NOVPUB
Chapter 203: Chapter 203: Imperial Uncle Arranges a Meeting with the Grand Princess
Emperor Xuanwu looked at Mu Yan and asked, "Is there such an outstanding young prodigy?"
Mu Yan nodded, "He is also personally appointed as the Top Scholar by Your Majesty’s imperial pen."
Emperor Xuanwu appeared contemplative as he looked at the paper, ink, brush, and inkstone on the table, genuinely appreciating Wang Qingchen’s talent, but the latter was only eighteen this year, indeed a bit too young.
Mu Yan seemed to see through Emperor Xuanwu’s thoughts and said aloud, "This person is very young now, but looking around the whole Nanjin, there are few as talented as him. Moreover, he is diligent and studious, and given time, he will surely become a pillar of the state."
Emperor Xuanwu didn’t understand why Mu Yan would start caring about the marriage of the eldest princess.
He muttered, "Imperial brother, this matter still needs to consider Yaoyao’s wishes. She has been spoiled by me and even told me a few days ago that she wants to choose her own Prince Consort."
Mu Yan nodded and said, "Your brother also sees good talent and recommends him to you, brother. Of course, we should respect the eldest princess’s wishes."
Emperor Xuanwu gave a faint smile and asked, "You, too, are no longer young. Do you have a lady in mind?"
Mu Yan showed a troubled expression, "Brother, as you know, I have no intention of settling down. Being alone is quite nice."
Emperor Xuanwu frowned and rose, "If you find a girl you fancy, tell your brother. I will announce it to the world together with your status, joy upon joy."
Mu Yan stood up and bowed, "Thank you for your kind intentions, brother. We’ll talk about it when the time comes!"
After Mu Yan left, Emperor Xuanwu gestured for Eunuch Li, who was hiding in the room, to come out.
Eunuch Li nodded and said, "Your Majesty, Seal Keeper Mu has been in frequent contact with Zhan Lan recently. This servant found that they live very close by, and it seems Mu Yan is attempting to charm Zhan Lan."
Emperor Xuanwu said with a cold face, "He has always been flirtatious by nature. I have seen that girl Zhan Lan; she is indeed extraordinary. Mu Yan is always among the flowers, and to him, women, once obtained, become uncherished!"
Eunuch Li smiled and added, "Indeed, besides Seal Keeper Mu hovering around Miss Zhan, spies have found nothing else. However, Prince Si Jun in Lingnan is currently beloved by the local people. He doesn’t fear hardship or exhaustion and can humble himself to work alongside the people. Life in Lingnan has been getting better over the past half a year."
Emperor Xuanwu’s eyes darkened as he touched the horsetail whisk in his hand, "Si Jun is actually the one who most resembles me. I appreciate his tenacity, but unfortunately, he is too calculative and ambitious. I worry that once he ascends, he will deal with the other princes."
Eunuch Li bent over and continued, "Your Majesty, Prince Si Jun sent someone to deliver Acorus Calamus for your Majesty. It may be beneficial when you have difficulty sleeping."
Emperor Xuanwu nodded, "He is thoughtful."
"Yes, Your Majesty. It’s said Acorus Calamus grows in places that favor the shade and must be harvested from cliffsides and in valleys where snakes, insects, rodents, and wild beasts abound. Spies report that a wild boar bit off a piece of flesh from Prince Si Jun’s leg!" Eunuch Li dramatized the report, as Emperor Xuanwu’s frown deepened.
Emperor Xuanwu remained silent. To him, the cultivation of the princes was not as important. Just wait and see!
For now, it’s better to find an opportunity to bring all the noble sons to the palace and let the eldest princess choose a Prince Consort.
...
Zhan Lan received a letter from Lady Yin Yi at home. She wrote everything that happened in the palace recently, including Emperor Xuanwu’s desire to select a Prince Consort for the eldest princess. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
The candidates favored by Emperor Xuanwu are said to include Bai Chen and Wang Qingchen.
When Zhan Lan saw Wang Qingchen’s name, she felt a bit uneasy. With Wang Qingchen’s intelligence, if he became the son-in-law of the Si Family...
In the future, if she wanted to overthrow the Si Family dynasty, it would only increase her difficulties.
After Prince Zhen Nan subdued the Southern Barbarians’ unrest, Emperor Xuanwu transferred him to guard Heifeng Pass, making him the main force to resist the invasions from Beiyue.
