vrcanaries Chapter 236 Dugu Tianxia 3
Chapter 236 Dugu Tianxia 3
After the doctor's diagnosis, everyone finally understood why Mantuo had fainted: it was due to overwork and malnutrition. Old Madam Li held Mantuo's hand tightly, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed softly. The old patriarch, Li, angrily shouted, "Dugu Xin, my daughter Yang'er, without knowing why you took her as a concubine, died young. Now my poor granddaughter is overworked and malnourished. Is this how you, the Dugu family, treat her well? No matter who tries to stop me today, I will take Mantuo away from here. Your Dugu family can't afford to raise her, but my Li family can! Minghao, hold your cousin and follow me. If anyone dares to stop me, I will go to the Imperial Palace and file a complaint! You, the Dugu family, are trying to force me to death. It seems your aunt's death was also questionable!" With that, everyone picked up Mantuo and turned to leave. Dugu Xin wanted to stop them, but seeing the old patriarch's determined look and resolute attitude, he didn't know what to say. He could only helplessly watch them go, muttering, "Father-in-law, this..."
Li Cheng frowned and said with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone: "I dare not accept the call of father-in-law from Prime Minister Dugu. As for my daughter's body, I will find a good person to take it away another day!" After that, he turned away.
Rumors swirled throughout the capital. The head of the Li family, a prominent Longxi clan, had found his long-lost youngest daughter, but tragically, she had passed away, leaving behind only a granddaughter. While the Li family was visiting their granddaughter at the home of Prime Minister Dugu, something unexpected happened: she suddenly collapsed. A doctor diagnosed her with overwork and malnutrition, leaving the head of the Li family furious.
Meanwhile, Yuwen Hu, upon learning of his beloved's misfortune, anxiously prepared to personally visit the Li family's residence to investigate. Meanwhile, in the palace, Emperor Yuwen Jue, having also heard of the scandal surrounding Prime Minister Dugu's family, immediately dispatched an envoy to reprimand Dugu Xin. To woo the Li family, he also issued an imperial decree conferring the title of Princess of the County on Dugu Mantuo and granting her marriage to Prince Yong, Yuwen Yong.
For a time, the whole government was shaken, and everyone was shocked. Yuwen Jue knew that the Li family valued Mantuo so much, and after Yuwen Yong and Mantuo got married, he had the full support of the Li family. In addition, with Prime Minister Dugu Xin, he could compete with Yuwen Hu. All of this made him feel unprecedented joy. Meanwhile, Yuwen Hu heard the imperial decree granting the marriage and ordered his men to speed up the process...
Elsewhere, Mantuo slowly awoke, only to find herself in the Li family's courtyard in the capital. Old Madam Li was overjoyed to see Mantuo awake, and hurried forward to ask, "Good child, you're finally awake? How are you feeling now? Are you hungry? Grandmother will have someone prepare some food for you..."
Mantuo responded with tears of gratitude: "Thank you for your concern, grandma! I'm fine now."
However, when Madam Li ordered her servants to change Mantuo's clothes, she was surprised to find her legs covered in bruises. Heartbroken, Madam Li quietly turned away, tears welling up like a dam. After her maid Chunhua finished changing Mantuo's clothes, Madam Li wiped away the tears and said calmly, "My dear, let's go eat first. After that, I'll take you shopping to buy some new clothes and jewelry."
Mantuo said obediently, "Thank you, grandma!" and let Mrs. Li pull her to the table to sit down and start eating.
The meal was a pleasant one, with Mantuo and Old Lady Li chatting and laughing. Afterward, Old Lady Li called in four maids, asking them to take good care of Mantuo and take her for a stroll in the garden to help digest the food.
After Mantuo left, Old Lady Li found Patriarch Li and told him about the scars on Mantuo's legs. She couldn't help but hugged Patriarch Li and burst into tears. Patriarch Li was heartbroken and hurried to comfort his old wife.
After Madam Li calmed down, the Li clan leader decided to call the Longxi clan members to have Mantuo's name written into the family tree. From then on, Mantuo officially became the legitimate daughter of the Li family—Li Mantuo. As for the emperor's arranged marriage, the Li clan leader planned to consult Mantuo before making any decision.
Afterward, Madam Li, in high spirits, took Mantuo to the capital's largest treasure house, where she selected a wealth of exquisite jewelry and hairpins for her. She even ordered over ten custom-made outfits. Along the way, Mantuo joyfully embraced Madam Li's arm, a beaming smile on her face.
At night, when Mantuo was about to rest, she found someone in the bedroom. She asked vigilantly, "Who is it? If you don't come out, I will call someone!"
Suddenly, Yuwen Hu came out from behind the bed and hugged Mantuo. He smiled and said, "Little rascal! How did you find my..."
Mantuo playfully hooked her arm around his neck and whispered, "If someone saw us, we'd both be thrown into a pig cage!"
