Chapter 175: Persuasion

Chapter 175

Persuasion

"Mother, the truth is, Young Miss Nie is actually Mu Rongying."

Upon hearing this, Xian Fei was stunned.

"So that girl is Mu Rongying...No wonder...” She’s so beautiful and intelligent.

Mu Rongying was a key figure in the Mu family. If she were to enter the palace as a concubine, both the Empress and Xian Fei would have a difficult time. If she ever requested anything, how could the Emperor not favor her?

"But I heard she was gravely ill and recovering at the Mu family manor?"

"That was merely a rumor deliberately spread by the Mu family. Didn’t it strike you as odd that recently the Mu family has been relentlessly attacking Empress Pei? They were enraged that Baihua Brothel kidnapped Mu Rongying, causing her to fall into my hands, and they lost the opportunity to have her presented at court. Yet, the Mu family feared that news of Baihua Brothel’s actions would spread and damage their reputation. So, they ordered the execution of everyone involved and the destruction of all evidence."

Xian Fei showed no surprise, as she had long grown accustomed to the ruthless ways of high society.

Kang Wang continued recounting the details, starting from the time Mu Rongying had fled. When he reached the part where the Mu family had sent Mu Shen to retrieve her, he hesitated slightly.

"At that time, Mu Rongying feared being taken back. That night, she came to me and asked...asked me to take her first night."

After speaking, Kang Wang lowered his gaze, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Seeing her son’s awkward expression, Xian Fei felt a surge of affection for him. He had always been composed, rarely showing his emotions, sometimes making her forget that he was human, with feelings and desires.

"And after that, how did she become Young Miss Nie?"

Xian Fei asked, pretending not to notice the blush on her son’s face.

"Lady Boss saw that she was interested in commerce and found her personality agreeable, so she adopted her as a sworn sister and passed on her knowledge."

Although Xian Fei had lived in the inner palace, she had heard of Nie Shuang. Initially, she had been an insignificant daughter of a concubine, and people knew about her because they didn’t agree with her marriage to General Song. However, in a short time, she rose to become a royal merchant, controlling the tea trade across the region. Clearly, she was a woman of great capability. For Nie Shuang to help Mu Rongying in her time of need, she must have seen something remarkable in the girl.

"Wuqian, even if she is from the Mu family, it doesn’t mean she is suited for you. The Mu family may be influential, but Mu Guifei and I have been rivals for years. It would be difficult to ever reconcile."

"Mother, I used to think the same. After our relationship began, I considered bringing her into the palace as a secret consort to protect her for life. But she chose to manage the tea business with Nie Shuang, without paying me any attention."

"Mu Rongying has no attachment to the Mu family anymore. She is content to be Nie Ying, the daughter of a merchant. Nie Ran and Nie Shuang are happy to have her bear their family name and treat her as one of their own. Mother, if I marry her, it will benefit our Zheng family greatly."

Xian Fei sipped her tea calmly and asked in a measured tone,

"How so? Explain."

Kang Wang attentively refilled his mother’s teacup and then began his explanation.

"Mother, you have stood by Father’s side for many years, so you must understand him well. Appointing a crown prince has always weighed heavily on his heart."

"Hah! His mistake was from the very beginning! Appointing that woman from the Pei family as Empress, thinking her family was weak and easy to control. And what happened in the end? Other than using the Mu family to balance power, she’s been useless!"

Xian Fei spoke with clear frustration.

"Father’s decision can be understood. He lacks the skills of administration, leaving most of the power in the hands of Grand Chancellor Mu. Making the Empress from the Pei family was a logical move. But because of this, Rui Wang and Jun Wang are in open rivalry, fighting both openly and in secret. Rui Wang has a large faction of supporters, while Jun Wang has the powerful Mu family. It’s hard to say who will emerge victorious... Mother, even though Father holds supreme power, he is still just a man. I believe what he seeks isn’t someone overly ambitious or willing to do anything to achieve their goals. Look around the palace—Father favors An Le more than anyone else. Isn’t it because she sees him as a simple father rather than the Emperor? Deep down, Father is more human and caring than people think."

Xian Fei pondered her son’s words. She had always viewed the Emperor as heartless, driven by self-interest, manipulating the factions behind the scenes solely to maintain his grip on power.

"Mother, over the years, the Empress’s Pei family has worked tirelessly to expand their influence and compete with the Mu family, using any means necessary. Father may not be pleased with this, but he remains silent. Meanwhile, the Mu family holds key positions in nearly every department, raising concerns that the throne could eventually fall under the Mu family’s control. Only our Zheng family, mainly scholars in the Hanlin Royal Academy, served in the imperial library and various academies, and had many disciples. Although we weren’t in his attention, there was never any cause for suspicion. If I show my clear intent to marry a merchant’s daughter, Father will trust that I have no designs on the throne."

Hearing this, Xian Fei began to understand her son’s reasoning. Though her husband rarely showed his true feelings, it seemed possible he might secretly favor Kang Wang. While Rui Wang and Jun Wang were as bright and prominent as the midday sun, Kang Wang shone softly like the moon at night—accomplished yet humble, uninterested in glory. It was a temperament that naturally drew admiration.

"The Emperor’s heart is difficult to predict. Even if you’re using the strategy of letting go to win favor, that doesn’t mean Father will choose you."

Xian Fei was not easily swayed and rarely trusted anyone.

"Even if Father doesn’t choose me, there’s nothing to lose. Lately, Rui Wang has been in desperate need of money. The Pei family doesn’t have the strong financial foundation of the Mu family, so they’ve resorted to embezzling funds from the treasury and relying on businesses like Baihua Brothel. Rui Wang knows that Jun Wang is in a better position, so he’s been making secret preparations. It won’t be long before Jun Wang and the Mu family expose him."

"Wuqian, by then, all the merit will belong to Jun Wang. If you don’t marry into a powerful noble family, who will back you?"

Kang Wang smiled gently. He knew well that his mother was not wrong. He respected Jun Wang’s abilities and felt that if he had to lose, there would be nothing to regret.

"Between Jun Wang and me, whoever Father chooses is not the issue. If Father chooses Jun Wang, the Mu family’s power will only grow stronger. But if he chooses me, who marries the daughter of a wealthy merchant, the royal treasury will never run dry. The adoptive father of Nie Ying is the richest man in the region. Her sister, Nie Shuang, controls the tea business and will eventually trade with foreign lands. Moreover, her brother-in-law is General Song. Forming ties with this family brings nothing but advantages.”

“As for the Mu family, if they intend to act, they’ll have to consider Mu Rongying, who will be married to me. In fact, they already see me as a potential ally. Mother, whether my future is grand as you wish it to be is ultimately up to the heavens. I have not abandoned my ambitions, and I deeply appreciate all the effort you and the Zheng family have put in. But marrying Yingying is my only happiness. Please, Mother, support me in this."Her son knelt down to plead with her, and Xian Fei found it hard to refuse. After all, everything he said was true. Whether as Mu Rongying or as Nie Ying, marrying her would still benefit Wuqian greatly.