Chapter 145 Fighting for Marriage
When Jiang Shu saw the whip in Sun Yijun's hand, he felt that it was very familiar. After recalling it, he said, "I can prove it."
"That day when I went to Linglong Pavilion, I happened to run into Prince Yu and saw him buy this whip with my own eyes." When
everyone heard this, they knew that this matter must be true. Otherwise, if the false testimony was exposed, the reputations of Jiang Shu, Sun Yijun and Yu Yuan would be lost.
Cao Sheng was stunned and argued, "Who would send a birthday gift in the backyard? There must be something fishy."
"Sending a birthday gift in the backyard violates the law of Dazhao? There are many guests in Sun's mansion today. Can't this prince find a place where there are no people to send it?" Yu Yuan stared at Cao Sheng provocatively.
"You idiot, you heard me clearly, why don't you apologize to Miss Sun?" Cao Qian kicked Cao Sheng in anger. He
came to the Sun Mansion for the banquet today with the purpose of asking to marry Sun Yijun, and deliberately let Cao Sheng find an opportunity to get close to Sun Yijun and win her favor.
But Cao Sheng didn't like Sun Yijun, and thought she was fierce and vicious, just like a tigress. Especially after seeing Sun Yijun and Yu Yuan having a secret meeting, he didn't want to marry her even more. After
returning to the front yard and explaining to Cao Qian, he thought he could get rid of Sun Yijun, the fierce woman, but Cao Qian insisted on asking him to marry her.
Cao Sheng understood that his father didn't want him to marry Sun Yijun, but the power of the Sun family. So he didn't care what kind of person Sun Yijun was, let alone his feelings.
But he was convinced that Sun Yijun was not a faithful wife, and he could not swallow this breath no matter what, so he made a fuss about it.
Regardless of whether this matter was a misunderstanding or not, it had already become such a fuss, Cao Sheng simply broke the jar and wanted to take this opportunity to destroy the possibility of the two families getting married.
Sun Hechuan waited for a long time, and seeing that Cao Sheng had no intention of apologizing, he said with a sullen face: "Mr. Cao has insulted my daughter's reputation for no reason. It is really too much. I hope Your Highness the Crown Prince will make a decision for me."
After speaking, Sun Hechuan knelt down directly in front of Yu Cheng.
"And my reputation, my royal brother, you must seek justice for me." Yu Yuan did not mind the big deal and poured fuel on the fire. "
Lord Sun, please get up." Yu Cheng personally helped Sun Hechuan up, feeling quite a headache.
On one side is his uncle and cousin, and on the other side is his minister and cousin. No matter how he handles it, he will offend one side.
Knowing that Yu Cheng was in a dilemma, Cao Qian took the initiative to plead guilty: "Your Highness, this matter is my son's fault. He has tarnished Miss Sun's reputation and should be held responsible."
Responsible? How responsible?
After everyone came to their senses, they secretly cursed Cao Qian for being cunning.
Even Yu Cheng was stunned by Cao Qian's words.
Cao Qian struck while the iron was hot and said: "Lord Sun, my son is about the same age as your daughter, and his talents and looks are well matched. I sincerely ask to marry you."
Hearing this, Cao Sheng's reluctance was written on his face, and he wanted to speak to ruin the marriage.
"Cousin, stop making trouble." Yu Cheng noticed Cao Sheng's intention and stopped him.
Cao Sheng looked at Yu Cheng angrily, his heart full of resentment.
The reason why his father asked him to marry Sun Yijun was for Yu Cheng.
Not only this, ever since he could remember, everything his father and grandfather did was to increase Yu Cheng's power and pave the way for Yu Cheng.
They said that the Cao family is the mother's family of the empress, and is one with the prince in honor and disgrace. To plan for the prince is to plan for the Cao family.
It's all bullshit!
Wouldn't the Cao family survive without the prince?
Cao Sheng had enough, and he didn't want to marry a wife just for Yu Cheng.
"I don't want to marry her!" Cao Sheng clenched his fists and shouted.
Sun Hechuan, who didn't want to agree, was furious after hearing this and waved his sleeves heavily: "How did I offend Lord Cao that he came to humiliate me like this!"
Sun Yijun also snorted in shame and anger: "Cao Sheng, you heard it clearly. Even if no one wants to marry me, I would rather go to the temple and become a nun than marry you!"
