Chapter 104 Reveals He is His Highness Prince Chen!
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At banquets of aristocratic families, whatever the pretext—whether it's to admire the scenery or to observe people—it all comes down to status and position.
The Emperor's high regard for the Marquis of Yongyi's family is known throughout the capital. He has even entrusted his only bloodline to the Mu family for care, which shows how much he relies on and trusts them.
Whether they had secretly pledged allegiance to the Prince Xin's mansion or were still observing, everyone outwardly flattered and fawned over Lady Ning, showering her with praise.
Some say she managed the household well; with her managing the inner quarters of the Marquis's mansion all these years, all the branches of the family and collateral branches got along harmoniously. Others say she was very fortunate, with a capable son, a filial daughter-in-law, and a grandson who was even more promising at a young age.
Amidst the piles of pleasant words, there were also some discordant voices.
"The old lady is too considerate of the younger generation. That's why her nephew is still single and unwilling to get married. Not only does he refuse to marry, but he also goes around saying that he has someone he likes. He really has no sense of propriety."
The person who said this was Madam Zhuang.
Madam Zhuang curled her lips, her tone full of disdain for Mu Hanshi.
She was deliberately trying to provoke him, but someone took advantage of her words and subtly asked Mu Han which family's daughter he admired. If he gave a vague answer, as an elder, he should intervene and arrange his marriage for the sake of his junior's future.
"It might not be some excuse to shut someone up. Perhaps the girl's background is really not presentable, which is why she's keeping quiet about it."
Such veiled remarks, coming from Madam Zhuang herself, were practically an open admission that she suspected Mu Han wasn't interested in girls from respectable families.
Ning's expression changed instantly, her gaze sharp and cold as she looked at her. "Madam Zhuang, watch your words."
“Madam, I know you are protective of your own, but some things are better kept hidden. There are some things that we really can’t let the younger generation do as they please, lest we ruin the reputation of the Marquis’s mansion. If any rumors spread, you will lose face.”
Zhuang Lanyi's expression was exactly the same as hers, a mixture of disdain and smugness. "It's quite a coincidence, last time I went into the wrong private room at Qingfeng Restaurant and accidentally bumped into Master Mu and..."
"You've entered the wrong private room? Perhaps you have an appointment with someone?" Gu Ruxu suddenly spoke up. "I've long heard that Madam Zhuang spoils her daughter the most, and she doesn't restrain or restrict her at all, letting you roam freely outside. It turns out it's true."
It's no compliment that a young woman can be free from the constraints of her family and walk around outside.
Madam Zhuang's face darkened. "Madam Chen, my Yi'er is the most polite and well-behaved..."
"As a person who understands etiquette, one should know that every word and action must be correct, and one should not try to ruin someone's reputation with just a few words. You agree, Zhuang girl?"
Zhuang Lanyi's chest heaved, clearly feeling a tightness in her chest.
Madam Zhuang, feeling sorry for her daughter, couldn't help but protect her. "Madam Chen, we're talking about the Ninth Master of the Mu family..."
"Judging from Madam Zhuang's words, you have exceptional knowledge and even know everything about the Mu family. Do you perhaps know who the Divine Strategist's beloved woman is?" Gu Ruxu's bright expression carried a hint of disdain as she glanced at her indifferently.
If she admits that she knows, then she is undoubtedly admitting that she is not only keeping an eye on the Mu family, but also targeting them.
She wasn't stupid, and said irritably, "Madam Shen is joking, how would I know..."
"Since you don't know, how can you be so sure that the Divine Strategist is talking nonsense, and how can you so confidently say that the girl he likes is not presentable? Making baseless accusations based on conjecture, Madam Zhuang, are you trying to spread rumors and ruin his reputation!"
"You..." She choked, her face flushed with anger, "I was just worried about the old lady..."
"If you really have such leisure time, you should mind your own family affairs and stop letting your daughter chase after men all day long. Otherwise, people will laugh at you."
Zhuang Lanyi's daily attempts to ambush Feng Rong were no secret within the aristocratic circles of Donglin City. Gu Ruxu ruthlessly exposed this, showing no mercy to the mother and daughter whatsoever.
For a moment, not only were they embarrassed, but all the ladies of the Marquis of Anyuan’s mansion felt the same way, especially the third lady, who was from a farming family.
In the awkward atmosphere, Madam Ning smiled slightly at Gu Ruxu, then took an elegant sip of tea and said slowly, "My nephew's marriage is entirely up to him; I cannot make the decision."
