Forced love, an inescapable fate

Chapter 114 The one who pleases your heart

Emperor Jing looked at her kindly and spoke in a casual tone.

"It's been so many years since we last met. I didn't expect you've grown so big. Time flies. By the way, how is your recovery?" His tone was as casual as that of an elder in the family.

Mu Qingli looked up and replied with a smile: "Your Majesty, I am fine now. Thank you for your concern."

Emperor Jing nodded and said, "That's good. You don't have to be so reserved. Since you are here, let's have dinner together."

Mu Qingli originally thought that he would ask her to leave after calling her over for a few questions, but she never expected that he would ask her to stay and have dinner with him. She suddenly felt a little uneasy.

At this moment, she not only had to endure the scrutiny from the people behind her, but also had to face several pressured gazes from the people at the table. However, since the emperor had spoken, she had no reason to refuse and had to respond obediently.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

At the table where she was sitting, besides Emperor Jing, Jiang Ci and the eldest prince, there were three other people. But Mu Qingli didn't look closely. At this moment, all her energy was focused on dealing with the current situation. She didn't know who these three people were, but since she could sit at the same table with the emperor and the prince, they must be people of extraordinary status.

Just when she was feeling extremely miserable, she heard a strangely familiar voice.

"Your Majesty, why don't you introduce us? We all know the princess, but she may not know us. If the princess doesn't mind, then I, the Grand Tutor, will introduce everyone here to her one by one."

When Mu Qingli heard this voice, she almost bit her tongue. This familiar voice, wasn't it the man who held her hostage in the room that night? Why was he here?

She never thought that she would meet the man who kidnapped her that night here.

Grand Tutor? He just said he was Grand Tutor. Could he be the Grand Tutor Wen Muchuan that Wanyue had mentioned to her, the arrogant and conceited Grand Tutor of the current dynasty?

No wonder he said at the time that we would meet soon, but he didn't expect that the meeting would be like this.

Jiang Ci kept an eye on Mu Qingli. He felt that her expression when she saw him today was a little strange. Although her expression was normal at the moment, the shock and surprise in her eyes when she heard Wen Muchuan's voice just now still made Jiang Ci's eyes darken.

Jiang Ci was confused. Mu Qingli's behavior just now clearly showed that she recognized Wen Muchuan, but they seemed to have no intersection, so how could they know each other? During the days he was away, Bai Yu would regularly write letters to inform him of what was happening in the Princess's Mansion, but she never mentioned that she would have any intersection with Wen Muchuan.

Jiang Ci's eyes were dim. He knew that something he didn't know must have happened during the time he was away. He suppressed the fluctuations in his heart, but couldn't help but look at Mu Qingli.

At this moment, Mu Qingli could only hide the shock in his heart and try to act normal.

After hearing Wen Muchuan's words, Emperor Jing couldn't help but laugh and said, "Muchuan is really thoughtful. Then you can introduce Mu girl to him."

Mu Qingli could only force a smile and pretend to be calm as Wen Muchuan introduced the people present one by one.

After he finished the introduction, she realized that the prime minister and cabinet elders were sitting with her, and she instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

Because of his introduction, Mu Qingli had to stand up and salute everyone. She just hated Wen Muchuan for having a grudge against her and had to do this.

After everyone had finished introducing themselves, Mu Qingli breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it should be over. However, she never expected that the eldest prince Jiang Xian, who had been silent the whole time, would suddenly speak.

"I heard that the princess had been engaged to General Feng since childhood, but I don't know why she broke off the engagement with General Feng later. Could it be that the princess, like General Feng, has found someone she loves?"

His sudden question left Mu Qingli with no time to react. She was already feeling unwell, and with the truth she unexpectedly learned yesterday, she was now sitting opposite Jiang Ci. It was extremely difficult for her to maintain her composure, and she couldn't think about anything else.

As soon as Jiang Xian's voice came out, Jiang Ci's face instantly darkened.

Mu Qingli didn't know how to answer his question, and at this time everyone's eyes were focused on her, including Wen Muchuan, who was also looking forward to Mu Qingli's answer.

Seeing that Mu Qingli remained silent, Jiang Ci was about to speak up to help when he heard her speak.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern for me. To be honest, I do have someone in my heart, but I'm not planning on getting married yet. If the time comes, I'll definitely invite Your Highness to join me for a drink."

After Mu Qingli finished speaking, Jiang Xian was unhappy, but he couldn't get angry. Her words and actions just now undoubtedly revealed that he was meddling in other people's affairs.

After hearing what she said, everyone had different thoughts. Even Wen Muchuan didn't expect her to be so direct. When Jiang Ci heard what she said just now, the light in his eyes instantly dimmed, and this scene did not escape Jiang Xian's eyes.

Jiang Xian smiled knowingly and continued, "Oh, the person the princess was talking about was Imperial Physician Su. I heard that you have a close relationship with Imperial Physician Su. Based on what the princess just said, the rumors should be true."

Mu Qingli didn't expect this man to be so tactless, but the few words she said just now had already offended him. How should she respond now to move on from this topic?

She had a fever and her head was already dizzy. She had been able to hold on until now, as her body had reached its limit. At this moment, she only felt dizzy from time to time, but she still maintained a proper state of mind.

Her silence made everyone present look at her, and Mu Qingli felt very uncomfortable.

"That's true, but Su Minsheng is not bad. If you marry him, it will indeed be a happy event. Mu girl, there is no need to be shy. Marrying is a normal human behavior. If you like each other, I can grant you a marriage."

Jiang Ci's expression froze when Mu Qingli said that he had someone in his heart. Jiang Xian, who was standing beside him, sneered meaningfully at his reaction.

Everyone had different thoughts, except Mu Qingli, who felt like she was being roasted on fire.

But in the end, her rationality was broken by Wan Yue's words yesterday, "Now you want to make a fuss about her marriage." She looked up at Jiang Ci and felt as if her heart was torn apart. Finally, she made up her mind, with determination in her eyes.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. The person I love is none other than Imperial Physician Su. We are both willing to be together. If Your Majesty could grant us a marriage, I would be more than happy to do so."

After she said this, the smile on Emperor Jing's face became even wider.

"Well, this is double happiness. I approve of your marriage."

At this point, the string in Jiang Ci's heart broke. Just when he was about to lose his mind and wanted to stand up, Zhao Yan, the cabinet elder beside him, reached out and held him down.