“Ah, I am bullying intolerably? Do tell, how has this Prince bullied you? But even if I have bullied you, so what?” Zongzheng Mufeng disdainfully curled his lip, as if looking down at a clown, causing Guan Shengqing’s temper to hit new heights.
But he couldn’t break his gentle scholar image. “This humble one would like to ask for my father’s counsel to decide who is in the right.”
XunMi didn’t know what expression she should have on her face. She felt that this dimension’s people had brains with weird logical reasoning. Was it because of the influence of the transmigrating girl?
But there was no problem, as long as they didn’t affect her then everything was fine.
“Pfft.” Zongzheng Mufeng let out a laugh. He didn’t look at Guan Shengqing, instead standing and drawing his Belle to his side to leave.
The old Duke angrily glared at his two men that had just stepped into the hall. It was only a small matter initially, but grew to become a huge mess.
Zongzheng Muye (Emperor’s name) was angry and annoyed. What was up with this Guan Shengqing? He was overall satisfied with the Ministry of Rites’ minister. The minister usually was thorough in his work. Now, it seems like he might not be as great as he seems on the outside. If his son already dares to hold such thoughts, then would the father be even more restless? Thinking about how this connected to the crown prince’s circumstance, his face darkened even more. Hewasn’t dead, yet so many people had their eyes on his throne.
Slam! “This Emperor really is seeing new things today. Minister Guan truly is talented to be able to foster such a ‘good’ son.” He angry smashed a tea cup towards Guan Shengqing’s head, staining his white clothing in the process.
Guan Shengqing was still thinking of how to justify himself when he was suddenly scolded. He didn’t understand what he had said wrong. He only repeated the words that he had said already to express his innocence. Why was this Prince unable to distinguish between right and wrong, and chastising him?
Minister Guan was already kneeling and pressing his forehead to the ground, repeatedly begging forgiveness, “Please spare him, please spare him. In light of all my years of service, please spare Qing’er this one time. It is my fault for teaching him badly. I am willing to bear punishment. Please show leniency and spare my son.” He knew there was no use in evading blame or looking for an excuse. Even if he didn’t have such intentions, speaking such rebellious words made him a target of the Emperor’s suspicions.
He also didn’t understand how his usually intelligent son would act so stupidly. This was all his fault for not watching his son more carefully. He hid his pain from his face but the anxiety and love for his child in his voice was clear to everyone in the hall.
Pity to the suffering of all of fathers and mothers!
XunMi sighed, even if she wanted to help it would be a matter of having heart but no power. At present, if she dared speak up, she would be suspected of being asking mercy of those hoping to rebel against the current Emperor. Not only would this be equivalent of ruining her image, it would also implicate those close to her.
Zongzheng Mufeng definitely wasn’t willing to speak up. He lightly kneaded her hand as comfort. This Guan Shengqing has done a lot of things in an attempt to hurt Belle. He was a petty person; he wasn’t able meet her in time to protect her in her past, but now he wasn’t going to allow anyone to hurt her.
“Seeing as Minister Guan has spent half of his life working for country An, I will give lenient treatment. Issue a decree: the young master and master of Guan family have behaved improperly and framed the Princess. They will be removed from official government position permanently.”
Guan Shengqing was ruined. Zongzheng Muye had originally wanted him to take over his father’s post later on. He didn’t imagine that he would be someone with useless brains. Thinking of him, he also thought of his own son, can’t help but feel a sense of loathing. The empress really was too ambitious. If it wasn’t because he needed a powerless woman without any backing to balance out the power struggle in the harem and the court, then the empress title would have never been hers.
XunMi only let out a deep breath after walking out of the palace. Every time she entered the palace. she felt a sense of pressure. If this was avoidable, she really wouldn’t have come.
“Belle, today’s weather sure is nice. Let’s go for a quick excursion?” Zongzheng Mufeng took the reins of the horse that An Yi handed over and extended his other hand towards XunMi.
XunMi tilted her head in thought. At this age, she has still never had the experience of riding a real ancient wild horse. In the last world, she was a heiress of an aristocratic family so she had experienced some social interactions and events held on a horse track. But the horses there were mainly for show. Moreover, they were horses that were trained as young foals so they had no wild nature.
“Grandfather, mother?” XunMi called out in anticipation.
“Go, go. Remember to be careful.” Shangguan Yan waved her off while supporting her father into the carriage awaiting them. Ever since separating from Wenren Xiang, her mood had undergone a change. She no longer had any worries towards the idea of her daughter spending time alone with a bachelor in public. In this era, women were considered in a weaker position than men. If she wasn’t good to herself, then who would be? What if her daughter became like her, wouldn’t she be blame herself for it for the rest of her life?
XunMi placed her hand into Zongzheng Mufeng’s palm, allowing him to help her up. He adjusted her seating before jumping onto the horse himself. XunMi sat in front of him, with her feet on one side. Although this position was more dangerous, it would avoid hurting her legs.
For the first time horseback riding, the stretching of the legs was bond to cause pain. Especially since Belle is so tender-skinned, he didn’t want her to be harmed. He let her lean into his chest while he fastened one hand onto her waist and the other on the reins, and urged the horse into a gallop.
As the scenery on both sides of her quickly passed by, XunMi closed her eyes and enjoyed this speed that made her feel as if she was flying.
She felt utterly happy. The soft breeze brushed upon her cheeks, the sunshine cascading warmly on her skin. Once in a while, a faint sweet scent floated into her nose, carrying a unique and intoxicating fragrant.
The two silently leaned onto one another. Nothing was said but both enjoyed the stillness of peace.
In the outskirts of town, Zongzheng Mufeng stopped under a large tree. XunMi opened her eyes and found that they weren’t the only ones here on an excursion. In groups of threes or twos, there were men and women and playful children. The sound of laughter accompanied their figures and echoed into nature. As XunMi was busy admiring the scene, an extremely cacophonous sound carried over into her ears.
“Nangong gege, didn’t you say there was no one here? Why are there so many people here?” A pretty girl in red held onto two goodlooking men. “Ling gege, what’s wrong. You’re so absent-minded, you’re not even speaking with me.” Her pair of big eyes were feigning coquettish anger, opened wide in questioning. Her red cheeks made her appear even more charming and adorable.
XunMi’s eyes flashed with bright light, could this be considered the saying ‘enemies always walk a narrow road’? (T/N: yuan jia lu zhai, basically means that you will inevitably clash face to face with your enemies).
She heard a voice from that direction say, “FeiFei, I did have someone come here to clear the scene. These people must have come afterwards, don’t be angry.” The refined man in blue immediately lowered his head to coax her, his voice filled with warmth.