Chapter 17 – So It Was a Marriage Proposal After All

The misunderstanding was finally cleared, and Mu Nanjin was released without charge.

Holding the Empress Dowager’s generous reward, she left Yongshou Palace in high spirits.

Tang Jingrui and Captain Liu, having heard she was safe, were already waiting at the palace gates.

Captain Liu handed her the black charcoal. “What a scare today. Go home and get some rest.”

Tang Jingrui mounted his horse. “Father and the others were worried about you. Let’s go back and let them know you’re safe.”

【They’re probably worried I might have dragged the Tang family down with me.】

Mu Nanjin urged her horse toward the Tang residence.

Tang Jingrui silently followed behind.

When they arrived home, the servants bustled about, carrying out bowls of burning coals and bundles of pomelo leaves to “ward off evil,” as if welcoming back a noble young lady rather than someone who had just returned from prison.

“Nanan’s back!”

Jiang Zhenru enthusiastically pulled Mu Nanjin toward the main hall.

“It’s such a relief you’re safe. Come, sit down and have some tea.”

Old Master Tang and Old Madam Tang both greeted her with broad smiles.

No one in the Tang family scolded her for bringing trouble to their doorstep — not a single word of reproach.

Mu Nanjin was genuinely caught off guard.

Tang Jingrui was equally astonished.

【I was dragged away by imperial guards, and yet they’re all smiling like I brought them good fortune? Did they take the wrong medicine, or are they just after the Empress Dowager’s reward?】

Tang Jingrui, Tang Wenzong: “……”

“Yes, have some tea.” Jiang Zhenru quickly turned to the servants. “Why are you all standing there? Bring her a cup of tea.”

A maid stepped forward and offered Mu Nanjin a cup.

Mu Nanjin stared suspiciously into the tea.

【The Tang family’s behavior is far too strange. Did they poison this and plan to get rid of the ‘troublemaker’ while they can?】

【Let’s see what they’re up to.】

“Cough.” Tang Wenzong quickly cleared his throat, worried she might start “talking nonsense” in her mind again.

Jiang Zhenru caught on immediately and shifted the topic.

She smiled warmly. “Nanan, you’re already of marriageable age. At this age, a young lady should be engaged. Your uncle is a man and not suited to discussing such matters with you, so your aunt has taken the liberty of selecting a few good matches for you.”

Afraid Mu Nanjin might get upset, she added quickly, “Don’t worry. Every man we’ve chosen is worthy of your rank as a Ninth-Rank Jinyiwei officer. You won’t be treated unfairly. Would you like to take a look?”

Tang Jingrui’s face darkened when he realized his mother and grandmother were arranging a marriage for Mu Nanjin behind her guardian’s back.

Tang Wenzong, knowing his son’s righteous temperament, held him back before he could speak.

He dragged Tang Jingrui out of the hall.

Tang Jingrui angrily shrugged him off. “Father, do you even know what you’re doing? Without Uncle’s consent, if they try to marry Mu Nanjin off — do you know how furious he’ll be when he returns? With how protective he is of her, he might just cut us down himself!”

“Your aunt did this with your uncle’s permission.”

“Aunt did?”

Tang Jingrui frowned in disbelief.

From what he knew of Mu Qinyi, she never delegated anything involving Mu Nanjin — especially something as important as marriage.

“She said they’ll only proceed once your uncle returns and approves.”

Tang Jingrui finally relaxed.

【Ah, so it’s just a proposal.】

Inside the hall, Mu Nanjin calmly sipped her tea. “Which families has Madam chosen for me?”

“I’ve selected five,” Jiang Zhenru said hastily, pulling out a booklet as if afraid she might change her mind.

Mu Nanjin opened the first page — and immediately winced at the portrait.

Despite the artist’s best effort to make the man appear “refined,” he still had a round face, small eyes, big ears, and thick lips.

Jiang Zhenru beamed. “This one is the young master of a Censorate official. He just had his coming-of-age ceremony, is a certified scholar, and even teaches at the National Academy. His talent and virtue are both first-rate.”

Mu Nanjin nodded. “Indeed, quite fine.”

【He spends his nights drinking and visiting brothels, tips generously, and burns through his entire allowance in two weeks. Yes, truly a ‘fine’ match indeed.】

Jiang Zhenru lifted her chin proudly. “Of course. I only pick the best.”

Tang Wenzong, Tang Jingrui: “……”

Mu Nanjin turned to the next page. Aside from being slightly fatter and wearing a different headpiece, the man looked nearly identical to the first.

“This is the county magistrate of Changxing County,” Jiang Zhenru explained. “He’s a few years older, a widower, and well respected. If you marry him, you’ll be the lady of the house — no one in Changxing would dare offend you.”

【Right, no one except the magistrate himself. Didn’t his last wife die in childbirth after he beat her half to death? And the wives before her too? He’s a sadistic brute, but since he’s a magistrate, no one dares to investigate. Everyone just pretends it was an accident.】

Tang Wenzong, Tang Jingrui: “……”

Wives before her?

The magistrate had multiple dead wives, and Jiang Zhenru didn’t mention that?

Mu Nanjin shut the booklet. “These are the ones my aunt personally selected?”

“Yes, your aunt would never choose poorly for you.”

【Seems Tang Liuzhao really can’t stand me anymore.】

Mu Nanjin glanced at the box of rewards from the Empress Dowager.

【Time to move out of the Tang residence.】

She didn’t hold a grudge against Tang Liuzhao — both Mu Qinyi and the original Mu Nanjin owed her too much already.

Tang Wenzong and Tang Jingrui exchanged a look.

Mu Nanjin stood up. “Before leaving, my uncle promised he’d find me a husband even better than Tang Jingrui. Madam, do you believe any of these men are better than your son?”

Jiang Zhenru blurted out, “Of course not! No one can compare to my son.”

“Then why offer them to me?”

Jiang Zhenru: “……”

Old Madam Tang snorted. “Look at your own station — and you dare dream of marrying someone better than Jingrui? Keep dreaming!”

In her mind, no one was worthy of her precious grandson.

Mu Nanjin sneered.

She didn’t need to speak — the look on her face said it all: “Just wait and see. I’ll find someone better than him.”

Without another word, she picked up the Empress Dowager’s reward and walked out of the hall.

“Mu Nanjin! Come back here!”

Jiang Zhenru hurried after her.

Old Madam Tang snapped, “Let her go! I’d like to see what kind of husband she thinks she can find!”

Tang Wenzong stopped his wife. “Those men aren’t suitable. Just drop the matter.”

Jiang Zhenru frowned. “Why not? Liuzhao and I spent ages selecting them. What’s wrong with them?”

“Liuzhao, she…” Tang Wenzong sighed. “Forget it. Best not to say.”

Jiang Zhenru was left puzzled.

Tang Jingrui waited until his mother returned to the hall before stepping up beside his father. “Father, what’s wrong with Aunt? Why is she trying to push Mu Nanjin into the fire pit?”

Tang Wenzong shook his head. He didn’t know either — but he could feel that Tang Liuzhao’s resentment toward Mu Nanjin had only grown deeper in recent years.

“Don’t meddle in the affairs of your elders.”

Tang Jingrui: “……”