Shen Muzhou walked towards the women's seating area under everyone's watchful gaze.
His features were sharp and handsome, his typically alluring peach blossom eyes now filled with a chilling emptiness. His thin lips were pressed together, and his aura was so somber and terrifying that, with his flowing robes and hair in the Weiyang Palace, he seemed like a divine being descending to earth, inspiring adoration.
Lin Yanxi clicked her tongue, thinking that the display looked less like someone delivering lychees and more like someone attending a funeral.
She lowered her head slightly, no longer looking at him, and poured herself a cup of fruit wine.
However, his deerskin boots stopped directly in front of her seat.
With a "clang," the porcelain plate holding a dozen lychees was placed on her table.
"Hungry rabbit," he said softly.
Lin Yanxi raised her eyes in surprise. His bright, deep gaze sparkled like starlight. As he looked down at her, his long lashes cast shadows, and his calm gaze was inscrutable, carrying a hint of an insincere smile.
???
Her mind went blank. Weren't these supposed to be for Luo Jingxin?
Recalling events from a few days ago, had he and Jingxin argued again? They always dragged her into their fights as a scapegoat.
Everyone was momentarily stunned and then instinctively stole glances at Luo Jingxin's reaction.
"Doesn't the Ninth Prince favor Princess Chaoyang?"
"Heh, didn't Princess Chaoyang just say the Prince knew she loved fresh fruit and had asked for them to be sent to her?"
Luo Jingxin's smile froze on her face. Feeling the eyes of those around her, her face flushed red, and she tightly clenched the handkerchief in her hand in embarrassment.
She had always been a leader among the noble ladies of the capital, possessing unparalleled beauty and talent. These titles belonged to her, and countless men vied for her attention.
Now, she had been publicly humiliated and made to look foolish at a palace banquet. All of this was because of Lin Yanxi!
Her overflowing sense of humiliation had nowhere to go. Her lips twitched, and she drooped her head, unwilling to let anyone see her dejected state. She secretly swore, Lin Yanxi, may you die a terrible death!
The humiliation I suffer today, I will make you repay it all one day.
She '腾' (teng) stood up from her seat, her eyes filled with tears, looking pitifully at the people in Weiyang Palace. Her voice was sweet and delicate, tinged with a strong sob. "Sister Xi'er, you approached me repeatedly. Was this all planned beforehand?"
As soon as Luo Jingxin spoke, everyone present instantly understood the reason. Lin Yanxi stood up from her seat, eager to explain.
"Princess Chaoyang, I..."
I have nothing to do with him.
The words were stuck in her throat, and before she could utter them, Shen Muzhou pulled her behind him.
Shen Muzhou directly interrupted her, saying, "These lychees are what I wanted to give her."
Several tears clung to Luo Jingxin's curled eyelashes, making her look as delicate and moving as a pure white lotus untouched by the world. Her tears fell exactly where they should. As she faced the crowd, a tear traced a path down her fair skin, evoking sympathy from anyone who saw it.
She deliberately exposed half of her arm, wiping her tears with a handkerchief. The skin on her arm, not yet fully healed, was visible.
"The Ninth Prince humiliated me in public for her. Fine. But can you deny that you owe me nothing?"
Shen Muzhou paused when he saw the wound on her arm. A few days ago, he had been afflicted with a curse, and Luo Jingxin had cared for him, even using her own flesh and blood as a medicinal ingredient.
"What does owing you or not owing you have to do with today's matter? I owe many people. Does owing someone mean I must obey their every whim and be threatened by them?"
Luo Jingxin, her eyes teary and wronged, said, "Your Highness, that's not what I meant. I know you've just been momentarily infatuated by her. I'll wait for you to come to your senses."
Lin Yanxi quickly explained, "Jingxin, no, Princess Chaoyang, there is nothing improper between us. It's really not what you think."
Luo Jingxin sneered, not believing her words at all. She then bowed to the Emperor and Empress. "Your Majesty, Empress, I... I am feeling unwell and wish to take my leave."
The Empress waved her hand, granting permission. As she turned to leave, her skirt trailing behind her, she let out a sob.
Luo Jingxin was the foremost noble lady in the capital, having garnered much attention over the years. Fortunately, she was approachable and a princess personally appointed by the Emperor. Although others were secretly displeased, they did not show it. Seeing her so humiliated now, they couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude.
However, the sight of her turning away and sobbing brought back the pity in everyone's eyes, and their expressions were no longer that of gloating.
Lin Yanxi watched her retreating figure, her small, fair face contorted into a helpless grimace, and sighed heavily.
It's over. She wouldn't be able to explain herself clearly.
She shot a resentful glare at Shen Muzhou, that scoundrel prince. His words just now had already admitted his debt to Luo Jingxin. Why did she always have to bear the consequences of his romantic entanglements?
The Emperor gazed at Lin Yanxi and asked, "Whose daughter is this young lady?"
The Empress replied, "Replying to Your Majesty, this is the second daughter of the Grand Tutor's mansion."
"Speaking of this second daughter, she has been quite the talk of the town recently. First, she rejected Qingyun's proposal, and now she's entangled with the Ninth Prince."
The Emperor waved his hand. "Enough. You needn't say more. When a family has a daughter, a hundred families seek her hand; it is not an unusual matter."
The Emperor of Nanmin had a profound mind. He didn't express it outwardly, but in reality, every move of the Crown Prince was observed by him. He detested the Empress and the Crown Prince for trying to win over the court's power, as this would hollow out his authority.
This was also the reason he cultivated Shen Muzhou. The two of them were meant to check and balance each other; that was the equilibrium. If the Crown Prince completely gained the support of the Grand Tutor's mansion, this equilibrium would be shattered.
