Chapter 615: Seeking Marriage with the Emperor
After the two boys came back, they went straight to their parents' residence. When they saw Wei Qing, their eyes were shining and they were very happy.
"Dad~"
Both of them were still wearing their official robes. They were tall and slender, with handsome looks and elegant demeanor.
The two had been in the Imperial Academy for nearly a year and had already developed calm personalities and reliable work ethic, earning them the affection of their fellow Imperial Academy members. While they seemed mature beyond their years in the eyes of their colleagues and superiors, they were still children in the eyes of their parents.
Wei Qing opened his arms towards the two of them, and they walked over and were embraced in Wei Qing's arms.
Wei Qing was tall and could hold the two teenagers in his arms. As a father, he could provide them with support.
Wei Qing hugged the two young men, then let them go and asked them how they were doing in the Hanlin Academy.
The two young men stood obediently in front of him and answered his questions one by one.
First, I talked about my relationship with my colleagues, what book I'm currently writing, and what I'm thinking about...
Wei Qing listened attentively. When talking about relationships with colleagues, Wei Qing was able to give a few suggestions. When talking about writing books and ideas, Wei Qing nodded from time to time, seemingly admiring the two children very much.
Xu Jue and Wei Ziang were very happy to get their father's approval, and they talked even more eloquently.
Wei Ziang couldn't help but ask a question.
Wei Qing showed a thoughtful expression...
Just then, Tangli came over and said, "Okay, stop talking. It's getting dark. You two should go change your clothes first, and then we'll have dinner."
The two teenagers stopped pestering their father and went back to their own yard to change into their regular clothes.
Wei Ziyi also took Sanbao to the dining hall.
Only Tang Li and Wei Qing were left in the yard.
Tang Li poked the man who stood upright, as if seeing through him: "You don't understand what the two kids are saying, right?"
Wei Qing suddenly became like a deflated ball, wilting and looking at Tang Li pitifully.
"Yeah, I almost lost my father's image. After all, in their hearts, I am an omnipotent father." He whispered bitterly, "I understand every word Ziang and Xu Jue say, but I don't understand them when they put them together as a sentence."
Tangli was amused by him.
In the eyes of the children, their father was very capable and reliable. Only in front of her would he reveal his silly side.
"Wife, you saved me." Wei Qing said, bending down to hug Tang Li, resting his head on her shoulder and rubbing her neck.
Tangli touched his head to comfort him.
"It's not that you are stupid, it's that the children are too smart. Okay, let's go have dinner." Tang Li took Wei Qing's hand and walked towards the dining hall.
Mrs. Wu, Lord Wu and others were all there, and the family had a reunion dinner.
Wei Qing came back, and everyone's spirits were much higher.
After dinner, we didn't leave and talked for a while at the table.
In the evening, Mrs. Gu came to the Marquis' Mansion.
Her son-in-law is good, and her daughter loves him deeply, so she has long regarded him as her own son...
Mrs. Gu breathed a sigh of relief and went back after seeing that her son-in-law was fine.
The night deepens.
Wei Qing and Tang Li lay on the bed together, and continued to talk about Wei Qing's experience of being an envoy to Da Qi, which he had not finished.
Wei Qing talked about how Qi Xiang Xie Xiu sent assassins to surround and kill them, and Gu Huaijin blocked a sword for him. Fortunately, Princess Anyang's men arrived in time and saved them.
"Huai Jin suffered the injuries for me. It made me feel bad when I saw him in pain." Wei Qing said sullenly.
Tang Li was still frightened after hearing this, but fortunately her husband and third brother were not in danger of their lives.
Wei Qing noticed his wife's worry and immediately changed the subject, saying that Princess Anyang originally thought they were a good match, but after this incident, she felt that their love was as deep as the ocean, so she gave them the Pisces jade pendants.
Tang Li listened to the whole process and felt that his third brother was a real genius to be able to come up with such a solution.
I also feel that Princess Anyang is a person of temperament and wisdom, and she is truly extraordinary.
Princess Anyang...
Tang Li recalled the plot of the novel. In the novel, Gu Ying and Zhao Shu were the protagonists, so most of the story was about the events of the Great Zhou Dynasty, with less attention paid to the State of Qi. Only in the later extra chapters did Zhao Shu become the Emperor of Zhou and, wanting to unify the world, attack the State of Qi.
Because of the male protagonist's halo, the Great Zhou successfully destroyed the State of Qi, and the Anyang Princess of the Great Qi died for her country...
This princess is remembered in history not only for her heroic act of sacrificing her life for her country, but also for her many wise moves, such as resolving disputes between aristocratic families and the royal family, and proposing state governance strategies that benefit the people. Later generations have spoken highly of her.
If there is a chance, Tang Li really wants to meet this extraordinary woman.
The two talked until midnight and then fell asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning, Wei Qing got up, changed into his official robes, and went into the palace with Gu Huaijin to report the mission to the emperor.
Gu Huaijin felt a little uneasy.
"Brother-in-law, do you think His Majesty will agree to my marriage with Azhi?"
