The Emperor was filled with shame and indignation at Yang Hua's crimes. He had no words to refute the Mu family, so he ordered that Yang Hua's body be sent to the Prince of Xiang's residence.
King Xiang was an upright and decisive man who never coveted power or money. However, his reputation was ruined by his daughter in his later years. He was heartbroken and hastily cremated Yang Hua under the cover of night.
Thus, Princess Yanghua, who enjoyed a life of wealth and honor and was high above everyone else, ended up being disliked by all.
The next day, the weather cleared up, and the streets of the capital were bustling with activity. Children ran through the streets and alleys, laughing and playing, while ordinary people shoveled snow, occasionally whispering among themselves.
"Have you heard? Princess Yanghua is dead."
"Yes, premature birth and massive hemorrhage leading to death, karma."
"Yes, yesterday's snow and thunder were a sign that heaven was opening its eyes and eliminating the wicked."
"Indeed, when Master Mu was alive, the Mu family often gave alms and did good deeds. But ever since Zhao Yanghua took over the Mu family, she has been arrogant and condescending, and many of the Mu family's shops only cater to wealthy and powerful families."
"..."
At this moment, inside the palace.
Xiuhua knelt before Hongyu, sobbing softly, "Your Majesty, I promise to form an alliance with you. If I give birth to a prince, I will certainly register him under Your Majesty's name. Please, Your Majesty, help me."
After saying this, Xiuhua looked at Hongyu with teary eyes, pleading. Yesterday, she returned to Xixiang Garden to visit Aunt Liao.
Aunt Liao said that the two burly men who kidnapped her were sent by the Gu family in order to force her to hand over her property and her beautiful daughter.
Xiuhua was furious. The Gu family had gone too far in bullying her, so she wanted to gain the Emperor's favor to get revenge on the Gu family.
Seeing Xiuhua crying with tears streaming down her face, Hongyu frowned and pretended to be deep in thought, but in her heart she found it amusing.
In fact, Aunt Liao was not kidnapped by the Gu family, but rather it was Aunt Liao who orchestrated the kidnapping to provoke Xiuhua's fighting spirit.
When Xiuhua saw that her mother had been kidnapped by the Gu family and had broken her leg, she went to the Ziji Palace last night to ask to see the Emperor. However, the Emperor did not keep her to serve him in bed, but instead went to Gulinafei's room.
Unable to win against Gulina, Xiuhua sought an alliance with Hongyu.
Hongyu, having devised a plan to win through numbers, looked at Xiuhua and said, "From today onwards, you will rest in the Jiaofang Palace every night."
------
Ten days later.
The Mu family gates were wide open, and Chen Yu, along with the rest of the Mu family, stood outside to welcome Mu Nanfeng back.
Mu Nanfeng dismounted and surveyed the group, but Yang Hua was nowhere to be seen. He then approached Chen Yu and asked, "Yu'er, where is your sister-in-law?"
Chen Yu was lost in thought, her eyes fixed on the sedan chair by the roadside. Logically, Mu Nanfeng, being a man, always rode horses with the army; why would he have a sedan chair? Could it be that he brought back a woman?
That's exactly right.
A voluptuous woman in orange stepped down from the carriage and slowly walked towards Mu Nanfeng. Seeing Mu Nanfeng looking at Chen Yu and secretly giving him a thumbs-up, the woman in orange quickly bowed to Chen Yu and said, "Mo Sheng greets Miss Chen Yu."
Chen Yu nodded and carefully examined Mo Sheng.
Mo Sheng had a full and voluptuous figure. Unlike other girls who wore heavy makeup, she had a delicate and bright face. Her sword-like eyebrows and phoenix eyes revealed a bit of backbone, making her seem unlike a treacherous and cunning person.
Chen Yu smiled and replied, "Miss Mosheng has come from afar, there's no need for formalities. The weather is freezing, Cuiwei, please take Miss Mosheng inside to warm up."
Seeing Mo Sheng enter the Mu family, Mu Nanfeng finally breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that Yang Hua would come out and stop Mo Sheng from entering.
Mo Sheng is a herdsman from the northern frontier. Her father liked to collect herbs and was also skilled in medicine.
Mu Nanfeng was shot and poisoned by a spy from an enemy country on the northern border. He was saved by Mo Sheng's father.
