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墨書 Inktalez
Too many words choked in his throat; there were things he could not explain now, nor did he want his family to worry. He would bear it all alone.
From childhood to adulthood, his parents had sheltered him from the storms of life. Now, having lived a second life, it was time for him to shield the Su Family.
“Father, there’s one more thing. A few days ago, while reviewing the accounts, I found some discrepancies. It seems there may be someone with ill intentions involved. I will need your cooperation when the time comes, but I ask one thing: if we find out who it is, please don’t show mercy.”
Seeing Su Che’s serious expression, Su Father felt that his son had matured significantly. He frowned at the mention of Xu Mu’s exposure and inexplicably sensed that something was quietly approaching the Su Family, yet he couldn’t grasp the details.
After a moment of thought, he nodded. Su Che must have discovered something that required early preparation, and a sense of unease settled in his heart.
…On the day of the results announcement.
The crowd was bustling in front of the notice board, but Su Che did not join them because Mu Junze had already sent someone to check. Instead, he had devoted these past few days entirely to investigating the mole and reviewing his medical skills.
Xu Mu anxiously searched through the dense list of names and finally found his own. He let out a sigh of relief.
Fang Yitong, who had come along, also spotted Xu Mu’s name and immediately congratulated him.
“Congratulations, Xu brother, on making it onto the list! Come on, let’s celebrate! Today, this young master is treating you; we won’t stop until we’re drunk.”
Seeing Xu Mu hesitate for a moment, Fang Yitong quickly added something else.
“Rest assured, in a few days when we attend the banquet, I have already instructed someone to prepare for the matters regarding the morning audience. Let’s go.”
However, before he could enter the palace for the audience, the next morning someone notified Xu Mu that the Imperial Edict had changed, and his name had been crossed out. Xu Mu was taken aback; before he could investigate further, he was seized by Capital Garrison without any explanation.
Xu Mu was filled with questions. Why were they arresting him? He was a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, and he still needed to travel to the capital for the pilgrimage and participate in various ceremonies. Yet no matter how much he shouted, no one paid him any attention.
Gradually, Xu Mu quieted down, pondering over any possible mistakes he might have made or if there was something amiss. But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t come up with anything, while outside, monumental changes were taking place.
After Su Che expressed his stance, Mu Junze wasted no time and hurried into the palace. Upon hearing that Mu Junze had arrived, the Emperor set aside his memorials and summoned him in.
“Oh? Junze hasn’t visited me for some time. You seem in a hurry; what is it about?”
Mu Junze couldn’t hide his joy; a slight smile appeared at the corners of his mouth as his voice trembled with excitement. “I have never asked my elder brother for anything before; this time I wish to request a decree for marriage from you. I hope you will grant it.”
He tried hard to suppress his inner joy but couldn’t completely conceal it. The Xun Yuan Emperor raised his gaze slightly, taking everything in. Hearing that Mu Junze was asking for a marriage decree made him quite happy as well.
Over the years, Mu Junze had fought on the battlefield without desire or need for wealth or titles; if not for certain things he had to accept, he would likely have nothing at all now. The Xun Yuan Emperor thought that perhaps in the future, Mu Junze would ask him for something significant, which made him feel somewhat melancholic. Given their relationship, even if it were his throne, he wouldn’t hesitate to give it.
However, Mu Junze never spoke up or made requests, which truly gave him a headache. Now that Mu Junze rarely opened his mouth and had found someone he liked, how could he not be pleased?
The Xun Yuan Emperor waved his hand and called Eunuch Wu to fetch ink and brush, swiftly writing on the decree. He didn’t notice that Eunuch Wu beside him wore a troubled expression as he wrote and spoke simultaneously: “It should have been like this long ago. Which family’s daughter is so hidden away? I haven’t heard a thing these past few days. But it doesn’t matter; status isn’t important. When the time comes, I can still issue a decree to bestow her as a noble consort…”
The Xun Yuan Emperor opened up the conversation without giving anyone else a chance to speak. Understanding someone like Mu Junze meant this was exactly what he wanted.
Knowing well how the Xun Yuan Emperor was but not daring to be careless about this matter, Eunuch Wu stood by and watched him write.
Soon the decree was nearly finished when the Xun Yuan Emperor lowered his head and asked, “I wonder which young lady is so outstanding? What is her name?”
“The Su Family, Su Che.”
“Oh, Su Che… Su Che?”
As soon as the Xun Yuan Emperor finished writing Su Che’s name, he suddenly lifted his head in shock and paused for a moment; he was aware of the offspring of officials in the court.
However, I had never heard of a woman named Su Che from the Su Family, and that name sounded somewhat masculine.
"From the Minister Su's family? I had no idea they had a daughter named Su Che. Could she be a illegitimate child? But the name Su Che sounds quite familiar... I feel like I've heard it somewhere before."
Seeing that he had finished writing, Mu Junze seized the opportunity to take the jade seal beside him and pressed it down, swiftly collecting the imperial edict before Xun Yuan Emperor could react.
His speed was so quick that it seemed he feared Xun Yuan Emperor might change his mind. Once the edict was in hand, Mu Junze let out a sigh of relief and slowly spoke.
"Not someone from the court, just the only son of the wealthiest man in the capital, Su Fu. The Top Scholar from a few days ago, your imperial brother has heard of him but hasn't had the chance to meet him yet. You will see him in a few days. Let me take this edict; I will trouble Eunuch Wu to make a trip later."
Eunuch Wu stood by with a wry smile, not saying a word.
Upon hearing this explanation, Xun Yuan Emperor finally recalled that Su Che was indeed the name of the Top Scholar, but he was male.
Looking back at Mu Junze, who had realized this and was about to dash out with the edict, Xun Yuan Emperor didn't have time to think further. He quickly leaped over the table and rushed toward the door, even using lightness skill.
Yet he was still a step too late; Mu Junze had tightly closed the door behind him, and his voice came from outside.
"It’s getting late today; I won’t disturb you any longer, imperial brother. I will visit again another day."
With that, he hurried away. Watching Mu Junze's fleeing figure, Xun Yuan Emperor felt a pang of regret as he slapped the door frame.
"Oh no! Why didn’t you remind me? Quickly tell me what’s going on!"
Eunuch Wu stood by with unspoken frustration; he had wanted to say something earlier, but there hadn’t been an opportunity.
By the time he thought to speak up, Mu Junze was almost done writing, and Duke Beiqin was standing right there—what could a mere eunuch say?
Eunuch Wu dared not voice his thoughts and could only briefly explain to Mu Chengjun about Su Che.
But beyond that, he didn’t know much either; he only learned some details due to needing to investigate because of her status as Top Scholar.
As for when the prince met Su Che or how long they had been together, he had no idea.
Mu Chengjun paced back and forth in the imperial study with a furrowed brow, unable to find words for a long while.
He had acted impulsively, which allowed Mu Junze to succeed; now that the edict was taken by Mu Junze, retrieving it seemed impossible.
Helplessly, he sighed and waved his hand dismissively.
"Forget it; if he likes her, then so be it. After all, he's not the emperor—marriage is free; let him be. Go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and find some items; don’t let him lose face for the royal family."
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