Yunniang knelt down and kowtowed deeply. Zhao Huan's hand holding the chopsticks stopped in mid-air: "Well, Yunniang, I'm just giving you a word. There's no need to kneel. Come on, get up!"
Yunniang was also taken aback: "Your Majesty, do you think Yunniang wants to ask Your Majesty for a calligraphy?"
Zhao Huan said in surprise, "Isn't that so? You asked me to come here just to have my name inscribed on your restaurant. Don't worry, I'll personally name this dish for you. How about 'Yunniang Vinegar-Stirred Fish'? I guarantee your business will be booming."
Unexpectedly, Yunniang shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, Yunniang is not here for this."
Zhao Huan frowned slightly, vaguely feeling that things were not that simple. He put down his chopsticks and asked, "Tell me, what's the matter?"
"Your Majesty, Yunniang's husband died young. The ancients said a woman should follow her husband until her death. Yunniang and her husband are husband and wife in name only, not in reality. Yunniang was grateful to the Luo family for not abandoning her, and was adopted by her mother-in-law since she was young. But Yunniang has only just realized that her feelings for her husband were only siblings. Your Majesty, please help Yunniang!"
Zhao Huan was delighted. She meant to ask me to help her so she could remarry. No one else could do this, only I could. The emperor had issued an order, and no one would gossip. Was she going to follow me back to the capital?
"Yunniang, I know everything about you. This can be done. I will issue an imperial decree right now. Yunniang is kind and generous, and has made great contributions to disaster relief. I hereby issue an imperial decree to confer the title of 'Mrs. Yunniang'. Considering that Yunniang is still a virgin, I will allow her to choose a husband and remarry!"
Yunniang was overjoyed and knelt on the ground, kowtowed. Nangong Lian'er beside her hurriedly helped her up: "Okay, okay, Yunniang, His Majesty has promised you that you can remarry. Do you have someone you love?"
Yunniang blushed and lowered her head, not knowing what to do. Zhao Huan, however, was deeply moved. Did she really have a crush on me? Hehehe, bring her back to the palace. I must bring her there and give her a good beating.
Before Yunniang could speak, Nangong Lian'er continued, "Yunniang, tell me. Who is your dream lover? As long as you tell me, His Majesty will definitely make the decision for you!"
Zhao Huan saw her eyes sparkle, and his heart was moved: "As long as you like someone, no matter who it is, even if it is me, I will agree to it!"
How shameless! Zhao Huan was flirting with her so openly. He thought Yunniang had a crush on him but was too shy to ask for it, or maybe she felt she was too high a target to pursue. So he might as well just bring it up.
Unexpectedly, Yunniang bit her lip and shook her head: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Yunniang already has someone she loves. He, he, he is it."
Zhao Huan stared, Linghu Yunlong stared, Nangong Lian'er stared, they were all waiting for Yunniang to speak and name that person.
Zhao Huan thought Yunniang would say he was His Majesty, and Linghu Yunlong would think she was the current emperor, the Emperor of Song. Only Nangong Lian'er knew it couldn't be Zhao Huan.
"It's, it's Fan Zha." Yunniang finally mustered up the courage to say it, and she seemed relieved after saying it.
"Who?" Zhao Huan couldn't believe his ears.
"They are talking about Fan Zha, the chief clerk of Fengxian County." Nangong Lian'er did not forget to say one more sentence.
The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward. Zhao Huan was too enthusiastic, and Linghu Yunlong wisely lowered his head. If he looked up at Zhao Huan's excitement at this time, it would be like he was afraid of losing his life.
"I know!" Zhao Huan was a little annoyed. "Why him? So you came to me just because of Fan Zha?"
People change. Zhao Huan is no longer the loser and tyrant he once was. He has begun to become arrogant. If a woman you like suddenly tells you that she doesn't like you, even ordinary people would be disappointed, let alone the arrogant Zhao Huan.
Nangong Lian'er was relentless, "Your Majesty, please don't forget what you said."
Zhao Huan did have a desire to seize her. He was the emperor, and he could do whatever he wanted. If he really wanted to bring Yunniang into the palace, she wouldn't be able to resist. Even if she initially refused, she would eventually agree. But he had promised Nangong Lian'er that if Yunniang refused, he couldn't force her.
Looking at this woman who had captured his heart, Zhao Huan felt a deep reluctance to let her go. Frankly, if it weren't for Yunniang's beauty, Zhao Huan would have handled her case, but he wouldn't have taken such a serious interest. Just as Nangong Lian'er had said, "Flowers may have feelings, but flowing water is unfeeling."
"I promise you!" Zhao Huan said these four words after a while.
Yunniang's eyes were filled with tears: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Nangong Lian'er followed up, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Lian'er, stop making trouble. What do you want to thank me for?" Zhao Huan asked.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your help. Lian'er knows that Your Majesty is the best."
Zhao Huan's heart stirred. He already had Nangong Lian'er. He already had the Queen, Li Sisi, and Tang Wan'er. How could he still not be satisfied? Zhao Huan's personality was somewhat adaptable, and the thought of this comforted him a lot. "Well, I don't really need to help with this. That scumbag Fan has probably been interested in Yunniang for a long time."
Yunniang nodded: "Inviting His Majesty to dinner and stopping the sedan chair to redress grievances, these are all taught to Yunniang by Fan Zha."
Zhao Huan was shocked. "I thought it was Fan Zha who was behind this. Since you two have been interested in each other for a long time, why do you still need me to make the decision?"
"To be honest, my mother-in-law was strongly against Yunniang and Master Fan's relationship. Yunniang even threatened to commit suicide. Your Majesty, please see." As she spoke, Yunniang revealed a mark on her neck.
Everyone was shocked, and Nangong Lian'er asked, "How could this happen?"
Yunniang's face was dejected. "After my husband died, I met Fan Zha in prison. He often came to see me in the prison, and over time, we fell in love. Mother-in-law would never agree to Yunniang and Master Fan's marriage, so Fan Zha had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure. Your Majesty, please make the decision for us two!"
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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