Chapter 118 Marquis of Yong
"What rumors? They're all fabricated by a scoundrel like you." Mu Xun said, pointing the tip of his sword at Ma Zheng's throat.
Ma Zheng was not afraid at all: "Does the Second Young Master intend to kill me in public?"
Mu Xun's expression turned cold and stern: "It's not impossible."
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it just prove that the young master is guilty?” Ma Zheng said, beckoning towards the door.
A middle-aged woman dressed in the gray robes of a prison official walked in.
“This matter is very simple,” Ma Zheng was still afraid of Mu Xun’s sword. He gripped the sword with both hands, but turned to Mu Xi to test her. “If Your Highness just lets her take a look, whether it is a man or a woman, all the nobles present will understand.”
"Hehe, is Ma Zuojian really going to take this step?" Mu Xi's lips curled into a beautiful smile.
Ma Zheng said confidently, "Please enlighten these distinguished guests, Your Highness."
Mu Xi then glanced at the guests present: "Is there anyone here who has something to say?"
No one responded.
"Hehe... Mu Xun, put down your sword." Mu Xi chuckled, her gaze returning to Ma Zheng. "Then, if the examination proves that I am not as Ma Zuojian claims, how will Ma Zuojian explain himself?"
Mu Xun hesitated and put down his sword.
Ma Zheng also released his grip, but then asked in surprise, "How do we explain this?"
Mu Xi chuckled: "Heh, does Supervisor Ma really think that he can get away unscathed after publicly insulting my Jin Fangjun Mansion and me today?"
"I'm just doing this on official business." Once it involves himself, Ma Zheng is not so sure, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Gao Quan, who sits at the head of the table on the east side.
Gao Quan's face was as cold as iron; he remained aloof and unapproachable.
"Hahaha... It seems there's going to be a good show tonight." Mu Xi suddenly laughed. "Pan'er, don't just stand there. Pour me some wine. I want to drink while watching this good show brought by Supervisor Ma."
"Yes." Cao Pan'er, who had been standing there glaring at Ma Zheng, turned around and went to the servants on both sides who were carrying wine to get a wine pot and pour a cup for Mu Xi.
Mu Xi picked up her wine glass and downed it in one gulp.
"Hiss..." This really tastes awful.
Ma Zheng stared at Mu Xi's posture, his expression shifting between surprise and uncertainty.
"Hehe..." Mu Xi took the wine pot from Cao Pan'er's hand and poured himself a drink.
Mu Xun turned around and was startled. He raised his hand to stop him, saying, "What are you doing, Your Highness? You can't..."
"Don't worry..." Mu Xi grabbed Mu Xun's hand and squeezed it tightly, then looked up and pressed Ma Zheng closely, "So, what's your opinion, Ma Zuojian?"
Ma Zheng looked left and right, and now he had become the focus of attention. He could only grit his teeth and say, "If, after verification, it is found that I have indeed offended the Crown Prince, I will leave it to the Crown Prince to deal with."
“Alright…” Mu Xi downed another cup of wine and suddenly stood up. “I have been waiting for Supervisor Ma’s words for a long time.”
"Your Highness, what are you doing?" Mu Xun grabbed him.
Mu Xi ignored him, directly blowing into the spout of the wine pot. A burning sensation ran through his stomach as he downed the entire pot of wine. With a "smash," he smashed the pot on the ground: "If you're going to inspect it, why be so sneaky? Tonight, I'll let everyone here see..."
"Your Highness, you're drunk." Mu Xun desperately tried to stop him. "A mere fifth-rank Left Supervisor from the Court of Justice dares to cause trouble at the Jun residence. I'll kill him right now. Your Highness must not lose face and fall for such a villain's trick."
"It's alright, bring more wine..." Mu Xi's breath reeked of alcohol, but her mind was perfectly clear. Apart from the discomfort in her stomach, she wasn't drunk at all.
I was just about to try to back off and let my drunken personality show.