Just as someone was about to ask why, an old woman rushed in and solemnly whispered something in Ning's ear.
The smile on Ning's face vanished in an instant, replaced by utter shock. "An assassin has entered! Your Highness, Your Highness..."
She hurriedly got up, almost losing her balance because she was in such a rush, and was immediately supported by the people around her.
"Quick, quick, help me over there to see!"
The guests realized what was happening, looked at each other, and without knowing who had started it, they all suddenly followed her.
Along the way, everyone chattered and inquired, trying to get more information.
Many people assumed that there would only be one or two assassins carrying out such a broad daylight attack, which is why they followed out of curiosity or a desire to investigate. Little did they expect to find a scene of carnage, with the air thick with the stench of blood.
Some people couldn't stand it and started vomiting.
Some people kept retreating until they were out of sight, then watched from a distance.
"How could so many people have died?"
"The fact that Lord Mu and General Shen were summoned away, could it have been premeditated?"
Mu Hanshi was supported by Yang Zhen and positioned in the center. Feng Chengying, who had already put on his pheasant crown and outer robe, stood to their right with Shen Qinglu, while Mu Lin and Yu Jingliang stood to their left.
When Shen Linlang saw that her children were all there, she immediately rushed over, "Ali, Erlang, are you alright?"
Shen Qinglu gently shook her head, indicating that she was fine.
Looking at her son, who was clearly injured but in good spirits, she knew that even if he was hurt, it shouldn't be serious, and her heart slowly calmed down.
Looking again at the corpses on the ground, he noticed something and exclaimed in shock, "These... are all assassins!"
The moment the words "suicide squad" were uttered, the crowd erupted in uproar.
Those who can raise assassins throughout the world are all powerful and noble families, and someone who can field so many assassins at once must be of extraordinary status.
There's almost no need to guess; the answer is obvious.
"It's really strange that such a thing happened so soon after Her Highness revealed her identity."
"Your Highness is a woman and has no chance of becoming the crown prince. Why is that?"
Ning stepped forward and held Feng Chengying's hand tightly. "Your Highness, you've been frightened."
Feng Chengying's sharp gaze swept over everyone as she said, "Today, someone attempted to assassinate me. I will report this to my father, and I ask that you all be my witnesses."
Gu Ruxu and Shen Linlang were the first to express their opinions, saying that they would obey any orders given to them.
Some families who were on good terms with the Shen and Mu families also echoed this sentiment. Others who had already pledged allegiance to the Prince Xin's mansion, or who were wavering between the two, were clearly hesitant.
"I dare to speak frankly, but all the assassins are dead. There is no way to verify their identities. We know neither who ordered them nor why they wanted to assassinate Her Highness. Her Highness is of noble birth; who would send so many assassins to deal with a young woman?"
Madam Zhuang's meaning was clear: Feng Chengying was a woman and had no chance of winning the throne. No one would send so many assassins to get rid of a princess.
Her tone was full of suspicion, clearly indicating that she suspected that the whole thing was a scheme orchestrated by the Mu family and Feng Chengying.
"If it were just me alone, that would be fine. But if I and the Thirteenth Imperial Uncle were to die here today, Madam Zhuang, tell me, who would be the happiest?"
"What does Your Highness mean? I'm completely confused." Madam Zhuang looked left and right, but didn't see anyone else. "Could it be that His Highness Prince Chen is also here?"
As soon as the words "Prince Chen" were uttered, Ning Shi, amidst the surprised and doubtful gazes of the crowd, had already arrived in front of Mu Hanshi and respectfully bowed, "This humble woman is late, Your Highness, please forgive me."
"Your Highness!" someone exclaimed, "Ninth Master Mu, he is... he is His Highness Prince Chen!"
"How is this possible?" Madam Zhuang murmured, subconsciously glancing at the people from the Marquis of Anyuan's residence.
The people from the Marquis of Anyuan's residence were clearly not expecting things to turn out this way, and each of them looked increasingly grim.
After the initial shock, everyone quickly came to their senses.
If the current emperor can send his only child to the Marquis's mansion, why can't he also entrust his beloved younger brother to the Mu family for care?
Mu Hanshi's calm and unfathomable eyes swept over the crowd. His aloof and noble demeanor was chilling, yet it also possessed an authority that made people unconsciously submit.
