Feeling indebted to Li Fangfei, Prince Mu disregarded etiquette and the proper wedding procession to marry her. What he initially found exhilarating now seemed like a slap in the face. Back then, he deliberately made things difficult for the princess, wanting to slap that beautiful woman in the face and show her that he, Prince Mu, was not someone easily attained. He could cherish any woman he liked to the core, but those he didn't love, even if they were his principal wife, could be treated like dirt.
Suddenly, the princess's face from many years ago became clear. In the bright red wedding hall, the princess sat upright to one side. She had only been married for a month when she watched her husband marry another woman. At that time, the smile on the princess's face was one of despair. When Prince Mu thought about it now, he felt his heart clench.
Mu Yunhe was indeed his son; he was ruthless and merciless! This move struck him squarely across the face, as if in retaliation. How he had humiliated the Princess Consort that day—now her son was returning the favor. And so, Prince Mu finally knew the true taste of humiliation!
However, while Prince Mu was furious, he was not shocked. He knew about Li Fangfei's painful past. Although he was willing to forget it, he wasn't indifferent to her past. No man would want his woman to have a potentially shameful past.
However, his encounter with Li Fangfei was accidental, and their love seemed to come naturally. He loved her beauty and innocence, and she was like a fool who only knew how to like him. In his youthful folly, whenever Prince Mu thought of his past with Li Fangfei, he couldn't help but feel moved and happy.
Li Fangfei entrusted everything to him, and he could see that she came from an extraordinary background and possessed an exceptional temperament, making her unlikely to be a courtesan. It turned out that Li Fangfei was only eight years old when she and her mother returned from visiting her maternal grandparents' home. On the way back, they encountered bandits, separated from her mother, and she was sold to a brothel. During her years in the brothel, Li Fangfei was well protected. The owner, seemingly recognizing her status, dared not flaunt it and kept her as a prostitute. As the years passed, Li Fangfei blossomed into an increasingly beautiful woman. The owner, naturally, wouldn't keep a worthless woman and thus required her to serve customers.
It was during that time that he met the terrified Li Fangfei while traveling. Although he fell in love at first sight, he only regarded her as a fleeting romance. However, what happened later seemed like a match made in heaven, destined for them to be together.
He was assassinated in the brothel and nearly lost his life. The most crucial arrow was blocked by Li Fangfei who rushed over without regard for her own safety. He survived, but Li Fangfei was unconscious for seven days. When she woke up, the first thing she asked was, "Young master, are you alright?"
That day, the young Prince Mu suddenly felt that the woman before him, with her pure and sincere gaze, was willing to risk her life for him, far more genuine than those women who uttered sweet words. The young Prince Mu naturally fell hopelessly in love. His feelings for Li Fangfei were complex and intense, containing passion, gratitude, tenderness, and affection. Anyone who met a woman willing to risk her life for them would be moved.
Then, over the years, the vows of eternal love were shattered by the appearance of a woman named Tong. Tong's arrival not only prevented him from marrying Li Fangfei, but also made him break his promise. 17652204
He had promised to marry Li Fangfei. At that time, he was filled with gratitude and joy, and all his promises seemed perfectly natural. Moreover, he, who had always been a man of his word, was so defeated for the first time. He couldn't even outmaneuver a woman. His elder brother, the Emperor, was protecting the Tong family at every turn. He knew that the Emperor was protecting the Tong family, but he still minded it deeply.
Tong was the person who humiliated him the most, causing him to repeatedly break his promises in despair and frustration. As Li Fangfei's disappointment deepened day by day, the adoring gazes she once held for him gradually dimmed. One can imagine how furious the young Prince Mu must have been. He felt he had lost his dignity as a man, and that dignity had been destroyed by Tong.
Therefore, no matter how stunning or captivating he was at first sight of Tong, he still naturally loathed and rejected her. He even sided with Li Fangfei in an attempt to regain her admiration, subjecting Tong to various forms of humiliation and attacks.
Looking back on it all now, Prince Mu felt dazed, like a spectator observing his own memories. He suddenly realized that his past wasn't just about Li Fangfei, but also about Tong Shi. And when he first saw the dazzlingly talented Tong Shi at the talent competition, he wasn't unmoved. It was just that anger blinded him, and everything that followed spiraled out of control because of his favoritism.
Prince Mu slumped into his chair, a bitter taste in his mouth. He thought his past, which he had tried so hard to conceal, would never be discovered, but it had still been dug up. People would probably think he was a cuckold, having been cuckolded countless times. How could he explain to everyone that Li Fangfei was a virgin when she was with him? And that he was the man who deflowered her?
