When Mu Wan arrived at Zhushi Courtyard, she found Mu Rou leaning against the window, deep in thought, her brows furrowed as if struggling to make sense of something.
Mu Wan had a hunch that she was pondering about the Zhenbei Marquis Manor. In the previous life, if Mu Rou had entered the palace as planned, Mu Wan would likely have married Li Yichen without issue, and the Mu family and the Zhenbei Marquis Manor would have had nothing to do with each other. But now, Mu Wan had been granted a marriage to Xie Heng.
So, did this mean Xie Heng had also been granted a marriage in the previous life? If so, to whom? And what was the outcome? Or perhaps this entire situation never happened before, and Mu Rou’s actions had caused a butterfly effect, altering the course of events?
While contemplating the answers she needed, Mu Wan greeted Mu Rou with a smile, “Second Sister, what are you thinking about? You seem troubled.” As she spoke, she seated herself at the tea table opposite Mu Rou and sighed, “If you can’t figure it out, don’t dwell on it. Many things in this world have no rhyme or reason. For instance, I thought that after my engagement with Li Yichen was broken, I’d have to marry someone randomly. Who would’ve thought the palace would grant me such a high marriage?”
Putting on a helpless look, Mu Wan sighed in melancholy, “To be honest, I never imagined marrying Marquis Zhenbei—he’s way out of my league. I was really surprised when I learned how much he admires me.”
“Sounds like something out of a storybook’s plot, isn’t it?” She propped her chin in her hand and sighed again, “Perhaps the Marquis has seen through the true nature of those high-born ladies with all their duplicity, and instead appreciates someone like me, who’s genuine and straightforward.”
Mu Rou’s personal servant girl, Lianqiao, had already begun taking deep breaths to suppress her irritation, while Mu Rou managed to maintain her composure. She smiled, “Eldest Sister might have misunderstood something. You see, Marquis Xie has never forgotten Miss Xu.”
Mu Wan scoffed. “Miss Xu is already married—… Never mind. If you say so, Second Sister.” she said with an expression that screamed, You’re just jealous of me.
Mu Rou pressed her lips together and said calmly, “You have been away from the capital for three years, Sister, and may not fully understand Marquis Xie. He’s not the kind of man to fall for any woman easily. Moreover, his father and elder brothers have all lost their lives defending the country, so he especially despises those who are cowardly, hedonistic, or self-indulgent.”
“From what I know, this marriage edict was simply the Empress Dowager’s way of expressing her dissatisfaction with the Marquis, whose accomplishments she finds threatening.”
Mu Wan fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist. Though palace gossip these days often leaked like a sieve, it was limited to upper-class circles. As merchants, there was no way her family could’ve learned about such things within three or four days of the edict issuance. She had the gossip-loving Zhu Nanxi, but Mu Rou had no such channels, and yet she spoke with such certainty. This could only mean that, in the previous life, the Empress Dowager had done something similar…
Mu Wan quickly gathered herself and put on an expression that seemed to say, Oh dear, so envious that you’ve resorted to making things up, haven’t you? before responding with a chuckle, “Second Sister certainly seems well-informed. If that’s true, then the Empress Dowager must be looking forward to seeing me firmly established in the Zhenbei Marquis Manor. With her as my backer, even the Marquis wouldn’t dare to overlook me.”
As she spoke, she closely observed Mu Rou’s expression, noticing a faint trace of disdain in her eyes—Mu Rou clearly had no regard for Empress Dowager.
Determined to dig as much information as possible, Mu Wan continued with a sneer, “Unless, of course, the rumors are true: that Marquis Zhenbei has found the Ninth Prince and the lost imperial edict, the new emperor ascends the throne, and the Empress Dowager falls from power…”
Mu Rou’s expression instantly changed. Mu Wan knew she had hit the mark and quickly shifted the topic. “But even in that case, I’d already be married to the Marquis. If I’ve done nothing wrong, he wouldn’t be able to divorce me and marry someone else.” At this point, her face lit up with a feigned enthusiasm. “Power, status, and honor—I’d have it all. How wonderful!”
“In any case, families with deep roots like the Zhenbei Marquis always remain unshaken by the storms of the court.” She smiled sweetly at Mu Rou, adding generously, “If Li Yichen ever needs help in the future, you are welcome to seek me out.”
Perhaps Mu Wan’s overly smug expression or her mention of Li Yichen was too irritating, but Mu Rou finally lost her composure. “That shouldn’t be necessary. Liulang is highly capable. Who knows? Perhaps in the future, Eldest Sister will be the one needing my help.”
Mu Wan laughed as if she had just heard the funniest joke. “No matter how capable Li Yichen is, do you think he could become the Senior Grand Secretary? Even if he did, he’d still be no match for the Emperor’s own uncle, Marquis Zhenbei, wouldn’t he?”
Mu Rou sneered, “How can Eldest Sister be so sure Liulang won’t become the Senior Grand Secretary? I only fear that by the time he does, you may no longer be Marquis Xie’s wife.”
Mu Wan’s face darkened. “What do you mean?”
Seeing Mu Wan’s reaction, Mu Rou finally felt vindicated and became more talkative. “Everyone knows the Empress Dowager has always been indulgent with the Marquis. If he didn’t want this marriage, he’d have plenty of ways to make the Emperor rescind the edict. Yet he accepted it. Do you know why, Eldest Sister?” She smiled sweetly at Mu Wan. “Because during his trip out of the capital, the Marquis ran into Miss Xu. Likely out of spite, he would’ve accepted anyone named in the edict—even if it were someone from a ruined family.”
Pretending to be furious, Mu Wan retorted with a disdainful laugh, “Second Sister, stop fabricating stories. How could you possibly know about the Marquis meeting Miss Xu outside the capital? And why would the Empress Dowager randomly pick a bride for him?”
Mu Rou, her voice tinged with faint amusement, replied, “Whether it’s true or not, you will find out soon enough.”
“By the way, Eldest Sister, you might not know that the Marquis has extended his aid to other women in distress before—you’re hardly the only one. Take Third Miss Jiang, the daughter of the former Minister Jiang, for instance. She caught the Marquis’s attention simply because she bears a slight resemblance to Miss Xu. If your recent incident hadn’t caused such a stir, the position of Marchioness Zhenbei might very well have been hers instead.”
Mu Wan seemed to have regained her composure. “There’s no such thing as ‘if.’” She smiled with a feigned indifference. “The reality is that I’ll soon become Marchioness Zhenbei. As for a man’s affections? I’ve never cared for such things.”
Mu Rou seemed to think she had broken through Mu Wan’s composure, her smile becoming more genuine. “Oh my, I nearly forgot. You only seek power and influence, aren’t you, Sister? But perhaps you shouldn’t be so confident.”
“Even if you enjoy the luxuries of the Zhenbei Marquis Manor, parading around with the title of Marchioness, it’s only because the Marquis doesn’t care about you. When Miss Xu returns to the capital, you’ll see for yourself whether a man’s love matters or not.”
Mu Wan, having obtained the information she wanted, rose gracefully and smiled. “The Marquis would never act dishonorably. He is, after all, not Li Yichen, who only has room for love in his heart. All of this is just wishful thinking on your part, Second Sister.”
“I can see you’re not in the best mood, so I won’t disturb you further.”
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