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 agreent with Marquis Shen."
The Emperor was montarily stunned by these words, while Shen Ruoxi rubbed her forehead speechlessly. Did this handso young man think the situation wasn’t chaotic enough already?
The Emperor suddenly ca 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 to decree that Marquis Shen be granted to you?"
Xu Ji regretted saying those words the mont 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 rely 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 , and his words should not be taken seriously."
The Emperor, listening to her, seed 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 agreent with Marquis Shen. Do you have evidence? Why was this not ntioned 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 .
We were born on the sa year, month, and day. Back then, my father and the Loyalty Marquis discussed our coincidence over drinks and made a verbal marriage agreent.
However, fate played tricks. Marquis Shen disappeared at a young age, and the Loyalty Marquis went off to battle, making the original agreent 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 ntioned it again. Now that Marquis Shen and Xiao Chengyi are separated, is it ti to fulfill our agreent?"
The Emperor’s face turned grim, his anger flaring like a blazing fire. Where did he co from, bringing such displeasure?
He coldly declared, "Since the Loyalty Marquis has given his life for the country, this matter ends here!
The entanglent between Marquis Shen and Young General Xiao must be thoroughly resolved, and Xiao Chengyi must cease to ddle, before we discuss her marriage. All of you, go ho!"
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 n. How can they just leave without even getting acquainted?
Your Majesty, Ruoxi’s closest family now is and my husband, but we are old and might leave her anyti, our only concern being her marriage.
If we can see her settled and with children in our lifeti, 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 n 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 n.
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 n 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 n, 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 n raised their brows, knowing that after this al, 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 sowhat 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 temperant ant 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.
anwhile, Xiao Chengyi, battered and bruised, staggered back to the Xiao Mansion.
The servants were shocked, with Shi Tou especially alard, "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 mont, the physical pain he endured paled compared to the ache in his heart.
Though he’d not spent much ti with her, countless mories of her now overwheld 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.
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