After Breaking the Marriage Contract, I Became the Strongest State-Stabilizing Duke! - Chapter 14:

Chapter 14: Entering the Palace by Carriage, Dominating All

For Mu Zian, money was something he had in abundance, but chili seeds were extremely rare treasures. Although the Great Li Dynasty had stir-frying, the source of spice still depended on the pungency of evodia fruit. For someone like Mu Zian, who in his past life couldn’t live without spice, life here was pure torture. However, if he could have chili peppers, it would be a completely different story.

At this moment, Mu Zian could already imagine hotpot, spicy blood curd, and chili chicken beckoning to him.

Li Jiuxuan watched the obsessed expression on Mu Zian’s face, utterly confused. He coughed lightly, pulling Mu Zian back from his daydreams. After swallowing his saliva, Mu Zian grabbed the invitation on the table and smiled. “Go, we must go. I want to see what trick those two shameless people are trying to play.”

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for making a choice! Reward has been distributed! Please check and receive it.]

Li Jiuxuan sighed helplessly. He knew Mu Zian had made up his mind to completely sever ties with Lu Yunxue, but she was, after all, the woman he had loved for decades. Cutting off feelings so cleanly wouldn’t be easy. Seeing Lu Yunxue being intimate with that collateral son of the Pei family would surely be painful.

Thinking of this, Li Jiuxuan patted Mu Zian’s shoulder seriously. “Brother, go with peace of mind! I’ll always have your back!”

Hearing this, Mu Zian felt a chill rise behind him.

Damn! This Li Jiuxuan, with his thick brows and big eyes, couldn’t possibly have any inappropriate interests, could he? After all, Li Jiuxuan was already over twenty years old. In modern times, that would still be young, but in this feudal dynasty, men could marry at fourteen. For Li Jiuxuan, still unmarried at over twenty, he was already considered an old bachelor.

Mu Zian had the excuse of being delayed by his feelings for Lu Yunxue, but what was Li Jiuxuan’s excuse? Could it be he really had an interest in him? After all, there were plenty of people with such preferences in the Great Li Dynasty.

If Li Jiuxuan knew what Mu Zian was thinking right now, he would probably be crushed…

…

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Great Li Emperor was reviewing memorials.

Eunuch Cao stepped forward and spoke softly, “Reporting to Your Majesty, tonight’s victory banquet has been arranged. I’ve just received news that Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi have sent an invitation to Mu Zian.”

The Emperor slowly put down the memorial in his hand and asked with amusement, “He agreed?”

“As expected of Your Majesty, the Duke has indeed accepted.”

The Emperor laughed heartily. “Looks like tonight’s banquet will be lively. Go inform Xiao Jiu that she will attend on my behalf as if I were there myself. Also, have her deliver the Vanguard Battalion token to Mu Zian without fail.”

Eunuch Cao smiled knowingly. “Understood.”

After speaking, Eunuch Cao quietly withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The Emperor’s lips curved into a smile. He was curious—what kind of surprise would Mu Zian bring him tonight?

As night fell, at the Lu Residence.

Lu Yunxue wore luxurious attire, her waterfall-like hair tied casually into a ponytail behind her. Putting aside her character, she did have reasons for pride. Among all the women who could fight in the Great Li Dynasty, she was the most beautiful, and among the beautiful women, she was the most skilled in martial arts.

Clap, clap, clap.

A burst of applause came from outside.

Lu Yunxue turned her head and saw Pei Jianzhi approaching, dressed in elegant blue robes.

“Xue’er, no matter how many times I see you, I’m still amazed by your beauty.”

Hearing Pei Jianzhi’s praise, Lu Yunxue blushed slightly.

“It’s getting late. We should hurry to the palace.”

Pei Jianzhi smiled confidently. “Don’t worry. The Pei family’s carriage is waiting outside. It can move freely through the capital.”

“That’s good.”

Under the night sky, the State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence was bustling.

Mu Zian had changed into a black and gold python robe, with a white jade belt around his waist, exuding noble elegance.

“Young Master, the carriage is ready. We can depart.”

Mu Zian nodded, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile.

Tonight would indeed be lively.

In front of the palace gates, Pei Jianzhi’s carriage was stopped by a squad of imperial guards.

The leading guard stepped forward. “Disembark and proceed on foot beyond this point.”

Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi poked their heads out of the carriage and saw the grand imperial city looming ahead. Normally, their status wouldn’t grant them entry into the palace, but tonight, they were undoubtedly the stars of this event.

Pei Jianzhi alighted, tidied his robes, and said proudly, “Today marks our moment of glory! In the future, I will have a seat in the imperial court. Xue’er, come down quickly. I can’t wait to receive the honor that belongs to us.”

Lu Yunxue disembarked, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Three years of hard battles had been for this moment to ascend the halls of power.

In front of the palace, the hierarchy was clear: high-ranking officials could enter by sedan chair or on horseback. Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi, however, could only enter on foot.

Pei Jianzhi said confidently to Lu Yunxue, “This is how a true man should be! Someday, I’ll ride into the palace on horseback and be revered by thousands!”

Lu Yunxue smiled and nodded. “Pei Lang will definitely achieve it!”

As the two were brimming with ambition, fantasizing about a glorious future, the sound of horse hooves echoed crisply.

A finely decorated carriage approached slowly.

At once, all officials halted and focused their gaze on the carriage.

As the carriage neared, none of the surrounding imperial guards made any move to stop it.

Pei Jianzhi, puzzled, asked, “Who is this important figure that can enter the palace by carriage, unimpeded by the guards?”

While Pei Jianzhi marveled, Lu Yunxue’s expression turned complicated.

She had recognized the flag hanging on the carriage—it was the banner of the State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence.

This meant that the person inside could only be Mu Zian, the current State-Stabilizing Duke.

As the carriage approached, all the imperial guards around knelt on one knee.

Civil officials dismounted from their sedans, and military officials dismounted from their horses, all cupping their hands in salute.

Inside the carriage, Mu Zian lifted the curtain, his sharp gaze sweeping over the surroundings. Dressed in black battle attire embroidered with golden python patterns, he stood out strikingly.

With just one glance, the oppressive atmosphere was overwhelming.

“Thank you for your hard work, colleagues,” Mu Zian said.

His voice wasn’t loud, but it reached every ear clearly.

This cold, aloof aura was simply irresistible.

The female guests, gathered around, were utterly captivated by Mu Zian’s appearance and bearing.

“So handsome! Is that the State-Stabilizing Duke?”

“Young and powerful, with such striking looks! I heard he’s incredibly skilled in martial arts too—he’s exactly the husband of my dreams.”

“I wonder if he’s married?”

“Even if he is, if the State-Stabilizing Duke is willing, I’d be happy to be just a concubine.”

For a moment, praises filled the air like sharp knives stabbing at Lu Yunxue.

Mu Zian’s gaze passed over Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi without even pausing, and he lowered the curtain, the carriage continuing into the palace.

Only after Mu Zian had gone did Pei Jianzhi belatedly ask, “Who was that in the carriage?”

Lu Yunxue, her expression full of melancholy, replied, “The State-Stabilizing Duke of Great Li, Mu Zian.”