Chapter 27
"Your father married your mother when he was only eighteen, and even took control of the Western Yi before he was twenty. Not only did he stabilize the Western Yi, he also had two sons. Why are you so reluctant to take a concubine?" Look how discerning he is! This kid is both smart and determined. He will definitely become a wise ruler in the future. When that time comes, not only will it bring honor to him, his uncle and father-in-law, but Mingxue will also have a good life.
"Uncle, I'm really flattered by your words. How dare I be compared to my father? You're flattering me."
How could he explain to his uncle that he only had a brotherly affection for Mingxue? That he actually loved someone else? But looking at his face, he couldn't find words to express himself, even if he had a thousand words to say. After all, for all those years in Yidu, his uncle had always cared for him, no matter what his reasons were. He owed his current situation to his uncle.
"Uncle, did Gong Yuxian come to see you last night?"
"He did come, but I didn't come because of him. I knew his intentions were not pure, so I sent him away without saying a few words."
"That's not what I meant. I can trust my uncle."
"Uncle also knows that after you return to Xiyi and inherit the throne in the future, you will definitely want to fill your harem. In Xiyi, uncle really can't help you in any way, nor will there be any substantial benefits."
"What are you talking about? I may not be talented, but I don't need to use women to get to the top."
"You and Mingxue have known each other for so many years. You made her the Crown Princess, so you should know her well, right? Even if you want to take in a few concubines, it's not impossible." After saying this, he fixed his sharp eyes on his daughter.
"Mingxue, you shouldn't mind Chen'er taking a concubine in the future, right?"
Gong Mingxue looked at her father helplessly. It had been her father's wish for her to marry her cousin for many years. She had agreed to his arrangement because she thought her cousin was a good man. She hadn't considered how many women he would have in his harem, believing that no matter how many women there were, her cousin would treat her well in the future. That's why she had foolishly agreed to the marriage. But she didn't know when it started, and she found that there was another man in her heart. Things that she didn't mind before, she now cared about.
Not minding? How could she not mind her husband having so many women? In fact, ever since she came back from the "Four Gods Temple" last time, through her conversation with her cousin, she knew clearly that her cousin only had family affection for her, but she couldn't disobey her father, so she could only choose a compromise answer.
"Father, I'm not in a hurry. I want to spend more time with you."
Gong Yuchen couldn't help but smile bitterly. He was afraid that apart from the two parties involved, many people thought that he would marry Gong Mingxue. Gong Che thought so, and Liefeng and Gong Yuxian were probably some people far away in Xiyi also thought so.
"You're already eighteen years old! How can you not be anxious?" Gong Che shook his head.
This was his sixth marriage proposal in all those years, which also meant he'd been turned down six times. Gong Yuchen had been in Yidu for ten years, and since he'd reached the age of the Dancing Elephants, he'd asked about it almost every year. He couldn't help but wonder how many more times he had to ask before Gong Yuchen agreed. Hadn't Liu Bei successfully persuaded Zhuge Liang to leave his retirement by visiting him three times?
If he doesn't agree this time, there may not be a seventh chance!
Gong Mingxue lowered her head helplessly and fiddled with her fingers.
Gong Yuchen caught a glimpse of her hesitation and secretly regretted that his indecision had hurt her! Mingxue was her family, his beloved sister. Although he had no plans to take many women, and even wanted to purge the harem after ascending the throne, devoting himself solely to the country, even so, with Mingxue's personality, life in the palace would only cripple her. After a moment's consideration, he decided to...
"Uncle, as for my marriage with Mingxue, Mingxue is still young. She should get to know more people and have more choices besides me. Besides, the situation in Xiyi is uncertain. Getting married too early might put her in danger."
If he guessed correctly, Mingxue's feelings for him weren't yet at the point of committing her life to him. Compared to him, Mingxue would be more suitable to stay in Yidu, by her uncle and aunt's side, and find a young talent with a family background and talent that matched hers, such as "Li Fei." He could see that Mingxue had different feelings for Li Fei, but he didn't know whether Li Fei liked him or Yi Luoyue.
"Is Mingxue not to your liking? Even if she doesn't object to you having more concubines?" He was still rejected! Gong Che asked helplessly.
"I don't...that's not the question." Gong Yuchen was speechless.
"Since there is no problem, then settle the marriage before you leave Xiyi." He continued to persuade her without any effort.
"No!" Xiaoyue, who came back to change clothes, heard their conversation and couldn't help but jump out to object.
"Who is this?" Gong Che was stunned. When did this child come to this mansion?
"Daddy doesn't like Aunt Xue, and Aunt Xue doesn't like Daddy either. She likes Li..." Gong Mingxue quickly covered the little sparrow's mouth.
Hmm...Hmm...
"My daughter." Should he be glad that this little girl showed up at this time?
"daughter!!!"
"Father, this is my cousin's adopted daughter, her name is Xiaoyueer." Gong Mingxue explained to his old father.
"Chen'er! You haven't even gotten married yet, so why did you adopt a daughter? Also, what's the origin of this child?" He was puzzled.
