~ HIDDEN AMBITION ~
Yue Wang declared with great solemnity, his expression unusually earnest: “The study chair is hard. I sit on it all day, hence this condition.”
Just as Mu Yunyao was about to take his pulse, she shot him a sharp look: “Your Royal Highness, I suspect your backache appears not from strain, but from overeating.”
Yue Wang paid no heed, instead taking Mu Yunyao’s hand affectionately, “Mm, I’m overeating. I’ll need to take a few pillows to feel better.” He loved using items Mu Yunyao had touched, as if they carried her scent. For example, the brocade quilt was draped over his window. Even in summer, he couldn’t bear to put it away, but left it by the bedside, as if that would bring him closer to Mu Yunyao.
Mu Yunyao nearly grabbed the pillow to smack him. This man was becoming more shameless by the day. “If you want a pillow, Fourth Master, just say so. No need to feign illness to scare me.”
Yue Wang pulled Mu Yunyao to stand before him, then wrapped his arms around her waist. “I adore how Yao’er fusses over me. In moments like this, it feels like I’m the only one in your eyes.”
Mu Yunyao froze, then slowly smiled. She raised her hand to trace his brow and eyes gently. His features were sharp, his eyes always exceptionally deep—like an endless night sky that drew one in irresistibly.
Because Yue Wang’s joking had delayed the tea brewing, by the time she checked again, the tea had grown quite cold. Mu Yunyao decided against brewing a fresh pot and instead added hot water to the existing tea, bringing it to Yue Wang.
Yue Wang didn’t mind at all. With a smile, he lifted the cup, took a sip, and praised, “Excellent tea.”
Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but laugh aloud. “Fourth Master, did you not attend court today?”
“My wedding preparations are exceptionally complex. I’ve requested several days’ leave from His Majesty so that I won’t be attending court during this period.”
“The Emperor even came to complain to my grandmother yesterday, saying you’re not even helping him with state affairs—utterly unfilial!”
“The Eldest and the Second Imperial Brothers handle the affairs of the court. When I have free time, accompanying His Majesty is sufficient.” He understood clearly that while the Emperor spoke of complaints, he was secretly pleased with his current situation. The constant strife between Prince Long and Prince Yu in court had already made the imperial court a cesspool of corruption. If he were to get involved, the situation would only grow more complicated.
“By the way, did the court debate conclude? How does Your Majesty intend to handle the envoy from the Northern Frontier?”
“The civil officials’ proposal seems overly lenient, yet it has merit. When nations interact, neither nation sends envoys. Regardless of why the Northern Frontier sent this envoy, we must treat them with kindness until their true intentions are revealed.” Imperial Father has heeded the civil officials’ counsel, yet he has entrusted the task of receiving the envoys to the Second Imperial Brother.”
Mu Yunyao paused, then lifted the corners of her lips, “The Emperor is wise. His Royal Highness Yu Wang has led troops against the Northern Frontier and witnessed their brutal tactics firsthand. He harbors no goodwill toward them. With the Emperor’s orders, he will not cause trouble for the Northern Frontier envoys, but he will remain vigilant. Should any issues arise, he will detect and handle them promptly.”
“Hmm, Yao’er, have the letters to the Third Prince and the Northern Frontier envoys been dispatched?”
“They were dispatched yesterday. The Northern Frontier may take some time to receive theirs, but the Third Prince should have seen his by now.”
At the Third Prince’s residence, Ning Jun Jin studied the letter in his hand, his gaze shifting restlessly as he struggled with shock and uncertainty. After a long moment, he slowly regained his composure, clutching the letter tightly as he turned to his personal guard, “Have you uncovered any leads?”
This morning, upon waking, he discovered the letter by his bedside. Its contents and the signature at the end nearly sent him tumbling from his chair. The letter had come from the Northern Frontier, not only urging him to rebel but explicitly offering covert support—weapons and warhorses.
Had it not been for the Northern Frontier royal family’s seal at the envelope’s end, he would have torn it to shreds on the spot.
The guard’s face flushed with shame. “Your Royal Highness, we’ve uncovered no leads.”
“The messenger must possess formidable martial arts skills to evade detection entirely.”
“Your Royal Highness, the letter is filled with seditious words. Should I destroy it?”
The Third Prince nodded. Just as the guard raised the letter to burn it, he instinctively called out: “Wait. The Northern Frontier has sent an envoy with unclear intentions. Keep this letter for now. It might help Imperial Father uncover the Northern Frontier’s true nature.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
The Third Prince took the letter, opened it, and studied it once more. His gaze finally settled on the sections about weapons and warhorses. “The warhorses of the Northern Frontier are renowned. It’s said their cavalry is so formidable precisely because of the superior quality of their mounts.”
“Indeed, Your Royal Highness. I’ve heard it said that training an exceptional warhorse can sometimes be as demanding as training a general.”
The Third Prince’s fingers lightly brushed the letter. A flicker of light danced in his eyes for a moment before he suddenly let out a cold laugh. “I may be inconvenienced now, but I’m not brain-damaged. The Northern Frontier actually thinks they can deceive me with such a shallow ploy? If they had ample ironware and warhorses, they would have launched an attack on our Great Li Dynasty long ago. Why would they negotiate a deal with a mere prince like me?”