Suddenly I found it utterly ridiculous, as if he had slept with the woman he loved most, and that he was her first client?
Returning to his senses, he knew some of the things Li Fangfei had done, such as the finances of the Prince's mansion. However, because he felt indebted to Li Fangfei, he had always turned a blind eye, since the Prince's mansion had plenty of money anyway. But he truly knew nothing about the shady dealings Li Fangfei had done. (The last sentence appears to be unrelated and possibly a fragment from another text.)
He didn't want to believe that Li Fangfei would actually dare to do such a thing. Now he truly regretted not keeping an eye on the Princess Consort back then. Later, because of Luo Zhiheng's words, he did take precautions and placed a few people around Consort Li, but nothing had gone wrong until now. Yet, Prince Mu felt that something was still amiss.
Why is it that everyone placed around the princess speaks ill of her? It's gotten to the point where he's grown increasingly disgusted with her. But in the very first year, the princess was described as a gentle person by the guards. When exactly did she change? And Li Fangfei, the people placed around her always report to him that everything is fine.
What is the connection between these two extremes? Will his bodyguards run into trouble?
Consort Li killed a concubine? How could a woman like her, who is powerless, kill someone? He might believe that Consort Li framed the princess in order to gain favor, but he simply couldn't believe that Consort Li would kill her own unborn child in order to gain favor!
Prince Mu's mind was a complete mess, finally settling into a single, harsh word: "Investigate!"
This time, he's going to investigate thoroughly! Isn't Mu Yunhe trying to fight him? Isn't he always saying he knows nothing? Then he'll investigate completely. If the investigation reveals things aren't as Mu Yunhe claims, then he'll have something to say and can give Li Fangfei justice.
On this day, having received no news, Prince Mu decided to remain still. He was truly going to settle things with his son. This time, it was inevitable that one of them would have to break their wings.
This time, Prince Mu came to the General's Mansion with his men. He planned to have the coffin carried away directly, and he had even prepared a mourning hall in the small prince's mansion.
However, Mu Yunhe was also on guard this time. The general's mansion was heavily guarded in front of and behind the gate!
Upon witnessing this scene, Prince Mu's face darkened instantly. Even his attempt to enter was refused by the soldiers; they were truly impartial and incorruptible. Others were allowed to enter to offer condolences, yet he, the husband, was denied even the right to see his wife. Prince Mu was furious and extremely agitated, but these soldiers were all members of the Lu Zhan Dui (Slaughtering Squad), soldiers of the Tong family, and they showed him no respect whatsoever.
Prince Mu and Mu Yunhe have started a fight. The guests who came to pay their respects are all trembling with fear, but they also have the idea of watching the show.
Mu Yunhe knelt in the mourning hall, listening to Xiao Xizi's hoarse report on the situation outside. His bloodless lips curled into a strange smile. His eyes were dark and unfathomable, enough to send chills down one's spine.
Luo Zhiheng dismissed Xiao Xizi, gently grasped his cold hand, and whispered when no one was around, "What exactly are you trying to do? If this gets out, Li Fangfei's status will definitely cause a huge uproar in the capital. It will damage Prince Mu's reputation..."
"Does he have any shame? He wears the green hat so comfortably, he has no shame of his own, why should we give him any face?" Mu Yunhe sneered sarcastically, truly having no more regard for family ties.
Luo Zhiheng opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing more. Mu Yunhe was already enraged, and if this anger and resentment weren't vented, this matter would likely never pass. She had been feeling uneasy for the past few days, unsure whether to bring it up. Keeping it bottled up felt like a problem.
Mu Yunhe is being so aggressive, and Prince Mu isn't one to be trifled with. If pushed too far, Prince Mu might use this incident to attack Mu Yunhe. It's likely that one day the truth will come out, and her relationship with Mu Yunhe will inevitably be affected.
But now is really not the right time to talk about that. Mu Yunhe appears fine on the surface, but he has blisters in his mouth, and at night his body alternates between chills and fever. He has nightmares when he falls asleep, repeatedly shouting that he hates her. Mu Yunhe is in a very bad state right now. His mother is dead, his father is cold-hearted, and she is his only family and support. If she were to hurt him at this time, he would definitely not be able to hold on.
Be patient! Wait a couple more days, until the time is right and Mu Yunhe's emotions have stabilized, then she will tell her what happened.
