There are several green-calyx plum trees planted in the courtyard, with green calyxes supporting five white plum petals. The winter wind is very cold, but it is already weak when it rushes into the warm courtyard, revealing a refreshing fragrance.
Xiao Muyun and Mu Lin were basking in the sun in the yard. In the clean backyard, there were two soft lounge chairs covered with thick plush cushions, and in the middle was a small round table with tea, snacks and a half-used book on it.
The people who were supposed to sit on both sides sat on the same chair. No, to be precise, Xiao Muyun sat on the recliner and Mu Lin sat on his lap. Her slender back rested on his chest, his chin rested on her shoulder, and the two of them read a book together.
After the hug that they missed so much yesterday, the two of them seemed to have opened up to each other's feelings. Their words and actions became more intimate, and they even became inseparable.
Mu Lin found the most comfortable position, and his nonchalant expression revealed a bit of satisfaction. However, Xiao Muyun did not mind the discomfort of his cervical spine, and his eyes would occasionally glance at the soft and clean little face close at hand, his eyes were as gentle as water, and the corners of his lips always had a faint smile of pleasure.
Amid the falling white plum petals, the atmosphere between the two was extremely sweet and warm. It seemed that no one could interfere with their feelings, thus forming a beautiful and charming painting that would be passed down forever.
Xiao Muyun's mind was no longer on the book. He thought he should draw a picture for her.
He wanted to record all the good things between them, and when they got married and had children, he could tell them about them; or when the children got married and moved away, and they were left alone to grow old, they could take them out and reminisce about their youth and their lifelong love.
"If we could stay together for a lifetime..."
"Um?"
Mu Lin pulled his thoughts away from the text, tilted his head, and looked at Xiao Muyun with an inquiring look. He seemed to have heard what he said just now.
"Lin'er, when will you allow me to..." go and ask for marriage? Xiao Muyun turned the last few words into a light sigh, which disappeared silently between his lips and teeth.
In the end, she was embarrassed to not say it. He would ask her once every year, but the result was always silence.
She had never told him her exact identity, but after five years of seeing and getting along with each other, and spending countless short but bright moments together, he had more or less guessed it.
If she didn't say anything, he would just pretend not to know.
Mu Lin suddenly tilted her head and looked deep into his eyes. Years of tacit understanding made it easy for her to understand what he wanted to say, and a little bitterness rose in her heart.
Why can't she just be willful and complete the most important mission she came to this world for
She came here to change his fate, why should she keep letting him down just for her own sake
Does she really not want to marry him, bear children for him, and be with him for the rest of her life
No, it's not.
She might not be attracted to her master, Emperor Zhechuan, but she was indeed attracted to Xiao Muyun from the mortal world.
His smile was so gentle, his heart was so soft, and it was full of her. How could she not be moved by such a man? She was only willing to give everything she had to stay with him for the rest of her life.
Mu Lin looked at him, nodded heavily, and said with a smile: "Prince Hengyang must prepare the betrothal gifts..."
Xiao Muyun looked at her with some confusion and bewilderment. The moment he looked at her, he suddenly realized something and the book in his hand fell to the ground with a thud. His starry eyes burst into ecstasy, and he turned Mu Lin around and excitedly held her shoulders with both hands.
"Rin'er... are you serious? Do you agree to marry me? Are you willing to be my, my princess?"
A gentle smile appeared on Mu Lin's lips. She looked at the man who was so happy that he looked like a fool and nodded helplessly.
Xiao Muyun suddenly held her in his arms and stood up. Mu Lin quickly hooked her arms around his neck, her feet hanging in the air, feeling a sense of weightlessness and dizziness.
Mu Lin's eyes widened. Xiao Muyun actually held her and spun her around...
Circle after circle, she rested her head on his chest, heard the vibrations spreading from his chest, and a smile came out of his throat, as clear as the stars and the bright moon. Compared with the gentle and calm gentleman in the past, there was a kind of high-spirited spirit that was rare for his age.
As if infected by his happiness, Mu Lin couldn't help laughing. She believed that this was the most correct decision she had made, because she hoped that he would keep laughing.
Always smile throughout your life.
At that time, she did not expect that the moment emotion overcame reason, the fate of the two began to change drastically because of this imprudent decision.
The laughter in the courtyard lasted for a long time that day, and it seemed that even the snow and wind were tinged with a hint of warmth. In the next two days, they enjoyed the snow and the moon, played the piano and the flute, chanted poems and painted, and lived a fairy-like life in this paradise, relaxed and carefree.
But good times are always short-lived. They all have important matters to deal with in their respective positions, and they separate again.
Xiao Muyun helped Mu Lin get on the carriage, but he couldn't help but ride his horse to see him off for more than ten miles. Finally, he stopped the horse amid Mu Lin's coquettish voice, and reluctantly watched the carriage go farther and farther.
Mu Lin couldn't help but open the curtain and waved at him. The reluctance on Xiao Muyun's face instantly turned into a bright smile, and he waved at her vigorously.
"Like a fool..."
Mu Lin lowered the curtain, but couldn't help but chuckle, with happiness in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.
