Free Web NovelChapter 765: Chapter 200: Three Questions in the Hall, Have You All Decided?
’Princess! Princess! This vile woman dares to proclaim herself princess!’
Upon hearing the words ’the princess has arrived’ from outside the hall, Yan Ya almost twisted her own fingers in fury, her lowered features turned hideously grim.
Footsteps echoed from the direction of the throne.
Yan Ya took a deep breath, striving to suppress the jealousy burning in her heart, restoring her distorted features to calmness, and maintained an impeccable smile while slowly raising her face.
The perfect expression she had crafted for herself shattered instantly when she saw Mu Qingge.
Yan Ya was shocked as she looked at the woman in red, guarded by Gu Ya and Gu Ye, as if the only thing left before her was this woman’s radiant glory and unparalleled beauty.
She, as a woman, felt this way, not to mention the other five Vassal Lords.
Upon seeing Mu Qingge, they all displayed expressions of amazement, and two among them even revealed a gleam of greed in their eyes, as if they wished to snatch the beauty in red standing before the throne.
That aggressive look was sensitively caught by Mu Qingge.
Her eyes shifted lightly, and her clear, icy gaze fell upon the two overstepping Vassal Lords.
Under her gaze, it was like a bucket of cold water was poured over their heads, instantly sobering them. They hurriedly reined in their emotions and secretly glanced around at their peers to see if anyone noticed their lapse.
Regardless of Mu Qingge’s identity, since she bears the title of princess now, they must not expose their thoughts and risk giving others an opportunity to attack them.
Even though Ling Jiu, Ji Fu, and the others have seen Mu Qingge before, they still feel overwhelmingly impressed upon seeing her again.
Her beauty indeed carries an aggressiveness.
As if wherever she appears, other colors would become overshadowed.
Yet, her beauty, aside from the initial breathtaking impact, also has a captivating allure that becomes more intoxicating upon deeper appreciation, making it impossible for one to resist.
’If she wasn’t the King’s woman, I would certainly take her back.’ Qing Yan whispered, and the tear mole at his eye seemed even more bewitching.
Ling Jiu retorted with dissatisfaction, "If she weren’t the King’s woman, would you even have the chance to take her?" Such a beauty, even if she’s just a decorative vase, is good to have in the mansion.
Moreover, now it seems that this woman is not as useless as they thought.
’You two, shut up.’ Ji Fu warned them.
He knew that these two were only speaking for the sake of it without any real intent, but even so, such words must not be spoken.
Mu Qingge’s cold eyes swept across the nine people in the hall. When passing Yan Ya, she merely glanced and paid no further attention. A Vassal Lord not in her position by her power fails to spark her interest.
Gu Ye had informed her before that among the seven Great Feudal Lords who couldn’t rush back to the Taixuan Ancient Palace, three were secretly aligned with the four in this hall. So, those wanting to rebel in Si Mo’s absence included not only these four but also the other three. The remaining four, though loyal to Si Mo, seemed to have some discord with Ling Jiu’s group, unable to see eye to eye.
Thus, with Si Mo’s disappearance, the relationships among the sixteen Great Feudal Lords became delicate, causing the entire situation in the Taixuan Demon Realm to turn exceedingly unstable.
That’s why they hurriedly summoned her to temporarily fill Si Mo’s position.
Moreover, to fill it rightfully and legitimately!
This was not only because she was originally Si Mo’s fiancée but also because they believed she possessed the ability to stabilize these Great Feudal Lords.
Gu Ya stepped out, looking towards the line where five stood, "Vassal Lord Su Sheng, Vassal Lord She Yin, Vassal Lord Su Yan, Vassal Lord Shu Quan, Vassal Lord Yan Ya." Then, he turned towards Ling Jiu’s side and said, "Vassal Lord Ji Fu, Vassal Lord Ling Jiu, Vassal Lord Qing Yan, Vassal Lord Qing Ze, step forward and greet the princess!"
As soon as his voice fell, Ling Jiu, Ji Fu, and the others stepped forward without hesitation.
Yet, the five on the other side hesitated.
Obviously, they did not believe in Mu Qingge’s identity.
Standing at the very back, Yan Ya hesitated, biting her lip, and did not stand out immediately. She wanted to see how the remaining four would react.
