Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 297 - 297 298 Seeing that sugar figure_1

Chapter 297: Chapter 298: Seeing that sugar figure_1 Chapter 297: Chapter 298: Seeing that sugar figure_1 Yu Ze finally let go of Muniang, albeit reluctantly.

Muniang fixed her makeup in the mirror and said irritably, “It took so long to put on good makeup, and you’ve smeared it all.”

“Better smeared,” he replied, “why don’t we just wash it off and then head to the palace?”

Muniang pinched him, touched up her makeup, and then pulled him to leave, “Such a grown man, I’ve never seen you be so petty. Can’t I look beautiful too? You’re allowed to charm others outside, but I can’t outshine everyone?”

Yu Ze smiled helplessly. He was now accused of charming others? What an innocent charge to bear.

The carriage was ready outside; after saying goodbye to Jian Yue and Yu Guang, the two of them got on. The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage moved away.

Jian Yue voiced her concerns, “Muniang does look the part when she dresses up, but she hasn’t learned any of the rules. Could there be trouble when entering the palace?”

Qiao Xin, the head maid, reassured her, “My lady need not worry. The princess has a fine air about her, not much less than others. Besides, she has the prince to accompany her. Surely, there will be no problems.”

Jian Yue nodded, “Hopefully.”

But then, as if something occurred to her, she asked, “Will Suxue be going this time?”

Qiao Xin nodded with some difficulty, “The current Empress is Miss He’s cousin. Now that she has given birth to the second prince, the He Family will naturally be there. I’m afraid Miss He will go.”

Jian Yue sighed, “Will there really be no trouble?”

At this, even Qiao Xin couldn’t guarantee there wouldn’t be any problems.

Along the way, Yu Ze brief Muniang about some palace rules. Muniang had seen enough palace dramas in her previous life to catch on quickly.

After some time, the carriage entered the palace gates. The grandeur of the palace sprawled outside the window. Muniang peeked through the curtains, finding the scene extraordinary—it was no wonder countless people were desperate to get inside.

“Once we reach Jing’an Gate, we can’t go further in the carriage. A eunuch will come to show us the way, and we’ll have to walk,” said Yu Ze.

Muniang nodded, aware of this rule.

“This palace does look stunning at first glance—its red bricks, green tiles, and vermillion doors, all declaring its majesty and opulence. Perhaps there is no finer architecture in the world.”

Yu Ze raised an eyebrow, “Why would you only find it beautiful at a first look? Does it lose its appeal over time?”

“What thing can one never tire of looking at? People outside these walls yearn to come in, but those who live within these walls yearn for something new and grow tired of the monotonous scenery,” Muniang mused.

Yu Ze stared at Muniang for a long time, feeling a surge of relief. Had he, in a moment of greed, taken the throne for himself, he probably could not have kept her with him. Birds like her cannot be trapped in a cage.

Yu Ze curved his lips into a smile, gripping Muniang’s hand tightly. What were empires or palaces compared to having her by his side?

Muniang, who was looking at the scenery outside, suddenly brightened up and said excitedly, “Er Liang, Er Liang, I’ve spotted the sugar sculptor!”

“What sugar figure?”

“You know, the one made after the leading figure among the Capital City’s Four Young Masters, something Jiang, looks just like the real person. I feel like I saw him in the flesh, and he’s really handsome, even better-looking than the sugar figure! He was even standing there, smiling at me—do you know him?”

Yu Ze’s eyebrows knitted together, and with a big hand, he flung the carriage curtain wide open. Sure enough, Jiang Hengyu was standing at Jing’an Gate, apparently having just arrived.

Yu Ze let the curtain fall back into place dismissively, not sparing any courtesies, “I don’t know him.”

Jiang Hengyu’s smile froze on his face. That Yu Ze, just as he was before.

By the time Muniang and Yu Ze’s carriage arrived, Jiang Hengyu unceremoniously approached, “Hey, what’s the matter with you? You come back to the capital and don’t come looking for me, fine, but you look at me like I’m your sworn enemy. What did I do to offend you? I was kindly waiting here for you so we could go in together, and you just give me the cold shoulder. Do you think that’s okay for a lad of my standing—”

“Are you done yet? Can’t you big men stop being so naggy?” Yu Ze said, then proceeded to walk past him, pulling Muniang along.

Jiang Hengyu was evidently used to Yu Ze’s ways, and promptly moved closer again, laughing playfully, “So this is the little bride you rushed to marry? You keep her by your side every day, don’t you get tired of it?”

Yu Ze shot him a glance, “It’s only when I see you that I feel tired.”

Jiang Hengyu’s arm found its way around Yu Ze’s shoulders as he burst into laughter, “Still got that sharp tongue, even as a married man. How do you never change? I’m surprised she can stand it.”

Yu Ze’s lips curled slightly. If he knew what kind of tongue Muniang had, he’d know why she could bear it.

Muniang rolled her eyes in exasperation. She had thought she was seeing a male god, but it turned out just to be a clown. This man really shouldn’t speak; it ruins his image completely.

The banquet was set at Zitan Terrace, and before entering, Jiang Hengyu made a point of reminding Yu Ze, “He Suxue is here too. Be careful, she might pull another dirty trick. The imperial edict granting your marriage was obtained by her pleading with the Empress to bestow it on you.”

Yu Ze pursed his lips, then said, “There’s no need to worry about her.”

Jiang Hengyu chuckled, “Since you’re so relaxed, you must have a plan. I can’t be bothered to interfere. I’m just here for the show.” With that, he swaggered in ahead of Yu Ze.

Muniang felt a wave of second-hand embarrassment. This guy was just—

In a low voice, Yu Ze said, “Don’t mind him; he’s never been proper. Don’t worry about anything when we go inside, I’ll be right there.”

Muniang nodded, “Don’t worry, I’m not that frail. Let’s go.”

The little eunuch had already gone in to announce their arrival and, upon receiving the Emperor’s command, hurried out, “Inviting Marquis Chen Prince Heir and the Princess to enter the hall.”

Yu Ze clasped Muniang’s hand, then strode into the hall. Muniang followed a step behind, to his right. The hall was filled with the wives and relatives of officials sitting on both sides, while naturally, the Emperor sat in the main seat on the dragon throne, with the Empress to his right.

As Muniang and Yu Ze entered the hall, it seemed as if all eyes fell on them, filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

Of course, the attention of the womenfolk naturally landed on Muniang, the enviable lucky woman.

Everyone knew Qiao Muniang was born into a peasant family, a trivial village girl in the eyes of the noble ladies, who had gained this godsent opportunity to rise merely by sheer luck in saving the severely injured Yu Ze. In their hearts, they looked down on her, but when Muniang stepped leisurely into the hall, it seemed everyone couldn’t help but inhale sharply. If the village girls of today had such grace, then how could these noblewomen compete?