Chapter 86 Rejection of Marriage
Prince Xiao Heng of Jin entered the hall with a calm and steady demeanor, meticulously performing the rituals of monarch and subject. He stood tall and straight, his brows bearing a similar sternness to Xiao Jin's, though his gaze was clearer and more direct.
"Brother," he began, his voice filled with genuine concern, "I heard you were not feeling well, so I came to see you. How are you feeling now?"
"His eyes first quickly swept over Yun Zhao who was standing beside him, and after confirming that she was fine, he settled steadily on the throne and carefully examined his brother's complexion.
Yun Zhao lowered his eyes, his mind slightly moved: [Prince Jin came here with genuine concern for Your Majesty, and is not some scoundrel who follows the crowd to explore the truth.]
Xiao Jin understood, but his expression remained unmoved. He deliberately lowered his gaze, as if concentrating on the illegible memorial in his hand. His voice remained steady, "I'm fine, just a little tired. How have you been doing at the Ministry of Justice lately? I heard you solved two more cases in a row."
Xiao Heng clasped his fists, his tone steady but with a subtle sharpness: "My Royal Highness, there are indeed two cases. Neither involves major court officials, but rather civil disputes. However... in one case, I find the verdict quite questionable, and I am still secretly investigating. In the process, I stumbled upon a shady organization lurking among the people, seemingly... connected to certain officials."
"A Jianghu organization?" Xiao Jin's voice was emotionless. "Continue to investigate secretly. Don't alert the enemy before you are absolutely sure. I want to see who is so bold!" He tapped the table lightly with his knuckles.
"Underworld organizations? I've heard that some so-called underworld gangs are actually private henchmen, even private armies, of the powerful! If they plot rebellion, they'll be like a divine force descending from the sky! The King of Qin... if he truly has rebellious intentions, he'll definitely have a backup plan like this! While investigating the case is important, we should dig deeper into the King of Qin's clues!"
Yun Zhao's heart sank suddenly and his thoughts raced.
Xiao Jin's ears moved slightly, and he heard Yun Zhao's thoughts clearly, but his expression remained calm and he did not say a word.
Xiao Heng replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I obey your command." He hesitated for a moment, then spoke again, his tone changing slightly, "Your Majesty, I have another unwelcome request. I hope Your Majesty will grant it."
The string in Yun Zhao's heart instantly tightened: [This tone...why does it feel like it's directed at me?]
Xiao Jin raised his eyes. Although his vision was blurry, he looked accurately in the direction of Xiao Heng: "You can talk as you please."
Xiao Heng took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind. His eyes quickly swept over Yun Zhao again, and then he looked firmly at Xiao Jin: "This year, I have held my coming-of-age ceremony. I have wasted twenty years and still have not married. I would like to ask your Majesty to grant me a marriage and choose a virtuous woman as my principal wife."
Xiao Jin's heart inexplicably tightened, but his voice remained steady: "Oh? Which noble lady have you set your eyes on? Tell me about it. If you are truly a good match, I will make the decision for you."
Xiao Heng no longer hesitated, and said clearly and firmly: "It's not someone else. The person I love is Concubine Yun, Yun Zhao. I have admired A Zhao for a long time, and I sincerely ask your Majesty to grant me your blessing!"
[As expected! But he will be disappointed in the end. Xiao Jin will never agree to it.]
Yun Zhao sighed in his heart and lowered his eyelids to hide the complicated look in his eyes.
On the throne, Xiao Jin's fists suddenly clenched in his sleeves, and his knuckles turned white.
He forced a vague smile on his face, his voice expressing neither joy nor anger. "Ah Heng, let's choose someone else. Whether it's a female official or a maid in this palace, once they enter the palace, they are all mine. I never give my people to my brothers. Let's not mention this matter again."
