bayedsolid Chapter 365 Duanmu Chen's Thoughts
Chapter 365 Duanmu Chen's Thoughts
"Your Highness, you are indeed here. Her Majesty the Empress has been sending people to look for you everywhere. You should hurry over so as not to keep Her Majesty worried."
Mu Xin Nuan recognized the female official; she seemed to serve in Kun Ning Palace. The last time she entered the palace, she seemed to have seen her serving the Empress.
“Princess Jing, since it is Her Majesty the Empress who is looking for you, you should go quickly. If you displease Her Majesty, it will be my fault.”
"Alright, alright. I'm coming right now. And you, Nuan?"
"Princess, rest assured, this servant will immediately instruct the other palace maids to come and ensure that Miss Mu is led to Qinghua Pavilion without any mishaps."
"Alright. Let's go."
The female official bowed again to Mu Xin Nuan, "Miss Mu, please wait a moment. This servant will immediately instruct a palace maid to come and lead the way for you."
Mu Xin Nuan nodded slightly. After watching the two leave, she didn't want to stay any longer and turned back to ask, "Chun Yu, do you know the way?"
“Miss, I recognize her.”
"Okay, let's go."
Before she could finish speaking, Chunyu looked surprised and asked, "Miss?"
Mu Xin Nuan turned around and was immediately stunned. Duanmu Chen had actually come here, and judging from his calm and pleasant expression, with a slight upturn at the corner of his lips, he was not surprised at all that they, mistress and servant, were here.
Mu Xin Nuan's eyes narrowed slightly. So, it seemed that Duanmu Jing being called away was also his doing? But how did he know they would be here? Had he been watching them beforehand? No!
What if I didn't come here with Duanmu Jing? How would Duanmu Chen meet me then?
Or was it that Duanmu Jing was subtly instructed to bring her here from the very beginning? It seems that not all the people around Duanmu Jing are entirely reliable. This Duanmu Chen's methods are truly extraordinary!
"I was unaware that Your Highness was coming. I apologize for disturbing you. I shall take my leave."
After Mu Xin Nuan finished speaking, she curtsied and prepared to leave.
“Miss Mu, there’s no need to rush. Since we’ve run into each other, why don’t we sit down and have a cup of tea together?” Duanmu Chen didn’t move, clearly not intending to make way. Now that he was blocking the doorway, Mu Xin Nuan naturally couldn’t leave if he didn’t move.
"Your Highness, is this perhaps inappropriate? Her Majesty the Empress has prepared a banquet at Qinghua Water Pavilion. Please forgive me for not being able to stay here any longer."
"No rush. Her Majesty the Empress has other matters to attend to and will likely be unable to come for a while. I heard it's about her aunt's marriage, and she's quite worried about it. Miss Mu, please have a seat."
Mu Xin Nuan was startled. It turned out that the Empress really did have something to discuss with Duanmu Jing. It seemed that the female official from earlier had not lied.
"Since Your Highness has extended the invitation, I will gladly accept. However, there is a difference between men and women, so please, Your Highness, make this brief."
Duanmu Chen's eyes flickered, and he chuckled, "Alright. Can we talk alone?"
Mu Xin Nuan glanced at Chun Yu behind her out of the corner of her eye, and then looked at Duanmu Chen's somewhat domineering gaze, knowing that she definitely wouldn't be able to refuse him.
"Chunyu, you go and stand guard outside the door."
"Yes, Miss." Unexpectedly, Chunyu, who was extremely worried, did not show the slightest reluctance. Instead, she readily went to the door to stand guard.
"Miss Mu, please have a seat."
Although Mu Xin Nuan didn't understand why His Highness Changsun would suddenly call her, she believed that he definitely didn't come here by accident.
Duanmu Chen looked at Mu Xin Nuan's calm face, trying to find a trace of panic in her expression or eyes, but unfortunately, he was destined to be disappointed. Mu Xin Nuan's calmness and composure were no different from before.
"Anuan, do you know what today's tea party is for?"
Mu Xin Nuan frowned slightly. Ah Nuan? Are they that close? When did he start using such an intimate term for her?
"I have heard a little about it."
"You've only heard a little about it? It seems Anuan isn't planning to tell me the truth? What? Am I not trustworthy? Or is it because you now have the title of Princess Chang Le, that you dare not speak frankly to me?"
"Since Your Highness is aware of the Emperor's bestowal of marriage, you should be even more cautious. I can pretend that today's events never happened. I only hope that Your Highness will consider your own status before acting in the future."
After speaking with a cold face, Mu Xin Nuan got up and walked out.
After taking only a few steps, Duanmu Chen did not move his body, but simply stretched out his long arm and successfully grabbed her left arm.
"Ah Nuan, I thought you knew my feelings for you all along, but I never expected you could be so blind to it. Mu Xin Nuan, is your heart made of stone? Or is it that you've already fallen for Prince Chang Le all along?"
Mu Xin Nuan's face showed anger. She felt the strength with which he was gripping her arm, which she could not break free of on her own. Helpless, she knew that she could not anger him at this moment, so she could only grit her teeth and say, "I wonder what Your Highness means by these words? As far as I know, Your Highness has already chosen a principal wife, hasn't he? I urge Your Highness to be careful with your words."
"Be careful with your words? Hah!" Duanmu Chen actually stood up. "What are you implying?"
Mu Xin Nuan's eyes immediately flashed with disbelief. What kind of mind did this prince have? What was he thinking? Did he not understand what she was implying? She was just trying to make him mindful of his status; did he have some other intention?
"Your Highness, it is getting late. Please excuse me for taking my leave."
Mu Xin Nuan brought up the matter again, but she felt that the hand on her arm not only hadn't let go, but had actually tightened its grip.
"Your Highness, please release him. Men and women should not touch each other. Please do not disgrace your status as a member of the royal family." Mu Xin Nuan's expression grew increasingly solemn.
Duanmu Chen's face darkened further. "Mu Xin Nuan, very well! You really know how to break my heart, Mu Xin Nuan, you're truly ruthless!"
"Your Highness flatters me." Mu Xin Nuan endured the pain in her forearm and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Your Highness, are you sure you want to continue being so rude here?"
"Ha! So what if you're rude? Have you forgotten that this isn't the Mu residence, but the imperial palace!"
Mu Xin Nuan's expression changed. "What? What else does Your Highness want? This is the Imperial Garden. I don't think I need to remind you of the current political situation. I am the fiancée of Prince Chang Le, and Prince Chang Le is now on the side of the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, Duanmu Chen's expression indeed worsened.