Just as dusk was falling, a rare guest arrived: Mr. Li, the patriarch of the Li family, brought his granddaughter, Li Xian'er, to offer their condolences.
Everyone knows that Mu Yunhe and Lijiaxiang Town are irreconcilable enemies, and Mu Yunhe will definitely try to destroy them. The fact that they haven't broken off relations yet is just a matter of time. The arrival of people from the Li family was expected but also unexpected. It's nothing more than a facade.
Mr. Li seemed very sad, and his appearance was genuinely genuine, without the slightest hint of awkwardness. It was quite surprising that an elder would bow to the princess. He spoke to Mu Yunhe with great sincerity, offering many words of comfort, as if he were Mu Yunhe's maternal grandfather.
His acting skills have reached a level that is truly masterful and admirable. I wonder if he ever felt such 'heartbreak' after his daughter Li Fangfei's tragic death? Doesn't he harbor any resentment towards Mu Yunhe? After all, Li Fangfei's gruesome death was tantamount to Mu Yunhe declaring war on the Li family. To dare to come at this time truly takes courage.
Mu Yunhe didn't even bother to show an expression, as if he hadn't heard or seen Master Li at all.
Li Xian'er, on the other hand, had tears streaming down her face. She was dressed in white mourning clothes, clearly for the princess.
Mu Yunhe's narrow eyes seemed to glance at Li Xian'er, and a hint of shyness immediately appeared on Li Xian'er's face, which had been secretly glancing at Mu Yunhe.
"Xian'er, kowtow to the Princess and send her off," Mr. Li said sadly.
Li Xian'er immediately knelt down to kowtow, but Luo Zhiheng looked at Mu Yunhe strangely; he hadn't stopped her. Why? Who had agreed to Li Xian'er wearing mourning clothes? They, as daughters-in-law, wore mourning clothes, so who was Li Xian'er? Why should she wear mourning clothes too? And now, kowtow? Strangely, Mu Yunhe remained unmoved. What did this mean? Was it tacit approval?
Clearly, Li Xian'er also took Mu Yunhe's actions as a tacit agreement.
Her stiff body slowly kowtowed, and even after the second kowtow, Mu Yunhe still hadn't spoken. Li Xian'er's heart started pounding wildly, and she was so excited she didn't know what to do.
He didn't make her stop, which means he agrees with her actions. Does that mean he approves of her being his woman?
When Li Xian'er kowtowed for the third time, Mu Yunhe suddenly said, "Two is enough. Any more than that, and Mother cannot bear it."
Li Xian'er's face quickly paled! She looked at Mu Yunhe pitifully with tears in her eyes, feeling that Mu Yunhe's last glance before leaving yesterday was clearly full of reluctance and affection. Today, she was made to kowtow, so why wasn't she allowed to finish?
Looking at Li Xian'er's infatuated gaze and aggrieved expression, Luo Zhiheng felt her eyelids twitching and a sudden, inexplicable irritation rising within her. When did these two get together? Or was it just Li Xian'er's wishful thinking? Judging from her gaze, she practically wanted to devour Mu Yunhe.
Luo Zhiheng knelt there expressionlessly, as if Li Xian'er ignored her. At this moment, Luo Zhiheng couldn't say anything, but Murong Qianxue and Yu'er couldn't stand it anymore.
Li Xian'er's gaze was too blatant. Murong Qianxue stepped forward, seemingly supporting Li Xian'er, but secretly pinching the soft flesh on her arm. She smiled and said, "Please come out with me after you two have finished your worship. There are others who want to come in to worship the Princess."
Yu'er stepped forward and pulled Li Xian'er, covering up Li Xian'er's almost shouting voice: "Ah, this sister is so beautiful. Seeing you reminds me of my father's beloved concubine, who is also so charming. Come on, I feel like I've known you for a long time. I miss my hometown. Seeing you makes me feel like I've come home. Come on, let's catch up."
What kind of nonsense is this? Comparing her, a descendant of the former dynasty's royal family, to a concubine? Li Xian'er's face turned ugly, and Master Li's eyes were filled with gloom. This was a blatant slap in the face to the Li family. But they could only swallow their bitterness and suffer in silence.
The two girls pulled away the eyesore Li Xian'er, and Mr. Li had no reason to stay any longer. The mourning hall returned to its peaceful state.
The second day passed peacefully, but on the morning of the third day, something else happened.
Prince Mu arrived at the General's Mansion early, intending to wait until the coffin was brought out so he could seize it. However, he never expected that the Li family would find their way here.
