Chapter 117: Deadly!
The atmosphere had already grown tense, and Yue Tang’s cold laugh pressed the solidified air even heavier. The Shen Family Members almost immediately turned to look at her.
Mu Shuyun’s words were certainly asking for a slap, but as a noble Imperial Clan Female Relative, Yue Tang wouldn’t actually slap her face, would she?
This cold laugh was so sharp—what did it signify?
“Is this the Emperor’s intention?”
Just as everyone held their breath in suspense, Yue Tang turned her head to look at the Emperor on the dragon throne.
“No!” The Emperor straightened his back. “Elder Cousin, Shuyun is just outspoken and doesn’t mean it that way!
“—Shuyun! Why haven’t you knelt down to apologize to the Princess yet?!”
Originally, both Yan Bei and Yue Tang had each lost their spouses, and in an occasion with few outsiders, even mentioning marriage wouldn’t be too serious—just scold her behind closed doors and that would be it.
But allowing Yue Tang to remain in Prince Duan’s Mansion, marry into the wife’s family, give birth to a child, and inherit the family business was an imperial decree personally issued by the Former Emperor’s golden mouth and jade words. As the succeeding sovereign, his words just spoken were still fresh, and if he turned around to heed Mu Shuyun’s words and play matchmaker to marry her off, what would that make him?
Wouldn’t this be defying the command of his sovereign father?
His own foundation was not yet stable; if someone seized this handle, how could he stand firm?
Empress Dowager Shen was waiting to use the Imperial Seal to suppress him!
Mu Shuyun making such a joke—what difference did it make from roasting him over the fire?
Moreover, she actually suggested marrying Yue Tang, who had just taken charge of Prince Duan’s Mansion, to Yan Bei, who led hundreds of thousands of Mobei troops. Did she know what that would mean if it happened?!
This was something that couldn’t even be mentioned!
The Emperor’s heart churned like raging waves. Seeing Mu Shuyun unmoving, the ripples had already surged to his eyes.
Frankly, Mu Chang hadn’t anticipated this either. The wine cup he had raised was still in his hand, but a third of it had already spilled.
He turned his head to look at his daughter, then at his wife.
What exactly was the relationship between Yue Tang and Yan Bei? And how deep was their friendship? He truly wanted to know as well.
He had sent Lu Zhao to investigate for several days, but still found no clues. The most was knowing that Yue Tang and Yan Bei’s first meeting was probably at the Du Family’s birthday banquet.
He was still immersed in the puzzle of how Yue Tang had convinced Yan Bei to form an alliance in just two short months, and in a moment of carelessness, Mu Shuyun had torn open this layer of cloth!
He quickly turned his head to glance at Yan Bei, then withdrew his gaze and looked toward his wife and daughter.
Madam Mu didn’t think her daughter’s words were all that unpardonably sinful.
It was a transgression, but Yue Tang had been surrounded and intercepted by the Chu Family, her life hanging by a thread. It was only thanks to her husband leading men to rescue her that her life was saved, yet to this day, not even a word of thanks, and she had never set foot in the Mu Family’s gate.
Prince Duan’s Mansion had only her left, and it was merely by relying on the Emperor, her younger male cousin, that she had this current glory.
In the end, whether this glory could last still depended on the Emperor’s will. And the Emperor now fully depended on the Mu Family—on what grounds did Yue Tang disregard their dignified Grand Tutor’s Mansion?
It would be good to let Mu Shuyun blunt her edge a bit.
So she didn’t stop it.
But now seeing the Emperor’s huge reaction, and the shock and anger in Mu Chang’s eyes, she also realized.
Yue Tang didn’t acknowledge Mu Chang’s life-saving grace, and Mu Chang had never mentioned it. He seemed indifferent, and instead became even more low-key with Lu Zhao after that day.
Why was that?
Regardless of why, the Shen Family Members were still watching from the side. If Mu Shuyun were truly challenged by Yue Tang, it would let the Shen Family watch the show.
