C47

Mu Xiaoling was like the wind as she ran through the garden. Unknowingly, her feet moved like the wind and her speed was actually three times faster than before.

She was stunned for a moment, and then her body's reaction told her that it should have been like this. She could have done it even faster, but her mind was saying that she was a daughter of a Wealthy Class, that she had received an education like zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting since she was young. She was going to marry into a Wealthy Class and become their matriarch.

The more Mu Xiaoling thought about it, the more confused she became. She simply put it aside for now and when she was about to turn around, she almost bumped into someone. She raised her head and subconsciously called out, "Meng Yifan?"

Wait, Meng Yifan … Who is it?

However, the other party was dressed in scholar's attire and spoke in a refined manner. First, he cupped his fist and took a step back. Then, he said, "I'm afraid this lady has recognized wrongly. My surname is Yu Yi, and my name is Ming Yi."

The corner of Mu Xiaoling's mouth twitched. He felt an inexplicable urge to grit his teeth and beat someone up.

She forced herself to withdraw her fist and walk to the main hall.

It was full of men. With Mu Zhenqiu as a host, Mu Xiaoling's appearance attracted a lot of attention. She ignored them all as she scanned the room to determine how many people were able to make her feel this strange.

There were still quite a few names on the list. It was just that they looked familiar, but he could not think of any names.

After a while, the banquet started. Nangong Wen also brought the female guests over. Everyone took their seats. Mu Xiaoling, as Mu Zhenqiu's only daughter, naturally sat at the seat of honor.

At this moment, someone shouted, "The Crown Prince is here!"

Mu Xiaoling turned her head to see a young man wearing a snow-white robe walking in with large strides.

That person's facial features were as perfect as a knife's carving. He stood tall and straight, and at the moment he appeared, both men and women focused their gazes on him.

Everyone hurriedly stood up and bowed.

That person waved his hand. "I've come to celebrate the birthday of the Duke of An Le. There's no need for all of you to be so courteous."

Mu Xiaoling only felt a name hanging by her lips. However, she couldn't say it out loud. She couldn't help but ask Xue Qing who was behind her, "Who is he?"

Xue Qing thought back to how her young miss had been this morning and quickly whispered, "Crown Prince Xin Mingyun."

Mu Xiaoling, who was drinking a mouthful of water, nearly spat it out when he heard this. It was so bad that he started coughing.

Xin... Xin Mingyun?!

Wasn't his name Xiao Yu?!

Xin Mingyun could only sit at the main table, so he naturally saw Mu Xiaoling's actions clearly. He couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and ask, "Miss Mu, is my reaction this intense?"

How could Mu Xiaoling voice out her guess? She replied, "I'm fine. The Crown Prince is thinking too much. I was just not paying attention for a moment."

Xin Mingyun gave a faint smile as if she didn't believe him. She lowered her head and whispered into Mu Xiaoling's ear, "I'm afraid that Miss Mu won't be used to it in the future. After all, Royal Father is preparing to give us our marriage."

Mu Xiaoling subconsciously raised her head to look at him, but Xin Mingyun didn't turn back and return to his seat.

The birthday banquet continued, but with the addition of the crown prince, it seemed like proof that the An Le's manor was flourishing. However, it made those people flatter and flatter Mu Zhenqiu even more.

At this moment, an eunuch walked in with a group of people. He announced in a loud voice, "The imperial edict has arrived. The Residence of the Duke of An Le is here to receive it!"

Everyone looked at each other. What edict could the emperor have right now?

Mu Zhenqiu led Nangong Wen and Mu Xiaoling to the front yard and knelt down. Nangong Wen followed closely behind.

Mu Xiaoling frowned, but she didn't move. It was as though everyone was already used to this. Even the eunuch said, "With the decree of the Mu family's young miss, we will naturally be exempted from kneeling."

The eunuch then started to announce the decree. Mu Xiaoling gave a brief summary, saying that the emperor felt that she was of good looks and was the most suitable candidate for the Crown Prince's consort. He wanted to give her a marriage ceremony.

Mu Xiaoling subconsciously wanted to reject the decree but she didn't have any feelings for him. Why would she want to marry that man?

Xin Mingyun's voice suddenly rang in her ears, "Take it. If you still want to leave."

Mu Xiaoling was startled and turned her head to look. Xin Mingyun was quite far away from him, so it was impossible for him to whisper in her ear at this distance.

However, these words caused her heart to faintly tremble as she received the imperial edict.

The moment she received the imperial edict, the surroundings seemed to ripple, and the birthday banquet disappeared. When she came back to her senses, she was already wearing a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes as she sat in her room waiting to get married.

There weren't many people in the room, but she only knew Nangong Wen and Xue Qing.

Nangong Wen's face was full of joy, but there were also tears in her eyes, "My good Ling'Er is about to get married. I'm happy, but I'm worried. That's heaven. If you get bullied by the crown prince, what should I do?"

"He doesn't dare to bully me." Mu Xiaoling casually said, but his mind was preoccupied with what had just happened. His surroundings had changed as a result of the darkness just now. How could the real world be like this? If it wasn't the real world, then was it an illusion?

Mu Xiaoling lowered her head in thought until she got on the bridal sedan and entered the Imperial City. After bowing to the heavens and earth, she was sent to the Crown Prince's chamber.

When there was no one left or right, she first took off the cover and put it aside.

At this moment, Xue Qing walked in with a bowl of chaos. She said to Mu Xiaoling, "Crown Princess, the Crown Prince has asked this servant to bring you in. I'll cover your stomach with this bowl."

Mu Xiaoling subconsciously took the bowl. However, the moment she touched it, she noticed the corner of Xue Qing's mouth slightly twitching.

It was only a slight movement, but when paired with Xue Qing's expression, it was very strange.

She put the bowl aside and said, "Xueqing, you've followed me for three years and now you're accompanying me into the Eastern Palace. If you have any wishes, just say it."

Xue Qing hurriedly knelt down and replied, "I only wish to serve young mistress, to stay by your side for the rest of my life."

"So it's like that …" Mu Xiaoling said indistinctly as she gently caressed the bedside. According to this shape, there should be a dagger beneath it.

She slowly reached her hand in, but pulled out a dagger and stabbed towards Xue Qing's head. She did not hesitate at all, she was clearly ready to put her life on the line.

Xue Qing didn't expect that Mu Xiaoling would make a move on her. She didn't have enough time to react and was stabbed. She fell to the ground and died.

Mu Xiaoling looked at the corpse at her feet indifferently. "Xueqing has been my personal maid since she was young. It's not just three years. If it was really Xueqing, how could she not understand this kind of extremely simple mistake?"

"When did you find out?" Someone suddenly said. His voice was so hoarse that it sounded like it was made of broken iron. Soon after, the corpses on the ground turned into black smoke and gathered together to form a gigantic black skull.

"Guess." Mu Xiaoling laughed coldly as the dagger in his hand seemed to have come to life as it stabbed straight towards the black skeleton.