Chu Yujie's reaction was within Feng Changye's expectations.
Only a good-for-nothing man, a dandy good-for-nothing who only thinks of marrying a princess for wealth and glory, would cry with joy and immediately kneel down and kowtow to express his gratitude when he hears that he has been chosen as a candidate for the prince consort.
Anyone with a bit of ambition would not bet his wealth and glory on a little princess who is just over three years old.
Therefore, Feng Changye did expect Chu Yujie to reject him implicitly, but it also made him feel a little troubled.
If he refuses, will he use the imperial power to force others?
He couldn't do such a thing.
He rubbed his brow and sighed.
Alas, for the sake of his daughter's happiness, he risked everything!
He forced a smile and stared at Chu Yujie.
"Lord Chu, I know you can't possibly have any other thoughts about my princess right now. After all, she's still so young, right? I won't let you stay with the princess and develop feelings for her now. That's ridiculous. I want you to postpone your marriage for ten years. If you two are a good match after ten years, I will grant you a marriage. If not, you can marry the woman you want, and she can choose someone else as her consort, and you can just pretend nothing happened."
He continued, "Of course, I won't let you waste ten years of your precious youth. If after ten years you're not destined to be my daughter's consort, then I will compensate you. You can choose any of the fame, wealth, and honors you desire. As long as your demands are not excessive, I can satisfy you."
After the temptation, he looked at Chu Yujie again and praised her sincerely.
"My dear Chu, you have such a beautiful face. I feel heartbroken when I think that if you marry early, my daughter will end up marrying someone who is inferior to you in every way! My daughter is so well-behaved and wonderful. How can she just settle for a random prince consort for the rest of her life? She deserves the best man in the world—"
At this point, he raised his finger and pointed at Chu Yujie, smiling, "Just like you, my dear Chu, with your stunning looks, excellent character, and immense talent, you are the perfect match for my daughter to be my consort!"
“…” Chu Yujie felt very complicated when he was praised by the emperor.
The emperor actually appreciated him, a commoner, and praised him for his excellent character and appearance and his both literary and military talents. He should have cried with joy and thanked the emperor for his appreciation.
But the emperor appreciated him only to make him his son-in-law, which is a bit ridiculous.
Looking up at the emperor's sincere eyes, he didn't know for a moment whether he should be happy that he was so lucky to be noticed by the royal father and son who were so discerning, or whether he should be distressed that he had to wait for a little girl for ten years.
That's ten years...
Ten years is enough for him to marry a wife and have three or four children...
He had been lonely since childhood and had always wanted to have a family. So when he grew up, he always wanted to get married and have children, so that he could experience the happiness of being accompanied by a loving wife and children.
He really wants to get married.
He had endured more than ten years of miserable loneliness without anyone to accompany him, and he didn't want to endure another ten years of this loneliness...
Thinking of this, he looked at Feng Changye with firm eyes.
"Your Majesty, it is a great honor for me to be chosen by Your Majesty, but I am so old now and I really want to start a family soon, so..."
He kowtowed and said, "I beg Your Majesty to allow me to marry freely. I want to start a family and have children soon. I am afraid that if I die young, I will not even have anyone to mourn for me."
After saying this, he remained kneeling with his forehead against the ground, not daring to look up.
Feng Changye, sitting on the dragon throne, rubbed his eyebrows in disappointment.
What should he say about this?
Although he could issue an order for Chu Yujie to remain single for ten years, he really couldn't do such an inhumane thing.
Besides, a forced melon is not sweet. If he forces Chu Yujie like this, Chu Yujie will not treat Aqiong sincerely in the future, right?
He sighed.
"Then it seems that Lord Chu has no chance of joining the royal family. Well, since Lord Chu is unwilling, I will not force you. Lord Chu, just pretend that I never said this today."
He raised his hand to signal Chu Yujie to stand up.
Chu Yujie suddenly raised his head.
He was moved for a moment when he saw the emperor's eyes which showed no anger but only a hint of regret.
He didn't expect the emperor to be so easy to talk to.
He thought that if he disobeyed the emperor's order, he would definitely be angry. Even if he didn't lose his temper on the spot, his face would not be very good. He would remember what happened today and make things difficult for him in the future...
But their emperor was a wise ruler and did not get angry at his lack of tact.
He kowtowed again to express his gratitude, "I thank the emperor for his understanding and grace."
Feng Changye waved his hand and said, "Alright, go to Xiao'er's study. What happened today is over. You can do whatever you need to do in the future. There's no need to worry. I usually lose my temper on the spot and won't settle scores later."
Chu Yujie smiled, "I obey your order."
It’s no wonder that the Empress is so deeply in love with such an Emperor. The Emperor is indeed someone worthy of the Empress’s deep love.
After he kowtowed, he left with a relieved mood.
Feng Changye looked at his back, and his depressed mood eased a little and became cheerful.
The rival praised him as someone worthy of Huanhuan's deep love.
Happy!
It feels so great to be recognized by my love rival!
…
At noon, Feng Changye returned to the back hall and after having lunch with his family, he sent his beloved daughter away.
He told Zhu Wuhuan and Feng Yuxiao about the result of his search for Chu Yujie.
After hearing this, Feng Yuxiao was disappointed. "Teacher doesn't want to? What a pity! He insists on getting married now. Then it will be impossible for him and Aqiong to be together. Sigh..."
Zhu Wuhuan didn't care.
In history, Chu Yujie had a wife. If he changed his fate and married Aqiong now, it would be his fate with Aqiong, and there would be nothing to regret if he did not marry Aqiong.
Maybe after going around in circles, he can marry his original wife like in history.
Feng Changye heard Zhu Wuhuan's inner voice, glanced at her, then looked down at his son, "Father tried hard, but failed. But you and Aqiong can try again. If it really doesn't work, forget it."
Feng Yuxiao nodded. "Yes! I've already been beaten for this. I can't just give up without trying. Wouldn't that be a waste of my beating? I'm going to talk to the teacher right now!"
After saying that, he turned and ran away.
After he left, Feng Changye raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhu Wuhuan.
"I'm a little curious. Why haven't I heard you mention Chu Yujie's wife? Logically, if they were a loving couple, you would be crazy about their love. Just like you're crazy about me and Xiao Yuanzi."
He gossiped secretly, "Is he not getting along with his wife? If he's unhappy in his married life, then I can justifiably order him not to get married, and we can secretly save him!"
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