Chapter 51 I plead for your permission to abandon my future
Chapter Fifty-One: I Ask for Your Favor to Abandon My Future
The night was as dark as ink, with stars scattered about. After leaving his father's study, Su Jizhi felt a burning courage ignited in his heart by his determination, which drove him to head towards the Pei residence under the moonlight.
He couldn't wait until tomorrow; he had to see her immediately, ask her directly, and let her know his feelings.
Upon arriving at the Pei residence, after being informed of his arrival, he stood under the magnolia tree outside the residence. The moonlight cast a long shadow of him, but his heart was far from calm as it appeared, filled with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation.
Pei Yunxi was nervously facing the candlelight, wondering what Young Master Su would think upon hearing about her situation. Suddenly, a maid came to report that Young Master Su Jizhi was outside the mansion requesting an audience. She was taken aback at first, then her eyes lit up with unbelievable joy. Forgetting about her appearance, she lifted her skirt and hurried outside.
Under the moonlight, she saw the figure that haunted her dreams standing quietly. Her heart ached, yet warmed, and she slowed her pace.
Su Jizhi turned around at the sound of footsteps and saw Pei Yunxi standing a few steps away, her beautiful eyes slightly swollen and glistening with tears as she looked at him. His heart ached, and he took two steps forward, his voice slightly hoarse with nervousness: "Miss Pei."
“Young Master Su…” Pei Yunxi responded softly, her heart pounding as she wondered if he had come to express his feelings.
Su Jizhi took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on her, and asked the question that had been lingering in his mind all afternoon, his tone solemn: "Miss Pei, I only ask you, do you want to enter the palace, do you want to become the empress?"
Pei Yunxi hadn't expected him to be so direct, and immediately shook her head vigorously, her eyes firm and clear: "No. Although the palace is extremely wealthy, it is not what I want. I have never thought of entering the palace, let alone becoming an empress." Her voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable resolve.
Hearing her denial, Su Jizhi felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart. His gaze became even more determined as he looked at her and said clearly, word by word, "Miss Pei, I have long admired you."
Pei Yunxi's eyes widened suddenly, and her heart skipped a beat.
Su Jizhi continued, his tone resolute with a do-or-die determination: "Before today, I was filled with concerns and dared not act rashly. Now, I only want to ask you, if you are willing, I will petition the Emperor tomorrow to grant us marriage. However… the Emperor is most wary of powerful maternal relatives, and my Su family is already one. If we were to form a marriage alliance with the Pei family, it would surely arouse the Emperor's suspicion. I cannot ask my father to resign his official post for me and bear the stigma of being unfilial. But I wish to resign my official position to appease the Emperor and gain the opportunity to be with you." He paused, his voice lowering, carrying a barely perceptible tremor and humility, "You… are you willing to marry someone like me… who may have nothing at all?"
After he finished speaking, he held his breath, his gaze fixed on Pei Yunxi, awaiting her verdict. He felt utterly uncertain, unsure whether his impulsive confession and less-than-promising future would win her favor.
However, what he saw was the instantaneous welling of tears in Pei Yunxi's eyes, and behind those tears, a radiant smile shining like stars. She stepped forward and, without hesitation, threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest, and said in a tearful yet incredibly clear voice, "I do! Young Master Su, I also love you! I don't care if you are an official, I only care about you as a person!"
Su Jizhi shuddered, overwhelmed by a surge of joy. He paused for a moment, then tightly embraced the soft body in his arms, a radiant smile of relief spreading across his face, as if all the gloom had been dispelled in that instant. Moonlight bathed the two embracing figures, a scene of serene beauty.
The next morning, before dawn, Su Mufeng and his son Su Jizhi, dressed in court robes and with solemn expressions, came to the Imperial Study to request an audience.
Li Qianche had just gotten up when he heard that the Su family father and son were requesting an audience so early. He already had some guesses in his mind and ordered someone to summon them in.
After Su Mufeng and Su Jizhi bowed, Su Jizhi stepped forward, adjusted his robes and sash, and solemnly knelt down, saying loudly, "Your Majesty, I, Su Jizhi, am not here today as a military officer, but as an admirer, to earnestly plead with Your Majesty. I have long admired Miss Pei Yunxi, the younger sister of General Pei Xuan, and our feelings are mutual. I humbly request Your Majesty to grant us our union and bestow marriage upon me!"
He paused, raised his head, and said with a clear and firm gaze: "Your Majesty, I am well aware that the Su family is already a powerful maternal relative. If they were to form a marriage alliance with the Pei family, who hold military power, it would surely draw criticism from both the court and the public. I dare not put my father in a difficult position, and I am willing to resign from my official post to demonstrate my sincerity and that I have absolutely no intention of forming cliques or strengthening my maternal relatives. I only ask for Your Majesty's permission!"
