Chapter 95 A Defeated Journey
Grandpa Xie turned his gaze to Xie Yunman, who nodded slightly.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "It seems that the two of them are quite destined for each other."
Xiao Ling chimed in from the side, "There's nothing wrong with repaying a life-saving debt by offering yourself in marriage."
Xie Yunman looked at Xiao Ling with an unpleasant expression and said:
"What are you doing here? Did you come just to laugh at me?"
Xiao Ling shook his head and said, "No, I'm here to support you."
"unnecessary."
Xie Yunman said with absolute certainty.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a voice came from outside: "The Crown Prince has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunman suddenly understood.
Then she saw the smiles on the faces of the Duke and his wife gradually fade, and Xue Weiyang beside her also clenched the red silk in her hand.
Xie Yunman then turned his gaze to Xiao Ling, who looked at him innocently and silently said:
"They're here."
Xie Yunman finally understood why Xue Weiyang had come to find a husband for him today.
After the eldest prince entered, he stopped at the door and looked at Xue Weiyang, who was dressed in red, with a very unpleasant expression.
He then gave Xie Yunman another unfriendly glance.
Finally, he walked straight between the two, drew his knife, and cut the red ribbon that Xue Weiyang and Xie Yunman were holding.
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Zhenguo's face immediately darkened.
"What does the Crown Prince mean by this?"
"A few days ago, my father agreed to bestow the ninth daughter of the Xue family upon me as a concubine."
Therefore, today's wedding is invalid.
As soon as the eldest prince finished speaking, Grand Tutor Xie and Xie Yuanshan exchanged a glance, finally realizing what kind of show the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was putting on today.
The Duke of Zhenguo immediately spoke up: "Your Highness is mistaken. I have not received His Majesty's decree of marriage."
Since that's the case, then my daughter is free to marry as she pleases.
"As long as the Xie family has no objections today, this marriage is definitely settled."
Upon hearing this, the eldest prince, without warning, immediately placed the knife in his hand against Xie Yunman's neck.
"Second Master Xie, do you think this marriage is valid?"
As the eldest prince spoke, his eyes were full of the playful glint of a cat catching a mouse.
The cold blade pressed against her neck. Before Xie Yunman could react, she saw Xue Weiyang pull out the hairpin from her hair and stab it towards the eldest prince.
The attack was launched from a tricky angle, forcing the eldest prince to parry with his sword.
After exchanging two blows, Xue Weiyang successfully shielded Xie Yunman behind her.
Upon seeing this, the eldest prince glared fiercely at Xue Weiyang:
"Have you thought it through? Will you choose him or me?"
Before Xue Weiyang could speak, Xie Yunman, standing behind her, said calmly:
"Your Highness, the ceremony was completed before your arrival."
So now she's a member of the Xie family.
Upon hearing this, Xie Yuanshan couldn't help but step forward and anxiously said:
"Erlang, you..."
Grand Tutor Xie reached out and pulled him back, shaking his head at him.
The eldest prince glanced sideways at Xie Yunman and said sarcastically:
"You, a mere weak scholar, can barely protect yourself, yet you dare to act like a hero."
Xie Yunman reached out and pulled Xue Weiyang behind him, calmly meeting the First Prince's gaze and saying:
"The Crown Prince was also observing the ceremony just now; you can ask him."
Xue Weiyang originally thought that even if she had to fight the Crown Prince today, she couldn't let him hurt Xie Yunman.
No sooner had this thought crossed her mind than Xie Yunman pulled her behind him to protect her.
Xue Weiyang felt a warmth in her heart.
Perhaps, he doesn't completely dislike me...
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince had no choice but to clear his throat and say, "Brother, I was indeed observing the ceremony just now."
"Um... I didn't know that Father Emperor said he wanted to make Lady Xue a concubine for you."
The eldest prince turned and glanced at the crown prince, without bowing, his expression devoid of respect, exuding arrogance.
"It seems the Crown Prince is going to side with the Xie family today?"
The Crown Prince smiled gently and said, "Brother, you can't say that. The marriage between the Xue and Xie families went very well."
You suddenly came to cause trouble, and even said that the Emperor wanted to bestow a marriage upon you.
