ebookland Chapter 5 Murong Yi's Anxiety
Chapter 5 Murong Yi's Anxiety
In another part of the capital city—
The Ninth Prince Murong Yi's mansion was also shrouded in gloom, but his troubles stemmed from his upcoming marriage to Lin Qianqian and his beloved Su Wan'er.
Murong Yi stood tall and straight, his face cold and stern, his eyes deep and bright beneath his sword-like eyebrows, exuding an innate nobility and majesty. Yet at this moment, he paced back and forth in his study, his steps slightly disordered, his usual composure and calmness long gone.
Su Wan'er, the woman who captivated him, though the eldest daughter of the Su family, held a precarious position due to being born out of wedlock. But these things were irrelevant to Murong Yi; he only saw Wan'er's gentle tenderness and graceful elegance. They had known each other since childhood, growing up together amidst the capital's glamour and intrigue, truly childhood sweethearts. In Murong Yi's heart, Wan'er was the only love of his life; he had secretly vowed countless times to protect her for life and spend the rest of his days with her.
But now, the Emperor's decree of marriage struck him like a bolt from the blue, shattering all his illusions. He knew that as a prince, his marriage was a matter of great importance to the court, and he could not disobey the imperial decree. But the thought of marrying Lin Qianqian filled him with pain and helplessness.
Murong Yi stopped and stood by the window, gazing at the courtyard outside. His thoughts drifted back to the moments he had spent with Wan'er. He remembered them playing among the flowers in spring, Wan'er's laughter as clear and melodious as silver bells; they had also admired the moonlight together by the pond on summer nights, Wan'er's eyes as gentle as water in the moonlight. Those beautiful memories had now become the most painful thorn in his heart.
He turned his head and looked at Wan'er, who was sitting silently weeping beside him, his heart filled with guilt. "Wan'er, don't worry, I don't love Lin Qianqian at all. I have warned her many times not to have any improper thoughts about me." Murong Yi walked to Wan'er's side, gently held her hand, and tried to comfort her.
Su Wan'er raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears, and looked at Murong Yi: "Your Highness, but this arranged marriage cannot be changed. What should Wan'er do? Wan'er doesn't want to lose you, doesn't want to be separated from you." Her voice carried a hint of despair, and her frail appearance made Murong Yi's heart ache.
Murong Yi gently embraced Wan'er and said firmly, "Wan'er, how could I be separated from you? I have promised you that I would take you to wander the world. This marriage is just a temporary measure. You are the only one in my heart. Once I find a way to resolve all this, we will leave the strife in the capital and live a carefree life that belongs only to us."
However, despite these words, Murong Yi knew in his heart that defying the imperial decree was no easy task. His father, the current emperor, always valued the face of the royal family and the stability of the court. If he openly defied the decree, he would not only face execution himself, but also potentially implicate Wan'er and the entire Su family. Moreover, the Prime Minister's Mansion behind Lin Qianqian was a force to be reckoned with in the court, and the complex web of interests involved made him feel extremely troubled.
However, Murong Yi was unwilling to give up his love for Wan'er. He began to secretly plot, trying to find a foolproof plan that could save face for all parties and allow him to stay with Wan'er forever. On the one hand, he sent people to closely monitor Lin Qianqian's every move, hoping to find a breakthrough through her; on the other hand, he maneuvered in the court, trying to win the support of some ministers so that he could plead with the emperor if necessary.
Throughout this process, Murong Yi was tormented. He had to face pressure from the court, soothe Wan'er's emotions, and secretly navigate power struggles with various factions. He knew every step he took was fraught with danger, but for the sake of his beloved, he was willing to take the risk. However, he was filled with confusion and uncertainty about where the future lay. He could only grope his way forward in the darkness, hoping that fate would smile upon him and allow him and Wan'er to finally be together, freeing them from the shackles of marriage and the vortex of power struggles.