Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 366 Imperial Decree Grants Marriage to Mu Yun Chu

Looking at Mu Yun Chu's face only fueled his anger!

Last time, when the kings were conferred titles, everyone in the capital only saw that the seventh prince was conferred a title and received a fiefdom; it was because he was biased.

Those who were observant had already seen that once he was granted a princely title and a fief, it would eliminate any possibility of him participating in the struggle for the throne. Other princes at least had a chance, but the seventh prince certainly did not, which was good.

The second son was crippled, and the seventh son was far from the throne. This was the gift he gave to that proud woman from back then!

Even if the two of them once treated each other with respect and lived in harmony, so what?

What he always wanted was the support she had behind the scenes!

What he wanted was the world, and Xiao Lianyi's absolute submission, not for her to have her own thoughts, let alone challenge his authority or ask him for the truth!

The winner is the king and the loser is the bandit.

He seized the throne, and the Xiao family, naturally, discarded him once the rabbit was caught – that's the truth.

Mu Yun Chu had no idea what the high and mighty old emperor was thinking at that moment. Even though his eyes were extremely cold, he still didn't care.

He was also heartbroken by his father's ruthlessness, by his mother's mysterious death, and by the destruction of his maternal grandparents' family.

But he still held a sliver of hope that one day he could see even a trace of pity and care in his father's eyes, but he was disappointed.

When father and son met again after several years apart, he could still feel the cold, hateful look in his eyes after his son had talked back to him years ago, and it was just as intense now.

He was delusional.

Mu Yun Chu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Father, I request that you take back my fiefdom. I wish to stay in the capital as a leisurely prince, so that I may have the opportunity to take care of my elder brother. That would be enough for me."

The "elder brother" he referred to was naturally Prince Kang; in his heart, only Prince Kang was his elder brother.

"Oh? You really think so?" the old emperor asked quietly after a long while.

"Yes," Mu Yun Chu replied calmly and indifferently.

The old emperor tilted his head slightly, looking at his son who had grown much taller than a few years ago, and who was even more outstanding than he had imagined!

But he is that woman's son, he can never be forgiven!

Do you intend to occupy the capital and seize the throne? Dream on!

"The peace talks with Nanzhao have ended. You are responsible for sending them out of my Great Chu and guarding the southwest. This is the greatest trust I have placed in you. Now, go out!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the old emperor felt as if the temperature in the hall had suddenly turned cold.

He looked up at his son in front of him, but Mu Yun Chu's expression seemed unchanged.

It was as if his previous targeting and denial made no difference to him, which made him feel like he had punched cotton. His anger surged again, and a murderous look appeared in his eyes.

Mu Yun Chu could naturally sense the chilling atmosphere emanating from the dragon throne, but he remained unfazed and bowed, saying, "Your subject obeys the decree."

The next moment, Mu Yun Chu continued, "Your subject requests that Your Majesty issue a decree to grant the marriage."

Upon hearing this, the old emperor, who had already stood up, sat back down.

He glanced at Mu Yun Chu unexpectedly; after all, he still had some use to him.

He still needs to shoulder the wrath of the Nanzhao Kingdom, and he still needs to quell the turmoil on the border...

The old emperor's anger was severely suppressed. "Which family's young lady has the seventh prince taken a fancy to?"

"Gu Qingyue, the third young lady of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, hopes that Father Emperor will grant her wish."

Upon hearing this, the old emperor narrowed his eyes slightly. Was it that peasant girl who had just returned from the countryside?

He had naturally investigated Gu Qingyue's affairs in Lizhou. As the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, she had known this son, so naturally, he would keep a close eye on her.

I remember the secret letter from the Divine Dragon Guard: This woman has some medical skills and once disguised herself as a man to work in the Lizhou camp.

He can be considered a person who contributed to the resistance against Nanzhao.

He had seen her once at the palace banquet; she was indeed extremely beautiful. However, he had heard from Consort Liu that she had grown up in the countryside and was uncouth in her behavior.

Therefore, he never thought of betrothing her to his son. Did the seventh son actually take a liking to her?

I suspect they've already secretly exchanged the money in Lizhou, humph!

What kind of legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is she? She's nothing but a country bumpkin who can't be presented in public!

He had seen it all before; it was nothing more than a little bit of medical skill and beauty that had bewitched his son.

After all, he's at the prime of his life, which is good.

Besides, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had already relinquished its military power. Previously, the Gu family army's influence was mainly in the Northwest. In the future, this son will go to Lizhou in the Southwest. Even if he marries the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, they will be separated by vast distances and he will not be able to cause any trouble.

Besides, he had just rejected his request to stay in the capital; if he were to refuse again now, what if he harbored rebellious intentions...?

Thinking of this, he wanted to refuse outright, but he held back.

After a brief pause, he said, "You should go back first and keep an eye on the Nanzhao delegation."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave," Mu Yun Chu curtsied slightly and left the Imperial Study.

Before they had taken more than a few steps, they suddenly heard a voice coming from inside the main hall, "Summon the Left and Right Chancellors, Chief Minister Jiang, and the late Duke Gu—"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yun Chu's lips curled into a slight smile.

He rushed over as soon as he learned that his father had emerged from seclusion early this morning.

He knew that the Eighth Prince would definitely come to propose to Princess Lianfu today, and the Fifth Prince was accompanying Yue Zhiqi to the palace. If the Fifth Prince also took the opportunity to propose to A Yue...

So he came immediately, and the result was exactly as he had expected.

He wasn't betting on his father's love for his son; quite the opposite, he was betting on his father's wariness and suspicion.

He must seek a marriage decree as soon as possible; this is the best time.

So, here he comes.

Hearing the voices coming from the main hall, he knew that the arranged marriage was a success.

But what he said to his father was also sincere.

He genuinely wanted to stay in the capital to take care of his elder brother, though he knew his father wouldn't allow it.

Although he himself had absolutely no intention of vying for the throne, how could his father believe him? How could he feel at ease?

It's inevitable that we should throw him as far away as possible.

Therefore, a small arranged marriage would certainly not be refused.

Sure enough, when Gu Qingyue returned to the Duke's mansion in the afternoon, she had just finished washing up and was about to rest for a while when the imperial edict arrived.

"The Emperor decrees: We have heard that Gu Qingyue, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, is virtuous, generous, gentle, kind, and outstanding in appearance and character. The Empress Dowager and I are delighted to hear of this. Now that the Seventh Prince, Prince Li, is approaching adulthood and of marriageable age, we should choose a virtuous woman to marry her... to make a perfect match. It is a match made in heaven. Therefore, we hereby bestow upon Gu Qingyue, the eldest daughter of the Gu family, the title of Prince Li's principal wife. We shall choose an auspicious day to announce this to Heaven and Earth to complete this beautiful union. This is the imperial decree."

Upon hearing the eunuch finish reading the imperial decree bestowing the marriage upon her, Gu Qingyue stood up in a daze, unable to recover for a long time.

Her hand trembled slightly as she looked at the gleaming imperial edict in her hand.

It wasn't fear, it was excitement!

It wasn't because of the arranged marriage, but because she, a soul from another world, actually held an imperial edict from an ancient emperor—that's too fantastical, isn't it?

Gu Qingyue squeezed and touched the imperial edict in her hand, extremely curious.

"Moon, Moon?" Qin's voice rang in her ears, pulling Gu Qingyue back to reality.

"Huh? Mother?" Gu Qingyue asked, confused.

Qin Shi chuckled and pinched Gu Qingyue's cheek. "Be reserved! A noble lady should be respectful, dignified, and virtuous."

"Oh, I know, Mother," Gu Qingyue said softly.