C83 Defying the Decree

The Emperor gave an Imperial Decree to marry Mu Ruqing and Yu Longtang.

This Imperial Decree shocked everyone. Yu Longtang already had an official consort, and his Imperial Concubine had another son. If Mu Ruqing married him, she could only be a side consort. Moreover, Mu Ruqing was the Prime Minister's daughter, so she did not have much interaction with Yu Longtang.

When the Imperial Decree was sent to the Prime Minister's residence, Mu Po's expression did not look good. The Emperor had never hinted at this matter, and this Imperial Decree was inexplicable. He had to accept the Imperial Decree again, and Mu Po was in the study room vexed.

Mu Ruqing was more shocked than anyone else. She had only met Yu Longtang in the Imperial Residence before. She did not say much. Why did the Emperor think of bestowing a marriage to the two of them? The important thing was that she did not have any feelings for Yu Longtang. How could she bear to be stuck between the husband and wife?

"Father." Mu Ruqing held her hands together with a worried look.

"What do you think?" Mu Po looked at her helplessly.

"The Holy Decree is difficult to predict, so naturally, my daughter is unwilling. But how can I disobey the decree?" Mu Ruqing's eyes dimmed a little, carrying a sense of grievance.

"Father is preparing to enter the Palace to request an audience with the Emperor. If there is any leeway, I will definitely fight for it for you." Mu Po was about to walk out of the study.

Mu Ruqing knelt down and said gratefully, "My daughter knows that father doted on her. It is just that the Imperial Decree has already been passed down and there is no room for negotiation. If father goes, he will definitely make the Emperor unhappy. Second Prince is also a good person and my daughter will not feel wronged."

"Qing, I know that you have no feelings for Second Prince. This is a matter of life and death. As a father, I do not ask for anything. I only hope that every one of you can live happily." Mu Po's tone was filled with guilt as he thought of someone. He murmured, "There is room for negotiation, there is..." He did not want to talk to Mu Ruqing anymore? He quickly walked out and instructed the servant to prepare the carriage.

"Father!" Mu Ruqing got up but could only watch Mu Po walk out the door. No, she could not get married yet. My matter has not been settled yet.

Mu Po rode the horse carriage to King Chu's Mansion. He looked at the tightly shut door and stepped forward to knock on the copper ring.

After a while, a servant came out and opened the door. Mu Po bowed and introduced himself, "May I ask if the prince is in the mansion? This official is the Prime Minister, Mu Po. He requests an audience with His Highness."

The servant was enlightened and bowed. He lowered his head and said respectfully, "Reporting to prime minister, Your Highness has already left on a horse. He is not in the residence at the moment."

"Then do you know where Your Highness went?"

"This little one does not know."

"Alright, sorry to trouble you, little brother." Mu Po replied politely and touched his goatee. He shook his head helplessly. It seems that my thinking is correct. His Royal Highness is interested in Qing. He must have gone to the Imperial Palace. This way, I can be at ease.

"Take care, prime minister." The servant bowed and sent Mu Po off. Seeing him leave, he closed the door.

At this time, Yu Longchen had already rushed to the Imperial Palace at a fast speed and ran to the Imperial Reading Room. Eunuch could be seen standing at the door. When he saw ___, he bowed. "This servant greets Your Highness."

"Eunuch, there is no need for formalities. Is Royal Father here?" Yu Longchen's expression was anxious and filled with anger.

"The Emperor is in the study room." Eunuch narrowed his eyes as he spoke.

Yu Longchen did not have time to return the greeting and rushed into the Imperial Reading Room. The Emperor was looking at the memorial in front of the table.

Yu Longchen knelt down and greeted, "This son greets Royal Father."

"Chen'er, I haven't seen you enter the Palace for a long time. Do you have time to enter the Palace today?" The Emperor put down the memorial and sat down to ask him with a smile.

"I have missed Royal Father recently. Today, I have specially entered the Palace to accompany Royal Father." Yu Longchen had an emotional expression and a fake smile on his face.

"Zhen's fifth son did not come to the Treasure Hall for no reason. Speak, what is the matter?" The Emperor's smile lessened a bit. His left hand rested on the dragon throne and his right hand picked up the teacup.

