Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!

Chapter 245: Liu Miaoying (Proposal)

Liu Miaoying spoke, gazing steadily at Mu Huai, who could only stop in his tracks.

Some perceptive people around them dispersed, still puzzled, wondering who this person could be, as they hadn’t seen him before. But anyone who could come to Jing Garden wouldn’t be from an ordinary family.

Facing Liu Miaoying’s gaze, Mu Huai instinctively wanted to look away, feeling his ears heat up.

"I am Mu Huai, my father is Vice Minister Mu Zheng of the Ministry of War."

Voices buzzed around them, realizing he was from the Mu Family. Mu Vice Minister had many sons, they recognized the older ones. They had heard the youngest one didn’t like going out, preferring to stay in the mansion tending to flowers and plants. It turned out to be him; what brought him out today?

Liu Miaoying nodded and walked over, "Mr. Mu, are you here today for poetry and painting as well?"

She glanced around Mu Huai, noticing the young man came empty-handed, without paper or brush, clearly not here for poetry. There were no paintings hanging here either, so he wasn’t here for painting.

Mu Huai reluctantly replied, "Yes."

His gaze brushed against the fair skin of the beauty’s neck, and he hurriedly lowered his eyes, fearing he might offend her.

Liu Miaoying looked at him twice, then said no more, surveyed the surroundings, and left.

Her purpose for coming to the poetry gathering today was fulfilled. Since Young Master Mu showed interest, she could confidently propose marriage now.

Ah Juan wouldn’t accept any husband. In the whole of Capital City, her conditions weren’t bad, her looks were decent, and her prospects were promising. If this young man joined her household, she would wholeheartedly treat him well.

After Liu Miaoying departed, Mu Huai stood in place, still somewhat dazed, blankly watching her departing figure.

As if their interaction just now was merely an illusion.

...

Days after the poetry gathering, the Liu Family sent someone to the Mu Mansion to propose marriage.

Upon hearing someone propose marriage, Mu Huai paused his writing, ink spreading from the nib onto the painting scroll. Anxiously, he pulled his sleeve to wipe the ink away, afraid it might stain the painted woman.

"Young Master, you must come glance, the people who came to propose are in the hall. The lord and lady have accepted the betrothal gifts!"

The attendant student was flustered, indicating the master and lady intended to accept the marriage proposal.

With many young masters and ladies in the mansion, the young master’s birth mother deceased early, he was alone, usually not competing for anything, conducting himself discreetly, the lord and lady typically remembered him only when considering matches with prestigious families.

Now, they simply aimed to use the young master’s marriage to earn a future for the lord.

Mu Huai was not greatly surprised by this day, "Who is proposing marriage?"

The attendant student: "I just overheard it’s someone surnamed Liu..."

Mu Huai suddenly clenched his pen, his tone tense, "Which Liu Family?"

But the attendant student didn’t know either, spending most days within the mansion, seldom going out. Following the young master outside was the responsibility of another attendant, so he had no knowledge of families like Liu and Wang, "I am unsure, but earlier I noticed the master was very respectful to the visitor, maybe he’s some high official!"

Mu Huai’s heart raced as well; his father was already the Assistant Minister, for the Liu Family to warrant such respect in the capital, it could only be...

He hurriedly set down his pen and walked out, the attendant student rushing to follow behind.

Coming to the Mu Family, it was Liu Ze himself who came to propose. He had only one daughter, and although he trusted her judgment, he wanted to see what kind of person she suddenly took a liking to after such a long selection.

The Vice Minister Mu had merely sent the portraits of his suitable sons out, not expecting his youngest, who never left the mansion nor had any reputation, to be chosen by the palace. Yet it was a surprise that the Liu Family came to propose marriage!

Recently, he heard the Liu Family was considering candidates; the lady of the Mu Mansion found mediators to suggest the third son, who had some talent outside, but they didn’t express interest.

He figured that made sense; Liu Miaoying, a Third Rank in the current dynasty, close to the Crown Princess, with limitless prospects, how could she possibly favor a son born from a concubine?

Unexpectedly, she took a liking to his youngest, likely because the portrait sent to the palace caught her eye.

Truly, planting flowers deliberately doesn’t make them bloom, but willows grow inadvertently!

After some pleasantries, the two families formally settled the marriage agreement. When the Vice Minister Mu sent for his youngest son, Mu Huai was already outside, his face had changed as he entered.

This youngest son was indeed unordered; he didn’t even change outfits, his sleeves were stained with ink, visibly unclean.

He was about to speak when Liu Ze nodded approvingly, "Indeed, a young talent, no wonder my Miaoqing took a liking at first sight."

Both father and daughter valued appearances heavily.

When Vice Minister Mu escorted Liu Ze out, Mu Huai was still bewildered... all those betrothal gifts in the courtyard, it was really her.

The day he went to the poetry gathering, as he passed through the garden, he overheard the attendant of his third brother mentioning Miss Liu would attend.

He didn’t quite believe it at the time, as Liu Miaoying hadn’t been to Jing Garden for many years, but he couldn’t resist going that day and unexpectedly encountered her, even exchanged words.

The news of Liu Family searching for a consort had spread through the capital. Formerly the number one talented woman in Capital, now a new rise in the court, his father sought to build relations with the Liu Family, finding mediators to propose for his third brother.

Mu San stormed into the hall angrily, grabbing Mu Huai’s collar intending to fight, only to be stopped by the servants, "The engagement with the Liu Family was clearly mine! What tricks did you use?"

Mu Huai was equally puzzled, wishing to know why it turned out to be him.

...

Meeting Mu Huai at East Moon Building’s private room, Liu Miaoying arrived early only to find Mu Huai arriving even earlier.

"Have you been waiting long?"

Facing Liu Miaoying, Mu Huai was still a bit nervous, "Not long, I just arrived."

The restaurant served dishes quickly; Liu Miaoying didn’t ask why he suddenly invited her out, although she was curious, considering the trouble of having a message delivered for such a simple outing.

Mu Huai soon couldn’t hold back, asking, "Why me?"

Liu Miaoying stared at him, silent for a moment, "Your looks are pleasing."

At this, Mu Huai was taken aback, never expecting these words from her, simply because of good looks?

Yet many in the capital had pleasing looks; he was but an ordinary person, ordinary appearance, how did he catch her eye...

Seeing his reaction, Liu Miaoying smiled, no longer teasing him, softly explaining, "Years ago at Jing Garden, when you spoke in my defense, I remembered."

"The husband I desire is someone who respects and cherishes his wife, always and everywhere."

During a time when rumors abounded in the capital, he stood against many to uphold the reputation of a woman he didn’t know.

A man like this is exactly what she sought.