Chapter 39
The day before Princess Yi Luoyue's birthday banquet, Gong Yuchen was summoned into the palace by King Yi early in the morning. Subconsciously, he seemed to have a bad premonition. King Yi rarely summoned him into the palace so early in the morning. Could something have happened?
"Your Majesty, you summoned me to the palace. What are your instructions?"
"Now that you're here, please sit down." "King Yi" Yi Xuanxin motioned him to sit down and talk.
"It's nothing serious. You haven't come to the palace to see me for a long time. I just happened to have something to ask you."
"I wonder what your majesty wants to ask?"
"Oh! Here's what happened. The virtuous king came to see me yesterday. He mentioned your Western Yi prince, Gongyu, saying that he's a perfect match for Luo Yue in terms of age, family background, and talent. I spent the whole night thinking about it and decided that Luo Yue's marriage shouldn't be delayed any longer. So, I wanted to ask you, what do you know about this prince? I wonder if he'd be a good match?"
"I have been in Yidu for a long time, so my understanding of some of the people of Xiyi is limited. However, Your Majesty should remember why I came to Yidu as a hostage. Moreover, I will be returning to Xiyi soon. By then, Gong Yuxian will not be a good match for me in any way."
Damn it! Yi Luoyao has been making more and more small moves recently. He will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly! No one can touch his people in front of him, no one!
"What you said makes sense. After all, Gong Yuxian is the son of your uncle, and his identity is too sensitive. Besides, I also heard about what happened at the poetry meeting that day. It's just a casual question, so I won't mention it again." Even if it wasn't related to Gong Yuchen, Luo Yue might not like someone who could make Li Fei compete with him.
"Tomorrow is Luo Yue's birthday party. There will be many outstanding men from aristocratic families attending. There will definitely be one that suits Luo Yue's taste." It felt like there was something more to the words of "King Yi" Yi Xuanyin.
"Since it is Princess Yue's marriage, I think it is better for the princess to decide herself." As long as Yi Luoyue makes the decision, he will never give anyone else the opportunity to become Yi Luoyue's husband.
"You're not young anymore, do you have someone you like? I heard that Lord Gong wants to marry his daughter to you. What do you think? I think I have a good memory, so I guess I'm not mistaken, am I?"
"Your Majesty, what do you mean? Why do you suddenly ask this?"
"Well, I'll tell you the truth. A few days ago, Li Fei, the second son of the Wu Cheng family, came to me to ask for his marriage to Miss Gong. I specifically asked you to come here today to ask for your opinion. If you are interested in Miss Gong, it's fine. I will immediately issue an order to grant you a marriage, and the matter of Li Fei will be dropped."
"No, Your Majesty, you misunderstood." Gong Yuchen immediately interrupted King Yi's self-righteousness. He didn't want to make things worse and return to the starting point.
"My nephew and Cousin Mingxue only have a brother-sister relationship, but she and Li Fei are in love with each other. If possible, my nephew hopes that Your Majesty can grant them a marriage and make them a perfect couple."
"Really? So you have no interest in Miss Gong?" King Yi hesitated. In fact, he still hoped that Li Fei would have a chance to become Luo Yue's consort. However, Li Fei actually asked for a marriage with the Miss Gong, which proved that his mind was not on Luo Yue. But Luo Yue never told him whether she had someone she liked or not, which made him very passive. If it weren't for Li Fei's reminder that day.
"Forgive me for being frank, but I already have someone I love." His unexpected explanation piqued King Yi's curiosity. Was he admitting it?
"Whose daughter is she?"
"She is very special. I will report to Your Majesty after I am sure of her feelings." Before Yi Luoyue agreed to go to Xiyi with him, he could not disclose their relationship to King Yi. After all, he still had many things to consider at the moment.
"You like her very much? But you will become the King of Xiyi in the future, and you will definitely have many concubines in your harem."
"Gong Yuchen only wants her in this life. She is a woman who can stand shoulder to shoulder with me." A natural majesty made him look like a true king.
"you mean?"
"A pair for life." Gong Yuchen answered neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"Oh! I understand, I understand." King Yi said with a smile, his eyes flashing with interest, and his voice was deep and clear as if he suddenly figured it out.
"Your Majesty knows!" Gong Yuchen's sword-like eyebrows suddenly rose high. What did he mean?
"So your sweetheart is so important to you, then there's no problem." It seems that he still needs to plan carefully about Luo Yue's marriage.
"Last night, I recalled an event from many years ago... Luo Yue and the Queen." Speaking of this past, "Prince Yi" Yi Xuanxin sighed, lamenting his past neglect of them.
King Yi Xuanxin had a slight smile on his face. A few days ago, at Li Fei's reminder, he had given up his previous idea because Gong Yuchen was going back to Xiyi. But unexpectedly, he also fell in love with Luo Yue. To be honest, he was reluctant to let Luo Yue leave, but seeing that his health was getting worse, he had to change his original intention. As long as Gong Yuchen was sincere and he could be favored by Luo Yue, it was okay not to follow some rules.
