Chapter 273 Brotherhood
Shen Pingting sighed casually: "Alas, what connection could there be? Although it was a fabricated name, we had to go all out. At that time, Qi Qingyuan had just given birth to a daughter, Qi Zhuying. So, in order to divert attention from all sides, my father had Qi Zhuying pretend to be the 'prince's grandson'."
"Huh? Wouldn't this put Qi Zhuying in danger?" Mu Xi blurted out without thinking, and immediately regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth.
But Shen Pingting didn't seem to care: "It's not dangerous at all. If it were really dangerous, how could Qi Qingyuan, who dotes on his daughter, allow it? According to my father, he didn't actually make the infant do anything at the time; he just spread the word. It was only in the years that followed that, in order to stabilize the minds of the Hanhai Army and some former officials of the Yan Dynasty, he had Qi Zhuying impersonate her to confuse the public. Even in Moyang City, no one paid any attention to a little girl."
"Oh, I see." Mu Xi didn't know how to comment.
But considering that Shen Lun actually asked Qi Qingyuan to do such a thing back then, and Qi Qingyuan actually agreed, it seems that the two of them have a very close relationship.
Shen Pingting, still not satisfied, continued, "Hmph, she's been a fake princess for so long, does she really think she can become a real princess? She thinks she can climb the social ladder just because she had some contact with the prince in Xiangnan. Hmph, don't even think about it."
"What?" Upon hearing the words "prince," Mu Xi's heart skipped a beat.
Shen Pingting glanced at Mu Xi, then suddenly adopted a gentler tone: "Oh dear, sister, please don't be offended. I know you already know that your second brother was Wangsun, and Wangsun is Mu Xun. I knew this as early as when Wangsun lived here, but Father forbade me to mention it in front of you, so I didn't. Besides, this is something you and I both know, so what's there to hide?"
Mu Xi's expression changed slightly but then returned to normal: "Yes, what's wrong with saying this? It's perfectly normal for my sister to know what I know as well."
“That’s right.” Shen Pingting replied casually, her mind still on Qi Zhuying. “Sister, you’ve been brothers with Wangsun for so many years, you should know best how well Qi Zhuying is worthy of Wangsun’s character and talent. Don’t you think so?”
"Yes," Mu Xi answered without hesitation, though she couldn't help but feel resentful inwardly.
Back when Shen Pingting didn't know Mu Xun's true identity, which of her eyes had ever set her sights on Mu Xun?
Now, people keep calling him "Prince" and never mention the name "Mu Xun." That's just because they're attracted to Mu Xun's status and think he's a rare commodity.
These days, Mu Xi has been deliberately cultivating a good relationship with Shen Pingting, going along with her every word. This has made Shen Pingting feel quite smug and self-satisfied, and she doesn't hide her thoughts from Mu Xi at all: "If we're talking about who's a good match, then it should be me. My father has been painstakingly planning for the prince for so many years. If I can help him restore his kingdom and regain the throne, then the position of queen should belong to me, Shen Pingting. Who else but me? Don't you think so?"
"Yes." Mu Xi answered reflexively, afraid that Shen Pingting would notice something was wrong.
But he was even more surprised and suspicious. The "Golden Box Alliance" was known to all the former officials of the former Yan state, and Shen Lun was one of the witnesses. How could he not know who Mu Xun had already betrothed to if he really gained the country?
Therefore, I had to ask cautiously, "Since you say so, sister, you must mean the same thing, but if that's the case, why did you say earlier that you wanted to marry me off to the Military Commissioner of Jiuyou?"
“Alas, that was just my idea. If there is really hope for the restoration of Qianyan Kingdom, it will naturally be a matter of course. I believe Father will not object at that time.” Shen Pingting tilted her head and sighed, then added indignantly, “In any case, Qi Zhuying can forget about it. Father has already fallen out with Qi Qingyuan and still doesn’t agree. As for me, I would rather fall out with Father than agree to the appointment of the Nine Gardens Military Commissioner.”
I see.
Mu Xi felt a sense of relief, but many questions arose in her mind.
Of all those questions, the one she most wanted to ask was naturally Mu Xun's whereabouts, but it wasn't a question she could ask directly.
So he picked a minor issue to ask first: "Even if the marriage proposal falls through, it's a small matter. Why would Uncle and Qi Qingyuan turn against each other? The war is intense right now, and we need a lot of money and supplies to support us."
“Who knows? Father didn’t elaborate on this. But you’re right. Father’s worries these past few days aren’t because of the falling out with the Qi family, but because of the lack of financial support and his concerns about the front lines.” Shen Pingting didn’t care at all; her thoughts were only on the marriage. “However, how can a prestigious family like Shen’s be truly troubled by money? We absolutely cannot lower ourselves for this, and the prince certainly wouldn’t agree.”
Upon hearing the mention of "prince," Mu Xi seized the opportunity to ask, "You just said that Mu Xun stayed here for a period of time?"
"Yes, that's right, about two years ago." As the conversation progressed, Shen Pingting became more and more relaxed, and answered some questions off the cuff without thinking.
"And then what happened?" Mu Xi pressed on.
"Later? Later, he was probably sent back to his hometown by his father. Anyway, his father treated him like a precious jewel and would never let anything happen to him. I hope the restoration of Qianyan will be a great success, and then..." Shen Pingting answered casually, then rested her chin on her hand and seemed to be lost in thought.
Upon hearing this answer, Mu Xi was secretly pleased.
After so long, we finally got a clue: Mu Xun is most likely in the Dounan area.
Afterwards, the two chatted for a few more minutes, each with their own thoughts. Shen Pingting poured out her pent-up frustrations and finally felt much better. She then got up to say goodbye.
Mu Xi followed and saw them off.
Shen Pingting had already reached the beaded curtain when she suddenly turned back, seemingly still wanting to say more, and added, "Father told me not to say it, but I don't think it matters. The courtyard you live in now is the one where Wangsun used to live. I know you two have always had a brotherly bond, but you don't need to worry about him too much. There's nothing to worry about him. It's just that you and I only need to look forward to the day he becomes successful, then we'll both have hope."
Previously, when Shen Pingting had repeatedly tried to subtly inquire about Mu Xun's various preferences from Mu Xi, Mu Xi explained that although she and Mu Xun had been like brothers for many years, they had not actually spent much time together and therefore did not know each other very well, so she brushed it off.
Therefore, Shen Pingting inquired about Mu Xun less and less, and regarded the two only as brothers.
"Ah..." Mu Xi felt lost and didn't know where to turn for help.
Seeing Mu Xi's stunned expression, Shen Pingting smiled even more: "Haha, your expression is quite similar to that of Wang Sun back then. It's hard to believe you two were brothers for so many years. When he was here, he always stayed in his room by himself and didn't talk to anyone. When you talked to him, he just looked blank and lost."
After saying that, Shen Pingting gracefully departed.
Mu Xi was left standing alone in the same spot.
Mu Xun once lived here, but why can't she sense any presence here?
If they meet again after a long time, will they still recognize each other?
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