The Aloof Prince Chapter 24 - Why not refuse?
Translated by: Rize
Edited by: Larkspur
Not knowing why, after Imperial Concubine Qin"s declaration about Mu Yunjin’s and Chu Li’s marriage, the originally lively atmosphere inside the hall suddenly turned dark and gloomy, especially Emperor Xi Ming. Just a moment ago his countenance still had a trace of a smile, but after Imperial Concubine Qin spoke, his complexion immediately darkened and his eyebrows slightly furrowed. The crowd noticed the change and obviously knew the Emperor did not agree to this marriage.
Below, Mu Yunjin naturally felt the changes in Emperor Xi Ming"s mood too. She couldn’t help but be privately relieved, as she thought, Right, by all means, do not agree to this marriage!
“Emperor son, what do you think of this marriage? Originally, the Old Madam Mu and I had exchanged confidence in this matter. We of the Imperial Household must always keep our promises and by no means break them.”
Imperial Concubine Qin saw her son was disapproving of the marriage, so she laid down her argument. Emperor Xi Ming looked at the Imperial Concubine, even after an awkward moment he did not open his mouth to speak but faintly sighed. This marriage, naturally he knew about it from the beginning, even before Chu Li and Mu Yun Jin were born. Imperial Concubine Qin had already spoken with him regarding this matter. At that time, he’d thought if the receiving party were the Mu Family"s daughter from the first wife, to accompany his son, she would still be pretty good. Who would have thought that after many years, this Mu Family"s daughter would become the b.u.t.terfly Flower City"s biggest joke? Completely lacking ability and insight, submissive in conduct and small-minded. This kind of woman, how could she match his son that he is so proud of?
But everyone was aware that Imperial Concubine Qin and Old Madam Mu already had an agreement. If he overturned this now, he couldn’t say for sure if the whole realm would ridicule and laugh at him for reneging the promise. However, if he consented, in his opinion, Mu Yunjin could only be Chu Li"s Concubine. For the position of the Princ.i.p.al Wife, she wasn’t qualified anyway. But to demand the Mu Family"s daughter to become the prince"s concubine, he was afraid that the Prime Minister"s side would not necessarily agree to this matter. Prime Minister Mu was his subject for 30 years. He had been loyal and devoted, if because of this matter a rift formed between ruler and subject, the gains would not make up for the losses. Thinking up to here, Emperor Xi Ming"s head was in disarray. He was confused.
The Empress Dowager Zheng saw his troubles, she smiled and spoke up.
“Actually, I think the Imperial Concubine is excessively concentrated on this arranged betrothal. Originally, when this promise of marriage was made, Li"er and Third Miss Mu weren’t born. For all you know, it could have been just a casual joke between adults. Now that the children have grown up, they might have their own opinion, they might not necessarily have the other person in their hearts. Imperial Concubine, is it worth the trouble to stubbornly bind these two people together?”
Mu Yunjin almost stood up and applauded Empress Dowager Zheng. Although she knew that Empress Dowager Zheng wasn’t an easy person, her words, right now, were really pleasing to her ears. Precisely, who wanted to marry that cold log of wood! She subconsciously looked at Chu Li, and saw his indifferent eyes droop down. At this moment, she couldn’t see his expression.
Emperor Xi Ming heard the Empress Dowager"s words and readily approved. In actuality, if only it weren’t Mu Yunjin, if it were any other official"s daughter, who was good enough, he would’ve accepted. Unfortunately, Imperial Concubine Mother chose this person with the worst reputation for Chu Li. The Imperial Concubine, seeing that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor did not agree to this marriage, was enraged, but because of everyone present, she forced a smile.
“Empress Dowager Zheng, why do you conclude that these two children do not want this marriage? From what I know, they met in private a few times, including last night when Li"er accepted Yunjin"s invitation for dinner at the Prime Minister"s residence."
Down below, sounds of surprise echoed at Imperial Concubine Qin"s words. Everyone was astonished. The Sixth Prince accepted Third Miss Mu"s invitation to dine at the Prime Minister"s Residence?
This...
Those who knew Chu Li well, knew that if he did not like to do things no one could force him otherwise. To go to the Prime Minister"s residence to dine, surely it must’ve been willingly. Mu Yunjin was met with several meaningful glances from start to finish. She bit her lip, she just couldn’t conceal anything from the Imperial Concubine Qin. She originally called Chu Li to dine just to annoy Mu Lingzhu. This is just great, in a crazy way it has now become clear evidence of ‘meeting in private many times`.
The Empress Dowager"s words of ‘taking it lightly’ were met by Imperial Concubine Qin`s ‘facts’ which recovered the latter some lost ground. She tightly gripped her sleeves and looked towards her lower left.
“Today, Old General Qin, I actually recall Muyue, that child is all grown up.”
Below, an old man bowed towards the Empress Dowager, he laughed, “I am indebted to the Empress Dowager, for her fondness of Yue"er.”
“Muyue was born a daughter, but her spirit is no weaker than the ordinary man. At a young age, she pleaded her brother to go into battle together. In succession, they seized several base cities. Truly, she is my Xi Yuan Country"s good fortune.”
After she spoke highly of this person, Empress Dowager’s line of sight turned to look at Prince Chu Li.
“I remember, Muyue is fond of Li"er, right?”
Empress Dowager Zheng then let everyone understand her meaning. Her original intention was to bring together the Sixth Prince and Miss Qin. Once again, the people clamored. As Mu Yunjin listened to them talk, she’s already a little drowsy.
Empress Dowager Zheng, still thought of this Qin Muyue. This girl on the battlefield was really quite amazing. She couldn’t help but remember the last time at the plum flower garden, Imperial Concubine"s sarcastic mouth calling her out leaving the Empress Dowager Zheng with a red face. Surely, counting on Qin Muyue is only right.
