Liu Changqing was always carrying the bamboo he had planted together with Mu Nichang with him. Did this mean that Liu Changqing also had feelings for Mu Nichang?

  Fudge. Looks like she really had to try to avoid interacting with Liu Changqing. Those two had grown up together, so he definitely knew Mu Nichang well.

  Even though she now knew about the origin of the flute Liu Changqing always carried with him, she still had no plans to drink the soup that Liu Changqing brought her.

  Even though this was simply based on a gut feeling.

  Ning Shu was currently mulling over what would be a good way to get rid of Mu Xue’s status as the heir apparent. Could it be that she should put a dragon robe in Mu Xue’s residence like Mu Nichang had?

  It didn’t really feel appropriate to deal with Mu Xue by framing her for planning rebellion. There had to be a better way. Putting a dragon robe in Mu Xue’s residence would only work if Mu Xue was off guard. Otherwise she’d end up being countered by Mu Xue.

  After these last few encounters with Mu Xue, she got the impression that the soul inside Mu Xue’s body was a rather calm and intelligent man, so this method might not necessarily work.

  She had been thinking about this for so long that her head hurt. The current Mu Xue hadn’t done anything morally wrong yet and had even come up with punctuation marks a while ago, so she had contributed to the nation. As long as she didn’t do anything excessive, her position as heir apparent would be very stable.

  Mu Xue barely even showed up in front of Ning Shu to strengthen her sense of existence. This made it hard for Ning Shu to pinpoint Mu Xue’s style of handling things. Last time, after she had berated Mu Xue for proposing allowing men to take up an official post, Mu Xue hadn’t brought it up again.

  She was clearly keeping it stifled up inside.

  Meanwhile, whenever Mu Yao encountered something fun or tasty, she’d bring Ning Shu a portion. She was a very filial daughter.

  Ning Shu saw the happy flush on Mu Yao’s cheeks and knew that she had probably encounter another male beauty again. “We heard that you’ve been very close with the prime minister’s son lately.”


  “Who’s close with him? This subject daughter isn’t!” Mu Yao’s face was bright red and she almost jumped up.

  Ning Shu glanced at her. “If you’re not, then you’re not. Even we’re hearing these rumors despite being in the palace. If you don’t like him, then don’t cause any incidents and don’t ruin Yuan Jun’s reputation, otherwise he’ll have no choice but to marry you.”


  Worry appeared on Mu Yao’s face. She asked, “Would it really ruin his reputation? Then maybe this subject daughter should just marry him?”


  Ning Shu: ……

  Good girl, go play at the side.

  Ning Shu didn’t think Mu Yao and Yuan Jun would get together so quickly, but the next day at court, Mu Yao abruptly dropped to her knees to ask Ning Shu to bestow her a marriage.

  “Imperial Mother, this subject daughter wishes to marry Yuan Jun,” said Mu Yao directly.

  Prime Minister Yuan was so startled that she started coughing. Then she stared blankly at Mu Yao.

  Ning Shu rubbed her forehead, then asked Prime Minister Yuan. “Minister Yuan, what do you think?”


  The moment Ning Shu saw Yuan Jun’s mother’s expression, she knew that Mu Yao hadn’t discussed this with Yuan Jun’s mother at all.

  Prime Minister Yuan silently considered things. Her Majesty doted on the fourth prince so it was a pretty good arrangement for Yuan Jun to marry the fourth prince.

  Prime Minister Yuan understood her own son well. He has always had ambition and couldn’t bring himself to bow and curry favor with women. The fourth prince was a woman with a very good temper, so she would probably be able to tolerate Yuan Jun.

  “It’s this subject’s honor,” said Prime Minister Yuan.

  Hence, Ning Shu gave a decree bestowing this wedding, making Yuan Jun Mu Yao’s legal husband. She hadn’t been planning to break up this couple anyways.

  The only reason Yuan Jun’s son became emperor was because they were given the chance. However, there was no way Ning Shu was going to let Mu Yao anywhere near the throne now, so Yuan Jun wouldn’t have that much power as a man in a back courtyard.

  Ning Shu and Prime Minister Yuan negotiated to decide on the wedding date. During this entire time, Mu Yao was smiling happily. It was clear that she liked Yuan Jun a lot.

  Ning Shu glanced at Mu Xue who wasn’t saying anything, then asked, “Crown Prince, do you have any man you’re interested in? The position of your legal husband is still empty. It is about time for you to have a legal husband to look after you.”


  Mu Xue’s expression stiffened, but it quickly went back to normal. If Ning Shu hadn’t been looking closely, she wouldn’t have noticed the change in Mu Xue’s expression at all.

  “This subject daughter isn’t in a rush. Once this subject daughter finds an appropriate…… man, this subject daughter will definitely ask Imperial Mother to bestow the wedding,” replied Mu Xue respectfully.

  Ning Shu nodded, then she suddenly felt a fishy sweetness in her throat and hot blood poured into her mouth. Her mouth was completely filled with the taste of blood.

  The f*ck!? What the hell!?

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