Chapter 29: The First Prince’s Plans Fall Apart

It was only now that Lord Mu realized—the wife he had lived with for so many years was actually insane.

He knew that no matter what he said to her, she wouldn’t listen. Worse, she might get even more agitated and do something even more outrageous.

Now, the only option left… was to plead for the Emperor and Empress’s forgiveness.

Having made up his mind, Lord Mu dropped to his knees and started banging his head against the floor, pleading, “Your Majesty, she’s lost her mind! Please don’t listen to her nonsense. This humble minister will divorce her as soon as I return home today. I will never let her disturb the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess again.”

But fate had a cruel sense of humor—what he feared most was exactly what happened next. Just as he finished speaking, Su San exploded again.

“Lord Mu! On what grounds are you divorcing me? Isn’t Fuxing your daughter? Weren’t you the one who told me—”

Before she could finish, Lord Mu slapped her several times, then even stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth to shut her up. Without wasting another second, he continued kowtowing. “Your Majesty, allow me to take this madwoman away. I will return tomorrow to accept my punishment.”

He was eager to retreat, but unfortunately, kneeling beside him was the First Prince, who had just petitioned for a royal marriage decree.

The First Prince was already dizzy with anger from Su San’s outburst earlier. Now, seeing Lord Mu’s desperate attempts to salvage the situation, he realized that after today, he would become the biggest joke in the entire Dayan Kingdom.

If not for his grand ambitions, he would have destroyed the Mu family on the spot.

Taking a deep breath to suppress his fury, Jun Moyuan forced himself to remain calm.

Turning to Mu Fuxing, who was still frozen in shock, he asked in a low voice, “Tell me—do you want to marry me or not? If you don’t, then forget it. It’s not like I have to marry you.”

Mu Fuxing snapped back to reality at his words. Tears streamed down her face as she replied softly, “Your Highness, what my mother said just now… that was just her own opinion. You know my heart belongs only to you. I would never dream of marrying anyone else. Please, Your Highness, plead with His Majesty—I want to marry you as soon as possible.”

There were two reasons Mu Fuxing could say this so decisively. First, she knew that marrying into the Eastern Palace was an impossible dream now. Second, she was well aware that after Su San’s outrageous behavior today, even the Mu family’s survival was uncertain. If she didn’t cling to the First Prince now, she might lose even the chance to enter a prince’s household.

Seeing that Mu Fuxing was at least sensible, the First Prince once again kowtowed to the Emperor.

“Royal Father, what the Marchioness said earlier does not reflect Second Miss Mu’s true thoughts. Please reconsider and grant us the marriage decree.”

Just as he was about to say more, the Emperor shot him a cold glare and snapped, “Shut up! You may not care about embarrassment, but I do! Let me tell you—Mu Fuxing will never marry into the royal family. Not now, not ever. Not even as a concubine! So give up on this idea immediately!”

Everyone, including the Mu family, was stunned.

Was this really their so-called ‘Lucky Star’? What kind of ‘blessing’ brought disgrace instead of fortune?

The two young masters of the Mu family had been doubting it for a while now, but today’s events solidified their thoughts—was their half-sister really a ‘Lucky Star’? After all these years, what good fortune had she actually brought to their family?

Thinking about it, they realized… none. Not a single instance.

The First Prince was on the verge of breaking down. If he couldn’t marry Mu Fuxing, then Lord Mu and the Marchioness would no longer support him. And without their backing, what would happen to his grand ambitions?

After struggling internally, he clenched his teeth and slammed his forehead against the floor once more.

“Royal Father, I beg you! I am already twenty-seven years old, and I have never met a woman like Second Miss Mu. My heart belongs only to her. Please, grant me this marriage!”

The Emperor could see right through his act. He knew exactly what the First Prince was really after.

Turning to the Crown Prince, he sought his opinion.

Jun Mohan understood what his father wanted and spoke coldly.

“Royal Brother, it’s not that Royal Father refuses to grant your wish. It’s just that… you’ve seen it yourself. The discipline in the Mu family, their Marchioness—none of it is presentable. How could a child from such a household be worthy of a prince?”

He continued, his voice sharp,

“Royal Brother, as princes, we enjoy privileges and luxuries that others can only dream of. But in return, we must also sacrifice things that others don’t have to—such as love.

“If you marry a woman so utterly disgraceful, it won’t just be the royal family’s reputation at stake—you will shame the entire Dayan Kingdom.

“So, Royal Brother, I agree with Royal Father. You should give up on this.”

At this point, a glint of cold fury flashed through Jun Mohan’s eyes as he recalled the hardships he had endured recently. With an almost imperceptible killing intent, he added,

“Besides, for the Marchioness to cause such a scene at the banquet tonight… whether or not Royal Father punishes the Mu family, I will not let them off!

“Especially the Marchioness—she has repeatedly insulted my Crown Princess. You all heard it yourselves. How could I possibly let her go unpunished?

“So, after tonight… there will be no more ‘Loyal and Brave Marquisate’ in the Dayan Kingdom.”

