Chapter 88: Chapter 39: More Joining the Festivities

The Emperor glanced at Wu An and was instantly annoyed, asking disdainfully, “What do you want now?”

Wu An smiled slightly, speaking lightly, “Your Majesty, yesterday I learned from my father that I once had a verbal marriage agreement with Marquis Shen.”

The Emperor was momentarily stunned by these words, while Shen Ruoxi rubbed her forehead speechlessly. Did this handsome young man think the situation wasn’t chaotic enough already?

The Emperor suddenly came to his senses, and his anger turned into a laugh.

He suddenly turned to Xu Ji and asked coldly, “Xu Ji, were you not just clamoring for me to decree that Marquis Shen be granted to you?”

Xu Ji regretted saying those words the moment they left his mouth.

He didn’t understand before, but after Lan Jue explained, he realized that his affection for his cousin was more familial than passionate love.

The impulsive words were merely driven by anger towards Xiao Chengyi, in an attempt to stand up for his cousin.

Xu Ji bowed respectfully and said, “Your Majesty, as my cousin said, this matter should be decided by my cousin herself. If she agrees, I naturally have no objection.”

He understood in his heart that his cousin did not like him and would naturally decline.

The Emperor’s gaze turned to Shen Ruoxi, scrutinizing her, his eyes full of accusation.

Seeing his resentful gaze gave Shen Ruoxi a headache, and she quickly bowed and explained, “Your Majesty, Ji is still young and speaks carelessly. He was just worried Young General Xiao might bully me, and his words should not be taken seriously.”

The Emperor, listening to her, seemed to calm his anger slightly.

He then turned his gaze to Lan Jue, his voice tinged with coldness, “Are Xu Ji’s wishes also the wishes of Prince Lan?”

Lan Jue felt a bitterness in his heart. He longed to announce his deep love for Shen Ruoxi, to take her as his wife, but he couldn’t.

He could only bow and salute, saying softly, “Your Majesty, my words were also to provoke Xiao Chengyi and should not count.”

Having resolved the issues with Xu Ji and Lan Jue, the Emperor felt much better.

He composed himself and looked again at Wu An, his tone filled with displeasure, “Prince Wu, you repeatedly claim to have a verbal marriage agreement with Marquis Shen. Do you have evidence? Why was this not mentioned by your family when she was unmarried?”

Wu An remained composed and respectfully reported to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, there is a special bond between Marquis Shen and me.

We were born on the same year, month, and day. Back then, my father and the Loyalty Marquis discussed our coincidence over drinks and made a verbal marriage agreement.

However, fate played tricks. Marquis Shen disappeared at a young age, and the Loyalty Marquis went off to battle, making the original agreement obsolete.

Before Marquis Shen married, my father was grief-stricken by the loss of his friend the Loyalty Marquis and fell ill.

Once he recovered and wanted to formally propose to Marquis Shen, he learned she was already engaged to Xiao Chengyi.

So, our family never mentioned it again. Now that Marquis Shen and Xiao Chengyi are separated, is it time to fulfill our agreement?”

The Emperor’s face turned grim, his anger flaring like a blazing fire. Where did he come from, bringing such displeasure?

He coldly declared, “Since the Loyalty Marquis has given his life for the country, this matter ends here!

The entanglement between Marquis Shen and Young General Xiao must be thoroughly resolved, and Xiao Chengyi must cease to meddle, before we discuss her marriage. All of you, go home!”

Duchess Xu’s brows furrowed with urgency as she said, “Your Majesty, Xiao Chengyi sees an opportunity because Ruoxi has delayed her marriage.

Once Ruoxi is married, he will give up. If he continues to persist, her husband will naturally break his legs!

Today, our family specially invited these noble young men. How can they just leave without even getting acquainted?

Your Majesty, Ruoxi’s closest family now is me and my husband, but we are old and might leave her anytime, our only concern being her marriage.

If we can see her settled and with children in our lifetime, we can close our eyes peacefully. We beseech Your Majesty to make it happen.”

Though the Emperor was displeased, he could not lose his temper at Duchess Xu. He forced a smile and said warmly, “Rest assured, Duchess, I will personally see to Marquis Shen’s marriage.

Furthermore, it seems none of these young men have caught her eye, has it?”

The Emperor’s eyes sharply scanned Shen Ruoxi, his gaze full of warning as he spoke.

Naturally, Shen Ruoxi hoped the Emperor would dismiss these young men.

Her mind was not on romance but on going to battle, defending the nation, driving the Beichang intruders away, avenging her father, brothers, and uncles, and bringing back the spirits left at the border city.

Yet thinking of the guests invited, it wouldn’t be appropriate to send them away just like that.

Moreover, the Shen Mansion had prepared a feast; how could it be wasted?

After careful consideration, Shen Ruoxi suggested to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, since these young men were invited by my grandmother, suddenly asking them to leave might seem rude on the part of the Shen Mansion.

Additionally, it’s rare for everyone to gather, and the Shen Mansion has prepared a banquet. Why not dine together?”

The Emperor pondered her words. Although she didn’t outright reject the noble young men, her attitude was clear, and her eyes revealed reluctance rather than interest, clearly resisting.

From Duchess Xu’s words, he sensed she was reluctantly involved in this match-making and might not have known beforehand.

The Emperor felt slightly at ease, responding nonchalantly, “In that case, I shall join and have a drink with everyone.”

Shen Ruoxi raised her eyebrows. What business did an Emperor have here?

However, who dared to object? Preparations had to be made swiftly.

The noble young men raised their brows, knowing that after this meal, there would likely be no further opportunities with Shen Ruoxi.

The Emperor’s anger-laden arrival clearly indicated his intent to assert his claim over Shen Ruoxi.

During the banquet, the atmosphere was somewhat stifled due to the Emperor’s presence.

Wu An pondered privately, thinking the Emperor would find it very difficult to marry Shen Ruoxi.

Empress Dowager An rarely intervened in harem affairs, but she would definitely oppose this.

First, because the Emperor had once proposed to Shen Ruoxi but was rejected by the Loyalty Marquis’s wife, which was a slight to the Royal Family. Second, Shen Ruoxi entering the palace as a second marriage would be hard to accept on both counts.

Furthermore, since Shen Ruoxi’s cousin Xu Ci was already the Emperor’s Imperial Concubine, her temperament meant there was no chance she’d enter the palace as a concubine herself.

Wu An noted that even the Emperor would find it hard to force Shen Ruoxi.

Therefore, he still held hope.

Thinking of this, he calmly raised his cup and drank it all.

Meanwhile, Xiao Chengyi, battered and bruised, staggered back to the Xiao Mansion.

The servants were shocked, with Shi Tou especially alarmed, “Young General, what happened to you?”

Fearing questions from his grandmother and mother, he warned everyone to stay silent and shut himself in the study.

At this moment, the physical pain he endured paled compared to the ache in his heart.

Though he’d not spent much time with her, countless memories of her now overwhelmed him.

Her stunning face on their wedding day, her angry slap when he lost his composure in the Bamboo Pavilion, her imposing figure when she attacked him at the Shen Mansion entrance, and her resolute words.

“It is I, Shen Ruoxi, who doesn’t want you!”

“It’s impossible for us to be together!”

“Our fate has ended, let’s go our separate ways.”

Sudden tears blurred his vision.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep