Chapter 251: 251: Do You Like Me?

Words : 1400 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 251: Chapter 251: Do You Like Me? Zhan Lan looked at him, then at the old man rowing the boat behind her, and lowered her voice to ask, “What deal?” Mu Yan nodded, “It’s fine, the boatman is one of our own.” A gentle breeze carrying the scent of flowers blew into the cabin. Mu Yan looked at her eyes, which were as clear as spring water, and said with displeasure, “The Empress wants you to marry the Crown Prince. Do you like him?” Zhan Lan shook her head, “I don’t like him.” “Si Jun wants you and Zhan Xuerou to become his Ehuang and Nuying, do you like him?” Mu Yan continued. “I don’t like him!” Zhan Lan answered unequivocally. “Then do you like me?” Mu Yan asked again. Zhan Lan was at a loss for words, fiddling with the petals of a lotus in her hand without responding. Leaning against the cabin, Mu Yan spoke with a nonchalant air, “Since you don’t dislike me, I can grudgingly become your husband. That way, no one will dare to covet you, and you won’t have to marry anyone else.” He clenched the corner of his clothing in his palm, his gaze burning as he looked at Zhan Lan, his voice filled with temptation, “Zhan Lan, how about we pretend to get married?” Zhan Lan looked up at him, and he had reverted to his nonchalant demeanor, “This is a deal, because Emperor Xuanwu is also forcing me to marry the princess from Western Rong. You wouldn’t want that Western Rong woman to take advantage of me, right?” Zhan Lan looked at him and said with a smile, “Women from Western Rong are passionate and unrestrained; marrying one wouldn’t be so bad.” Mu Yan’s eyes instantly turned cold; he wanted to throw this heartless woman into the water. However, he quickly realized there was something off about Zhan Lan’s statement. Mu Yan moved closer, “Zhan Lan, are you jealous?” Zhan Lan glanced at him, “I’m not, who you marry has nothing to do with me.” Mu Yan’s eyes filled with disappointment, and glancing behind Zhan Lan, he suddenly said, “There’s a snake!” “Ah!” Zhan Lan, frightened, hid behind Mu Yan. He hugged her and covered her eyes, “It’s okay, don’t be scared, I’ve driven it away.” Zhan Lan secretly peeked out from his embrace but saw nothing. She looked up at Mu Yan, who was avoiding her gaze, with a hint of a mischievous smirk still lingering on his lips. “Mu Yan!” Zhan Lan raised her fist as if to hit him, but Mu Yan saw a bracelet on her wrist, his lips curving into a smile, he leaned in and said, “You’re just being stubborn.” Zhan Lan pulled her hand back, “I just think it looks very beautiful because it’s so colorful.” Mu Yan picked up a lotus that had fallen to the ground and said, “Think carefully about the deal with me. We help each other, just a pretend marriage on the surface. Emperor Xuanwu will certainly use your marriage for his schemes sooner or later, and eventually, you’ll have to make a choice. Besides, you don’t want to marry anyone; using me as a shield will work just fine.” Mu Yan lowered his voice, “You see, we’ve slept together, kissed, and our acting is already quite in sync, isn’t it?” Zhan Lan covered his mouth and murmured, “Enough, let me think about it.” Mu Yan raised a hand, his palm facing Zhan Lan, his eyes sincere, “Here’s to a pleasant cooperation in advance!” Zhan Lan responded noncommittally with a pat, and the smile in Mu Yan’s eyes gradually widened. The “old man” at the bow rowing the boat, overhearing their conversation, had to suppress his excitement and keep his lips from curling up; his graying fake beard was almost falling off. Vermilion Bird felt emotional; when it came to craftiness, his master was second to none! If he had directly proposed to Miss Zhan, he might have been met with an outright rejection. But by proposing a fake marriage to conceal his true intentions, who knows, there might be a chance! ... In the hunting grounds, with the Empress Dowager presiding, as expected the Crown Prince came out on top. Zhan Lan was once again entangled by the Eldest Prince who followed her closely. She understood her own worth and now had a stake in the court’s affairs. The Empress Dowager, keeping Zhan Lan behind alone, said, “General Zhan, come to the palace another day to see me, I want to hear about your battles at the border.” Zhan Lan nodded and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.” The Empress looked towards the Crown Prince not far away, signaling him to escort Zhan Lan home. The Crown Prince walked up to Zhan Lan and said, “I will take you home.” Zhan Xuerou, just soothed by Si Jun, came over and heard the Crown Prince being attentive to Zhan Lan. She was truly irritated to the core! Why was Zhan Lan so popular! The Crown Prince favored her, Si Jun’s attitude was ambiguous, and even Prince Xian and Prince Qi’s gazes towards Zhan Lan were different. If it weren’t for the presence of the Crown Prince, they probably would have tried to get involved as well. Zhan Xuerou clenched the handkerchief in her hand, sneering inwardly. Zhan Lan dressed neither like a man nor a woman, reportedly had a body full of scars, and ugly marks on her hands. What was so good about Zhan Lan, were they all blind? “Crown Prince, today I am going to the mountain to pay respects to my father, please stay back,” Zhan Lan refused the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince looked a bit awkward, but he wasn’t in a hurry; no girl immediately gets along with a man upon meeting him. He could wait. “It’s alright, Miss Zhan, take care,” said the Crown Prince in a refined and courteous manner. Zhan Xuerou watched Zhan Lan riding away on a horse, and inwardly criticized: Zhan Lan is playing hard to get, no wonder men are revolving around her! But no matter how much attention she gets, the position of the future Empress will not be hers! Once she and Si Jun get married, her father and grandfather can only support Si Jun to ascend to the throne; who would dare to stop them! “What are you thinking about?” the Princess stood behind Zhan Xuerou and spoke, startling her. She turned around, smiling, “Nothing much.” Their gazes met, both looking towards Zhan Lan’s retreating figure. The Princess wondered, did Zhan Lan know that it was her who had instigated Xie Yu; why can’t she see any hints of it in Zhan Lan’s eyes? ... The next morning, the envoy sent by Beiyue arrived at Ding’an City. Emperor Xuanwu summoned the envoy who brought generous gifts. Emperor Xuanwu had been in a good mood recently, and his health had improved somewhat, sitting on the dragon throne appearing like someone who had never been sick. The Beiyue envoy bowed and said, “Your Majesty, Eastern Wei is covetously watching us, and Western Rong shows signs of resurgence. His Majesty of Beiyue wishes to foster a peace similar to the Qin and Jin friendship. The new Emperor of Beiyue has just ascended the throne and hopes to strengthen ties through marital alliances, sharing a common enemy.” There is no eternal war between nations, only mutual interests. Emperor Xuanwu’s eyes narrowed. If his princess were to marry into the other royal family, he would mostly feel reluctant, but it indeed would help balance the other two countries. However, currently, the only princess of marriageable age was the Princess, and he dearly loved Si Yao, not wishing her to marry far away. It was said that the current Emperor of Beiyue, formerly the second prince, had a liking for beauty; had not the Eldest Prince died early, he might not have become the Emperor. Emperor Xuanwu, with a majestic demeanor, asked, “However, my princess is not yet of age to marry.” The envoy bowed again, “Your Majesty need not worry, His Majesty of Beiyue already has someone in mind.”

Chapter 251: 251: Do You Like Me?

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