nashuaworldcup Chapter 207 Sacrificing all my merits to ask for your hand in marriage
Chapter 207 Sacrificing all my merits to ask for your hand in marriage
Emperor Xiangwu on the dragon throne was somewhat moved, seemingly touched by his deep love for his daughter.
"Considering your deep love for your daughter, I will order someone to search for her for you, so that you and your daughter can be reunited as soon as possible."
Yu Kangping immediately prostrated himself and performed a deep bow: "Your Majesty is wise, thank you for your mercy."
Emperor Xiangwu looked at the commander of the Hidden Lin Guard.
"Xie Zhao, this matter will be entrusted to you for supervision."
"Your subject obeys the decree." Xie Zhao replied.
The foreign envoys who came to offer their congratulations watched with great interest.
No one told them that there was so much fun to be had at the emperor's birthday banquet.
They've been arranging marriages, exchanging children, and searching for their biological children.
It's exciting.
Pei Wuji, who was seated below, received a message from his subordinate.
"After she left Yunxiao Tower, she went to a villa outside the city. After returning home, she sent something to the Lu family. Not long after, Lu Lingguang went to find her."
Upon hearing this, Pei Wuji recalled the Crown Prince's earlier statement that Lu Lingguang had feelings for Yu Ningyao.
Why didn't the old lady take the opportunity to have the Empress bestow a marriage upon Lu Lingguang and Yu Ningyao, instead of letting it pass by so lightly?
Yu Ningyao sought him out to discuss the plot to seize the Crown Princess; there must be something fishy going on.
Could it be that she was sent by the Lu family to test him?
Just as he was pondering, Emperor Xiangwu suddenly looked at him.
"Fourth."
"Your subject is here." Pei Wuji gestured to his subordinate, indicating that he should wait aside, and then he looked respectfully at his father.
Emperor Xiangwu said, "I remember you've reached the age where you should get married and start a family."
Pei Wuji couldn't figure out what his father was thinking, so he remained silent.
Sure enough, the next moment, Emperor Xiangwu looked at the Empress standing to the side.
"The fourth prince also calls you Mother, so why didn't you think of taking him a principal wife? On the contrary, the Crown Prince is already taking a concubine."
Empress Chu's expression changed slightly.
The Emperor is unhappy with her and is taking it out on her.
She forced a smile and said slowly, "It is my fault. I was thinking that choosing a proper wife for Wuji is a major event and must be done carefully, which is why I was a little slow."
Emperor Xiangwu said expressionlessly, "If I hadn't asked, would you have been delayed by three to five years?"
"How dare you, Your Majesty? Your Majesty's words have truly saddened me. I have devoted myself to the harem all these years; even if I have not achieved anything, I have certainly worked hard," Empress Chu hurriedly replied.
Since the emperor began practicing immortality and alchemy, his temper has become increasingly unpredictable.
She couldn't afford to anger him.
If she angered him, he wouldn't care about her dignity and might punish her in public, which would be embarrassing.
"If you don't believe me, ask Wuji how I treat him." Empress Chu put pressure on Pei Wuji.
"Your Majesty treats me very well, and I believe that Your Majesty will definitely choose an excellent principal wife for me." Pei Wuji revealed a shy and obedient smile.
Empress Chu echoed this sentiment.
But Emperor Xiangwu didn't play by the rules; he looked at Pei Wuji:
"Alright, there's no time like the present. Fourth Prince, tell me which girl you like, and I'll bestow a marriage upon you today. Otherwise, the Empress might get so busy choosing that she forgets about your marriage again."
Pei Wuji's heart tightened.
Who should he choose?
If he chooses someone from a prominent family, will his father think he is too ambitious?
He was unwilling to choose someone from a humble background.
So he chose a compromise.
"Your Majesty, I know very little about the women in the capital and do not know which young ladies are of marriageable age. Everything is up to you, Father."
"Oh? Is that so?" Emperor Xiangwu's gaze fell on Yu Ningyao.
