Chapter 59 I Only Want to Marry Yunxi
Upon hearing Shen Yujiao's words, Gu Nanxiao's expression immediately darkened. He knew that many recent events were largely due to this woman's machinations.
Before Shen Yujiao entered the manor, although he and his mother had their disagreements, they were never as frequently arguing as they are now.
My mother had long since stopped interfering in the affairs of Songzhu Courtyard, but recently she has been frequently meddling in things. Moreover, Shen Yujiao has been openly advising for reconciliation but actually stirring up trouble right in front of me.
Behind her back, they must be smearing Yunxi. Didn't she want to marry him as a concubine? Well, today we'll put an end to that idea.
Gu Nanxiao said to Shen Yujiao without any mercy, "I advise Miss Shen to put away those useless little thoughts. No matter who I like in this life, I will never like a woman as scheming as you."
As for the Empress Dowager's mention of a concubine, please don't take it seriously. Find a good family to marry into as soon as possible. Otherwise, you'll gamble everything and ruin your reputation. Even if you want to marry in the future, no one will want you.
The moment Shen Yujiao saw Gu Nanxiao's expression turn cold, she sensed something was wrong. But in the past, her cousin would at least give her some face.
I never expected that my cousin would be so blunt today, and to say so firmly in front of the princess that he would not marry her.
Overwhelmed with shame and indignation, Shen Yujiao covered her face and ran away crying.
The princess called out to her several times from behind, but seeing that the person was running further and further away, she turned her anger on Gu Nanxiao. She slammed her hand on the table and threatened:
"If you dare to say again that you won't marry Yu Jiao, then don't acknowledge me as your mother!"
Gu Nanxiao had long been numb to the princess's threats. In the past, he would always compromise in the end, after all, his mother was the one who risked her life to bring him into this world.
But just now, when he heard his father threaten to expel him from the palace, he suddenly realized something.
He truly owes his parents a debt of gratitude for giving him life and raising him, so he must repay that debt. He can repay them with the same kindness he received in raising him; if his parents raised him when he was young, he will take care of them in their old age.
Instead of letting them use family ties to blackmail me, as they are doing now. These are two completely different things. Parents cannot take it for granted that they have the right to control everything about their children just because they were born and raised.
Furthermore, one should not use the threat of severing family ties to constantly coerce one's children into fulfilling their desires.
Everything Gu Nanxiao has now is earned through his hard work and dedication. Therefore, he will also strive for his future with Yunxi through his own abilities, and no one can manipulate him.
This time, faced with the princess's threat, Gu Nanxiao was determined not to compromise. He said resolutely, "Since Mother is so indifferent to the bond between mother and son, then I will grant Mother's wish. I only hope that Mother will not regret it in the future."
The princess was furious that he would speak of severing his relationship with his son so casually. Enraged, she smashed the teacup in her hand against Gu Nanxiao.
Gu Nanxiao stood there without flinching. The porcelain bowl shattered on his forehead, tea mixed with blood covering half his face. He didn't reach out to wipe it away, but simply bowed and turned to leave.
After leaving the princess's courtyard, Gu Nanxiao headed towards the stables. Mo Yu, worried about her master's bleeding forehead wound, advised him to get it simply bandaged before following him towards the palace.
When Gu Nanxiao entered the imperial study with a bright red handprint on his face and a blood-stained bandage wrapped around his head, the emperor was stunned to see him in this state.
After all, Gu Nanxiao's martial arts skills are unparalleled, and he has no rivals in the Great Yan Kingdom to this day. So, the only ones who could possibly defeat him are probably Prince Yong and his wife.
Judging by the size of the handprint, it must have been made by Prince Yong. As for the blood on the forehead, could it have been made by Princess Yong?
The Emperor asked, "My dear minister, how did you come to be like this?"
Gu Nanxiao replied frankly, "Your Majesty, the slap was delivered by my father, and the forehead was struck by my mother."
His words immediately piqued the emperor's interest. The emperor exclaimed, "Oh?" and then asked, "Why did your father and mother beat you?"
Upon hearing the Emperor's question, Gu Nanxiao knelt down, first respectfully kowtowing, and then solemnly pleaded, "Uncle Emperor, I wish to ask you for a favor."
The Emperor had not heard Gu Nanxiao address him in such a way for a long time, and for a moment, he was moved by this address of "Uncle Huang".
His nephew's abilities greatly pleased the emperor, but unfortunately, he was the son of the Prince Yong, and would inevitably be eliminated along with his father in the future.
The Emperor thought that Gu Nanxiao would die alongside Prince Yong in a few months. He thought that if Gu Nanxiao's request was harmless, he might as well grant it, considering how diligently Gu Nanxiao had served him.
The Emperor pondered for only a moment before nodding in agreement, "Tell me, what favor do you wish to ask of me?"
Before Gu Nanxiao could speak, he kowtowed heavily to the ground again, then straightened up and said, "Please, Your Majesty, withdraw the imperial decree of marriage. I do not wish to marry the Xu family woman."
"I already have someone I love, a concubine bestowed upon me by the Empress Dowager, Zhao Yunxi, the legitimate daughter of Zhao Jianying. I only wish to marry her in this life, and I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's smile vanished. He waved his hand unhappily and said, "If this is the case, then let's not talk about it anymore. I am the ruler of a country; how can I change my orders so easily?"
The imperial decree for the marriage has been issued and will not be withdrawn. In the past, I let you drag your feet on the marriage. But today, you actually want me to withdraw the decree?
"This is utterly disrespectful to imperial authority! Considering you've been repeatedly punished by your parents today and may be emotionally unstable, I'll disregard your outrageous words and leave immediately."
Gu Nanxiao knew that getting the Emperor to retract the imperial edict wouldn't be so easy. But instead of leaving as ordered, he bowed and kowtowed again, pleading:
“Uncle, Yunxi is a remarkable woman, and I adore her greatly. I only hope that you will grant my request, considering how diligently I have served in the past.”
The Emperor's pleas for help did not soften in the slightest; instead, his expression grew increasingly grim. The Emperor hated nothing more than others going against his wishes.
Especially this nephew in front of him, whom he had always regarded as a loyal dog, dared to openly defy him today, and even brought up his own achievements.
He then asked coldly and displeasedly, "Didn't you hear me tell you to leave? If you persist in this, I won't hesitate to give you a beating to bring you to your senses."
When Eunuch Li, who was by the emperor's side, saw the emperor's expression, he felt that something was wrong. He knew the emperor best. The emperor seemed calm, but in fact he was already angry.
Gu Nanxiao was someone he had watched grow up. Among all the royal relatives and nobles, he was the one who knew how to respect others the most. He never looked down on them, the servants, and would always greet them politely whenever they saw him.
So at this moment, he mustered his courage and advised, "Lord Gu, please listen to this old servant's advice and don't say any more."
His Majesty has bestowed this marriage upon you; it is a great favor, so please accept it without worry. As for whether you like her or not, whether you bring her into your household or pamper her, isn't that entirely up to you?
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