freenovelworld Chapter 282 The So-Called Tribute!
Chapter 282 The So-Called Tribute!
"Anuan, if Mu Xinyao is still in the Mu residence, you can send people to keep an eye on her. But once she leaves the residence, you don't need to interfere anymore. This way, she won't easily find out, and it will also make it easier for my people to act."
Mu Xin Nuan understood what he meant this time. Did he want the two of them to join forces to deal with Mu Xin Yao?
"Do you think Mu Xinyao wants to help the Ming King ascend the throne?" Mu Xinnuan asked softly.
"Very likely! Because, judging from the current situation, the power of the Ming King is almost on par with that of the Crown Prince."
"I really don't understand what Mu Xinyao is thinking all day long. Wouldn't it be better for her to stay in the manor and be a proper young lady? Why does she have to get involved in these things?"
"Alright, let's not talk about her anymore. Ah Nuan, have you been going to Ping An Tang less often lately?"
"Yes, firstly because I've been busy with my studies lately, and secondly, didn't you say there's been some unrest in the capital lately?"
Duanmu Chuze thought about it and agreed. Recently, the Ming King's men had been making frequent moves. It was said that a few days ago, a censor who had impeached him suddenly died at home! Although the imperial physician had examined him and found nothing wrong, he didn't believe that it was all just a coincidence and had nothing to do with the Ming King.
"Anuan, my coming-of-age ceremony is in a few days. Will you come?"
Mu Xin Nuan glared at him, "You're having your coming-of-age ceremony, and I'm a woman, how can I go?"
"Why not? You haven't reached the age of marriage yet. When the time comes, as long as Madam Mu brings you, that's fine. It will be held at the Chang Le Prince's Mansion, not in the palace. What are you afraid of?"
"Aren't you worried that I'll run into Duanmu Chen?"
Duanmu Chuze was speechless at her words, and his face immediately turned ugly. "That brat, hmph! Sooner or later he'll know that you're mine."
Mu Xin Nuan spat at him, "You're shameless! Who's your person now?"
Duanmu Chuze tightened his grip even more, and Mu Xinnuan felt as if her body was about to be completely engulfed by his aura.
The man exuded a faint fragrance and possessed a unique, icy aura. Perhaps due to three years of battlefield experience, every pore on his body seemed to proclaim just how powerful and valiant this man was!
Nestled in his arms, Mu Xin Nuan felt a peace and tranquility she had never experienced before. If only life could always be like this!
"After today's commotion, it seems that Madam Yang's plan to adopt Mu Xinyao as her goddaughter will come to nothing. You're quite clever, managing to turn the situation around without saying a word, simply by using a bolt of fabric. Impressive!"
"Yes, amazing! If she hadn't worn that shimmering brocade today, things probably wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
"You really gave her that tribute horse?"
Mu Xin Nuan rolled her eyes at him, "How could I? Give it to her? I'm not out of my mind!"
"What was she wearing today?"
"It's just a little trick. I simply had someone sprinkle some powder on that outfit beforehand. In dim lighting, it won't look out of place, but once the sun shines on it, it will be completely different! It will be colorful and dazzling!"
"Did they do this after she entered Princess Zhaoyang's residence?"
"When she got off the carriage, I simply had someone sprinkle some on her skirt so that it wouldn't attract too much attention. Later, when she was admiring the flowers, I had someone sprinkle some more on her. That's how the later scene became so spectacular."
Duanmu Chuze's interest grew stronger. "I'm really curious, how did you do that? She's a living person! You sprinkled the powder on her, and she didn't even know it?"
"This is all thanks to your Chunyu."
"Chunyu?" Duanmu Chuze raised an eyebrow, beginning to ponder the girl's special talent.
"Her technique was clean and efficient, and extremely fast and gentle. Before Mu Xinyao could even notice anything was wrong, she had already succeeded."
Mu Xin Nuan's eyes curved into a smile, "It's just a matter of taking advantage of the moment when you're helping her pour tea or giving her a hand, and you can do all of this very well."
Duanmu Chuze was stunned for a while before slapping his forehead and laughing, "Good! Really good! My Anuan is indeed clever! She has made the most of everyone's talents. I admire her!"
Mu Xin Nuan glared at him, annoyed. "You still dare to say that? You figured out a long time ago that it wasn't the real tribute shimmering brocade, didn't you?"
"Yes! However, I estimate that I'm the only one who can tell."
"Why?"
"Simple! First, the Crown Prince's sister-in-law wasn't interested in this matter and didn't even pay much attention. Prince Ming and Prince Kang couldn't possibly keep their eyes glued to one woman all the time! As for Princess Ming, she seemed to have figured something out, but all the chatter below had silenced her. Besides, even if she had figured it out, given the situation, she wouldn't have dared to directly confront the Mu and Li families without absolute certainty, lest she ruin Prince Ming's so-called grand plan."
Mu Xin Nuan thought about it and agreed, then said with some lingering fear, "It seems that today's plan was still too dangerous. If I had known, it would have been better to use it less often."
"If there's a next time, just use the real thing."
Mu Xin Nuan nodded, then realized something was wrong!
If it were truly a tribute, Mu Xinyao wouldn't be so foolish as to obediently wear it to the banquet.
"Alright, this time, those voices in the capital calling you a wicked woman will finally be drowned out. Aren't you happy?"
"I'm so happy! But this is just the beginning. Madam Yang didn't get her wish this time, and I'm afraid she won't let it go so easily!" Mu Xin Nuan said with some worry. "She originally hoped to take Mu Xin Yao as her goddaughter so that she could be a pawn for Yang Yu'er, but she didn't expect this?"
"Unexpectedly, something unexpected happened?"
"That's normal. Don't worry, Nuan, Madam Yang probably can't pull any more ruthless tricks. I'm more worried about whether Mu Xinyao will cause you trouble again after she returns to the manor?"
"Her?" Mu Xin Nuan shook her head dismissively. "In the Mu family, there won't be anyone else who will take the initiative to stand on the same side as her for the time being."
"How could someone as intelligent as Mu Xinyao not know what Madam Yang is planning?" Duanmu Chuze suddenly changed the subject, asking with some suspicion.
Mu Xin Nuan's brows were also tightly furrowed together. After a while, they gradually relaxed. In Duanmu Chu Ze's eyes, that process was just like a peach blossom in full bloom, which was breathtakingly beautiful!
"I understand! So that's what Mu Xinyao was planning?"