63 Waiting for an Opportunity

◎I should be worthy of the lover in front of me◎

The civil officials naturally couldn't stand up to such a rough man. They couldn't win the argument, and they couldn't defeat him in a fight. They could only use trivial matters to prevaricate. "Xiao Jue, bear your sword in the palace. Are you planning a rebellion?"

Xiao Jue walked to the front of the hall, took off his sword, turned around and saluted the ministers. His rough temperament made everyone present feel uncomfortable.

"I'm a military commander, a rough man who hasn't studied the Four Books and Five Classics," he said. "But there's one thing I don't understand. I'd like to ask Lord Lu, the second-place finisher, to enlighten me. I'd like to ask what law my daughter has violated to deserve your torture and slander."

"What I said is..." Lu Hai had no way to defend himself. He was blocked from front and back. He said that Rong Qianyu was disrespectful, and that Xiao Kui was afraid that Xiao Jue would draw his sword and kill him in front of the palace.

"Who is it? The princess?"

"No..." He was powerless to defend himself, his eyes widening in anger. "You're being unreasonable!"

Xiao Jue is a well-known daughter-slave with a bad temper in the court. If he doesn't scold you to pieces and make you feel ashamed, he is not called Xiao Jue.

Even though this person had lost his temper, Xiao Jue still didn't want to let him go easily.

"Lord Lu, don't you have daughters at home? If you don't have daughters, you must have a wife and a mother. You are a doctor who was brought up with poetry, books, rituals and music. Who told you to talk like that?" When he got angry, he would curse at anyone, no matter if they were his colleagues who had worked with him for many years or the suspicious emperor.

He was an upright person, so Rong Guangzhao indulged him. Many people said that he was spoiled by his favor, but he was actually the most sensible and truly capable minister.

He couldn't care less about what others said, but today, the issue was the princess, his daughter and son-in-law. As a father, he had to demand an explanation, even if he threw a tantrum. "Xia Qing is an upright man, and he's my son-in-law. If, because of what you said, none of my daughters can get married, and His Majesty's princesses are bullied, His Majesty should first execute you, this old bastard!"

The ministers were speechless, unable to stand his straightforward temper. He was cursing in the street below, and Rong Guangzhao had a headache watching from above.

Lu Hai was so ashamed after being scolded that he felt no shame. Seeing that none of the other officials were willing to speak up for him, he could only rely on Rong Guangzhao and complained, "Your Majesty, look at me! I haven't even said anything yet, and this old man has gone crazy!"

After watching the show in the audience, it was time for Rong Guangzhao to express his opinion. He didn't want to get involved in this matter. A daughter who is married off is like water spilled, let alone Rong Qianyu. He didn't care about her life or death.

But today's incident has caused such a big fuss. If her grandparents put pressure on her again, things will become even more difficult to handle. Instead of being passive then, it is better to give each other a way out now, get through this matter easily, and show the kindness of the father and the filial piety of the son.

He chatted nonchalantly, hoping to appease the Xiao and Wen families. "I've also read Qian'er's letter. I'm not such an unkind person. My dear Lord Xiao, there's no need to be so bossy. You might have thought I wasn't loving my daughter. I think it's better to send General Xiao to reinforce. After that, I'll personally arrange the marriage between the Wen and Xiao families!"

"The Great Zhou is in internal turmoil, and Your Majesty agreed to send troops so readily?" He went to He Wanrou's bedroom at night and told her what happened today. He Wanrou immediately frowned.

She didn't want anyone to care about Rong Qianyu's affairs anymore. She had finally driven away this annoying thing and was now finally living a leisurely life. But she still wanted to care about other people's affairs, all for the sake of a princess who had already married and was no longer favored.

She was the first to speak out against it.

However, Rong Guangzhao had no other choice. Besides, it would be nice to have a chance to show friendship to Da Zhou. As for his daughter, his attitude was the same as He Wanrou's and he didn't want to pay much attention to her.

