SFS Chapter 387 Don’t want to live anymore?
Chapter 387 Don’t want to live anymore?
Duanmu Chuze's prediction was spot on. A few days later, the Empress issued an edict summoning Mu Xin Nuan to the palace for a talk.
Because the imperial decree summoned Mu Xin Nuan alone, no matter how worried Li Shi was, she could not go with her. She could only send people to guard the palace gate, hoping that nothing would go wrong at this critical juncture.
Just as Duanmu Chuze had predicted, upon entering the main hall of Kunning Palace, he indeed found several ladies and young ladies in addition to the Empress.
Mu Xin Nuan glanced over and realized that apart from Madam Xie, she didn't recognize anyone else.
The Empress didn't make things too difficult for her. After all, Mu Xin Nuan wasn't officially married yet, so it was impossible to force her to be magnanimous. Besides, Mu Xin Nuan was only fourteen, and there were some things she might not understand.
After speaking for a while, the Empress excused herself, saying she was feeling unwell, and returned to her palace.
Seeing this, Mu Xin Nuan also intended to leave.
"Please wait, sister."
Mu Xin Nuan's eyes showed a hint of displeasure, but she still turned around and looked over. She saw a pretty girl in a purple silk dress gracefully walking towards her.
"I've long heard of your beauty and extraordinary looks, and seeing you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved." With that, the young woman reached out her hand, wanting to hold Mu Xin Nuan's.
Who is Mu Xin Nuan? Naturally, she could tell that the visitor was up to no good.
She subtly avoided her actions, maintaining a polite smile on her face. "May I ask how this young lady is addressed? Which family's daughter is she?"
"Oh, what a terrible memory I have! I was so happy to see you, sister, that I didn't even introduce myself. I am the legitimate daughter of the second branch of the Xie family. My name is Xie Yishuang."
Xie Yishuang? Mu Xinnuan quickly went through the information of some people in the Xie family in her mind. She remembered that this second daughter of the main branch was Xie Yilin's cousin and was a year older than her. Why was she calling her sister?
"So it's Miss Xie. But I remember Miss Xie is a year older than me, so I really can't accept being called 'elder sister' by Miss Xie."
As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed Xie Yishuang's expression and was slightly displeased.
Hmph! Trying to trap yourself? You think you're worthy?
Mu Xin Nuan naturally knew what this girl was up to. She just wanted her to reveal her real age so she could call her "sister" again. What a pipe dream!
Why is she here today? The Empress intends to arrange the marriage, but Prince Chang Le refuses, so she has no choice. Moreover, since she has already promised Duanmu Chuze that she will not force him to take a concubine, she naturally cannot be too direct in front of her, the prospective Empress.
The Empress may not say it, but these people have always harbored these thoughts!
Just like Xie Yishuang right in front of us!
They immediately tried to establish a close relationship with me; anyone who didn't know better would really think the two of them were very close.
"Oh, really? I didn't know I was older than my sister. Thank goodness she reminded me."
These words caused a slight tension in the hall. Mu Xin Nuan noticed out of the corner of her eye that the two young ladies on the other side had a mixture of shock and smugness in their eyes. Madam Xie, standing to the side, also seemed to be enjoying the spectacle.
Mu Xin Nuan's smile quickly vanished. "Miss Xie, please be careful with your words! Before I received the Emperor's decree of marriage, it would have been perfectly normal for you to call me 'sister.' Naturally, I had no reason not to respond. But now that I have been officially appointed Princess Consort of Chang Le by imperial decree, I truly dare not respond to Miss Xie's address of 'sister'! Otherwise, if we were to meet again someday, and you still addressed me in this way in front of the Prince, where would that leave the Prince of Chang Le?"
The implication is that if you call me "sister" now, and we meet again someday, and you still call me that, then wouldn't the Prince of Chang Le become your brother-in-law?
Wouldn't this be considered an unauthorized attempt to claim kinship with the emperor?
Xie Yishuang was immediately speechless with shock. She never expected that, in front of so many ladies and young misses, she would show no respect for the Xie family at all! And make her point so clearly?
After escorting the Empress back to the palace, the Crown Princess also came over. She hadn't heard the first part of what was said, only the latter half. However, judging from the expressions of the others, she could roughly guess what inappropriate things her cousin had said earlier.
Before the Crown Princess could speak, Madam Xie, who was standing to the side, couldn't hold back any longer and jumped out.
"Miss Mu certainly has a grand air about her. She's not even married yet, but she's already acting like a princess. Everyone knows the Mu family is very proper in terms of rules and etiquette, but seeing this today makes me question it."
Madam Xie's protection naturally emboldened Xie Yishuang, who feigned grievance and said, "Aunt, it's nothing. Sister Mu is still young, just consider her ignorant."
"Miss Xie, it seems you really didn't hear what I just said!"
Mu Xin Nuan's face had turned somewhat cold at this moment!
“Your Highness, you are the Crown Princess and a role model for all women. In your opinion, is this Miss Xie appropriate? Furthermore, Madam Xie, the rules and etiquette of our Mu family are not up to you or us juniors to decide! But surely the words of the Emperor and the Empress are credible?”
Before the Crown Princess could utter a word, her expression was already displeased, and she glared fiercely at Xie Yishuang.
When Madam Xie saw that her daughter had come over, she was surprised to learn that her daughter was the Crown Princess!
"Mu Xin Nuan, what do you mean by this?"
"Both the Emperor and the Empress have issued decrees praising the Mu family, and even issued separate decrees to commend the younger generation. But what Madam Xie just said clearly questions the Emperor and the Empress's judgment."
Having said that, Mu Xin Nuan had no intention of saying anything more. She simply bowed to the Crown Princess, turned around, and left.
Madam Xie was genuinely frightened by her words! Dare to question the Emperor? How many heads did she have?
The Crown Princess said with a gloomy face, "Someone, escort the ladies and young misses out of Kunning Palace."
"Yes, ma'am."
Once only Madam Xie and Xie Yishuang remained in the main hall, the Crown Princess angrily rebuked, "Who are you? Who gave you the audacity to call Princess Chang Le 'sister'? Do you have a death wish?"
Xie Yishuang trembled, almost unable to stand. She was young and had never seen the Crown Princess so angry. In addition, the Crown Princess had been in the palace for many years, and her majesty was not fake!
Xie Yishuang's face turned pale, her teeth began to chatter, and she trembled but could not speak.
"Useless thing, you've disgraced the Xie family! Why aren't you coming with me to the East Palace?"
After the Crown Princess finished speaking, she left the main hall without even glancing at Madam Xie.