Goddess Atlas, Starting from the Queen

Chapter 161 My daughter already has someone she likes.
Mu Yunyan then looked at her father and asked, "So what should we do next?"

Mu Yongfeng said calmly, "Let's take it one step at a time. The matter should be resolved by the time the Supervisor finishes his seclusion."

Mu Yongfeng believed that as soon as Sikong Cheng emerged from seclusion, he would immediately send him back to Zhenling Guard to resume command, since he himself had been promoted by Sikong Cheng and was considered one of Sikong Cheng's men.

Without even a word, the imperial court dismissed him from his position as the supervisor of the Star Observatory, showing that they didn't take his post seriously at all.

Just as Mu Yongfeng was about to turn around and return to the Mu residence, a luxurious carriage suddenly appeared in the distance. Mu Yongfeng was stunned when he saw the royal brocade curtains on the carriage.

Which member of the royal family has arrived?

Just as Mu Yongfeng was wondering, the carriage slowly stopped at the entrance of the Mu residence, and then the eldest prince, Ji Ming, got off the carriage.

Upon seeing that it was Ji Ming, everyone present quickly bowed and greeted him, "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Ji Ming quickly said to Mu Yongfeng, "Lord Mu, please rise."

Ji Ming smiled and wore a golden hair crown, looking just like a refined young gentleman.

After Mu Yongfeng stood up, he asked, "I wonder what brings the Crown Prince to this humble subject's presence?"

Ji Ming asked with a smile, "Lord Mu, won't you invite me in for a seat?"

Mu Yongfeng immediately realized what was happening and quickly said, "Your Highness, please come in."

Mu Yongfeng then led Ji Ming into the Mu residence and into the reception room.

After Ji Ming sat in the main seat, he spoke up: "Lord Mu, I believe in your abilities. Your talents should not be wasted by the court."

Upon hearing this, Mu Yongfeng instantly understood why Ji Ming had come to find him, and he couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Mu Yongfeng wasn't stupid; how could he not know that the main force behind his dismissal was the eldest prince in front of him?

First, he caused him to lose his position as the Spirit Guardian, and now he comes to tell him these things. Mu Yongfeng immediately guessed that Shen Hongfei's death made Ji Ming unsure of who to choose to help him control the Spirit Guard, so he had no choice but to come to him.

So next, Ji Ming should talk about helping him return to the Zhenling Guard.

Just as Mu Yongfeng was thinking this, Ji Ming indeed spoke up: "I still hope that Lord Mu can return to Zhenling Guard. Without Lord Mu in charge of Zhenling Guard, the evil spirits in the capital will probably increase."

Mu Yongfeng said, "Your Highness, I have just been dismissed from my post by the court, and it will probably not be easy for me to return to Zhenling Guard."

Ji Ming said, "Shen Hongfei died last night, and now only Zhou Kunwei is qualified to be the Spirit Suppressor. However, Zhou Kunwei is not as strong as you and Shen Hongfei. If the evil spirits that attacked the Xiaoyao Prince's Mansion last night were to reappear, I'm afraid Zhou Kunwei would not be able to handle it."

"I can put in a good word for Lord Mu in court and help him return to Zhenling Guard."

Mu Yongfeng was not surprised by Ji Ming's words at all. He then asked with a smile, "So what are the conditions?"

Ji Ming said, "I have fallen in love with Miss Mu at first sight and wish to marry her as my imperial consort."

To gain control of the Zhenling Guard, it's not as simple as just helping Mu Yongfeng return to the Zhenling Guard. What if Mu Yongfeng denies everything after we just help him return?
Therefore, the best solution is to tie Mu Yongfeng and the Mu family to the same boat. Ji Ming knows that Mu Yongfeng is a doting father, especially fond of his daughter. So, if he can marry Mu Yunyan, it's equivalent to binding Mu Yongfeng to his side. Upon hearing Ji Ming's words, Mu Yunyan's face immediately turned cold. She didn't believe the Crown Prince truly loved her. Having followed her father for so many years, she had developed some political acumen and instantly understood why Ji Ming wanted to marry her.

First he helped his father return to Zhenling Guard, and then he wanted to marry her. Isn't this clearly a way for him to control the entire Zhenling Guard through her and his father?

Mu Yunyan hates nothing more than being a tool in a political marriage. She is a person, not a tool.

However, his father would probably find it difficult to refuse this time, since this was the eldest prince, a potential future crown prince. If they refused him, the entire Mu family would face dire consequences once Ji Ming became emperor.

However, to Mu Yunyan's surprise, Mu Yongfeng said at this moment, "Your Highness, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. My daughter already has someone she likes."

Upon hearing this, Ji Ming frowned, his face darkening.

He didn't care whether Mu Yunyan had someone she liked or not. They were talking about a political deal today. Did it matter whether Mu Yunyan had someone she liked or not?

Ji Ming then said coldly, "I wonder which family's talented young man has won Miss Mu's favor."

Mu Yongfeng replied without hesitation, "The Carefree King."

Upon hearing this answer, Ji Ming was stunned for a moment.

The Carefree King?
That spoiled brat?

After realizing what was happening, Ji Ming laughed in exasperation. "Lord Mu, if you don't want Miss Mu to marry me, there's no need to use Prince Xiaoyao as a shield."

"Although the Prince of Xiaoyao is the offspring of an immortal, he probably has no merits other than that identity. Miss Mu is very powerful, so why would she like a playboy like him?"

Mu Yunyan immediately understood her father's meaning. At this moment, she took the initiative to say to Ji Ming, "Your Highness, I do indeed like Prince Xiaoyao."

Hearing that Mu Yunyan herself had admitted it, Ji Ming frowned even more deeply.

Seeing that Ji Ming's expression was getting worse, Mu Yunyan said again, "To be honest, Your Highness, I just returned from the Prince Xiaoyao's mansion, and the Prince Xiaoyao also told me that he plans to marry me."

This matter was so outrageous that even Ji Ming doubted whether it was true. Although Mu Yunyan had been in contact with evil spirits for a long time, which made the young talents in the capital fear her, she was still powerful enough not to have to marry that good-for-nothing Prince Xiaoyao.

But then Ji Ming thought again, if Mu Yongfeng really just wanted to use someone as a shield, there was no way he would use Xiaoyao Wang as a shield, that would be too outrageous.

If he really wanted to find a scapegoat, Mu Yongfeng would definitely choose someone from the Tian Shu family, or even the Second Prince or the Third Prince.

Ji Ming's face darkened, and he asked in a low voice, "Miss Mu, are you sure you're not joking with me?"

Mu Yunyan said, "I just returned from the Prince of Xiaoyao's residence. The First Prince should be able to find out by sending someone to investigate."

Seeing Mu Yunyan's serious expression, it was clear she wasn't lying. Ji Ming was speechless. He then said to Mu Yongfeng, "Lord Mu, you know what kind of person the Prince of Xiaoyao is. Do you really want to push Miss Mu into a fire pit?"

(End of this chapter)