Upon hearing this, Su Mufeng was greatly shocked. Although he supported his son, he hadn't expected him to so directly propose resigning! He immediately knelt down and said urgently, "Your Majesty! I have failed in my duty of education. My son is young and impetuous, and he speaks nonsense! He is skilled in martial arts and is at the age to serve the court. How can he resign so easily because of personal feelings? If Your Majesty feels this is inappropriate and needs to give the court an explanation, this old minister... this old minister is willing to resign without complaint! I only beg Your Majesty to allow Ji Zhi to stay and continue to serve Your Majesty, to atone for his sins through meritorious service!"
The imperial study fell silent. Li Qianche looked at the father and son kneeling below. One was willing to give up his future to get married, and the other was willing to give up his official position for his son. His heart skipped a beat, and he knew something was wrong!
He never imagined things would escalate to this point! Pei Xuan only said he was testing his intentions, so how could Su Jizhi be so resolute as to resign? And Su Mufeng, this old minister who is usually so steady, is also acting recklessly, wanting to resign to save his son?
Li Qianche panicked instantly, cold sweat almost beading on his forehead. Ask them to resign? How could that be possible! Su Mufeng had served in the Hanlin Academy for many years; though lacking real power, his reputation as a member of the upright officials was considerable. Su Jizhi was a promising young general whom he planned to promote in the future. Moreover… the image of Su Su's cold, clear eyes almost immediately flashed before his eyes. If she knew that his cooperation with Pei Xuan in this charade had forced her father and brothers to resign from their posts…
No! Absolutely not! He could almost foresee the scene—he would never be able to set foot in the gates of Yongshou Palace again, and all the affection he had painstakingly cultivated would surely vanish in an instant!
No! Absolutely not! These officials must not resign, not a single one can leave!
The thought exploded in his mind like a thunderbolt, instantly overshadowing all considerations of checks and balances and the political situation. The rise of powerful maternal relatives and the machinations of an emperor became insignificant in the face of the fear that Su Su might completely break with him.
He abruptly stood up from the dragon throne, his imperial composure instantly vanishing, and exclaimed, "Nonsense! Utter nonsense!"
He strode out from behind the imperial desk, his tone quick and urgent: "When did I say you were going to resign? Minister Su is loyal to the country, and Ji is young and promising; both are my trusted ministers and pillars of the court! I need you, and the country needs you! Get up! What kind of talk is this!" As he spoke, he gestured to Shen Gaoyi, who was standing beside him, "Shen Gaoyi, quickly help Minister Su and Vice Minister Su up!"
Shen Gaoyi quickly stepped forward and, with a smile, helped the still somewhat dazed Su Mufeng and Su Jizhi up.
Looking at the bewildered father and son, Li Qianche rubbed his temples and sighed helplessly, "Alright, alright, I won't hide it from you anymore. This matter... it's all that Pei Xuan's fault for coming up with such a terrible idea!"
He then revealed in detail how much Pei Xuan doted on his sister and how he planned to use the controversy surrounding the empress's appointment to test Su Ji's feelings. Finally, he smiled bitterly and said, "I was also confused for a moment, thinking of helping to make a good thing happen. Who would have thought that it would cause such a misunderstanding, and even make you and your son resign to show your resolve!"
He looked at Su Jizhi, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible earnestness: "Su Qing, look at the mess this has made... The Imperial Concubine heard about what happened in court yesterday and is already angry with me. She won't even let me enter the palace." A hint of grievance and annoyance appeared on his face. "If this continues, I'm afraid I'll never be able to enter Yongshou Palace again in my life, let alone... get her forgiveness."
Su Mufeng and Su Jizhi looked at each other, completely unprepared for this reason, and even more surprised that the Emperor was now so concerned about Su Su, to the point of almost being "henpecked".
Su Jizhi reacted swiftly, immediately kneeling down again. This time, his tone was filled with loyalty and gratitude: "Your Majesty's intentions are truly appreciated! I am willing to serve Your Majesty and will immediately go to Yongshou Palace to explain the matter to the Consort, ensuring that she will not misunderstand Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing this, Li Qianche breathed a sigh of relief, a relieved smile spreading across his face. He personally stepped forward and gently helped Su Jizhi up, saying, "Good! Good! Minister Su is very understanding. Go quickly! Go quickly! Be sure to explain things clearly to the Imperial Concubine!"
Watching Su Jizhi's departing figure as he accepted the order, Li Qianche finally felt a great weight lifted from his heart. He turned to Su Mufeng, his imperial majesty restored, but his tone much gentler: "Minister Su, I will have the Ministry of Rites handle the decree of marriage later. The marriage between the Su and Pei families is a wonderful thing, and I am happy to see it happen."
Su Mufeng's heart was also filled with turmoil. He was overjoyed that his son's wish had been fulfilled, but also shocked by the emperor's extraordinary favor towards his daughter. He quickly bowed and thanked the emperor: "This old minister thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"
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