In the hall, Emperor Xi Ming and Empress Dowager Zheng stood in a rare united front. Empress Dowager had practically completed the very thoughts in his mind. Indeed, he was interested in betrothing Qin Muyue and Chu Li. Qin Muyue personally went to battle to fight, was heroic, together with Chu Li she was a better match. Thinking of Qin Muyue, Emperor Xi Ming looked down upon Mu Yunjin even more.
The Imperial Concubine Qin saw her son was being completely led by the nose by the Empress Dowager. Her anger welled up, at the side, the Empress was looking on, without saying a word. The Empress cast a meaningful glance at Imperial Concubine Qin, with slightly pursed lips, smiled and spoke.
“Emperor, I think this tangled matter, to us, is useless, is it not better to ask the Sixth Prince for his views?”
Emperor Xi Ming who was holding a cup of wine, faintly paused, and glanced towards Chu Li, and knitted his eyebrows. He felt Chu Li was old enough to differentiate right and wrong and possessed the ability to understand clearly, so he nodded.
“Li"er, what do you think of this matter?”
He tossed the final decision to Chu Li, Mu Yunjin"s knotted heart was suddenly untangled and incomparably relieved. Very good, once it was handed to Chu Li, she felt rea.s.sured.
At the side, Mu Lingzhu was biting her lips, her eyebrows wrinkled, she had complex feelings. A moment ago, she finally understood the Empress Dowager Zheng she’d regarded and listened to. Even if there was no Mu Yunjin, there was still the General"s daughter Qin Muyue before her. Could it be that she, Mu Lingzhu, really had no chance? No, she refused to believe it!
..........
Chu Li was leaning on his chair. When Emperor Xi Ming mentioned his name, he looked up indolently and swept his eyes over at Mu Yunjin sitting across him. From the moment this had begun to up until now, Mu Yunjin"s expressions had undergone a host of changes. When Imperial Concubine Qin mentioned her name, she’d pursed her lips, clearly looking nervous; but when she heard his father emperor hand him the ultimate authority to decide, she’d immediately relaxed. It seems this little fox is unwilling to pursue this marriage. Chu Li took in this whole scene. Suddenly his serene and deep eyes flickered with a crisp and clear streak of evil. As he looked at Mu Yunjin calm and unhurried, he lazily opened his mouth to talk.
“Please allow this son to think about this matter for a few days.”
Another uproar was heard. They did not mishear, right? The Sixth Prince, astonis.h.i.+ngly, didn"t resolutely refuse. Instead, he wanted to think it over for a few days. Could it be that he’d really fallen for Mu Yunjin?
In her seat, the wide-eyed Mu Yunjin was stunned. She looked over at Chu Li and secretly cursed, This Chu Li must be insane! Such a good opportunity to actually refuse this marriage! He is sick, ah!
Mu Yunjin very much wanted to go straight and beat Chu Li up. But due to the current circ.u.mstances, she had to make an effort to endure silently, all the while sitting motionless in her seat.
Imperial Concubine Qin at this moment was all smiles and couldn’t help but speak.
“Mu Yunjin still has two more months before her fifteenth birthday. Li`er, you make an effort to think about it carefully.”
Having said so, she cast a provocative look towards the Empress Dowager Zheng.
..........
After the banquet, Mu Yunjin let Mu Xiarou follow the Prime Minister home, while she went in the direction of Chu Li, following his path, walking all the way to a secluded garden. Mu Yunjin finally caught up with Chu Li and yelled.
“Sixth Prince, please wait.”
The figure in front immediately stopped. She trotted past and stood before Chu Li, subconsciously putting her right hand behind her back.
“What is it?” Chu Li glanced faintly at Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin twitched her mouth, annoyed, she spoke, “Why didn"t you just refuse this marriage?”
“You want this prince to reject?” Chu Li raised his eyebrow and looked at Mu Yunjin, his face clear as the sky.
“You did not refuse, is it possible you really want to marry me?” Mu Yunjin asked.
Hearing her, Chu Li chuckled, and on his originally stiff face appeared a faint smile.
“If this prince really wants to marry you, is there a reason that I cannot?”
“It is not that you cannot, I simply have conditions.” Mu Yunjin crossed her arms, not in the least afraid of meeting Chu Li head on. “To marry me, you have to guarantee the Imperial Princess position to me, and you must not take any more concubines. Can you do that?” Mu Yunjin teased.
Leaving aside Chu Li"s status now, if in the future he were to be conferred the t.i.tle of Crown Prince, he would one day become the Xi Yuan Country’s emperor. Even if he were not to become the Crown Prince, it was quite possible he would be conferred the t.i.tle of King (w.a.n.g). How could this kind of influential person have only one wife?
At the side, a Ding Xian carrying a lantern was bored of listening to Chu Li and Mu Yunjin. But with Mu Yunjin"s bold declaration, Ding Xian sobered. This Third Miss Mu is not normal!
Listening to Mu Yunjin"s conditions, Chu Li"s tranquil eyes, slightly wavered with a trace of something different. Soon after he approached Mu Yunjin, and calmly looked straight at her.
“This matter, you haven"t asked this prince of his financial conditions.”
Mu Yunjin suddenly turned furious as she immediately extended her hand and spread her palm, and curtly spoke, “Well, since I have not heard your financial conditions, it is inconvenient for the Sixth Prince to take hold of the Jade ornament. You can return it to me, I do not want to do business!”
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I think Yunjin`s heart is feeling like a roller coaster, when she thinks she will marry her heart accelerates in trepidation and when she thinks she is not gonna marry, her heart is calm in relief.
And now I think that Yunjin is digging her own grave this time. I think she is running her mouth first, then does the thinking after.