Chapter 43 Engagement! What’s wrong with marrying above your station?
"How can a person like me, with such a character that even my own mother despises, be worthy of the heavenly-looking General Ling?"
Cheng Shi glanced at his wife and daughter, and swallowed nervously, "Yes, Your Majesty, how about you retract your order?"
Emperor Wen was incredulous: "What did you say?"
The Third Prince, who had been watching the show for a long time, was the first to burst out in frustration: "I can't believe it, I can't believe it. Someone would actually devalue their own daughter to nothing just to avoid marrying Zisheng."
He glanced at He Zhaojun, who sat across from him. Madam Cheng mercilessly disparaged her own daughter, yet He Zhaojun, her "rival in love," remained unfazed in front of her father, treating Cheng Shaoshang as a confidant. This was truly bizarre!
The Third Prince continued, "In my impression, all the girls in the capital were vying to marry Zisheng, but the Cheng family went so far as to disobey the emperor's order in order to refuse the marriage. I wonder if it was Madam Cheng's good intentions, or if Zisheng frightened them."
The prince quickly stopped him: "Third brother, be careful with your words. This matter concerns the reputation of the royal family..." He turned to look at Cheng Shi: "General Cheng, please think twice before you act!"
The reminder to maintain is very obvious. Cheng Shi has been in officialdom for many years, so how could he not understand what the prince means.
Even though the fifth prince was still making jokes on the side, Emperor Wen scolded him a few times and asked Cheng Shi again, using threats and inducements. General Wan was also kicking Cheng Shi's butt in anxiety, but Cheng Shi and his wife still refused to give in.
During this period, He Zhaojun kept a calm expression and just looked at Shao Shang. She had already made up her mind. If Shao Shang showed any hesitation, she would interrupt the marriage proposal even if it meant risking the crime of disobeying the imperial order.
If she only thought about this, she would feel suffocated by her own mother's public disparagement and her father's willingness to die rather than refuse the marriage. Fortunately, there was Ling Buyi, who unwaveringly chose her, which gave Shao Shang a little comfort.
But being there, He Zhaojun truly felt how difficult it was for Shao Shang. You know, before this happened, Shao Shang didn't even know that Ling Buyi would ask her for marriage.
A person he didn't love suddenly asked the emperor for marriage. He was criticized by his own parents and the emperor threatened the lives of his entire family. Everyone was forcing Shao Shang to agree to this marriage. How desperate and helpless he felt.
It didn't matter what she thought. Everyone believed that she should accept it with gratitude and from then on, she should only call herself "Zisheng's new wife", and Cheng Shaoshang, who had a clear distinction between love and hate, should disappear from then on.
He Zhaojun's expression froze, and she raised her eyes to meet Shao Shang's, about to stand up. Shao Shang smiled slightly, shook his head firmly, and indicated that she could handle it herself.
"...But putting all that aside, I want to ask General Ling a question today: General Ling, the bride you find in the future will naturally be a thousand times better than me. I've been stubborn since childhood, I don't obey discipline, and I certainly won't listen to you. Do you still want to marry someone like me?"
"Of course! In my heart, Shao Shang is the best, the best girl in the entire capital, the entire world. Zi Sheng will marry no one else in this life!"
"Then, I, your humble servant, will flirt with General Ling just once!" Shao Shang was more confident than He Zhaojun had imagined. As soon as these words came out, many people's faces lit up. Ling Buyi happily thanked Emperor Wen for his grace, but Shao Shang clearly had more concerns.
Concubine Yue saw that her third prince was still staring at He Zhaojun. Although she always felt that it was too embarrassing for him to do so, she still couldn't bear to see him like this.
"Your Majesty, I know that Zhaojun and Shaoshang are close friends who can talk about anything. How about Your Majesty granting them both the same wedding day? I can also keep Zhaojun for a while longer, and I will be happy to have her company."
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