Su Rong gently sighed.
The conditions proposed by Ye Guixue were tempting indeed, paving her future path and leaving room for her maneuverability.
Unfortunately, she could not accept it.
She felt weak and sympathetic towards Zhou Gu even though they had broken off the engagement, resulting in another failed marriage proposal. How could she possibly balance it all in the future, allowing them both to stand on parallel sides of the scale for her to choose between?
She couldn’t do it.
Moreover, Ye Guixue’s persuasion, when brought before Ye Xiang, would change significantly and indeed become a plea in the father-son relationship.
She did not have many virtues, nor was there much room in her heart to entertain romantic feelings. She did not want him to humble himself before Ye Xiang because of her. Therefore, she shook her head at Ye Guixue, "Guixue, you do not need to do this. Such conditions are insulting to you."
"I do not mind," Ye Guixue spoke softly.
Despite his reassurances, Su Rong remained firm, shaking her head, "I planned to return your Tiger Talisman because I do not intend to rely on the Ye family any longer. If you were to persuade your father, it would only show that I’m greedy, refusing to give anything in return while keeping all for myself. How would your father view me? I’ve always maintained that there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world, including any matters. Be it familial love, brotherhood, romantic love, or mutually beneficial exchanges, they are all about give-and-take. If you respect me, I will respect you in return. Why should your family support me when I do not commit to anything or make any promises? Merely based on the possibility of being chosen in the future?"
She shook her head again, "To place you both in front of me for me to choose, that’s truly improper. You shouldn’t do it, and I cannot either. If I were to gain the support of the Ye family, I must give something in return. If it’s not my position as princess consort, we can negotiate another compensation. But, as for your request for an extra ounce of affection, Guixue, I cannot promise that. A human’s heart is something I didn’t understand before. But after everything, I’ve come to understand that it cannot be used as a bargaining chip, and I dare not take a gamble."
Ye Guixue seemed to get her message, his voice threads with roughness, "So, you intend to return the Tiger Talisman representing hundred thousands of troops and reject the support of the Ye Xiang’s Residence? You’re giving up everything?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
"If the Princess Consort’s position was demanded as payment, then yes, I don’t want it and I dare not take it," Su Rong locked eyes with Ye Guixue, "If we could talk and come up with equal terms, then yes, I am open to negotiations. In the event if we cannot reconcile our differences, resulting in the lack of support from the Ye Xiang Residence, I am prepared to accept this."
Ye Guixue turned his back to her, looking at the red plum blossoms growing in front of him. He was silent for quite a while before continuing. "I have always known that you’re a calm and decisive person. However, I did not expect, that even the most ruthless of hearts could not remain so cold when faced with matters of the heart. That night at the Great Buddha Temple, when you returned to the capital late at night, traversing hundreds of miles with blood-stained clothes, I should have known, you cared about Lord Thursday. However, I was full of myself, irrationally believing, that your resolve would not be hindered by mere affairs of the heart and delay the great cause."
Along with him, Su Rong gazed into the distance, murmuring, "As a result, I underestimated Zhou Gu, and overestimated myself."
Ye Guixue again fell silent for a long while before softly asking, "If you lose the support of Ye Xiang Residence, what are you prepared to do?"
"I’ll have to rely on the Crown Prince then!" replied Su Rong: "After all, I have done so much for him, it’s only right for him to return the favor."
"But Daliang is facing internal competition and external threat." Said Ye Guixue, "With Nanping and Jibei restless, and the predatory looks from Dawei, I’m afraid even the Crown Prince cannot manage everything."
Su Rong nodded, "Yes, that’s why I probably need to stay in Daliang for a while, to support him and make solid preparations before heading to Nanchu. Alternatively, I can only rely on my biological father, whom I have never met before, to control the situation in Nanchu’s court. It’s going to be tough."
Ye Guixue twirled the jade ring on his finger, "For many years, all the advantages that His Majesty prepared for you were mostly based on the support of Ye Xiang Residence and me. I suppose His Majesty never contemplated, that Ye Guixue, having spent a short time in your company, would fail to win your affection."
Su Rong was silent for a bit, "There’s nothing to be done about it. Who can control who their biological parents are? I can act spoiled before my adoptive parents, but for my biological father who spawned such a troublesome daughter, who refuses to move forward smoothly according to his arrangements, he has to stomach it. He has no choice. That’s what he get for keeping his harem empty for so many years, without giving birth to another."
She turned to Ye Guixue, "Guixue, you should not belittle yourself. It’s not your problem; it’s mine."
Ye Guixue nodded, "So, are you saying that between us, there’s no room for maneuvering?"
Su Rong replied, "Except for the role of Princess Consort."
With that, Ye Guixue ceased speaking.
Su Rong looked at him, "Guixue, it’s really OK, right? After all those years of honing yourself, you surely won’t be stuck on this petty romanticism compared to the grand visions you and Zhou Gu hold."
"Not so." Ye Guixue shook his head, "I have admired you since before I met you. When you accepted my Tiger Talisman, I was very pleased. You have treated me sincerely, and I was content. Now that you wish to desert me, I only feel a sense of failure."
"That’s not correct." Su Rong shook her head, "The human heart is very unpredictable. It’s just that ..."
"I just came a step too late." Ye Guixue cut off Su Rong.
Su Rong fell silent.
Ye Guixue then turned to gaze at Su Rong, "Knowing you decided to give up like this, are you not afraid of the Ye Xiang’s Residence and Nangong Family joining forces? If both Residences truly join forces, even with the Crown Prince of Daliang as your backer, it might still be difficult for you to claim that seat."
Su Rong replied, "Of course, I’m scared. But after careful consideration, if Zhou Gu can take the risk, then I should also be able to do so. If I have to, I will simply give up on the throne of Nanchu and stay in Daliang. After all, my adopted parents, older brothers, and sisters are all in Daliang. It’s not like I must go to Nanchu. I’ve done my trials and realized that no assassin can approach the study of the Crown Prince’s Palace in Daliang. Regardless of who will assume the throne of Nanchu in the future, as long as I have enough strength to protect myself, no assassin would succeed. At most, it would be harder for me in the future. Anyway, I’ve evaded countless assassinations since childhood, being on the run for a few more decades wouldn’t bother me."
Ye Guixue sighed lightly, "It seems that my judgement was wrong; your attachment to Lord Zhou Thursday is beyond a mere soft spot?"
He massaged his temples, "Lord Zhou Thursday risks his chance to be an Auxiliary Minister, his path to prominence, and his reputation in history. However, you now risk the support from Ye Xiang Residence, the throne of Nanchu, as well as the peace for the continuing years."
He sighed lightly and walked forward. As he passed a plum branch, he brushed it aside. After taking a few steps, he turned back and asked Su Rong, "So, in your view, what can be promised to me and the Ye Xiang Residence, aside from the Princess Consort’s position?"
"I can promise you the position of Auxiliary Minister, allowing you to become an infamous minister throughout history. As long as the Ye Family does not harbor any rebellious intentions, I, in my lifetime, will not harm the Ye Family, allowing the Ye Family to become Nanchu’s number one Family in place of the Nangong Family.", said Su Rong, following after him, each word uttered succinctly.
Ye Guixue mused, "The position as an Auxiliary Minister of Nanchu, that’s just a minor title in a small country."
Su Rong shook her head, "No, I will split Dawei with Yan Huisheng. One day, Nanchu and Daliang will stand as equals."
Ye Guixue abruptly halted, swiftly turning to face Su Rong.
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