She secretly gave Mu Shuyun a light push. “This girl, usually indulged by the Emperor, now seeing the Princess, probably treats her as her own elder sister.
“Although the Princess is magnanimous, you must have some sense of proportion. You mustn’t do this again next time.”
She smiled on her lips, fondly glanced at Mu Shuyun, and amiably looked toward Yue Tang.
“That day upon learning the Princess had returned, Yun’er was very happy for the Emperor and mentioned several times wanting to pay respects to the Princess. But thinking the Princess had just returned to the Prince’s Mansion and must be busy, she didn’t dare disturb.
“Please, Princess, be generous and forgive her this closeness.”
With these words, if Yue Tang didn’t forgive, she would seem petty and not giving face to the Grand Tutor’s Mansion.
Mu Shuyun absolutely hadn’t expected the Emperor to repeatedly say she was immature and repeatedly urge her.
Looking at her father again, his deep eyes showed no meaning, but his expression was already taut.
Looking at her mother again, Mu Shuyun also smiled.
Earlier, wasn’t she speculating about the relationship between Yan Bei and Yue Tang? She had just tossed out a topic to see how Yue Tang and the others would react.
If there really was that layer of relationship, the two would surely show some telltale sign.
Of course, up to now, she hadn’t seen anything amiss.
But what was wrong with her action?
Madam Mu secretly pushed her again.
Only then did she slowly stand up, curtsey toward Yue Tang’s direction. “This subject girl, out of excessive admiration for the Princess’s demeanor, was momentarily impudent. Please forgive me, Elder Sister Princess.
“The pastries Yun’er makes are also praised endlessly by the Emperor. Another day, I will personally bring some pastries to the door to apologize to Elder Sister.”
What thick skin!
Just now stepping on Yue Tang’s face without a word, now casually calling her elder sister, and incidentally flaunting her special closeness with the Emperor.
Yue Tang smiled silently. “When the Former Emperor and the Former Empress were alive, I often waited on them at their knees. Before their sickbeds, I served herbal medicine and tended to their daily needs. Relying on the good fortune of being born the same year, month, and day as the Emperor, I fulfilled the filial duties that the Emperor, far away in Jiangling, could not.
“I dare not forget a single word of the teachings from the Emperor and Empress.
“I still remember the Former Empress repeatedly instructing me that women must be strong, and as long as it is righteous, they should not fear to act.
“May I ask everyone: I, a Imperial Clan Princess who holds the imperial decrees of two generations of sovereigns to take charge of Prince Duan’s Mansion, personally selected and titled ‘Yongjia’ by the Former Emperor’s thick favor—when has the matter of my marriage been subject to critique by a minister’s daughter?
“Where does she place my face? And where does she place the Emperor?”
She didn’t directly point at Mu Shuyun with a single word, not even glancing at her squarely, yet she had already left the Emperor speechless.
The Emperor also bore the surname Yue. If he uttered another word, it would be tantamount to helping an outsider slap his own family’s face.
He pursed his lips and looked toward the Mu Family’s seats.
Mu Shuyun, being ignored, had her spirits fluctuate. Receiving this glance from the Emperor, she gained confidence. “Elder Sister Princess has endured many grievances outside for years and is unwilling to easily forgive—that’s understandable. Yun’er will kneel to apologize to Elder Sister.”
With that, she lifted her skirt hem.
Yue Tang splashed the cup of wine in her hand onto the ground.
“Pick up this wine. If you can pick it up without missing a drop, I will allow you to take back what you just said.”
Mu Shuyun’s knee, bending down, halted in mid-air.
“Princess!” Madam Mu stood up. “Forgive where possible. My young daughter is immature—why stoop to her level?
“The Princess just mentioned the Former Empress. Our Mu Family is the Former Empress’s maternal home. Since the Princess received the Former Empress’s teachings, shouldn’t she, for the sake of past affections, preserve decorum for both sides?”
