Perhaps it was just that in the face of Mu Houchu’s dazzling means and schemes, one would appear incompetent.
So, did the whole court really think that the Emperor got to where he was today solely due to good luck and Mu Houchu’s full support?
Recalling the scene of the strife among the princes for succession back then, how could the person who made it to the end have a shallow mind and lesser schemes?
Duan Lan pulled his thoughts back. Those past events had nothing to do with him, and he didn’t need to think or care about them.
There was no time to think too much about what was going on in Le Yuanhou’s Mansion.
The only choice that lay before him at this moment was, if he wanted the Emperor’s support and trust, he had to marry Li Junyan.
For him at this time, it was as if there was no choice at all.
Duan Lan suddenly realized that his former disdain for utilitarianism was because, under its temptation, people’s hearts would become unbearable and gradually bound. Even if they climbed higher, they would inevitably lose something.
For instance, his marriage now.
But he had no regrets; no regrets for agreeing to this marriage, for choosing this path, and for not regretting that on the Lantern Festival last year, he had passed by Lian’an Town, took part in guessing riddles on a whim, and met a woman who would cause him a lifetime of mistakes.
Duan Lan closed his eyes without answering Qingyun’s words, and silence filled the room.
Qingyun was a little embarrassed: "Young Master?"
Duan Lan opened his eyes again, and the hint of tenderness in his eyes had completely disappeared. He said indifferently, "Since the marriage with Le Yuanhou’s Mansion has been settled, there is no need to change it. Everything remains the same."
With that, he paused, turned his head to meet Qingyun’s eyes, and warned with a touch of authority, "Watch your mouth."
Shaken, Qingyun naturally understood that the young master was telling him not to speak of the master’s displeasure with the marriage to others, and he hurriedly agreed, "This servant understands!"
——
Le Yuanhou Mansion.
Lady Sun was talking to her daughter with a beaming face: "Yan’er, you must know that this marriage with the Duan Family is now the best one out there. You have to know that Young Master Duan is now in high demand in the capital city and has the Emperor’s intention of reusing him. His appearance is top-notch, and he has a wealth of talent. I don’t know how many young ladies in the capital are watching eagerly, but in the end, it can only fall on your head."
Li Junyan had always been accustomed to acting pitiful, and her temperament was habitually gentle. However, she couldn’t hide her joy at this moment, and she lowered her head with a shallow smile, "It’s all thanks to Mother."
"My Yan’er is perfect in every way, so naturally she deserves this marriage. However, some inside information is known only to you and me. Outsiders are not allowed to say more." Lady Sun didn’t forget to remind her.
Li Junyan understood, of course, "Father and daughter won’t say anything."
Lady Sun finally felt relieved and nodded, "Although you’re hiding something when you marry into their family, you don’t have to feel estranged. Look at your mother and father, haven’t we lived happily together for all these years? Your father won’t find out for his whole life and will love me dearly until we grow old. The same goes for you, these are all your blessings."
There was something Lady Sun didn’t mention.
Le Yuanhou was able to live in harmony with her for a lifetime, primarily because he was contented and had no other intentions. Thus, Lady Sun, as a chess piece, had no chance to be used and naturally lived as a loving couple for a lifetime.
If Duan Lan was also contented and loyal to the Emperor, Li Junyan would not have the opportunity to be used. However, if that was not the case...
Lady Sun couldn’t help but take another look at her daughter before deciding not to say anything for the time being.
While the mother and daughter were talking, Le Yuanhou entered the room.
Lady Sun quickly got up to greet him, smiling, "What brings you here, Lord Marquis?"
"I heard that the marriage between Duan Family and Yan’er has been settled?"
"Yes, it’s true. The Duan Family’s Third Young Master, such a fine young man, is perfect for Yan’er. Lord Marquis, didn’t you also say that he is a good match?" Lady Sun smiled.
Le Yuanhou hummed in response and nodded. Duan Lan was indeed good, but the only question in his heart was, how could such a good person happen to choose Li Junyan?
He hadn’t blindly believed in himself to think that his daughter was so outstanding.
Perhaps sensing Le Yuanhou’s doubts, Lady Sun laughed, "All this is Yan’er’s good fortune. When it comes to young people, they only care about fate when it comes to liking one another. Maybe one of those times, Young Master Duan inadvertently saw Yan’er and thought she was just his cup of tea."
Le Yuanhou turned to look at Li Junyan, who shyly lowered her head.
Le Yuanhou didn’t ask any further, but thought of what Xin He had said to him before leaving Beijing: Be careful of Lady Sun.
Le Yuanhou’s suspiciousness in his heart could not help but intensify.
——
"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me! Whether the force behind Lady Sun is the Shen Family or someone else, start investigating from her ancestors to the present, not missing a single clue." Marquis Mu ordered in a deep voice.
Now that Duan Lan was gaining the Emperor’s secret support and was going to marry Lady Sun’s daughter, it was harder for him to believe that this was a coincidence than to believe that Duan Lan and Li Junyan were genuinely in love.
If he didn’t investigate clearly now, he might encounter endless trouble in the future.
Ling Feng bowed his fist and replied, "Yes!"
Marquis Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly, and in his heart, there was already a faint answer. However, if this answer were to be pulled up, it would inevitably involve a series of unimaginable secrets, so he temporarily suppressed it with reason, waiting for Ling Feng to find out the truth before making a decision.
By the time he returned to his mansion, it was already late.
However, upon returning, there was still a light in the room as usual. Marquis Mu walked to the courtyard and looked at the bright light, feeling warmth in his heart.
His delicate little wife always left a light on for him, regardless of how late he returned.
He had told her countless times, but she never listened. He knew better than anyone how stubborn this delicate little woman was.
Sometimes, when he returned late, and she could not hold on, she would sleep drowsily on the soft couch, causing him to ache every time he saw her.
So almost every day, he would hurry back as fast as possible, not wanting her to wait any longer.
Marquis Mu stepped in quickly and saw that she had not lain down today but was leisurely sitting under the candlelight, making clothes. Her delicate little face, under the candlelight, had several more gentle features. Her hair was casually pulled back with only two jade hairpins in it, and her jade feet were bare without socks, resting beside her legs, looking relaxed and casual.
He stared at her, somewhat lost. He didn’t know when, but this little woman had gradually grown up, exuding a more mature charm that he couldn’t take his eyes off.
"Making clothes for me?" Marquis Mu approached.
Xin He glared at him lightly, "I’m making them for Xiao Bei."
Marquis Mu frowned, "What about mine?"
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