Chapter 121: The Choice

Chapter 121

The Choice

By the time they arrived at the palace, everything had been prepared. Although Mu Rongying hurriedly got off the carriage, she still caught a glimpse of the surroundings. It was a beautifully serene place. If she remembered correctly, even the Emperor had once stayed here during his tour to visit the people. The entrance was paved with stone, surrounded by towering trees. The palace blended seamlessly into the forest. She followed Kang Wang inside.

"I’ve had women’s clothing prepared for you. You and Chunmei should change first,"

Kang Wang said to her before parting ways. Mu Rongying and Chunmei followed a maid to the reception room. After changing into fresh clothes, hot tea was brought in. Chunmei hung their damp clothes to dry on the rag inside the room and then sat beside her young miss. The two of them sipped tea, enjoying the sound of the rain under the eaves in peaceful contentment. Chunmei whispered, even though they were alone.

"Miss, in truth...Kang Wang isn’t so bad, and the way he treats you..." 

Mu Rongying knew what Chunmei was implying, and her eyes dimmed with sorrow as she replied softly,

"Kang Wang has a bright future ahead of him. His consort cannot be an ordinary woman."

At first, Kang Wang had seen her as a problem, someone from the Mu family who was at odds with Xian Fei and could cause trouble for both him and Nie Shuang. He had treated her coldly. But when she found herself in trouble, it was also Kang Wang who helped her, offering her shelter and even standing up for her when the Mu family tried to take her back. She was content with the relationship as it stood.

"But what if Kang Wang chooses you? Your status is not lowly, and he has already shared a bed with you."

Mu Rongying blushed deeply but suppressed her embarrassment, responding calmly,

"Chunmei, given Kang Wang’s status, things are not as simple as that. I don’t want to deceive myself or dream of something impossible. Even if he chooses me and brings me into the palace, what would happen if one day Xian Fei asks for a marriage alliance with another woman? What would I do then? Actually, I’m trying to protect myself. I don’t want to be hurt or disappointed. I may be inexperienced, but it doesn’t mean I know nothing. I may not have experienced love, but I know how destructive it can be. My mother loved my father deeply and bore him two sons he was proud of, yet until her death, my father never saw her as anything more. If that were to happen between Kang Wang and me, I would rather keep the beautiful memories we’ve made."

Chunmei lowered her head, hiding her disappointment. The Furen’s fate had always been a deep wound for her young miss. Her young miss was intelligent and gentle but firm once she made up her mind, refusing to be swayed. Bold, too, in ways that often surprised Chunmei. Otherwise, how could she have dared to leave the Mu family and willingly offer her virginity to Kang Wang? Chunmei only hoped that her young miss would accept Kang Wang’s affection. He didn’t seem like a heartless man, and he would surely find a way to resolve things in the future. But her young miss had already extinguished that hope.

"Chunmei, I know you mean well, but I’ve already decided that I won’t marry—whether it’s with Kang Wang or anyone else. I don’t want to end up like my mother,"

Mu Rongying spoke with determination. Seeing her young miss’s resolute expression, Chunmei realized it would be hard to change her mind and could only sigh softly.

"Very well, I won’t bring it up again."

They sat sipping tea in silence for a while until someone came to invite them.

"His Highness requests your presence at the dining table, Miss."

Mu Rongying stood up and followed the maid. Upon reaching the dining room, the maid turned and asked,

"Would you like your maid to accompany you during the meal? His Highness has prepared someone to take care of you. If it’s convenient for you, I’ll take her to eat and rest while you’re here."

Mu Rongying glanced at Chunmei and nodded.

"You go ahead and rest."

She then entered the room.

After a short wait at the table, a tall figure entered. His hair was still slightly damp, as though he had just bathed, and he wore a simple navy outfit, his demeanor relaxed like any ordinary young man his age. He looked different from how she usually saw him—his fresh scent filled the air as he approached. Mu Rongying quickly stood to greet him with a bow.