I'm simply stating the facts. You're in the wrong today, so why should I side with you?
The eldest prince turned and glanced at Xiao Ling standing beside him:
"And you? Standing over there?"
Xiao Ling replied, "I am Xie Erlang's friend, so naturally I will stand on his side."
Xie Yunman retorted: "Who's your friend? I don't have a friend like you."
Xiao Ling smiled gently at Xie Yunman.
To outsiders, it looked like a conflict between two friends.
Upon hearing this, the eldest prince closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, his eyes filled with a bloodthirsty, murderous light.
"Alright, since that's the case, then you can wait for the imperial edict."
The imperial edict will arrive within an hour.
You did not have the traditional betrothal ceremony or the exchange of birth dates; everything was done in a hurry.
"It's not even dark yet, I don't believe you two can consummate your marriage right away!"
After saying that, the eldest prince turned and left.
After the eldest prince left, the crown prince also got up.
The Duke of Zhenguo bowed to the Crown Prince and said, "I am deeply grateful to Your Highness for helping me out of this predicament today."
"You're too kind, Duke."
The Crown Prince helped the Duke of Zhenguo to his feet.
"The Duke has fought for the Great Yong Dynasty for many years, doing his best and remaining loyal to His Majesty. What I did was just a small favor."
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Zhenguo immediately expressed his loyalty with utmost humility and fear.
"I would gladly die for the sake of the nation."
After hearing this, the Crown Prince said, "Alright, let's stop here for today. I must hurry back to the palace to stop my father from issuing the decree."
Then he glanced at Grand Tutor Xie and comforted him:
"Grand Tutor, after I leave, you and the Duke should have a good talk, and you must not be angry again."
This matter needs to be resolved. Can we talk about it calmly and rationally?
Grand Tutor Xie bowed to the Crown Prince and said, "I will obey the Crown Prince's decree."
After the Crown Prince left with Xiao Ling, Grand Tutor Xie sat down at the head of the hall without any politeness, looking at the Duke of Zhenguo with a cold and stern expression.
"Xue Wanjun, you can't explain this matter clearly today, I'm not finished with you."
Even if I have to storm the imperial palace tomorrow, I will still submit a memorial to His Majesty impeaching you.
The Duke of Zhenguo sighed, standing meekly to the side of Grand Tutor Xie like a scolded young wife, his face full of worry as he said:
"Grand Tutor, as you can see, we were forced to resort to this tactic because of the Crown Prince's coercion."
Please forgive me, sir.
Grand Tutor Xie still said angrily, "If you really want to get married, you can just send someone to propose. Why put on this show of 'catching a son-in-law under the proclamation'?"
My second son has been weak since childhood, and he has to take the imperial examination in a couple of days.
"If something were to happen to him while you're all making such a fuss, I... I'd burn your entire Duke's mansion down."
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Zhenguo lowered his head and muttered:
"Isn't that because my daughter asked your second son in private, and he didn't agree?"
Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Xie looked at Xie Yunman with some surprise.
Based on his understanding of Xie Yunman, if it were just to help the Xue family out of a predicament, he wouldn't have confronted the Crown Prince so directly.
Judging from what he just said, Grand Tutor Xie thought that Xie Yunman had taken a liking to Xue Weiyang.
After hearing what the Duke of Zhenguo said, he was still unsure.
So he waved to Xie Yunman, and Xie Yunman came over.
"Erlang, what is your stance on this matter now?"
Xie Yunman opened her mouth to speak, but Xue Weiyang took a step forward and grabbed Xie Yunman's left arm.
"You just said in front of the Crown Prince that I am already a member of the Xie family, so don't go back on your word."
As she spoke, she shook his arm twice.
Xie Yunman felt her arm fall into a soft embrace, and as her arm swayed, it bumped into a soft mass.
Her ears turned red instantly.
Grand Tutor Xie, seeing Xie Yunman's expression, understood and said calmly:
"Let's go home."
The Duke of Zhenguo, listening nearby, looked completely bewildered, scratched his head, and asked:
"This...you're leaving already..."
"Grand Tutor, this marriage isn't finished yet!"
Grand Tutor Xie snorted and walked away without even glancing at the Duke of Zhenguo.
Xie Yuanshan followed them outside.
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