Quick Wear: The soft cannon fodder turns into a heartthrob and seduce

Everyone was indignant on Mu Zhou's behalf.

"Back then, the eldest daughter of the Mu family donated so much silver to pray for his safe return. She was so generous that she wanted to give away all her family's wealth. It's a pity that she ended up like this."

"He kept a mistress before leaving the capital, and upon returning, he took another wife. He really doesn't take this eldest daughter of the Mu family seriously."

"Yes, I have an aunt who works as a palace maid. I heard that the eldest daughter of the Mu family suffered a lot of torment recently because of the news of Qin's treason. Even so, she never thought of breaking off the engagement. What a devoted person she is, and she was betrayed like this."

Such remarks are countless in Beijing.

Meanwhile, inside the palace, the Empress Dowager, experiencing alternating periods of extreme sorrow and joy, also fell ill and never recovered.

Before anyone could react, Emperor Su Youbai had already seized control of the court that the Empress Dowager had once firmly held.

Having ruled for many years, the Empress Dowager naturally had her own confidants. One minister, in a desperate act of remonstrance, smashed his head against a pillar, stating that Su Youbai had imprisoned his stepmother in an attempt to seize power.

As a result, Su Youbai didn't even raise an eyebrow, but simply said to the ministers in a calm voice:

"The army has won a great victory and returned in triumph, which should be a cause for celebration throughout the land. Minister Chen has used his own blood to celebrate the victory of our Great Xia Dynasty, and he deserves to be commended."

He glanced at Huang Qing to the side and said:

"Chen Aiqing is granted the title of First-Class Duke, and his eldest son will inherit the title. He will be sent to the State of Qinan in five days to marry the King of Qinan."

Upon hearing this, the entire court was so shocked that even their breathing slowed down.

They were all hunched over, wishing they could shrink themselves up.

Those who had just joined Lord Chen in criticizing the Emperor were now trembling and kneeling down.

Everyone knows that the Queen of Qi Nan is an old woman nearing fifty who has been licentious and immoral since her youth.

However, because he was the best at flattering the Great Xia Dynasty and provided the finest cloth, jewelry, and grain every year, he was the most loyal dog of the Great Xia Dynasty, and thus the entire country was protected.

The King of Qi Nan was extremely lecherous and shameless. Knowing that the men of the Great Xia Dynasty were mostly thin and weak, which suited her tastes best, she sent letters every year to ask for a marriage alliance. She didn't care about being rejected and continued to shamelessly ask for a marriage alliance.

Now, Su Youbai is directly bestowing Lord Chen's son upon him for a political marriage; this is clearly a deliberate act of humiliation.

It should be noted that Lord Chen's son is only eighteen years old, a time when he is in the prime of his life.

A single white plum tree pressing down on bamboo fungus—this scene was enough to frighten the other ministers.

Who would dare to remonstrate now?

She was terrified that the moment she died, her child would be sent to marry an old woman or man.

Seeing them all trembling with fear, Su Youbai twirled the ring on his finger, his tone indifferent:

"Anyone else wishing to join Chen Aiqing will be rewarded as well."

"Wei Chen dare not."

The court officials immediately knelt down, daring not to utter another word about Su Youbai's rise to power.

Such a ruthless and iron-fisted approach clearly indicates a lack of kindness.

And so, in the time it takes to hold a morning court session, power was transferred silently.

On the other hand, after learning that the Empress Dowager was seriously ill, Minister Li felt a little uneasy.

Some time ago, someone from the Empress Dowager's side sent him a message, telling him to take Luo Mengyao away, to meet Qin Yansi, and to marry her daughter.

He did all of that.

But now they have suddenly lost contact with the palace.

He has already made clear what happened in court today; there is no hope for the Empress Dowager.

He was somewhat doubtful about whether he should continue with his marriage to Qin Yansi.

After much deliberation, he knelt outside the Hall of Diligent Advice and requested an audience with the Emperor.

He should take the initiative to confess his affair with the Empress Dowager.

He's determined to be a fence-sitter.

What he didn't know was that the Empress Dowager had actually been placed under house arrest for a long time.

The person who contacted him and asked him to find Qin Yansi was Su Youbai's man from beginning to end.

Therefore, Su Youbai did not see him, but told him to rest assured and that everything would remain the same.

After some consideration, Minister Li decided to proceed with the marriage.

*

After several days in a daze, Mu Zhou finally came to his senses.

She took the initiative to see Su Youbai:

"Your Majesty, I wish to see Miss Luo. I know you must have a way."

Su Youbai looked at her with a deep gaze:

"How difficult is this?"

Mu Zhou knew he still had something to say.

Sure enough, he suddenly brought up the matter of Mu Zhou bringing him snacks last time.

"You promised me a gift of gratitude. When you return, I will ask you for it."

His eyes were dark and menacing, brewing a fierce possessiveness and a storm.

Mu Zhou sensed the oppressive aura emanating from him, his heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively wanted to escape.

When he suddenly brought up the thank-you gift that she had long forgotten, it was certainly not just something he mentioned casually.

But at this moment, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.

"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to repay your kindness."

He then fled as if he were fleeing.

*

On the way out of the palace, Mu Zhou's expression was complicated, and he looked much more depressed.

Liu Xu watched, wanting to offer some advice, but fearing it might backfire, so she remained silent.

Princess Rongxiang was summoned to the palace by the Empress Dowager because she liked her and wanted her to be by her side.

Now that the Empress Dowager is in poor health and rarely sees people, the county princess should logically leave the palace.

Moreover, the border war is now over, her fiancé General Qin has returned, and even the Mu family couple who went to the Dingshan Temple to pray for blessings have returned to the capital.

No matter what, the county princess had no reason to stay in the palace any longer.

But the emperor simply wouldn't release them, and who would dare say "no"?

Moreover, it's obvious to anyone with eyes that the Emperor clearly treats Princess Rongxiang differently.

Now that the harem is empty, if the county princess seizes the opportunity to gain the emperor's favor, wouldn't wealth and glory be within her grasp in the future?

Why should the county princess still be so attached to that unfaithful General Qin?

Liu Xu had a lot to say to persuade her, but in the end she swallowed it all back.

It's up to the county magistrate herself to figure everything out.

Otherwise, if she angered the county princess, the emperor would certainly not forgive her.

Mu Zhou was unaware that Liu Xu had already laid out a path for her future; she was still lost in thought.

Until they arrived at the outside of a house.

Mu Zhou got off the carriage, stood quietly for a moment, and then had someone push the door open.

The house wasn't particularly remote, but it was surrounded by mostly wealthy and noble families, so it wasn't very lively.

Mu Zhou told Liu Xu and the others not to come in, and she went into the room alone.

Inside the room, a person was lying on the bed, breathing so shallowly that it seemed as if they would disappear at any moment, not to mention whether they would be in danger.

No wonder the guards didn't object to her coming in alone.

Mu Zhou stood by the couch.

It had only been a few months since I last saw Luo Mengyao, but she seemed like a completely different person.

At that time, she stood outside the Mu residence, lively and beautiful, adorned with jewels, and exuding an imposing aura.

But at this moment, he was emaciated and his eyes were cloudy.

Knowing that Mu Zhou was coming, the guards had wiped Luo Mengyao down and changed her clothes to avoid frightening her, but they still couldn't hide the hideous wounds on her face.

It's obvious that the body covered by the blanket must have suffered even more torment.

Mu Zhou glanced at her face indifferently, his expression unchanged, and said softly:

"Miss Luo."

Upon hearing her voice, Luo Mengyao was startled and struggled to open her eyes.