Marry my elder sister? Fine! I'll give you the letter of annulment and marry someone else.

What they didn't know was that after returning to the palace, Mu Yuanzhi went straight to Funing Palace.

He replied respectfully, "Father, the Song family is truly despicable. Even though I have already expressed my attitude in a friendly manner, they still refuse to give in. They say that Nan Qi is no longer a member of the royal family, and even if they get married, it is a family matter. Even you, Father, have no right to dictate their marriage."

"Song Yang actually spoke like that!"

The emperor was greatly shocked. In his impression, Song Yang was always a cautious person and would not be so confrontational.

Mu Yuanzhi swore confidently, "I also find it unbelievable, but that's what Lord Song said."

He raised his head tremblingly, "Father, I wonder if it's because he's now the Prime Minister and will soon be my third brother's father-in-law that he no longer takes you seriously?"

"He dares!"

The emperor slammed the table and stood up. To him, the challenge to authority was like a sore spot that no one could touch.

Mu Yuanzhi looked at the emperor's reaction with satisfaction, hiding the smile deep in his eyes.

He knew his father too well. He was used to being high and mighty, so he would not even bother to verify the truth of these words.

But he obviously didn't know Song Zhi very well.

Because after the emperor got furious, Song Yang, following Song Zhi's suggestion, wrote a full-page memorial and handed it over.

The memorial wrote down every word Mu Yuanzhi said verbatim, and accused the emperor of treating the family of an old minister in such a way, which was really disheartening.

So before the emperor had finished venting his anger and Mu Yuanzhi had even not walked far, the emperor fell into deep thought holding the memorial.

Song Yang also wrote very clearly in the letter that it was he who took the initiative to propose Mu Nanqi's marriage, and he did so after careful consideration.

He fully respected Mu Nanqi's wishes. If the emperor was not satisfied, he could talk to him in person, but the etiquette of marriage must not be omitted.

The emperor's face was frighteningly gloomy, and he threw the memorial on the table with a bang.

He was unwilling to doubt the well-behaved and sensible Mu Yuanzhi, but he believed even more that Song Yang would not make things up.

So, Mu Yuanzhi's earnest desire to communicate with the Song family was actually intended to make them turn against each other.

Suddenly he thought of the palace maid who was strangled to death by Mu Yuanzhi. The explanation the emperor received was that the palace maid had committed treason and that was why Mu Yuanzhi gave her a light punishment and a severe warning.

Unexpectedly, the palace maid was too weak and died after just a few moves.

If you think about it carefully, was it really an 'unintentional mistake' by Mu Yuanzhi?

He was shocked to realize that he didn't understand his son. Although they didn't have much contact, Mu Yuanzhi actually plotted against him.

The emperor secretly summoned a team of cavalry and asked them to keep an eye on Mu Yuanzhi's whereabouts.

After going through so much trouble, he still didn't find any useful way to repair the father-son relationship between him and Mu Nanqi.

He sat alone in the room for the entire afternoon, and finally took out the portrait that he particularly treasured.

"You've helped me for half my life, but I'm really useless. I've alienated our child from my father and me. Madam, if you're still alive, please help me one last time."

He looked up at the sky and talked to himself. Even though he had been the emperor for many, many years, he still liked to call her by the most ordinary and intimate name.

But no one answered him in the empty room.

The emperor, with great affection, asked Eunuch Li to send the portrait to Gouer Lane.

"Tell him that if he is willing to see me, I will tell him about his mother."

Eunuch Li looked up in surprise, "Your Majesty, the dragon's health is important."

Every time the emperor recalled the late queen, he would fall ill due to excessive longing. Over time, eunuch Li did not dare to let the emperor indulge in memories.

If the emperor told Mu Nanqi about the late queen, he would inevitably be lost in memories.

The emperor waved his hand dismissively, "Don't worry, this is the punishment I deserve."

Eunuch Li sighed, knowing that the emperor had made up his mind, so he had no choice but to walk out holding the portrait.

This time, the emperor released his greatest reliance.

He was sure that Mu Nanqi would not refuse.

The facts were just as he expected. That night, Eunuch Li came back trotting with a look of surprise and said, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince has arrived and is waiting outside Funing Palace. I will invite him in right away."

The emperor's eyes moved slightly, he stood up nervously and took a deep breath.

"Okay, please come in. It's windy at night, don't let him catch a cold outside. Also, ask the kitchen to make some of his favorite crab roe cakes and osmanthus butterfly cakes."

The emperor gave instructions eagerly and asked someone to bring out his treasured tea and brew it.

This was the first time the emperor and Mu Nanqi met since they learned the truth.

A figure flashed at the door and Mu Nanqi walked in.

He was dressed in black clothes, with his hair tied up high. He had a cold and noble temperament. Even when he was standing in front of the emperor, he could not hide his aura.

He spoke coldly, his tone distant, "I greet the Emperor."

Hearing this, the light in the emperor's eyes dimmed a little.

He pursed his lips and said, "Nan Qi, what exactly do you want me to do to forgive you? I've already ordered the coffins of Mu Qinghan and Song Yale to be moved from the imperial mausoleum and thrown into a mass grave. Can you please stop being angry with my father?"

Mu Nanqi remained silent and frowned.

The emperor then said, "I was wrong before. I was deceived and that's why I treated you like that. Can you give me a chance to make it up to you?"

His tone was humble, and he cherished this meeting that he had waited so hard for.

Mu Nanqi listened to the expressionless expression and said, "If the emperor had not told me about the late queen, I would have gone back."

As he spoke, he turned around without any hesitation.

The emperor quickly said, "I want to say it, I want to say it."

He sat back and wanted to let Mu Nanqi sit on the small stool next to him, but he saw that he was still standing there straight, like a pine or cypress.

The emperor gave up the idea and cleared his throat, saying, "Your mother is the most stunning woman in the world. Her wisdom is unmatched, her beauty and grace are unparalleled. She is both brave and resourceful. She helped me fight for the throne and quell the rebellion of the barbarians, stunning the entire Tianqi. No one in the world can compare to her. I mean... no one."

The emperor emphasized the last three words.

The late queen's real name was Longwu.

As a member of an official's family, Long Wu was not outstanding at first, and even had no shining qualities other than her beauty.

But everything changed after she fell into the water in the year she came of age.

After waking up, Long Wu seemed like a different person, talented in both literature and martial arts, and extremely brilliant.

At that time, many princes were competing for the throne, and the emperor was weak and had almost no support.

But Long Wu walked up to him against the light, raised her chin and said with a bright smile:

"Don't you just want to be the emperor? Let me help you."

What was he thinking at that time?

Oh, he thought, what a shameless little girl!