Chapter 227 The Clown Was Actually Himself
A turning point?
Mu Xi's anger reached its peak, and she couldn't utter a single word.
More importantly, it feels even more absurd and ironic.
She, who desperately wanted to regain her status as a princess, was now being forced to marry into another princess's family as a man.
Apart from Mu Xun, who looked solemn, all the people in front of him were sycophants and gloating.
Yes, no matter how weak the Jin Fangjun family is, for the heir to marry into the family is an utter disgrace.
The clown was herself.
The sarcasm on Xuan You Shi Zi Mu Sheng's lips was almost overflowing.
Looking at Mu Xi's face, which had instantly lost all color, and the coldness and despair that flashed in her eyes, Liu Yang's expression was complex and difficult to decipher.
Li Lizhi's eyes were bright and fiery red, her smile like a blooming poppy, and she looked at Mu Xi as if she had won a trophy.
Mu Xi felt as if an invisible hand had grabbed her heart, and she immediately realized what was happening.
It turns out that she was the one who had been living in a pipe dream all along.
The night wind blew across the top of Yanshan Mountain, and the "Six Directions of the Stars" slowly turned in the sky, beautiful and mysterious, silently witnessing her step by step into the trap that had been arranged long ago.
The original target for tonight's game was her; Mu Xun was just a decoy, or perhaps Mu Xun was the Gao family's second choice, while she was the first priority.
Regardless of the outcome, the Gao family has won tonight.
She suffered a complete defeat.
----------------
The dust has settled on the "Grand Sacrifice of the Six Directions and the Hunting Tour of Yanshan," but the clamor among various forces behind the scenes is still raging.
Amidst the undercurrents and unpredictable events, Mu Xi became the biggest joke.
Both are princes and princesses, but the prince of the prestigious Jin Fangjun family is to marry into the Qingyang Princess's family.
Princess Qingyang, Li Li's predatory eyes and the declaration of "marrying into the East Sea" felt like a thorn in her side and a fishbone stuck in her throat.
In the next few days, Li Li will be setting off to return to the East Sea. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, he has proposed to invite Mu Xi to return with him.
Mu Xi felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She had disguised herself as a man and endured for many years, all she wanted was to regain her identity and live openly and honestly. She never expected that after all her efforts, she would be tricked like this.
After much deliberation, finding no other way out, they decided to go with Mu Xun to find Marquis Shen Lun of Yong State.
Inside the tent, on a sandalwood table, a crane-top incense burner emitted wisps of blue smoke, carrying the unique cool scent of agarwood.
Marquis Shen Lun of Yong State, dressed in a deep purple scholar's robe, sat upright in the main seat. His gaze seemed to be on Mu Xi, but it also seemed to penetrate her and fall on a more distant chess game that only he himself knew.
Mu Xun sat to the left of Mu Xi, his posture respectful and his face calm and composed, but beneath his lowered eyelashes lay a barely perceptible worry.
Mu Xi took a deep breath, suppressing her surging anxiety, and tried to make her voice sound calm: "Uncle, you must already know Princess Qingyang's intentions. I've come to ask for your advice on how to resolve this. I can't really go to the East Sea with her, can I?"
Shen Lun's eyes, sharp as willow leaves yet clear enough to see through everything, said: "Princess Qingyang has a special status. This time, she chose you in front of everyone, and you saw that even Prince Yu is trying to win you over. This matter is already settled with Prince Yu, and there is probably no room for maneuver. However, other forces are stirring up trouble, and it would be unwise to create any more complications at this time."
What does this mean?
Mu Xi's heart sank even further: "What does Uncle mean? Does he want me to go to the East Sea with the Princess?"
Shen Lun remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.
Mu Xi felt a surge of anger, but reminded herself to remain calm, especially to keep her expression straight: "If I were truly a man, even if I were willing to swallow this insult and marry into her family, wouldn't the Jin Fangjun family have no shame? Isn't news of my father's death due soon? Why is there still no word? Besides, I am not a man. Isn't my uncle afraid that I will be exposed?"
“This is just a temporary measure. Princess Qingyang will be setting off in the next few days, so we'll try to delay it as long as possible. But even if we delay it for a few more days, the news of your father's death may not reach us.” Shen Lun remained calm and composed. “As for your true identity… it won't be exposed anytime soon. Even if you go to the East Sea with her, the wedding will still be some time away. By then, the world will have changed, and who knows what will happen?”
Mu Xi sneered inwardly, but feigned helplessness on the surface: "Since my uncle has no other choice, then we have even less choice. However, if Mu Xun and I leave, the Jin Fangjun Mansion will only have Mu Chong left. Since I, the 'heir,' have married into the family, my position as heir will be meaningless, which will only benefit Mu Chong."
"How can this be?" Shen Lun's willow-leaf eyes immediately narrowed. "Mu Xun cannot go with you. Once you travel with Princess Qingyang, I will immediately write to Prince Yu to re-grant you a marquisate equal to that of Princess Qingyang, and then let Mu Xun succeed as the heir apparent."
“No… If the young master goes to the East Sea, I am worried and must follow him.” Mu Xun suddenly interjected, his eyes calm but firm, “Perhaps in the past, we only said that the young master of Jin Fang was weak and sickly, but that was to cover it up. But now the young master is really weak and his vital energy is greatly depleted. In addition, that princess has a domineering and eccentric personality. I am worried that she might lose something.”
Shen Lun slowly shook his head: "Your and Xi'er's courtesy names, 'Chengfeng' and 'Guinan,' are derived from the idea that '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 fog gathers, and only then can the wind be carried; if one's heart is open to the world and nothing can obstruct it, then all can return to the south.' It reflects Mu Zhen's hope that one day you could fulfill his ambition, leading the Han Hai Army and the old officials of Dayan from north to south, and return to the capital of Moyang. Now that your father is gone, you must understand the bigger picture and consider the overall situation. These are all temporary. I believe that the Crown Prince of Xuanyou will soon take action. As long as the Crown Prince of Xuanyou takes action, the Gao family will inevitably take advantage of the chaos to make their own move, and then we will have an opening to exploit."
It's temporary; who can guarantee how long this temporary state will last?
Mu Xi and Mu Xun exchanged a glance.
Shen Lun continued, "The Gao family has their eyes on the troops in the Western Border. This plan seems to be their only goal. You must not back down now, and you must not be absent. Fortunately, you have been in the Western Border for many years and have won the hearts of the soldiers. Moreover, Marquis Yi Fang, Mu Dong, is your father's brother. Although he is mediocre, he is honest and loyal. Your father has laid the groundwork for so many years. We must not let Gao Quan take advantage of this."
"Things happened so suddenly that we couldn't worry about the bigger picture. If Mu Xi is forced to go to the East Sea, I absolutely cannot let her go alone." Mu Xun's eyes remained calm and composed. "The Prince of Jin Fang is marrying into the Qingyang Princess's family. Putting aside any concerns about his reputation, he is essentially in a predicament. If any unexpected situation arises, no one else will be able to help. I will absolutely not allow the incident involving General Yingyang to happen again."
Shen Lun scrutinized Mu Xun, and after a moment slowly asked, "Are you determined to do this?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
