Mu Qingyao observed Liu Qianmu’s refined features and his reserved, steady demeanor. He was remarkably low-key, rivaling the King of Beijin. She had previously overlooked him, never giving him much thought, but now she suspected he was no ordinary individual.
Furthermore, as she studied him intently, she felt a sense of familiarity, unlike the unfamiliarity she’d felt in the Imperial Study. Where else had she seen him?
As Mu Qingyao pondered, she turned to look at the Emperor. His eyes held a thoughtful expression, and suddenly, they brightened. A dark, inscrutable smile curved his lips as he looked towards Princess Muyin Ruyin.
"Ruyin, do you have someone you like? Today is the auspicious day for the King of Nan'an and the King of Beijin. If you have someone you fancy, your brother will grant you a marriage as well, alright?"
Murong Ruyin was stunned, as was the Empress Dowager. Both eventually recovered, Murong Ruyin appearing indecisive, while the Empress Dowager displayed a rare smile. She would rather marry off this troublesome, arrogant girl.
She had witnessed the flower appreciation banquet clearly; many people disliked Ruyin. If her marriage were delayed further, she would become too old, making an arranged marriage even more difficult.
"Brother, Ruyin doesn't want to marry."
After a period of waiting, everyone received the Princess's statement.
The Empress Dowager’s face darkened with displeasure. This was entirely different from the marriage decree for the King of Beijin; the Empress Dowager was eager to marry Ruyin off. She spoke indifferently, "If the Emperor sees a suitable match, bestow a marriage upon her."
"Yes, Mother Empress," Murong Liuzun replied with uncharacteristic gentleness. He turned to the men standing nearby, preparing to select a suitable husband for Princess Ruyin.
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Murong Ruyin's expression changed drastically. She abruptly stood up and knelt in the center.
"Ruyin does not wish to marry. I implore my brother and Mother Empress to grant my wish."
The Emperor, however, was unhurried. He knew someone was more anxious than he was. Indeed, the Empress Dowager's expression soured. She had been in a foul mood today, and seeing Ruyin's defiance only fueled her anger. Her opulent face contorted with displeasure.
"Nonsense, a daughter must marry when she comes of age. Don't you understand this simple principle? Aren't you making yourself a laughingstock? Get up and sit aside. Emperor, grant the marriage."
The Empress Dowager forcefully ordered the Emperor. Murong Liuzun's lips curled, revealing a dark, stern glint in his eyes, and he spoke in a cold, chilling voice:
"Murong Ruyin, heed this decree. Han Qingyu, son of Grand Academician Han, the esteemed Scholar of the Hanlin Academy, renowned for his noble bearing and exceptional intellect, is hereby bestowed in marriage upon the Princess."
When the Emperor finished speaking, the Empress Dowager was generally satisfied. The Han family was a scholarly lineage, and it did not dishonor the Princess's status.
However, Princess Ruyin did not see it that way. Angrily, she raised her head and stared coldly at her mother and her brother at the head of the table. She defiantly rejected the decree: "Ruyin will not marry. I implore my brother to withdraw this imperial command."
It wasn't just Ruyin; even Han Qingyu's expression was far from pleasant. The princess did not wish to marry him, and he did not wish to marry her. Could he possibly have a peaceful life with such a shrewish woman?
At that moment, the flower appreciation banquet was filled with people gloating, watching the spectacle, or wearing looks of utter despair, all observing the unfolding situation.
The princess refused to marry, but the Emperor had already issued the decree. As the saying goes, the emperor's word is law. It was unlikely her refusal would have any effect.
The Emperor's handsome face was exceptionally dazzling in the sunlight, yet he showed no sign of displeasure. Since his decree had been issued, Ruyin's refusal was futile. The remaining possibility lay with the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager had not expected Ruyin to dare refuse the marriage publicly. She desperately wanted to slap her face, but her remaining composure allowed her to suppress it. She stood up with a cold expression.
"It is settled. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau will select an auspicious date. You will await your wedding."
With a flick of her sleeve, the Empress Dowager led a retinue of eunuchs and maids out.
Everyone at the flower appreciation banquet stood up. "We respectfully escort Her Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Ruyin glared at her departing mother and then, as if remembering something, looked at her brother at the head of the table and said, her voice tinged with grievance, "Brother, I don't want to marry."
The Emperor's expression suddenly turned cold and stern. His deep, boundless dark eyes shot out piercingly sharp rays of light. His tall frame stood up. Without even glancing at Ruyin, he let out a cold snort, turned, and said to Mu Qingyao, "I am going to the Imperial Study."
"Your Majesty, travel well," Mu Qingyao waved dismissively with a relaxed expression and stood up. The show was over. Those who were to be married had been matched, and those who had performances had performed. There was nothing more for her here. She had merely played a supporting role. As for their romantic entanglements, what did it matter to her?
The Emperor, accompanied by the eunuch A Jiu, departed first, not giving Princess Ruyin on the ground a second glance.
Mu Qingyao also followed suit, descending the high platform and leading her two maids towards the exit. A chorus of voices erupted from the Imperial Garden: "We respectfully escort Her Majesty the Empress!"
Among them, Chu Qianyi's voice was the loudest, accompanied by a flirtatious glance and a blindingly bright smile. Mu Qingyao ignored him. Princess Xingzhu, on the other hand, rushed over and took her sister-in-law's arm, saying enthusiastically, "Sister-in-law, let's go back."
After Murong Ruyin's commotion, the Emperor seemed to have forgotten to ask Xingzhu if she had someone she liked.
Or perhaps he deliberately did not ask, as Xingzhu was only sixteen. However, at this flower appreciation banquet, she had already captured the hearts of many handsome men, suggesting her future marriage prospects would be much easier.
Mu Qingyao smiled faintly, allowing Xingzhu to pull her along as they walked away. As they passed Murong Ruyin, seeing her distressed expression, Mu Qingyao kindly crouched down. "If the Princess truly does not wish to marry, perhaps seeking out Her Majesty the Empress Dowager might change the Emperor's command."
After speaking, she avoided Ruyin's gaze and looked elsewhere, her eyes fixed on Liu Qianmu. This time, she observed him intently. Her concentration caused several men in Liu Qianmu's vicinity to become displeased.
Chu Qianyi’s expression was rather unsightly, the King of Nan'an’s face was even more sour, while Liu Qianmu appeared completely bewildered. Why was Her Majesty the Empress staring at him? Could it be…
Mu Qingyao suddenly realized something that shocked her immensely.
She had never paid serious attention to Liu Qianmu. As she stared into his eyes just now, she noticed they were almond-shaped, identical to the black-clad assailant who had attempted to assault her that night.
This discovery was difficult for Mu Qingyao to accept. She averted her gaze, her eyes darkening.
Liu Qianmu was the Emperor's senior martial brother. It was rumored they had shared a sleeping mat for many years. How could such a thing be possible?
Back then, when he had used the crystal ball to help Murong Liuzun test who was the legendary Phoenix Girl, was it all a lie? Did he have another agenda? If that were the case, his schemes were terrifyingly profound.
Mu Qingyao led Murong Xingzhu and their respective maids out of the Imperial Garden, heading towards Fengluan Palace.
In the Imperial Garden, people began to depart one by one. A fragrant breeze swept through, causing the vibrant flowers to sway their abundant forms.
Fengluan Palace.
Upon returning to her palace, Mu Qingyao couldn't stop thinking about Liu Qianmu's eyes. The more she pondered, the more she felt he resembled the black-clad man from that night, although she wasn't a hundred percent certain.