There was a moment of silence in the hall. Then, whispers could be heard.
Some people even looked at the ground in front of them. They thought that the Ministry of Rites was too careless. How could they be responsible for the venue? If His Majesty, the Empress, or the Empress Dowager were injured, they would not be able to absolve themselves from the blame.
Then, they were envious of the young man named "Mu Zi". He was so lucky. Princess Shouning had defeated everyone except him. She had injured her ankle and lost without a fight …
He had won so easily that it gave them a serious illusion. It did not look like he was going to marry the princess. Instead, it looked like Princess Shouning had overcome all the difficulties and obstacles to marry him …
The jealousy of the people who were defeated by Princess Shouning could be felt even from a few feet away.
Conspiracy, this was a blatant conspiracy. Why did they change the order of the competition when it was Mu Zi's turn? Princess Shouning's martial arts were so high, and this was a flat ground. How could she be so careless as to injure her ankle after taking two steps?
Did they arrange everything before the competition?
However, even though they knew there was something fishy going on, they did not dare to bring it up.
The conspiracy was the royal family's conspiracy. Whoever dared to expose the royal family's conspiracy was obviously tired of living …
Princess Shouning, who had sprained her ankle, was helped down by two palace maids.
At this point, the selection of the emperor's son-in-law had been decided. The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager left first, followed by His Majesty and the eldest princess.
When the officials finished sending them off and wanted to look for "Mu Zi", they found that he had disappeared from the hall.
Although the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and His Majesty had left, the rest of the officials could still continue the banquet in the hall.
Everyone gathered in twos and threes and whispered to each other.
"This boy is a rare talent. If we train him carefully, he will become a good husband in a few decades …"
"It's a pity to be the emperor's son-in-law …"
"That's not true. His Majesty has always been unconventional in choosing people. I don't think he will care about this …"
…
"This is definitely not his style of doing things!" Li Xuan paced back and forth in the hall as he spoke with absolute certainty.
He looked at the eunuch at the side and said, "What about Mu Zi? Let him come and see me."
The eunuch respectfully replied, "Replying to Your Majesty, the son-in-law has been summoned by Consort Taifei."
Li Xuan thought for a moment and said, "Then let him come after the old Princess finishes asking questions."
The one with the surname Mu must have some relationship with Li Yi. He could use the throne as a wager.
If he really had nothing to do with Li Yi, he could give the throne to Li Han or MIngzhu.
In another palace in Hibiscus Garden, Concubine Yan looked at Shouning, who was being supported by two princesses and looked back from time to time. She said, "Alright, we're already here. There's no need to pretend."
Shouning immediately let go of the palace maid who was supporting her and ran over to ask, "Imperial Mother, how did you know?"
Concubine Yan looked at her and said, "Although I am old, I can still see."
"How is Imperial Mother old …" Shouning hugged her arm and said, "Imperial Mother is not old at all!"
Concubine Yan shook her head and said, "Even you have grown up and know how to get married. How can I not be old?"
Shouning suddenly blushed. She looked down at her toes and didn't dare to speak.
Concubine Yan stroked her long hair and said, "Alright, you go back to your room first. I have something to say to the son-in-law."
Speaking of the word "son-in-law," Shouning's face became even redder. She secretly looked back and then left reluctantly.
Li Yi followed Concubine Yan into a palace. Concubine Yan waved her hand and left.
She looked back at Li Yi and said, "There are no outsiders here. Sit anywhere, Your Highness Gyeong Of Silla."
Li Yi was startled and then cupped his hands and said, "Consort Taifei's eyes are like torches …"
He gently took off the mask on his face and sat down in the guest seat.
Concubine Yan looked at him and didn't speak.
Li Yi knew that she was waiting for his explanation.
"Before the former Emperor died, he gave a secret edict." Li Yi looked at Concubine Yan and said, "Bing Ning's marriage should be decided by herself. No one can decide for her. This time, the search for the son-in-law is very popular. If the former Emperor's edict was used, it would damage the royal family's reputation. So, we had to do this …"
"I know." Concubine Yan looked at him and nodded. She said, "Not only Gyeong Of Silla has this secret edict, but I also have it."
Li Yi looked at her doubtfully and asked, "If that's the case, why did Consort Taifei …"
"If I didn't do this, would Gyeong Of Silla come back?"
"…"
Concubine Yan's question was too direct and undisguised. Li Yi opened his mouth but didn't say anything in the end.
"The former Emperor did have such an edict." Concubine Yan looked at him and said slowly, "But that's not the reason why I want you to come back and stand here."
Concubine Yan's tone was very calm, but every word made Li Yi's heart tremble.
"Bing Ning is my biological daughter. I only have one daughter. I watched her grow up day by day. I watched her learn to walk, learn to speak, and grow to the age of 18 …"
"Girls' hearts are always open to the outside world. It has been like this since ancient times. When they grow up, they can't be kept …"
…
She said these words and looked at Li Yi again. She said calmly, "She is already 18 years old. From the time she was 14 years old, she was no longer a child. I can treat her as a child, but you can't."
"You've already abandoned her once. Don't abandon her a second time …"
"Your Highness Gyeong Of Silla, do you understand what I mean?" Her expression was calm and her eyes were indifferent, but every word seemed to be sharp.
Li Yi looked at her and nodded.
He glanced at the table out of the corner of his eye.
There was a book there.
Mandarin Duck Handkerchief.
This Mandarin Duck Handkerchief was thicker than any of the books collected by Miss.Liu, Bai Su, and Xiao Huan.
…
"Sir, what did Mother say to you just now?" In Hibiscus Garden, Li Yi and Shouning were walking side by side.
She had changed her clothes so that she didn't look so grand. She also let down her hair and walked quietly beside him.
In the past, when they walked together, she would walk around him or lower her head and kick her feet. This time, she just walked side by side with Li Yi.
Just as Concubine Yan said, no one could treat her as a child anymore.
Li Yi didn't answer her question. He tilted his head and looked at her. He asked, "That Mandarin Duck Handkerchief was written by the Old Princess?"
Shouning nodded.
Li Yi thought that he actually met the Old Princess today. It turned out that the woman whom Xiao Huan and the others regarded as their life mentor was Shouning's mother, the former Concubine Yan, and now the Old Princess …
"Sir."
Shouning suddenly stopped, turned around, and raised her head to look at him.
Li Yi also stopped in his tracks and looked into her eyes.
She took a deep breath and said, "This is the last time I call you sir."
She slowly reached out her hand and smiled. "I am Li Bing Ning. Nice to meet you."
Li Yi thought for a moment. He reached out and held her small hand. He said, "Li Yi, nice to meet you."
She held his hand tightly and said, "Li Yi, you passed the test and defeated me. Now you are my son-in-law."
A eunuch ran from behind and said, "Son-In-Law, His Majesty asks for you!"
Li Yi turned around and looked at him. He said, "Go back and tell him that I don't have time!"
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