Marquis Mu only now realized that the noble lady who had lived by his side for so many years was, in fact, a lunatic.

He knew that no matter what he said, she would not listen. Worse, he might provoke her further, pushing her to do something even more outrageous.

At this point, the only option left… was to plead for the Emperor and Empress’s mercy.

Having come to this conclusion, Marquis Mu fell to his knees with a series of loud thuds, knocking his head against the ground as he begged incessantly, “Your Majesty, she’s lost her mind. You needn’t listen to her words! I swear, the moment I return, I will divorce her. I will never allow her to disturb the Crown Prince and Crown Princess again.”

But the very thing Marquis Mu feared the most came true. Just as he hoped to smooth things over and perhaps secure a sliver of hope for his household, his words had barely left his lips before Su San erupted in fury.

“Marquis, what right do you have to divorce me?! Isn’t Fuxing your daughter? Wasn’t it you who told me—”

Before she could finish, Marquis Mu slapped her across the face—again and again—then stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth. Without sparing her another glance, he continued kowtowing. “Your Majesty, allow me to take this madwoman away first. Tomorrow, I will return to accept my punishment.”

He wanted to retreat, but the First Prince, who had just requested an imperial decree for marriage, was still kneeling nearby…

Just moments ago, the First Prince had already been seething from Su San’s outburst. Now, watching Marquis Mu’s disgraceful display, he understood one thing—after today, he would be the biggest laughingstock in all of Yan.

If it weren’t for the grander scheme at hand, he would have wiped out the Mu family right then and there. But he gritted his teeth, forced himself to calm down, and let out a heavy breath.

Turning to Mu Fuxing, who was still frozen in place, he asked in a low voice, “Tell me, do you want to marry me or not? If you don’t, then forget it. I’m not that desperate.”

Mu Fuxing’s thoughts were yanked back by his words. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, “Your Highness, what my mother said just now… that was only her opinion. You know that in my heart, there is only you. I would never consider marrying anyone else. Your Highness, please, quickly beg His Majesty! I want to marry you as soon as possible.”

She said these words for two reasons. First, she knew it was absolutely impossible for her to marry into the Eastern Palace now. Second, after Su San’s reckless actions today, the survival of the Mu household itself was uncertain. It was better to cling to the First Prince while she still had a chance—otherwise, she might not even have the opportunity to enter a prince’s household at all.

Seeing that Mu Fuxing still had some sense, the First Prince turned back and kowtowed to Emperor Jun once more. “Royal Father, the words of the Marchioness do not reflect Miss Mu’s wishes. I beg you to reconsider bestowing this marriage upon us.”

Before he could continue, Emperor Jun shot him a sharp glare and snapped, “Shut your mouth! If you don’t mind embarrassing yourself, at least consider that I mind! Let me tell you—Mu Fuxing will never enter the royal family. Not even as a concubine. So forget about it!”

Everyone fell silent. The entire Mu household was dumbfounded.

Was this still the same “lucky star” they had always believed in? What kind of lucky star brought disgrace instead of fortune?

The two young masters of the Mu family had been reflecting on this very thought for days. Had their so-called blessed sister ever truly brought good luck to their house?

Looking back, they realized—their supposed fortune had never actually existed.

The First Prince nearly broke down on the spot. If he couldn’t marry Mu Fuxing, then Marquis Mu and his wife would never support him again. And if that happened, what would become of his ambitions?

Desperation flashed in his eyes. Clenching his teeth, he lowered his head once more and knocked it heavily against the ground. “Royal Father, I beg you. I am already twenty-seven years old and have never met a woman like Miss Mu. My heart belongs to her alone. Please, grant me this marriage.”

Emperor Jun, of course, saw through his act.

He turned to the Crown Prince, waiting for his opinion. Prince Jun Mohan understood his father’s intentions and spoke coldly.

“Royal Brother, it’s not that Father refuses to grant your wish—it’s that you have seen it for yourself. The discipline of the Mu household, its matron… is there a single thing presentable about them? A child raised in such a household… is unworthy of your status as a prince.

“Royal Brother, as princes, we enjoy privileges that others could never dream of. But we must also make sacrifices they never have to—such as love.

“If you take such an unworthy woman as your wife, you won’t just disgrace our royal family. You will bring shame upon the entire Dayan Kingdom. So, Royal Brother, I must agree with Father—let it go.”

Prince Jun Mohan’s expression darkened as he spoke. He recalled all the suffering he had endured recently, and a flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes.

“And besides,” he continued, “the Marchioness dared to create such a scandal at the banquet today. Regardless of whether Father punishes the Mu household, I will not let them off.

“Especially the Marchioness—she has repeatedly disrespected my Crown Princess. You heard it for yourself. How could I possibly let her go? So after tonight, there will be no more Loyal and Brave Marquisate in Yan.”

The moment his words fell, everyone gasped sharply.

They had nearly forgotten—before falling gravely ill, the Crown Prince had always been known as ruthless and decisive.

But they never expected that his first decision upon recovering… would be to annihilate the Mu family.