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Wen Liang looked around, taking in the surroundings. It was her first time staying in a regular house, and it wasn't as unbearable as Xu Mu Cong had described. Compared to the palaces and mansions of the noble families, it was simpler, but very clean.
For the first time, Wen Liang truly understood the saying that even a small sparrow has all its organs. Yes, it was indeed small for her.
Xu Mu Cong had thoughtfully sent someone to clean and replace all the bedding with new items.
“I apologize; since I don’t usually stay in the capital, there aren’t many servants at home. I’ll have someone buy a maid tomorrow,” he said somewhat awkwardly, to which Wen Liang smiled.
“It’s no trouble at all. There’s no need to go through such hassle. This Palace will only be staying for a few days. During this time, I may have to trouble young Master Xu with some matters. Once I return to the palace after handling these affairs, I will certainly send someone to express my gratitude,” she replied.
Xu Mu Cong shook his head, saying that knowing Wen Liang was already an honor for him. He sincerely expressed that if there was ever a chance to help her in the future, he would do his best. However, he felt that as a princess, she likely wouldn’t need his assistance.
Wen Liang sensed Xu Mu Cong's sincerity. Growing up in the palace, she was accustomed to the intrigues and manipulations that were part of court life. Over time, she had grown used to it.
Especially when it came to merchants, whom she had always looked down upon. The only men she respected were her father and Mu Junze. Yet now, due to some unexpected events, she found herself seeing Xu Mu Cong in a different light.
Little did she know that Xu Mu Cong had once been a complete freeloader.
After settling in, Wen Liang found that the next day there was no sign of Xu Mu Cong. When she asked the servants, they informed her that he had left early in the morning and had yet to return. A sense of foreboding washed over her.
Sure enough, moments later, the front door of the house was broken open by a group of armored guards wielding swords. The leader stepped forward with a serious expression but respectful demeanor and addressed Wen Liang.
“Your Highness, the Empress has sent us to escort you back to the palace.”
Wen Liang frowned and coldly asked, “What have you done with young Master Xu? This matter has nothing to do with him; let him go!”
“Replying to Your Highness, we do not know who young Master Xu is. We were given only one command: to bring you back to the palace,” replied the guard impassively.
Frustrated but unable to resist them, Wen Liang clenched her fists and followed them back.
In the palace, Liang Fei sat leisurely on a concubine chair sipping tea. Upon seeing Wen Liang brought back, she hurriedly approached with a smile, completely changing from her earlier calm demeanor.
“Oh? Come let Mother see! You’ve lost weight during these few days away! You’re even darker! Quickly tell Mother what interesting things you found in Jiangnan!”
Wen Liang looked at Liang Fei with a grim expression as if unaware of her own confinement. Her mother was just that kind of person; no matter what happened, she could remain unflustered and could play the role of a gentle and understanding figure exceptionally well.
This was one reason why even though the Empress did not hold power over the six palaces, Liang Fei did. She had always indulged her daughter and granted her every wish—except when it came to marrying Mu Junze; that was something she vehemently opposed.
“Mother, there’s no need for such pretense in front of me,” Wen Liang said.
Liang Fei maintained her smile and waved her hand for the palace maids to leave.
“Good, Wen Liang, don’t blame your mother. She has no choice. You should give up on marrying Mu Junze. Now that you know the truth, I won’t hide it from you any longer. If you fancy another young man from a different family, I will definitely ensure you have a grand wedding.”
As she spoke, Liang Fei looked at her daughter with deep affection. Although she had another son, she cherished and adored this daughter immensely, not only because she was the only princess in the palace.
Wen Liang shook off Liang Fei's hand and retorted, “Why should I?! I don’t want anyone else’s son; I only want Mu Junze! Why is it acceptable for him to marry a man while I, as a princess, cannot marry him?! Mother, you said that uncle-nephew relationships are not to be violated and would bring shame to the world, so that’s why you disagreed. But now he is marrying a man—doesn’t that also bring shame? Isn’t that also a violation of the world’s norms?! Why can’t I marry him?!”
Seeing Wen Liang’s frantic state, Liang Fei didn’t get angry; instead, she stepped forward to comfort her. Didn’t she wish for the same? As Duke Beiqin, Mu Junze had given up his military power before, but he was still capable. With the current threats at the borders and no suspicion from the emperor towards him, having a son could prove advantageous in future succession battles. With Duke Beiqin’s support—let alone his affection from the emperor—it would certainly increase their chances.
However, this wasn’t something she could dictate; after all, she was merely a concubine in the harem. Even as the empress, she couldn’t control how the emperor thought.
Liang Fei sighed and said, “My foolish child, does this palace not wish for it? Do you know why your trip to Jiangnan has taken so long?”
“Ha! That’s something you should ask yourself, my dear mother.”
Liang Fei immediately realized that Wen Liang had misunderstood her. She wasn’t angry; instead, she carefully explained the critical points. If it weren’t for the emperor’s orders, who would allow the only princess to be sent so far away for such an extended period?
She had initially considered helping Wen Liang secretly. Once the deed was done, there would be no turning back regarding this marriage. But she didn’t know when the emperor had sensed something amiss.
Unlike his usual gentle demeanor, he had directly warned her. She understood his temperament well; although he sometimes acted childishly and could be calm and approachable, he was still an emperor. What emperor hadn’t shed blood?
Xun Yuan Emperor was no exception; if someone touched his sore spot, he would show no mercy. The saying “the heartless imperial family” applied to Xun Yuan Emperor as well.
Mu Junze was one of those exceptions; thus, even though she held the position of empress, she dared not provoke that sore spot.
“Wen Liang, there are so many good men in this world. Why must it be him? Moreover, he knows your feelings well—whether he takes it as a joke or not, he is aware. If he truly cared for you, why would he prefer to marry a man instead of you?”
“Don’t you understand yet? If you’re unwilling to understand now, your mother can give you time.”
Wen Liang was left speechless. Did she truly not understand? No, she simply didn’t want to accept it. When he wasn’t married yet, she held onto hope but dared not overstep her bounds.
Now that he disregarded propriety and married a man instead of her, she felt there might still be a chance. But now she realized that he would rather marry a man than her.
“My dear child, your mother knows you are hurting, but time will heal everything.”
Liang Fei instructed someone to take the dazed Wen Liang away. At that moment, Wen Liang’s eyes were vacant like a puppet’s; she completely forgot to ask about Xu Mu Cong.
After she left, Xu Mu Cong was brought in.
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