"I had a dream last night. Sometimes His Majesty agreed to our marriage, and sometimes He disagreed. I was overwhelmed with joy and sorrow."
When Gu Huaijin was nervous, he talked a lot and kept on talking until he reached the outside of the hall.
Gu Huaijin straightened his back and seemed like a different person, becoming calm, confident and reliable.
"Lord Gu, Lord Wu, please come in. His Majesty is waiting for you inside." said the eunuch.
Gu Huaijin and Wei Qing walked in and bowed to the emperor who had ascended the throne.
"Please stand up, my dear ministers," the Emperor of Zhou said in a gentle voice. "You two dear ministers have worked hard on your mission to Qi."
Gu Huaijin said: "It is my honor to be able to share your majesty's worries."
Gu Huaijin began to report on the mission. He spoke clearly and eloquently.
Emperor Zhou listened carefully.
Because Gu Huaijin's words also included information about the national strength of the Qi Kingdom, the character of the Qi Emperor, the situation of the Qi court, and so on...
Emperor Zhou didn't show it on his face, but he was a little worried in his heart.
The young emperor of Qi was no ordinary person, and his sons...
Originally, he thought the third son was quite good: gentle, humble, polite, and decisive. But over the past two years, he'd felt more and more that this son wasn't up to par. The sixth son... the sixth son was still a child, too naughty and unfit to shoulder the responsibility of a nation.
Emperor Qi is clearly the same age as Old Six, yet the gap between them is so huge...
Emperor Zhou knew how important an heir was. If the successor was unreliable or incompetent, the foundation built by his ancestors with great effort would be destroyed.
This is a bloody lesson left in history books.
Now, Emperor Zhou also began to feel afraid, fearing that his successor would not be able to perform the duties properly.
These days, he regretted it more and more. If he hadn't killed them all, the prince would still be...
Emperor Zhou sighed in his heart. The matter was already settled and there was no point in regretting it.
After Gu Huaijin finished his report, he looked at Emperor Zhou's expression and saw that he hadn't mentioned his marriage to Ah Zhi at all. So he took the initiative to speak: "Your Majesty, before I left on this diplomatic mission, I mentioned the matter of the granted marriage to Your Majesty..."
The Zhou Emperor replied, "Yes, I promised you that if you could persuade the Emperor of Qi to break the alliance with Chu, I would grant you the marriage. However, your mission to Qi failed to convince the Emperor. Fortunately, the Emperor of Chu died suddenly, and the Qi-Chu alliance was dissolved, saving the Great Zhou from danger. This is the blessing of Heaven and the destiny of the Great Zhou, not your own efforts."
Gu Huaijin's heart sank.
In fact, their mission to Qi and the termination of the alliance between Qi and Chu were indeed due to luck.
But if you look closely, is it really not their contribution?
The arrival of Zhou envoys in Qi caused a crisis in Zhou, and many people were uneasy. The Zhou emperor died suddenly, and it was said that he was assassinated. Could it really have nothing to do with them?
It depends on the emperor's attitude.
If the emperor wants to grant him a marriage, he will naturally give him credit.
If one does not want to be granted a marriage, one will attribute it to the blessing of heaven.
It seems that the emperor does not want to grant the marriage.
However, Gu Huaijin didn't want to give up.
He wanted to marry Ah Zhi, to have her as his wife, like any other married couple, sharing the same bed and eating at the same table, rather than the current situation where affection was the only thing that mattered. He wanted Ah Zhi to belong to him, rather than just be another man's wife.
"Your Majesty, I truly love the princess. Please grant us marriage." Gu Huaijin said.
Emperor Zhou said, "Jingshu is my most beloved daughter. I am extremely cautious about her marriage, so I have very high expectations for her husband..."
Just then, Eunuch Deshun walked in, seemingly having something to report.
Emperor Zhou's gaze fell on him: "What's the matter?"
"Your Majesty, Princess Jingshu requests an audience." De Shun said.
"Nonsense! Why are you asking for an audience at this time? Don't you know that I am discussing matters with the court officials?" Emperor Zhou said, but there was no anger on his face.
"I did, but Princess Jingshu said she must see you, or else she will...go on a hunger strike."
Emperor Zhou had a headache. After thinking for a while, he said, "Let her in."
Princess Jingshu walked in and first looked at Gu Huaijin.
There was confusion in Gu Huaijin's eyes, as if asking her why she was here.
Princess Jingshu smiled back.
Gu Huaijin has already done a lot, she can't do nothing.
Since they love each other, they should work hard together.
Princess Jingshu looked at the emperor and said directly, "Father, I want to marry Gu Huaijin!"
The corner of Emperor Zhou's mouth twitched: "As a girl, you should be more reserved. How can you say such words?"
"Father, didn't you say that you would give me everything I like? I like Gu Huaijin and want to marry him and grow old with him. Why can't I say it?"
Princess Jingshu raised her chin, looking very generous and not shy at all.
"If I can't marry him, I won't marry anyone else. Then I'll just stay single and be an old aunt!"
Princess Jingshu's words were powerful and her eyes were firm as she looked straight at Emperor Zhou.
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