You!" The emperor was indeed enraged by this undisguised threat, his face turning ashen, his chest heaving violently, and his hand pointing at Mu Cenlin trembling. "You...you unfilial son!"
Sure enough, the emperor's expression changed repeatedly when the topic of the irreplaceable frontier wars came up, and he eventually fell into a terrible silence.
He stared intently at Mu Cenlin, as if he wanted to devour him alive, yet he hesitated to act rashly.
After a long while, the emperor's gaze fell on Li Bao'er, who was kneeling to the side, watching the show with an expression of amusement.
The Emperor's tone suddenly became ambiguous: "Li Shi, you are now the Princess Consort of Jing, a member of the royal family. You should know the principle of shared glory and shared loss. I have heard that your younger brother, Li Yu, has been intending to take the imperial military examination in recent years."
“Young people are full of vigor and it’s normal to act impulsively.” The emperor’s gaze swept meaningfully over Mu Cenlin, and he continued to put pressure on Li Bao’er, his words full of implications, “But in everything, you need to know when to stop and weigh the pros and cons. You are a smart child, and you should know that some situations, if left unresolved, will not benefit anyone, especially… your closest relatives.”
"As the princess, you should advise your husband to prioritize the greater good and maintain harmony. Don't you agree?"
All the pressure instantly shifted onto Li Bao'er!
The emperor dared not completely break ties with Mu Cenlin at this moment, so he turned to pressure Bao'er, using Li Yu's career and safety as a bargaining chip to force her to stand up and persuade Mu Cenlin to bow his head and give in, thus ending the stalemate!
The eyes of the eldest princess and Consort Zhang immediately lit up with hope as they looked at Li Bao'er expectantly.
The Empress Dowager frowned, her face showing worry.
Mu Cenlin's eyes instantly turned icy cold, his gaze towards the emperor filled with undisguised disgust and mockery.
He was about to speak when Li Bao'er, who was walking over, quietly tugged at his sleeve.
She firmly reached out her hand, slipped it through his slightly stiff arm, and their slender fingers clasped tightly together in his large, well-defined hand, their fingers interlocked!
Immediately, Bao'er raised her eyes and looked at the cold-faced emperor. There was not a trace of fear in her clear almond eyes. Instead, there was a bright and open smile: "Father, since you also know that Cen Lin is now my husband, then wherever my husband is, that is naturally where my heart is. I will naturally be of one mind and one heart with my husband, and advance and retreat together."
“Your subject knows that your childhood was difficult, and you were left alone and struggling to make ends meet.” Bao’er held his hand tighter. “But things are different now. Thanks to the Emperor’s grace in bestowing this marriage upon us, and now that I am the Princess Consort of Jing, your husband is no longer alone.”
"He is the one I will dedicate my life to protecting."
"His will is my will. His enemies are my enemies."
“Therefore, Father,” she curtsied slightly, “what my husband just asked for is exactly what I desire. I humbly beg you, Father, to grant my request.”
Mu Cenlin stopped looking at the various expressions on the faces of the people in the hall, and ignored the emperor's almost fiery gaze. He simply turned his head slightly and whispered to Li Bao'er, "Let's go."
Immediately, he grasped her hand tightly, turned around, and walked out of the hall without the slightest hesitation.
Just as he was about to step out of the palace gate, he paused slightly, without turning back, leaving only the words: "I will publicly apologize at the family banquet."
"Otherwise, Princess Kangning, don't even think about stepping out of the dungeon of Prince Jing's mansion."
Mu Cen paused, his tone becoming even more dangerous and arrogant: "If anyone thinks they can force their way into my Prince Jing's mansion to demand someone... feel free to give it a try."
After saying that, he didn't linger for a moment. He took Li Bao'er's hand and strode away from this place of trouble, until they were far away from Yongshou Palace.
Li Bao'er followed his steps, her hand still tightly held in his. Just as they passed through the East Palace area, the vermilion palace gate not far ahead was pushed open from the inside.
A young man dressed in bright yellow prince's everyday robes and wearing a golden crown walked out slowly, surrounded by a group of officials from the Eastern Palace.
His face bore a resemblance to Mu Yuan's, but he appeared more composed and brooding. Between his brows was a detached and aloof air cultivated from his long years at the center of power. He was none other than the current Crown Prince, Mu Chen.
They met on a narrow path.
The Crown Prince's gaze immediately fell on Mu Cenlin and Li Bao'er's tightly clasped hands, then swept over Li Bao'er's court dress in the regalia of a prince's principal wife and her obviously carefully made-up face. A barely perceptible shadow and scrutiny flashed across his eyes.
His gaze finally settled on Mu Cenlin's face, a cold, indifferent smile tugging at the corners of his lips, his voice carrying a condescending tone:
"Second brother, what a coincidence. This must be your new wife? I was busy with state affairs yesterday and was unable to attend your wedding. I hope you won't mind."
Mu Cenlin naturally saw the Crown Prince as well, but he didn't even pause in his steps. He simply swept his cold eyes over the prince, and the corners of his lips curled up in an undisguised contemptuous smile.
They didn't even bother to offer a sarcastic remark; that utter disregard was more painful to Mu Shen's sensitive and fragile nerves than any vicious words!
"Mu Cenlin!" Mu Chen finally couldn't hold back any longer and roared in a low voice, "Don't be too smug! One day you will be completely driven out of the capital by me!"
Mu Cenlin didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, leaving Li Bao'er stunned. She asked 001 in her mind, "What's the grudge between these two?"
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