Chapter 82 The King’s Call
Mu Xi was always worried that if Cao Pan'er stole the token again and could freely enter and leave the Jun residence, it would be detrimental to the West Courtyard.
It's not a big deal if it's bad for the West Courtyard, the main problem is that she's basically connected with Cao Pan'er now, and she's afraid that Cao Pan'er will act impulsively and drag her into it again.
Mu Xun was really unsure: "Even Steward Pei himself wasn't sure when he lost the token; several days had passed before he discovered it."
"Sigh..." Mu Xi was also at a loss.
Just then, a servant came to report that Grand Marshal Gao Quan had suddenly arrived at the door, and King Xuan had issued an oral edict summoning Prince Mu Xi of Jinfang to an audience.
"Me? Am I the only one?" Mu Xi was completely taken aback.
The servant outside the door seemed unaware of the specifics: "This servant does not know, but I do know that the Grand Marshal has brought a large number of Imperial Guards, and the Lord has already gone to the main hall."
Mu Xun's expression changed, and he quickly stood up: "Don't worry, I'll go take a look first."
If the summons was for the palace, why did Grand Marshal Gao Quan have to personally lead the Imperial Guards on such a grand trip?
Mu Xi's curiosity outweighed her worries, and she insisted on following: "Since the King has summoned you, how can you not show your face?"
“It’s not like we haven’t been summoned before; Father always has an excuse to brush it off,” Mu Xun said, and strode away.
The original owner was pretended to be a boy from birth, and after his first birthday, he was granted the title of "Prince of Jinfang" by imperial decree.
In the nearly twenty years since he became Crown Prince Kim Bang, he has entered the palace to meet the emperor a handful of times.
Mu Zhen kept finding various reasons to keep Mu Xi out of the public eye, including in the royal palace.
The current Prince Yu, Mu Ji, is Mu Zhen's second elder brother and, by definition, Mu Xi's second uncle. He has never cared about Mu Xi, the heir apparent of the Jin Fang family, and has never taken the initiative to summon him.
This happened too suddenly.
After thinking for a moment, Mu Xi decided to take Tao'er and follow them from a distance.
Seeing Mu Xun enter through the back door of the main hall, she tiptoed in after him, not daring to show herself, and hid by the door to peek inside.
Gao Quan's face was as black as iron, and his sinister wolf-like eyes remained unchanged. However, this time he came during the day, wearing armor and accompanied by many imperial guards.
This setup doesn't look like they're here to summon someone; it looks more like they're here to arrest them.
Mu Xi didn't know what had happened, but she had a bad feeling.
Having received the news first, Jin Fangjun Muzhen, in his wheelchair, met with Gao Quan: "What business does Your Majesty have summoned my son?"
Tea had already been served in the hall, but Gao Quan did not sit down: "Has Your Excellency not heard about the collapse of Zhilan Terrace?"
Mu Xi had no idea what the three characters "Zhi Lan Tai" meant, but her scumbag father Mu Zhen and Mu Xun, who was standing behind her, clearly did.
Mu Zhen remained calm: "What does that have to do with my son being summoned to the palace?"
Gao Quan's refusal to sit was tantamount to looking down at Jin Fangjun Muzhen from his superior position: "The remains of the late king have been stolen, the royal tomb has been deliberately destroyed, and rumors are spreading about the collapse of Zhilan Terrace. That's all I can say."
Mu Zhen still looked puzzled: "How could these things be related to my son? He was recovering from a serious injury some time ago and has been recuperating in the manor."
"Whether it matters or not, the Crown Prince has already gone to the palace with me to see the King, and the King will make his own judgment." King Gao Quan, burdened by his orders but still waiting for the person in charge, grew impatient. "Where is the Crown Prince? The King has summoned him; please bring him out quickly."
Mu Zhen then resorted to his old excuse: "My son is seriously injured and weak. He was frightened when he went out of the city to sweep the tombs some time ago and has fallen ill and is unable to see His Majesty. Since the Grand Marshal has come in person, I will go to the palace with him and plead my case to His Majesty in person."
"Why are you so nervous, my lord? The king is merely issuing a summons, not arresting him. Summoning the crown prince is just a routine questioning." Gao Quan said with a hint of schadenfreude.
"Routine questioning, what are you asking?" Mu Zhen's expression grew increasingly grim.
Gao Quan's attitude was firm: "When the king asks a question, we, his subjects, will all obey. Your Majesty, do not delay."
Mu Zhen suppressed his doubts and softened his tone: "I should not refuse the king's summons, but my son is indeed seriously ill and unable to get out of bed. He doesn't understand anything and is really unable to answer the summons. Therefore, I, as his father, have no choice but to do it in his place."
"I ran into the young master at the West Gate half a month ago, and he seemed to be full of energy." Gao Quan said, placing his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist, his meaning all too clear. "Today, the young master has no choice but to go, whether he likes it or not. Since you say the young master is seriously ill, then I will have to carry him there, even if it means carrying him."
Mu Zhen's face immediately turned ashen: "My son's health has always been like this, as everyone has known for many years. I personally went to the King to plead my case, isn't that enough?"
“If Your Majesty wishes to enter the palace, I will not stop you. However, the King has summoned Crown Prince Jin Fang today. If the Crown Prince is unwell, the King has specially arranged for a physician to accompany him. I will obey orders and will bring the Crown Prince into the palace no matter what.” Gao Quan showed no mercy whatsoever.
"This..." Mu Zhen was surprised and uncertain. She tried to stand up from her wheelchair, but she lost her strength and fell back down.
Mu Xun quickly stepped aside to support him, taking the opportunity to hint: "What Lord Gao just said... has nothing to do with our Jin Fangjun Mansion. Even if someone is trying to make a connection, it is probably a misunderstanding on His Majesty's part, and it is right to clarify it in person. However, the Crown Prince knows nothing about these matters, so it would be better if I went to the palace on his behalf to plead with His Majesty in person."
"Whatever it is has absolutely nothing to do with you." Upon hearing Mu Xun's words, Mu Zhen, for reasons unknown, agreed to Gao Quan's request, "Since His Majesty insists on summoning me, then please wait a moment, Grand Marshal Gao."
Mu Xun was puzzled by Mu Zhen's sudden change and was even more worried but could not say it: "I just came from the Crown Prince's place. Although the Crown Prince's health is still okay today and he can barely walk, it will probably take some time before he is summoned to the palace. I'm afraid that the Crown Prince will be too weak and may be impolite in front of the King."
Gao Quan grew even more impatient: "How much longer? The imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau are waiting outside..."
"Don't worry, I won't keep Lord Gao waiting for long, but the young master will need to administer acupuncture and medicine before he can get up." Mu Zhen suppressed his breath and gestured for Mu Xun to push the wheelchair out of the main hall.
Mu Xi left before the two arrived.
No sooner had he stepped back into his inner room in the east courtyard than Jin Fangjun, Mu Zhen, and Mu Xun followed him in.
Mu Zhen must have noticed Mu Xi eavesdropping behind the door just now: "Did you hear what Gao Quan said just now?"
Mu Xi was still confused: "I heard it, but what exactly does His Majesty want me to ask him in the palace?"
Mu Zhen then retorted, "Have you done anything these past few days that we don't know about?"
The use of "we" is quite subtle; does it include Mu Xun as well?
Mu Xi felt uncomfortable upon hearing this: "I'm locked in my room all day, surrounded by surveillance. My father probably knows better than I do what I'm doing or not."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
