“That piece…”
The host spoke endlessly while the guests’ faces looked like they were eating excrement.
This noble and seductive style was truly unbearable.
Finally, when Murong Yi’s mouth went dry and he paused for breath, taking something from his robes, everyone prepared to seize the opportunity to change the subject. Then they saw him pull out a piece of paper and smile as he looked at it for a long while. Under the brilliant lamps, the beauty’s skin was like jade, upright and bright. Everyone couldn’t help but focus intently, seeing him read the letter with smiling brows and flowing eyes. Though he said nothing, affection overflowed, clearly showing this was no ordinary letter.
Everyone had suspicions but didn’t want to ask, to avoid hearing his seemingly modest but actually boastful tone. Murong Yi looked at the short letter for a long time before finally smiling and putting it back in his robes, saying to everyone, “A young woman’s spring feelings, a page of lovesickness—it’s quite embarrassing…”
Everyone: …Here it comes, here it comes again.
That seemingly humble but actually exaggerated smile of yours.
Seventh Prince couldn’t help saying, “Then we must congratulate Little Eighteen. The Imperial Princess actually fell in love with you at first sight, with deep affection. This is wonderful. Little Eighteen has no real position anyway, so it’s perfect to go to the capital as the Imperial Princess’s husband and serve her well. We others are busy with many affairs and can only remain in Ru Prefecture to share Father Prince’s worries.”
This was mocking Murong Yi for being unfavored and thus becoming the Imperial Princess’s husband, with no future even then.
Murong Yi smiled with curved brows and eyes, “Seventh Brother speaks wrongly. Little brother being able to become this Imperial Princess’s husband is also sharing Father Prince’s worries. Perhaps in the future, the worries little brother can share will be even more than big brothers’!”
At these words, the room fell silent. But when everyone cast meaningful glances his way, Murong Yi began a new round of humble-bragging discourse.
Everyone: “…”
But afterward, no one had any appetite left.
What did Murong Yi’s last statement mean?
Could it be that his becoming the Imperial Princess’s husband was Father Prince’s intention?
Could it be this Imperial Princess’s husband position wasn’t worthless, that Father Prince had deeper meaning, and Murong Yi’s trip carried a mission?
Thinking of Father Prince’s hidden ambitions and relationship with the court, everyone couldn’t help thinking of the four words “high-level spy.”
Using the Imperial Princess’s husband status to infiltrate the court and inner palace, control the Imperial Princess and thereby control more resources and connections, then coordinate from inside and outside in the future…
If this were true, then if successful later, it would be a great achievement. Perhaps Father Prince promised Little Eighteen something, judging by his last statement…
Calculating this way, this marriage was definitely not a loss, and at worst there would still be wealth and honor…
The princes grew more restless, immediately taking their leave. Murong Yi didn’t try to keep them, personally seeing them out with a face full of self-satisfaction and triumphant spring breeze, constantly grasping his brothers’ hands and instructing them to definitely visit his palace when they went to the capital in the future—he and the Imperial Princess, as a virtuous couple, would certainly sweep the couch to welcome them. Everyone smiled falsely in agreement while internally spitting in disgust.
Look at this arrogant manner!
The eight characters aren’t even written yet, and he’s already talking about being a virtuous couple!
After everyone left and the lights dimmed, all those gold, silver, and jade objects, the room full of silks and satins, were quietly put away. Murong Yi stood in the corridor’s shadows, half in moonlight and half in darkness. By the railing, night-blooming cereus blossomed and withered, leaving only a trace of faint fragrance. The warm jade-like glow of distant palace lanterns outlined his features—contours more magnificent than the red carved railings and green eaves.
A black shadow quietly leaped over the high wall and landed before him.
“The Third, Fifth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth… and other princes went directly home to sleep. The Sixth, Eighth, Ninth and other princes summoned advisors for council… The Seventh and Seventeenth princes went to their maternal relatives’ homes… The Eleventh Prince entered the palace late at night.”
The corner of Murong Yi’s lips curved slightly.
He had obtained the information he wanted.
The showing off had actually been psychological warfare, targeting his various brothers’ hearts that coveted great power.
With many monks and little porridge, with so many sons the share of favor was small too. Most couldn’t even get central important positions, let alone lucrative posts. Power had great allure, but if there was no power, having lots and lots of money was also good.
Among them, Eleventh, who loved gambling and already owed much external debt, was the prime example.
Now, surely Eleventh had already entered the palace overnight to find his quite-favored mother consort and petition the Prince, wanting to replace him as the Imperial Princess’s husband?
“That’s exactly what I hope for, but I wouldn’t dare request it.”
…
Author’s Note: This chapter was originally going to be called “Versailles Master Murong Yi”