"She doesn't have much of a background. She's just an orphan girl without a father or a mother. I took her in because I had a connection with her."
"Nonsense, you have a daughter before you even get married. How will others look at you when you return to Xiyi? You'd better send her away early!" Gong Che made a suggestion.
"Uncle, since she calls me daddy, there is no way I will send her away." He didn't want to be angry with Gong Che, saying that he was fine, but he couldn't stand it when he heard that he was going to deal with Xiao Yue'er at will.
"Forget it, just accept it. But I think this child is quite close to Mingxue, so it might be okay to register it under Mingxue's name in the future." Gong Che's abacus was clattering so loudly that it could probably be heard by the princess's mansion next door.
No matter what, she was determined to go all out! Breaking free from Gong Mingxue's shackles, she jumped in front of Gong Che.
"Stinky old man, listen carefully." She put her little hands on her waist.
"My father will not marry Aunt Xue. Xiaoyue has her own mother, so you don't have to worry about her! Humph!" She knew who her father would marry, and of course she also knew who Aunt Xue would marry, but this old man was so annoying and she didn't like him.
"Xiao Yue'er!" His voice was full of warning. She couldn't be rude to anyone, no matter who it was. There had to be a limit to how much he could pamper her.
"I'm not wrong!" Xiaoyue'er's face flushed with anger, and she glared at him fiercely. "No matter! You want to snatch Daddy from Mom and drive her away! Dream on!"
"Uncle, I'm sorry. I will teach this child a lesson later."
"Xiao Yue'er, go back to your room! Wait for me in the room." His face was ashen.
"You're mean to me!!" I don't want you anymore! "I'm going to find my aunt!" Hearing his angry rebuke, Xiaoyue opened her eyes wide like copper bells, didn't even change her clothes, and ran out.
Gong Yuchen glared helplessly at the door. He was determined to give her a good beating when she came back. She was so rude!
"Father, let's go first." Gong Mingxue pushed her father. If Xiaoyueer had an accident, she would not be able to live with it even if her cousin didn't blame her.
"Well, let's do this. Just give your uncle face. As long as you agree to reconsider it, your uncle won't bother you this time." He looked at Gong Yuchen helplessly and gave himself a way out.
Gong Yuchen lowered his eyes, picked up the teacup, and then put it down again.
"Ten days, in ten days I will definitely give you, my uncle, a satisfactory answer."
However, this matter might be more difficult than imagined. He should first reach a consensus with Gong Mingxue to avoid embarrassing Mingxue in the future.
"Okay, okay, that's great. Then ten days. I'll wait for your reply after ten days." Gong Che had no doubts about it and was very satisfied. He smiled and said to Gong Mingxue that he would go back home.
Send Gong Che and his daughter away.
"Your Highness?"
Liefeng looked at Gong Yuchen cautiously, afraid that he might say something wrong and anger a mad lion ready to attack.
"Say whatever you want to say."
"Your Highness will not agree to your cousin's marriage, will he?"
"Did you see that?"
If he still can't see this, then he has followed Gong Yuchen for so many years in vain!
"Your Highness, forgive me for being so bold as to say this, but you should know that the matter of appointing a concubine will be delayed for a long time. If Your Highness always... I mean, if Your Highness doesn't meet the person he likes, does that mean you will never appoint a concubine in your life? It's okay for us in Yidu now, but if you go back to Xiyi, those daughters of princes and nobles in Xiyi will come to you every day, right?" After all, who among those aristocratic families doesn't want their daughter to rule the Eastern Palace one day and become the mother of the country?
Didn't he know this was a problem? He'd previously worried about hurting the relationship between the two families, and since he hadn't had any feelings for other women at the time, he hadn't explicitly refused. But now, the two of them, the man heartless and the girl uninterested, were they going to end up as a couple of enemies? It would be best to make things clear as soon as possible. But Gong Che was a relative, an elder, after all. How could he best refuse?
Moreover, even if he could settle his marriage with Mingxue, his father would never let him go easily once he returned to Xiyi. After all, he could use the Gong family as a shield before, but once he gave up this shield, more spears would appear. This time, he would be in a difficult situation.
His already irritated mood was now exacerbated, but facing Lie Feng's frankness, Gong Yuchen couldn't lose his temper. Wasn't it true? If there really wasn't someone he loved, he wouldn't mind marrying anyone. Why would he be so upset? He hadn't realized that his heart had already been lost six years ago.
Now that the decision has been made, no matter what his future holds, marrying Mingxue is absolutely impossible. He will try to find out Mingxue's thoughts within ten days. If she has someone she likes, he can also help her reconcile and communicate with her uncle. After all, he has delayed her for so many years, so this can be considered as compensation.
"Liefeng." He turned around and instructed.
"I just saw Xiaoyue'er's clothes were disheveled and she looked dusty. Ask the maid to pack some clothes and send them to the princess's residence later."
"Your Highness is not going?"
"Let's talk about it later." He said vaguely. If he saw that heartless woman again today, he would be mad to death.
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