"What else can I do? It's for Qian'er and Rong Country. Why would I want an ally when I can have an enemy? I don't like her, but I know what's more important. Wen Xiaqing happened to be asking for permission, so let Xiao Jue go. Qian'er will have an extra layer of security in the Great Zhou."

"What's the benefit of success?" He Wanrou asked.

Rong Guangzhao asked her doubtfully, "What good can it be? Peace and prosperity for the country and the people is the greatest benefit. We can't afford to fight a war anymore."

She has always been shrewd in her calculations. From the moment she married into the Rong court, every step was carefully calculated by her, without any mistakes.

"I mean, hasn't the Great Zhou given us any benefits? It's not appropriate for a married princess to get no benefits from helping others." Her waist softened and she leaned against Rong Guangzhao's arms. This trick always worked.

Rong Guangzhao touched her fragrant hair for a long time, and couldn't help laughing and hugged her tighter, "Tell me, what idea have you come up with?"

He Wanrou smiled, looking very charming under the solitary lamp in the dead of night. "After I succeed in my plan, I will marry Ruo'er to help Qian'er."

"Is it appropriate to marry Ruo'er there?"

Rong Ruoyu is the second princess of Rong State and the eldest daughter of He Wanrou. She is one year younger than Rong Qianyu. When they were young, they had a good relationship, but until the death of the late queen, all the relationships were turned upside down.

In the past, she was a follower behind Rong Qianyu, but overnight she became the new favorite of the whole palace. As the only blood of the queen, she became the first target to be suppressed by the queen He Wanrou.

The sisterly love they once had is gone.

"What's inappropriate about this? I heard that Qian'er hasn't gotten pregnant in over a year since her marriage. I'm sure she's not favored. Ru'er used to be sisters who could help each other. If Ru'er got pregnant and gave birth to a boy, wouldn't that make us feel more at ease?"

Rong Guangzhao thought about it and thought it was a good way to check and balance each other. "It's a good idea, but I don't know if Ruo'er is willing."

He Wanrou smiled and acted coquettishly towards him, "Ruo'er is of course willing. She is much more sensible than Qian'er. Look at that Wen Xiaqing, she is still making His Majesty angry."

Rong Guangzhao sighed helplessly, not wanting to mention Wen Xiaqing anymore. "Who made him marry into the Xiao family? The Xiao family has been loyal for generations, so we have to be wary of them."

The next morning, the first thing to be discussed was whether to send reinforcements and who to send.

With He Wanrou's advice from the previous night, he felt even more confident. "I agree to send reinforcements to the Great Zhou. Please write a letter to the new Emperor of the Great Zhou, congratulating him on his ascension to the throne. Considering the friendship between our two countries, I will send troops to reinforce them. I will also send the Second Princess, Ruoyu, to the Great Zhou as a gesture of friendship."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar. Everyone in the palace knew that His Majesty favored the empress dowager and her son, and this time he was trying his best to take advantage of them.

Wen Xiaqing was the first to stand up and object again, "Your Majesty, please think twice. The Second Princess is the apple of your eye. How can you go and marry her?"

The ministers who had been scolded by Xiao Jue the day before all came forward and said, "Lord Wen, do you prefer a married woman or are you coveting His Majesty's daughter? It was you who begged His Majesty to send troops, and it was you who refused to allow the princess to marry!"

“…” He had nothing to say.

He had always done it for Rong Qianyu, but he had let her down once and twice. He had to help her with this matter. Not letting Rong Ruoyu go on the marriage was his final act of desperation; he couldn't bring trouble to her. However, his words were insignificant, and any more words would be of no avail.

Rong Guangzhao looked displeased and said solemnly, "Master Xiao Wen is preparing for his wedding soon. Please refrain from attending court for the time being. This matter is settled. Do not make any further comments. Please adjourn."

Xiao Kui had been waiting for her outside the palace. Seeing him walk out in a daze, she hurried forward to greet him, "Well, what did your Majesty say?"

