Chapter 240: Chapter 240

The Empress thought of Nangong Jue’s temperament and reminded him again, "Find someone trustworthy to investigate this quietly; don’t let Jue’er find out."

"Don’t worry, Wanrou, leave this to me; there won’t be any mistakes."

"I’m naturally at ease with Mu Lang handling things, but what should we do if Jue’er doesn’t want to marry?"

"Right now, the Crown Prince’s foundation is not stable, and he still needs the strong support of the Lin and Qin families. We can’t break ties with them over this matter."

That person raised his hand, gently smoothing the slight worry between the Empress’s brows, and comforted her softly, "Wanrou, you don’t need to be concerned about this. Jue’er has grown up and might have his own ideas about the selection of a Crown Princess Consort."

"As for the Lin and Qin families, we can’t do without their influence right now. Why not go ahead with the marriage arrangement to reassure them? As for the future..."

That person chuckled lowly, "The days are long, and the world is unpredictable; even if she does enter the East Palace, it would just mean having to support one more person."

The Empress frowned, looking at him thoughtfully, "Mu Lang, do you mean..."

"It’s just a woman; there are ways to make her obedient. If Jue’er has someone he favors for the Crown Princess Consort, naturally, that position should be decided by him."

"As for the person he favors..."

The Empress frowned again, "I heard today that he seems to be particularly concerned with that Lin Wanyue lately."

That person was taken aback, "Who did you say?"

"Lin Qianqiu’s eldest daughter, the newly married princess of Nangong Mo."

"Her? I’ll look into it later."

The Empress wanted to say more but was pulled into an embrace, her slender waist pressed against the Imperial Concubine Chair by that person.

"Wanrou, you’ve been so busy lately, you’ve had no time to see me. Do you know the pain of missing someone?"

Hearing this, the Empress playfully punched his chest, laughing, "Aren’t you living well? With wife and children around your knees, how could you suffer?"

That person grasped the Empress’s hand, his eyes full of deep affection, "Wanrou, I only hope that day comes soon."

"No longer having to hide, standing openly under the sun, using my real identity, standing by your side to view the vast rivers and mountains."

Gazed at with such deep affection, the Empress was somewhat moved, and she held his hand in return, "Mu Lang, I’ve wronged you all these years."

"I’m not wronged. As long as I have you, I am content."

Lady Zhen hurriedly went to the Minister Mansion and just met Lin Qianqiu, who was returning from the palace.

Although the Emperor had not clearly decreed the marriage, he stated that there would be an explanation given to the Minister Mansion, advising Lin Qianqiu to wait a few days with peace of mind.

Lin Qianqiu already understood in his heart that this matter was most likely set in stone; it was just a matter of time.

So he was in an extremely good mood, walking briskly, humming a little tune, looking like someone whose spirits were lifted by joyful events.

"Big Brother! My dearest Big Brother!" Fresh chapters posted on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⟡𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚⟡𝘯𝘦𝘵

Suddenly, Lady Zhen appeared out of nowhere, directly falling at his feet and holding onto his leg, crying her heart out.

For a moment, Lin Qianqiu thought she was mourning the dead.

He cleared his throat gently, tugged at his stiff face, suppressed the urge to kick her away, and asked patiently in a warm voice, "Second Sister, what happened to you? Get up and speak."

Lady Zhen, however, refused to let go of his leg, "Big Brother, you must stand up for Tong’er and me!"

Lin Qianqiu looked puzzled, "What has happened to you and Tong’er?"

"Big Brother, it’s Lin Wanyue, that Lin Wanyue. She’s so vicious! She did such a deranged thing to Tong’er!"

At the mention of Lin Wanyue’s name, Lin Qianqiu immediately frowned, "That unfilial girl! What misdeed has she committed now?"

"She, she, she did to Tong’er... Waaah! My Tong’er!"

Lady Zhen was heartbroken, crying tears and snot incessantly, and even wiped her face on Lin Qianqiu’s robe at the saddest point.

Lin Qianqiu’s body twitched, watching Lady Zhen’s face smeared with tears and snot, and he felt utterly bewildered.

At this moment, he had no interest in caring about "what heinous act Lin Wanyue might have committed"!

Lady Zhen continued to cry and wail, "Tong’er is ruined, completely ruined! The Marquis doesn’t want him anymore; he’s rejected us mother and son. Big Brother, what should I do?"

Could you let go of my court robes first?!

"Second Sister, get up first, wash your face inside, and then slowly tell me what happened. If that ungrateful daughter Lin Wanyue really did something unforgivable, I will not spare her!"

Only then did Lady Zhen release Lin Qianqiu’s robe, supported by servants as she made her way to the flower hall.

Lin Qianqiu looked at his once majestic and noble court robe, now wrinkled with a basin-sized wet patch...

The muscles on his face twitched: That’s a pretty big face!

Imperial City Long Street.

The streets were bustling with pedestrians, lined with various vendors, creating a lively scene.

Yun Ran and Shen Weixi, holding candied haws in their left hands and sugar figures in their right, had just walked away from a stage performing fire-breathing acrobatics, when they turned around to face a surly-looking Lin Qianqiu.

Seeing him, Yun Ran paused slightly, then quickly pulled the bowing Shen Weixi, bypassing Lin Qianqiu directly.

Lin Qianqiu’s face darkened, and he called out loudly, "Stop!"

Ignoring him, Yun Ran pulled Shen Weixi, "Weixi, let’s go watch the aerial acrobatics ahead."

Completely ignored, Lin Qianqiu took a deep breath, telling himself: Don’t get angry! Don’t get angry!

Then he rushed a few steps forward to block Yun Ran and Shen Weixi’s path, his face somewhat bluish, "Lin Wanyue! You unfilial girl! Stop right there!"

Yun Ran shot him a cold glance, her voice light and chilly, "Minister Lin, even a three-year-old knows that a good dog doesn’t block the road. What? You don’t know?"

Lin Qianqiu nearly flared his nostrils with rage at her words, "Lin Wanyue! You rebellious scoundrel!"

"It seems I have been neglecting your upbringing all these years!"

Saying this, Lin Qianqiu had already raised his right hand high, aiming to slap down Yun Ran’s small face.

Shen Weixi moved swiftly, grasping his wrist, his eyes slightly cold, "Mr. Lin, please calm down!"

"Weixi, you’re a good child, let go. This rebellious girl dares to publicly insult her biological father, if she’s not disciplined now, she might betray her teachers and ancestors in the future!"

Looking at his righteous facade, Yun Ran couldn’t help but sneer coldly.

"Discipline? On what grounds?"

"Because I’m your..."

"Because, despite once being a destitute scholar, you married into the Bai Family, and after rising to power, you took Mrs. Qin, who was eight months pregnant, into the mansion less than a month after my birth?"

"Minister Lin managed to marry my mother while secretly keeping a mistress outside, indulging with her, resulting in an illegitimate pregnancy. Truly, you’ve brought glory to scholars nationwide!"