Chapter 28: Madam Marquis, You’re Sick—And Seriously So

If in the past, the rumors about who was the true “lucky star” and who was the “disaster star” in the Marquis’ Manor were merely topics for idle gossip, today, Mu Ling’s sorrowful yet beautiful dance had made everyone truly feel the cruelty and coldness of the Marquis’ household.

Years later, the nobles of the capital would still remember how their Crown Princess had once danced a performance that shook the entire imperial city.

Just as the banquet was about to end, two reckless individuals suddenly stepped forward. The first was the First Prince, and at the same time, the concubine consort Qin, who had previously fainted and been escorted back to her palace, had already returned to the Hall. Someone had informed her that the Crown Prince was not only alive but was also well enough to attend the palace banquet.

At first, Concubine Qin had refused to believe it. She knew the poison the Crown Prince had been afflicted with was incurable—how could he possibly have recovered?

But when her servants swore that the Crown Prince was indeed completely healed, she no longer had the time to be angry about the eldest princess being injured by the little princess. Compared to that, what she wanted to know more than anything was whether the Crown Prince had truly recovered.

Rushing to the hall, she arrived just in time to witness the Crown Princess’ breathtaking performance. At that moment, she felt as though her mind had gone blank.

The Crown Prince, who was supposed to die, was perfectly fine.
The girl who had been abandoned in the countryside for years, deemed a disaster star, had now blossomed into someone so dazzling.

What was going on?!

Before she could make sense of it, the First Prince stepped forward, bowed deeply to Emperor Jun and Empress Chu, and declared in a loud voice, “Father, Mother, I have met a girl I truly admire. I wish to ask for Your Majesty’s blessing to grant us a marriage.”

Emperor Jun barely wanted to look at this unfilial son of his. But he knew this was not the time to turn against him just yet, so he only responded coldly, “Oh? A girl you admire? Strange, I don’t recall you mentioning any such girl before. Tell me, which family is she from? If she is suitable, I will grant your wish.”

In truth, as Emperor Jun said this, he already had an answer in his heart. The only woman who would collude with the First Prince and be willing to marry him could only be that fake “lucky star” from the Marquis’ Manor.

And sure enough, just as he expected, the First Prince glanced toward the Marquis’ household before turning back to the emperor, kneeling solemnly, and announcing, “Father, the one I admire is the second young lady of the Marquis’ Manor, Mu Fuxing. I humbly request Your Majesty’s decree for our marriage.”

The moment he finished speaking, before the emperor could respond, murmurs spread among the gathered nobles.

“Is the First Prince out of his mind? Everyone knows that so-called lucky star is a fraud, yet he still wants to marry her? And he’s claiming he’s admired her for a long time? How ridiculous!”

“You don’t know? I heard they’ve been involved for quite some time.”

“Shh! Don’t speak carelessly. That’s treasonous talk!”

“What’s there to be afraid of? Think about it—why do you think the First Prince was stripped of his title not long ago? It might just be because of that fake lucky star.”

The whispers spread rapidly. Though people tried to keep their voices low, they were still overheard by Concubine Qin, the First Prince, and the members of the Marquis’ household.

Emperor Jun let out a cold laugh. “First Prince, have you truly thought this through? You must understand that once this marriage decree is issued, there will be no going back.”

“Father, I will never regret it,” the First Prince vowed firmly.

Just as the First Prince and Concubine Qin thought the marriage decree was as good as finalized, something completely unexpected happened.

Madam Marquis, Su San, suddenly shot to her feet and, without a care for decorum, shouted, “I do not agree! My dear Fuxing is already engaged—how can she be given to another?!”

Her sudden outburst left not only the gathered nobles but also Emperor Jun and Empress Chu momentarily stunned. By all rights, any marriage involving the daughters of the Marquis’ household should have been decreed by the imperial family. But why was Su San acting as if she had arranged an engagement on her own?

