Xuanwu Emperor was pondering the pros and cons when Zi You said, “Emperor, this is Chennu’s third request. Please allow Chennu’s grandfather to resign from his post!”
Xuanwu Emperor heard Zi You say this too. He pretended to look reluctantly at Old General Mu and Mu YingYi. “Old General Mu and Young General Mu have suffered. Zhen is really distressed! Old General Mu’s body is so weak that he does need to convalesce. How about this? Since Old General Mu resigned from his post, then he will be titled Duke Rongguo. Young General Mu will be titled Duke Rongguo Shizi.
“Both of you should convalesce for some time. When you feel better, return to your posts in the five cities’ garrison. Zhen can’t allow both beloved officials to leave together. Zhen still relies on you both, beloved officials.”
Then he looked and smiled at Zi You. “Of course, Zhen relies on our Commander Mu too. Zhen titles Mu Zi You as Great Yan’s National Guardian. She is titled first-rank and awarded the Yingxiong Sword and Yongshi armor! Yatou, Zhen has kept them for you.
“Yatou, as the National Guardian, if there’s a drought or a flood in the future, you will have to work hard to share Zhen’s worries.”
Xuanwu Emperor’s tone at the end was relaxed and pleasant, which made the officials to laugh.
“Chen accepts the decree.” Old General Mu, Mu YingYi, and Zi You bowed.
The Empress Dowager instantly urged, “Emperor, then You’er and Ling’er’s marriage……”
It really was a flower being stuck in cow manure! This dandy would gain a cheap advantage. But this was good too. Shangguan LingRan was an idiot. Even if Mu Zi You was more powerful, she couldn’t make him flourish.
It’s just a waste of a peerless beauty! But it would work if Zhen makes some moves and have a secret affair with her.
This was what Taizi thought too.
Taizi endured for a long time, but he finally couldn’t help it and said, “Fuwang, Erchen feels that it’s not appropriate. Cousin Shizi’s behavior is frivolous. He’s not a good match for the National Guardian.”
“Oh?” “Shangguan LingRan” scoffed. “Then who is? You, Taizi? Unfortunately, You’er said that she rather have a dandy like me than an heir apparent with multiple wives like you. If you’re still unreconciled, can you dismiss all of the wives and concubines in your Taizi fu then?”
“You!” Taizi was so angry that his face turned green. He looked at Zi You and hoped that Zi You would speak out to oppose the marriage.
But he was disappointed. Zi You stood there quietly, as elegant and refined like a green lotus. She didn’t even look at him once.
The Emperor saw this and even if he was 1,000 times, 10,000 times more unwilling, he still said heavily, “Mu Zi You is bestowed as An Wang Shizi Shangguan LingRan’s Zhengfei. Choose a date to get married.”
Shangguan LingRan was ecstatic. He almost revealed himself.
He was also extremely regretful. He should have switched identities with that darned Yi He. Was he going to let that darned kid kneel with YouYou to thank the Emperor?
No! No way. Shangguan LingRan immediately walked over quiveringly to Zi You. He grabbed her hand and knelt with her to thank the Emperor. “Thank you for the bestowal of marriage, Emperor!”
Everyone was immersed in a state of shock and didn’t notice this weird action. But it wasn’t wrong. As Zi You’s grandfather who doted on her heavily, it wasn’t wrong for Old General Mu to personally thank the Emperor for his grace.
But they were all feeling regretful for Zi You! Although Zhao HongXiang wasn’t worthy of Mu Xiaojie, this An Wang Shizi wasn’t a good match either!
The disparity was too large. One was a phoenix among humans, but one was handsome with no substance. And he always lingered in brothels. Could he really be wholehearted towards Mu Xiaojie? They were really skeptical.
