Zhong Muyu spoke with absolute certainty, without a trace of joking, and his expression commanded respect from all who saw him.
Lu Ziyuan was taken aback. Did this mean "one person for life"?
He once thought the same way, but he was defeated by reality and could only make Su Zhirou a concubine, while Zhong Muyu was already the Princess Consort of Ling. How could her persistence possibly have any result?
That's what she thought, but Lu Ziyuan didn't try to persuade her. He simply said, "If you've made up your mind, I'll agree. Even if you regret it later, I won't abandon you."
Zhong Muyu nodded, but inwardly she sneered. Who needs your care? She's just not ready to take risks right now because her foundation isn't solid. Once the time is right, she'll definitely run away.
She's not stupid enough to stay by his side until he dies alone!
Zhong Muyu took out a voice recorder from her sleeve: "You said it yourself, and I've recorded all of these words on this recorder. Don't try to deny it later."
"A recording device? A pen?"
"Don't worry about the details, it's just something that can record your voice. I've kept my promise, and now I should give you the antidote."
Zhong Muyu walked up to Lu Ziyuan and looked up at him.
"Open your mouth."
Lu Ziyuan asked curiously, "What are you going to do?"
Zhong Muyu gently climbed up his neck, pressed his head down, and laughed, "Anyway, I won't hurt you, so don't be afraid."
Then, with lightning speed, a tiny pill was stuffed into his mouth.
The cool touch of his fingers on his lips sent a shiver through Lu Ziyuan. The pill had already slipped into his mouth, carrying a faint fragrance and a bitter taste.
By the time he felt like vomiting, he couldn't vomit anymore: "What did you give me to eat?"
"The antidote for the aphrodisiac. The room Ji Xin'er tricked me into had aphrodisiac incense burning inside. Her drug is quite potent. I saw you acting so strangely just now and was afraid you'd been affected, so I gave you the antidote to be safe!"
"So that's how it is. She really is vicious, resorting to such a wicked method. But how do you have the antidote?"
Zhong Muyu said ambiguously, "There are so many dangers around, it's always better to be prepared."
Fortunately, Lu Ziyuan did not pursue the matter further: "She dares to scheme against the royal family like this, she really has a lot of nerve."
"She is bold, but you don't need to worry about this. The Crown Princess will give us a fair outcome. Don't concern yourself with them tomorrow. Hurry back to Lingqing. I can't wait!"
Zhong Muyu returned to her "bed" in a great mood. She had been taking good care of Lu Ziyuan these past few days and hadn't slept in the bed herself.
...
The next morning, the group was about to leave the Royal Villa. Before leaving, Zhong Muyu received compensation from the Princess Consort of Fu—an ebony discipline stick.
Zhong Muyu was speechless: "Third Sister-in-law is really a straightforward person..."
Zaochun smiled and said, "The Princess Consort of Fu's family rules are well known in Yuanqi. Otherwise, how could she keep the Prince of Fu so obedient? To this day, there is only one concubine in the mansion, and no concubines or dancers."
"So fierce, I can't learn that. Oh well, it's her heartfelt gift after all, I'll keep it."
...
The carriage swayed and wobbled as it left Yuanjing, returning to the Prince of Ling's residence after a day and a night.
Back in the familiar Fragrant Courtyard, Zhong Muyu lay down on the bed, looking extremely comfortable.
"Finally, I'm leaving Yuanjing, that restrictive place. Although the Lingwang Mansion isn't great, Lingqing is a really nice place."
Early Spring brought in tea and said, "Your Highness must be exhausted these past few days. I've made some tea for you. Zhang Mama heard you were back, so she also made some refreshing snacks for you."
Zhong Muyu sat up in bed: "You've all worked hard. Early spring must be tiring too, right? Let's eat together."
"Thank you, Your Highness, but I have other matters to attend to. Although Zhang Mama was watching over things while we were away from Xinxiang Courtyard, I was still worried about many things."
Hearing Zaochun say this, Zhong Muyu also thought of the list of servants and the manor's accounts that the steward had shown her before. Managing such a large manor is not easy. At first, Lu Ziyuan told them not to treat her as a princess, and she neglected to manage these matters. Now that she thought about it, it would be quite troublesome to actually manage them.
Moreover, it is extremely difficult and thankless.
This princess clearly doesn't want to be a princess for even a day longer.
After a day of rest, in the evening, Zhong Muyu surprisingly asked Zaochun to invite Lu Ziyuan.
Zhang Mama thought she had finally come to her senses, so she busied herself arranging things for her, washing and dressing her up. Zhong Muyu said helplessly, "Mama, I'm calling the Prince, not for the kind of thing you're thinking of."
"Your Highness, there's no need to be shy. This old servant understands. Once a couple has gone through something together, those past conflicts are no longer a problem."
Zhong Muyu was too lazy to deal with it anymore and said seriously, "I'm not ashamed. To tell you the truth, I never thought about being with Lu Ziyuan. I called him here so that we could separate normally when we couldn't get a divorce and have nothing to do with each other."
Granny Zhang was startled: "Your Highness...you can't be telling the truth, can you?"
"I'm sorry, this is the result of my careful consideration. I know the Empress Dowager means well for me, but I'm really not satisfied with this marriage, and neither is Lu Ziyuan, so I won't compromise and become a princess. If you understand, think it over carefully: will you follow me in the future, or will you keep the so-called title of 'princess' and stay in this Ling Prince's mansion?"
Zhong Muyu's unquestionable tone convinced Zhang Mama that she was serious. She couldn't accept it in a short time, but she had watched Zhong Muyu grow up, and this affection had already made her choice.
She knelt down dejectedly: "Although this old servant does not know why Your Highness the Princess did this, you were raised by this old servant. Wherever you are, this old servant will be there."
Zhong Muyu sighed and helped her up: "Don't be like this. You may not understand the reasons behind this, but since you trust me, that's enough."
Granny Zhang nodded. Just then, Early Spring returned.
"Your Highness, the Prince said he will arrive shortly."
"Understood, you may all leave."
The empty room was left with only Zhong Muyu. She dressed herself and then saw Lu Ziyuan arrive.
She sat down in the chair and waved the recorder in her hand: "Sit."
Lu Ziyuan could guess the gist of her invitation, so he obediently sat down opposite Zhong Muyu.
Zhong Muyu said, "You should know why I called you here. My idea is this: you tell me I have a strange illness and need to rest, then you seal off Xinxiang Courtyard, I leave with my dowry, and after that, we have nothing to do with each other."
Lu Ziyuan clearly disagreed with her statement: "Do you know how much dowry you have? Every piece of furniture and every person in this Fragrant Courtyard is part of your dowry. Don't you think it's ostentatious to leave with so much stuff? Anyone can tell that, except for divorce or being divorced, no one would leave with so much dowry."
Zhong Muyu thought about it and also felt it was inappropriate: "That's true. Then let's just take a small part. Zaochun and Zhang Mama are determined not to leave me. You can arrange the rest. Anyway, I don't need so many people to serve me."
Seeing that Zhong Muyu had abandoned him to this extent, Lu Ziyuan's mental preparation collapsed once again.
After Zhong Muyu told him all that, he had doubts, felt angry, and was puzzled, but in the end he still decided to agree to her request to be with Su Zhirou without being disturbed. Wasn't that exactly what he wanted?
Why am I so irritable right now?
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