SFL Chapter 2

“The Su family has gone too far.” The Empress said, raising her eyebrow and on the brink of getting angry.

But when she saw Su Qianluo looking embarrassed and lowering her head, she realized that there was still a member of the Su family present. She swallowed her words, feeling uncomfortable inside.

“Alright, let the two children go to the Jade Registry. It’s already a done deal, and there’s no point in saying anything now.” The Emperor said, his expression was unchanged, showing neither joy nor anger.

After receiving the Emperor’s and Empress’s courtesy, Mu Yunfeng took Su Qianluo out directly.

Once they were outside the door, Mu Yunfeng slowed down his pace, which warmed Su Qianluo’s heart. She had just become a wife yesterday and was feeling quite uncomfortable physically, and her husband was being considerate of her.

With these thoughts in mind, Su Qianluo couldn’t help but feel sweet inside.

After Su Qianluo’s name was recorded in the Royal Family Registry, everything was settled.

Now, even if Su Qianhuan returned, Mu Yunfeng’s Queen could only be Su Qianluo.

Being listed in the Royal Registry was equivalent to giving Su Qianluo a sense of security. Her posture straightened up a lot. When Mu Yunfeng took Su Qianluo back to the palace to bid farewell to the Empress, the emperor had already left.

The Empress asked Su Qianluo to rest first and offered her some pastries. Then, she invited Mu Yunfeng inside for a conversation.

At this moment, the Empress’s face no longer showed the previous emotions and actions. Instead, she had a serious look on her face as she gazed at Mu Yunfeng. “My child, what’s really going on with the Su family?”

“Su Qianhuan, ran away and the Su family’s behind it.” Mu Yunfeng casually replied while toying with the jade pendant around his waist.

“Does your Father know about this?” The Empress was worried about this. Fearing that her son’s marriage to a court official’s daughter might displease the Emperor.

“Father didn’t say anything, but the Su family acted based on Father’s face.” Mu Yunfeng said with a smile. “My status as the Legitimate Prince doesn’t hold much weight compared to Father’s.”

The Empress became angry and sneered, “If my son’s status isn’t enough, the other Princes will be even less qualified!”

As the Empress in her prime, her son was the Legitimate Heir to the throne. However, the Emperor preferred to make her son a King rather than crown him as the Crown prince. This had long been a source of frustration for the Empress.

“Mother, perhaps this is just Father’s way of tempering his son. As long as Father doesn’t have a favorite son in his heart, and he rules justly, there’s still a good chance for me.”

“What I fear is that Father may be completely blinded by his love.” Mu Yunfeng said with a sigh.

He hadn’t forgotten that even with his current position, he was still just a Prince. The Emperor’s favored son was not him.

Although the original character was somewhat infatuated, how many of these events were driven by others? The conclusion of the book didn’t represent the conclusion of life, and who knew how the Legitimate Crown Prince who failed to ascend to the throne might be targeted from above?

It wasn’t about the Emperor being petty. It was his position that made him the rightful Heir regardless of who succeeded to the throne. No matter who ascended, he would always be a thorn in the Emperor’s side. To find peace of mind, that thorn had to be removed.

“That’s indeed very possible. Let’s hope it’s the former, but if it’s the latter, be careful not to let me find out.” The Empress said with a cold smile.

Inside the palace, there were many Princes and Princesses. So the Empress, as the Mother of the Empire, had an astounding reputation. Even many palace Concubines thought so.

However, that was only when they hadn’t crossed the Empress’s path. If they did, she didn’t hesitate to use her influence.

Just like this time, Mu Yunfeng’s marriage was something his mother, the Empress, had been orchestrating behind the scenes.

“What about your Wife? Would you like mother to find you some concubines for the second household?” the Empress asked her son, Mu Yunfeng, for his opinion.

Mu Yunfeng furrowed his brow slightly and replied, “That’s not necessary. Having only one Wife may actually put Father and my brothers at ease for now. ”

“In that case, you should hurry up and let your mother hold her grandchild.” The Empress expressed her eager anticipation.