He wanted to repay Mo Sheng's father for saving his life with gold and silver, but unexpectedly, Mo Sheng's father wanted him to take Mo Sheng to the capital and leave the northern border.
He followed Chen Yu to Jinxiu Garden. The two sat down around the brazier. When he looked up, Chen Yu was rolling her eyes at him.
[To be frank, does big brother want to take a concubine?]
Mu Nanfeng lowered his head and smiled, then leaned close to Chen Yu on the square table and whispered, "Yu'er understands Big Brother best. Mo Sheng is the daughter of my savior. I hope Yu'er will help her out, lest your sister-in-law forbid her from becoming a concubine."
At this time, Mu Nanfeng was unaware that Yang Hua was already dead and had been expelled from the Mu family by Chen Yu.
Chen Yu couldn't help but feel sad and glared angrily at Mu Nanfeng.
Although Yang Hua committed many evils, as a wife, she was utterly loyal to Mu Nanfeng. Alas! Men are so fickle; in the blink of an eye, they're taking another concubine.
At this moment, Gu Lingrong walked in carrying an infant, stood in front of Mu Nanfeng and bowed, "General, you're back. Come and see Qing'er."
Mu Nanfeng hesitated before standing up. Looking at Qing'er's appearance, he knew that she was his child.
He took Qing'er and asked, "Has Yanghua already given birth?"
Gu Lingrong replied in a deep voice, "Princess Yanghua died from premature birth and massive bleeding."
Mu Nanfeng was shocked for a moment, then asked, "Has he been buried?"
The fish remained silent.
Gu Lingrong had no choice but to continue replying: "On the day Princess Yanghua passed away, Prince Xiang cremated her."
"Why was it the King of Xiang who cremated her?"
"Because she accepted bribes behind the Mu family's back, monopolized the supply of goods, and inflated prices, Miss Chenyu expelled her from the Mu family."
Mu Nanfeng nodded, his expression changing from surprise to indifference. Over the years since their marriage, Yang Hua had been arrogant and domineering, forbidding him from taking concubines, going out to have fun, or even favoring the maids in his room.
With Yang Hua gone, he suddenly felt a sense of relief, as if a heavy suit of armor had been removed.
He suddenly had a flash of inspiration and was overjoyed. Just as he was about to say something, he saw that Gu Lingrong was still there, so he handed Qing'er over to Gu Lingrong and said, "Qing'er will stay in your room for now. Find her a wet nurse."
After Gu Lingrong left, Mu Nanfeng sat down and leaned close to Chen Yu again, whispering:
"Fish, now that the position of the eldest daughter-in-law of the Mu family has become vacant, I want to marry Mo Sheng as my second wife."
"Absolutely not!"
Shen Yu immediately objected, then took out the family's token and displayed it in front of Mu Nanfeng. When she spoke again, her voice was choked with sobs:
Back then, my mother secretly gave me the token behind Yang Hua's back, probably because she realized that Yang Hua was unreliable.
Now that Mother is gone, I am in full charge of all matters concerning the inner quarters of the Mu family.
Since you have already agreed to let Mo Sheng become your concubine, you must honor your promise. Changing it so arbitrarily will not only embolden Mo Sheng but also infuriate Gu Lingrong. Are you aware that infighting within the household can harm one's offspring?
Mu Nanfeng nodded in agreement. "Yu'er has considered everything carefully. Then let Mo Sheng be our concubine."
He picked up the family's token and placed it in Chen Yu's hand, whispering: "[When I went to inspect the northern border, I heard from Young Master Qiu that Prince Hong and Prince Lu had died one after another, and the late emperor intended to pass the throne to Prince Jin. Why did Prince Pu suddenly appear on the way? This must be a premeditated plot to usurp the throne...]"
Shen Yu said in a panic, "Big brother, please don't make wild guesses, and you mustn't discuss royal matters without permission."
【Fish, your father and I are loyal to the late Emperor. Young Master Qiu has said that he wants to form an alliance with our Mu family to jointly assist Yan... the late Emperor's son in reclaiming the throne.】
Shen Yu suddenly looked at Mu Nanfeng and asked, "[The late emperor had many sons, are you referring to Prince Yan, elder brother?]"
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