novelaction Chapter 245 A Meeting in the Palace!
Chapter 245 A Meeting in the Palace!
This statement has two layers of meaning.
Firstly, she mentioned the incident at the teahouse years ago, saying that she was too blind to recognize him at first. Secondly, she said that she had a bad memory and poor eyesight, and could no longer remember what His Highness the Grandson looked like.
Duanmu Chen was taken aback by her words and then smiled, “I have heard that Miss Mu is a famous talented woman in the capital. Not only does she have beautiful handwriting, but she is also extremely filial and righteous. A proper lady should be like Miss Mu.”
Such praise coming from a member of the royal family was extremely high. However, for some reason, Mu Xin Nuan was not only not happy, but also felt a little apprehensive. This Prince Changsun seemed to be difficult to deal with.
"Alright, alright. Stop praising each other!"
Duanmu Jing stepped down and took Mu Xinnuan's hand. "Anuan is my good friend, so of course she's excellent! How could my judgment be bad?" As she spoke, she turned and glanced at the Empress on the Phoenix Throne. "Mother, I'll leave you adults here to talk. I'll take Anuan out for a walk."
"Alright, but you'd better rein in your temper, or you'll cause trouble again."
"I know!" Duanmu Jing replied somewhat impatiently, then pulled Mu Xin Nuan out of the main hall.
Mu Xin Nuan didn't actually want to go out. That way, if the Empress really brought up her marriage, she could find a way to avoid it. Although her mother wouldn't agree to let her marry into the Ming Prince's mansion, now that she was in the palace, her mother certainly wouldn't have any good solutions when facing the Empress.
"Anuan, let's go to the Imperial Garden. It's so beautiful there right now! You've come at the right time. I heard the peonies are in full bloom."
"Peony?" Mu Xin Nuan was slightly taken aback. "Aren't the peonies still blooming at this time of year?"
"Thank you? How could that be? I went to the Imperial Garden yesterday and saw the peonies in full bloom. Let's go."
The two entered the Imperial Garden, but didn't really explore it. Mu Xin Nuan was practically dragged and pulled by Duanmu Jing to a waterside pavilion.
"come on in."
Mu Xin Nuan was wondering why all the doors and windows of the waterside pavilion were closed at this moment. She was pulled in by the way her body tilted.
"Fourth Brother, I've brought the person to you. You two should speak quickly. I'll keep watch for you at the outer door. Don't talk for too long."
Mu Xin Nuan then noticed that Duanmu Chu Ze was wearing a black python robe and was smiling gently at her. When she came to her senses, she realized that her small hands were still wrapped in his large, warm palms.
"You? How did you end up here?"
"Am I not allowed to come? Or does Ah Nuan think that I, the dignified Prince Chang Le, am not allowed to enter and leave the palace at will?"
"No! What I mean is, you, you knew I went to the palace today?" Mu Xin Nuan only realized this now, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't pull her hand away, and she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.
Seeing her like this, Duanmu Chuze smiled and said easily, "Doesn't Anuan like me holding your hand?"
Mu Xin Nuan's body stiffened. She didn't like it? It didn't seem to have come to that, did it? But something still felt off! Besides, she couldn't forget the etiquette she'd upheld for so many years!
"You, um, this is improper. Let me go first."
"Is it against etiquette?" Duanmu Chuze leaned forward slightly and said in a very soft voice, "Is it really that serious that I just held your hand?"
"Of course!" Mu Xin Nuan glared at him. "Aren't you going to let go? If others see this, I won't be able to explain myself. Besides, this is the palace. There are countless eyes watching you in the shadows. I don't want to get into trouble."
"What's there to be unclear about? As long as we tell the truth, isn't that enough? At least I like you, and you don't dislike me, do you?"
"You!" Mu Xin Nuan felt that she really couldn't communicate with him, but she couldn't avoid him or shake off his hand. She really had no choice. However, he was a prince of the royal family, so she couldn't offend him. It was really a bit of a headache.
"Alright, come on, you've been standing in the main hall for so long, aren't you tired?"
As Duanmu Chuze spoke, he took her hand and sat her down on a daybed, then began to pour tea with elegant and gentle movements.
He poured himself two cups, picked up his own, took a sniff, and said with great enjoyment, "Not bad! It's fragrant and delicious. Try it. You can't get this in your Mu family."
"This is tribute tea, reserved for the royal family. I naturally don't get to drink it on ordinary days." Mu Xin Nuan glared at him, realizing she was indeed a bit thirsty. However, she dared not drink too much like Duanmu Chu Ze, lest she have to go to the restroom later, which would be troublesome.
Duanmu Chuze seemed to know her concerns, so he didn't try to persuade her. The two of them just quietly drank tea there.
"Anuan, have you ever thought that it would be quite pleasant for the two of us to enjoy tea together like this?"
"Tea tasting is an elegant affair, but why must I share it with you? Don't you think I would be more comfortable on my own?"
"Anuan, I'm being serious with you. I want you to be my wife, not a concubine, nor the so-called Princess Consort of the Prince of Changle, just my wife, my wife, Duanmu Chuze's wife."
Mu Xin Nuan frowned slightly. "Are you serious?"
"Of course, I've always been serious, it's just that you don't believe me."
"But have you considered that our statuses are incompatible? You are a prince, while I am merely the daughter of a second-rank official, and my father has only recently been granted the title of earl. How could I possibly be qualified to be your wife?"
"These are not problems at all! As long as you are willing, I can certainly take care of everything."
"Uh?"
"Anuan, although I've always met you with a mask, we've still known each other for a while, haven't we? If I were to take advantage of you, do you think you could have escaped it?"
Mu Xin Nuan began to think carefully about his words. He was right. If he really intended to be rude to her, wouldn't she be helpless? Even people like Mu Qing and Mu Hua seemed unable to withstand a single move from him. Why did she think she could escape his schemes?
"Anuan, I don't know why you are so resistant to these issues, or rather, why you are deliberately rejecting feelings and me! Anuan, you are a girl, and you will have to face marriage sooner or later, won't you?"
Mu Xin Nuan's face flushed slightly. Why did it feel a little strange to be discussing her marriage with a stranger?
"This is my business. There's no need for Your Highness to trouble yourself."