"I will pursue this matter to the end. Issue my order: the Heavenly Martial Guard, the Divine Martial Guard, and the three departments of the Ministry of Justice shall jointly investigate and find the person behind this!"
His words shocked everyone.
This was not merely an order, but a declaration of war against King Shin.
He had not appeared in public for ten years, and there were many rumors about him. It was said that he was seriously injured during the rebellion of the Demon King and that he was lucky to have survived.
A person who struggles to even save his own life is destined not to sit in the most prestigious position in the world, which is why no one in the court or among the people has been optimistic about him all these years.
Now that he has suddenly reappeared in the world, still serving in the Divine Martial Camp and living a good life, how can people not be shocked?
Amidst the shock, almost everyone simultaneously thought of one possibility: that the current emperor was more likely to pass the throne to Prince Xin's son than to Prince Xin's son.
Mu Wei and Shen Kunyao were the first to return, followed by the people from the Ministry of Justice, and finally the Tianwu Guard led by Feng Rong.
The three judicial departments jointly investigated the case, and all those who were not involved were asked to leave.
The guests began to leave, and even those who had been nauseated by the corpses earlier seemed to have come back to life, chatting enthusiastically with others.
Some people had already harbored ulterior motives, and now they are even more active, but instead of going to the Ning family, they are trying to get information from Jiang Yingshui.
Jiang Yingshui was also quite frightened today and hadn't recovered yet, and she still had to face the hospitality and enthusiasm of others.
The group from the Marquis of Anyuan's residence were undoubtedly part of the Prince Xin's faction. They did not join the discussion and walked away as quickly as possible, wishing they could leave this place of trouble as fast as possible.
The Zhuang family mother and daughter followed them, but they were unwilling to accept their fate.
Zhuang Lanyi, in particular, looked at Shen Qinglu with extremely subtle and resentful eyes.
"Miss Chen, did you already know all along?"
This is not a question, but a statement of certainty.
Shen Qinglu met her gaze, her dark eyes filled with coldness. "Whether I knew all along or not, what does it have to do with you?"
"You...you knew the princess and the prince's identities all along, and deliberately approached them! You are truly cunning. No wonder even Yu Liuzhu couldn't outwit you."
"You still have dealings with Yu Liuzhu?"
Her pupils contracted, and she looked away. "This is my business, it's none of your concern!"
Shen Qing's face remained expressionless, her vibrant color tinged with indifference, and she ignored her completely.
Madam Zhuang pulled her aside and said something, but she stamped her foot and had no choice but to follow the group from the Marquis of Anyuan's residence.
Shen Qinglu, seeing that Shen Linlang and Gu Ruxu had finished talking, then approached them.
Shen Linlang glanced at Jiang Yingshui and sighed, "The Mu family has produced two outstanding individuals; there will inevitably be people trying to curry favor with them in the future."
Despite the recent assassination attempt that killed so many people in the manor, all the ladies and young women seemed to have forgotten the previous scene of corpses. Their focus was entirely on Mu Hanshi, praising his good looks, his exceptional skill in mechanisms, and his aloofness from women. Although he appeared cold and aloof, this was to be expected.
"It's human nature to seek advantage and avoid harm," Gu Ruxu snorted lightly, her expression somewhat mocking.
“Prince Chen has not yet taken a wife, nor does he have any concubines. After today, he will likely be targeted by others. If the Marquis’s mansion had a suitable daughter, no one else would have a chance. It’s a pity that the Mu family has no daughter, so they can only let others fight over her.” After saying this, Shen Linlang sighed, “I wonder which family’s daughter will be the future Princess Consort of Prince Chen.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Ruxu gave Shen Qinglu a meaningful look.
For some reason, Shen Qinglu's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her head to act obediently.
“Prince Chen values the Marquis’s Mansion, and he also values our Shen family…”
Gu Ruxu wanted to say that the Marquis's mansion did not have a suitable young lady, but their Shen family did.
Who knew that Shen Linlang misunderstood her meaning, and then thought of something, and muttered in confusion, "Back then, during the chaos of the Demon King, it was my elder brother who risked his life to protect His Majesty and Prince Chen. Why did His Majesty later send Prince Chen and the princess to the Mu family?"
I'm not jealous, nor do I mean anything by it; I just feel something doesn't make sense. The Marquis's residence is full of people and eyes, far less crowded and less troublesome than the General's residence.
Why is it the Marquis's residence, and not the General's residence?
Shen Qinglu subconsciously looked towards the bamboo forest, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.
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