Chapter 11: Heart Already Taken

Song Tang remained silent.

“I’m not joking with you,” Mu Shuan said seriously as she began to explain.

“Think about it: my brother is Mu Changxiao’s third uncle, meaning he’s an elder to Mu Ziyu. So when Song Wei married Mu Ziyu, she had to address my brother as ‘Third Uncle,’ right?”

Song Tang obediently nodded.

Mu Shuan continued, “Now, if you marry my brother, wouldn’t you become their elder? Both Song Wei and Mu Ziyu would have to respectfully call you ‘Third Aunt.’ Doesn’t that mean you’re essentially standing above them?”

Seeing Song Tang’s eyes light up, Mu Shuan added, “Besides, my brother isn’t like those decadent scions. He has no concubines or mistresses and never frequents the pleasure quarters. He’s above all those frivolous affairs.”

“And you know my brother—a rising star in the court, commanding substantial military power, even the emperor shows him some respect. If you become his wife, no one would dare look down on you. Even my eldest sister-in-law wouldn’t dare disrespect you, and no one would dare speak ill of you behind your back.”

“You’d essentially gain a powerful backing. No matter how biased Lord Song might be, he’d think twice because of your marriage to my brother.”

Mu Shuan’s words opened Song Tang’s eyes wide. As an elder to Song Wei and Mu Ziyu, she could deal with them however she pleased.

Marrying Mu Changxiao would make her the rightful lady of the Marquis’s residence. With his standing before the emperor, she could wield influence like a tiger cloaked in a fox’s guise.

Most importantly, after breaking off the engagement with Mu Ziyu this time, her father and mother would still try to find her a match.

If she could secure the best possible protector for herself first, there’d be no need to be at their mercy.

Still, Song Tang wasn’t sure if Mu Changxiao would be willing to marry her.

He might find it shameful, after all, she had been betrothed to his nephew, and before this, she had acted rather eager.

“Isn’t it unkind to force the Marquis into marrying me out of gratitude for saving my life?” Song Tang hesitated. “Besides, my brother doesn’t like me.”

“Force? That’s not forcing—it’s mutual benefit,” Mu Shuan said. “My brother should have settled down long ago. He only delayed for the sake of keeping my eldest sister-in-law at ease.”

“But my eldest sister-in-law and Mu Ziyu are scheming, wanting to inherit the title early, and they even had wicked intentions!” Mu Shuan said angrily.

“Do you mean the Marquis’s accident last time was really caused by Mu Ziyu and the others?” Song Tang was astonished.

Mu Shuan waved her hand. “It’s only a suspicion.”

---

To Mu Shuan, Mu Changxiao was her real brother, while Mu Ziyu and Lady Sun were merely nephew and sister-in-law. The closeness was clear, so naturally, she defended her brother.

Moreover, if Song Tang married Mu Ziyu, there would be a generational gap between her and Song Tang, which felt awkward.

She knew Mu Changxiao well—though stern and solemn on the surface, he was deeply loyal and affectionate inside. If he truly married Song Tang, he would treat her wholeheartedly.

If Song Tang could win his heart, her later years would be stable and carefree.

Besides, her brother cared deeply about the life-saving favor Song Tang had done him. Just yesterday, he sent Wan Xing over to tell her about Song Tang’s wish to cancel the engagement—it was clearly to comfort her.

Mu Shuan sincerely believed there was a chance for the marriage between Song Tang and her brother.

“Tang’er, listen to me. Tomorrow, go find my brother and tell him you want to marry him. Make him marry you!” Mu Shuan smiled brightly, looking directly into Song Tang’s eyes.

Though Song Tang felt a bit swayed, thinking of Mu Changxiao’s cold and icy face, she still hesitated.

“What if he rejects me? Wouldn’t that be humiliating?”

Mu Shuan laughed, “No, it won’t happen. He gave you his word—he’s the type who always keeps his promises.”

“Besides, if you feared humiliation, would you have taken the initiative to cancel the engagement with Mu Ziyu? Being embarrassed in front of everyone or just my brother, it’s the same.”

Song Tang was speechless.

“Tang’er, marrying my brother is your best choice. Do you want to watch Song Wei marry Mu Ziyu and become the heir’s wife, outshining you?”

“Of course not!” Song Tang blurted without thinking.

Mu Shuan pressed on, “Then be brave and go find my brother.”

“This courtyard’s red plum blossoms are truly beautiful,” Song Tang tried to change the subject.

Mu Shuan smiled softly, “Of course they’re beautiful. This is my brother’s private residence. He personally planted these red plums and tends them carefully every winter.”

Song Tang found it hard to imagine a military man like Mu Changxiao having the leisure to nurture flowers.

Perhaps the red plums blooming against the snow reflected his gentle nature beneath that stern exterior—delicate and profound.

---

“Enough about that. I want to ask, what’s the status of you entering the palace?” Song Tang asked.

Mu Shuan’s face suddenly flushed red. “My brother said he’ll find an opportunity to speak to the emperor.”

Song Tang worried for her sister. Of all people, she had set her sights on the emperor himself.

Mu Shuan was the cherished daughter of Madam Mu, and by status, entering the palace as a consort was not impossible. But the emperor feared Mu Changxiao’s power, never intending to allow a Mu family woman into the palace.

Yet Mu Shuan was stubborn. She said she had admired the emperor’s youthful grace once when she was a child and had been enamored ever since.

Song Tang didn’t know how to advise her. Mu Shuan was headstrong; once she made a decision, nothing could change her mind—just like in her previous life when she insisted on marrying Mu Ziyu.

Obstinacy rarely ends well. Only after suffering loss might one reconsider...

Meanwhile, Mu Ziyu was frantic. Early that morning, he went to see Song Congzhi, fearing that Song Tang would regret her decision and approach his third uncle again. If that happened, he couldn’t both keep the estate outside the capital and marry Song Wei.

He had to settle this quickly. After all, his prolonged kneeling last night wasn’t without purpose. Mu Ziyu was no fool; he knew his third uncle was standing up for Song Tang by kneeling.

“Uncle Song,” Mu Ziyu lowered his posture considerably today.

Song Congzhi deliberately put on airs. “What brings the heir here?”

“Uncle, Song Tang wanted to cancel our engagement yesterday. After much thought, I agree it should be canceled,” Mu Ziyu said straightforwardly.

Song Congzhi furrowed his brow, his expression turning cold. “You were betrothed in infancy, an arrangement made by both your grandfathers. To break it off so easily is a disgrace.”

Seeing Song Congzhi’s displeasure, Mu Ziyu quickly explained, “Song Tang and I are incompatible in temperament. I fear we cannot grow old together. Neither of us wants to be a burden to the other. I hope you will allow us to each find someone truly suitable.”

“Do you already have someone else?” Song Congzhi asked sharply, a glint flashing in his eyes.

Mu Ziyu hesitated slightly, then nodded solemnly. “Yes.”