Chapter 249: A Question of Marriage

He rose happily, performed a bow, and said, “Mingxuan thanks Your Majesty. Your Majesty is wise.”

These words were spoken from the heart, true in the same way gold was true.

The Emperor smiled faintly.

Yue Mingxuan’s temperament was indeed rather straightforward, his fondness for money was open and unashamed, making him something of an exception among princes.

Seeing that the Emperor was in a good mood, Imperial Consort Hua cautiously said, “Your Majesty, this concubine believes that Prince Yue has suffered such great grievance, and tracing it back to the root, it still stems from his friendship with Shan’er. When children are young and inexperienced, they often mistake childhood companionship for vows of eternal devotion… Why not take this opportunity to arrange a good marriage for Prince Yue? When the time comes, we can hold a grand ceremony for him, it would also be a happy occasion for our Beirong imperial family.”

Hearing Imperial Consort Hua say this, the Emperor’s eyes darkened slightly, and he spoke, “Mingxuan, what do you think of Shan’er?”

The Emperor’s words caused the color to drain instantly from Imperial Consort Hua’s face.

She had originally decided not to continue contending with Yue Mingxuan, but her son still could not forget him, which remained a hidden concern for her.

Thus she had thought to use this opportunity to have the Emperor betroth Yue Mingxuan to someone else, thereby cutting off Shan’er’s lingering attachment.

It was not only Imperial Consort Hua who was shaken by these words, everyone present also wore different expressions.

If the Emperor truly intended to arrange a marriage, he could simply issue an imperial decree.

Yet this time, instead of giving an order outright, he first asked Yue Mingxuan’s opinion.

This clearly showed that Yue Mingxuan was highly favored in the Emperor’s eyes.

As time passed second by second, everyone waited anxiously for Yue Mingxuan’s answer.

Rong Tieshan’s hands clenched tightly with tension; although he knew Yue Mingxuan would not agree, he still held onto a sliver of hope.

Facing the gazes of the crowd, some envious, some jealous, some expectant, some resigned, Yue Mingxuan smiled slightly and said, “A gentleman of refinement is like jade, cut and polished, carved and honed.”

Upon hearing this, Imperial Consort Hua’s face turned deathly pale.

Everything was over.

If Yue Mingxuan married Shan’er, then Shan’er would inevitably lose any qualification to contend for the highest position, and the agreement between herself and Prime Minister Xi would turn into nothing but empty talk…

Meanwhile, upon hearing Yue Mingxuan’s words, Rong Tieshan felt a surge of excitement in his heart.

So Mingxuan still had him in his heart? So this was how he was seen in Mingxuan’s eyes?

The Emperor had clearly not expected Yue Mingxuan to answer this way.

After a brief moment of surprise, he asked, “Then do you mean that you favor Shan’er and wish to marry him?”

Yue Mingxuan shook his head. “He is very, very good, it’s just… I do not like him.”

Rong Tieshan’s face turned deathly pale because of his words, while Imperial Consort Hua let out a long breath of relief.

Gongsun Xing lowered his head and the corners of his lips curving into a faint smile…

Mingxuan truly was a remarkable person.

As for Rong Qinglei, his heart felt as though it had been thrown off a high cliff only to land safely, although his heart ailment had already been cured by Mingxuan, this sudden fright made him relive the sensation of an attack once again.

Afraid that the Emperor might continue trying to match Yue Mingxuan with Rong Tieshan, Imperial Consort Hua quickly said, “Since Mingxuan is unwilling, then let this matter be discussed another day. After all, he is still young, there will be plenty of time in the future.”

As long as it was not Rong Tieshan, she would be happy to see Yue Mingxuan marry anyone.

The Emperor glanced at Yue Mingxuan and said, “Mingxuan, have you thought this through?”

Yue Mingxuan nodded. “Just as Imperial Consort Hua said, when Mingxuan was young and ignorant, he mistakenly took childhood companionship for vows of eternal devotion, and thus caused so many troubles, it was Mingxuan’s fault. Prince Rong, to me, has been both a playmate and an elder brother. I absolutely have no other thoughts toward him. I ask Your Majesty to see clearly.”

Hearing Yue Mingxuan speak this way, a smile appeared on Gongsun Xing’s face.

What a Yue Mingxuan, by saying ’both playmate and elder brother,’ he not only tactfully cleared up his relationship with Rong Tieshan, but also cut off any possibility of others making an issue of the past in the future.

It was truly killing several birds with one stone.

It seemed that after staying long enough in the Beirong imperial city, people’s minds inevitably became sharper than before.

Seeing Yue Mingxuan’s firm stance, the Emperor said nothing further and simply waved his hand tiredly.

“Enough. Those who have nothing else to report may withdraw. Why are you all crowding around me?”

Upon hearing this, the consorts filed out as if granted amnesty.

Yue Mingxuan followed them out as well.

When he reached the imperial garden, he suddenly remembered that the gold the Emperor had promised earlier had only been spoken of, yet not actually delivered.

At this thought, he felt so annoyed he almost wanted to slap himself.

In this world, nothing was greater than money, he must have been living too comfortably lately to have forgotten its importance.

Just as he was wallowing in regret, someone suddenly gave him a heavy slap on the back.

He turned around and saw that it was Shang Qinghua.

“Prince Shang, scaring people like that can kill, you know. If you suddenly smack me like this and I get frightened or fall down, will you pay my consultation fee?”

…

Seeing Concubine Keshun become so flustered and reckless with her words in her anger, a trace of ruthlessness flashed through Keshun Sanfeng’s eyes.

He then let out a soft laugh and said, “Look at you, still with that fiery temper. After so many years in the palace, you still haven’t changed?”

As he spoke, he reached out and drew the seated Concubine Keshun into his arms, his hand slipping unceremoniously inside her half open collar.

“If I don’t help you, who will? You’ve already done something far more serious, are these minor matters really worth getting worked up over?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep