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The Chapter get Retranslated
In Imperial Concubine Yun's bedchamber
"Mother, why have you summoned your son?" Jun Hui asked, looking at Imperial Concubine Yun who was seated above.
Imperial Concubine Yun gestured with her chin towards a chair beside her.
"Sit."
After Jun Hui sat down and the palace maids served tea and withdrew, Imperial Concubine Yun slowly spoke.
"My son, what do you think of Minister Su's legitimate daughter, Su Li?"
Jun Hui thought for a moment and replied, "Leaving aside her looks, Tianqi cannot find another woman who can surpass her."
Imperial Concubine Yun nodded.
"Indeed. She has Minister of Revenue Su and Duke Weiguo's Manor behind her. The Minister of Revenue manages Tianqi's finances, and Duke Weiguo holds military power. If you marry her, you could be considered unique among the princes."
Jun Hui also nodded in agreement, saying, "Imperial Concubine Mother, your son thinks the same. However, I see that the Su family and Duke Weiguo's Manor have no intention of involving themselves with the Royal Family."
Imperial Concubine Yun smiled, "This is the best time. The Southern Border Prince Heir sought to marry Su Li, and the Empress used the excuse that Su Li already has a marriage contract.
Tomorrow, you will go to the Su Manor to propose marriage. Marrying far away to the Northern Borders or becoming the Sixth Imperial Prince Consort—I believe, as long as the Su family isn't foolish, they'll know how to choose."
Jun Hui stood up and bowed, saying, "Your son knows what to do, your son will go and make arrangements!"
At Minister Su's Manor
Su Li was oblivious to everything outside. As usual, after dining with Father Su and Mother Su, she returned to her courtyard.
After washing up, she habitually read a book by her bedside for a while, then dismissed the maids to rest.
While half-asleep, Su Li suddenly opened her eyes and hissed in a low voice, "Who?!"
She instantly put on her veil, and her hand quietly reached for the dagger under her pillow, watching silently in the darkness.
"Young Miss Su is truly vigilant, even sleeping with a dagger under her pillow."
Hearing the gentle voice, Su Li put down her dagger and relaxed.
Jun Mo was startled. Was she truly that trusting of him?
Su Li put on an outer robe, threw back the brocade quilt, put on her shoes, and stood up, saying, "I didn't expect the refined Prince Jing to have a habit of sneaking into ladies' boudoirs at night."
Jun Mo awkwardly coughed lightly, half-amused and half-helplessly saying, "This Prince kindly came to deliver news to Young Miss Su, and yet Young Miss calls me a scoundrel."
Su Li walked to the table and sat down, pouring herself a cup of tea by the moonlight. After thinking for a moment, she took another cup and poured one for him as well.
"What news would cause His Highness to scale walls and enter courtyards late at night?"
Jun Mo sat down opposite her, smoothing his robes, and took a sip of tea, saying, "Good tea."
Su Li raised an eyebrow. Naturally, her Su Manor was not short on money. In this life, she would live as comfortably as she pleased.
Although her food, clothing, and daily expenses were not extravagantly luxurious, they were certainly exquisite in every aspect.
After drinking the tea, Jun Mo slowly said, "Is Young Miss Su very familiar with the Southern Border Prince Heir?"
Su Li looked up in confusion, asking, "Why do you ask?"
If it were an ordinary woman questioned like this by a man, not getting a scolding would be considered a display of great composure.
But Su Li knew that Jun Mo's question had a reason.
Su Li looked at his gentle and refined face, only to hear his soft and pleasant voice reply.
"Today, the Southern Border Prince Heir, Liang Xuanting, entered the palace and offered two cities as a betrothal gift, asking my Imperial Father to bestow a marriage upon you both."
Su Li's eyes widened in shock.
"How could this be! I have had no contact with that Southern Border Prince Heir!"
Jun Mo maintained his gentle and elegant demeanor, staring at her for a long time, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, saying inexplicably, "Young Miss is beautiful but unaware of it? The Prince Heir is certainly generous; a beauty to topple cities, and Young Miss topples two at once."
Su Li ignored his teasing, only finding it absurd.
Her great revenge was not yet avenged, how could she leave Tianqi!
Two cities for a mere minister's daughter like her? The Emperor would surely agree immediately and issue an imperial decree!
No! She had to find a way quickly!
Seeing her unable to sit still, Jun Mo said seriously, "This time, you must thank the Empress. If she hadn't rushed to stop Imperial Father, the imperial decree of marriage might have already arrived at Minister's Manor today."
Su Li breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, saving the Crown Prince meant gaining a backer.
"Would His Majesty give up two cities? What method did the Empress use?"
"The Empress said you already have a marriage contract. I see that Imperial Father has not yet given up, so I suggest Young Miss make this marriage contract real, and the other party's status cannot be low. That way, Imperial Father will not force the Su family to break off the engagement."
Su Li was stunned, not expecting the Empress to use that excuse.
But thinking about it, only such a reason could temporarily suppress the imperial marriage decree.
However, making the marriage contract real would be difficult.
Where could she find someone of high status who would cooperate with her act in such a short time?
Jun Mo spoke again, saying, "I expect Imperial Father will bring up this matter with Minister Su tomorrow, and this matter cannot be delayed."
