freenovelworld Chapter 358: About the Concubine!
Chapter 358: About the Concubine!
The East Palace was bustling with activity, but unfortunately, Duanmu Chuze had no interest in it. After leaving the East Palace, he was summoned to the Imperial Study by the Grand Eunuch of the Palace.
Needless to say, Duanmu Chuze probably guessed what it was about, and leisurely followed along.
Unsurprisingly, after being severely reprimanded by the Emperor in the Imperial Study, Duanmu Chuze was summoned to Kunning Palace.
Mu Xin Nuan was peacefully studying and playing with her younger siblings at the Mu residence, naturally unaware of what had happened to Duanmu Chu Ze. She was also oblivious to the rumors circulating outside about Duanmu Chen.
However, after two or three days, the rumors changed.
His Highness was not drunk that day. He had been engrossed in reading for several days, neglecting to eat or sleep, and had fallen asleep without eating.
He had only come to Taihe Tower because he was invited by Xu Kaixuan, Li Haoran and others.
This statement seems full of loopholes, yet so many people believed it! Not only did they believe it, but they also started spreading it everywhere.
When Li Haoran and his brother later visited the Mu residence and told Mu Xinnuan about these things, Mu Xinnuan simply treated it as a joke.
As night fell, the moon was high and the wind was cold; the bustling capital city was as quiet as if it were asleep.
Inside the Mu residence, all was quiet, and the Moon Pavilion was also shrouded in darkness and stillness.
When Duanmu Chuze entered the dormitory, he found that Mu Xinnuan was already asleep.
Duanmu Chuze was somewhat dissatisfied and muttered under his breath, "Why are you asleep so early? Usually, when I come over at this time, you're always reading. What's wrong with you today?"
These were just his own words to himself. The person on the bed was sleeping soundly, breathing evenly and deeply, showing no signs of waking up.
When Duanmu Chuze saw that she was completely unaware of his arrival and showed no signs of waking up, he was immediately disappointed. After turning around and taking a few steps, he felt somewhat unwilling and returned to the bedside.
Duanmu Chuze stroked his chin, a mischievous grin on his face. "Anuan, since you've retired for the night so early, I can't very well have to come here."
When Mu Xin Nuan woke up in the morning, she looked suspicious. It seemed that she had dreamed last night that Duanmu Chu Ze, that scoundrel, had come again.
"Miss, you're awake. Madam said that after you have breakfast, you should go to Jinyuan immediately. She has something important to discuss with you."
"Understood. You may go now."
After Mu Xin Nuan finished washing and dressing, she arrived at Jin Yuan and saw Li Shi and Liu Shi, who were Mu Xin Nuan's maternal aunts, talking worriedly.
Upon seeing Mu Xin Nuan arrive, the two immediately put on smiles again, but those smiles, no matter how you looked at them, seemed somewhat forced and worried.
"The daughter greets her mother and her maternal aunt."
"Good child, come and sit down." Madam Liu greeted her, her face warm and gentle. "Anuan, your mother and I heard some rumors today that are related to Prince Chang Le, so we came here to discuss them. We didn't originally intend to call you here. But your mother said that you're all grown up now, and it's your own marriage, so it's better for you to know. It's better to be a little upset now than to be kept in the dark all the time."
"Mother, what exactly happened?" Mu Xin Nuan asked suspiciously, noticing that neither of the two elders looked well.
"Her Majesty the Empress summoned several women in the palace yesterday, some of whom were unmarried women," Li said, while observing Mu Xin Nuan's expression.
"so what?"
"Are you aware of the news that the Empress arranged a marriage between Wang Xinyan of the Duke of Ying's mansion and His Highness the Eldest Grandson?"
"Yes, Mother, I have heard. Wasn't it said that the imperial decree was issued the day before yesterday?"
"Indeed, this matter is settled and cannot be changed. However, yesterday the Empress summoned several ladies and hinted that she intended to arrange for Prince Chang Le to take two more concubines. Ah Nuan, you are not yet of marriageable age, so you cannot get married. Prince Chang Le has already undergone his coming-of-age ceremony. He cannot remain without anyone to serve him, can he?"
These words were spoken by Liu, whose eyes were pale and bluish, clearly indicating that she hadn't slept well last night, perhaps because she was worried about Mu Xin Nuan.
"I see. Prince Chang Le is of noble status, so it is perfectly normal for Her Majesty the Empress to choose a few concubines for him. Why are you angry?"
Li and Liu exchanged a glance. Mu Xin Nuan's reaction seemed a bit too indifferent, didn't it? Shouldn't she at least be somewhat embarrassed or angry?
"Ah Nuan, is that really what you think?"
How could Mu Xin Nuan not be angry? However, since Duanmu Chuze had promised her that he would not take any other women, she was naturally going to let him deal with this problem himself. If he didn't handle it well, she would simply not marry him.
Mu Xin Nuan had naturally anticipated this, but she didn't expect it to happen so quickly!
What is the status of Prince Chang Le? How could a prince have only one principal wife? Moreover, the candidate for principal wife is so young?
Mu Xin Nuan was so calm precisely because she had expected it. However, Li and Liu found this reaction rather strange!
"Aunt, this is the order from above. What can I, a weak woman, do?"
Lady Liu shook her head. "There's nothing wrong with choosing concubines and secondary consorts for Prince Chang Le. But do you know who Her Majesty the Empress currently favors?"
"I don't know, please enlighten me, Aunt."
"One is the Luo family's daughter, another is the half-sister of Prince Yu of the Duke of Lu's mansion, and the third is the half-sister of the Duke of An's mansion. These three are the ones the Empress has mentioned the most so far. In addition, there are also candidates for the Crown Princess."
"The Crown Princess?" This was something Mu Xin Nuan hadn't expected!
"The Crown Princess is also considering choosing a concubine for Prince Chang Le? Will Her Majesty the Empress agree?"
"Ah Nuan probably doesn't know, but Prince Chang Le grew up in the Eastern Palace and often accompanied the Crown Princess. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Crown Princess raised him. If she hadn't spoken up, it would have been fine. But now that she has this intention, Her Majesty the Empress naturally won't go against her wishes. Perhaps it's the Prince?"
As Liu spoke, she glanced at Li with some concern.
Madam Li frowned deeply. "Your eldest aunt is right, that's indeed the case. If the Crown Princess says it, I'm afraid the Prince won't refute it. After all, she's the elder sister-in-law he's always respected, and she also holds the title of Crown Princess."
Madam Liu sighed, "Is the Crown Princess eyeing someone from her own family, or what about the future?"