The lilies of the valley who were driving outside heard it and began to imagine the sweetness of their master.
This was the most relaxing farewell for the master and his son-in-law. Perhaps soon they would meet again, or even live together forever without being separated.
But by then, would she still need to follow her master? The right to choose as a secret guard is never in her own hands.
Jingsheng Palace
Linglan did not return to the secret office to report immediately, but went to the Jingxin Palace where Emperor Jingxuan worked silently. She was the confidant left by Emperor Jingming to Emperor Jingxuan, but she was never used easily. Before going to the State of Chen, Emperor Jingxuan specifically instructed her to report to the Jingxin Palace as soon as she returned.
To Linglan, this was not a betrayal to Her Royal Highness the Princess, but loyalty to the supreme master. When she finished reporting the princess's itinerary, she was greeted with a slap from Emperor Jingxuan.
"waste!"
Emperor Xuan's hand was so strong that Linglan fell to the ground. Out of awe of her master, Linglan did not dare to make any move to protect herself. She lowered her eyelids to hide the horror in her eyes, bowed her head respectfully, and said nothing.
Emperor Xuan's voice was different from any previous indifference, and contained endless coldness and anger.
Only then did Linglan realize that His Majesty did not like the princess having an affair with her son-in-law named Xiao Muyun.
Even though they met many times in the desert and the hot spring villa, Linglan didn't know Xiao Muyun's true identity. Mu Lin didn't want her to know, and she also kept her duty and didn't ask, let alone find out.
After Emperor Xuan finished the slap, he quickly regained his previous calmness, but his voice was still filled with suppressed anger, and he said coldly: "Kou Ying, send her to the Dark Division to receive punishment."
"Yes." Kou Ying, the leader of the secret guards who had been lurking beside Emperor Xuan, replied respectfully. His sinister eyes fell on Linglan, and he dragged her towards the secret passage without any hesitation. Linglan closed her eyes in despair and accepted her punishment.
The secret passage of Jingxin Hall leads directly to the Dark Department, which is a place for training secret guards. It is also the place where the imperial power sets up private executions and does some shady things for the emperor.
Emperor Jingming handed over the entire secret service to Emperor Xuan. Even the eldest daughter of the emperor, Mu Lin, could only mobilize some of the secret guards with the permission of Emperor Xuan.
Only Emperor Xuan and two eunuchs were left in the huge palace, one was the chief eunuch Desong, and the other was the junior eunuch Quanshan.
Emperor Xuan sat on a chair, closing his eyes to rest. De Song signaled Quan Shan to go to the imperial kitchen to serve some snacks, while he went forward to massage Emperor Xuan.
As the pressure continued, Emperor Xuan's frown finally relaxed. De Song could not help but say, "Your Majesty... You know Quan Shan cannot be trusted. Let him know about this..."
Emperor Xuan didn't even open his eyes, and waved his hands casually, "No problem."
"I know he is a spy from the Qin Dynasty. I knew it when he thought he was secretly trying to sow discord between me and my sister."
The reason why he left behind all the good things was simply because he was still of some use.
Desong was a little worried. "Your Majesty, if the Qin State knew about the Princess Zhenguo's affair, would it be disadvantageous..."
"Heh..." A cold and sarcastic laugh escaped from Emperor Xuan's throat, "Isn't that just perfect?"
He also wanted to know what Daqin was trying to do.
Was it possible that the spy who had been planted in front of him with so much effort was exposed just to sow discord between the two siblings? Judging from his imperial intuition, it was probably more than that.
So he gave them a piece of news to see what they would do, and take advantage of the situation. Maybe they would gain more and trick Da Qin.
As for whether the Qin Dynasty would take advantage of this affair, the answer is almost certainly yes.
The Qin Dynasty had such a wicked ambition, how could they just watch Jing Sheng and Tian Lan become a solid marriage? They would definitely destroy this foreign marriage at all costs, and there was no need for him to do it himself.
As long as he protects the reputation of the imperial sister and Jingsheng, the imperial sister will not suspect him and have any grudge against him.
"Your Majesty, kill three birds with one stone. I admire you!"
It is easy to stop this marriage, lure Daqin and follow the clues to maintain the friendship between His Majesty and the Princess Zhenguo...
Desong guessed Emperor Xuan's thoughts and could not help but marvel. Although Your Majesty is young, he is as cunning as some old foxes in the court. Given time, he may surpass the late emperor.
"Wrong, it's killing four birds with one stone." Emperor Xuan curled his lips lightly, and there was no warmth on his face that looked a little immature due to his youth.
To the greatest extent, it maintained the stability of Jingsheng's imperial power.
The emperor's sister was confused, but he couldn't let her do what she wanted. He could allow her to hold some power, but he couldn't allow her to marry into a neighboring empire.
If she married Xiao Muyun, she might not be able to take away the prestige and political resources she had built up in the court, or she might not give them all to him... There was a danger of shaking the imperial power.
The emperor's sister was blinded by her emotions and made the wrong decision, but she had to bear this sacrifice.