"Let him in." Mu Houchu pulled back the curtain and walked out, speaking as he went.
"Yes." Xiaoyu replied.
The scout then respectfully entered.
Upon seeing Mu Houchu, he knelt down and saluted: "This subordinate pays his respects to the master."
"Has Duan Lan left Yu State?"
"This subordinate has been monitoring him. After returning to Duan Mansion, he stayed for a while, and then he prepared to return to the capital." The scout reported.
Mu Houchu’s gaze was cold: "So, he has left already? You watched him leave Yu State?"
The scout hesitated for a moment before continuing: "Indeed, he has left. However, before leaving, he stopped by the Song Family for a while."
Mu Houchu’s eyes narrowed slightly: "The Song Family?"
"The Song Family in the capital has taken over half of Duan Lan’s power in the Imperial Court. Duan Lan may not let it go easily. This visit to the Song Family in Yu State may be related to this matter. However, the stay was very short, so it could also be a courtesy visit on his way."
Mu Houchu waved his hand: "You may leave."
"Yes." The scout immediately stood up and left.
Upon Mu Houchu’s return, Xin He asked in confusion: "What is the relationship between Duan Lan and the Song Family?"
Mu Houchu picked up a dry towel and continued to dry her hair: "There is no particular relationship. However, in the court, even if there is no relationship, people must pretend to have one. With the right personal connections in place, things will naturally be easier."
Xin He nodded: "That makes sense."
Xin He had no suspicions. She believed that the Song Family and Duan Lan had a hostile relationship to begin with, and even if he visited them, the Song Family wouldn’t pay much attention to him. Although the main branch of the Song Family was feuding with the second and third branches, it was a private family struggle. Once outsiders were involved, they would stand united without hesitation.
After all, if the main branch of the Song Family gained honor, the entire family would share the glory. The second and third branches, lacking their own ability, had no reason to undermine the main branch.
Once Xin He understood this, she felt relieved and closed her eyes, enjoying Mu Houchu drying her hair.
But at this moment, Mu Houchu, who was standing behind her, the always calm and composed man, had a slight undertow in his eyes.
—
It was a dark night, and Duan Lan’s departure allowed Ji Xinhe to finally sleep soundly and peacefully. Even her dreams were unusually pleasant.
However, some people still had trouble sleeping. Among those plagued with insomnia, besides Duan Lan, who was furious and rushing back to the capital, there was another person.
In the darkness of the night, the Song Family was in a rare state of tranquility. All the noise and vitality from the day had been silenced by the darkness.
In the pitch-black night, only a single room radiated a faint light.
Song Yalin had lit only one candle, wrapped herself in a thin coat, and sat under the candlelight, deep in thought.
Her breathing was so soft that it was almost inaudible, and the entire room was incredibly quiet. Her face was somewhat pale, as if she had been having a rough time recently. After the great prince took the initiative to break off the engagement, she had indeed been living a hard life. Amidst the open and hidden ridicule, her mother’s worries, and her father’s rebuke, she had to face her current predicament.
But even with her pale complexion, her eyes were devoid of the despair that others might have expected; instead, there was a coldness and a hint of restlessness and ambition.
Yes, ambition.
The ambition hidden deep within her heart.
It wasn’t until the arrival of a man that the ambition in the depths of her heart began to expand more and more, growing increasingly dissatisfied!
She could still clearly remember every word he said, striking her heart.
"I am Duan Lan, and you should recognize me." Duan Lan spoke with a smile, and even though it was shallow and insincere, it still felt like a warm breeze. For a girl infatuated with first love, just one glance like this could make her sink deeply...
Song Yalin’s eyes were filled with surprise, but she was very cautious: "What are you looking for me for?"
"I am here for a purpose, and you don’t have to be so tense. Perhaps my arrival can change some aspects of your situation or even...give you some opportunities." Duan Lan said mysteriously.
For some reason, Song Yalin felt she could perhaps trust this man’s words. Perhaps it was his seemingly harmless face. However, she knew that a man who had risen to such a high position in the court must have ulterior motives.
"What do you mean?" Song Yalin asked cautiously.
Duan Lan smiled: "Miss Song has been waiting for five years, only to be repaid with a breakup letter from the Great Prince. Your predicament is well known."
Song Yalin’s face darkened: "Minister Duan, did you come here especially to mock me? Are you so idle?"
"I am hardly idle, as I said before, I am here to give you an opportunity." Duan Lan’s voice carried a bewitching quality: "Miss Song is gifted with outstanding intelligence, gentleness, and elegance, and is known as the number one maiden in Yu State. Even the eldest Miss from the Song Family, who has already married into the palace, may not be more talented than Miss Song. But fate is unfair, and you have to marry below your station, bearing that ridicule. Are you truly willing?"
Song Yalin said coldly: "What if I’m not willing?"
Duan Lan chuckled: "If you’re not willing, there are ways to change it. I know exactly what you want, Miss Song, and there’s more than one Great Prince in this world who can give it to you."
Song Yalin looked at him suspiciously: "Who?"
Everyone knew that His Majesty currently had only three sons. Besides the Great Prince, who was about the same age as Song Yalin, the other two were too young to marry.
Song Yalin suspected that Duan Lan was considering marrying her himself.
It seemed as if Duan Lan could see her thoughts, and he laughed: "Miss Song shouldn’t worry too much. I, Duan Lan, may be a high-ranking official, but I am merely serving the Emperor and dare not harbor any ambitions for the world. Besides, I already have my main wife. I cannot force Miss Song to be my concubine, can I?"
Song Yalin snorted: "So who are you talking about?"
"A person more likely to become Emperor than the Great Prince." Duan Lan said indistinctly.
Song Yalin hesitantly said: "You mean... Prince Pingyang?"
Everyone in Yu State knew that Prince Pingyang’s power was enough to contend with the Imperial Court. Even if he rebelled one day, the court might not necessarily be able to do anything about it. Why would a man with such power not have ambitions?
Duan Lan smiled, though he didn’t say anything, his smile was confirmation enough.
"But he already has a main wife..."
"But he doesn’t have a side consort. Moreover, he only has a daughter now and the position of heir in the Pingyang Prince Mansion is still vacant, so you have a chance."
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