Li Xian'er's mother and Li Yufeng found Prince Mu. Before Li Yufeng could speak, Li Xian'er's mother knelt down with a thud, crying out in anguish, "Your Highness, please do justice for Xian'er! Please save Xian'er! Please, Your Highness, for the sake of my aunt whose body has been lost, save Xian'er!"
Prince Mu's face, already grim, darkened further. He said in a deep voice, "Get up! What kind of behavior is this? Li Yufeng, tell me what exactly happened?"
Li Yufeng glanced at the General's Mansion and said in a gloomy voice, "This morning at court, the Emperor, for some reason, suddenly issued an imperial decree to the Li family, ordering Xian'er to marry Grand Secretary Wang Zuo."
"What did you say?!" Prince Mu was shocked upon hearing this and blurted out instinctively, "You must have misheard me? Is it about marrying Grand Secretary Wang's grandson?" 148.
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Li Yufeng's face as he shook his head and gritted his teeth, saying, "No, to be clear, she married Grand Secretary Wang."
"How could this be? Didn't Grand Secretary Wang recently suffer a stroke? He's paralyzed in bed, and even if he weren't, he's already a man in his sixties. How could His Majesty marry a young girl to Grand Secretary Wang? His wife is still alive." Prince Mu was utterly baffled, finding the whole thing ridiculous. Could His Majesty be so foolish as to do something so absurd?
"It's true! Your Highness, please save Xian'er! Only you can save my poor daughter. She's so young, in the prime of her life, how can she marry an old geezer? With the status of our Li family, Xian'er could never be a concubine or marry someone of lower status. That old man could be Xian'er's grandfather! Xian'er has already tried to kill herself once, my heart aches for her... I beg you, Your Highness..." Li Xian'er's mother cried out in a heart-wrenching sob, filled with extreme hatred and desperation, she had become so reckless with her words.
There were already people who came to offer condolences nearby. Since the court session had just ended, many officials had also come. Upon hearing that this woman had actually called Grand Secretary Wang an old fool, some of them showed anger.
That Grand Secretary Wang was a great Confucian scholar, a model teacher, upright and honest throughout his life, and had nurtured countless students, his influence felt far and wide. He was also a close friend of the Emperor in his youth, a mentor to the current Crown Prince, and the first teacher of all the young princes and grandsons. In the entire Mu Dynasty, who didn't respectfully address him as Grand Secretary? How dare a woman utter such foul language? It's truly infuriating.
But everyone was puzzled. The ministers who had just finished court were also puzzled. Why would the emperor insist on marrying Li Xian'er, the precious daughter of the Li family, to an old man with half his body turned to dust?
There was a lot of discussion among the people; too many things had happened in the past two days, confirming that this was indeed a turbulent time.
Seeing the strange expression on Prince Mu's face, Li Yufeng glanced discreetly at the General's Mansion and said, "There's something I have to say, Your Highness. I'm afraid this matter is still related to the one inside."
Prince Mu was startled, his eyes shifting between anger and uncertainty as he looked at the General's Mansion. Was it really Mu Yunhe who did it? How could he possibly have the ability to make the Emperor defy the world and do such an absurd thing? If it wasn't Mu Yunhe, then who could have done something so obviously retaliatory?
It's related to Li Fangfei. Li Fangfei just died, and Prince Mu can't ignore this matter.
First update today! Sorry for yesterday, Huasha wasn't feeling well and it was so late. Thank you all for your understanding and patience. Love you all! Huasha will work even harder. Still asking for recommendations, comments, and monthly tickets!
388. Holding your hand, we'll stay together forever!
Updated: 2013-10-15 17:42:56 Word Count: 5503
What Prince Mu couldn't ignore was precisely what Mu Yunhe would show no mercy over. Father and son yielded, and their conflict was reignited.
Mu Yunhe avoided seeing him, and Prince Mu couldn't enter the General's Mansion. Helpless, Prince Mu could only order people to stay and guard the place to prevent Mu Yunhe from secretly moving the Princess's body. He hurriedly led the Li family into the palace to plead with the Emperor.
Listening to the report, Mu Yunhe slowly closed his bloodshot eyes and remained silent for a long time.
Luo Zhiheng remained silent, simply sitting beside him and pouring him tea. The room fell silent for a moment, broken only by the gentle sound of flowing water, which seemed to soothe the soul with its warm current.
