Chapter 144 Mu Xi and Xi Xun
“I am her, and she is me.” Mu Xi didn’t give Mu Xun a chance to ask. “I have neither changed nor changed, and so has our relationship.”
"Our relationship?" Mu Xun's eyes blinked.
Mu Xi was more sincere than ever before: "Yes, our relationship, I trusted you unconditionally before, and I will continue to do so in the future."
In the original owner's memories, there was indeed unconditional trust and even dependence on Mu Xun.
Mu Xun asked with difficulty, "After you learned that we are not brothers and sisters, is trust all you have left?"
"Trust is the most precious and rarest thing in the world..." Mu Xi's thoughts were completely out of sync with Mu Xun's at this moment. "Oh, unless what you said about not wanting to restore the country is a lie?"
If rolling one's eyes weren't so unseemly, Mu Xun would have wanted to roll his eyes right now.
In the end, he could only sigh helplessly: "Fine, it's up to you. Some things do need to change gradually. But from now on, in private, could I not call you 'elder brother' or 'prince', but just your courtesy name?"
"You mean 'Gui Nan'?" Mu Xi frowned. "I don't like this courtesy name."
Mu Xun retorted, "You don't like it? Our courtesy names come from Jiu You's 'Jiuyuan Collection': 'If the mountain's terrain is not steep, it is difficult for it to gather clouds. Therefore, at a height of a thousand fathoms, the mist gathers, and then it receives the wind; those who embrace the universe and are not obstructed by anything, then all return to the south.' I think when Father gave us these two names, he probably meant that one day the Han Hai Army in the north would be able to come south and return to Moyang. Is that why you don't like it?"
Mu Xi had never thought of this, nor had she read the "Nine Abyss Collection". She had naively believed that "Nan" was a homophone of "Nan" (male), but now that Mu Xun had said it, it really didn't matter.
Mu Xun added, “Although I think that’s roughly what Father meant, I really like it because the description of the Nine Gardens in that book is something I long for, and ‘Chengfeng’ and ‘Guinan’ together also mean to seize opportunities and move towards the light together.”
“Uh…” Although that was the case, Mu Xi still didn’t like it, but she couldn’t bear to go against Mu Xun’s wishes, so she said, “How about this, since we can’t tell each other’s ages anyway, we can just call each other by our names in private. I… Mu Xi, you… Xi Xun, that way there’s no pressure.”
Mu Xun thought for a moment, then his eyes softened: "Very well, Xi Xun, Xi Xun. I suppose my biological father also wanted me to be a kind and virtuous person. I do not regret the killings I have committed in this life, but in the future... I do not want anyone to lose their life because of me. It is appropriate to use this name as a reminder."
“Ah, that’s not what I meant. You killed people in the past out of necessity. Who can predict what will happen in the future?” Mu Xi couldn’t help but think of Shen Lun again. “Besides, even if you are willing to risk being called ‘unfilial’ rather than start another war, then we don’t need to dwell on the past. I’m just worried that Lord Shen will not let you off the hook.”
"Mu Xi..." Mu Xun suddenly called out in the most gentle way.
Mu Xun had never called her that before. Mu Xi's heart skipped a beat, but she pretended to be nonchalant: "What?"
Mu Xun moved closer; the two were about the same height, only half a head shorter. Their eyes met: "Is this what you call thinking of me?"
“How can it not count? I didn’t know your identity before, and there were many misunderstandings. Now… now…” Mu Xi once again immersed herself in those eyes that reflected the moon in the calm lake, but a string in her mind remained taut. “Alas… in short, the road ahead will not be easy. You must be careful of the Marquis of Yongguo. He is even more ruthless than my father.”
"I understand." A smile spread across Mu Xun's eyes. "However, you don't like him because he doesn't respect your wishes enough, but he is, after all, your maternal uncle. You still need to be mindful of boundaries and leave room for maneuver."
"Even Doctor Luo doesn't like him." Mu Xi knew that her dislike was partly due to her personal bias, so she brought up Doctor Luo.
Mu Xun did not want to argue, and smiled gently: "In short, we will meet again someday. But don't forget that we are in a situation where we are surrounded by enemies."
Mu Xi felt that Marquis Shen Lun of Yong State was that "tiger", but in the face of the incredibly gentle Mu Xun, she didn't say anything more.
After the two had a frank and open conversation, everything returned to normal.
In the days that followed, Mu Xi devoted herself to the construction of Qifeng Terrace.
Seeing that the project was progressing smoothly and might even be completed ahead of schedule, Yan Shu excitedly reported that he wanted to confirm the date with the Imperial Statutes in advance so that he could invite the Imperial Advisor.
The Imperial Advisor Xian Ling was indispensable, so Mu Xi didn't care. Instead, she had another matter to discuss: "Since you say Qifeng Terrace was built for Princess Yan Ya, then on the day it's completed, His Majesty will surely invite Princess Yan Ya, right? But if the princess comes, then the Queen will also come..."
"Haha, Your Highness..." Yan Shu said nonchalantly, covering his mouth with his hand and joking in a low voice, "Don't say that Princess Yan Ya might not come. That's just wishful thinking on the part of our King. Even if she does come... hehe, I dare to guarantee that Queen Gao will definitely find a hundred reasons to tactfully avoid her."
"Is that so?" Mu Xi had to double-check the names of the people present. "If that's the case, then someone as influential as the Imperial Advisor must be included."
Yan Shu patted his chest and assured him, "This is the Dragon God Altar, which concerns the weather and the people's livelihood. How could the Imperial Preceptor not come? Not only will he come, but he will also personally perform the ritual to offer sacrifices to the heavens and the gods."
Mu Xi then asked further, "It would be good if the Grand Preceptor personally performed the ritual, but if His Majesty could also personally ascend the altar... then our efforts would not have been in vain."
"As for His Majesty..." Yan Shu stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, "I heard that His Majesty had personally promised the Crown Prince that he would be present, but whether he would go up to the altar... If Lady Qifeng could accompany him in the sacrifice, it would probably be more likely."
"So, it seems we need to ask Lady Qifeng for help?" Mu Xi couldn't help but ponder.
Yan Shu nodded and then shook her head: "That one... I guess it's difficult..."
In Mu Xi's plan, the King of Yu was a crucial element. Ideally, the King of Yu would lead his important ministers to the altar to witness the "divine revelation," so that all his efforts would not be in vain.
But if we really get stuck on such a small detail...
Just as Mu Xi was trying to come up with a foolproof plan, Yan Shu suddenly had an idea: "Although it's not easy to persuade Lady Qifeng, the young master could give it a try."
"Me?" Mu Xi didn't understand.
Yan Shu said mysteriously, "I just remembered that my father once mentioned that Lady Qifeng, also known as Princess Yanya, had a past relationship with the Marquis in the previous dynasty. At the last Marquis's birthday banquet, the princess, who never attended banquets, actually came in person, which shows that it is true. Now that the Crown Prince has built this altar, he will surely ascend the altar to pray for the Marquis on the day of the ceremony. So why not try inviting the princess again? After all, the princess was a famous goddess in the previous dynasty. With her presiding over the altar, it will surely bring great honor."
"Is that so?" Mu Xi had no memory of it, but she might as well give it a try. "Alright, since you say so, I will definitely send a separate invitation."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