He remained calm and continued to chat with him with a smile.
"You will be returning to Xiyi soon. Is there anything you haven't dealt with yet?"
"Your Majesty, these are not serious matters. Gong Yuchen can handle them on his own." When faced with the issue of inheriting the throne, he acted and spoke more cautiously than ever before.
"Well, since you're leaving, I'll grant you one thing as a parting gift. As long as it's within reasonable limits, how about that?"
Gong Yuchen couldn't believe this was true!
Gong Yuchen was a little curious. Although he had been a hostage in Yidu for these years, King Yi had never looked down on him and had always treated him like his own son or nephew. But what was the purpose of His Majesty calling him in for a talk today?
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will obey your command respectfully." He stood up and bowed in thanks.
"One more thing, do you know what my greatest wish is right now?"
"My nephew dare not make any rash comments."
Your Majesty, are you testing his thoughts on the crown prince?
"Gong Yuchen, I allow you to tell the truth."
Gong Yuchen gradually had a rough idea in his mind. If his guess was correct, King Yi had already decided on the heir to the throne, but he still needed to know what choice "he" would make as King Xiyi in the future.
"Your Majesty, I support your and the princess's decision." Although it was not stated directly, the meaning was conveyed.
If only Luo Yue was a boy, he wouldn't have these troubles.
"Okay. Remember to arrive early for tomorrow's birthday party. By the way, I heard that your adopted daughter is very cute and is deeply loved by Luo Yue. Remember to bring her into the palace tomorrow for me to see."
"Yes, I will obey your command."
"You go first. Oh! By the way, Luo Yue seems to be in the garden. Go and call her over to me."
"Yes, my nephew will take his leave first."
Looking at Gong Yuchen leaving, he originally didn't want to do this, but he also wanted to know to what extent Gong Yuchen would go for his precious daughter. After all, it would be useless if he didn't take action.
In the garden, Gong Yuchen walked slowly on the path, looking for Yi Luoyue's figure. When he thought of her company over the past few days, the corners of Gong Yuchen's mouth unconsciously rose slightly.
After walking for a while, he suddenly heard a woman's laughter from the flowers not far away. It was Yi Luoyue's voice, clear and sweet. Who was she with? She sounded so happy. He quickened his pace, puzzled, but when he reached the corner, the scene before him froze him instantly, and the smile on his face disappeared without a trace.
Yi Luoyue was seen wearing a sky blue dress, and next to her stood a man in a green robe. The man was tall and strong, with a rough and heroic aura all over his body, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a handsome face.
Who is he? He has no impression of such a person.
"Aren't you too modest? Come to court. Your father loves talents and will definitely make use of you. You have the opportunity to display your talents. It would be a pity to hide in the wild."
"No need to talk about it. I'm used to my freedom. Besides, the affairs of Li Shantang are enough for me to worry about. Don't think that just because I pamper you, you can do whatever you want."
"Besides, the world is peaceful now, and Your Majesty is surrounded by talented people. There is really no need for me to add icing on the cake."
"I know your abilities. In time, your achievements will rival those of Wen Cheng. Why are you being so modest?"
"Are you planning to drain us brothers dry?" Li Yang's hearty smile was like a spring breeze.
"I know you're a free spirit, and you can't stand the twists and turns of officialdom, but when the new ruler takes the throne, he'll really need the assistance of talented individuals."
"What do you mean? You've already decided on the candidate?"
"I thought you knew that by now, didn't you?"
"But you also have to know that too much power will eventually become a hidden danger for our Li family."
"I know this, but I believe my choice will not be wrong."
"Oh, never mind. If he is a wise ruler, he can come to me anytime." That was all he could say.
"I knew it, you're the best." After saying that, she hugged his arm and acted coquettishly.
Gong Yuchen felt a surge of rage rising from the depths of his heart as he watched this scene unfold. The tendons in his clenched fists trembled faintly. "Is he" the other candidate for Prince Yi's preferred consort that Li Fei mentioned? He had never seen Yi Luoyue so intimate with another man. Her eyes were filled with tenderness as she looked at the man. Her gentleness, her shyness, everything about her should belong only to him!
Luo Yue is his. Whether it's this life or the next, it all belongs to Gong Yuchen alone. No one else can compete with him!
"You! How old are you? Why are you still the same as when you were a child? Where is your princess image?" He patted her cheek lovingly, pulled away her slender green hands wrapped around his arm, and when he looked up, he unexpectedly met Gong Yuchen's terrifying eyes. The meaning expressed in that look was enough to make him die several times.
Alas! Li Yang wailed inwardly. Why had he accepted this mission? He hoped his uncle, His Majesty, wouldn't kill him this time! He thought he might consider leaving Yidu sooner rather than later, as otherwise, his life would be in jeopardy.
If His Majesty was deliberately using him to arouse the man's jealousy, then he succeeded. But if that was the case, he was doomed. Looking at his expression, he must have wanted to skin him alive.
People like him are calm and introverted. Although they look indifferent, they are ruthless and their actions are still chilling.
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