freenovelworld Chapter 246 Cooperation 1 round?
Chapter 246 Cooperation 1 round?
Upon hearing her answer, Duanmu Chuze knew that she indeed had some unresolved issues or had suffered some emotional trauma in the past. However, she was only fourteen years old; how could she possibly have any trauma? In his previous world, dating at that age would have been considered puppy love, wouldn't it?
“Well then, Anuan, I know you’re still a long way from coming of age, but I can’t wait any longer. I’ve already had my coming-of-age ceremony, and you should understand that even if I’m not in a hurry, Father will definitely arrange a marriage for me as soon as possible.”
"That's your business," Mu Xin Nuan said softly.
Duanmu Chuze shook his head, a bitter smile appearing on his lips. "You really are heartless. You can say such hurtful things without even flinching."
Mu Xin Nuan was speechless, perhaps realizing that what she had just said was indeed somewhat inappropriate, and lowered her head slightly.
"Anuan, how about this? Even though you don't love me, at least you won't hate me. How about we work together?"
"Cooperation? How to cooperate?"
"Look, like I said before, you're going to get married sooner or later. Marrying someone else is the same as getting married, so why not marry me? At least we know each other better, right? Besides, I can unconditionally support you in doing anything you want to do. What do you think? Isn't that a good deal?"
It has to be said that Duanmu Chuze is a very good negotiator. He always manages to accurately grasp what Mu Xinnuan cares about most and then use incentives to entice her!
Mu Xin Nuan was indeed somewhat tempted!
Unconditionally supporting whatever she wants to do! That was incredibly tempting for her!
Seeing the slight bewilderment in her expression, Duanmu Chuze knew that he had made the right bet!
Although he had gambled correctly, he gave a bitter smile. She didn't care about his handsome appearance! She didn't care about his youthful fame and numerous military achievements! She didn't care about his status as a member of the royal family! But she was only distracted by the last small condition he had proposed. He really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Anuan, you saw His Highness the Grandson just now?"
"Of course! He went with the Crown Princess to pay his respects to the Empress. By the way, when did you enter the palace?"
“I didn’t leave the palace after the morning court session. My father kept me in the imperial study for a while. I had just come out when I heard that you had entered the palace. I was worried, so I came to check on you.”
Mu Xin Nuan looked unconvinced. "You're not at ease? I think you've clearly set a trap on purpose, haven't you?"
Duanmu Chuze didn't refute her, but instead smiled and said, "I really did want to see you. A day apart feels like three autumns. I truly understand that saying now!"
Mu Xin Nuan gave him a disdainful look. "Are you sure you didn't learn that from a play?"
Duanmu Chuze was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter!
His laugh startled Mu Xin Nuan, who immediately whispered, "Stop laughing! This is the Imperial Garden! Are you trying to make sure everyone knows we're having a secret rendezvous here?"
After talking for a while without any effect, Mu Xin Nuan was really panicking and quickly reached out to tug at his sleeve.
"If you laugh again, we'll cancel all the cooperation you proposed before!"
That was the most effective sentence; Duanmu Chuze's smile immediately vanished. He blinked. "So, you agree?"
"I'll think about it some more. I just want to know how you'll support me?"
What a clever girl! She actually thought of that!
What kind of support do you need? Manpower? Material resources? Or financial resources? I can handle all of them.
"So, that means I can use your men to do things for me?"
"That's right! You're one of my people, so naturally you're their master!"
Mu Xin Nuan looked slightly uncomfortable; why did those words sound so awkward?
"So, when do you mean when you say you'll start providing support? Now? After the engagement? Or after the wedding?"
Duanmu Chuze smiled, a hint of teasing in his voice, "If I said we could only get married after we're married, would you agree to marry me now?"
"How could that be? I haven't even reached the age of marriage yet!"
"So what? As long as we don't consummate the marriage, isn't that enough?"
Mu Xin Nuan's body stiffened, and her face flushed red instantly. She quickly lowered her head. How did we get to the topic of consummating the marriage?
Duanmu Chuze realized that his words had been a bit abrupt, but he had no intention of apologizing. "As long as Anuan agrees, my men can do it for you right away! Of course, if you need money, I will certainly not be stingy with it!"
"Aren't you afraid that I'll take your money, order your people around, and then go back on my word?" Mu Xin Nuan asked, her eyes wide.
Duanmu Chuze laughed, "You can try! Do you think that if you were to face me, dealing with you would be as simple as just talking to me?"
That's true! Although Mu Xin Nuan wasn't very happy, it seemed that what he said was true, and she couldn't find a reason to deny it!
Mu Xin Nuan sighed heavily! What could she do? They were royalty, while she was merely a lowly subject.
"Alright then. If that's the case, then I agree. But there's one condition: you can't force me or the Mu and Li families to do things they don't want to do."
"Okay!" Duanmu Chuze agreed almost without thinking. "Don't worry, if I liked forcing people to comply, I wouldn't have waited for you for so long!"
The two exchanged a few more trivial words, and then Duanmu Jing knocked twice on the door frame. "Fourth Brother, Duanmu Chen is here."
Duanmu Chuze frowned. "He saw you?"
"No! I've been in the outer room the whole time. The little palace maid who was guarding outside just came in to report. See?"
"You're here!" Duanmu Chuze said, then took out a teacup from the tea tray. "Come, let's enjoy some tea together!"
Duanmu Jing was delighted when she saw this! There didn't seem to be anything wrong with the three of them drinking tea together, did there?
As Duanmu Chen approached, he heard laughter coming from inside the waterside pavilion. Listening closely, he could also hear a man's voice. He frowned slightly, lifted the curtain, and went inside.
"So it's Fourth Uncle here too. I was just wondering where that laughter was coming from. Turns out it's Fourth Uncle trying to amuse the little girl again?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Xin Nuan's eyes flickered slightly. This Duanmu Chen was quite interesting! Was he actually at odds with Duanmu Chu Ze, who was wholeheartedly assisting the Crown Prince? He had only just entered when he was already implying that Duanmu Chu Ze was a dissolute and philandering man!
Duanmu Jing raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Hey, why didn't you stay in Kunning Palace to talk with the Empress Dowager? Why did you sneak out here?"