Madam Mu’s father had also been a great scholar, so she could hold her own in the Grand Tutor’s Mansion.
If the Emperor couldn’t suppress her, surely invoking the Former Empress could?
“Decorum?” Yue Tang’s gaze was icy. “So indulging your own daughter to humiliate an Imperial Clan Princess—this is the decorum of the Former Empress’s maternal home in your mouths!
“I can barely accept this decorum, but I wonder if Prince Jingyang accepts it?”
Madam Mu’s face stiffened again.
She had only been concerned with Yue Tang’s face implicating the Emperor’s position, forgetting that Yan Bei had also been dragged into the water by Mu Shuyun.
Yan Bei’s face was frosty. “Since the Emperor just said this wasn’t his intention, then it must be the Grand Tutor’s intention. Otherwise, this king really can’t figure out why, at a perfectly good welcome banquet for the Princess, Miss Mu dares to spoil the mood like this?”
Mu Chang, who had been silently enduring, finally clenched his cheek and slowly stood up. He raised his wine cup, cupped his hands toward Yan Bei, then toward Yue Tang. “My daughter was reckless; it is my failing in discipline. I self-penalize with one cup and ask the two of you to forgive.”
Yue Tang sneered. “As the Emperor’s elder cousin, I was originally mindful of the Former Empress’s kindness to me. Just now, I discussed with Prince Jingyang and planned to petition the Emperor to install a Mu Family Miss as Empress, to repay the Emperor’s thick favor and also requite the Empress.
“Since the Grand Tutor admits to failing in discipline, it shows the Mu Family Miss is also unfit for the heavy responsibility of Mother of the Nation. To avoid shaming the Former Empress in the future, this proposal is hereby dropped.”
The wine Mu Chang had brought to his lips immediately spilled out!
Mu Shuyun behind him also jolted abruptly, suddenly lifting her flustered face!
Madam Mu, who had just been countering with ease, also froze in expression!
In contrast, the Shen Family side, from top to bottom, all straightened their backs. They, who had been watching the show, quickly exchanged glances!
How to describe the lethality of Yue Tang’s words?
This Main Hall gathered the several greatest power factions of the entire Imperial Court.
The final decision on who would be Empress also depended on those present.
Earlier, everyone, including Empress Dowager Shen and the Shen Family, had been watching the drama, waiting to see whether Yue Tang would endure silently to maintain decorum and let Mu Shuyun take advantage, or flip the table in fury and seize this handle on the Mu Family to establish her authority.
No matter what Yue Tang did, it was beneficial to the Shen Family.
Previously, Prince Duan had strongly supported Empress Mu and was a staunch supporter of the legitimate heir, which had nearly made Empress Dowager Shen grind her teeth in hatred.
Now Yue Tang was back. She didn’t have nearly as much influence as Prince Duan, but her gaining Yan Bei’s support was also not to be ignored.
If Yue Tang chose to swallow her anger, with Mu Shuyun’s virtue, she would surely push further next time—they would flip sooner or later.
If Yue Tang didn’t endure, that was even better—just watch the Mu Family and Prince Duan’s Mansion fall out. The Mu Family still dreaming of Yan Bei’s military power was simply wishful thinking.
And if Yue Tang made a fuss, she would definitely offend the Mu Family and not fare well in the future.
Empress Dowager Shen recalled those past events and felt she still didn’t want her to do well.
Mu Shuyun’s words were improper but not fatal. After all, they held discourse power. The world was like this—whoever held power was freer.
Yue Tang was no longer the heaven’s proud daughter of those days. Even if she was in the right, she would at most get an apology from the Mu Family.
That was still the Mu Family giving face to the Emperor as a formality.
Who would have thought!
Who would have thought she wasn’t just fighting on a whim at all? Every sentence she threw back forced the Emperor to state his position, forced Mu Shuyun to step out, forced Madam Mu and Mu Chang to bow their heads—all for this one move!
