Chapter 143 Trying Something New
Mu Xun smiled wryly: "Father understands, but his original plan was to use his final illness to ensure I became the heir apparent and return to the Western Territory. As you saw, the envoy of Lord Xuanyou also came to the birthday banquet. If it were according to their original plan, Lord Shen should be joining forces with the ministers to submit a memorial to the King right now. Others may not be enough, but Lord Yong and Lord Beiyou together still have some weight."
"So, it really is me who ruined things," Mu Xi said, but she didn't regret it at all.
"I don't know if it's fate, but this makes me feel more at ease." Mu Xun smiled wistfully, then brought the topic back, "Queen Gao has no children, but Gao Quan is ambitious. Unless Your Majesty is a fool, you can't help but be wary. Therefore, for Your Majesty at present, it is the best choice to have you, the sickly crown prince, inherit the title. Otherwise, Father wouldn't have been unable to remove your crown prince position for so many years, and you would have been forced to dress as a man and not dare to show yourself to others."
Wronged?
Mu Xi never expected that the word "wronged" would finally come from Mu Xun's mouth.
With a change in identity comes a change in stance, and Mu Xun is no longer the "cheap younger brother" he once was.
But Mu Xi still felt indignant on behalf of the original owner: "Hmph, there's nothing I'm ashamed of about disguising myself as a man. It's you who are feeling guilty. But now, the Gao family probably already knows my identity. It's just that exposing it won't do them any good."
Mu Xun disagreed: "The Gao family may have suspicions, but they have no concrete evidence. Besides, you... you really frightened the Gao siblings that night at the birthday banquet."
"Is that so?" Mu Xi regretted not noticing Gao Shi's expression at the time, but instead had a wild idea. "But now that you mention it... although we are facing Gao Quan, who holds a large army, we can rely on Your Majesty, right?"
Since there is a threat from Gao Quan in Moyang City, it would be better to go to the Western Border.
Once they reached the western border, they were to send news back to Moyang that Jin Fangjun Muzhen had died, and demand that King Yu immediately allow her to succeed to the throne.
Whether it succeeds or not, she will never return to Moyang.
Given more time, once she has gathered the troops in the western border, it won't matter if she reveals her identity. She should follow Qi Yingyu's words from back then. Perhaps she can become a "female monarch," which would be even more prestigious than a princess.
However, Mu Xun still shook his head: "The King will not let you go. As long as he uses the excuse that the Marquis is seriously ill, you will not be able to leave. Even if you can become the King of Jinfang in the future, the King will find various reasons to keep you in Moyang. My father was an example of this. This is why the King of Beiyou has never entered Moyang for many years, and even the Crown Prince of Beiyou has never shown his face."
“Ah…so that’s how it is…” Mu Xi suddenly despaired and wanted to throw caution to the wind. “Then I might as well tell the truth. Anyway, my father is gone, so what’s there to be afraid of? At worst, we can just part ways. But if Prince Yu can give me an identity because I built the Qifeng Terrace and am still related to him, then so be it.”
"..." Mu Xun did not respond.
This was obviously too risky. Even if they concealed their intention to restore the previous dynasty, they would still be guilty of deceiving the emperor.
Who is King Yu Muji? How could he have any kinship? Why not take this opportunity to wipe out Mu Zhen's lineage?
Mu Xi knew her words were inappropriate as soon as they left her mouth: "It won't work, I know it won't work, I was just saying it, that's all."
Mu Xun suddenly suggested, "If that's the case, have you ever thought about simply leaving this place and walking away?"
"Just leave? Where to?" This time it was Mu Xi's turn to be stunned.
Mu Xun seemed to have thought about it for a long time, and his words were still very cautious: "Go to Jiuyou. I heard that the land there is vast and the scenery is diverse. There is also an enlightened empress. You may feel more at ease there."
"Nine Gardens?" Mu Xi couldn't find much information in the original owner's memories, and felt bewildered.
Mu Xun continued, "Of course, I mean after all this is done. After all, Father's body is still in their hands, and he needs to be laid to rest. And the Gao family... if we want to get away unscathed, we need to plan carefully. The Nine Gardens is just a beautiful dream; perhaps once we get there, we can..."
Before he could finish speaking, footsteps sounded outside.
Immediately afterwards, Jiang Meng's voice came from outside reporting: "Your Highness, Second Young Master, the three people we captured have been silenced."
"So fast?" Mu Xun jumped to his feet, went to the door, and opened it. "How did they die?"
Jiang Meng presented an item with both hands: "A hidden weapon."
"If it was a hidden weapon, why didn't they act immediately? Was the person who used the hidden weapon caught?" Mu Xun followed up with another question.
Jiang Meng replied, "The person who used the hidden weapon was not among the slaves but came from the guards. After the three were hung up, I rotated all the guards. The moment we were silencing them was during that rotation."
"Hmm..." Mu Xun lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then said nothing more. "Okay, I understand. Keep a close watch."
"Yes." Jiang Meng withdrew.
Mu Xun turned around and closed the door again. Seeing Mu Xi's concerned expression, he smiled gently and said, "Whatever we do now, we'll probably be hampered by the Gao family. But don't worry, I'll definitely protect you."
Mu Xi was thinking about something else entirely. Jiuyou was completely unknown; how could they possibly go there? Besides, Jiuyou wasn't a place one could just go to whenever they wanted, especially considering that both she and Mu Xun had special identities. Going to Jiuyou would likely become a "diplomatic incident."
Some things, which seem to offer choices, may not actually be true choices.
On the contrary, she has laid the groundwork for so long. If she gives up here, wouldn't all her previous efforts be in vain?
What you can grasp and hold onto is what truly matters.
So Mu Xi made a decision: "Since you won't restore your kingdom and the Gao family won't let you go, then I have nothing to worry about. I'll do what they say and let them be smug for a while. Once the Qifeng Terrace is completed, I will find a way to get the king's approval to go to the western border."
"You're still going to the Western Border?" Mu Xun asked in surprise.
Mu Xi nodded: "Didn't Lord Shen also say that the foundation of the Jin Fangjun Mansion is in the Western Region? Father and you have been operating in the Western Region for many years, so how can we give it up so easily? Once we get to the Western Region, everything will be easier to discuss, and we'll have more room to maneuver. You don't want to be a prince, but I still want to be a female feudal lord and try something new."
“You…” Mu Xun looked at Mu Xi again with eyes that were both strange and familiar. “You are indeed not her. She never had this ambition, but you… your ambition is no less than that of a man. I should have seen that long ago.”
"How do you know she has no ambition?" Mu Xi knew that the "she" Mu Xun was referring to was the original owner of the body, and that her own answer had exposed her identity, but she didn't want to try to cover it up anymore. "She always had ambition, but it was buried very deep, and you have never understood her."
Mu Xun's eyes, as bright as the moon reflected in a calm lake, leaned closer: "So who exactly are you...?"
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