Realizing the confusion in the hall, Su San stubbornly dragged Mu Fuxing to the center of the hall and knelt before the emperor, loudly declaring, “Your Majesty, Fuxing is engaged to the Crown Prince! Now that His Highness has recovered, their wedding should be arranged immediately. How can Fuxing be married off to the First Prince instead?”

At that moment, the entire hall erupted into laughter.

After so many years, how had he never realized that the Marchioness was a lunatic?!

But now, everyone seemed to understand—this Marchioness wasn’t just foolish or vicious; she was downright insane!

No wonder she had abandoned her own daughter while doting on the child of a concubine. Turns out, she simply wasn’t right in the head!

All night long, His Majesty and the Empress had been addressing Mu Ling as “Crown Princess” and affectionately calling her “Ling girl.” Even a fool could see how much the imperial couple favored the current Crown Princess. Was the Marchioness not only blind but also deaf?

How did she have the audacity to jump out and snatch the marriage agreement like this? Just how thick-skinned and brazen could one be?!

But Su San seemed to have lost all reason. She had only one thought in her mind—under no circumstances could she let that so-called “calamity” marry the Crown Prince. She would never allow Mu Ling to have her way!

Her precious Fuxing was the rightful Crown Princess, the one destined to be Empress!

The more she thought about it, the more determined she became. Seeing that neither the Emperor nor the Empress had spoken to refute her, her confidence grew. She pointed at Mu Ling and continued, “Your Majesty, that calamity—no, Mu Ling—was only a stand-in bride for the Eastern Palace. She has no formal marriage agreement with the Crown Prince. You should expel her from the Eastern Palace immediately and have my Fubao marry the Crown Prince instead!”

A burst of laughter erupted in the hall.

At that moment, in Su San’s mind, the Emperor and Empress’s silence meant they agreed with her.

What she didn’t realize was that every single person present—including the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince—was utterly dumbfounded by her outrageous behavior.

They simply couldn’t comprehend where Su San got the nerve to dictate to the Emperor, to tell him what he should do, whom the Crown Prince should marry, and who should be driven out of the Eastern Palace.

This wasn’t just disrespect—it was something no sane person would ever do!

From the moment Su San had spoken up, Marquis Mu had already fallen into despair. He knew that after her absurd actions, the downfall of the Marquis’ Manor was inevitable.

But he couldn’t stop her. Su San had acted too suddenly.

Marquis Mu closed his eyes briefly, making one last desperate attempt. As long as the Emperor, the Empress, and the Crown Prince hadn’t erupted in fury yet, perhaps there was still a sliver of hope.

With lightning speed, he rushed to Su San and landed several loud slaps across her face. Smack! Smack! Smack!

“You fool! When did the affairs of the royal family become your place to meddle? Get out of my sight immediately! If you say another word, I’ll divorce you on the spot!”

Su San had never expected that the Marquis would dare to hit her—especially in front of so many people. And not just any hit—he had slapped her!

She felt utterly wronged!

In her mind, everything she had done was for the good of the Marquis’ Manor, for their precious Fuxing. How could the Marquis be so cruel as to strike her?!

The more she dwelled on it, the angrier and more aggrieved she felt. Finally, she burst into uncontrollable sobs, pointing at Marquis Mu and shouting, “How dare you treat me like this?! Don’t you understand that the entire future of the Marquis’ Manor depends on Fuxing?! If we don’t support Fuxing, what future do we have? If that calamity truly becomes the Crown Princess, have you thought about how she will treat us? Do you think she’ll just let us off?!”

At that moment, the entire hall reached a unanimous conclusion—

The Marchioness was insane. Completely and utterly deranged.

Even the Emperor and Empress, who had been furious moments ago, now felt no need to argue with her.

After all, what was the point of reasoning with a madwoman? The only proper way to deal with someone like her was to make her disappear from their sight entirely.

That said, watching the Marquis’ household tear itself apart like this was quite entertaining.

The Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince, and even Mu Ling had no intention of stopping them. They simply sat back, watching the spectacle unfold—as if enjoying a well-staged performance.