Xiao Heng obviously hadn't expected such a direct and unquestionable rejection. He froze in his tracks, a look of disbelief and disappointment flashing across his eyes. "Royal brother... aren't you even willing to ask Ah Zhao for her own wishes?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jin's anger rose sharply. He suddenly turned towards Yun Zhao and said in a cold and hard voice: "Yun Zhao, I ask you, are you willing to marry Prince Jin and be his princess?" There was an unmistakable sense of oppression in his words.
Yun Zhao took a deep breath, met the blurry yet scorching gaze, and spoke calmly, "Your Majesty, may I have a moment to discuss privately with His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin?"
"Say it right here!" Xiao Jin's voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable sense of authority. "I want to hear it with my own ears!"
A wave of helplessness and frustration welled up in Yun Zhao's heart: [...That's all.]
She simply stopped beating around the bush and looked directly at Prince Jin. Her tone was clear and calm, yet it also carried a subtle hint of determination. "Your Highness, Prince Jin, you should understand better than anyone that this matter... cannot be decided simply by my saying 'yes' or 'no'. I am Your Majesty's personally appointed Shang Gong, your person. My body and heart are not your own, so how can I be your consort again? Your Highness must have heard the recent rumors in the palace. Moreover, I have previously broken off my engagement, and the Empress Dowager... would never approve."
A short pain is better than a long one. Since you have no intention, you shouldn't be so indecisive and waste his affection. She steeled her heart and continued, her words becoming increasingly blunt but also reasonable: "Your Highness, you are a wise man, and a prince of the royal family. I am the daughter of a duke. If our marriage were to go through, the whole world would be watching. The court, the harem, your family, my family, and even the eyes of the entire world would not let go easily. The obstacles are so numerous that it's almost impossible to move forward. Why should we go against the current, only to cause trouble and ultimately achieve nothing?"
Her tone softened slightly, carrying a hint of the earnestness of an old friend. "I only wish that everything remains the same as before. Your Highness and I can still be like close friends, sharing everything and supporting each other. This will be the best for you, me, and the overall situation."
Xiao Heng listened in a daze, the heat in his eyes gradually cooled down, and finally turned into understanding and deep bitterness.
He suddenly laughed at himself, a smile that carried both relief and loneliness. "Before... I never realized you, Zhao, were so insightful and open-minded, with such a kind heart. I was... rude and inconsiderate."
He let out a long breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders. "You're right. Nothing in the world can ever go as we wish. It's beyond our control... that's all."
He turned to Xiao Jin again, his eyes clear and resolute. "Brother Your Majesty, I understand. Since I cannot marry the person I desire, I will simply live a carefree and leisurely life as a prince. I will now continue to investigate the matter of that Jianghu organization. As for the arranged marriage... please do not worry about me anymore in the future. I... wish to find someone I truly desire on my own. I will take my leave!"
Xiao Heng saluted, turned around and left. His back was straight but could not hide a hint of desolation.
When Xiao Jin heard his brother's last words, he felt a mixture of emotions, and felt uncomfortable - he had forced this result, but when he heard it, he still felt bad.
The hall fell into silence for a moment, with only the lingering scent of incense.
Yun Zhao stood there quietly, her eyes on her nose, her nose on her heart, as if the turmoil she had just caused had never happened.
After a long moment, Xiao Jin finally waved his hand, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of fatigue: "I need to rest for a moment, you... please leave."
Yun Zhao felt as if he had been pardoned. He bowed respectfully and quietly left this suffocating low-pressure area.
Only Xiao Jin and Zhang Fuan were left in the hall. The old eunuch cautiously stepped forward, ready to serve, when he heard three very light knocks on the door—a pre-arranged signal.
Zhang Fuan's spirits lifted, and he immediately leaned over to Xiao Jin's ear. His voice was extremely low, yet it held a glimmer of hope: "Your Majesty, Divine Doctor Yan has secretly entered the palace!"
Xiao Jin's tightly closed eyelashes trembled slightly, and he suddenly opened his eyes. Although his vision was still blurry, a sharp light flashed.
His voice was low and urgent: "Bring him here through the secret passage immediately! Remember, do not alert anyone!"
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