At the end of May, Su Muchen, the minister of civil affairs, took his mother and sister to Beijing for a small gathering. Unexpectedly, he was bumped into by the prince who was out of the palace to inspect the public sentiment in the street.
At that time, the little girl of the Su family was sitting in the carriage and heard people outside kneeling down to salute. They all shouted respectfully: "See you, Your Highness, the Crown Prince! He is a thousand years old!"
I couldn't help but be curious, so I opened the car curtain.
The little girl of thirteen or fourteen was like a flower in bud, delicate and timid, with an innocent look that did not understand the world, and her eyes were as clean and beautiful as precious gems.
Although her appearance is not that of a beautiful woman, she is more beautiful and pleasant. Unlike those noble ladies in the capital who are well-educated and have received strict education, she has a sense of intelligence and innocence waiting to be picked.
His Royal Highness the Prince was delighted when he saw it.
For the noble Crown Prince of the current dynasty, the sister of a court official was only easily available, especially since this court official had a medium-sized position and had no foundation, no backing, and no one to protect him in the capital.
It was her honor that he fell in love with his sister.
So His Highness the Crown Prince became restless and said bluntly in front of Su Muchen: "This sister Su Qing looks so young. She is fourteen years old?"
After all, Su Muchen has been in the court for many years, how can he not understand his thoughts?
He was obviously very angry in his heart, but on his face he could not show any disrespect towards the crown prince of a country. He replied respectfully: "My sister-in-law is still young and doesn't understand the rules. If she ever offends the prince, please forgive me."
"Su Qing can rest assured that I won't argue with a little girl." Yun Chen said with a smile, staring at the little girl's face. The more he looked at it, the more he liked it. "There are all kinds of beauties in my backyard, but I am the only one who loves her."
What I need is an innocent, timid and lovely little beauty."
Su Muchen's expression suddenly changed: "His Royal Highness——"
"Su Qing should understand what I mean, right?" The prince sat on the sedan chair and slowly turned his eyes to Su Muchen. Although there was a smile on his face, his attitude was tough, as if he could not tolerate anyone's rejection. "Tomorrow,
Inside, I hope to see the little girl appear in the East Palace."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince." Su Muchen's heart sank and he couldn't help but speak, "My sister just came back from home. She has never seen the world and is still young——"
"Su Qing doesn't need to worry about any of this. I will teach her well and show her more of the world." The prince did not want to listen to what he had to say. After saying this, he put down the sedan curtain and "went back to the palace."
Su Muchen clenched his hands tightly, his face was pale, angry and angry, but he had no idea what to do.
"Brother..." Su Qingzhi said timidly, "Did I do something wrong? That person just now was His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Su Muchen turned to look at her, nodded absentmindedly, his expression solemn, and his heart filled with anxiety.
"Master Su." A man in black not far away said calmly, "My master invites you."
Su Muchen heard the sound, looked up at the man who spoke, and frowned, "Who is your master?"
"You'll know when we get here." The man in black said, flashing the token in his hand, "You can bring your sister with you."
Su Muchen's eyes narrowed, Shadow Pavilion?
He turned to look at the prince's car, which had already walked away, and suddenly felt guilty and self-blame in his heart. He was angry that he could not protect his sister. If he had known this, he should not have brought them to the capital's troubled place.
But what's the use of regretting now?
Su Muchen temporarily suppressed his anxiety and left with his sister and the man in black. It wasn't until he arrived at the Ninth Princess's Mansion and was taken to the Qifeng Palace that he realized that the person who wanted to see him was the Ninth Princess Yun Zishu.
"Your Highness Princess, Master Su is here."
"Everyone, please step back." The girl's cold command sounded in the hall, "Master Su and Miss Su come in to talk."
Su Muchen strictly observed the etiquette and bowed: "Men and women are not intimate with each other. I dare not offend Her Highness the Ninth Princess."
"You are not the only man in my bedroom, so there is no need to worry about causing any misunderstanding." Yun Zishu held the tea cup and said in a casual tone, "I asked you to come here because I have something serious to talk to you about."
Su Muchen hesitated for a moment, stepped in and walked in. Without raising his head, he knelt down and saluted: "I see Your Highness the Ninth Princess."
Miss Su followed suit and knelt quietly beside her brother.
Yun Zishu went straight to the point: "Master Su met the prince on the street?"
Su Muchen was slightly startled, then responded: "Yes."
"I heard that the prince is attracted to your sister?"
Su Muchen lowered his head, shocked that the Ninth Princess was so well-informed about the news, but she had already received the news in just a moment.
"yes."
Yun Zishu asked calmly: "Yun Chen is the crown prince of the East Palace. Does Mr. Su think that he has room to compete with him?"
Su Muchen said: "Even the emperor cannot rob a common woman by force——"
"Master Su's words are obviously wrong, very wrong." Yun Zishu smiled leisurely, "The emperor rules over the people and has the power of life and death. All women in the world can be his, and he can choose whoever he wants to enter the palace.
Whoever enters the palace dares to resist?"
Su Muchen was speechless.
Although I don't want to admit it, the truth is so unfair.
The emperor controls the country, the country, and the world. Thousands of women belong to the emperor.
The Yong Dynasty even explicitly stipulated that all girls over the age of thirteen who meet the requirements must be selected in the palace. Those who marry without being selected by the emperor will implicate the three clans.
Yun Zishu said calmly: "Although Yun Chen has not yet ascended the throne, he wants a woman as a concubine as easily as he wants a piece of clothing. Mr. Su should not be qualified to resist."
Su Muchen frowned: "I will not give in -"
"Won't you give in?" Yun Zishu raised her eyebrows, "Mr. Su himself is not afraid of death or losing his official position. Isn't he also afraid of losing the lives of his mother and sister? He is not even worried about injuring Su Zhaoyi and the Seventh Prince?"
As soon as these words came out, Su Muchen's expression suddenly changed.
The Su family is not a wealthy family in the capital. It does not have a century-old foundation and a strong family background to rely on.
The Su family was just a family of ordinary minor officials in Xiangzhou, so Su Zhaoyi had not been promoted for many years after entering the palace. The seventh prince was from a humble background. Even if he was granted the title of Li Wang, he only had a title and did not have much real power in his hands.
Fortunately, Su Zhaoyi gave birth to her son relatively late and was from a low background, so she did not pose a threat to Concubine Wu, so she has been able to survive to this day.
Otherwise, with her background, if she died silently at any time, no one would redress their grievances.
Su Muchen obtained his fame and entered the officialdom, firstly to shine his family name, and secondly because he hoped to be able to help his aunt nearby.
If my aunt and the Seventh Prince are implicated this time...
The girl's cold and sweet voice rang in her ears, as if it had the power to penetrate people's hearts: "Master Su should know the prince's temper. He will not allow you to refuse the person he wants."
Su Muchen said nothing because he knew that what Ninth Princess said was the truth.
"But I have a way to keep you safe."
Su Muchen was startled, then raised his eyes in surprise: "Your Highness, the Ninth Princess, can you do anything?"
"There is indeed a way." Yun Zishu said calmly, "But there are conditions."