novelSusiti Chapter 29 We Don't Blame You
Chapter 29 We Don't Blame You
When Zhu Mu arrived at the Marquis of Chengyi's residence, it was already dusk.
Upon seeing that it was His Highness the Prince of Chu, the steward of the Liu residence immediately opened the main gate and respectfully welcomed him inside.
Liu Bowen had already received the notification and was waiting in the front hall.
"Your Highness has had a long day."
Liu Bowen bowed respectfully, his eyes filled with a sense of relief and gratitude.
He was well aware of the thunder and storm that had swept through Yingtian Prefecture that afternoon.
"You're too kind, sir."
Zhu Mu returned the greeting.
"Wanyan is my fiancée, and protecting her is my duty. Today, Mu arrived late, causing her to suffer injustice."
"Your Highness is too kind."
Liu Bowen stroked his beard and smiled.
"My daughter is doing well thanks to my advice. She is currently in the study in the backyard. Your Highness, please make yourself at home." He knew that the two young people needed some alone time at this moment.
Zhu Mu nodded in acknowledgment and, led by a maid, walked through the corridor and headed towards the backyard.
The Liu residence was quiet and serene under the night sky, with a faint scent of ink and flowers floating in the air.
Warm candlelight shone through the paper windows of the study, and a slender figure was reflected on the window, seemingly looking down at a book.
Zhu Mu waved for the maid to leave, then gently pushed open the slightly ajar door.
Liu Wanyan looked up at the sound and was slightly taken aback when she saw the travel-worn but upright figure at the door.
She immediately rose and gave a graceful bow:
"Your Highness..."
"No need for such formalities."
Zhu Mu stepped forward and looked at her with gentle eyes.
In the candlelight, the girl's face was as beautiful as ever, her expression calm, her eyes clear, and she certainly did not look like someone who had been severely hurt by rumors.
Zhu Mu felt somewhat relieved and asked softly:
"You weren't scared today, were you?"
Liu Wanyan shook her head and smiled faintly, a smile as serene and moving as a night-blooming cereus under the moon.
"My father told me long ago, 'If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a reason.' Hear the words of demons and monsters and just let them go; don't take them seriously. But…"
She raised her eyes, her gaze shimmering with tears, revealing a tender emotion she herself was unaware of:
"However, Wanyan never imagined that Your Highness would go to such lengths for me."
Although she was confined to her room, the Liu family was not a place where information was kept out of reach.
To protect his fiancée, His Highness the King of Chu personally led a team to quell the rumors, and these events had already reached back home.
She originally thought that all she needed to do was to endure it and wait for the storm to pass.
She also believed that with her father's and the royal family's wisdom, the matter could be resolved.
But she never expected that he would shield her from all the storms in such a direct, forceful, and responsible way.
The feeling of being firmly chosen and protected instantly warmed her heart, which had grown somewhat cold due to the rumors.
Seeing the emotion in her eyes, Zhu Mu's heart softened. He stepped forward and naturally took her slightly cool hand in his.
Liu Wanyan's body trembled slightly, but she did not break free.
"I am not only a prince, but also your fiancé."
Zhu Mu's voice was deep and earnest.
"I promised you, sir, that I would protect you for life. What happened today is just the beginning. As long as I'm here, I will never let anyone hurt you with such vile deeds again."
His hands were warm and strong; the warmth of his palms penetrated his skin and reached his heart.
As Liu Wanyan felt this power, all the unease and grievances in her heart vanished at that moment.
She nodded slightly and whispered:
"Thank you."
The two looked at each other in silence, the candlelight flickering, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere.
"Your Highness arrested so many people today; the interrogations might implicate a wide range of individuals. Could this... cause trouble?"
She was, after all, Liu Bowen's daughter, and she cared about more than just her own reputation.
"It's alright."
Zhu Mu comforted him,
"Father knows what he's doing. I've only caught the fish that are jumping the most. As for catching the bigger fish later, that's up to Father and the Embroidered Uniform Guard. You can rest assured and don't need to worry about it."
They chatted about interesting things about the Da Ming Daily and discussed future plans, and the atmosphere became increasingly harmonious.
It wasn't until late at night that Zhu Mu reluctantly took his leave.
After Zhu Mu left, the night in Yingtian Prefecture was not peaceful.
The story of the King of Chu, who flew into a rage for his fiancée yet remained steadfast in upholding the law, spread like wildfire throughout the capital.
At first, it was the common people discussing it in the streets and alleys:
"Have you heard? His Highness the Prince of Chu personally led the arrest of those spreading rumors! He was incredibly impressive!"
"Indeed! His Highness also said that he would only arrest the bad guys and not implicate us good people! What a good prince!"
"That Miss Liu is truly blessed; she's not even married yet, and His Highness is already protecting her like this!"
Gradually, this trend spread to the backyards of various mansions, becoming the focus of envy and discussion among the young ladies of marriageable age.
In the garden of a noble family's mansion, several young ladies were gathered together to admire the moon.
"Have you heard? His Highness the Prince of Chu turned the entire south side of the city upside down in one afternoon just for Miss Liu!"
A young lady in a pink dress had stars in her eyes.
"It's more than just turning it over,"
Another woman chimed in, her tone full of envy.
"My father said that His Highness publicly promised that he would never let personal matters interfere with public duty or indiscriminately kill innocent people. That's what a true man is! He has power but doesn't abuse it, and he's willing to stand up for his beloved. It's just like something out of a storybook!"
"Yes, yes! What good deeds did Miss Liu do in her past life to receive such devotion from His Highness? If it were me... sigh, I would be content if my future husband had even a fraction of His Highness's responsibility."
For a time, "If you're going to marry, marry Prince Chu" became a popular saying among the young ladies of Yingtian Prefecture, half joking and half sincere.
Liu Wanyan, the yet-to-be-married Princess of Chu, saw her prestige rise rather than fall amidst countless envious and jealous glances, becoming the object of envy for all the women in the city.
What was originally a vicious conspiracy was not only completely thwarted by the ruthless methods of the Zhu family father and son and Zhu Mu's tender care, but also became a beautiful story, deeply imprinting the image of the Prince of Chu and his future princess in the hearts of the people of the capital.
……
The next day at dawn, at the Fengtian Hall.
Following yesterday's flogging and arrests, the atmosphere at today's morning court session was unusually solemn.
The officials stood with their heads bowed, even their breathing was careful, for fear of offending the unfathomable emperor on the dragon throne.
However, to everyone's surprise, Zhu Yuanzhang did not mention yesterday's events again today. He even had a faint smile on his face, as if yesterday's thunderous rage had never happened.
"My lords, there are two matters I wish to discuss with you today."
Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was calm yet powerful, echoing throughout the hall.
He first looked at the officials of the Secretariat:
"Since the founding of the nation, the national treasury has not been abundant, and the salaries of officials have been meager."
"We know that many families have large members and social obligations, and they struggle to make ends meet on their meager salaries."
"When people are poor, they are more likely to have crooked thoughts. We don't blame you."