In truth, Shen Muzhou was the candidate he valued most, but he was rebellious and difficult to control. For years, he had harbored resentment towards his father due to the death of his concubine mother.
Lin Yanxi stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
The Emperor's deep gaze fell upon her. This young woman had rosy lips and fair teeth, and her youthful almond-shaped eyes were clear and bright, full of spirit. Her delicate features were exquisite, and her fair face showed emotions without pretense.
He asked in a deep voice, "Very well. If you two are willing, I shall grant you a marriage decree."
A marriage decree?
Lin Yanxi knelt on the ground, straightened up, and glanced anxiously at Shen Muzhou.
How could she marry Shen Muzhou?
Her father wouldn't agree, and besides... he already had someone else in his heart.
The Empress's gaze swept over the two of them. If Lin Yanxi married Shen Muzhou, the Crown Prince's position would be precarious. She could absolutely not allow such an unfavorable situation to arise.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider. Matters of marriage should be handled with caution."
"Are you suggesting that my decree is a child's play?" he asked, his voice laced with displeasure.
The majesty of the Son of Heaven was not to be challenged. The Weiyang Palace fell silent, and no one dared to even breathe heavily. Everyone's heads were...
The Empress nervously bowed, her head buried low. "Your concubine dares not."
The Emperor's voice relaxed slightly as he continued, "Come, issue the decree."
"Impossible!"
Two voices echoed simultaneously in the Weiyang Palace.
Shen Muzhou's emotions were inscrutable. He glanced at Lin Yanxi and said, "Your unworthy son... does not wish to marry."
The Emperor of Nanmin showed no expression, yet it was chilling. "For the children of the royal family, when has their marriage been their own to decide?"
Shen Muzhou repeated firmly, "Your unworthy son does not wish to marry."
Lin Yanxi knelt on the ground, feeling a dull ache in her heart. If he didn't want to marry, she didn't want to marry him either!
The Emperor of Nanmin asked, "Give me a reason."
Shen Muzhou exuded a cold, mocking aura. "Because your unworthy son does not wish to become like Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, the people in Weiyang Palace exchanged glances. This prince had truly gone mad.
Lin Yanxi's legs weakened. She looked at him, desperately signaling him.
Brother, if you don't want to live, don't drag her down with you!
The Emperor of Nanmin, in a fit of rage, snatched a cup from the table and threw it to the ground. Shards scattered, scratching Shen Muzhou's cheek. The wound was small but deep, leaving a scarlet scar.
"Presumptuous!"
Shen Muzhou's pale face was ice-cold, devoid of warmth. His eyes, as cold as if poisoned, met the Emperor's gaze without a trace of fear.
In his childhood, he had witnessed firsthand his father sacrificing his concubine mother to secure his throne, and it was his father who...
He didn't want to see Lin Yanxi become a casualty one day in the struggle between factions.
In Nanmin, he was constantly in danger. Countless people wanted to kill him, and it was impossible to guard against them. If they couldn't kill him, they would find ways to harm those close to him.
At that time, Lin Yanxi would become his only weakness, putting her in danger.
He cast a complex glance at Lin Yanxi. She couldn't decipher what was in his eyes.
In any case, that complex and sorrowful emotion caused her heart to ache.
He ignored the enraged Emperor of Nanmin, pulled the kneeling Lin Yanxi up, and walked out of Weiyang Palace.
"Wait, wait a moment." Lin Yanxi struggled slightly but couldn't break free from his grasp.
Shen Muzhou stopped and released her hand. Lin Yanxi turned to the Emperor and bowed. "Your Majesty, please do not be angry. It is this humble subject who is not worthy of the Ninth Prince. Ah, ah, Your Majesty, this humble subject takes her leave!"
He picked up the plate of lychees and, pulling Lin Yanxi's slender wrist, left Weiyang Palace.
The Empress instigated, "This Ninth Prince is becoming increasingly ill-mannered, showing no regard for His Majesty at all."
The Emperor picked up another silver cup and drank it down in one go. The strong liquor burned from his throat to his stomach before he felt slightly relieved.
He said coldly, "Do you ever show regard for me in your actions?"
"Your Majesty, what do you mean by that? Your concubine dares not disobey you."
He let out a cold laugh and said nothing. Thinking of Shen Muzhou's reason for refusing the marriage, he usually said, "Your unworthy son dislikes her."
Today, he hadn't said he disliked her. Stroking his beard, he revealed a smile.
Seeing him smile, the Empress also smiled. Where was the Emperor's favoritism directed? This Shen Muzhou repeatedly disregarded imperial authority, yet the Emperor always tolerated him. Did he truly intend to replace the Crown Prince?
She had to nip this kind of thing in the bud.
In the darkness, Lin Yanxi let him pull her along, occasionally twisting her wrist, trying to break free from his grasp.
He walked ahead in his dark, black robe, his figure a shoulder taller than Lin Yanxi. He walked quickly, exuding a cold, savage aura. He seemed very lonely, and for some reason, Lin Yanxi felt he was very lonely.
Shen Muzhou looked back at her. Seeing her struggling to keep up, he released her and slowed his pace, handing her the plate of lychees he was holding.
They walked together towards the palace gate. The moon cast their shadows long, and neither of them spoke. For a moment, only the sound of their footsteps could be heard.
"Did I scare you?" Shen Muzhou's voice suddenly rang out.
Lin Yanxi shook her head. "No."
Shen Muzhou paused. The moonlight shone on her profile, making her entire being appear incredibly gentle.
"So, do you want to marry me?"
He wanted to know the answer. It was very important.
Lin Yanxi retorted, "Then, if I wanted to marry you, would you marry me?"