"At ease,"

He said, sitting down as the dishes were brought in. Mu Rongying had to suppress a smile when she saw that all the dishes were from the capital. The cook at the Nie family’s mansion was from Huangjing, and thus the food was mild and used local ingredients, like river fish and poultry. In contrast, the cuisine from the capital, located in the colder northern region, was much spicier and often featured pork and lamb. She had been missing northern food, and it seemed Kang Wang knew her well.

Kang Wang observed her expression closely, and when he saw her eyes widen slightly in surprise, he smiled. Once all the food was served, Kang Wang picked up his chopsticks first, as was customary. However, the first piece of food he lifted, he placed on her plate.

"You’ve been away from home for a long time, I doubt you’ve had the chance to eat your favorite dishes. I have a chef from the capital. If ever you crave these flavors, feel free to stop by."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Mu Rongying waited for him to start eating before she took her first bite. Having often dined with her grandfather, she was used to serving the elders at the table. Throughout the meal, she quietly observed what Kang Wang enjoyed eating and picked those items for him, as if she could read his preferences. Both of them followed the proper table etiquette and did not speak during the meal, so it passed in relative silence. When Kang Wang put down his chopsticks, she did the same. The servants brought out water for them to rinse their mouths.

Outside, the rain still fell lightly. Kang Wang moved to the veranda to sip his tea, looking out over a courtyard with bamboo groves, a rock garden, and a carp pond with colorful fish. Surprisingly, though the two of them were alone together, it felt natural, as though it had always been this way. Kang Wang put down his teacup and turned to her.

"While we wait for the rain to stop, how about a game of chess? I’ve heard that Young Miss Mu excels in many disciplines."

"You’re wrong, Your Highness. First, I’m no longer Young Miss Mu. And second, rumors can’t be trusted. Of all the arts, Yingying is least skilled in chess. If I were to play against you, it would only end in embarrassment."

Kang Wang smiled. 

"Whether you are skilled or not, we’ll know once we try."

Mu Rongying didn’t refuse, and so the chessboard was brought out. As they set up the pieces, Kang Wang suddenly spoke,

"Be my consort."

Mu Rongying dropped the piece in her hand. The sound of the chess piece falling and rolling echoed through the silence.

"I promised your third uncle that once matters were resolved, I would take you as my consort."

His voice was clear, firm, and resolute. Mu Rongying felt a lump in her throat, preventing her from speaking.

"I hadn’t told you before because I thought it wasn’t the right time. No matter what, I expected you would stay with me..."

However, he now realized he had been wrong. Yingying was slipping further away from him. She seemed perfectly content, and even without him, she didn’t seem troubled at all.

Mu Rongying lowered her head for a moment. When she finally raised her head, her eyes shone with determination. She kowtowed in a formal gesture. When she said, she kept her forehead touching the ground. Her long, silky hair cascaded over her face, hiding her emotions.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness, but Yingying is not suited for such a position. Please don’t take the promise made to my third uncle to heart. What Yingying said about never marrying was the truth. If Your Highness wishes, I would gladly serve you anytime. I only ask for permission to keep any child that may come from it. Yingying will not ask for anything more."

She remained prostrate on the floor, not seeing the fleeting look of shock and pain in Kang Wang’s eyes, which quickly hardened into coldness.

"Do you think I’m so shallow that I desire only your body?"

Without waiting for a reply, Kang Wang stood and left. She dared not lift her head and remained there, quietly sobbing. His footsteps grew fainter until a maid came to inform her that the carriage was ready. As she departed, she didn’t see him again.

As the carriage pulled away from the palace, Mu Rongying sat in silence, tears streaming down her face. Chunmei noticed and was alarmed. When they had arrived, her young miss had been fine—what had happened? Had Kang Wang mistreated her? Chunmei asked, concerned.

"Miss, why are you crying?"

"It’s nothing,"

Mu Rongying replied, turning her face away.She liked him—a lot. But liking him so much made her afraid to trust him. Was she being foolish? Perhaps, but she couldn’t bring herself to trust anyone, not even someone like Kang Wang. She had chosen this path. Her freedom had come at a great cost, almost costing her life. How could she risk it all on the uncertainty of the future? The rain continued to fall steadily as Kang Wang stood by a pillar, watching until the carriage disappeared from sight.