The Eldest Princess Is So Annoying! - Chapter 12

Liu Puyu sat on a stone stool nearby, idly playing with the paper fan in his hand while keeping his eyes fixed on Jiang Huaisheng.

“Jiang Huaisheng, if you confess and hand over the silver you embezzled, I may deal with you leniently.”

Jiang Huaisheng let out a cold snort.

“When someone is determined to accuse you, they will never lack a charge!”

The patrol inspector’s face filled with mockery.

So he refused to confess?

The inspector had plenty of ways to make him talk.

“You have quite a stubborn mouth. Men, beat him!”

Before anyone could act, Liu Puyu stopped them.

“Wait!”

“What instructions does Lord Liu have?”

Although the patrol inspector wore a smile, he was inwardly puzzled.

Liu Puyu was truly a strange man. He was the one who had started this conflict with Jiang Huaisheng, yet every time someone tried to punish the man, Liu Puyu stopped them.

What exactly was he trying to do?

Liu Puyu waved his hand, signaling for the inspector to move farther away.

He walked over to Jiang Huaisheng and looked down at him.

“Brother Jiang, do not blame the patrol inspector. Since he came to arrest you, he must naturally possess evidence. If you agree to my request and withdraw from this year’s imperial examination, perhaps I can still help you.”

Did Liu Puyu take him for a fool?

He had arranged all of this himself, yet now he was pretending to be kind.

“Dream on! If you want to beat a confession out of me, then come! Do you think I am afraid of you?”

“Brother Jiang, do not act on impulse. If this lands you in prison, it would hardly be worth it.”

Every word carried a threat.

Mu Xu looked anxiously at Jiang Huaisheng.

Compared with fame and official rank, she cared far more about his life. What if he angered Liu Puyu and Liu Puyu had him thrown into prison in a fit of rage?

Perhaps they should agree for now and think of another solution after Liu Puyu left.

Mu Xu tugged at Jiang Huaisheng’s sleeve.

“Huaisheng.”

Jiang Huaisheng was already consumed by rage. He had no attention to spare for Mu Xu.

He only regretted how blind he had once been, to have befriended such a despicable man.

“Enough of your false concern, you corrupt official! You know perfectly well that I am innocent, yet you deliberately slander me merely because I am an ordinary commoner without power or influence. How could I possibly fight against men like you?

“You are officials responsible for the welfare of the people. Instead of redressing their grievances, you scheme to harm them. How are you any different from beasts?!”

Jiang Huaisheng placed particular emphasis on the words “corrupt official.”

What better opportunity could there be for the inspector to demonstrate his loyalty?

“You wretched commoner! How dare you insult Lord Liu? Do you believe I will not—”

“Stand down!”

The patrol inspector obediently shut his mouth.

Since Liu Puyu had entered government service, this was the first time anyone had ever called him a corrupt official.

Suppressing the rage in his heart, Liu Puyu crouched down and forced a smile onto his face.

Through clenched teeth, he said, “Brother Jiang, you are a clever man. Do not refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a punishment cup.”

“Pah! Corrupt official!”

The fire in Liu Puyu’s heart blazed even more fiercely.

He could no longer endure it.

He wiped a hand across his face and found his palm covered in saliva.

Disgusting!

That bastard had actually spat in his face!

“Jiang Huaisheng, you must be tired of living!”

Grinding his teeth, Liu Puyu punched Jiang Huaisheng in the face.

Liu Puyu and Jiang Huaisheng were both scholars.

Why would refined men like them subscribe to a brute’s methods and settle matters with their fists?

For that reason, Jiang Huaisheng had assumed that no matter how angry Liu Puyu became, he would never truly strike him.

This time, however, he was wrong.

Qie Ge’s words to Liu Puyu that day had left him deeply dissatisfied. After returning home, he had hired several highly skilled martial artists to train him.

Although he had yet to achieve much, he was at least somewhat stronger than before.

Jiang Huaisheng was already kneeling, and the punch caught him completely off guard.

By the time he reacted, he had been knocked to the ground.

Mu Xu jumped in fright.

She hurried over and helped him up, her eyes filled with distress.

“Huaisheng, are you hurt anywhere? Does it hurt?”

Jiang Huaisheng steadied himself.

He might have been physically frail, but he was still a man, and there was courage in his bones.

Liu Puyu had gone far too far today.

Since he would likely be thrown into prison regardless, he might as well beat Liu Puyu and vent the hatred in his heart.

