Chapter 366 General's Childhood Sweetheart 18

Emperor Tianqi is now over forty years old.

He is not very handsome, but he is decent enough and looks majestic at first glance.

At this moment, he was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and sitting on a chair in the garden. On the table was brewed tribute tea and a chess game, which he was playing alone.

Eunuch Su reminded: "Your Majesty, General Pei is here."

Emperor Tianqi paused slightly as he gripped the black chess piece, then turned to look at Pei Lin and said with a smile, "You're back."

Pei Lin bowed his head slightly and saluted: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Pei Lin is different from others. He does not have to kneel down and kowtow to Emperor Tianqi. This is the honor he has earned and the greatest favor given to him by Emperor Tianqi.

"No need for formalities." Emperor Tianqi's gaze returned to the chessboard, and he placed the black chess piece on a certain spot. He turned to Pei Lin and said, "Come and help me see how this chess game goes."

Pei Lin walked over and his eyes fell on the chessboard.

Two seconds later, he expressed his opinion and commented calmly: "After so many days, the emperor's chess skills have improved a lot."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Tianqi laughed heartily and had the chessboard removed. He then personally poured Pei Lin a cup of tea and said with a smile, "You are the only one who believes what I said. The other ministers are just flattering me."

"Your Majesty thinks highly of me. I am only speaking the truth."

Emperor Tianqi took a sip of tea and placed his hands on the stone table. "Are your injuries feeling better?"

Pei Lin confessed honestly: "It's fine now. The doctor said I just need to rest for a few days and I'll be able to recover."

Emperor Tianqi nodded and said, "The Imperial Hospital has recently developed a new trauma medicine. I'll have someone send a bottle to your residence."

The Imperial Medical Bureau is staffed with imperial physicians who specialize in treating the emperor and his concubines. They are the most capable among all doctors, and the medicines they develop are extremely valuable and priceless.

Pei Lin: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The tea in the cup had been drained. Eunuch Su stepped forward to pour tea for the two. Emperor Tianqi looked at Pei Lin and asked, "I heard that you settled Song Jiao in your palace?"

"yes."

Hearing this, Emperor Tianqi smiled and said, "Pei Lin, your previous letter allowed me to absolve Song Jiao of her guilt, but it didn't mention that you and her had any other affairs."

"It's true that I had no other relationship with Song Jiao before, but it was Song Jiao who saved me when I was shot last time. This time, we were able to surrender the Mobei Army, and it was also Song Jiao's contribution..."

Pei Lin recounted the entire story, then stood up, half-knelt, and pleaded, "Song Jiao's plan was meritorious, so I would like to ask the Emperor to pardon Song Jiao's crime, as a way of making amends for his mistake."

"Also, I beg the Emperor to grant me and Song Jiao a marriage."

Emperor Tianqi held the teacup in his hand and looked at Pei Lin in front of him, his voice unchanged: "Song Jiao's plan was a great service to Tianqi. Although Minister Song accepted bribes, it actually had nothing to do with Song Jiao. I can absolve her of the crime..."

Pei Lin was about to kowtow in thanks when the emperor stopped him with a wave of his hand and continued, "But the matter of granting you a marriage with Song Jiao..."

Emperor Tianqi looked at Pei Lin and said, "You should know that even if I pardon her crime, she is still just a commoner, her parents are both dead, and she is not worthy of you, let alone your wife."

After saying that, Emperor Tianqi changed the subject: "Song Jiao saved your life. You can thank her in another way. You don't have to marry her. I can also reward her. You know... Xiyue has always been in love with you."

"Your Majesty." Pei Lin's eyes darkened slightly, and he spoke calmly: "I am a simple man, unworthy of Princess Xiyue. Besides, I have been stationed at the border for many years, which would be unfair to the princess."

Emperor Tianqi could tell that this was Pei Lin's excuse.

After all, this was not the first time he had refused, and such scenes had happened many times.

Emperor Tianqi has always known that Pei Lin is the only one who is truly loyal to him and is also an extremely capable person.

Since his daughter was in love with him, he was willing to marry Xiyue to him, strengthening the relationship between them.

However, Pei Lin himself had no interest in Xiyue, no matter how he hinted.

His precious daughter was worthy of Pei Lin, yet she was rejected again and again by Pei Lin. Emperor Tianqi was so angry that he laughed: "You are worried about wronging Xiyue, but you are not afraid of wronging Song Jiao?"

"I'm afraid," Pei Lin replied, "but I've already made a promise to Song Jiao, and my father taught me from a young age that keeping one's word is the most fundamental principle of life. I cannot break my promise to Song Jiao."

Emperor Tianqi was speechless after hearing Pei Lin's words.

After all, everyone has moved their deceased father out, what else can he say?

"Forget it." Emperor Tianqi waved his hand. "You must be tired after just coming back. Go back to your residence and rest first."

"Then I and Song Jiao..."

Emperor Tianqi didn't expect that he would dare to mention this matter and glared at him.

Pei Lin pursed his lips, but still looked at Emperor Tianqi firmly.

"I'm beginning to wonder what kind of woman Song Jiao is, that she could have captivated my general to such an extent!" Emperor Tianqi finished speaking and sighed, "Well, stay home and take good care of yourself for the next few days. I'll hold a celebration banquet for you in the palace in three days. Bring Song Jiao with you, and I'll take a look at her first."

Although Emperor Tianqi still did not agree, this was also a great progress.

Pei Lin did not push his luck any further.

After all, he had just rejected the emperor's princess, and if he continued, Emperor Tianqi would probably be really angry.

He bowed and said, "I'll take my leave."

Emperor Tianqi nodded to indicate that he understood.

After Pei Lin left, Emperor Tianqi drank a cup of tea and glanced at Eunuch Su beside him: "You say, is it possible that my princess is not as good as the daughter of the former Minister of Personnel?"

Eunuch Su hurried forward to pour tea for the emperor and replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the princess is certainly comparable to Miss Song."

Emperor Tianqi's expression brightened slightly, and he continued, "Then tell me why Pei Lin is so determined to marry Song Jiao and not Xiyue?"

Eunuch Su smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I was sent to the palace when I was young. Although I have never experienced the love between men and women, I have heard of it..."

"General Pei has been away fighting for years and has no interest in women. Although he initially chose Miss Song because she was a close friend of his late mother's, the two of them have been together in the military camp for so long that it's inevitable that strange feelings will develop between them..."

Emperor Tianqi raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Are you suggesting that my Xiyue should take the initiative to please Pei Lin?"

Eunuch Su was so frightened that he knelt down immediately: "That is absolutely not what I meant. Princess Xiyue is the most noble princess of Tianqi Kingdom, the emperor's daughter. Naturally, she doesn't need to please anyone..."

"Get up." Emperor Tianqi said calmly, "I don't mean to blame you."

Eunuch Su stood up cautiously. Emperor Tianqi sighed and said, "Actually, what you said does make sense..."

"Forget it." Emperor Tianqi stood up, his hands behind his back, and said, "I don't want to get involved in this matter anymore. If Xiyue insists on marrying Pei Lin, then let her go on her own."

After saying that, he walked out of the pavilion.

Eunuch Su and the people guarding outside the pavilion hurriedly followed.