As soon as the father and daughter said this, everyone knew that the two families had no hope of getting married, and they would become enemies.
"Evil creature!" The opportunity that was finally obtained was ruined, and Cao Qian was so angry that veins on his forehead were throbbing.
"Marriage is a matter that has always been decided by parents and matchmakers. When is it your turn to make the decision yourself!"
Cao Qian kicked Cao Sheng to his knees and tried to save the situation with a shameless face.
However, Sun Hechuan did not buy it. He clasped his hands and said angrily, "Since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is unwilling to uphold justice for me, I will have to ask His Majesty for a clear decision tomorrow morning."
This was obviously putting Yu Cheng on the spot, accusing him of favoritism and protecting his mother's family.
Most of the officials in the court came to the banquet at Sun's mansion today, and now they all stared at Yu Cheng. If he didn't handle it properly, it would be disappointing to me.
"My daughter's reputation is more important than her life. Please, Princess, make the decision for my daughter." Madam Sun knelt in front of Yu Lan and cried sadly.
Yu Cheng felt like his head was going to explode. He was helpless and said, "Cao Sheng spoke nonsense and humiliated Miss Sun's reputation. He also made a scene on Miss Sun's birthday, which was really excessive. He is punished with thirty strokes of the cane and confined to his mansion for half a year to reflect on his mistakes." Finally
, Yu Cheng bowed to Sun Hechuan and said, "Lord Sun, please calm down. I will make amends for Cao Sheng. If you are dissatisfied, please feel free to raise it."
It is rare for a dignified prince to condescend to apologize to a third-rank official.
Sun Hechuan is not a person who cannot distinguish right from wrong. He understands that this matter has nothing to do with Yu Cheng. As long as Yu Cheng punishes Cao Sheng in public and saves Sun Yijun's reputation, he will stop while he is ahead and will not pursue the matter.
There is only one thing he asked, that Cao Sheng be punished in public in Sun's mansion.
Yu Cheng agreed.
Cao Sheng knelt on the ground, staring at the ground with bloodshot eyes, and the anger in his heart grew wildly.
If he didn't take revenge for this humiliation, he would be unworthy of being a human being!
The guards of Sun Mansion quickly brought a bench and put Cao Sheng on it.
"Bring the stick, I will beat him myself!" Cao Qian said.
Now that things have come to this, it is better to be honest and ruthless to shut up the people.
Cao Qian is the Minister of War, so he has martial arts skills, and he is in his prime and has plenty of strength.
Under the witness of the public, every stroke of the stick was hit firmly and with full force.
At first, Cao Sheng gritted his teeth and didn't make a sound, but later his teeth were broken and he screamed.
When he was beaten with the 27th stick, the clothes on Cao Sheng's buttocks were soaked with blood, his face was red and sweat was pouring down his forehead, and his eyes rolled back and he fainted from the pain.
Cao Qian did not stop and ruthlessly beat him with the last three blows.
Such a ruthless act shocked everyone present and made them feel inferior.
Looking at Cao Sheng who had fainted, Cao Qian frowned and said, "Lord Sun, I am really sorry for today. I will take my son back to treat his injuries first, and come to apologize another day."
Cao Qian's behavior was really too cruel. If Sun Hechuan's family said anything else, it would be unreasonable and too petty to bully others.
"Come on, send Master Cao to the carriage." Sun Hechuan ordered the servants to carry the unconscious Cao Sheng and leave with Cao Qian.
After the father and son of the Cao family left, everyone looked at each other and sighed in their hearts.
"Everyone, I am really sorry for scaring you." Sun Hechuan bowed his hands to apologize.
Everyone returned the greetings and indicated that it was okay.
At this time, Prince Rong suddenly said: "Brother Hechuan, although what happened today was a misunderstanding, Yijun's reputation has been damaged beyond repair. My son cannot escape responsibility for this matter, and I am willing to marry Yijun as the Crown Prince's consort."
What a good way to reap the benefits!
Everyone was both impressed and angry.
Sun Hechuan was an upright official, and Sun Yijun had a good character, so every family wanted to marry her.
But before they could even open their mouths, Cao Sheng had caused such a commotion, and now Prince Rong had taken advantage of them.
"This... I wonder if Crown Prince Yu has this intention?" Sun Hechuan looked at Yu Yuan.