Chapter 10: Mu Ling Tells the Crown Prince the Truth

While Mu Fuxing was pondering how to humiliate Mu Ling tomorrow, she had no idea that the person she wanted to mock was currently dining with the crown prince.

“Ling’er,” the crown prince called out, startling Mu Ling. Since when had they become so close?

Jun Mohan gazed at the blushing girl before him, chuckling as he continued, “Ling’er, now that my health is fine, shouldn’t we discuss the details of the wedding?”

“Discuss the wedding? Your Highness, have you forgotten? I’m merely a substitute bride; the one truly engaged to you is the famous Mu Fuxing. Now that your health is fine, I won’t be needing to substitute anymore. Besides, I believe that if Mu Fuxing saw you now, she would gladly come to marry you.”

Jun Mohan’s smiling face instantly darkened. “Mu Ling, you underestimate me, Jun Mohan. My father arranged for her to be my wife, but I never took it to heart. You can ask anyone; even though we have a marriage contract, it has been so many years, and I have never spoken a word to her. I don’t even know what she looks like.”

“If I were in critical condition, and she dared to have you substitute for good fortune, just think about how much of an impact that would have on my father and the Empress! After all, I am their pride and joy. If I am rejected, do you think they won’t be heartbroken? To be honest, I don’t care if she wants to marry me or not. But if she dares to hurt my father and the Empress’s feelings, I will personally go to the marquis’s residence to settle the score.”

Mu Ling didn’t argue further or continue the topic; she considered for a moment before asking, “Your Highness, with so many events happening today, haven’t you suspected me? After all, I was able to accurately state that it was poisoning and not a critical illness, and I dealt with Hongmei’s true identity. Also, my medical skills and my blood, did you never find any of that suspicious?”

Jun Mohan’s deep-set eyes stared intently at Mu Ling for a long while before nodding. “It’s not a matter of whether I suspected or not; I’m certain you have secrets. It’s just that you don’t want to share, and I won’t pry. However, Ling’er, I have two requests for you. Will you grant them?”

Mu Ling looked at him in confusion. “Requests? You are the crown prince of Dayan; how can a small girl like me dare to accept your requests? Your Highness, just command me; as long as I can do it, I’ll accept not just two, but several.”

Jun Mohan nodded seriously and said, “First, don’t leave my side; second, take good care of yourself. Can you promise me these two?”

Mu Ling hadn’t expected the handsome prince to say such terms. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t happy. “Alright, I promise you. I will take care of myself, and I can also protect you and our loved ones.”

Without a second thought, Jun Mohan pulled Mu Ling into his embrace, his voice slightly hoarse as he murmured, “Ling’er, thank you. I, Jun Mohan, swear to you that in this life, I will never do anything to wrong you. Regardless of whether I become the emperor of Dayan or not, in my life, there will only ever be you as my wife.”

Was Jun Mohan telling himself that he would share a lifetime with her?

Nestled in his arms, Mu Ling murmured softly, “Yes, that is my bottom line. I will not share you with any other woman. If one day you encounter another girl you like, I will definitely leave you, and I will leave far away.”

After Mu Ling said this, she could clearly feel Jun Mohan’s grip on her tightening. “Ling’er, don’t say such things. That day will never come. You saved my life; I can only be yours in this life.”

“Your Highness, can you ask the Emperor to find an excuse to hold a palace banquet? I want… to publicly announce your recovery then. For now, you should stay in the East Palace and take care of your health; I still have some matters to attend to. What do you think?”

Jun Mohan was puzzled. “Ling’er, holding a palace banquet is no problem. I will follow your lead on when to announce my recovery, but why don’t you take me with you to handle your matters? I can’t be at ease with you alone…”

“Your Highness, I need to find the mole; how can I do that with you around? Don’t worry; I won’t be in danger. If you’re really worried, I can take the little princess with me. With her around, you can surely rest assured.”

Thinking of his little sister, who was known for her fierce sense of justice, he knew that from high-ranking officials to lowly scoundrels, no one dared to cross her. Her methods of torment were unparalleled.

Indeed, with Qing’er accompanying Mu Ling, Jun Mohan felt completely at ease. “Alright, take her with you. However, I will send a shadow guard to protect you.”

Speaking of shadow guards, Mu Ling remembered what happened to them last time; one could say that none of the shadow guards in the crown prince’s residence ended well.

Jun Mohan, Mu Fuxing, it’s time for you to repay the debts of your previous life!

“Your Highness, a few days ago, I had a dream. Do you want to hear about it?”

Seeing Jun Mohan nod seriously, Mu Ling cleared her throat and gazed into the distance, as if searching for something through the night.

“Your Highness, I dreamed that we were in our previous lives, and I was a substitute bride in the East Palace. However, at that time, I didn’t know any medicine, and just a few days after marrying you, I could only watch you leave. After you left, both the Emperor and the Empress followed suit, and I was seen as a disaster by everyone. It was then that my nightmare truly began. Just like me, the third prince, King Jing, and the little princess…”

Mu Ling softly recounted her dream for a long while, but she didn’t mention that she and the little princess had been humiliated; she merely mentioned in passing that they both met tragic ends.

At the end, she thought for a moment, smiled bitterly, and asked, “Do you know who avenged us? It was Lang Yi; he led the troops of Dayan to slaughter the capital. At that time, even the eldest prince, who had just ascended the throne, did not escape; or perhaps… he and Mu Fuxing met the worst ends. Later on, Dayan was destroyed,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper when she mentioned the destruction of Dayan.

After a long silence, Jun Mohan hoarsely asked, “Ling’er, this isn’t a dream, is it? It really happened, didn’t it? You were reborn, right?”

Mu Ling was stunned; this handsome prince even knew about such a strange thing as reincarnation.

“If I told you it was true, would you be afraid of me?”

“Afraid? Why would I be afraid of you? I am only heartbroken for you. Ling’er, I understand now; everything makes sense. However, I have one more question: how did you acquire your medical skills in this life?”

Mu Ling thought for a moment and replied with a smile, “That’s another story; once I figure it out, I will tell you. Your Highness, I still have many secrets.”

Jun Mohan firmly believed that Mu Ling had more secrets she hadn’t disclosed. Since she didn’t want to share, he had no need to force her.

However, when it came to Concubine Qin and the eldest prince… Jun Mohan’s eyes filled with murderous intent.

Noticing the hatred in his eyes, Mu Ling gently reminded him, “I know you feel hatred in your heart, but now is not the time to act against Concubine Qin and the eldest prince. We must first clarify their relationship with the Western Liang Kingdom; otherwise, we will face endless troubles.”

Jun Mohan clenched his fists but then relaxed. “Alright, Ling’er, should we tell my father about this?”

“We can’t tell His Majesty directly; he’s a wise man. We just need to give him appropriate hints, and the rest… I trust he will handle it well. By the way, if I’m not mistaken, tomorrow my lucky star sister will definitely come here; she won’t miss any opportunity to humiliate me.”

Jun Mohan sneered, “Let her come; I want to see who humiliates whom!”

“No, you can’t appear yet. How about this: tomorrow, you send someone to bring the little princess here. I believe she will know what to do.”

Jun Mohan fully agreed; that little demon girl would make any so-called lucky star retreat three steps back in fear.