Chapter 517: Chapter 517 : (Extra) Jiang Muchen’s Love Story (2)
Jiang Rufeng knew about his son’s infatuation with Xie Jianyu, and he knew that Xie Jianshen forbade him from pursuing Xie Jianyu, but he did not know that such eerie agreement existed between his wife and their son.
Armed with the knowledge, the Imperial Consort went to confront the Heavenly Emperor at the Golden Dragon Palace.
By chance, Crown Prince Xie Jianyu was also present. He was diligently sorting through many official documents, ensuring that his elder brother did not have to lay eyes on the trivial ones.
"Brother-in-law, good day," he greeted Jiang Rufeng.
The latter nodded and said, "Ah, Jianyu, you are also here."
"Well?"
Leaning back in his seat, Xie Jianshen put down the petition he was reading and stared at Jiang Rufeng.
"Who is the omega and when is the wedding?"
"..."
There were times when Jiang Rufeng developed a particular impression that his wife lived in a completely different timeline.
Today, right now, was the perfect example of those times.
Were they not just talking about Jiang Muchen’s lacking interest in taking a spouse?
Where did an omega suddenly come from and what wedding was he talking about?
Thankfully, Jiang Rufeng’s patience was as boundless as the sea and his mental fortitude was as unshakeable as a giant boulder at the junction of four raging seas.
"There is no omega," he told his wife. "Thus, there will be no wedding."
Xie Jianshen, the most powerful ruler across the Heavenly Realm, looked at his husband the way he would at an incapable subordinate who failed at a critical mission.
"And why not?" He asked, his tone dripping with ice.
"Well..."
Jiang Rufeng’s eyes flicked toward Xie Jianyu, who was doing his best to fake deafness and blindness at the same time.
"Can we talk alone?"
"No need," Xie Jianshen leaned against one side of his seat.
"Little Yu is family. I am sure that he has some insight to offer in this matter."
Insight?
He was Muchen’s first love!
The one he still craves, to the point that he refuses to court any other omega and would rather adopt his nephews!
Nevertheless, Jiang Rufeng was never one to get agitated by Xie Jianshen’s antics. He smoothly swept aside all those intrusive thoughts and smiled graciously at his wife.
"Of course," he allowed. "Apparently, Muchen is under the impression that he doesn’t have to marry anyone if he cannot marry Jianyu."
The Xie siblings looked hauntingly alike when they were stunned.
They both dropped whatever they were holding and stared at Jiang Rufeng with their mouths half open.
"And where did he get this ridiculous notion from?" Xie Jianshen snapped.
Jiang Rufeng coughed.
"Ah... From you, Jianshen, apparently."
"..."
Xie Jianshen pursed his lips.
Xie Jianyu slowly turned his head and looked at his elder brother, astonishment apparent across his face.
"Elder Brother, you knew that Muchen wanted to pursue me?"
Xie Jianshen was equally taken aback by his younger brother’s comment.
"How did you know that Muchen wanted to pursue you?"
A secret smirk played on Jiang Rufeng’s lips. Several secrets had been swept off the table today, a delightful turn of events that relieved everyone of the burden of keeping them hidden.
"So now that everyone knows everything, what are we going to do about Muchen?" He asked gleefully.
Xie Jianshen groaned and tapped at his temple.
"I did not expect him to recall my words so vividly."
Xie Jianyu picked up the fallen documents from the carpeted floor and stacked them neatly on Xie Jianshen’s desk.
"It is my fault," he sighed. "Now that I think about it, I have treated Muchen’s feelings carelessly. I should make amends to him somehow."
"If you are willing to divorce Zhang Fengxi, Muchen will be very happy to adopt all your children," Jiang Rufeng beamed at his brother-in-law.
"..."
Xie Jianshen scoffed at his husband.
"Are you insane? Zhang Fengxi might just set the Golden Dragon Palace in flame, kill everyone who stands between him and Little Yu, and topple the balance within the three realms in a single swoop."
"Those are rather specific," Jiang Rufeng furrowed his brows. "Maybe Jianyu can take a second husband then?"
Xie Jianyu stared at Jiang Rufeng, who just made one atrocious suggestion after another.
"No," the Crown Prince said in a clipped voice. "That is not the solution to this problem at all."
"Rufeng, stop making silly suggestions," Xie Jianshen glared at his husband in displeasure.
"May I please talk to Muchen, alone?" Xie Jianyu asked. "I am sure that I can instill some sense into him."
"You can also beat him into shape," Xie Jianshen scoffed. "I do not mind."
Xie Jianyu thus took his leave and went to visit Jiang Muchen in Shuiran Palace.
The lion alpha was polishing his sword when his Little Uncle arrived.
"First Father, and then you," he remarked. "Both on the same day. I am amazed."
Xie Jianyu closed the distance between them in long strides and took a seat next to his nephew.
"Muchen, your parents and I are all very worried about you. We all want you to be happy."
Jiang Muchen shot Xie Jianyu a skewed smile.
"I am happy, Little Uncle."
"Aren’t you lonely all by yourself?" Xie Jianyu pressed on.
After his parents moved to Golden Dragon Palace, Jiang Muchen rose to the Palace Master seat and became its sole master.
Jiang Muchen shrugged.
"I was at first, but it has been years ever since. Now, I have my own life to lead. Everything is good."
Xie Jianyu pressed his lips together into a thin line.
"I am sorry for everything that transpired between us years ago. I never meant to trample on your feelings."
"You didn’t," Jiang Muchen quipped. "You chose Zhang Fengxi over me, and I accepted it a long time ago."
"Muchen..."
Xie Jianyu hated to force anyone to do his bidding, but Muchen left him no choice.
The omega rose to his feet and removed Winter Frost from his waist. The sheathed blade sang a swift arc through the air, its tip coming to a chilling rest just beneath Jiang Muchen’s startled chin before he could even react.
Jiang Muchen stared at his Little Uncle, his lips slightly parted.
"Let’s have a duel," Xie Jianyu said. "If I win, do me a favor and court an omega at this year’s hunting event at Mount Yulin."