Chapter 179 Proposal

"ah?"

Shen Yue was stunned.

She was indeed a troublemaker, but she had never thought of kidnapping the king of a country.

"Hengheng, we can't do this! You've been planning for so many years to get to that position. How can you just leave this mess behind and walk away?"

"Who said I left a mess behind?"

Xiao Yuheng shrugged. "Why did you think I was so busy recently? Wasn't it to resolve the problems left over from the court? Now, the tax and imperial examination reforms advocated by Prime Minister Lu have begun to be implemented, and there are already plans for possible disasters such as floods, fires, and locust plagues. Why can't I take a break for a while?"

Shen Yue heaved a sigh of relief after hearing him say that.

It’s okay, just taking a break for a while.

If Xiao Yuheng really quits, then she will become a sinner for all eternity.

"But you're leaving the throne right after you've taken it. What if someone takes the opportunity to rebel?"

"Don't be afraid, I'm here with my father. Whoever dares to rebel, I'll kill him!"

Xiao Yuheng took Shen Yue into his arms and touched the top of her head.

"I've thought it through. Mother is slow at embroidering wedding gowns anyway, so we might as well give her a little more time. While we're away from the palace, let Mother govern the country from behind the scenes, with Father and Prime Minister Lu assisting her. There won't be any problems."

“…” He is such a good kid who betrays his parents.

"Hengheng, you actually did this because you were afraid that I would be bored in the palace, right?" Shen Yue raised her head and looked at him with a serious expression.

Xiao Yuheng was silent for a moment and kissed her on the forehead.

"You found me."

He sighed softly:

"Ever since we met, I've always been afraid that you'd leave. It was the same back in Sifang City, and it's still the same now.

I’m afraid that you’ll yearn for the mountains and rivers, that you’ll yearn for the swords and rivers and lakes, that you’ll feel that the palace is not as happy as the outside world, that one day you’ll blame me for trapping you in a cage…”

"Hengheng, I..."

Shen Yue subconsciously wanted to quibble, but he was right, she did like him and did yearn for the outside world.

He placed his warm index finger against her lips, "Wait until I'm done."

Xiao Yuheng picked up her hand, held it in his broad palm, and rubbed it gently.

"I've been thinking about traveling with you to all the places you like. I know I have the responsibility of protecting the country and I can't be willful. The world is so big that it's hard for us to travel everywhere. But I can spare some time every year to travel with you. That way you'll be happier, and I won't have to worry about you running away all the time. What do you think?"

Shen Yue looked at him, her eyes moist, and she didn't reply for a long time.

This fool.

Since she has decided to be with him for the rest of her life, how could she run away again?

Even if the palace is a cage, she is willing to be locked up by him.

But since he had put so much effort into trying to please her, she shouldn't refuse him.

She smiled happily, "I think it's good."

Having decided on the idea, the two of them set off happily.

As the weather grew colder, the two headed south, avoiding the cold while enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way.

When the weather is fine, they will climb the towering mountains and overlook the magnificent mountains and rivers.

On rainy days, they would stay in their homes and cuddle together.

The two of them were not in a hurry. They played wherever they went. When they got tired of staying in an inn, they bought a farm to settle down.

Before Xiao Yuheng got married, he had already become a virtuous husband. He did not let Shen Yue worry about his food, clothing, housing and transportation. Along the way, he also learned how to make tea and cook.

Jiuyi Mountain is the most beautiful mountain in the world, and they have been there.

The Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts under Qilin Peak was extremely dangerous, but they made it through.

The sunset at Cangwu Mountain was the most spectacular they had ever seen.

The witchcraft of the Miao region in the southwest is the most mysterious. Not only have they witnessed it, they also brought back two witchcraft insects that can heal wounds.

Along the way, they will also encounter bandits, bullies, and corrupt officials, and they will punish them one by one.

Occasionally, when Xiao Yuheng sent corrupt officials to the provincial capital for punishment, they would be recognized by some high-ranking officials.

At this time, Xiao Yuheng would always act like an emperor, listen to the people shouting "Long live the emperor", and then scare the corrupt official into pissing his pants.

Time flies, and it is already winter.

That night, the two were strolling on the street when they suddenly saw flames splashing in front of them, like stars and waterfalls.

Shen Yue was overjoyed, "It's iron flower making! I've only seen it on TV!"

Seeing that she liked it, Xiao Yuheng squeezed into the crowd, carried her on his shoulders, and let her see enough.

After the iron flowers dissipated, they noticed Zhang Dayong and Bai Yunfei standing not far away for a long time.

"Your Majesty, Director, the Queen Mother has a message."

Shen Yue jumped down from Xiao Yuheng's shoulder and stretched out her hand, "Give it to me."

Zhang Dayong looked up and smiled awkwardly, "It was an oral order."

After saying that, he stood up, pinched his index finger, and pointed at Xiao Yuheng, imitating Jiang Rou.

"I've been attending court during the day and embroidering wedding gowns at night. I'm practically dead tired! Now that everything's ready, why aren't you two little bastards coming back?!"

Xiao Yuheng: ...

Shen Yue: "Hahaha! Did that handsome daddy say anything?"

"have."

Bai Yunfei moved closer to Zhang Dayong, held him in his arms and stroked his back.

"Rou'er, be good, don't be angry. Let the children play for a few more days. I'm here for you."

Zhang Dayong immediately twisted his body in his arms, "Eh~~No!"

After saying that, the two of them hurriedly dispersed, knelt on the ground, lowered their heads, and hunched their shoulders.

"We are merely conveying your message. I hope Your Majesty will not be angry."

"Oh, no." Shen Yue waved her hand and turned back to discuss with Xiao Yuheng, "Shall we go back?"

Xiao Yuheng pursed his lips and said, "I promised to take you to the South China Sea to fish for pearls, but we haven't gone yet!"

"You have to go back, the New Year is almost here."

Seeing Xiao Yuheng remained indifferent, Shen Yue used another powerful move:

"I heard that the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month is an auspicious day, suitable for weddings, groundbreaking, and everything in between. If you miss this auspicious day, you'll have to wait until at least February..."

Before she could finish her words, Xiao Yuheng hurriedly pulled her onto the carriage.

"Stop talking, Ayue. Let's go and get married!"

When they returned to the palace, Jiang Rou was attending court with two big dark circles under her eyes. It looked like she had lost about ten pounds.

The first thing she did after leaving court was to beat up her unreliable son.

Xiao Yuheng was so scared that he hid behind Pei Ji, but Pei Ji was Jiang Rou's man, so naturally he would not protect him.

In the end, he was able to escape the disaster only because Shen Yue acted coquettishly and called her "beautiful mother" several times.

That night, Xiao Yuheng crawled into bed, spread the wedding process jointly prepared by the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, and the Imperial Household Department on his pillow, and lay down with his wife to read it.

Chen Yue glanced at it for a few seconds. "Shouldn't I go to Fengtian Palace to be crowned as the Queen by myself? Why is there a bride-picking ceremony?"

Xiao Yuheng smiled mysteriously.

"Other emperors' weddings all prepare for a ceremony to enthronize the queen, but I don't think that's right. Enthronement sounds like a reward, and I don't want that."

Shen Yue wanted to laugh when she heard this, but she still felt warm in her heart, "So which one do you want?"

"Of course I'm asking for your hand in marriage."

Xiao Yuheng looked at her, his deep phoenix eyes filled with tenderness and affection.

"Ayue, I was the one who begged to marry you."