After visiting the Empress Dowager, Mu Rufeng was showered with praises, and after a long conversation, she finally let him go.
Once Mu Rufeng left, he was invited away by the Empress’s servants.
As expected, they inquired whether Mu Rufeng still possessed any Purity Spiritual Fruit.
After all, the Empress was not very old, and her cultivation was not beyond Level 5, so she was eager to consu the Purity Spiritual Fruit.
Although Mu Rufeng still had so Purity Spiritual Fruit, he naturally wouldn’t bring it out.
"Mother, I have a total of two, one of which I gave to the Empress Dowager as a birthday gift, and the other I gave to Yanran as a token of affection," Mu Rufeng said.
"Gave it to Yanran? Isn’t her cultivation already in the Refining Acupoints Realm? The Purity Spiritual Fruit should be of no use to her, right?" The Empress’s face lit up when she heard there were two.
"Mother, though the Purity Spiritual Fruit is useless to Miss Yanran, it is the main ingredient for the Youthful Elixir."
"Rest assured, Yanran told she’d present a Youthful Elixir to once it’s concocted," Mu Rufeng said with a smile.
The Empress was delighted at this news, and she smiled: "Indeed, Yanran is considerate, and I shall await that Youthful Elixir."
"Don’t worry, Mother," Mu Rufeng responded.
"By the way, you’ve just ascended to the position of Crown Prince, and your foundation is not solid with few capable officials under you. I have so good juniors here who will pledge allegiance to you in due ti," the Empress said.
"Thank you, Mother," Mu Rufeng thanked her with a cupped fist salute.
"Should they behave improperly, you should take them down without regard for my face," the Empress added.
"Yes, Mother."
Mu Rufeng was uncertain whether this was the Empress’s way of showing goodwill or if she was arranging for her own people to be planted around him.
However, Mu Rufeng thought it was most likely the forr; otherwise, she wouldn’t arrange people so openly.
It seed the Empress knew Mu Rufeng’s position as Crown Prince would be extrely secure, and her goodwill was partly due to the Youthful Elixir affair.
And partly to ensure Mu Rufeng would be kind to her little fourteenth after he ascends the throne.
After taking his leave from the Empress, Mu Rufeng prepared to exit the palace and return ho.
But then, a little eunuch stopped him.
"Greetings to Your Highness the Ninth Prince, my princess invites you!" the little eunuch said respectfully.
"Seventh Sister? Very well, lead the way," Mu Rufeng nodded, following him.
Upon arrival, Mu Wuxia scolded him harshly, saying how he had beco so formidable without saying a word.
Even her future husband was no match for him, she blushed at the ntion of "husband."
"Congratulations, Seventh Sister. Who’d have thought Jian Yifeng really proposed to you? Speaking of which, that night he blocked my carriage, insisting on going with us to the Flower Sea," Mu Rufeng said.
"What? He blocked your carriage that night, insisting on going, and it wasn’t you who invited him?" Mu Wuxia looked at Mu Rufeng in shock.
"Absolutely true, if Seventh Sister doesn’t believe it, you can ask him," Mu Rufeng said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Mu Wuxia blushed even more.
They chatted for a while before Mu Rufeng took his leave.
As he was leaving Mu Wuxia’s residence, Mu Rufeng discreetly peeked outside and, seeing no one waiting to stop him, sighed in relief.
Soon after, he saw a team of guards escorting soone ahead.
Upon closer inspection, Mu Rufeng realized it was the Imperial Physician who had prescribed the secret redy for him.
With a cold smile, Mu Rufeng strode towards the palace gates.
Surprisingly, outside the palace gates, he was stopped again.
It was the Eldest Prince.
The Eldest Prince’s belongings had been packed and moved back to his residence in the Imperial City.
He hadn’t left but instead waited quietly in a carriage outside the palace gates for Mu Rufeng.
"Greetings, Crown Prince," the Eldest Prince stepped down from his carriage and respectfully saluted before Mu Rufeng’s carriage.
"Big Brother, there’s no need for this," a small voice ca as Mu Rufeng watched the respectful Eldest Prince through the carriage window.
"After tomorrow’s morning court session, I will go to guard the mausoleum. I’ve surrendered my military power and will send ninety percent of the silver coin and cultivation resources to your residence. Please spare my children and wife," the Eldest Prince said.
The Eldest Prince’s face was filled with desolation, indicating the Emperor had already conversed with him.
"Big Brother, you know my character; I won’t harm the Empress and your children, rather I’ll treat them well."
"As for the resources and silver coins, send over fifty percent. Brother, we are brothers indeed, why must things co to this, why must they?"
Mu Rufeng sighed, signaling for the carriage to move on.
Liu Feng imdiately drove the carriage forward.
The Eldest Prince watched as the carriage faded into the distance, filled with endless sighs in his heart.
Indeed, why must things co to this, why must they?
Since childhood, he’d always admired and was convinced by his second brother, even having ambitions for the Crown Prince position but being suppressed by his outstanding second brother.
However, five years ago, the Crown Prince suddenly drowned for unknown reasons, stirring a notion within him.
But he only wished for honest competition, yet a counselor suggested so nefarious sches, tempting him to make so mistakes eventually.
Now, he accepted it, guarding the mausoleum, plotting for five years, ultimately winding up to waste away in the mausoleum.
But he worried his children would be oppressed, hence he ca to plea for Mu Rufeng’s rcy.
Yet, this mont he realized, his nature was sowhat narrow, judging others with the heart of a petty man.
"I’m despicable, despicable indeed, may the Ninth Brother be safe," the Eldest Prince shook his head, then boarded his carriage headed towards his residence.
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