Chapter 294: Granted Marriage
"Never...take a concubine?"
The emperor's figure swayed, and his voice trembled when he spoke.
Yan Ci pursed his thin lips, his brows and eyes calm and indifferent.
Father and son stared at each other in silence for a long time. The emperor sat powerlessly in his chair, his expression dazed. "Ci'er, do you know what your father expects of you?"
"I understand." Yan Ci lowered his eyes, his voice deep and composed. He had lost some weight, and the lines of his once delicate and gentle profile had hardened, making him look more like a young emperor. "Life is short, and a few decades pass in the blink of an eye. I don't covet imperial power, nor do I enjoy beauty. I just want to be with my true love and walk through this life hand in hand."
"Father."
The thin figure in front of him slowly knelt down and kowtowed devoutly, "I beg your Majesty to grant me this."
The emperor was silent for a long while, then gently held his forehead and said in a deep voice, "I am tired, you may leave first."
Yan Ci's body trembled, and he slowly straightened up, and opened his thin lips slightly, "Yes, son, I'll take my leave."
After the figure left Changqing Palace, Fulu dared to come in and look at the emperor. "Your Majesty, are you okay?"
The emperor lowered his head helplessly, looking frustrated, "Why do you all treat me like this..."
Fulu tiptoed to his side and whispered, "Is the Emperor dissatisfied with the girl the prince has chosen?"
The emperor sighed and slowly exhaled, "He likes Wang Lin's daughter."
"Miss Wang? That would be wonderful!" Fulu's face lit up with joy, and he spoke quickly, "Lord Wang is loyal and devoted to the Emperor and the Prince. You know him well. Although she lacks the status to be the future Queen Mother, she should be a concubine."
"A concubine? How dare you dream of that!" The emperor couldn't help but snort, his heart aching with sadness. "That rebellious son wants to disband the harem for the daughter of the royal family. They're going to be together forever, and you're still here thinking about a concubine."
"One by one... a lifetime, a pair?" Fulu almost bit off his tongue. His already bent back now slumped even more. "Your Majesty, the prince is the crown prince!"
"Don't I know?" The emperor wanted to stuff a paperweight into his mouth to stop him from screaming and annoying him. "It's fine if Mu'er is like this. I just want him to be a leisurely prince, safe and happy. But Ci'er... forget it. Take a few valuables and go to the Zhao family in person to summon the Zhao girl to the palace for me."
His intuition told him that the girl might have a way to break the deadlock.
-
3:30 PM
"Your humble servant Su Cheng respectfully wishes His Majesty the best of health."
The woman knelt down gently, half closing her eyes to hide the light in them.
"Get up quickly." The emperor waved his hand, his face full of indescribable vicissitudes. "I summoned you to the palace today because I have an important matter and I want to ask your opinion."
Su Cheng's eyes flashed with surprise, and her eyebrows knitted slightly. "Your Majesty, this is too flattering. I don't deserve it. It is my honor to be able to share the worries of the king."
"I know you're good at sweet talk, but regarding today's matter, I want to hear your true feelings." The emperor's face was filled with sorrow. "I called you here because I heard that you and Wang Lin's daughter were close friends. Is that true?"
Su Cheng had some guesses in her mind and nodded slightly, "Yes, this servant and Qingchan are indeed good friends."
The emperor made a bitter face and told the whole story that had happened in the morning, including a few complaints from eunuch Fulu.
"Miss Zhao, the Emperor has always doted on the Prince, so it's hard for him to ask for this. You must think of a solution for the Emperor." Eunuch Fulu personally brought a round stool and smiled ingratiatingly, "Otherwise, the palace will be in chaos."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. The prince has done nothing wrong."
The light words left the other two dumbfounded.
"There's no rule in this world that requires a ruler to have three thousand beauties. I once heard Grand Tutor Gu say that the late emperor favored only the daughter of the Gu family and neglected everyone else. If the beauty hadn't died young, the position of empress would have fallen to the Gu family sooner or later." Su Cheng's eyes curved as she twirled the embroidery on her sleeves and chuckled. "In ancient times, there were also the deposed Western Wei Emperor Yuan Qin, the Sui Emperor Yang Jian, and the Song Yingzong Zhao Shu, all of whom loved only one person."
"Lord Wang Lin's loyalty is evident to all. Qingchan may not say it, but she loves him. Your Majesty knows his character, so why would he be such a villain?" Su Cheng's tone softened, pleading. "Your Majesty, children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. Since the prince has made his choice, he should forge his own path."
"I don't mean to be the bad guy. I also know that Ci'er is stubborn. Once he sets his mind on something, he won't turn back until his head is broken."
The emperor looked ten years older, his face brimming with vicissitudes. "I'm just worried he can't handle the harassment from those old fools from the previous dynasty. The previous dynasty is inseparable from the harem. Hundreds of eyes are staring at him, all waiting for him to ascend to the throne and send his daughters to the imperial selections in exchange for wealth and glory. Once the harem is dismissed, those who can't get what they want will naturally try every possible means to plot against Yan Ci."
"Your Majesty, rest assured that your worries will not come true. The prince has countless capable people assisting him, and all the ministers around him have a say in the court. No one can shake his position." Su Cheng raised her eyes, her bright almond-shaped eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts. "Your Majesty, in my opinion, if you are really unhappy, why not set a trap for the prince."
"Set a trap?" The emperor was puzzled. He exchanged a glance with Fulu beside him, then looked at Su Cheng, "How do you plan to do it?"
"Since the prince wants to disband the harem, then having children is the first issue. If the prince can give you a grandson within a year of your marriage, would the emperor be willing to agree?"
Mentioning his grandson, the emperor could hardly suppress the corners of his mouth, "This... Is this possible?"
"Why not?" Su Cheng sat obediently at the bottom, smiling like a pure and flawless little white flower, but she was ruthless when it came to digging holes. "As long as the emperor nods, the prince will definitely work hard to win the beauty."
The emperor touched the tip of his nose. It was inevitable that he would feel embarrassed to discuss this with a young girl at his age. "But...but this is not something that can be done with just a nod of my head..."
Su Cheng's eyes curved cunningly, and a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corners of her lips. "As long as the emperor agrees to our marriage, I will definitely make your dream come true."
The emperor was stunned, then his eyes lit up.
Yes, how could he forget this little ancestor!
This girl might be the reincarnation of a fairy child under the Medicine King Bodhisattva, otherwise how could she have a magic medicine exactly the same as the Bodhisattva's?
If Ci'er and the Wang family's daughter could really have two babies in three years, I would probably wake up laughing in my dreams.
"You said it yourself." The emperor's face was so excited that he almost jumped up from his chair. "As long as I agree to their marriage, you can let me hold my grandson, right?"
Su Cheng smiled and nodded, "That's right."
"Good!" The emperor clapped his thigh, grinning from ear to ear. "Fulu, prepare a generous gift and summon Wang Lin to the palace. I want to grant him a marriage!"
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