Suddenly a loud shout came from outside: "I want to see who dares to look at my own nephew!"
As the voice spoke, a middle-aged man dressed in a bright blue scholar's robe with water patterns, wearing a jade crown and holding a jade fan strode in.
Marquis Shen Lun of Yong State appeared refined and handsome from afar, and even up close, he possessed both refined elegance and scholarly grace. He had a thin face and a long beard, with a pair of willow-leaf shaped eyes that, when closed, gave the impression of detachment and worldly wisdom; when open, however, were penetrating and insightful, exuding an imposing aura without anger.
It is said that during the previous era, his father, Shen Mao, was the Prime Minister, second only to the emperor, and a renowned scholar throughout the Yan Sheng Continent. During his time in court, half of the civil officials were his students.
Later, when the Yan Dynasty fell, Shen Mao, as the prime minister, assessed the situation and, in order to protect the lives of scholars, did not call on them to rebel. Instead, he advised them to cease their rebellion, prioritize the innocent people, and serve the new dynasty.
Mu Chi, the founding emperor of the Mu clan, in order to "appreciate" Shen Mao's profound sense of righteousness and to further stabilize the people's hearts, bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Yong, and even promised him three generations of high-ranking officials. He also bestowed the title of "Princess Yunying" upon his daughter, who was the original owner's birth mother.
After Shen Mao passed away, his eldest son Shen Lun inherited the title, albeit with a lower rank, becoming the Marquis of Yong, a rare instance of a non-royal prince in the Great Yu Dynasty.
Besides his father's fame, Shen Lun is also exceptionally talented.
Even in the early years of the Yan Dynasty, he became famous at a young age. Emperor Yan once praised his talent as "the only one in the south of the Dou Nan," hence the title "Lord of the Dou Nan."
Everyone in the hall hurriedly stood up, bowed, and addressed him as "Lord Yong" or "Lord Dounan".
Shen Lun stepped into the hall, exuding elegance and composure.
Behind him followed a woman in a light purple gauze dress, adorned with silk and jade ornaments; the thin veil could not conceal her stunningly beautiful face.
Mu Xi didn't need to guess to know that this must be Shen Lun's only legitimate daughter—Shen Pingting.
Mu Xi hurriedly descended the steps to greet him, bowing respectfully: "Uncle, why are you only arriving now?"
Marquis Shen Lun of Yong State laughed heartily: "It's inevitable that traveling with female relatives will be inconvenient, and as a result... we were delayed for two more days on the road."
Mu Xi looked at Shen Pingting, but for a moment she didn't know how to address her.
The original owner and Shen Pingting had never met; they had only heard about each other through hearsay.
Shen Pingting, on the other hand, was poised and graceful, giving a slight curtsy: "Your Highness is too kind. In terms of age, I seem to be only a year older than Your Highness."
Mu Xi was surprised to find that Shen Pingting was actually a little older than her, and quickly bowed again: "Greetings, cousin."
Shen Pingting shifted her gaze from Mu Xi's face, then, without the slightest fear, her eyes were arrogant, lacking the composure of an ordinary woman. Instead, she seemed to be appraising a product, sweeping her gaze over the male guests present.
This is exactly why an emperor's daughter never has to worry about getting married.
Shen Pingting possessed both beauty and a good family background. According to the original owner's memories, she was very picky about her marriage and insisted on marrying a suitable husband. As a result, she had been dragging it out until she was twenty years old and still hadn't found anyone she liked.
After Shen Lun finished his introduction, he gestured to the servants behind him to bring the people up, and said to Mu Xi, "Take a look and see who they are?"
Immediately, a servant accompanied a man and a woman dressed as servants into the hall.
Before Mu Xi could even recognize her, Qing'er, who had been kneeling beside her, rushed forward crying, "Mother..."
It turned out to be Granny Li, who stayed behind at Xihua Mountain, and Uncle Zhong, the coachman.
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