"If Young Miss has no suitable candidate, then in return for your medicinal gift, I am willing to lend a hand."
Su Li looked at him in surprise, saying, "You?"
Jun Mo nodded slowly, saying, "My status and position happen to fit, and I am not bad-looking, so it won't tarnish Young Miss's reputation. You treat my leg injury, and I'll consider it repaying your kindness, how about it?"
Su Li lowered her head in thought. Jun Mo was indeed an excellent candidate.
Jun Mo continued, "Once the Northern Border Prince Heir leaves, if Young Miss is unwilling, you can just find a way to break off this engagement."
However, whether it could be broken off at that time would be hard to say.
He was also getting older, and his Imperial Concubine Mother had repeatedly urged him.
In the Royal Family, Imperial Father was considered open-minded and didn't interfere with his brothers' backyards, but he had given a final instruction: if by the deadline he hadn't chosen a consort himself, he would arrange a marriage.
Rather than letting Imperial Father arbitrarily arrange a marriage, he might as well choose someone agreeable himself.
The woman before him was currently the most suitable: independent, confident, resourceful. If she were Prince Jing's Consort, he felt he could accept it.
Su Li, eager for revenge and determined not to leave Tianqi, was unknowingly drawn into Jun Mo's words.
"Alright, thank you, Prince Jing, for your help! Don't worry, once the Southern Border Prince Heir is dealt with, your subject daughter will certainly not inconvenience Prince Jing."
Jun Mo's lips curved slightly, his eyes sparkling.
"Good, then I will come to propose marriage tomorrow!"
Su Li was startled, saying, "Don't you need to ask Imperial Consort De for permission?"
Jun Mo smiled, "My Imperial Concubine Mother is a vegetarian and a devout Buddhist, with a very soft heart. I've done many things first and reported later."
It was the first time Su Li had seen such a mischievous expression on Jun Mo's face.
"Aren't imperial princes' marriages arranged personally by His Majesty? Won't His Majesty be angry then?"
Jun Mo replied, "Let's put it this way: if you married any other official, Imperial Father wouldn't be at ease. But marrying into the Royal Family, he would be pleased to see it happen."
Su Li understood the deeper meaning instantly.
Su Li said, "In that case, it's settled."
With this matter resolved, Su Li remembered another thing.
"Is there any result regarding the Crown Prince's poisoning?"
Jun Mo's smile faded, and he said seriously, "The culprit behind it was very secretive; only a few laundry room stewards and a few servants from the Eastern Palace were found."
Su Li said, "As expected."
How profound was Jun Hui's mind that he wouldn't easily expose himself?
Jun Mo looked at Su Li and said, "That day, the words Young Miss left behind, do you know something?"
Su Li glanced at Jun Mo and asked, "What kind of person does Your Highness think Sixth Prince is?"
Jun Mo thought for a moment and replied, "Sixth Imperial Brother is humble and amiable, with a good reputation in court. If it weren't for Imperial Concubine Yun's maternal family being weak, his achievements would surely be greater."
"But this Prince thinks that sometimes people who are too perfect can seem a bit fake. This Prince doesn't believe there are such people in this world."
Su Li gave him an admiring look, saying, "Your Highness has keen insight. If I were to say that the Crown Prince's poison is related to Sixth Prince, what would you think?"
Jun Mo looked at Su Li in surprise.
"How can Young Miss be so certain?"
Su Li said, "Doctors have a more sensitive sense of smell than ordinary people. The Sixth Prince's attendant had the scent of that medicinal powder on him. It was very faint, but it was left from long-term exposure."
Jun Mo was shocked, saying, "If this is true, then my Sixth Imperial Brother's ambition is quite grand."
Su Li remained silent. Isn't it grand indeed? He's set his sights on the highest seat.
Jun Mo stood up, saying, "Thank you, Young Miss, for telling me. It's getting late today, I will take my leave."
Su Li looked at the round moon outside the window. It was indeed getting late; the third watch of the night had already sounded.
"Is Prince Jing going to verify what you suspect? Actually, it's not difficult. Your Highness might want to investigate Sixth Prince's businesses; there might be a surprise."
Prince Jing gave Su Li a deep look and said, "Thank you, Young Miss, for the guidance. By the way, we'll be engaged tomorrow, calling me 'Your Highness' feels a bit distant. Let's make the act convincing, just call me Ziyan, Li'er."
Su Li fell silent.
He was already calling her 'Li'er'; she hadn't known Prince Jing was so familiar before.
Seeing Su Li frozen, he lowered his head and chuckled softly, unable to resist reaching out to ruffle Su Li's soft, fluffy hair. It was indeed soft to the touch.
Su Li was startled again.
When she came back to her senses, Jun Mo had already disappeared into the darkness outside the window, as if his faint laughter still lingered in the night wind.
Su Li immediately closed the window, shutting out everything related to him.
Lying back on the bed, she tossed and turned, pondering her relationship with Jun Mo.
An enemy in her previous life, a benefactor in this one.
Now, they were mutually beneficial collaborators: she treated his leg injury, and he helped her with some troubles.
Perhaps, in the end, they would even have a common enemy—Jun Hui!
Having clarified their relationship, and with no love involved, Su Li breathed a sigh of relief and closed her eyes, falling peacefully into slumber.