Seeing that Han Yu was ungrateful, the eldest prince sneered and said, "Minister Han, although you are kind, you should also consider the Emperor's face."
Today is the first day you have been awarded the title of top scholar, and you are able to parade through the streets on horseback. What a great blessing this is!
You are a disciple of the emperor, but now you have been hit on the head and almost lost your life.
"Now you say you won't pursue the matter, is it because you're unworthy of your position and deserve to be injured, or is it that you have absolutely no regard for the Emperor's reputation?"
The eldest prince was already unhappy that Han Yu had become the top scholar, and now that he saw that Han Yu didn't know how to appreciate the honor, he wanted to suppress him even more.
Upon hearing this, Han Yu knew that the eldest prince was determined to make Li Yueniang suffer. He gritted his teeth and knelt down before the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, this matter is not Yueniang's fault."
I had already met the Li family's daughter before, and both families were interested in a marriage alliance.
In particular, Lady Mingzhao was very pleased with me. Later, when I was framed in the prefectural city, Lady Mingzhao went to great lengths to travel there to rescue me.
Upon hearing Han Yu's explanation, the eldest prince mocked, "Han Yu, don't try to deceive the emperor to exonerate her."
The emperor was very displeased with what the eldest prince said. It was not a big deal, and Han Yu himself did not pursue the matter, but the emperor insisted on accusing him of deceiving the emperor.
Besides, Lady Mingzhao has made such a great contribution; it would make the royal family seem petty to embarrass her so soon after entering the capital.
The eldest prince is so narrow-minded; this is nothing like him at all.
Mo Chen is so much better; look how broad-minded he is.
So the Emperor ignored the Crown Prince's words and asked directly, "Minister Han, tell me in detail what is the situation between you and Miss Li. If you are truly in love, I will issue an edict to grant you a marriage."
Han Yu was also startled upon hearing this. Once the emperor bestowed the marriage, it would be a done deal and there would be no going back.
Thinking of Li Yueniang's quirky and clever nature, Han Yu couldn't help but feel a stirring in his heart.
If I absolutely have to marry her, she would be a good match, but I don't know if she likes me.
However, he had no time to think in front of the emperor, so he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, when I was still a scholar, I did indeed have a date with Miss Li."
At that time, I fell in love with the second daughter of the Li family at first sight.
However, at that time, Miss Li was still young, and Lady Mingzhao was reluctant to part with her daughter.
Secondly, I am merely a minor scholar who has not achieved any merit, and I feel unworthy of her, so this matter has been shelved.
Later, Lady Mingzhao heard that I had been framed in the prefectural city. She specifically requested Lord Ling to go to the prefectural city to rescue me. Therefore, I believe Lady Mingzhao is satisfied with me as her son-in-law.
Han Yu's words were half true and half false; he had indeed been on a date with the Li family's daughter. However, he never specified whether it was the eldest or second daughter of the Li family.
Even if someone with ulterior motives digs it out later, it doesn't matter. It's not acceptable for a matchmaker to introduce the eldest daughter; did he take a fancy to the second daughter?
To avoid being held accountable, Han Yu spoke ambiguously. Although he was suspected of deceiving the emperor, he had no choice but to go all out to save Li Yueniang.
If Li Yueniang were really punished with caning and exiled, how could such a delicate girl endure it?
The emperor nodded and smiled, saying, "I see. Although it was a bit undignified of you to be injured while riding through the streets, it's quite remarkable that out of all these girls, it was Li Er who hit you. While the way it happened might seem a bit outrageous, your past relationship is certainly a beautiful story."
After the emperor finished speaking, he glanced at Xiao Mochen again and asked, "Chen'er, what do you think?"
Xiao Mochen was the most knowledgeable about Han Yu and the Li family's affairs.
Although he didn't know what Han Yu was thinking, his actions were indeed to save Li Yueniang.
Moreover, Xiao Mochen thought highly of Han Yu; after all, someone his aunt valued couldn't be too bad. Besides, Han Yu's status as the newly appointed top scholar was, to a large extent, a match for his aunt's daughter.
In Xiao Mochen's heart, everything about the Li family was good.
So Xiao Mochen smiled, a rare occurrence, and replied, "Father is wise. Your subject also believes this is a match made in heaven."
Upon hearing this, the emperor laughed heartily and said, "Very well, very well, then I will issue an edict to bestow a marriage upon Han Yu and the second daughter of the Li family."
Upon hearing this, Han Yu quickly stood up, knelt before the emperor, and said, "Your subject kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."
Seeing this, Xiao Mochen teased, "Han Yu, now is not the time for you to express your gratitude. Your fiancée is still locked up in the prison of the Jingzhao Prefecture."
Han Yu was taken aback upon hearing this, and then said, "I beg Your Majesty to issue an order to release the person, otherwise even if I win the beauty's heart, my days will not be easy."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor burst into laughter again and said, "It seems our top scholar is a bit afraid of his wife. In that case, order Prefect Shang Wei of the Capital Prefecture to release him immediately."
They even dared to arrest Lady Mingzhao's daughter; they have absolutely no sense of propriety.
Those present shed tears of sympathy for Shang Wei; the job of the Prefect of Jingzhao was far too difficult.
Fortunately, the emperor's words were mostly a joke.
However, those present gained a new understanding of Lady Mingzhao.
Yan Qingqing had just finished comforting Li Yueniang and was preparing to go back to check on Han Yu and then try to get him out, but before she even left the government office, the eunuch from the palace arrived with an imperial decree.
Upon receiving the imperial decree, Shang Wei was secretly relieved that he hadn't offended Lady Mingzhao. He had just been imprisoned when the emperor issued another decree ordering his release.
Before Shang Wei could finish his reflections, the eunuch delivering the imperial decree dropped another bombshell, announcing that the Emperor had bestowed a marriage upon the newly appointed top scholar, Han Yu, and Li Yueniang.
Not only was Shang Wei completely bewildered, but Yan Qingqing was also incredulous. What kind of operation was this? Her mind was a little slow to catch up.
Yan Qingqing gave Ruyi a look, and Ruyi, being very perceptive, stepped forward and handed a purse to the eunuch who was delivering the imperial decree, saying, "Thank you for making this trip, sir. This is a small token of our madam's appreciation. Please have some tea."
The young eunuch had often heard Eunuch Yue say that Yan Qingqing was generous, and seeing her today, he was right.
This purse contains silver notes, worth at least fifty taels.
The young eunuch put the purse into his sleeve, bowed to Yan Qingqing, and said, "This servant thanks Lady Mingzhao for the reward."
The second daughter is truly blessed; this marriage was personally requested by the top scholar.
Then he briefly recounted what had happened inside the palace.
Yan Qingqing thought to herself, "No wonder Han Yu asked the Emperor for his hand in marriage; he was forced into it."
Although Yan Qingqing thought highly of Han Yu, Li Yueniang might not like him. However, she couldn't refuse, since she had injured Han Yu.
Thinking of this, Yan Qingqing smiled and said to the little eunuch, "I understand. I will definitely go to the palace to thank the Emperor for his grace later."
The young eunuch happily went back home. In his opinion, this was a good marriage. The man was handsome and the woman was beautiful, and they were well-matched in terms of social status. There was nothing more suitable than this.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com