However, judging from the nearly uncontainable excitement on his face, the boy probably got a glimpse of his desired beauty.
Xin He cast a glance at him, then excused herself from Master Song.
——
At this moment, in Golden Throne Hall.
Duan Lan was kneeling in front of the hall, bearing the brunt of the Emperor’s furious tirade.
The Emperor threw a document at his face: "Where is Li Junyan?!"
Duan Lan’s face darkened, but he kept his head down and respectfully said, "He has disappeared."
The Emperor guffawed in anger: "Disappeared? I think you killed him and dumped him somewhere in the wilderness!"
Duan Lan tightened his lips, his expression stiff: "This humble official wouldn’t dare."
"What wouldn’t you dare?! You would dare to deal with my Jinwei, yet I am kept in the dark about whatever has happened in Yu State. If I hadn’t gone into thorough investigation, I would have been kept in the dark about Li Junyan’s death, at your residence at that. Duan Lan, you’ve proven yourself a ruthless man. Did she uncover some secret of yours that necessitated her silencing?!" The Emperor was furious, wishing he could draw his sword and kill him then and there.
The Emperor’s rage wasn’t due to Li Junyan’s death. As a mere pawn, if she dies, she dies. His fury stemmed from Duan Lan having the audacity to deceive him, challenging his prestige by killing someone he knew belonged to him.
Duan Lan, kneeling on the ground, had nothing to say.
The Emperor pointed at him, his finger trembling: "I knew it, with you staying in Yu state for so long! Tell me, what exactly have you been doing in Yu state without my knowledge."
"I did nothing," Duan Lan answered in a low voice.
"Nothing?! Why then would Jinwei attack you? Why would you panic to kill Li Junyan? Duan Lan, I know you are smart, and I appreciate it, but it’s best not to overestimate your intelligence and take me for a fool!" In his fury, the Emperor kicked him to the ground.
Displaying no emotion, Duan Lan picked himself up and knelt down again, not uttering a single word. The stage had been set by Mu Houchu. Known for his suspicion, the Emperor was lured into the trap laid by his adversary. This time, he felt there’s no escape.
At this moment, Duan Lan did not harbor a shred of resentment towards Mu Houchu. During their six years of open and secret confrontations, Duan Lan hated him, but admired him. This man, so strong it becomes perverse, is probably beyond anyone’s ability to fight.
Moreover, when Mu Houchu seized the opportunity to strike back at Duan Lan, he couldn’t help but admire him for his swift decisions and strategic depth.
However, they were destined to be enemies. Ever since the day Mu Houchu brazenly claimed Ji Xinhe from him six years ago, they had been fated to be lifelong foes. From the moment he first met her at the Lantern Festival in Lian’an Town seven years ago, he was destined to throw everything in his life at this woman, no matter the cost.
He was once known for his carefree attitude, despite his talents, he had no desire for fame and fortune. He’d rather live in obscurity than become embroiled in the complications of the imperial court. He thought he would live this way forever, but destiny always changes everything. Everyone changes, including himself. He never thought that he would now possess such a deep obsession for a woman.
As he watched the Emperor rage like a lion before him, he couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. With all the suspicion in the world, the Emperor was still just a pawn for others to manipulate over and over again, living his entire life under the control of others. What a weak ruler!
The Emperor yelled, "Guards! Lock Duan Lan up in Dali Temple and let the temple master preside over the investigation!"
"Yes!"
Being close to the monarch is like being close to a tiger, one could enjoy a glorious life when favored, and a miserable one when not.
If Mu Houchu got away, it’s because he held some cards that made the Emperor wary and dared not touch him. Duan Lan used to have some, but lost them during his trip to Yu State.
This ruthless man.
Tsk! Duan Lan clenched his teeth bitterly. His face darkened to an ink-like shade. All was lost. Everything was over!
——
Xin He had just returned home and got news about the Emperor’s treatment of Duan Lan from her scout in the capital city.
It was expected. Ji Xinhe wasn’t surprised at all. Given the Emperor’s suspicious character, any slight disturbance over the years could keep him awake for nights on end, let alone Duan Lan’s blatant disregard for imperial authority. How could the Emperor tolerate it?
Duan Lan, was doomed.
"What are you thinking about?" Mu Houchu pinched her palm.
Xin He spoke softly: "I went to see Song Yalin today."
With a hint of indifference, Mu Houchu replied: "Handled it well?"
"Mm, once we remove Duan Lan, there won’t be any difficulties."
At the end of the day, Duan Lan was the crucial character.
"It’s good that it’s resolved, don’t think too much about it in the future," Mu Houchu gently advised.
Xin He gave a small smile, her mood lightening, "By the way, Xiao Bei’s marriage has been arranged for the ninth day of October next year. I think after Xiao Bei’s marriage, it won’t be appropriate for him to continue living in the Royal Mansion and he should have his own place. We can consider it his birthday gift for this year, what do you think?"
After all, Xiao Bei’s surname was Ji, while the family name of the mansion was Mu. It was alright for him to live here when he was younger, but now that he’s growing up and about to start his own family, it isn’t appropriate for him to continue living in the Royal Mansion, unless he changes his surname, something Ji Xinhe is unwilling to do.
Mu Houchu nodded: "That’s a good idea. I’ll arrange for someone to find a suitable mansion for Xiao Bei and have it renovated before his birthday. By next year, when he comes back to the capital city after taking the examination, he should be ready to get married."
Then he paused for a moment, "But what if he passes the test?"
Xin He laughed, "Don’t flatter me with such nice words. Can he actually become a Jinshi now? I don’t expect him to pass the imperial examination this spring, he is just testing the waters. If he can become a scholar at his young age, I will be satisfied."
Mu Houchu smiled, "You worry more than a mother when it comes to being a sister."
Xin He huffed in annoyance, "Isn’t that the truth?"
Mu Houchu picked her up, "Let’s have a child of our own, and see if you worry even more."
Having said that, he walked straight towards the bed.
Laughing, Xin He wrapped her arms around his neck, "By then, I dare not worry too much, or Ah Guai might get jealous."
This little girl, she could be really jealous.
——
The next day, Shulan came and woke Xin He early in the morning.
Although she was exhausted from the previous night due to Mu Houchu and wanted to sleep a little longer, she had to get up early as she had things to do and had asked Shulan to wake her up early.
Rubbing her waist, Xin He laid lazily on her bed, muttered and asked, "Are there any news from the Song family?"
Shulan lowered her voice and replied: "Yes, I went to inquire early this morning. I heard that the third miss of the Song Family has chosen to become a nun. She has already been sent out of the city, and she seems to be heading to Lanshan Temple for ordination."
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