“Move aside. Do not let yourself get hurt.”

Before Mu Xu could stop him, Jiang Huaisheng clenched his fist and charged toward Liu Puyu.

To his surprise, Liu Puyu dodged aside.

Jiang Huaisheng’s punch struck empty air, and he fell to the ground.

“Huaisheng!”

“With skills like that, you still dream of placing first in the examination and becoming Her Highness’s Prince Consort? What wishful thinking!”

Liu Puyu looked contemptuously at Jiang Huaisheng, who had fallen to the ground.

He often spent time surrounded by young women, many of whom were sharp-tongued and quick to hurl insults on his behalf. Having witnessed plenty of their fiery tempers, he now imitated their manner of ridiculing others.

“Why do some people possess no self-awareness? They know something does not belong to them, yet they still insist on taking it. You are nothing but a penniless scholar, yet you dream of climbing into the imperial family. You truly overestimate yourself!”

Jiang Huaisheng’s face turned livid with rage.

Every word was unbearably harsh, especially the accusation that he dreamed of climbing into the imperial family.

Ignoring the pain throughout his body, he scrambled upright and punched Liu Puyu directly in the face.

“Ow—!”

Liu Puyu clutched his injured face. The pain nearly brought tears to his eyes.

Pointing at Jiang Huaisheng, he roared, “Jiang Huaisheng, you actually dared hit me!”

---

Qianqing Palace.

Yang Hao handed the completed imperial decree to Qie Ge with an ingratiating smile.

“Imperial Sister, take a look.”

Qie Ge skimmed through it. Her gaze eventually stopped on one particular name, and she smiled faintly.

“Very good.”

Yang Hao relaxed somewhat.

“Xiao Lezi, go proclaim the decree.”

“This servant obeys!”

Before Xiao Lezi could leave the hall, Qie Ge stopped him.

“Wait. I will go with you.”

Mu Xu was not nearly as soft and yielding as she appeared.

Qie Ge truly wanted to see how she would respond today.

After leaving the palace gates, Qie Ge handed her command token to Qingqian.

“Take my token and hurry to the Ministry of Justice. Order the Vice Minister to bring the Marriage Code to the private school. He must come quickly.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Meanwhile, the two men at the private school were thoroughly absorbed in their fight.

No matter how the others pleaded or tried to pull them apart, the two not only refused to stop but fought even more viciously, as though determined to beat each other so badly that even their own mothers would no longer recognize them.

The patrol inspector stood nearby, shaking his head and sighing.

Today, he had finally witnessed scholars fighting.

It was no different from women clawing at each other. They ignored every other part of the body and struck only the face.

After several punches, Jiang Huaisheng’s face was swollen and bruised.

Liu Puyu was not much better. Every blow made him howl in pain.

Even so, Liu Puyu refused to keep his mouth shut, continuing to shout and mock Jiang Huaisheng at every opportunity.

Outside the private school, Xiao Lezi helped Qie Ge down from the carriage.

“Xiao Lezi, go inside and proclaim the decree first.”

“Yes, Your Highness. This servant will go immediately!”

Two young eunuchs followed behind Xiao Lezi.

The moment he entered, he saw Liu Puyu grappling with another man.

He exclaimed in shock, “Lord Liu, what are you doing?”

Then he ordered the young eunuchs behind him, “Why are you still standing there? Hurry and separate them!”

The two men were pulled apart.

Liu Puyu’s anger had not subsided. He continued glaring viciously at Jiang Huaisheng.

Mu Xu carefully wiped the blood from the corner of Jiang Huaisheng’s mouth, her heart aching unbearably.

“Lord Liu, although the weather is hot and irritable, you must remember that excessive anger harms the body,” Xiao Lezi advised with a solemn expression.

Inwardly, however, he was already calculating.

Liu Puyu had gotten into another fight.

When Xiao Lezi returned to the palace, he had to share this wonderful news with His Majesty. Perhaps he might even earn a reward.

Liu Puyu finally noticed Xiao Lezi.

Xiao Lezi was one of the emperor’s most favored attendants. Since he had come here, he must be carrying an imperial command.

A faint sense of foreboding arose in Liu Puyu’s heart.

“Why has Eunuch Le come here today?”

“This eunuch has come under imperial orders to proclaim a decree.”

Xiao Lezi produced the scroll.

“An imperial decree has arrived!”

