Chapter 36 Merits and Demerits Cancel Each Other Out
After saying these words, Chu Yunjin pulled Yan Cang into the gate of the Prince's Mansion, no longer wanting to pay attention to this man who wanted both.
These kinds of men really have no backbone.
Those male protagonists who regret their actions at least maintain a facade of remorse for most of the story, only repenting at the very end. Pei Yi'an, however, couldn't even last two days.
Perhaps it was because Yan Jinyue's decision to cancel the engagement was too decisive, or perhaps he didn't expect the Emperor to issue the decree so easily; in any case, when he realized that the plot was not developing as he had anticipated, he couldn't help but start to panic.
Chu Yunjin inwardly despised this kind of man. She passed through the screen wall and saw that Yan Jinyue was still standing there, looking at her with a pair of complicated and subtle eyes.
"...What's wrong?" Chu Yunjin asked slowly, as if she were a little stunned. "You want to go out and see him?"
Yan Jinyue snorted coldly: "Why would I want to see him? I'm waiting for you and my brother."
What are we waiting for them to do?
Chu Yunjin was puzzled, but then she thought that Yan Jinyue had just broken off the engagement and was in a bad mood, so asking too many questions would only make things worse. She simply kept quiet.
"I never expected you could say something like that." Yan Jinyue snorted lightly, her tone carrying a hint of disdain and arrogance. "You really can't judge a book by its cover."
Chu Yunjin blinked, sensing something unnatural in his voice. She released Yan Cang's hand, walked up to Yan Jinyue, and carefully observed her facial expression. Yan Jinyue looked completely bewildered: "What are you doing?"
"Are you moved?" Chu Yunjin's lips curled up slightly, his expression one of knowing her all along. He even reached out and patted her head. "No need to be moved. As your sister-in-law, it's only natural for me to stand up for you."
"Don't touch me like that." Yan Jinyue slapped her hand away and glared at her angrily. "Who's moved? Do I look like I'm moved? I just think you're pretty tough."
Chu Yunjin was unconvinced and turned to Yan Cang, grabbing his hand to complain, "Husband, am I fierce?"
Yan Jinyue opened her eyes wide in disbelief.
What a shameless woman, bringing in reinforcements?
"No." Yan Cang patted her head. "You spoke very well just now."
Yan Jinyue stamped her foot and turned to leave.
Chu Yunjin looked up at Yan Cang, chuckled, her dark eyes brightened by the laughter, her eyebrows curved, and her whole being seemed to glow.
Yan Cang was slightly lost in thought, his heart skipping a beat.
"Your Highness, Your Highness's Consort." The steward approached, holding an invitation in his hand. "The Ning'an Princess's residence has sent an invitation. The day after tomorrow is the Princess's birthday. We invite Your Highness and Your Highness's Consort to come to the residence to attend the birthday banquet."
Yan Cang withdrew his gaze and took the invitation: "Understood."
...
Pei Yi'an was still standing alone outside the gate.
He could hear Yan Jinyue and Chu Yunjin talking clearly inside the gate, and the corners of his lips involuntarily tightened.
His gaze fell on the plaque of the Prince of Yan's residence above. He just stared at it, lost in thought, for a long time before turning back to his carriage and ordering, "Enter the palace."
"yes."
Pei Yi'an sat in the carriage and gently closed her eyes.
He won't give up.
He must successfully marry Yan Jinyue, otherwise he and Yan Cang will truly become adversaries, and if Yan Cang harbors resentment, it will be extremely difficult for him to regain the military seal.
The carriage arrived at the palace gate. Pei Yi'an alighted from the carriage, took out his waist token, and, with the help of his personal servant, walked unsteadily into the palace.
Upon arriving at Chonghua Palace, they requested an audience with the Emperor.
Emperor Zhaode was reviewing memorials and was not surprised by his request for an audience.
After all, he had been back for three days. If he hadn't been bedridden to recover from his injuries, he should have gone to the palace to report on his duties on the day he returned to the city.
Fortunately, there was nothing urgent at the border.
Otherwise, if his personal conduct affects the war effort, he would have several heads to lose.
Emperor Zhaode thought coldly for a moment, then ordered, "Let him in."
"yes."
Pei Yi'an's steps were unsteady. The injury on his back prevented him from keeping his back straight, so he could only try his best to look less disheveled.
Upon entering the hall, he knelt down, lifting his robe: "Your subject Pei Yi'an pays respects to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"
Emperor Zhaode looked up at him and said, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Pei Yi'an expressed his gratitude but did not rise. He remained kneeling on the ground, saying, "I have come today to plead guilty."
Emperor Zhaode narrowed his eyes: "What crime have you committed?"
"I am engaged to the Sixth Princess, yet I failed to maintain my integrity and became pregnant out of wedlock with Lady Tang. This is my fault. I accept His Highness Prince Yan's punishment wholeheartedly, but I have deep feelings for the Sixth Princess and do not wish to annul this engagement—"
"A heart full of affection?" Emperor Zhaode seemed to have heard a joke, a hint of sarcasm appearing on his face. He said indifferently, "If you were truly full of affection, you wouldn't have brought such a disreputable woman to the capital before you were even married. Did you know that Jin Yue would tolerate you having three wives and four concubines, or did you know that I would turn a blind eye to you because of your merits?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not!" Pei Yi'an kowtowed. Even if he thought so in his heart, he dared not admit it at this moment. "Your Majesty, I am truly repentant. However, Tang Shi is weak and helpless. I was worried that she would be in great danger if she stayed alone at the border. That is why I brought her back to the capital to settle her down."
He looked down at the floor tiles, his voice growing increasingly guilty and fearful: "Your Majesty, I only wanted to provide a place for the Tang family to stay. I never intended to humiliate the Sixth Princess. I was negligent and wish to apologize to the Sixth Princess in person. I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission."
"There's no need for an apology in person," Emperor Zhaode said calmly. "Since I have granted you the marriage contract with the Tang family, you are now legally married. I will find Jin Yue another marriage, so you don't need to feel guilty anymore."
He put down his vermilion brush, his tone authoritative yet not angry: "Considering your service to the country, I will not pursue your mistakes, but I will not reward you again... Consider it a balance of merits and demerits. Kneel down and take your leave."
Pei Yi'an's heart sank to the bottom.
If the emperor could reprimand him or punish him directly, whether it was by deducting his salary or making him reflect on his mistakes at home, even if he was furious, he wouldn't feel so uneasy.
But the emperor's reaction was so calm that it made him deeply realize what it meant for the emperor's wrath to be unpredictable.
He had no idea what the Emperor was thinking, or whether he was furious or indifferent about Tang Beixuan's appearance.
The emperor didn't even ask about the war in the southern border region.
Pei Yi'an gently closed his eyes: "Your Majesty, I also have a report to make on the war plan in the southern border."
Emperor Zhaode glanced at him: "You are injured, so go back and recuperate for now. I will have Prince Yan discuss the Southern Frontier issue with you when he has time. You can report to Prince Yan in person."
Pei Yi'an's expression changed, and he lowered his eyes and remained silent for a long time before finally replying, "Yes."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com