Now, it was Yu Ningyao who felt her heart pounding.
It’s over.
It must have been that big-mouthed Lord Wei of the Hidden Lin Guard who told the Emperor about her meeting with Pei Wuji.
As expected, Emperor Xiangwu mentioned her.
"How come I heard that you met alone with the daughter of Yu Kangjing of the Dali Temple at Yunxiao Tower a few days ago? Is this what you call knowing very little?"
Pei Wuji also thought of the day when the Hidden Lin Guard captured the fugitive.
He hurriedly replied, "Please investigate, Your Majesty. My encounter with the Second Miss Yu that day was purely by chance; we had never met before."
He copied exactly what Yu Ningyao had said to Wei Jing that day.
Madam Lu looked at Yu Ningyao in surprise and lowered her voice, "Is that so?"
Yu Ningyao nodded awkwardly.
"It is true, it is really a coincidence."
Madam Lu frowned, a sense of unease creeping into her heart.
After listening to his son's explanation, Emperor Xiangwu asked, "Is that so? Is the second daughter of the Yu family here?"
Yu Ningyao thought to herself: I've already seen her, why ask if she's there or not?
But in the evil feudal society, imperial power was supreme.
She could only step forward and honestly say, "Your subject is here."
"Raise your head and let me see you," Emperor Xiangwu said, and Yu Ningyao obediently raised her head.
Emperor Xiangwu nodded in satisfaction: "She is quite the beauty. Standing next to the fourth prince, they can be described as a perfect match."
"Fourth brother, what do you think about making this Miss Yu your principal wife?"
Pei Wuji revealed a look of surprise.
"Thank you, Father. The one you chose for me is definitely the best."
Yu Ningyao: ...
If it weren't for Yun Chubai, she would definitely have chosen Pei Wuji.
But now that she has an easier option, why should she choose the difficult path of Pei Wuji?
She pondered how to refuse without offending Emperor Xiangwu.
Lu Lingguang was dumbfounded. He never expected that the emperor would actually bestow a marriage upon Yu Ningyao and the fourth prince.
“Grandfather, we can’t let our little aunt marry the fourth prince. She’s not good at scheming and intrigue.” Lu Lingguang was anxious.
"Useless thing." Lu Qingyun glared at his grandson.
"Do you want to marry Yaoyao? If you agree, your grandfather will sacrifice all his merits to ask for her hand in marriage for you."
"I'm willing." Lu Lingguang nodded without saying a word.
It's better for Yu Ningyao to marry him than to marry into the royal family.
Upon hearing this, Lu Qingyun strode forward and pleaded, "Your Majesty, please rescind your decree."
"Oh? Does the old general have objections to this marriage?" Emperor Xiangwu looked over.
"This old minister dares not," Lu Qingyun said, lowering his eyes. "It's just that Yaoyao started learning martial arts from me when she was five years old, and I've watched her grow up. This old minister has long had my eye on her as my granddaughter-in-law."
“My good-for-nothing grandson recently confessed his feelings to me and wants to marry Yaoyao.”
"I just haven't brought it up yet because she hasn't come of age yet. I plan to wait until she does before proposing marriage. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request, considering how many years I've been waiting for this."
"Does the old general mean that I am stealing someone else's love? Or that my son is not as good as your grandson?" Emperor Xiangwu spoke calmly, but his words were full of traps.
"This old minister had absolutely no such intention," Lu Qingyun replied resolutely.
"The Fourth Prince is as handsome and refined as a dragon and as elegant as a phoenix, far surpassing my rascal. However, the two are childhood sweethearts, and I cannot bear to see my grandson heartbroken. I must try my best to help him."
Emperor Xiangwu chuckled lightly: "Alright. A good daughter is sought after by many. In that case, ask the Yu family whether they would like this girl to marry me as their daughter-in-law, or marry her into the General's Mansion and become your granddaughter-in-law."