bayedsolid Chapter 291 The Emperor Tests Us!
Chapter 291 The Emperor Tests Us!
Upon hearing this, Mu Chang'an was greatly surprised and for a moment forgot the etiquette between a ruler and his subject, and suddenly raised his head.
Upon meeting the Emperor's imposing and intimidating gaze, Mu Chang'an immediately realized his mistake and quickly knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, I truly do not know Your Majesty's intentions. Please enlighten me."
"The other day, Prince Ming came to me and asked me to take your Ah Nuan as a concubine. Mu Qing, what do you think?"
Mu Chang'an was so frightened that his forehead was covered in sweat. "Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Ming is of high rank and great power. I dare not presume to be worthy of such a position."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "Being a concubine is acceptable in terms of status. It's not like you're climbing the social ladder."
Having served the Emperor for many years, Mu Chang'an naturally understood that the Emperor's words were clearly a test. He kowtowed twice and said, "Your Majesty, my daughter has been the apple of my family's eye since childhood, and we have never been careless with her. Moreover, as she is my eldest daughter and the eldest granddaughter of the entire Mu family, my father has always been strict with her. Her mother, Lady Li, is even more concerned about her, teaching her from a young age that a woman should never become a concubine. Therefore, my daughter has received this teaching since childhood, and I fear that if she marries into the Ming Prince's mansion, it will only bring discord to the Ming Prince's mansion."
The Emperor seemed unmoved. "So what? I'll just send some palace maids to teach her a bit more. It's rare to find such an outstanding daughter of Minister Mu. Wouldn't it be a pity if she didn't become a royal daughter-in-law?"
The Emperor's words completely startled Mu Chang'an, who for a moment failed to grasp the Emperor's implied meaning, and his expression changed drastically!
"Your Majesty, my daughter is still young. Please reconsider."
After Mu Chang'an finished speaking, he kowtowed heavily again.
The Emperor stroked his beard and chuckled, "What? Minister Mu, are you determined not to let Mu Xin Nuan marry into the Ming Prince's mansion? Do you think a concubine's status is too low, or do you think the Ming Prince is too old?"
Mu Chang'an was so anxious that his palms were sweating. The Emperor's words were clearly a warning to him!
If I don't agree, the Emperor will be furious!
Disdain for the concubine's low status? Isn't this blatantly saying that the Mu family wants a principal wife? Disdain for Prince Ming's age? Prince Ming is only in his early thirties. There are countless men of his age who take concubines and beauties. Even the Emperor, at his age, still receives beauties every year. How dare we say that Prince Ming is too old?
The sweat on Mu Chang'an's forehead accumulated more and more, and before he could wipe it away, it fell to the ground with a 'plop'.
Mu Chang'an's forehead was only half a foot from the ground. He clearly heard the ticking sound and even saw the drop of cold sweat break into several pieces and seep into the cracks of the marble in the imperial study.
The Imperial Study was quiet and still. The Emperor squinted and remained silent, as if he intended to keep Mu Chang'an kneeling like this indefinitely unless Mu Chang'an gave him a clear answer today.
"Your Majesty, I am of limited talent and learning, and am truly incapable of fulfilling the duties of the Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
After much deliberation, Mu Chang'an closed his eyes with a helpless expression, gritted his teeth, and used this last resort. At worst, he would give up the position of Grand Chancellor!
At worst, he'd give up the title of Marquis of Zhongyong! He couldn't let his precious daughter suffer such injustice. Marrying into the Ming Prince's mansion? What good could come of that? If he sincerely submitted, then so be it; otherwise, he feared Anuan wouldn't live more than a few years in the Ming Prince's mansion.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor blinked, his brows furrowed, and his face became solemn and grave, as if Mu Chang'an had committed some grave and unforgivable offense!
The Emperor raised his right hand and slammed it heavily on the dragon desk, actually rising to his feet while leaning on the desk. He roared, "You, Mu Chang'an! Are you threatening me with your resignation?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not. I am filled with trepidation. It is truly that my abilities are limited and I am unable to share Your Majesty's burdens."
"Fine! Mu Chang'an, do you think that just because you give up this official position and this title, I won't have to issue an edict to grant you this marriage?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not." Mu Chang'an's heart was in his throat. Finally, he mustered his courage and said, "Your Majesty, ever since you promoted me, there have been many people coming to propose marriage. This has even attracted the attention of His Highness Prince Ming. This has made me and my family extremely apprehensive! Your Majesty, I really have no choice but to accept your offer."
After hearing what he said, the Emperor thought it was the truth, and the information he had gathered was also true.
Since he elevated Mu Chang'an's status, the Mu family's standing had risen accordingly, and naturally, many people came to curry favor with them. However, Mu Chang'an's performance did not disappoint him; he remained respectful in his actions, which reassured him.
However, seeing how protective he was of Mu Xin Nuan, the Emperor became somewhat curious.
"Speaking of which, it's been a few years since I've seen your Ah Nuan. When you have some free time, have your wife bring her to pay her respects to the Empress, and I'll take the opportunity to meet her as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
How could Mu Chang'an dare to say no again? He could only agree for now and think of a way to postpone the matter later.
"Alright, stop kneeling. I've heard that your daughter dotes on you, preparing your lunch meticulously every day and bringing it to you?"
"Your Majesty, my daughter has no other skills, this is all she has to offer," Mu Chang'an quickly replied modestly.
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Seeing that he had gotten up, the Emperor sat down again and said with a smile, "Let me tell you, I'm not worried about you. I'm worried that if you kneel any longer and cause any problems with your legs, your daughter will be heartbroken and secretly call me a foolish ruler."
"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation. My daughter has never spoken ill of state affairs while she is at home."
The Emperor's words were meant as a joke, but it was unexpected that Mu Chang'an would respond to them in such a way. It was quite amusing; it seemed that he had indeed frightened the Emperor just now.
"Alright, I still have so many memorials here. You may leave."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Mu Chang'an couldn't figure out what the Emperor was thinking, nor did she know whether he had given up on the idea of betrothing A'nuan to Prince Ming as a concubine. She hurriedly left the Imperial Study, and only after being blown by the cold wind did she feel sticky and uncomfortable. She moved her body and found that her clothes were soaked with sweat.
He frowned, but still hurriedly left the palace, instructing everyone to return to their residences to change clothes before going to work.
Throughout the journey, Mu Chang'an's heart was almost never at peace.