Make her call that woman of unknown origin the princess? Impossible!
The reluctance of these five made a cold glint flash in Mu Qingge’s eyes. She took a step forward, the movement causing the bell hanging at her waist to ring softly.
’What? Have the Vassal Lords of the Taixuan Ancient Palace become so arrogant that they can ignore the rules?’
Mu Qingge’s words, along with the clear bell sound from her waist, caused those five to shake. As Great Feudal Lords, they had surely seen the identical golden palace bell Si Mo used to wear at his waist, from which he never separated.
Once, their King never wore any ornamentation.
But, suddenly, from when? Three years ago? Four years? Or even five... perhaps even longer, their King began wearing a golden hollow palace bell identical to the one Mu Qingge was wearing.
This palace bell’s appearance made them seriously consider Mu Qingge’s identity.
Several of their expressions shifted and finally stepped forward. Yan Ya, in jealousy-turned-rage, also noticed the palace bell. Why could this woman don a palace bell identical to the King’s?
She gritted her teeth and stepped forward with the others, looking at Mu Qingge with unwillingness and humiliation in her eyes.
She is a noble Vassal Lord, and more than that, the only female Vassal Lord of the Taixuan Demon Realm, beautiful, noble, and unique. Why should she bow and salute to a woman of unknown origin who has beguiled the King?
However, even if her heart was filled with thousands of discontents, she couldn’t show them at this moment.
She still stood at the back, not making herself too conspicuous. She knew this wasn’t her battlefield. Once she left here, she’d have plenty of ways to seek justice for herself.
’Subject Ji Fu...’
’Subject Ling Jiu...’
’Subject Qing Yan...’
’Subject Qing Ze...’
’Subject Su Sheng...’
’Subject Su Yan...’
’Subject She Yin...’
’Subject Shu Quan...’
’Subject... Yan Ya...’
’Pay respects to the princess—! May the princess and our king live for eternity, forever shining upon Taixuan!’
Nine Great Feudal Lords, kneeling on one knee before her, yet Mu Qingge’s face held no trace of triumph. She merely watched them coldly, observing all their surreptitious movements.
Today I met them to make them speechless about my identity.
As long as my identity is confirmed, these people have no reason to propose anything like borrowing a womb for children using Si Mo’s efforts, left behind in Zichen Palace upon succession, as an excuse.
Just thinking about Si Mo’s child being conceived in another woman’s womb makes me uncomfortable all over.
Si Mo’s child can only be born by me!
If I am unwilling to give birth, then Si Mo can forget about having children in his lifetime!
Mu Qingge’s gaze deepened; she never knew she could be so domineering about these matters.
"Stand up." Mu Qingge’s voice was calm.
She was neither frightened by this scene nor appeared flustered. The four Great Feudal Lords who supported Si Mo nodded secretly, while the other four began to feel uncomfortable inside.
They had waited so long for this opportunity, could it just be given up like this?
Yan Ya silently stood at the back, thoughts unknown, but unusually low-key.
Her low profile even attracted an unconscious glance from Ling Jiu.
Just when the four Great Feudal Lords were considering how to make Mu Qingge, this Princess, leave voluntarily, Mu Qingge suddenly spoke up.
"I know you have many doubts about me as the Princess. Today, I will give you a chance to clarify them. However, I am still the Princess, your King’s wife, so I will only answer three questions. Think carefully before you ask."
’Impressive!’ Ling Jiu’s eyes lit up. His handsome, devilish face showed surprise and delight.
He didn’t expect Mu Qingge to be so decisive and proactive, taking control of the entire situation.
Not only him, but even Qing Yan, who thought Mu Qingge was too beautiful, like a vase, had a glint of fascination in his eyes.
Ji Fu and Qing Ze also looked at Mu Qingge in surprise, then at Gu Ya and Gu Ye. They thought this proactive strategy was secretly taught by these two.
However, when they saw the shocked expressions on Gu Ya and Gu Ye’s faces, they realized they were mistaken.
Gu Ya and Gu Ye were indeed shocked, even though they believed they knew Mu Qingge well, they were still awed by her move.
Seeing the astonished expressions of the crowd below, they couldn’t help but feel proud.
How could a woman, favored by Your Majesty, be just an empty pretty face? You’ve only experienced a fraction of the young Lord’s brilliance!