"I request Royal Father to withdraw the marriage between Second Big Brother and Miss Mu!" Yu Longchen knew that the turn of events was not big, but he could not ignore it.

The corners of the emperor's mouth moved and his eyebrows furrowed. He put the teacup in his hand hard and the tea splashed everywhere. "What did you say? !”

"This son asks Royal Father to take back the engagement between Second Big Brother and Miss Mu and beg Royal Father to fulfill it." Yu Longchen clasped his hands together and kowtowed heavily.

The Emperor stood up and walked in front of him. He released the aura of a king and said in a deep voice, "Raise your head!"

Yu Longchen raised his head and looked at the Emperor. His eyes were firm. The Emperor also looked at him and slowly said, "You like Mu Ruqing?"

"In this life, in this life, she will only be the princess of my house!" Yu Longchen did not dodge and bowed again.

The Emperor looked at him and squinted his eyes. "So Lee Yuening died."

"This son does not know what Royal Father said." Yu Longchen did not raise his head and replied emotionlessly.

"What if Zhen is unwilling?" The Emperor flung his sleeve and turned his back to him.

"There will not be any concubines in the official residence." Yu Longchen raised his head and gritted his teeth. This was a hint to the Emperor that other than Mu Ruqing, no matter who bestowed the marriage to him, they would not be able to enter the residence, just like Lee Yuening.

"You are stupid! The more the Emperor's family is, the more they cannot tolerate a single word of love. Do you understand?" The emperor flew into a rage and threw the teacup in front of him. The teacup splashed all over his body.

Yu Longchen did not move at all, and his gaze became disrespectful. That's why you treated me, Royal Mother, that way? After a moment, he changed his expression. "If Royal Father wants to use marriage to balance the gap between big brother and Second Big Brother, there is no need for this. Prime Minister Mu is a man of justice. He will not give Second Big Brother any trouble."

"Mu Po has been a minister for many years, how could I not know?" The Emperor's expression eased up a little. He did not see Yu Longchen's expression at that moment. Otherwise, he would only get angrier.

"Since that is the case, this son does not understand why Royal Father would do such a thing."

"Chen'er, you know that the son I love the most is you. You said that it was not the Wuxin Sovereign throne. At first, I said that you have a weak mind and don't care about fame and fortune, so I gave you the title of Dayong's First Prince. However, you secretly helped Chen'er, and Zhen also turned a blind eye to it. How did you repay Zhen?"

Hearing the Emperor's reproach, Yu Longchen paused for a moment." This son did not do anything wrong. "

" Then tell Zhen. Why is it that after a dozen years, there is still the scent of orchids in the Youlan Courtyard, and it has not been stained with dust? " The emperor was so angry that his face turned red. He slammed the table hard," Tell me! Tell me! Why is that!? "

Yu Longchen stubbornly raised his head to look at him. He gritted his teeth and did not speak.

" Is Zhen not tolerant enough of your doting over the past ten years? " After the Emperor shouted this, he got up with a headache and leaned on the table to shake his body.

Yu Longchen used his leg for a while, but he still held back and did not help him. He kowtowed again and begged, "This son asks Royal Father to take back the order!"

"You!" The Emperor was angry and shouted angrily. He thought of something and his anger immediately dissipated. "Forget it, forget it. If you agree to one of Zhen's conditions, Zhen will satisfy you."

Seeing Yu Longchen raise his head, the Emperor tiredly rubbed his head and closed his eyes. "You cannot investigate what happened back then. If you agree, I will satisfy you."

Yu Longchen hesitated and did not speak for a long time. He laughed proudly. If I don't investigate, the others can. He covered up his smile and pretended to be helpless and hurt. "This son... agrees to Royal Father."

"Okay. You can withdraw. Zhen is tired. " The Emperor closed his eyes and relaxed his tone.

Yu Longchen got up and bowed, respectfully saying, "This son will retire."

Looking at Yu Longchen's back, the Emperor could not help but sigh. I am indeed old...

Mu Ruqing and Mu Po were not the only ones who knew about this decree. Yuan Zhen had been walking around the entrance of Mu Ruqing's courtyard for a day and did not know what to say or do. He did not dare to call her either.