Qin Jinhao's face was darkened by the reprimand, yet he couldn't help but defend himself: "Mother, I really cannot stand the way Mu Qingge looks at me. Mother, aren't you aware that people in the common folk are now spreading rumors of an ambiguous relationship between us, suggesting we might be of a scandalous nature? How can I endure such a tainted reputation? Furthermore, if Father were to believe these rumors, it would be extremely detrimental to my future prospects. I had He Cheng step in with the intention of teaching and humiliating him a little, so he would know to restrain himself. Who would have thought he'd run off to the Sunset Wilderness to meet his demise; how can this blame fall upon me? Besides, upon learning of his whereabouts, to show concern, I also left Luodu with Mu Xiong in search of him."
"Foolish! You are simply foolish! If you can't even endure a single admiring gaze, how can you achieve great things? If that Mu Qingge indeed admires you, regardless of gender, wouldn't this be a tremendous fortune for you?" Consort Jiang wished she could poke sense into the person before her with a finger.
"Mother!" Qin Jinhao's heart skipped a beat.
Seeing he completely misunderstood, Consort Jiang had no choice but to shake her head and sigh: "Don't forget, Mu Qingge is nominally your brother-in-law. Initially, I had you get close to him, to take the opportunity to win him over because of Changle. Changle is your own sister, yet the Empress Dowager assigned her to Mu Qingge. A good-for-nothing, no matter how peerlessly handsome, how could he possibly be worthy of my daughter? However, the Empress Dowager's decree is something even the Emperor is reluctant to defy easily, so we had to endure it. But even so, we must exploit all of Mu Qingge's value for our use. Mu Qingge is Mu Xiong's only legitimate grandson; if you can take him under your wing, it would greatly benefit your future prospects. Plus, with Changle as a connection, no one would dare accuse you of forming factions, secretly wooing aristocratic sons, and cultivating power. But instead, you..."
Qin Jinhao's expression changed multiple times, and he apologized, saying, "Mother..."
These principles were not something he didn't understand. However, Mother didn't know that he was made extremely uncomfortable by Mu Qingge's closeness, yet he had to force a smile and pretend to be indulgent.
Just a good-for-nothing, a useless playboy with a disgusting association, how could he be worth Qin Jinhao's effort to approach? Just thinking about it made him feel nauseous and lose his appetite.
If it were someone else in the Mu Family showing such admiration for him... For example, Bai Xiyue, who resided in the Mu Mansion...
A flash of white, the weak figure, suddenly stirred Qin Jinhao's heart and mind.
"Hao'er, Hao'er?"
Consort Jiang's displeased voice pulled Qin Jinhao's thoughts back.
When he met his mother's gaze, he heard the stern reprimand: "What are you thinking about? Your mother is speaking to you, and you drift off? Your distraction shows you're not willing to advance further. What you did regarding Mu Family has truly disappointed me. To teach you a lesson so that you'll learn to restrain yourself in the future, I shall confine you for ten days. During these ten days, you'll stay well in your Prince Rui Mansion, studying military tactics and strategy. As for the He Family, let's set it aside for now; once the tides calm, you can properly reassure them. You have yet to ascend to that throne; if you start abandoning allies and good men now, it might chill the hearts of others. Alright, I'm tired, you may leave now."
Qin Jinhao left Phoenix Palace with a dark expression.
How many years had it been since he was last reprimanded so harshly by his mother?
It's all because of that wretched Mu Qingge!
Attributing all reasons to the person he detested, Qin Jinhao's stern features twisted slightly, and the hand hidden in his sleeve clenched into a fist.
'One day, I will kill you to cleanse the shame you've brought upon this prince!'