Chapter 150: So You Do Know You’re Just a Commoner 

No need to guess—Xiang Xinyao knew exactly why Xiang Yuqing was running late.

She must be at home getting dolled up.

After all, without Xiang Xinyao’s agreement to help her, she probably wouldn’t have had a chance to enter the palace in her lifetime. Plus, this was her first time meeting the Emperor, and if she didn’t take this opportunity to dress up, she might never get another.

So, Xiang Xinyao waited at home, unhurried, until just before lunchtime when Xiang Yuqing finally arrived.

As expected, she was dressed to the nines.

Xiang Yuqing wasn’t unattractive herself—though she couldn’t rival Xiang Xinyao’s beauty, she was still a bit prettier than Xiang Xinyu. Today, after a careful grooming session, she had to admit that Xiang Yuqing looked quite lovely.

Yet to Xiang Xinyao, the excessive adornments made her appear gaudy and vulgar.

It was as if she’d piled on every valuable, decorative accessory the family owned.

Xiang Xinyao didn’t even bother to pretend to be polite. She looked over at Mo Jinnan instead.

Mo Jinnan remarked coolly, “Let’s go. I’ll take you into the palace.”

Xiang Yuqing’s eyes sparkled with joy as she gazed longingly at Mo Jinnan.

His looks were unmatched among the younger generation in Bianjing. No one in the city could hold a candle to him, so it was no surprise she was smitten.

However, she was clear-minded—her goal was the man in the palace. Mo Jinnan was merely her fallback.

If the Emperor didn’t fancy her, she wouldn’t hesitate to cling to Mo Jinnan.

For her, looks weren’t a priority; what she craved was the power to rule over all beneath her.

Mo Jinnan’s gaze turned icy, unwilling to spare even a single glance in her direction as he walked toward the main gate.

Xiang Yuqing shot a smug glance at Xiang Xinyao before hurrying after Mo Jinnan.

Xiang Xinyao raised an eyebrow, silently wishing her good luck. Hope you make a smashing impression and have him utterly captivated!

Trailing behind Mo Jinnan, Xiang Yuqing tried desperately to start a conversation, her voice so simpering that he almost wanted to kick her into orbit.

“My Lord, do you think the Emperor will fancy a commoner’s attire like mine today?” she asked.

Mo Jinnan rolled his eyes. “How would I know?”

She pressed on, “Who do you think is prettier, me or Cousin Xinyao?”

Mo Jinnan: ……

You don’t even hold a candle to Yao’er’s toenail.

“Why won’t you answer, my lord?”

Mo Jinnan: ……

I’d rather shove my sock in her mouth.

When they arrived at the palace gates, Mo Jinnan didn’t immediately take Xiang Yuqing inside. Instead, he began to leisurely stroll around with her just outside.

Growing impatient, Xiang Yuqing noticed he hadn’t led her to meet the Emperor and became increasingly anxious.

“My lord, weren’t you supposed to take me to meet the Emperor? Why are we just wandering around here?”

Mo Jinnan, clearly annoyed, replied, “So you do know you’re just a commoner? Do you think the Emperor is that easy to meet? Stop wasting your breath and take a good look at the scenery around the palace gates.”

Xiang Yuqing began to question her life choices.

What is there to appreciate here? The trees haven’t even sprouted—everything’s just bare and dreary.

Mo Jinnan sighed internally. This woman barely has a brain.

Even though he was a prince, he couldn’t simply bring an ordinary commoner into the palace. However, there was no harm in letting her admire the palace’s grandeur from the gates.

After about the time it would take to drink a cup of tea, Mo Jinnan’s ears suddenly perked up. He shifted from his earlier indifference to enthusiastically introducing the palace to Xiang Yuqing.

Xiang Yuqing hadn’t fully processed why Mo Jinnan’s attitude had suddenly shifted, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she stared at him.

Meanwhile, she didn’t notice the Emperor approaching from behind.

However, the Emperor had already spotted the two of them.

Seeing a beautiful woman by Mo Jinnan’s side, the Emperor’s eyes flashed with jealousy.

He smiled as he walked over. “Seventh Brother, what brings you here? And who is this?”

Mo Jinnan cupped his hands and replied, “Greetings, Your Majesty. She is Yao’er’s cousin. She’s never dared to come near the palace, but today, she asked me to bring her to admire the grandeur of the palace gates.”

Xiang Yuqing quickly knelt down. “This humble girl pays her respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!”

“Raise your head, no need for such formalities.”

The Emperor’s eyes lingered greedily on the beautiful Xiang Yuqing. Though she was just a commoner, there was no denying her graceful figure and pretty face.

She had no powerful family background, which didn’t serve his goal of consolidating the throne, but she would certainly make for a warm bed.

The Emperor chuckled, “Since she is Yao’er’s cousin, I’ll make an exception for her. There’s nothing much to see at the gates anyway, so why not let her enter the palace and take a proper look around?”

Xiang Yuqing’s eyes lit up instantly.

But Mo Jinnan, instead of agreeing, looked troubled. “Your Majesty, today may not be convenient. I still have matters to attend to, and I don’t have time to accompany her into the palace. Would it be possible to bring her another time?”

Xiang Yuqing was stunned.

Wasn’t the purpose of this visit to meet the Emperor?

Now that they had finally seen him, why was Mo Jinnan suggesting another time?

The Emperor deliberately smiled with great courtesy. “No need to worry. My petitions today are few, so I can afford to steal a little time. Let her accompany me to the Imperial Garden for a stroll.”

Mo Jinnan’s face darkened, but he played it up, showing a look of difficulty, as if torn between caring for Xiang Yuqing and not daring to defy the Emperor.

The Emperor walked up to him and patted his shoulder reassuringly.

“What are you worrying about, Seventh Brother? Do you think I’ll harm her?”

Mo Jinnan forced a smile. “Your Majesty, of course not. I am simply worried that Lord Xiang will hold me accountable, since this lady is his niece.”

“This is a trivial matter. Just speak honestly to the Imperial Tutor. I’m only asking her to join me for a little walk in the Imperial Garden. Whenever she wishes to leave, I will have someone escort her out.”

Mo Jinnan put on an expression of reluctance but bowed and said, “Yes, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave.”

The Emperor then turned to Xiang Yuqing, his tone soft as he asked, “What is your name?”

Xiang Yuqing, her face flushed with shyness, answered, “My name is Xiang Yuqing.”

“Yuqing, such a lovely name. It seems your parents have high hopes for you,” the Emperor remarked.

How could they not? They hoped she would become Empress.

But even Xiang Yuqing, though lacking in intelligence, knew better than to speak her true thoughts.

“My parents just hope I live a life of peace and happiness.”

The Emperor smiled. “Very well. Let’s go. Come with me to the Imperial Garden.”

“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

Not far off, Mo Jinnan’s figure emerged from around a corner.

Watching as the Emperor and Xiang Yuqing were surrounded by palace attendants and taken away, Mo Jinnan smiled.

Good. With this, he and the Xiang family could now focus on preparing for their departure in the coming days.

He turned and headed back to his mansion.

Summoning Rufeng and a few guards, he made his way toward the Imperial Tutor’s residence.