Now with one hundred and fifty thousand elite soldiers under his command, he is the only power that can compete with the Zhan Family. Zhan Lan also did not want his legitimate son Bai Chen to become part of the Si Family.
That would make vengeance even more difficult.
However, Zhan Lan was not worried about Bai Chen; he was naturally a free spirit who disliked being constrained, and for some reason, he had an aversion to the eldest princess.
In their past life, a quarrel had erupted between Bai Chen and the eldest princess within the palace, resulting in a falling out between them, therefore Zhan Lan was not worried about the two of them ending up together.
Moreover, Zhan Lan had a secret weapon she could use to manipulate Bai Chen, and now was not the time for the two to meet.
Right now, it was most crucial to prevent Wang Qingchen and the eldest princess from being together.
...
The next day, the eldest princess received an invitation from Mu Yan, which asked her to visit Yunyin Academy.
Apart from Emperor Xuanwu and the Empress, only the eldest princess had eavesdropped and learned of Mu Yan’s true identity.
The eldest princess was somewhat wary of her Imperial Uncle, who had no openly acknowledged status. Not attending would be an affront to his dignity.
Thus, she took her personal maid Lu Luo, along with eunuchs and guards, and arrived at Yunyin Academy at the agreed-upon time.
At the agreed-upon location, Si Yao did not find Mu Yan, but instead saw a graceful young man leaning against the window.
This young man had a handsome and delicate face, dressed in refined scholar’s attire in moon-white. A white hairband was tied around his head, its ends falling to his waist. His bright, clear eyes were intensely focused on the book he was reading.
Si Yao was enchanted by the man before her; then Mu Yan appeared beside her and said softly, "That young man is the new top scorer, Wang Qingchen."
Si Yao lifted her gaze and saw Mu Yan up close. Her Imperial Uncle exuded an innate aura of authority.
She couldn’t help but pay her respects to Mu Yan, but then realizing it was perhaps inappropriate, she straightened up and said, "Has Lord Seal Keeper invited me here just to have a look at the new top scholar?"
Mu Yan smiled gently, "I heard the eldest princess is fond of poetry and verse. This top scholar is knowledgeable about the past and present, melody, and poetry. Would the princess not wish to have a chat with him?"
Si Yao’s eyes lit up. She appreciated talented men, whether their expertise was in poetry or in military strategies.
Moreover, this young man Wang Qingchen had a dashing appearance that was pleasing to the eye. The eldest princess nodded in agreement, "I am thankful for Lord Mu’s kind intentions."
Mu Yan left once his mission was accomplished. Sitting in the Book Collection Pavilion, Si Yao, in her capacity as princess, conversed with Wang Qingchen. He had intended to excuse himself and leave, but out of respect for her royal status, he engaged with her in a discussion for a full hour before departing.
After returning to the imperial palace, the eldest princess was extremely pleased with Wang Qingchen.
She also harbored a quiet anticipation of meeting with Wang Qingchen again.
Meanwhile, Zhan Lan received news that, with Mu Yan’s assistance, the eldest princess and Wang Qingchen had enjoyed each other’s company immensely.
In fact, not long after Zhan Lan first met Wang Qingchen at the Book Forest Conference, she had planted a spy in the Wang Family. To bring him under her command, she needed to learn more about him.
Given the character of the eldest princess, she would certainly be interested in Wang Qingchen.
If the two were brought together through Mu Yan’s matchmaking, the Si Family’s power would surely rise like a tiger that’s been given wings!
Currently, there were three main powers at the imperial court in plain sight: the Zhan Family, Bai Family, and the Huo Family, led by the Empress’s maternal family.
Emperor Xuanwu was preoccupied with his pursuit of Taoism, so he was content with the current situation of the three powers checking and balancing each other.
However, Zhan Lan felt that Mu Yan represented a fourth power within the court, possibly with an even broader influence, and in their past life, his intentions did not seem to be about supporting the Si Family.
He seemed to be plotting something major.
Zhan Lan’s finger traced the lattice of the window, pondering: Why does Mu Yan want to help Si Yao obtain Wang Qingchen? What exactly are his motives?
Zhan Lan’s gaze turned complex as she looked towards Mu Yan’s room, which was lit by candlelight, and she murmured, "I’m sorry, but this time, I can’t let you have your way!"