The Emperor admitted Mu Shuyun’s words were improper, then Madam Mu admitted she was young and immature, Mu Shuyun herself came out to apologize, and finally even Mu Chang admitted failing in discipline and personally apologized.
So what was wrong with Yue Tang saying the Mu Family Miss was unfit for the heavy responsibility of Mother of the Nation and couldn’t be Empress?
Who dared oppose?
Did the Mu Family still have the face to turn this around?
Even if they could swallow their pride, did they still have a way?
Crucially, this sly girl Yue Tang said “Mu Family Miss,” not specifically naming Mu Shuyun alone!
This meant she had given eye drops to all of them. Since the Mu Family failed in discipline, if Mu Shuyun was unfit for Empress, they couldn’t push another Miss to take her place either!
Empress Dowager Shen’s right hand tightly gripped the armrest, the corner of her mouth already raised high. “Yongjia! This matter cannot be so hasty.”
A memorial must be submitted!
“The Empress Dowager is right,” Yue Tang raised her lips. “Indeed, it cannot be so hasty. Miss Mu didn’t just pull me down—may I ask Prince Jingyang’s opinion on my view?”
Yan Bei said, “I second it!” His gaze swept toward the Shen Family’s seats. “The selection of the Empress must be done with utmost caution—not only family background and family education, but also virtue, learning. There are so many noble ladies in the Imperial Court; we must select a qualified Empress for the Emperor.”
His sweeping gaze straightened the Shen Family Members’ spines even more.
If not for Empress Dowager Shen’s eye signal not to speak, Shen Yi would have already picked up the thread!
“Your Majesty!”
Mu Shuyun looked panic-stricken at the Emperor—this change was too unexpected for her.
The Emperor she had guarded for so many years, the Empress position she had awaited for so long—gone in the blink of an eye?
The Emperor looked at her awkwardly, then clenched his fist and timidly said to Yan Bei, “I grew up with Shuyun; I know her character best. Today she was indeed somewhat spoiled by favor, but this matter needn’t be decided so urgently…”
“Your Majesty!”
His plea only made things worse; even Mu Chang, who had just gritted his teeth, interrupted him.
With their family already leaving a handle out there, Yue Tang making an issue of it on the grounds of damaging royal face, and the Emperor still pleading—this wasn’t pushing Mu Shuyun deeper into the fire pit?
Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, Yan Bei sneered coldly. “This king remembers when the Mu Family offended back then, the Former Emperor ordered the Mu Family to share the common people’s punishment, demoting the Imperial Father-in-law’s family back to Jiangling.
“Your Majesty, does Miss Mu’s insolence and the conclusion she made about Princess Yongjia still leave you in doubt?”
The Emperor immediately shut his mouth.
Mu Chang also lowered his cupped hands.
Seeing this, Mu Shuyun bit her corner of the mouth until it bled, supporting herself on the table as she looked toward her father. Tears she desperately held back still fell in clusters.
It was over!
She already knew it was over!
But why was her father, who had also desperately wanted to send her into the palace, silent?
Why didn’t he counter-accuse Yue Tang of being ungrateful?
He had clearly saved her life from the Chu Family—why tolerate her being so arrogant?!
Meeting her gaze, Yue Tang just indifferently pushed the empty cup aside. “Fill the wine.”
Empress Dowager Shen looked at the ashen-faced Mu Family, took a breath, and smilingly turned to Yue Tang. “Since the Emperor and Prince Jingyang have reached a conclusion, let’s not dampen the enthusiasm the Emperor specially prepared for this welcome banquet.
“Continue the banquet—serve the dishes!”
The Mu Family had educated the Emperor for many years, supporting him all the way to the throne and beyond. If the Mu Family’s daughter couldn’t be Empress, and the future Crown Prince couldn’t be Mu Family blood, how could Mu Chang be content?
Crucially, they were defeated so suddenly, without even the contest starting, doomed by Yue Tang’s hand—wasn’t this fatal?
There is such a day today!
