freenovelworld Chapter 356 A Deep Talk Between Brothers!
Chapter 356 A Deep Talk Between Brothers!
“Elder brother, let’s not beat around the bush. Besides, you know what kind of person I am. To put it bluntly, I was practically raised by the eldest sister-in-law. It’s not that I’m incapable of using underhanded methods, it’s just that I don’t want to! And this time, the incident of Duanmu Chen’s allergic reaction was something I had someone do.”
The Crown Prince was taken aback. He hadn't expected that Duanmu Chuze would be so direct and revealing of this matter as soon as he arrived, without any attempt to hide it, and taking all the blame upon himself.
"You had someone do it? Why?"
In fact, the Crown Prince had already guessed seven or eight parts of it in his heart, but he just wanted to hear Duanmu Chuze say it himself.
Duanmu Chuze did not disappoint him, and said with a smile, "Brother, I have always respected you. I stood on your side before I went to the battlefield, and naturally I will stand on your side after I returned. Since I returned to the capital, why have I attended court so few times? Others may not know why, but do you not know, brother?"
The Crown Prince's expression hardened. Duanmu Chuze had always called him "elder brother" before, but for some reason, he later changed his address to "elder brother" or "crown prince brother." Thinking about it, it had only been a few months. Could it be that this was all related to Duanmu Chen?
"Fourth brother, what exactly happened? If it really is this rebellious son who has done something outrageous, you don't need to take action; I will teach him a lesson myself."
Duanmu Chuze shook his head. "Big brother, this was also due to my lack of consideration. I originally just wanted to teach him a small lesson, but I didn't expect that Second Brother's people would take advantage of the situation."
The Crown Prince's eyes darkened slightly. "Fourth Brother, tell me first, what exactly happened?"
Duanmu Chuze's eyes darkened, then turned cold. "Mu Xinnuan, I arranged for her four years ago. She was only ten years old then. Later, I specifically went to my father and told him that I volunteered to go to the border. Firstly, I felt that I couldn't just be idle and make my father and mother worry. Secondly, I wanted to help my elder brother, but I couldn't just talk the talk without walking the walk."
After a pause, Duanmu Chuze added, "There is another important reason, which is for Mu Xinnuan."
"For her?" The Crown Prince was taken aback, but after pondering the meaning behind his words, he had no doubt that his younger brother was helping him and doing his bidding. In his view, his younger brother had indeed been close to him and the Crown Princess since childhood.
However, I never expected that the reason I chose to go to the border for training was for a little girl who was only eleven years old.
"Brother, don't laugh at me! When I first saw her, I felt that she was like a snow lotus on the top of a snow mountain, pure and noble! Someone like me is not worthy of her at all."
"Nonsense! How can you, a prince, be so self-deprecating?"
"It's not that I'm belittling myself. Brother, I really like her! The first time I saw her, I was blown away! Really! Although I wasn't very old back then, I knew a little about love. I just liked her, and I wanted to watch her smile for the rest of my life, the kind of feeling that I could never get tired of looking at. That feeling started from that moment."
As he spoke, Duanmu Chuze seemed a little embarrassed, "Big brother, I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me! I truly believe that no one in the world can compare to her. I was thinking back then, she's so good, so outstanding, what if someone else snatches her away?"
“Especially since I was going to the border for three years, I was away from the capital. Who knows what might happen during those three years? Besides, when I left, I couldn’t be sure I’d be back in three years! What if I stayed for five or six years? Wouldn’t A-Nuan have to get married when I came back?”
"So, I swallowed my pride and knelt in the Imperial Study for several hours before finally obtaining a decree from my father that Mu Nuan must not be married before I return to the capital. No one can bring it up!"
The Crown Prince suddenly remembered the Chu family's marriage proposal. Mu Chang'an had originally agreed. Could it be that the Mu family's attitude changed because the Emperor said something to Mu Chang'an?
The Crown Prince suddenly understood why the Emperor had suddenly begun to value Mu Chang'an. Of course, his abilities were the most important factor, but even with his true talent, he might not necessarily be granted a title!
The Emperor did all this simply to give Mu Xin Nuan a noble status, a status that would make her a match for a prince!
Duanmu Chuze saw the Crown Prince's expression and knew that he had probably guessed something. He then smiled bitterly and said, "Because I insist on marrying Mu Xin Nuan as my principal wife, and I have no intention of taking any concubines. I don't want anyone else to interfere in our relationship, as that would make me feel like I'm defiling her. So, after being severely reprimanded by my father several times, he couldn't do anything about it."
"Fourth Prince, tell me the truth. The Mu family is at its peak, but what did you give in exchange for it?" The Crown Prince's expression was serious.
"Elder brother, I won't lie to you. Why did I choose Yan? It's a harsh and cold place. Originally, Father Emperor intended for Third Brother to go there. But I wasn't comfortable with it. Firstly, Third Brother's attitude has always been unclear. Who knows if he made some kind of deal with Second Brother in private? Secondly, I volunteered to go to that harsh and cold place so that Father Emperor would give the Mu family some preferential treatment, so that our marriage wouldn't face too many obstacles."
The crown prince was speechless for a moment, looking at his younger brother as if he were a monster!
This is his youngest brother, and also the brother he is closest to. How could he demean himself to this extent for the sake of a woman?
"A prince of such high status has gone to such lengths for a girl. Fourth brother, are you truly sure? Or is this just a momentary impulse? You haven't gone to your fiefdom yet; there's still a chance to salvage the situation!"
The Crown Prince spoke earnestly, expressing his deep reluctance that his great help would end up in such a poor place, one that would likely bring him no real benefit in the future.
Duanmu Chuze smiled mysteriously, "Brother, in Father's eyes, my going there is only for Mu Xinnuan. But in reality, it's not like that. Now, I'm afraid Father has figured it out. That's why he's in a hurry to send us brothers to our fiefdoms."
"What? You're going to Yan?" The Crown Prince was slightly suspicious, but when he saw the smile on Duanmu Chuze's face, he immediately understood. Suddenly, his eyes filled with gratitude as he looked at Duanmu Chuze!
"Fourth brother, I have really let you down this time! I'm sorry to have to trouble you."