The Charm of a Powerful Woman Spreads Across the World

Chapter 173

Yu Chisong, who was standing nearby, quickly tried to smooth things over: "Father, Ru Feng is joking. He's so popular in the capital, how could he not get married? I reckon a matchmaker will be coming to propose to Ru Feng soon."

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone actually requested an audience. Everyone was stunned. Could it really be that accurate?

A message was sent to Rufeng. She opened it, glanced at the expectant looks on everyone's faces, and then said, "It's Yujue. He's inviting me to visit his villa. We were classmates, and it's been a long time." As she said this, Rufeng smiled, and her gloomy mood from this morning improved considerably.

"Tell His Highness that I will be there on time," Ru Feng told the servant. The steward quickly gave him some loose silver and sent it out.

Ru Xue's eyes lit up instantly, her face full of surprise. He... he's back? Thinking this, she looked meaningfully at Ru Feng, but unfortunately, Ru Feng didn't look at her.

A short while later, someone else arrived, but this time it was an imperial edict.

The crowd knelt to receive the imperial decree. It turned out that Ru Feng was to remain in the capital and begin working at the Ministry of War in five days as Vice Minister. Everyone knew that the Ministry of War was currently under Yu Xuan's control, so for Ru Feng, this was a very leisurely position. There was another imperial decree concerning Zui Yue and Nan Shan, both of whom were to receive rewards because they did not want official positions, which suited them just as well.

After her father-in-law was sent away, Ru Feng was secretly delighted. Mu Wenchen really understood her thoughts and had actually found her a sinecure. Of course, it would be even better if she didn't have to take up any position at all.

Yu Chisong and Lin Yilan felt a little relieved, as this meant Ru Feng could stay in the capital. Only Zui Zhu and Nan Shan felt it was unfair to Ru Feng; their senior brother deserved something better.

Ru Feng stole a glance at Yu Chi Huaiyang, but seeing his expressionless face, she couldn't guess what he was thinking.

The meal was full of twists and turns, but it was finally finished. Zuiyue and the others took the opportunity to say that they wanted to move to the house that Hanshan had bought in the capital. Rufeng raised his hand in agreement, and although the others were reluctant, they agreed because it was close to their place.

Ru Feng said enviously, "Go ahead, go ahead, I'll visit you when I have time."

Zuiyue smiled and said, "Don't worry, senior brother, you'll have a house there too."

Yu Chisong was very pleased and said, "That kid Hanshan is really promising. He's already expanded his business to the capital so quickly and even bought a house. Not bad, he's a talent." He then glanced at the other three and continued, "You three are also good, each with your own strengths. Hey, Ru Feng also needs to work hard and think about his future path." The last sentence was pointed, and Ru Feng nodded.

After breakfast, Ru Feng went back to her room to change for the appointment. The others also dispersed.

After a while, only Yu Chi Huaiyang remained sitting in the dining room, his face gloomy.

The housekeeper watched cautiously from the side, not daring to speak or clear the dishes on the table.

With a snap, Yu Chi Huaiyang said in a deep voice, "That kid, I'll see who's better! Does he really think he's all grown up? Don't think I can't control him!"

Mu Wenchen walked briskly, while Mu Tong followed with heavy steps. Mu Tong had several obvious red bumps on his face and looked listless. Anyone who didn't know the situation would definitely think that he had been out having sex with someone in bed the night before.

Just then, they encountered Yu Xuan, who was on his way to the morning court session, at the palace gate. Mu Wenchen immediately composed himself and whispered a few words to Mu Tong.

After the morning court session, Yu announced his farewell to Yu Jue and walked straight to "Wuchen Residence".

Wuchen Residence is located at the westernmost part of the palace. As Yuxuan walked along, some information swirled in his mind.

Most princes move out to live at the age of thirteen, but the emperor's uncle, who is twenty-eight years old, still lives in the palace. In the early years, the emperor's uncle was not around, and later when he returned to the palace, the emperor never allowed him to move out. Fortunately, the emperor's uncle did not appear in public often, so the ministers did not say that it was "incompatible with the rules of etiquette".

Hmph, etiquette? Father Emperor never cares about etiquette when it comes to anything related to the Imperial Uncle.

Although Wuchen Residence is located in a corner of the palace, it is luxuriously furnished, and not just anyone can enter. It is guarded all year round, and even Yuxuan has only been here a few times.

After walking for about three incense sticks' time, Yu Xuan finally arrived at Wuchen Residence. Upon entering, he discovered it was a four-courtyard complex. Passing the main hall, Luomu Hall, he arrived at Wuchen Hall, the living quarters. In the open space in front of the hall, an artificial pond had been built, constructed of beautiful stones, looking exquisitely crafted, with flowing water. Water lilies bloomed in the pond, and koi carp swam gracefully.

Continuing on, we arrived at the courtyard of Wuchen Hall, where two ancient, vigorous cypress trees stood. Beneath the platform, to the east and west, were a pair of bronze dragons and a pair of bronze deer. The exterior eaves of Wuchen Residence were decorated with elegantly colored paintings depicting flowers, birds, fish, insects, landscapes, figures, and stories of immortals. The doors and windows were carved from high-quality nanmu wood with auspicious patterns of "Ten Thousand Blessings and Longevity" and "Five Blessings Surrounding Longevity." The walls of the corridors were inscribed with poems in the Emperor's regular script, giving the entire courtyard a solemn and ancient feel.