’This woman is something!’ Su Sheng secretly glanced at She Yin, exchanging a silent look.
Shu Quan also looked at Su Yan, both of them wearing equally caught-off-guard expressions.
Seeing their expressions, Mu Qingge smiled lightly, lazily saying, "There’s no need to be so cautious, just speak boldly. You can take your time to think carefully about the three questions, don’t miss the opportunity."
After saying this, she turned around, lifted the hem of her robe, and sat down on a chair prepared for her next to the throne, resting her head lazily on her hand, "The Imperial Physician advised that I am pregnant and should not toil."
’Pffft.’ Gu Ya struggled to hold back laughter, secretly giving Mu Qingge a thumbs-up.
Mu Qingge’s cold gaze swept towards him.
’Pregnant! Not even married into Taixuan Ancient Palace, not yet entered Zichen Palace, not yet residing in Mountain and Sea Palace, yet shamelessly flaunting her belly!’ Yan Ya was so furious that she almost gnashed her silver teeth to pieces.
The faces of Su Sheng and the other three changed several times before Su Sheng stepped out and asked Mu Qingge the first question.
"I dare ask the Princess, how can the child in your womb be identified as the King’s?" His first question was sharp.
Yan Ya secretly applauded, hoping Mu Qingge would not be able to answer.
But Ling Jiu and the other three grew worried, fearing that Mu Qingge couldn’t handle it.
Only Gu Ya and Gu Ye had one hundred percent confidence in Mu Qingge.
Mu Qingge squinted her eyes and smiled, "Vassal Lord Su Sheng, I heard your wife is also pregnant. I dare ask... is the child in your wife’s womb yours?"
Su Sheng’s eyes widened, "Princess, what do you mean? Of course the child in my wife’s belly is mine!"
"And how do you prove that?" Mu Qingge’s smile became more playful.
Su Sheng’s eyes widened further, "I, the seed I sowed, I wouldn’t know?"
"Insolence! Do not be rude to the Princess!" Gu Ye said sternly.
Mu Qingge, however, casually waved her hand, smiling brightly at Su Sheng, "Whether the child in my womb is the King’s, only the King himself knows best. If you have any doubts, Vassal Lord Su Sheng, wait until the King returns and you can ask him directly. The second question."
"..." Su Sheng was left speechless, only able to stare at Mu Qingge with wide eyes.
Seeing Su Sheng step back, Shu Quan stepped forward and asked, "I dare ask the Princess, since the King favors you, why did he not take you into Taixuan Ancient Palace? And why did you only appear when the King’s whereabouts became unknown?"
This question was also sharp.
Mu Qingge was exceptionally relaxed, her lips curled, her pointed fingers lightly swaying in the air. "He wanted to marry, but I wasn’t in a hurry to wed. If I hadn’t heard about someone plotting during his absence, I wouldn’t have come even if invited."
She actually laid it all out, directly telling these people the reason for her appearance.
This made Ling Jiu and the other three extremely shocked!
However, when they saw the extremely unpleasant faces of Su Sheng and his companions, they suddenly understood. Although Mu Qingge made everything clear, it also made these guilty-hearted individuals retreat in panic, not daring to ask further questions.
The flushed faces of Su Sheng and the others made the smile on Mu Qingge’s lips even more joyful. She squinted her eyes and spoke again, "The last question."
Su Sheng, She Yin, Su Yan, and Shu Quan held their breaths, pursed their lips tightly, and none of them spoke easily.
This Princess is far more formidable than they imagined!
They had thought that Gu Ya and the others would find a puppet to deal with them, and once they exposed this trick, everything would proceed as they originally planned.
Unexpectedly, the four Great Feudal Lords were given a checkmate by a woman, with no strength to fight back.
For this last question, they must be cautious and cautious again.
The four exchanged glances, while Yan Ya watched anxiously in secret. However, she couldn’t interrupt. In this matter, this female Vassal Lord’s involvement seemed intentionally excluded.
’Isn’t it just because of the child in your belly that you’re so arrogant? Hmph, I’ll make you taste the bitterness when all turns to foam.’ Yan Ya’s cold gaze brewed in her eyes.
"The third question is..." Su Yan spoke.
