Chapter 278: Chapter 221: A Close Call

Yan Zhen solemnly kowtowed to the Emperor, and when he lifted his eyes again, they were already red.

He was a dignified man of seven feet, a renowned general in the army, yet at this moment, he was choked with emotion, unable to form words.

“Your Majesty, I and Shu grew up together, betrothed since childhood. My biggest wish in this life is to marry her. But alas, I suddenly fell severely ill, and did not want to burden her, so I heartlessly broke the engagement with her.”

Yan Zhen’s voice trembled with endless pain, “I couldn’t bear to discard the annulled marriage contract, I’ve kept it with me as if Shu were still my future wife.

At that time, I was in utter despair, only wanting to find a desolate place to end my life, but I never expected to be saved by my master. When I returned from the brink of death, Shu was already married to someone else.

Your Majesty, do you know how painful it is for me? At the peak of my suffering, I truly wanted to leap into the moat and end this painful life.”

The Emperor’s face grew increasingly grim as he listened to him continue, “So I chose to go to the battlefield, during which I poured all my energy into killing the enemy, only then could I temporarily forget the pain in my heart.

I never dared to hope that I could renew my relationship with her or have a day to marry her again.

When Prince Zhan acted as the officiant and signed the marriage agreement, I felt as if I were in a dream. Therefore, here, I must first thank Your Majesty for the great grace.”

At this moment, Yan Zhen was overwhelmed with tears, his gratitude mixed with tears, and with Jun Moling as a witness, the Emperor felt choked up, unable to voice his intent to arrange a marriage for him.

The Emperor looked at Yan Zhen, his face dark, saying nothing.

Yan Zhen, with an innocent face, as if he suddenly remembered something, hurriedly wiped his tears and said, “Your Majesty, I lost my composure before you, please forgive me. I was too excited, I hope Your Majesty understands.”

After speaking, he even showed a slight hint of embarrassment on his face.

The Emperor suppressed the anger in his heart, exhaled forcefully, with a grim face saying, “General Yan, you are now a second-rank General of the Country, do you know what this means?”

Yan Zhen then simply feigned madness and foolishness, “Your Majesty, it doesn’t matter what it represents.

No matter what rank I rise to, am I not always Your servant? You also know, I never had any lofty ambitions.

After experiencing life and death on the battlefield, now I just want to live some peaceful days, is that possible? Your Majesty, I wish to be a carefree marquis, support the Shen Mansion, and raise the children to adulthood.

If Shu and I can have a child, I believe the old Loyalty Marquis Shen in heaven can also smile contentedly in the afterlife.”

The atmosphere in the Imperial Study Room was heavy and oppressive.

The Emperor sat upright on the dragon chair, looking complexly at Yan Zhen kneeling below.

“Yan Zhen, your future is limitless, why confine yourself to one place, being a Marquis means having no real power.

If you want to marry, you can choose from a Commandery Princess, County Princess, or even a Princess, and your Yan Family will truly bring glory to your ancestors.”

The Emperor enticed gently, trying to paint a magnificent blueprint for Yan Zhen’s future, lightly turning the jade thumb ring in his hand, applying endless pressure on him.

Yan Zhen lifted his head, a determined expression, a barely noticeable pain in his gaze.

“Your Majesty, I am not the only son in the Yan Family. At that time, my parents even prepared a coffin for me, and although I’ve battled for years, all the soldiers know, my old ailments have never fully healed, every winter my bones ache, and I can’t sleep all night.

I don’t know how much longer I can live, Your Majesty, I have failed to meet your high expectations, please forgive me.

I am Your servant, my wish is fulfilled, aren’t you pleased too?”

His voice trembled slightly, carrying a bit of age and sincerity.

The Emperor furrowed his brow, his face dark. At this time, a marriage contract lay on the table, signed by two people, with a witness’s seal.

The Emperor knew it was impossible to turn back the situation now, he sighed deeply, appearing somewhat weary, “Since you’ve made your choice, don’t regret it, go!”

The Emperor’s words carried a dual meaning, reminding him that since he chose Jun Moling, he should not regret his decision in the future.

How could Yan Zhen not understand the Emperor’s deeper meaning, but he still pretended not to understand, “Your Majesty, to be honest, being able to marry Shu, I would wake up laughing in my dreams, what is there to regret.

Although I can’t manage the camp, whenever there’s a need, I will give my utmost to shed the last drop of blood for our Dayi Country, please, Your Majesty, rest assured.”

His words were firm and full of loyalty and determination in his eyes.

The Emperor shook his head silently, thinking to himself: Hope you are truly not involved in anything, if you’re really tied to Prince Zhan, I will not show mercy, at least I must first remove a few of Prince Zhan’s arms, otherwise, I will always be at his mercy, as Emperor, I must maintain initiative.

“You may leave!” the Emperor said coldly.

Yan Zhen slowly stood up, forcing a smile on his face, bowing to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, my marriage contract.”

The Emperor, feeling unwell in his heart, snorted coldly, but still had Qi Lin hand the marriage contract to him.

Yan Zhen carefully folded the contract and placed it at his chest, the way he cherished it as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.

The Emperor watched his actions, only feeling this person had no ambition, regretting once considering entrusting the Commander’s Seal to him.

Since he made the decision, he should plan early.

Yan Zhen bowed and slowly left, as he stepped out of the Imperial Study Room, his forehead was already covered in cold sweat.

Just before the Emperor, he feigned indifference, but his heart was exceedingly tense, fearing the Emperor wouldn’t care about anyone’s feelings, forcibly pushing that person onto him.

Luckily, his acting skill was good, allowing him to pass without incident.

But was all this really just acting?

Only he knew, everything was truly from the heart, whenever he recalled the years of bitterness, he couldn’t help the sourness in his heart, tears nearly spilling out.

So in front of the Emperor, there was no need to act.

It’s just that the marriage contract was written by him, he wondered what Shu would think? He hadn’t gotten her consent yet?

Moreover, there was the most pivotal person, Princess Consort Zhan.

Everyone knew that Prince Zhan was formidable and commanding on the battlefield, but in the Prince Mansion, he was a henpecked husband.

All matters in the mansion, big or small, were decided by Princess Consort Zhan. If Shen Ruoxi did not agree, Prince Zhan would be helpless.

Hoping she would understand the stakes and agree to his transitioning into the Shen family.

Thinking of his parents, Yan Zhen’s heart was still full of bitterness.

Through these years, he had truly worried his parents sick, now even to be erased from the family register, becoming a son of another family.

This undoubtedly was extremely cruel to them.

Fortunately, his parents were reasonable people, both believing that Dayi Country owed the Shen Family a son, their own son’s induction into the Shen family was an honor.

After all, in their hearts, Loyalty Marquis Shen was an undisputed hero.

Thinking that his parents were anxiously waiting for him to return to receive the edict, Yan Zhen quickened his pace heading home.

As expected, the eunuch proclaiming the imperial edict had not yet left.

Yan Zhen sent the eunuch away, informing them that the Emperor had already summoned him at the palace.

Watching the eunuchs leave, Yan Zhen’s parents were full of confusion, hurriedly pulling him into the inner chamber.

“Zhen, what exactly is going on?” his mother urgently asked, her face full of anxiety and confusion.

Yan Zhen’s heart was actually uncertain, judging by the Emperor’s expression, the matter of marrying Shu might not proceed smoothly.

He took a deep breath, slowly took out the marriage contract, first handing it to his father.

His mother also hurriedly looked over it together, at the moment they saw the marriage contract, they were completely stunned, exchanging looks, exclaiming in unison, “This?”

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