Everyone in the private school immediately knelt.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

“We have heard that Mu Xu, adopted daughter of Right Chancellor Cai Qifeng, is virtuous and gracious, respectful and prudent, gentle and sincere. We are greatly pleased by what We have heard.

“Eldest Princess Yang Liu possesses both virtue and talent and is herself virtuous and worthy. As she has reached the age of marriage, an accomplished woman should be selected as her match.

“Mu Xu currently remains unmarried, and she and Eldest Princess Yang Liu are a union made by Heaven and arranged by Earth. To complete this beautiful match, We hereby appoint Mu Xu as the Eldest Princess’s Prince Consort.

“All wedding rites shall be arranged jointly by the Ministry of Rites and the Director of the Imperial Observatory. An auspicious date shall be chosen for the marriage.

“Respect this decree!”

Everyone was stunned.

Cai Qifeng was a peerless genius, but his temperament was exceptionally eccentric. He had neither sons nor daughters.

How had he suddenly gained an adopted daughter?

And that adopted daughter was Mu Xu?

Yet by the time they heard the end of the decree, those questions seemed insignificant.

Far more shocking was the fact that Mu Xu was a woman, yet His Majesty had appointed her as the Eldest Princess’s Prince Consort.

How could a woman become a Prince Consort?

Two women marrying one another went against the natural principles of yin and yang.

It was absurd!

Mu Xu’s face turned deathly pale.

A loud buzzing filled her ears.

She stared at Jiang Huaisheng in disbelief, as though asking whether she had heard incorrectly.

But the shock in Jiang Huaisheng’s eyes was no less intense than her own.

Xiao Lezi walked over to Mu Xu and held out the imperial decree with a broad smile.

“Prince Consort, please accept the decree.”

Mu Xu did not move.

Had everyone outside not been saying that the Eldest Princess intended to marry whoever placed first in the upcoming imperial examination?

How had it become her?

Never mind that Canglan had never before permitted two women to marry—even if there had been such a precedent, she did not wish to become the Prince Consort.

She and Jiang Huaisheng loved each other and were already betrothed. She could never act so faithlessly and abandon him.

“Prince Consort, hurry and accept the decree,” Xiao Lezi urged.

“Prince Consort!”

She neither accepted the decree nor spoke.

Was this not clearly an intention to defy the imperial command?

The Vice Minister of Justice hurriedly dismounted from his horse.

Just as he was about to bow to Qie Ge, she said, “Lord Li, there is no need for formalities. Come inside with me.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

The Vice Minister followed behind Qie Ge and wiped away his sweat.

He was exhausted.

He had no idea what could have happened for Her Highness to summon him in such haste and order him to bring the Marriage Code.

Just as Xiao Lezi prepared to warn Mu Xu again, Qie Ge entered.

“We greet Your Highness Qie Ge! May Your Highness live for a thousand, thousand, ten thousand years!”

“Everyone may rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Everyone stood except Mu Xu and Jiang Huaisheng, who remained kneeling.

It seemed Qie Ge’s guess had been correct.

Mu Xu truly dared to defy an imperial decree.

“Xiao Lezi, has the decree been proclaimed?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, it has.”

“Then why is my Prince Consort still kneeling?”

Xiao Lezi found himself in a difficult position.

This marriage would undoubtedly take place. If he said now that the Prince Consort had refused the decree, and the Prince Consort bore a grudge against him later, he would be in trouble.

“Your Highness, this…”

Mu Xu, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

“Mu Xu begs Your Highness to have this command withdrawn!”

Mu Xu could not understand it.

She did not know when she had ever offended Qie Ge so badly that the emperor would issue such an absurd decree.

Even though she knew it was nearly impossible for an imperial decree to be withdrawn, she still clung to a trace of hope and wished to try.

If she failed, she feared that only death could prove her innocence and fidelity.

“You dare defy an imperial decree?”

Mu Xu naturally understood the consequences, but she had already made up her mind.

“Mu Xu begs Your Highness to have this command withdrawn!”

Qie Ge laughed softly.

Mu Xu was even bolder than she had imagined.

“You are mistaken. His Majesty issued this decree, not I.”

“Then Mu Xu begs His Majesty to withdraw the command!”

Every declaration was firm and unyielding.

Yet to Qie Ge’s ears, they were particularly unpleasant.

Her expression turned cold.

“Insolence!”

The moment her voice fell, everyone dropped to their knees in terror.

“Do you imagine an imperial decree can simply be withdrawn because you ask? Do you take this for a child’s game?!”