Chapter 368 - Persuasion
In The Yuan Shao has just finished dressing, when he got out of the room and past the table with the remains leftover from last night, he hadn't told his servants to clean up the table after Ming Yue Yin left that night, the corner of his mouth curved slightly he remember he teased her by saying 'You said you will leaved after eating one?'
But Ming Yue Yin rebuked 'I said I'm leaving after eating one box, what make you think I left with only one dumpling, do you think I'm that cheap!'
Yuan Shao scratches his head, she really is a great ruler, she did not accept any loss at all and so she left after she got enough information and enough filled. Once again he chuckled when Ming Yue Yin satisfied face flashed on his mind but then suddenly he feel something loss in his heart and he missed her dearly.
Unfortunately for his sister's safety he better keeps his distance with Zhao Li Xin and the others, at least for now.
Suddenly the male servant approach him "Young Master, the second princess is here asking for an audience"
His soft gaze disappeared and his expression becomes stern "I'll be there in a minuted" he said with calmly but his eyes glint with annoyance, he could've guessed why Qian Mu Ting is here.
On the Main Hall, Yuan Fei and Qian Qi Wei welcomed the arrival of Qian Mu Ting. Qian Qin Wei is the older stepsister of Qian Mu Ting they aged differently is quite huge because Qian Qi Wei is born when the Emperor only seventeen years old with his fifteen years old concubines after he becomes at the aged twenty aged than he marries Huang Zi Yu as his lawful wife and make her as an Empress combined with Huang Zi Yu trouble to conceived it make the difference between the sisters is wildly huge.
"Sister, it been a while" Qian Mu Ting smiles kindly to Qian Qin Wei.
"It's nice to meet you again" Qian Qi Wei bow her head slightly, based on they're position Qian Qi Wei is on the lower position because she marries with the Emperor subordinated it make her the General wife while Qian Mu Ting still the Princess of the Emperor.
Qian Qi Wei was annoyed inwardly, she is an arrogant woman she doesn't want to bow her head to a woman who has close age as her daughter.
"Hoe is your Mother empress, Oh I mean Royal Consort Yu?" she deliberately teased Qian Mu Ting.
Qian Mu Ting feel her heart is stung but she maintain her kind demeanor "Mother is fine, she feel better after she left the burden of handling the imperial inner court problem" she smiles sweetly as id she was earnestly happy for her mother.
Qian Qi Wei scoffed inwardly, no wonder the Emperor doted on her, she is one cunning lady but who cares about this she will only become the beautiful vase no one want to marry her after this. knowing this Qian Qi Wei's heart feel lighter and her smiles grew deeper.
All this time Yuan Fei didn't make a comment, he knew why Qian Mu Ting is here but as a father, he knew how stubborn his Son is, compare to him his son is more cruel and merciless he Yuan Shao will not become soft in the front of beauty like Qian Mu Ting. Yuan Fei Sighs, he sips his wine quietly he does pity Qian Mu Ting a little bit but his heart is inclined to his Son more.
If Yuan Shao marries Qian Mu Ting, he will under the Emperor grasp he will live under tight surveillance and become the emperor pawn, this is not the life he hopes for his Son especially after he knows his son in love with another woman, Yuan Fei heart feel elated he wonders who is the woman who can move his stubborn son heart.
Yuan Shao finally arrived, he bows his head to his father "Greeting father" he said in formal gesture, his action is more like subordinated greeting his superior but Yuan Fei didn't take to the heart, he already used to it.
Meanwhile, he ignores Qian Qin Wei existence he never gives a face to Qian Qi Wei since he was a child even if he was beaten and punished he never changed his attitude, after a while, Yuan Fei didn't have a heart to punished his Son, he realizes its all because his failure as a father and husband and so everyone pretends didn't saw it when Yuan Shao ignores Qian Qi Wei.
Qian Qi Wei face turn red from embarrassment, she already used with Yuan Shao hostile attitude, the feeling is mutual after all but she didn't think he would treat her the same in front of Qian Mu Ting, Qian Qi Wei feel she just lost her face in front of her younger sister and she's right because Qian Mu Ting secretly sneered at her but just for a second before her face turns amicably again, only Qian Qi Wei who notice her sister change.
"Second Princess, for what reason you honored us with you're presence" Yuan Shao words sounds formal and distance, his words make Qian Mu Ting feel awkward.
"General Yuan, can we talk privately they're's something I need to say" She swallows her awkwardness.
Yuan Shao face remain unperturbed "Sure," he said indifferently "This Son will accompany the second princess for a while"
"Go on" Yuan Fei nods his head giving him permission.
"Please follow me, you're highness" he gestured with his hand.
Qian Mu Ting followed him from behind than Yuan Shao leads her to the garden pavilion after the maid served tea and pastry they all left to gives them privacy but remain on the premises just in case Yuan Shao called them again and also because he wants to avoid a rumor with Qian Mu Ting, he keeps his distance across the table and the square table is quite big too.
"What do you want to say you're highness" he breaks the silence between them.
"I think you know why I'm here"
Yuan Shao's face remains indifferent "I do not change my mind," he said firmly.
Qian Mu Ting feel her heart stirred "What make you don't satisfied about me, I could change"
He sees Qian Mu Ting delicate face become tensed, her eyes become watery with tears but Yuan Shao is a stubborn man, changing his mind is like moving mountain, her beautiful face cannot soften his heart "They're's nothing wrong with you her highness, I just not fond with you and I believe this feeling is mutual"
Qian Mu Ting gritted her teeth, she remembers Yuan Shao was they're when she meeting with Zhao Li Xin and Luo Ri Yi, he should've known her feeling at that time but now is a different matter "Feeling….can be nurtured" she stubbornly said.
Yuan Shao smiles in cynical "Maybe for you her highness but not me, I'm a simple person….is it there or not I don't believe in nurtured because I have seen with my owned eyes it didn't work" he knew his father never love Qian Qi Wei even after all this time, he always treats her just like a guest, polite and distance.
Qian Mu Ting also knew who is he talking about, she squeezes her handkerchief under the table, she never knew yuan Shao is so stubborn, he didn't give her a leeway just like Zhao Li Xin.
"Do you know what would happened to me?" she become more desperate, she stared at Yuan Shao with pleading eyes "You know about what happened in the imperial palace, my position is…..not good, if you marry me I will do my best to support you, I still have the Huang family and the Emperor dotted me with my help you're career will reach to the place you never thought you could, so why don't you thinking it through, this will not be your loss" she enticed Yuan Shao with bright future cause he thought for a man they would put their career among other things.
Yuan Shao let out a long sigh, he doesn't want to say this but Qian Mu Ting didn't give him a choice "I love someone else" he said abruptly.
Qian Mu ting startled and she froze, she never heard Yuan Shao close with anyone, where is this woman coming from?
She forgot she had seen Ming Yue Yin and Yuan Shao at that time in the Lantern Festival, Ming Yue Yin female bodyguard even slapped Qian Mu Ting maid black and blue but at that time Qian Mu Ting mind is focused at Zhao Li Xin so she was unable to recognize Ming Yue Yin but even though she remembers Ming Yue Yin she might not related Ming Yue Yin as the woman Yuan Shao fond of, Ming Yue Yin temperament is too overbearing and bruted there's no way someone like Yuan Shao would like someone like Ming Yue Yin. He should like someone like his mother who is known as gentle beauty with quiet demeanor.
Qian Mu Ting gritted her teeth "What if I let you take your lover as concubines?"
Yuan Shao's face becomes dark and his eyes filled with rage "You let me?" his voice becomes cold "How kind of you…"