“I will, Mother.” Mu Yunfeng agreed with a smile.

After a few more words between the mother and son, Mu Yunfeng left with Su Qianluo. Su Qianluo did not ask any questions, but Mu Yunfeng took the initiative and said, “In the future, spend more time with the Empress in the palace and learn from her.”

As for whether Su Qianluo would use what she learned, Mu Yunfeng was never worried. Su Qianluo was not a helpless little rabbit. Even though her second chance at life was challenging, she had nearly turned the tables through her efforts. If it were not for the Protagonists’ halo, it was still uncertain who would emerge as the ultimate victor.

“What about you, husband? What will you be doing?” Su Qianluo asked boldly and cautiously.

“As for me, I need to acquire more assets for myself. We can’t just rely on waiting for a windfall from the sky.” Mu Yunfeng said.

Su Qianluo understood what Mu Yunfeng meant. As a member of the Royal family, who wouldn’t desire that position? Especially considering that Mu Yunfeng had a much greater chance than the average Prince.

“Unfortunately, my father cannot provide any support for Your Highness.” Su Qianluo said with a hint of disappointment. This was her long-standing source of self-doubt.

From childhood to adulthood, she had been overshadowed by her cousin. If it had just been that, she could have accepted it. But Su Qianhuan’s actions had implicated her, which had completely infuriated Su Qianluo.

Even though she had found a loving husband, it could not erase the fact that her uncle had originally intended for her to suffer in her cousin’s place.

“Not providing support is not an issue. Just don’t become a hindrance, and I hope you’ll take this seriously.” Mu Yunfeng advised Su Qianluo.

“I will not fail Your Highness’s trust.” Su Qianluo replied. After saying that, she gazed at Mu Yunfeng’s profile with affection. If it weren’t for the fortunate circumstances this time, she might have never crossed paths with him in her lifetime.

Mu Yunfeng, on the other hand, was not particularly skilled at understanding a woman’s thoughts. His concern for Su Qianluo was primarily because of his high emotional intelligence.

Of course, he did not care about just anyone, but once Su Qianluo became his person, she was undoubtedly within his territory.

Mu Yunfeng was undoubtedly very protective of his own people.

*

With Mu Yunfeng’s support, Su Qianluo quickly stabilized the household. Before long, she had control over the entire Wang residence’s back courtyard, leaving her two jealous sisters-in-law unable to find any fault with her.

Compared to the Third Prince’s residence, which had only one Wife, the First and Second Prince’s residences had many women. Although the concubines dared not provoke the Empress, they did not hold back when it came to causing trouble with their peers among the concubines and secondary consorts.

The First and Second wives found themselves quite busy ensuring peace within the inner courtyard, resembling old housewives.

In contrast to the carefree life of Mu Yunfeng’s Wife, the other two were gnashing their teeth in frustration. Feeling particularly sour about the situation.

*

After getting married, according to tradition, Mu Yunfeng could start participating in court politics. His arrival undoubtedly heightened the sense of crisis for his two elder brothers.

“Third Brother, which government office are you planning to work at?” The Second Prince inquired of Mu Yunfeng, wearing a friendly face to outsiders.

Mu Yunfeng played along with the act. He smiled and replied, “I can go anywhere as long as I can assist Father.”

The Second Prince felt a bitter taste in his mouth, thinking that Mu Yunfeng was truly competing for Father’s favor. He smiled and continued, “That’s what you said, Third Brother. Originally, I was thinking of having you work at the Ministry of Personnel, where I am, and we could work well together. But who would have thought that the eldest brother also has a liking for you and wants you to join the Ministry of War.”

Saying this might have been acceptable if it were another prince. They could have easily used this approach to win him over.

However, Mu Yunfeng was different. As the Legitimate prince, he had no reason to listen to a lesser prince.

The Second Prince’s words were undoubtedly pushing Mu Yunfeng away from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War. As long as Mu Yunfeng had any backbone, he wouldn’t work under these two elder brothers.

