Chapter 429 - 191: How Could She Become the Emperor’s Woman
Why did Yao’er stay overnight in the palace?
What exactly happened here?
"Sigh..."
Thinking of this matter, Yun Zheng sighed, feeling a wave of irritation.
He hadn’t slept a wink last night, thinking about this issue the whole time, yet still hadn’t figured out what to do.
Until now, everything was in chaos. He thought that he might need to meet with the Emperor before making a decision.
"You’re not wrong; the situation is exactly as you imagined. Frankly, it’s all because of that brat Yun Wanye."
Ye’er???
Yun Zhan was even more puzzled.
How did Yao’er staying overnight in the palace become related to Ye’er?
Even if you beat him to death, Yun Zhan would never guess that Yun Wanye, to be with the Princess, promised great benefits as a lure, tricking Yun Wanyao into entering the palace to seduce the Emperor.
Therefore, he was extremely curious, but this was truly not a good place to talk, so he had to suppress his curiosity, silently shut his mouth, and did not continue to ask.
All matters should be discussed after court when they returned.
Fenghua Palace.
Eunuch Feng again tiptoed back to the bedside.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the verbal order has been conveyed, and the ministers have left together. However, Duke Ning and Lord Yun have not departed. Duke Ning says he wishes to seek an audience with the Emperor. Does Your Majesty wish to see him?"
Mo Yuanlin: "..."
He had long anticipated that Duke Ning would come to ask him about this matter today, but he didn’t expect it to be so urgent.
Hiding and not seeing them was not a solution.
Mo Yuanlin’s gaze fell on the girl’s hand holding onto the corner of his robe. He frowned and thought for a brief moment, then said, "Eunuch Feng, have someone bring a pair of scissors."
"Also, invite Duke Ning and Lord Yun to the Imperial Study; I’ll be right over."
"Yes."
Eunuch Feng received the order and quickly retreated.
Soon after, a little eunuch came with scissors. Mo Yuanlin lifted the tapestry with one hand, grabbed the scissors, and carefully cut off that piece of fabric.
Heh, who knows what’s so special about this fabric that she held onto it for so long without letting go.
The light gold sleeping robes now had a hole, but Mo Yuanlin didn’t mind at all and gently lifted the tapestry and got out of bed.
The little eunuch standing by immediately brought the Dragon Robe to assist him in changing clothes.
Upon seeing the hole in the sleeping robes, the little eunuch was slightly stunned.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and help me get dressed!"
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
Imperial Study.
By the time Mo Yuanlin and his entourage arrived, Yun Zheng and Yun Zhan had been waiting for quite some time.
Hearing the commotion, the two brothers immediately cupped their fists and saluted.
"Your subjects welcome Your Majesty."
"No need for such courtesy, both of you."
Mo Yuanlin stepped forward, extending both hands in a gesture of lifting them up slightly.
After the formalities, he directly walked to the tall imperial throne, sat down, and instructed to serve tea to Yun Zheng and Yun Zhan.
Yun Zheng was in no mood for small talk or to savor tea and didn’t even glance at the steaming teacup at his side.
"Your Majesty, I have something to ask."
"Speak freely, Duke Ning."
Mo Yuanlin naturally knew what Yun Zheng wanted to talk about, causing him some anxiety, but he was always good at managing his emotions, showing no sign of it on his face.
"Where is my daughter?"
"Miss Yun is resting peacefully in Fenghua Palace, all is well. Duke Ning, do not worry."
It seems like a master-servant duo indeed; this line was nearly identical to what Eunuch Feng stated before.
Yun Zheng clenched his fists, his expression sour.
"Then, may I ask Your Majesty, has any harm come to her?"
This time, Mo Yuanlin did not respond immediately.
He first smiled and then slowly said, "What kind of answer does Duke Ning wish to hear? Does it matter whether I have been involved with Miss Yun or not? In Fenghua Palace, only the Emperor’s woman can reside."
"Outrageous."
Yun Zheng didn’t expect him to be so blunt and stood up from the chair abruptly.
"Your Majesty, Yun Wanyao is already engaged, her fiancé being Your Majesty’s own brother. How could she become Your Majesty’s woman?"
Hearing this, Mo Yuanlin remained unflustered and calmly said, "Oh, that engagement. I have already decreed its annulment and will have Eunuch Feng deliver the decree to Prince Qi Mansion after court."
Yun Zheng: "?????"
Yun Zhan: "?????"
What???
The engagement was annulled?
How did they not know about this?
The brothers exchanged a glance, each seeing deep shock in the other’s eyes.
Seeing their shock, Mo Yuanlin raised an eyebrow and said, "Eunuch Feng, show the imperial decree to Duke Ning."
This decree annulling the engagement was made in two copies, one intended for the Yun Family.
Mo Yuanlin originally planned to present it to Yun Zheng after the morning court, but since he came earlier, now was the perfect time.
Eunuch Feng obeyed, holding the imperial decree with both hands and respectfully presented it to Yun Zheng.
Yun Zheng took it, opened it, and read it carefully several times, his emotions becoming complex.
It’s hard to believe that this engagement, which had troubled their family for so long, was about to be annulled. However, it would still require sacrificing Yao’er...
After a moment, he collected himself, closed the decree, and looked up at Mo Yuanlin.
"Your Majesty, even if Yun Wanyao’s engagement with King Qi is annulled, she is still not suitable to enter the palace. Historically, there hasn’t been a woman who failed to be with a younger brother and then chose the elder brother instead."
"If Yun Wanyao enters the palace, how will the civil and military officials view Your Majesty? How will King Qi perceive Your Majesty? And how will the people of the world see Your Majesty?"
"This matter could greatly damage Your Majesty’s reputation and might even cause a rift between Your Majesty and Prince Qi."
"Is Your Majesty truly prepared to be scorned by the world, to fall out with a brother over a woman?"
If he were just an ordinary person, Yun Zheng wouldn’t have so many concerns, but he’s not.
He is a ruler of the state, always under the spotlight for his every move.
Therefore, Yun Wanyao entering the palace is destined to become one of the greatest blemishes in the Emperor’s life.
If King Qi harbors any resentment, the matter becomes even more serious.
Yun Zheng does not want the situation to spiral out of control, only for the Emperor to regret it later and then blame everything on Yun Wanyao.
Most men in this world are used to letting women pay for their mistakes.
But this mistake carries too severe a consequence for Yun Wanyao to bear.
In the future, if the Emperor regrets it, he could simply say that Yun Wanyao seduced him, and all the disgrace could be shifted onto her.
Then Yun Wanyao would be deemed the beauty who caused a rift in the Imperial family, tarnishing the Emperor’s prestige, and be condemned by the world.
What woman could bear such consequences?
Knowing Yun Zheng through years of their relationship as ruler and subject, Mo Yuanlin understood what Yun Zheng was truly concerned about after hearing those words.
These issues indeed stood as the biggest hurdle between him and Yun Wanyao. If not handled properly, Yun Zheng would never agree to let Yun Wanyao enter the palace.
Mo Yuanlin chuckled softly and said, "Duke Ning, I understand you have many concerns in your heart. Today, I swear upon the Mo family’s empire..."