"In that case, I'll have to choose one of my nieces."
The imperial concubine smiled sweetly.
"It's a pity about Yun Shu. I recommended her to you before, hoping to give her a great opportunity, but I didn't expect she didn't have that blessing."
Speaking of which, her aunt was truly blessed; first she married Minister Xiao, and after their divorce, she married General Fu.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Chengtai's face darkened.
He naturally knew about the Yun family and Fu Junshi.
He had previously been very satisfied with Fu Junshi.
Fu Junshi has had little contact with the Yun family in recent years, at most visiting them when he returns to the capital to report on his duties or attend the Autumn Festival.
Emperor Chengtai did not want anyone to get close to the Yun family, but Fu Junshi was originally a servant, and the Yun family had done him a great favor. If he stood by and did nothing like others, it would seem too cold-blooded and heartless.
He wouldn't feel comfortable using someone who was too cold-blooded, so Fu Junshi's lukewarm attitude was just right.
Therefore, he has been generous in promoting him over the years.
But after the incident of Yun's divorce and remarriage, he realized that Fu Junshi's estrangement from the Yun family was all an act.
Emperor Chengtai hated subordinates who were outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, so he was naturally furious.
But they couldn't express it; they could only keep it bottled up inside.
Seeing his expression, the imperial concubine had a pretty good idea of what was going on.
"However, her aunt seems to be in poor health. General Fu had been searching everywhere for doctors to treat her, and even the imperial physician was invited."
With the war in Liaodong raging, General Fu also had to take care of his wife, which must have been quite stressful for him.
Your Majesty thinks, perhaps…
"Not as good as what?"
"Why don't you bestow a concubine upon General Fu? Firstly, it would help him take care of his wife and share the burden; secondly, it would help the Fu family to have more descendants. General Fu only has one son, which is too few offspring. What do you think?"
"That's a good idea."
Emperor Chengtai's brows relaxed.
By bestowing a concubine upon Fu Junshi, we can not only give him a warning, but also sow discord between him and the Yun family.
He should have done it a long time ago.
Do you have anyone you would recommend?
He asked the imperial concubine.
The Imperial Concubine smiled gently and said, "Does Your Majesty still remember my seventh sister?"
Emperor Chengtai hesitated and asked, "Is it the one who often comes to the palace to see you?"
"Exactly."
The Imperial Concubine replied.
"When my seventh sister was fifteen, the family arranged a marriage for her. Unexpectedly, the man died unexpectedly just before the wedding."
Seventh Sister has a reputation for bringing bad luck to her husbands, so her marriage prospects are uncertain. She is already twenty years old and still unmarried.
At her age, she is more mature than those young girls, making her a better match for General Fu.
If you were to find someone who's fifteen or sixteen, around the same age as General Fu's son, it would be awkward to get along with them.
"The Imperial Concubine's words make sense."
Emperor Chengtai nodded.
Then two imperial edicts were issued in quick succession.
The third young lady of the Marquis of Xuanyi was conferred the title of Princess and a marriage alliance was arranged.
A decree was issued to bestow a marriage upon the seventh sister of the Marquis of Xuanyi, to be General Fu's concubine, and the wedding was to take place on a chosen date.
...
After receiving the news, Xiao Qingyin went to the General's Mansion with Madam Han.
"Mother, why have you come here?"
Yun Wanyin hurriedly instructed the servants to prepare tea.
"No rush to drink tea."
Han pulled her hand and sat her down.
Seeing that Fu Junshi was not there, she asked, "Where is Qianli?"
"He went to the palace."
Yun Wanyin replied.
"He wanted to persuade His Majesty to revoke the imperial decree granting the marriage."
Han felt somewhat relieved.
Fu Junshi is a responsible person.
However, "I'm afraid His Majesty isn't so easy to talk to."
Qingyin persuaded the second prince of Beijin to change the choice of his bride. The emperor must have been holding a grudge, which is why he deliberately arranged this marriage.
Yun Wanyin sighed.
"At worst, we'll just go back to Liaodong."
His Majesty cannot force Fu Junshi to undergo the wedding ceremony.
If they leave, the marriage might just fall through.
Liaodong is such a harsh and cold place, surely the young lady of the Xuanyi Marquis's mansion wouldn't go there to suffer.
Seeing Fu Weiyun playing with the ring on his hand, seemingly not worried at all, Xiao Qingyin leaned over and asked him.
Aren't you afraid of having another mother?
"What's there to be afraid of? The Fu family ancestral hall is so big, it's not like it can't fit everything."
Xiao Qingyin: "..."
You're ruthless, aren't you?
The memorial tablets were already arranged before the people even entered the house.
...
Taiji Hall.
After Fu Junshi's request to see Emperor Chengtai was rejected, he knelt calmly on the stone steps in front of the palace.
Xiao Shengyuan walked past him and said sarcastically, "General Fu is really lucky. He just got a new wife and then received a marriage decree."
Fu Junshi stared straight ahead, seemingly oblivious.
"Once the new wife enters the house, she will become the old wife, and no one will care even if she cries herself to death."
Xiao Shengyuan continued speaking.
The Yun family betrayed him so brazenly; they deserved this retribution.
Fu Junshi still ignored him.
Xiao Shengyuan, feeling rebuffed, left dejectedly.
Fu Junshi knelt from sunrise until sunset before a palace attendant came to call him: "General Fu, His Majesty requests your presence."
He pushed himself up from the ground, his knees were so stiff they were almost numb, and he could barely walk.
Emperor Chengtai's face fell the moment he saw him.
"You intend to defy the imperial decree?"
"Your Majesty, in this humble servant's life, Yun alone is enough."
Emperor Chengtai said expressionlessly, "I thought you were a sensible person, but I didn't expect you to be so muddle-headed. I will not stop you from marrying Yun, but this bestowed marriage cannot be refused by you."
Fu Junshi knelt on one knee.
"Your Majesty, please rescind your order."
Emperor Chengtai's face grew increasingly gloomy.
"You can only choose between the military power in Liaodong and the order to withdraw."
Fu Junshi took out the tiger tally from his bosom, raised it high with both hands, and presented it to Emperor Chengtai.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
