Font Size:
Mu Shengsheng was feeling slightly better. Hearing that Lan Xun had left court for the day, she planned to use the excuse of delivering something to him as a way to get close to the man.
After all, since recovering from the poisoning, her body had been weak and fatigued from a few days without replenishment. She urgently needed to absorb the strength emanating from him to properly restore herself. In the past few days, she had only exchanged a few words with him and had no opportunity to get close.
Today, she was determined to succeed.
Mu Shengsheng called Zi Su over. “Bring out the osmanthus wine you prepared earlier.”
Zi Su handed the wine jar to Mu Shengsheng. She lifted the lid and inhaled the scent—a fresh, pleasant aroma of wine mingled with osmanthus.
Mu Shengsheng neither drank nor brewed wine herself. Though the wine was said to be brewed by her, it had actually been prepared by Xuan Ji.
After arranging her hair and attire, Mu Shengsheng took the jar of osmanthus wine and immediately set off for the Wen Yuan Pavilion.
Outside the pavilion, the guards were unusually strict.
Tianshu blocked her way. “Miss Mu, the Regency Prince is receiving an important guest. Perhaps you should wait outside.”
Mu Shengsheng pleaded sweetly, “Big Brother Tianshu, Shengsheng personally brewed this osmanthus wine and wishes to hand it to the Regency Prince herself. Could you kindly inform him?”
Even a divine figure like the Regency Prince could not refuse such a pitiful, delicate request. How could a mere mortal like Tianshu say no?
He reluctantly agreed and entered the study to report.
Upon knocking and entering, they saw Lan Xun playing a game of chess with a young man. The black and white pieces twisted around each other, the situation appearing evenly matched. Both furrowed their brows in thought at times and decisively moved at others, displaying composure and wisdom in every gesture.
Tianshu stepped forward and whispered to Lan Xun, “Miss Mu has brought osmanthus wine for Your Highness and wishes to present it personally.”
Lan Xun waved his sleeve. “Let her in first; I will speak with her after finishing this game.”
Tianshu acknowledged the order, about to respond.
Although their conversation was deliberately low, the emperor across the room had already overheard.
With a playful smile, the emperor said, “Royal Uncle, why not invite her in? I’d like to taste this osmanthus wine myself.”
Lan Xun tried to decline, “It’s just a crude brew made by a young girl. I fear it might harm Your Majesty.”
The emperor ignored him and commanded, “Send her in.”
Tianshu glanced at Lan Xun, who had no choice but to close his eyes in silent consent, not wanting the young emperor to lose face.
He was also curious about the young emperor’s unusual behavior today.
Soon, Mu Shengsheng entered the study, carrying the osmanthus wine.
She looked up and immediately saw the guest Tianshu had mentioned.
A young man wore a pale yellow brocade robe, roughly the same age as Mu Shengsheng. Tall and slender, radiating nobility, he bore some resemblance to Lan Xun—a rare beauty. Unlike Lan Xun’s mature, commanding presence, this youth looked more fresh and heroic. At that moment, he was playing chess with Lan Xun.
Mu Shengsheng thought to herself, perhaps Lan Xun at that age had also been such a spirited young man.
When the youth’s gaze met hers, she hurriedly looked away, bowed lightly, and said, “Shengsheng pays respects to the Regency Prince.”
As for the guest, she did not know how to address him and only gave a slight bow.
The emperor’s eyes fixed on her, curiously examining her from head to toe.
Because of Lan Xun, Mu Shengsheng’s name had almost spread throughout the capital, and the emperor had heard of her.
He had long wanted to know what kind of sickly girl could make the usually indifferent Regency Prince risk offending both the Duke of Zhen’guo and the Princess of Su’ning, causing turmoil in the capital.
Today, he had followed Lan Xun to the Regency Prince’s residence to see her in person.
Now, seeing her, she was indeed an unprecedented beauty.
Her face held a beauty so perfect it seemed unreal, like a painting come to life. Her frail, sickly posture, delicate as a flower by the water or a willow in the wind, stirred men’s protective instincts.
Even the emperor felt his heart tighten, wanting to cherish and protect her like a treasured gem.
His gaze lingered long on the girl, marveling at her. Yet sadly, she was a dying person—like a flawless jade with a chip, precious yet fleeting.
The emperor’s admiration was unhidden as he smiled. “I had heard that the daughter of the Marquis of Xuanwu was temporarily staying at the Royal Uncle’s residence. Today, seeing her in person, she truly is a remarkable girl. No wonder the Royal Uncle shows such care.”
Royal Uncle?
Mu Shengsheng realized this young noble in front of her was the famous young emperor she had heard about.
She had always imagined the young emperor to be small, but he was already grown, nearly as tall as an adult man, with a face as refined as jade—comparable to Lan Xun.
It made sense—Mu Shengsheng and Emperor Lan Heng were peers, while Lan Xun was older.
She hurriedly bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty…”
Even someone like Mu Shengsheng, who seldom went out, knew the young emperor was largely a figurehead, but proper respect for the royal family was essential.
“Rise, Miss Mu. You are weak from illness; there is no need for such formalities in the future. The Royal Uncle will want to take care of you,” the emperor said, glancing at Lan Xun.
Lan Xun frowned slightly. “Your Majesty, do not misunderstand. Miss Mu is staying at the residence only to recover under the permission of the Marquis of Xuanwu’s wife. Once the Marquis returns to the capital, she will be escorted back.”
After the arranged ghost marriage was resolved, Mu Shengsheng continued to reside at the Regency Prince’s residence. Lan Xun had informed her stepmother, Madam Lin, of this arrangement. Lin could not offend such a powerful figure and had agreed, leaving Mu Shengsheng no choice but to comply silently.
The emperor smiled further and asked, “So the Royal Uncle and Miss Mu have no impropriety between them?”
Outside, rumors claimed the Regency Prince kept a hidden concubine—a dying, sickly girl—and that he had some unusual tastes. People whispered, yet dared not speak openly due to his authority.
The emperor was curious to see if the rumors were true.
Mu Shengsheng also looked at Lan Xun, wondering how he would respond.