In the courtyard, Mu Wenchen, dressed in white, sat in the pavilion playing the zither. The music was melodious, but when Yu Xuan entered the room, the tune changed to a somber tone.

Yu Xuan recognized the tune as a military march, hence its somber tone. He frowned, looking at Mu Wenchen, and asked, "Uncle, did you need something?" Could it be that Ru Feng had told him? Or did he know it himself?

Mu Wenchen placed his hands on the strings, remaining silent. After a while, he spoke, "How could you not know why I'm looking for you?"

Volume 3, Chapter 136: Distance (Description of the Path of Ruthlessness and Compassion)

Mu Wenchen placed his hands on the strings, remaining silent. After a while, he spoke, "How could you not know why I'm looking for you?"

Yu Xuan stood quietly for a while before finally saying, "I truly love Ru Feng, that's the truth. Ru Feng is my lover, why can't I say it? Why can't I confess my feelings to him?"

Mu Wenchen asked indifferently, "Even if Ru Feng is a man?"

Yu Xuan gritted his teeth and nodded firmly: "Yes, even if Ru Feng can't bear me children, I still want to be with him. Uncle, you should know how Father treats you; he would never allow you to be with Ru Feng."

Mu Wenchen looked at him with an inscrutable expression and a cold gaze.

Yu Xuan forced himself to remain calm and said, "But I won't. I'm just a leisurely prince who can accompany Ru Feng. I don't care about the issue of having offspring."

Mu Wenchen turned his head to look at the two ancient and vigorous cypress trees, and after a long while said, "Rufeng is the old general's only grandson."

Yu Xuan's face paled, but he remained undeterred: "I don't care. As long as Ru Feng is willing to be with me, all of this can be discussed." Yu Xuan knew clearly how difficult it would be for two men to be together—the pressure from society, their own lives, their families, and especially the fact that both he and Ru Feng were of respectable status. But he always felt that as long as he was determined to work hard, he could overcome these challenges. Of course, with Ru Feng by his side to face them together, he would do his best, no matter how difficult, and would never let Ru Feng suffer.

Mu Wenchen sighed softly, his gaze distant, his voice ethereal: "Fine, Ru Feng will never agree to be with you. You'd better take care of yourself and not force her. If there's a next time, I won't be so lenient." Inwardly, however, he sighed: Yu Xuan is a man of action; once he's made up his mind, he does it. In that respect, he's much better than Yu Jue. If Yu Jue had even half of his resolve, many things could have been resolved.

Yu Xuan stood silently for a while, his eyes fixed on Mu Wenchen's back, his lips pressed tightly together, his hands clenched into fists. Indeed, in terms of martial arts, he couldn't even defeat Ru Feng, let alone his imperial uncle. Although his imperial uncle wasn't very old, his skill had already reached a high level, and he was definitely no match for him.

My uncle, though I first met him when I was six, was already exceptionally handsome at the age of thirteen, like an immortal. His eyebrows were like painted strokes, his eyes like gently held stars, his nose like a jade pillar, and his lips like cinnabar. It was as if even the sunlight seemed sacred when it shone upon him. His pure white robes, contrasting with his beautiful, fair skin, gave him an air of utter purity, as if everything in his presence would be blessed. However, the immortal's expression was too indifferent; he looked at me as if I were merely a tree or a flower by the roadside.

At that time, the Imperial Uncle had just returned from the mountains, and he appeared incredibly pure and flawless. Therefore, both my brother and I felt an inexplicable admiration for him. My brother even imitated how he played the zither. Unfortunately, our father was too kind to the Imperial Uncle, and my brother and I could not see him often. We were even forbidden from getting close to him and could only catch a fleeting glimpse of him occasionally in the palace.

Unexpectedly, I ended up seeing him at Fengxian Academy. It turned out that he had become a carefree and leisurely headmaster there! He had given up wealth and honor to live a semi-secluded life as a headmaster.

How many people in the world can be as detached as the Imperial Uncle, willing to give up readily available wealth and prestige?

Yu Xuan was lost in thought. When he came to his senses, he found that Mu Wenchen was simply engrossed in his own thoughts and ignoring him. So he could only smile faintly, his face showing some bitterness, and then he turned and left.

Not long after Yu Xuan left, the Emperor arrived leisurely. Upon entering Wuchen Residence, he dismissed everyone, glanced around, and, finding the main hall, Luomu Hall, absent, strode to Wuchen Hall and called out loudly, "Chen'er, where are you?"

Mu Wenchen stood with his hands behind his back, merely frowning without responding.

The emperor soon arrived at the pavilion where Mu Wenchen had stopped. Upon seeing Mu Wenchen, he smiled and said, "Chen'er, why are you here alone? I just heard someone coming this way." In front of him, he never referred to himself as "朕" (Zhen, the imperial "I").