In fact, the First Prince and the Second Prince didn’t even want Mu Yunfeng to enter the Ministry of Rites, the office they valued the least. Mu Yunfeng’s status alone would allow him to gather a large number of followers, something these ambitious princes didn’t want to see.

Mu Yunfeng understood their intentions. But where he would work was not something he could decide on his own. It depended on the higher-ups’ preferences.

Mu Yunfeng was still pondering about the Emperor’s intentions when his appointment was announced. He was assigned to the Ministry of Justice, responsible for maintaining law and order in the capital and overseeing the legal system and prisons.

This department was one that even individuals with slightly lesser status could not easily control. After all, in the capital, every brick laid might hit either an official or someone connected to officials.

If his colleagues came to request favors, releasing someone would be seen as favoritism. Administering justice impartially would offend people. Among the Six Ministries, working in the Ministry of Justice was the most challenging and thankless job.

When Mu Yunfeng learned of his appointment, the First and Second Princes were ecstatic at home.

Even if they wanted to undermine Mu Yunfeng, they did not dare to do so openly.

However, this was the Emperor’s decree, and there was nothing they could do about it.

Mu Yunfeng returned home, enduring his elder brothers’ gloating expressions. Only the Emperor was slightly surprised when he saw his Third son’s calm and unperturbed demeanor. He had not expected Mu Yunfeng to accept the appointment without objection.

He could have had Mu Yunfeng reassigned to the Ministry of War or the Ministry of Finance as long as he spoke up. However, doing so would have disappointed the Emperor even more.

*

After Mu Yunfeng returned home, he wrote letters to his subordinates and close acquaintances, informing them of his upcoming assignment to the Ministry of Justice. He advised them to look out for themselves and their families, because if he caught them, he wouldn’t show any mercy.

Upon seeing this, Su Qianluo quickly wrote a letter to her father, urging him to restrain their family members and avoid getting on the wrong side of her husband, as it would be a great embarrassment.

As for whether her father would give her uncle’s family a warning, Su Qianluo couldn’t control that. As a married woman, she had already done what she could.

Upon learning that Mu Yunfeng was coming to the Ministry of Justice, the Minister of Justice felt at ease. The Ministry of Justice was responsible for administering criminal law and punishing wrongdoers. It was a difficult and indispensable task among the Six Ministries, which few people could handle, both in terms of position and temperament.

Mu Yunfeng, with his status and temperament, was well-suited for the role. His arrival would certainly help relieve some of the pressure on the Minister. This made the Minister eagerly anticipate his arrival from early in the morning.

Finally, Mu Yunfeng’s figure appeared in their sight. The Minister quickly went to greet him.

Some of the newcomers in the Ministry of Justice couldn’t help but comment, “Aren’t you all the Minister’s superiors? Do we need to be so deferential to him?”

“What do you know? The Third Prince’s status is high enough. The entire Empire belongs to his Family. As long as the Third Prince is willing to work, spring will come for our Ministry of Justice.” The older members of the Ministry of Justice said, their eyes brimming with tears. After tidying up their attire, they also approached to welcome him.

Upon his arrival at the Ministry of Justice, Mu Yunfeng was warmly welcomed by everyone, without a trace of coldness.

Once Mu Yunfeng understood the reason for their enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but smile wryly. Nevertheless, he promised to work diligently in the Ministry and not sit idly by.

The Minister was even more satisfied with Mu Yunfeng. After all, this Empire ultimately belonged to the Royal family. Even though the Ministry of Justice had control over punishments, they sometimes had to consider the orders from above. There were many matters that he could not personally handle, but the Third Prince, with his higher status, could intervene. This was the difference in their positions.

After all, the person sitting at the top of the court was the Third Prince’s Father. If he had such a Father, he would not fear those people either.

Mu Yunfeng cooperated well. The Minister quickly delegated cases that he could not handle, to Mu Yunfeng. Hoping that he could resolve a few more cases before leaving the Ministry of Justice.