"I do not know."
“You, who were abandoned by the Su family, kidnapped, and called an unlucky person, were not accepted by his aunt, my virtuous consort. Since the virtuous consort refused, he asked me to grant him a marriage, so that you could have a grand wedding and marry him.”
Emperor Shun smiled faintly, but the smile did not reach his eyes. "This is the first time I have ever seen him talk back to his aunt."
"What do you think I should do? Agree to his request or disagree?"
Su Ruanruan sensed a hidden murderous intent in Emperor Shun's eyes and dared not answer rashly for a moment.
Throughout history, emperors have been known for their meticulous minds, suspicious nature, and fickleness. A single careless word could lead to their burial place.
Ziwu had heard Su Zhiping say that Huo Yan held considerable military power, was highly respected in the capital, and was Emperor Shun's most trusted military official. Because of his uprightness, integrity, and hatred of evil, Emperor Shun placed great trust in him.
Su Ruanruan suddenly stiffened when she recalled how Huo Yan had blinded Chu Ran in one eye. If Emperor Shun did not hear the answer he wanted today, she would surely die, and Huo Yan would likely be suspected by the Emperor.
Huo Yan was originally the sharpest blade in Emperor Shun's hand, but now this blade has gone astray. He tried to show off for a woman and was even reported to the Golden Palace by the Prince of Zhennan.
Emperor Shun had admonished and advised him, but he remained unrepentant and insisted on standing up for the same woman. Even knowing that this woman was cursed and destined to be alone, he was determined to marry her.
Huo Yan's obstinacy aroused the suspicion of the emperor. What the emperor needed was a Huo Yan who would listen to him, not one who might defy his orders.
The Empress's attitude actually represented the Emperor's attitude. Su Ruanruan couldn't help but think that Huo Yan was so stubborn. Even though he knew she wanted to leave him, he still went to beg the Emperor to grant them marriage. He really wouldn't turn back until he hit a brick wall!
If Emperor Shun had not agreed to Huo Yan's marriage to her, what would he have done? Some things are like mirrors; once cracked, they can never be restored to their original state.
Huo Yan was straightforward and honest. He might be good at strategizing and leading troops, but he was all brawn and no brains.
In particular, a meritorious official like him, who held military power and made great achievements, was a target of the emperor's suspicion.
On the carriage, Emperor Shun's words were full of questioning and suspicion, piercing Su Ruanruan's heart like sharp arrows.
Su Ruanruan knew that her escape had been too easy, so it was understandable that Emperor Shun would be suspicious. He probably suspected that she had reached some kind of illicit agreement with those who captured her, which was why he had let her return so easily.
However, only Su Ruanruan herself knew that she had been infected with a Gu worm, and the person behind it all was just using her for amusement.
The memory of being captured was like a bitter fruit, buried deep in Su Ruanruan's heart. She knew that even if Emperor Shun knew about these things, he would not have the slightest pity for her.
Throughout history, emperors have been known for their ruthlessness, even if half of their blood is royal. Emperor Shun, unwilling to bear such a bad reputation, wanted Huo Yan to understand that there was always a mutual respect between them, ruler and subject.
If he decreed the marriage, she would have no choice but to marry. If he refused, the division between the emperor and his ministers would harm the state. Therefore, Emperor Shun presented her with this thorny dilemma.
If she cannot find a way to sever Huo Yan's thoughts, she will probably perish in this icy, bone-chilling water cave today.
Anyway, since the enemy who took her away that day has not been found, framing her might not be out of the question.
"Your Majesty, I only became General Huo's concubine to protect myself. Now that I know that Miss Fu and he were childhood sweethearts, I am even less willing to get entangled with her. I will do everything I can to make General Huo give up on me. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty?" Emperor Shun narrowed his eyes. "You know I will not allow you to marry him?"
Su Ruanruan knelt down in fear, "Your Majesty, I should not have presumptuously guessed Your Majesty's intentions. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy."
Su Ruanruan naturally wouldn't reveal what she had just been thinking, only saying, "This humble woman is the one with the cursed fate that the master spoke of."
"General Huo is the guardian tiger of the border by Emperor Shun. I was ignorant before, which is why I approached him."
“Now, I know that I am unlucky and can no longer be his bedmate. I cannot bear to see General Huo suffer any misfortune, nor do I wish to become a sinner against the Great Shun.”
"Your Majesty, as the ruler of the Great Shun dynasty, must surely hope that the Great Shun dynasty will prosper for thousands of years, shining brightly like the moon over the rivers and mountains."
"I dare to speculate that His Majesty also does not wish for me, his nemesis, to be by his side."
Emperor Shun's eyes were as black and bright as ink jade as he stared directly at Su Ruanruan. "Is that really what you think?"
"yes……"
Emperor Shun stood with his hands behind his back, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"Su Ruanruan, you are very clever! I really like you, my niece."
"Although the Su family doesn't acknowledge you, you are still of royal blood."
"What do you want?" Emperor Shun asked.
After a moment's thought, Su Ruanruan said, "This humble woman desires status and position!"
Emperor Shun stroked the thumb ring on his hand, his tone indifferent, "You do have ambition."
Su Ruanruan said in fear, "I have a tragic past, have suffered many hardships and bitterness, and know the pain of being bullied and trampled on. I do not want to live a humble life anymore, nor do I want to be at the mercy of others."
"Well, I will be resting at the hot spring resort for the next few days and will not see Huo Yan. I will only give you three days. If you can give me a satisfactory result after three days, I will naturally not treat you unfairly and will grant you everything you desire."
"But... if you mess things up, then I won't mind letting you experience this bone-chilling cold again."
Have you met with me today?
Su Ruanruan replied, "This humble woman has never had the honor of witnessing Your Majesty's countenance."
When Su Ruanruan returned to the dilapidated temple, Ziwu had already been waiting there for a long time.
"So, did you return it?"
"I heard that after General Huo went to the palace to pay homage to His Majesty this morning, he went directly to the camp in the suburbs and did not return to his residence. I was unable to see him, but I have already handed the purse over to Miss Fu in his household."
Su Ruanruan replied softly, "It's fine once it's delivered."
“Master,” Ziwu said evasively, “Miss Fu was actually unwilling to accept it. She said it was General Huo’s kindness and hoped you would keep it to relieve her urgent needs. She originally wanted to come to find you with me, but I declined.”
"Miss Fu asked me to tell you that she apologizes to you for the evil deeds her brother committed."
Su Ruanruan recalled the scene she saw in the main hall of Fahua Temple that day. Fu Xinrou was just as her name suggested, kind-hearted as pure as a lotus, and delicate and beautiful as a flower.
She found it difficult to transfer her hatred for her brother to her.
Upon returning to the dilapidated temple, Su Ruanruan noticed a notice posted on the bulletin board: the male members of the Fu family would be executed the next day.
Presumably, Fu Xinrou already knows by now.
Ziwu asked, "Master, shall we rest here again today?"
It was noon, and the sun was shining brightly outside, making it quite warm.
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