Suddenly, Mu Yunhe murmured with a self-mocking tone, "Is a concubine really that important to him? Is that lowly woman Li really that much more important than my mother? He set up the mourning hall for Li, personally buried her, protected her body, and protected the clan. What has he ever done for my mother?"
"Yunhe..." Luo Zhiheng's voice was strained with helplessness. Looking at Mu Yunhe's eyes, which seemed to be possessed by a demon, she felt even more powerless and sad. She prided herself on being exceptionally intelligent and invincible, yet at this moment, she couldn't help Mu Yunhe in the slightest.
His knot was deep in his heart, and even though she was the one in his heart, she still couldn't touch it. This knot had been tied up for more than just a day or a year; it wasn't formed overnight, and how easy was it to ease it? She understood his resentment, his hatred, his unwillingness to accept defeat, but she couldn't help him. All she could do was stay by his side. But day after day, watching his face grow increasingly thin, filled with a weariness, sorrow, and grief far beyond his years, Luo Zhiheng was tormented.
"Aheng, there's no need to persuade me. How could I really care about him? Since he has already chosen the Li family, then he can't blame me for being heartless." Mu Yunhe patted Luo Zhiheng's hand, a hint of tenderness finally flashing across his cold face. He turned to Xiao Xizi and asked, "Have you found the skilled craftsman I asked you to find?"
"We've found them. As per Master's orders, the recruitment was conducted in secret, and they're already at the General's Mansion," Xiao Xizi replied respectfully. Wang Yuneng avoided the question.
Mu Yunhe's face showed a sneer, and he said in a cold voice, "Fine, have someone do as I say. Write it exactly as the handwriting on this letter is. Remember to make the letter paper and handwriting look old. From the envelope to the letter, I will not allow anyone to leak the secret. Three days, three days at most. Make sure it is done well, and make it exactly as I need it. Is it possible to do it?"
A serious look appeared in Xiao Xizi's red eyes as he assured her, "I will definitely do it! I will never fail my master's orders."
Watching Xiao Xizi leave, Luo Zhiheng couldn't understand what Mu Yunhe was trying to do. He looked unhappy, and the anxiety, struggle, and pain in his eyes were obvious. Luo Zhiheng stroked his face tenderly, her voice almost trembling: "Originally, I just wanted you to be happy and be with me. We could be carefree, away from all troubles, and be a perfect couple. But life is unpredictable, and we can't control everything. I can't change anything else. I just want to stay with you. I can't escape the chaos and troubles of this world, but as long as you are in this trouble, I will not give up easily."
"You said I gave you hope and life, you said I am the continuation of your life. So, Mu Yunhe, could you please not make things difficult for yourself? I will never stop you from doing what you want to do, but please take care of yourself for my sake. I don't want a melancholy Mu Yunhe, I don't want a Mu Yunhe who truly doesn't recognize his own family. I understand your sadness and sorrow now, but everything will pass. After it passes, please give me back the pure and gentle Mu Yunhe I once was, okay?"
Mu Yunhe's gaze finally shifted from the princess's black coffin to Luo Zhiheng's thin face. He stared at her quietly for a long time, as if from another world, until Luo Zhiheng's breath felt cold. Mu Yunhe's eyes, which had been dry ever since the princess died and he stood up from Luo Zhiheng's arms, finally moistened.
He abruptly pulled Luo Zhiheng into his arms, holding her tightly. His face, wet with tears, sank into her neck. He nodded firmly, a gesture of agreement. Her once clear and pure voice was now hoarse and heartbreaking: "Why is life so tiring…?"
A mixture of sighs, weariness, resentment, helplessness, and despair mingled together, and at that moment, Mu Yunhe cried like a child.
His eldest sister died with resentment, his father betrayed him heartlessly, his mother died with regret, and his young nephew died tragically and innocently. He was plagued by illness from a young age. Everything seemed to weigh him down by sin, as if he could never repay it all. All his relatives were dead—those he loved most, those who cherished him, were all gone.
No one else could be like his mother, who, when he was sick and in pain, convulsing, wasn't afraid of his ugly appearance, but instead felt heartbroken and wept with him, holding him and helping him escape from that prison of pain. No one else could care for him so meticulously, taking care of him inside and out, accompanying him through the darkest times of his life.
In his youthful years, there was no light, no flowers, no companions, no joy, only the darkness of death and his mother's despairing companionship.
His elder sister died. He may have hated her, and he may have felt pain, because the gentle and beautiful woman in his memory had been burdened with sins because of him. He felt guilty, but he wouldn't despair and want to die.