"His Majesty agreed, but he wanted the second princess to marry him as well."

"What's this?" Xiao Kui really didn't expect it. "This isn't taking advantage of someone's misfortune. Was this the Queen's idea?"

"That should be the case. Now, Qianyu has to blame me again," Wen Xiaqing said dejectedly, "She originally came to me for help, but now I've created an obstacle for her."

Xiao Kui patted his shoulder and comforted him, "Don't think too much. Everything has its own destiny. You've done your best, Qianyu will understand. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. As for our marriage, if you have any concerns, you can wait a while. My father has already agreed and he won't go back on his word."

Wen Xiaqing feels inferior to Rong Qianyu, and Xiao Kui also feels inferior to Wen Xiaqing. She is willing to help him, but she does not dare to expect a response from the other party.

Wen Xiaqing took her hand and placed it on his chest. Through his clothes, she could feel his beating heart. "It doesn't matter. I will marry you. I will definitely marry you. Ten miles of red makeup will not let you down!"

He reassured Xiao Kui, "I was blinded by my own shortcomings before. Qianyu is naturally very good, and you know her very well, but she has her own life now. I can't complain like a nagging woman all the time. There is someone who gives me advice and suffers all kinds of grievances. I should be worthy of this good man in front of me. I can't hesitate any longer and miss the opportunity."

Xiao Kui finally turned her worry into joy, revealing a bright smile that had not been seen for a few days, "Then let's go back home."

The two returned home together. The childhood sweethearts finally had no more barriers between them. Fortunately, it was not too late. Xiao Kui's efforts were finally rewarded.

At that time, the Great Zhou was still in a state of anxiety. Rong Qianyu had been imprisoned for more than 20 days. She was taken from the Prince Jin's Mansion to Liu Yuan's grandmother's house with her two children.

"Auntie, auntie, I want to hear a story!" Yan'er was young and cried every day after not seeing her mother for a few days.

"Okay, Auntie, can you tell Yan'er the story of the little monk?"

"good."

Fu Huaixiao was a little anxious. He paced back and forth in the courtyard every day, not memorizing his lessons anymore, and eagerly hoped to get out. "Why won't they let us go? What on earth did my father and mother do to leave us here?"

"Prince, don't ask anymore. I will let you out when the time comes!" Rong Qianyu said.

But he was already clamoring to see his grandmother, and when Rong Qianyu ignored him, he went to bother the servants, "Where's my grandmother?"

The guarding nanny was also vague, "The old lady has gone to bed, and the prince should not embarrass us servants."

After being turned away, Fu Huaixiao turned around and looked at Rong Qianyu who was telling a story to her sister behind him.

He walked up to her and knelt down, "Aunt, you know right, how long will my father and mother keep us locked up?"

"Xiao'er, let the adults handle their own affairs. Don't ask any more questions." While comforting him, she wanted to tell Yan'er a story, "Once upon a time, there was a mountain. In the mountain was a temple. In the temple, there was an old monk who was telling a story to a young monk..."

Fu Huaixiao rolled his eyes impatiently and said, "It's about a long time ago there was a mountain, and in the mountain there was a temple, and in the temple there was an old monk who was telling a young monk a story, but the story would never end, it would never end!" This scared Yan'er and made her cry.

He was very anxious about being locked up, and he thought more about himself than his sister. He had seen how his parents had been acting recently, and he always felt that something was a little strange, but he was still young after all, and it was impossible for him to ask about his parents' affairs.

Rong Qianyu was now only responsible for taking care of the children, apart from walking around the house. Fu Huaixiao's voice was a little high, and she made a gesture to silence him, "Xiao'er, you scared your sister."

Although he was sensible, he was still just a child under ten years old. The more Rong Qianyu tried to persuade him, the more uncertain she felt.

He sat aside feeling wronged and dejected, then suddenly stood up and asked Rong Qianyu, "Aunt, do father and the others want to