Yuwen Hu raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and said confidently, "Let's see who dares?" Then, he gently stroked Mantuo's face and asked with concern, "Let me see where you're hurt. I'll arrange two secret guards for you later. If anyone bullies you, fight back! I'll take responsibility if anything happens!"
Mantuo got up from him, with a hint of unwillingness in her eyes, and said, "Bearing it? What if the person I want to hit is Prajna? Are you willing to..." Yuwen Hu raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a smile. He hugged Mantuo's waist tightly from behind and chuckled softly, "Little jealous girl, it is you that this Grand Master likes now, not that woman Prajna."
Hearing Yuwen Hu's words, Mantuo was delighted, but she couldn't help but complain, "But the emperor has decreed that I be married to Prince Yong, Yuwen Yong, and you already have a family. How can I possibly be your concubine?"
Yuwen Hu looked at Mantuo with a firm gaze and gently comforted her, "Don't worry, I no longer have a wife, not even a concubine. As for your marriage to Yuwen Yong, I will never let it happen."
However, Mantuo shook her head, refusing. She said firmly, "No, I must marry Yuwen Yong! I know he has always been in love with my third sister, so even after we get married, he will never touch me. This way, Yuwen Jue will mistakenly believe that the Li family will fully support Yuwen Yong to compete with you. In this way, his guard against you will inevitably be reduced. Isn't this a great opportunity for us?"
Yuwen Hu said with a firm look in his eyes: "But I don't want you to marry Yong!"
Mantuo raised the corner of her mouth slightly, revealing a sly smile, and said: "But I want this throne!"
Yuwen Hu was shocked. He had thought Mantuo wanted to be the queen, but now it seemed that her ambitions were even greater. However, he did not stop her, but nodded gently to show his agreement.
Then, Yuwen Hu hugged Mantuo and kissed her affectionately. Mantuo closed her eyes and enjoyed the sweetness of this moment.
The next morning, before daybreak, Yuwen Hu left the Li Family Villa feeling refreshed. Meanwhile, Mantuo was still soundly asleep in bed.
When Mantuo woke up, her grandfather sent someone to invite her to the front hall. After packing up, Mantuo went to the front hall, only to see the palace eunuchs in the hall with a generous betrothal gift, while Yuwen Yong stood by with a reluctant look on his face.
Clan leader Li had long known that Yuwen Yong was in love with Dugu Xin's youngest daughter and was unhappy with the marriage. He had originally intended to reject the marriage, but considering Mantuo's childhood suffering, he decided to consult her opinion before making a decision.
Li Cheng sat on the armchair, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and worry. His gaze fell on the door, anticipating the arrival of his granddaughter. When he finally saw her walk in, a look of relief emerged on his face, but also a bit of determination.
Prince Yong sat aside with a serious and indifferent expression, as if he didn't care about this marriage. However, Li Cheng was not going to give in easily. He straightened his spine and showed an indomitable spirit.
"Your Highness Prince Yong, I know that you are of noble status, and I also understand that the Emperor's will cannot be disobeyed. However, my granddaughter lost her mother at a young age, and has lived a hard life, experiencing the ups and downs of life. For her, this marriage is not a simple marriage, but a major event that concerns her lifelong happiness. If Prince Yong is unwilling to marry Mantuo, please reject the Emperor's kindness. Similarly, if Mantuo is unwilling, I will also ask the Emperor to withdraw his will!" Li Cheng said slowly, his voice full of firmness and determination.
Yuwen Yong frowned and said, "How could that be? Clan Leader Li is worrying too much!" Before coming, the Emperor had told him that the throne was in jeopardy because of Yuwen Hu. If he could win over the Li family to fight against him, he would have a chance of overthrowing Yuwen Hu's influence in the court. So, even if he didn't want to, he had to marry Mantuo...
Mantuo said, "Grandfather, can I have a private chat with Prince Yong?" Clan leader Li nodded with satisfaction. Mantuo then led Yuwen Yong to the garden path and said, "Yuwen Yong, I know you like Jialuo and dislike me, but you have to marry me. But I tell you, I do too! I have my reasons for wanting to marry. The Li family can make the emperor withdraw his decree, but that would also make him wary. So I have to marry!"
Yuwen Yong said disdainfully, "Second Miss, you're quite cunning! Prime Minister Dugu has become a laughing stock in the capital because of you! Let the Li family take you away and become the legitimate daughter of the Li family..."
Mantuo said angrily, "Yuwen Yong, if you had eyes, you would have noticed why I, your sister, always wear shabby clothes and have few hair ornaments. Why are my eldest sister and Jialuo proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, while I am just a petty person with nothing to offer? Am I really living a good life in the Dugu family? My mother died young, and if it weren't for my wet nurse, I would have had a hard time growing up safely. You come from the royal family, don't you really know the ways of the harem? You can go and investigate and see if I have wronged them..." Then she walked away...