"Really?"
Xin He chuckled and said, "Of course. Why else would your father name you Ah Guai?"
Just as they were talking, Shulan came in and announced, "Your Highness, the Prince, Your Highness, the Princess, a scout has arrived."
It was a common occurrence in the Royal Mansion to regularly have scouts from all directions visit.
Marquis Mu gave a light command, "Let him in."
"Yes."
A man in black hurried in, knelt down and saluted, "This one pays his respects to the master."
"What’s the matter?" Marquis Mu recognized him; he was specifically responsible for conveying news from the capital city. He would likely not have come here unless there was important information to transmit.
"There’s been a stir in the Palace..." The man paused, glanced at Ji Xinhe, and seemed a little hesitant. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
Marquis Mu’s voice turned cold, "What kind of stir?"
After all these years, Ji Xinhe always involved herself in his business; was there anything he was afraid of her knowing?
The scout grit his teeth and finally said, "The Emperor has issued a decree for your marriage, Your Highness!"
Upon hearing this, Xin He’s face changed, and Marquis Mu demanded, "What kind of marriage?"
Marquis Mu had a hunch about this. He had begun to notice something was awry since Duan Lan had specifically visited the Song Family before leaving Yu State. It was likely that Duan Lan was not willing to lose so tragically and must have some scheme planned.
As expected, the scout said solemnly, "The Emperor has decreed that the third daughter of the Song family should enter the Royal Mansion as a side consort."
"The Song family’s third daughter?" Xin He was slightly taken aback, but soon understood everything as she laughed bitterly, "The Emperor is indeed calculating."
Marquis Mu’s face turned even colder, "Is it Duan Lan’s idea?"
"Yes."
Marquis Mu pursed his lips, "You may leave now."
The scout felt the tense atmosphere and dared not stay a moment longer. As soon as he heard this, he excused himself with relief, "Yes, I’ll take my leave now!" Immediately turning on his heels, he disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"How did you know Duan Lan proposed it?" Xin He asked doubtfully.
Marquis Mu replied coldly, "He visited the Song Family once before leaving Yu State."
Xin He felt her heart sink at this speculation. It seemed likely that Duan Lan and Song Yalin had planned this well in advance!
This marriage still had room for negotiation if Song Yalin was to be engaged soon. Even if the Emperor granted the marriage, he wouldn’t forcibly break up an engagement, yet now, Duan Lan had already visited the Song Family, and the Song Family was probably already on Duan Lan’s side.
Xin He felt cold inside, an unnameable chill. Even though Yu State’s Song Family had no ties with Marquis Mu and the Song Family that cooperated with him was in the capital, Yu State’s Song Family and the Pingyang Prince Mansion had always had a good relationship. Last time, the Song Family’s Lord had even made a personal show of good faith at Ah Guai’s birthday banquet.
The Lord of the Song Family’s wife and her had known each other for six years and could be considered good friends. But when interests were at stake, people’s hearts could change so fast.
"The Emperor’s decree has yet to arrive and there is still room to maneuver." Marquis Mu spoke solemnly.
Given the current predicament, they had to make the best possible move.
If the Emperor had granted marriage to an ordinary person, it wouldn’t have been such a big deal. Naturally, they would just continue with the wedding; what was one more side consort? But for Marquis Mu, this was a sharp thorn!
Duan Lan was cunning and clearly understood the unique relationship between Marquis Mu and Ji Xinhe, where no third party was allowed. His use of this strategy was undoubtedly shrewd.
Xin He looked at Marquis Mu with a chilly smile, "If we can’t turn this around, we’ll probably have a new person in our mansion."
Marquis Mu gently squeezed her hand and spoke seriously, "Don’t talk nonsense."
Xin He withdrew her hand in annoyance. She knew this predicament had nothing to do with him, but it just didn’t sit right with her! It was already annoying for so many women to be eyeing him all day, now even the Emperor was resorting to stuffing people in their mansion as a strategy!
Ah Guai said blankly, "Father, are we going to have a new madam in our mansion? Is she going to be my stepmother? I don’t want a stepmother. I heard stepmothers are really bad and they will give Ah Guai poisoned apples."
The child’s greatest fear was the wicked Queen from the "Snow White" story that Ji Xinhe had told her.
Marquis Mu picked up Ah Guai, "Don’t listen to their nonsense, Ah Guai. You only have one mother in this life."
Only then did Ah Guai feel reassured and nod her head, "Father is the best!"
Marquis Mu looked helplessly at Ji Xinhe who was still sulking, "If you’re angry about this, you’re really falling for Duan Lan’s tricks."
Duan Lan was hoping to see Ji Xinhe leave Marquis Mu out of anger.
Xin He gritted her teeth, "Duan Lan’s move is really cruel! With this marriage, you only have two paths to choose from: either accept, or disobey the Emperor’s command. Either way, it’s a trap."
Yu State’s current power was already very strong. Marquis Mu’s formidable army of a hundred thousand could stand up against the royal court with ease. However, openly confronting the court over this small matter wasn’t the right move. They wouldn’t be gaining any public sympathy, and the court would seize this opportunity to rally the public against them. If they lost public trust and opinion, their resistance, despite Marquis Mu’s strong forces, would face large obstacles.
They would eventually be deemed as rebels by the court and captured. If they lost, they could be put to death immediately and righteously.
If they chose to accept this marriage, how could Ji Xinhe tolerate such a thorn?
Marquis Mu quietly said, "I won’t let this happen. The eunuch who carries the Emperor’s decree is still on his way; the edict has not yet been formally dispatched; this matter is not settled."
Marquis Mu was afraid that she’d be lost in her thoughts.
Xin He pursed her lips, "But Duan Lan’s scheme is to force you onto a dead-end road. I’m afraid it won’t be easy for you to avoid this marriage."
Marquis Mu scoffed, "Whether he wants to or not depends on whether I want to!"
Xin He glanced at the innocent Ah Guai, not wanting to say too much in front of her. She just replied, "Okay, you manage this matter first."
Marquis Mu looked at Ah Guai and said, "You stay with Ah Guai first. I’ll leave now. Don’t let your imagination run wild."
"Okay." Xin He replied to reassure him, but how could she be at ease?
She was always a petty person who couldn’t tolerate a single grain of sand in her shoes. Even if it was just a woman that he pretended to accept, she couldn’t do it.
Xin He’s eyes slightly drooped as she thought about the words that Duan Lan had once said to her, questioning her if she regretted. She had said she didn’t regret.
So was his move today to prove that she would regret it?
Xin He raised the corner of her cool lips, as a chill appeared in her eyes.
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