As soon as Song Zhuxin returned, she posted a notice announcing a martial arts competition to recruit a son-in-law, stating that any unmarried young man could sign up to participate.
Wei Wuxiu naturally heard about this as well. At first, he thought it was just hearsay, but when he couldn't help but inquire, he found out that it was not unfounded but true.
Because the arena for the martial arts contest to find a husband has already been set up, and not only that, the notices have already been posted all over the capital. This matter has almost become the talk of the town. How could it be fake?
Even though the other party required him to be a live-in son-in-law, many young men who felt they were good at martial arts still chose to participate.
That's the lord of a city. If you can marry him, you won't have to struggle for the rest of your life. Who cares if you're a live-in son-in-law? It's really hard not to be tempted.
Wei Wuxiu originally thought he wouldn't care, but after receiving the news, he felt a tightness in his chest and couldn't concentrate on his work. This made him realize that something was wrong, but he chose to try to ignore this strange feeling.
Now, being subjected to such a blatant and sarcastic attack by Shen Muzhi, he felt even more suffocated. He slammed his folding fan shut and said:
"You went out of your way to call me over so late at night, just to provoke me, right? If you don't have anything else to say, I'm leaving now."
He immediately stood up after speaking, as if to leave, but Shen Muzhi reached out and pressed him back down.
As the saying goes, those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. Shen Muzhi only realized that Wei Wuxiu's feelings for Song Zhuxin were not entirely unintentional, so he brought it up to make him think it through, lest he regret it later when it was too late to make amends.
Seeing that he didn't want to talk about it anymore, he didn't want to continue the topic. Fate is something that depends entirely on oneself, and as brothers, this was all he could do.
He patted Wei Wuxiu's shoulder lightly and sighed:
"If you don't want to talk about it, I won't. I invited you here today because I really need your help with something."
When it came to serious matters, Wei Wuxiu's expression also turned serious:
"Just tell me what it is."
Shen Muzhi recalled what Yan Xiao had told him, and after thinking for a moment, he said:
"I need you to sit on the throne for a few days."
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Wuxiu jumped to his feet, glaring at Shen Muzhi as if he were some terrifying monster, and immediately began to curse:
"Shen Muzhi, I treated you like a brother, how could you try to harm me?"
Shen Muzhi had already guessed that he would get angry, and wanted to explain, but he couldn't get a word in edgewise. He could only hear Wei Wuxiu continuing to curse:
"You untrustworthy bastard! You promised me a carefree life as a prince after you succeeded, but now you want me to take on this hot potato."
"Tell me yourself, throughout history, how many people who have sat in this position have lived long lives? My carefree life hasn't even begun and you're already trying to forcibly end it? Let me tell you, no way!"
Shen Muzhi's forehead was covered in black lines. He only managed to interject when Wei Wuxiu was exhausted from cursing and catching his breath.
"What are you getting so worked up about? Can you let me finish speaking first?"
"I'm not listening. I have things to do. Don't contact me if you don't have anything to do. And if you do have something to do, don't contact me either."
Wei Wuxiu tried to leave, but failed again. Then Shen Muzhi said helplessly:
"I only asked you to take charge for me temporarily. Now that the situation in the court has stabilized, I need to go back to my hometown to bring my parents' remains back to the capital so that they can see me ascend the throne hand in hand with Yan'er, and bury them in the imperial mausoleum."
After Shen Muzhi finished speaking, Wei Wuxiu, who had been furious, immediately quieted down, though his gaze towards Shen Muzhi still held some suspicion.
"Are you sure? You're not lying to me, are you?"
Shen Muzhi couldn't help but roll her eyes at Wei Wuxiu:
"Am I that kind of person? Besides, if you don't trust me, don't you trust your sister-in-law? Do you think she would allow me to give up the throne that I've already got?"
Wei Wuxiu considered Yanxiao's temperament and immediately felt relieved.
"If you put it that way, then it does make a lot of sense."
"Forehead....."
Shen Muzhi gave Wei Wuxiu a speechless look, and after telling Wei Wuxiu a few more things, he said:
"That's settled then. After I leave, you will be in full charge of matters in the court."
Now, all military power in Qi is in Shen Muzhi's hands, and everyone in the court is his man. He is now the de facto emperor, only he has not yet held a coronation ceremony.
The day after the two made their agreement, Shen Muzhi issued an order appointing Wei Wuxiu as the acting emperor, to manage the government on his behalf until Wei Wuxiu returned to the capital.
The moment this decree was issued, it immediately sparked speculation among the crowd, but no one dared to object.
Shen Muzhi left the capital in disguise and did not alert anyone.
Wei Wuxiu stood on the city wall, staring intently at the person riding out of the city alone. He turned to Zhao Qian and Xiao Rui, looking somewhat worried, and asked:
"Do you think he'll just run away like that? I have a bit of a worrying feeling about it."
The two exchanged a glance, and Zhao Qian replied first:
"Probably not, after all, Madam wouldn't agree."
"Yeah?"
As the figure receded into the distance, Wei Wuxiu grew increasingly uneasy, and belatedly asked:
"Speaking of which, why didn't Yanxiao go with Muzhi? Why did they have to split up? I have a feeling something's up. Could I have been betrayed by this couple?"
Neither of them could explain it clearly, but based on their understanding of Yan Xiao, Yan Xiao was definitely not someone who was indifferent to fame and fortune, so Wei Wuxiu was probably overthinking it.
But this whole thing is definitely strange.
This is definitely strange. If it weren't for the original plot, Yan Xiao wouldn't have bothered with this.
After learning from the guardian deity that Shen Muzhi had left the city, she went to Medicine King Valley as planned.
I chatted with my guardian spirit as I walked:
"The plot should be pretty faithful to the original, right?"
In the original story, Shen Muzhi tricked Wei Wuxiu in this way, and as a result, he never returned, giving Wei Wuxiu no chance to refuse the throne.
Wei Wuxiu disliked court intrigues and only wanted to live a carefree and happy life. However, he was forced into a difficult position and had to ascend the throne after Shen Muzhi disappeared without a trace.
Now, Shen Muzhi's reason is similar to the original plot, and she has successfully left. Once she arrives at Medicine King Valley, the plot will be over. Without the constraints of the original plot, no one can teach her how to do things anymore.
Just thinking about it is wonderful.
The guardian deity glanced at the world's plot developments, his tone slightly hesitant:
"It looks like a rough recreation now, but don't get too excited. There have been too many changes to the plot. Even if this world doesn't collapse, natural disasters are inevitable in the future."
Yan Xiao had long understood this, but this was already the best possible outcome. As for natural disasters and man-made calamities, they would happen in any world.
Not only her, but no one can avoid it or change it.
"When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it. Everything is trivial except for life and death."
As Yan Xiao was speaking, Shen Qiyue's voice came from beside them:
"Sister-in-law, look! We think we've arrived! Isn't this Medicine King Valley? It's so beautiful!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com