His personal guards stood silent by his side. Seeing the Third Prince did not destroy the letter but instead carefully stored it in a hidden compartment. They couldn’t help but feel a pang of alarm.
Six days later, a letter bearing the seal of the Third Prince’s residence was discreetly delivered to the envoy of the Northern Frontier.
At the temporary encampment, a man dressed as a Northern Frontier nomad opened the letter. A flash of light darted across his darkened eyes: “The Third Prince... A blind, crippled invalid dares to negotiate terms with the Northern Frontier? Demanding weapons and warhorses outright? Utter nonsense. Ignore it. Order the troops to hasten their march. We must reach the capital of the Dali Dynasty, Xiling, as soon as possible.”
“Understood.”
Mu Yunyao finished embroidering the phoenix tail feathers on the wedding gown, nodding with satisfaction. “There. After all this effort, it’s finally complete.”
Caiyi and the others cradled the gown, gently tracing its surface as they murmured with admiration. “Miss, this gown is truly breathtaking. Even we maidservants are tempted to marry after seeing it.”
The embroiderers nearby teased, “If Caiyi the shopkeeper wanted to marry, it’d be as easy as saying the word. Suitors have been wearing out their lips begging for your hand, yet you’ve never given in.”
Caiyi shot them a glare. “I’m waiting for Miss to find me a proper match. I wouldn’t touch those unsuitable candidates with a ten-foot pole.”
Mu Yunyao smiled: “Very well. I’ll find some fine young men for you to choose from another day.”
For a moment, the entire Ni Yun Fang erupted in laughter and playful commotion.
Just then, Jin Lan entered, her cheeks slightly flushed: “Miss, His Royal Highness Yue Wang has arrived.”
Mu Yunyao’s heart leapt with joy. She dismissed Caiyi and the others, then invited Yue Wang to come up.
Jin Qiao stepped out of the room and immediately pulled Jin Lan close, her eyes scanning her body intently. “Sister Jin Lan, you’ve always been steady and level-headed, with a sharp eye for things. You must understand many matters yourself, right?”
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The guard’s face flushed with shame. “Your Royal Highness, we’ve uncovered no leads.”
“The messenger must possess formidable martial arts skills to evade detection entirely.”
“Your Royal Highness, the letter is filled with seditious words. Should I destroy it?”
The Third Prince nodded. Just as the guard raised the letter to burn it, he instinctively called out: “Wait. The Northern Frontier has sent an envoy with unclear intentions. Keep this letter for now. It might help Imperial Father uncover the Northern Frontier’s true nature.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
The Third Prince took the letter, opened it, and studied it once more. His gaze finally settled on the sections about weapons and warhorses. “The warhorses of the Northern Frontier are renowned. It’s said their cavalry is so formidable precisely because of the superior quality of their mounts.”
“Indeed, Your Royal Highness. I’ve heard it said that training an exceptional warhorse can sometimes be as demanding as training a general.”
The Third Prince’s fingers lightly brushed the letter. A flicker of light danced in his eyes for a moment before he suddenly let out a cold laugh. “I may be inconvenienced now, but I’m not brain-damaged. The Northern Frontier actually thinks they can deceive me with such a shallow ploy? If they had ample ironware and warhorses, they would have launched an attack on our Great Li Dynasty long ago. Why would they negotiate a deal with a mere prince like me?”
His personal guards stood silent by his side. Seeing the Third Prince did not destroy the letter but instead carefully stored it in a hidden compartment. They couldn’t help but feel a pang of alarm.
Six days later, a letter bearing the seal of the Third Prince’s residence was discreetly delivered to the envoy of the Northern Frontier.
At the temporary encampment, a man dressed as a Northern Frontier nomad opened the letter. A flash of light darted across his darkened eyes: “The Third Prince... A blind, crippled invalid dares to negotiate terms with the Northern Frontier? Demanding weapons and warhorses outright? Utter nonsense. Ignore it. Order the troops to hasten their march. We must reach the capital of the Dali Dynasty, Xiling, as soon as possible.”
“Understood.”
Mu Yunyao finished embroidering the phoenix tail feathers on the wedding gown, nodding with satisfaction. “There. After all this effort, it’s finally complete.”
Caiyi and the others cradled the gown, gently tracing its surface as they murmured with admiration. “Miss, this gown is truly breathtaking. Even we maidservants are tempted to marry after seeing it.”
The embroiderers nearby teased, “If Caiyi the shopkeeper wanted to marry, it’d be as easy as saying the word. Suitors have been wearing out their lips begging for your hand, yet you’ve never given in.”
Caiyi shot them a glare. “I’m waiting for Miss to find me a proper match. I wouldn’t touch those unsuitable candidates with a ten-foot pole.”
Mu Yunyao smiled: “Very well. I’ll find some fine young men for you to choose from another day.”
For a moment, the entire Ni Yun Fang erupted in laughter and playful commotion.
Just then, Jin Lan entered, her cheeks slightly flushed: “Miss, His Royal Highness Yue Wang has arrived.”
Mu Yunyao’s heart leapt with joy. She dismissed Caiyi and the others, then invited Yue Wang to come up.
Jin Qiao stepped out of the room and immediately pulled Jin Lan close, her eyes scanning her body intently. “Sister Jin Lan, you’ve always been steady and level-headed, with a sharp eye for things. You must understand many matters yourself, right?”
To support us, kindly donate through our website. Thank you. 💕
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