Chapter 4: Selecting the Imperial Consort

(4)

"How boring!" Mo Junming snorted. "Who would care to get tangled up with those royal people!"

Mo Xunyan, however, remembered something. "Xunyan congratulates Father on your promotion to Commander of the Nine Gates!"

"Silly girl, what is there to congratulate?" Mo Yunluo narrowed his eyes. "Your father was just lucky."

Although he said that, everyone in the world knew that Mo Yunluo had been the top martial arts scholar of his year. He hadn't even been twenty when he took first place in the autumn examinations. Because of his exceptional martial arts skills, he became a trusted aide to Commander Huang of the Nine Gates within just two years, serving as a deputy general in command of the five patrol battalions. Eight years later, he was appointed Commander of the Nine Gates by the current Emperor. Rising from an orphan with no background to a first-rank official, the effort and hardship involved went without saying.

"If Father hadn't been promoted to this position, we wouldn't have to go." It was clear that Mo Junming was somewhat resistant to this hunting trip.

"Junming, one who eats the ruler's salary must obey the ruler's orders. An imperial decree cannot be defied." Mo Yunluo looked at his son and daughter. "Actually, marrying into the royal family isn't necessarily a bad thing, and marrying a princess isn't a bad outcome either. At the very least, one can enjoy endless wealth and glory."

"I don't care for it!" Mo Junming put down his bowl and chopsticks, having lost his appetite.

"The capital is a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers reside; it is never short of extraordinary people. Junming, your aptitude is mediocre, so there is no possibility of you being chosen as a prince consort. Father only hopes you can use this opportunity to make more friends." Mo Yunluo turned his head to look at Mo Xunyan. "As for Xunyan, Father thinks you have a very good chance of being chosen as a prince's consort. You must do your best!"

"Father, how could you think like that?!" Mo Junming was shocked and immediately refuted Mo Yunluo. "They say that once you enter the palace gates, it is as deep as the sea. How could you bear to let your sister marry a prince?!"

"Fool! Marrying a prince is not the same as marrying the Emperor; what palace are you talking about?!" Mo Yunluo glared at Mo Junming. "You go out first. I have something to discuss with Xunyan alone!"

"Father, you cannot do this! Are you really going to sacrifice my sister's lifelong happiness for the sake of your own career?!" Mo Junming stood up with a bang, his face flushed red. "If Mother weren't ill, she would never allow you to do this!"

"You scoundrel! Is this the attitude you take when speaking to your father?!" Mo Yunluo's expression changed drastically. "Get out!"

"Sister, let's go! Brother will never agree to you marrying a prince!" As he said this, Mo Junming reached out to pull Mo Xunyan away.

"Get out!" Mo Yunluo was completely enraged and raised his hand to strike Mo Junming's face.

"Brother, you go out first!" Mo Xunyan hurriedly stood up to block the space between her father and brother. "I will stay and listen to Father's instructions."

Mo Junming stomped his foot and ran out. Mo Xunyan sat back down and looked at Mo Yunluo quietly.

"Xunyan, before you came down from the mountain, what did your master tell you?" Mo Yunluo sat down as well.

"Master told me that after returning home, I must listen to Father."

"You only need to remember that Father would never harm you." Mo Yunluo looked at his daughter, a flash of hesitation crossing his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Among the princes, the one most likely to ascend to the throne in the future is the Third Prince, born to the Empress. On the day of the hunt, you must find a way to win his favor! Becoming his princess will be of great benefit and no harm to your master's great cause of restoring the nation! This is also your master's wish."

"Father, Xunyan possesses neither beauty that topples cities nor a gentle and virtuous nature. How could the Third Prince possibly take a fancy to me?" The great cause of restoring the nation—Mo Xunyan had been hearing these words for eight years and had long since become indifferent to the fact that she was to be a pawn. But as for being chosen as a prince's consort, was she really capable of it?