Chapter 11: Arranged Marriage
"Your Majesty, I'm sure many of my colleagues saw it that day. I dare not deceive Your Majesty." Xia Zhiyong was extremely nervous. He was afraid that the emperor would find out that he had lied.
"Since that's the case, I'm not the type to forcefully separate couples. Since you and Xia Yanjing are so in love, I'll grant you a marriage. Are you willing?"
The emperor's decision to grant the marriage was also a test. After all, once the decree was issued, it meant that the marriage could not be changed.
"I thank Your Majesty for your grace." Xia Yanjing's joy was beyond words, and he immediately knelt down excitedly to express his gratitude.
Shengxia couldn't help but glance at Xia Yanjing. This looked too real. If he didn't know him, he would have believed it.
"I thank you for your grace, my lord." Shengxia said.
Sheng Yuan, who was sitting in his seat, was trying hard to recall what happened five years ago. Could it be that he had already set off for the battlefield at that time?
But for Sheng Yuan, he felt that Xia Yanjing was not worthy of his younger brother. Although he was dissatisfied with his younger brother marrying down from his parents' family, Xia Yanjing was much better than the Queen's nephew.
Four years ago, he was betrayed by his subordinates on the battlefield. Later, his former subordinates found out that the man seemed to have close contacts with Prime Minister Zhao. If Prime Minister Zhao intended to kill them, his brother would undoubtedly be jumping into a fire pit if he married him.
It was indeed Prime Minister Zhao who ordered Sheng Yuan to be betrayed. At that time, Sheng's father had just passed away and the army was leaderless for a while, and Sheng's father's former subordinates unanimously recommended Sheng Yuan.
Sheng Yuan did a very good job at the time and the emperor was very satisfied, so the emperor did not pursue the matter of Sheng Yuan not reporting it in time.
When Prime Minister Zhao saw that Sheng Yuan, a young boy, could repel the barbarians, he became interested in getting his own man to take that position. If he had more military power, it would not be difficult for his Zhao family to become the second emperor.
Prime Minister Zhao had just sent people to tamper with the battlefield, and then he appointed a new general to take office. However, the new general had no military talent, which eventually led to the loss of six cities on the border.
After settling his brother, Shengxia resolutely set out for the border. General Sheng's old subordinates in the army were all familiar with Shengxia and naturally knew his combat talents.
So the old subordinates jointly recommended Sheng Xia to take the position. In the army, they only said that he was the second son of General Sheng. Sheng Xia hid his identity as the elder brother and led the army to repel the barbarians and recapture one city after another.
When the war was at its peak, no one cared to investigate the truth of the matter. After all, as long as someone could repel the barbarians, it could be anyone.
Although Prime Minister Zhao was unwilling, he did not dare to intervene rashly. After all, he could tell the difference between being the prime minister of a falling country and the prime minister of a great country.
"Xiao Dezi, arrange a seat for Marquis Yongning and the others. I am not unreasonable. Xia Yanjing should sit next to Lord Sheng."
The emperor said this with a smile, and then observed Shengxia and Xia Yanjing out of the corner of his eye.
How could Xia Yanjing miss the opportunity to get close to his idol? He sat down at Shengxia's table with a beaming smile.
Xia Yanjing looked at Shengxia, not wanting to take his eyes away for a moment. Looking at his idol was really refreshing.
Perhaps it was because Xia Yanjing's gaze was too intense, Sheng Yuan turned to look at Xia Yanjing with dissatisfaction, and Xia Yanjing immediately looked up at the sky guiltily.
Sheng Xia was holding a glass of wine and felt helpless when she was sandwiched in the middle. She turned to look at Sheng Yuan and said, "Brother, eat the food quickly."
Sheng Yuan turned his head away reluctantly, and then Sheng Xia gave Xia Yanjing a friendly smile. This handsome smile touched Xia Yanjing's heart.
Shengxia turned around and drank the wine in his hand absentmindedly. He felt that everything that happened tonight caught him off guard. It was more tiring than fighting on the battlefield.
Then he thought of Xia Yanjing again. Shengxia wondered if Xia Yanjing was cooperating with him just for the sake of power. After all, a guy like him probably didn't really like him.
Thinking of this, although Shengxia said that he didn't care, he still hoped in his heart that he could meet someone he truly loved. However, given his current situation, it might not be possible in this lifetime.
But it’s better this way. Everyone gets what they need. This way, no matter what Xia Yanjing does in the future, he won’t feel sad or disappointed.
Xia Yanjing was not hungry at all at this time. Xiaozhu had already fed him early, but seeing the untouched food on the table, Xia Yanjing felt that his chance to dispel everyone's doubts had come.
Xia Yanjing picked up the serving chopsticks and diligently picked up some food for Shengxia. Not only was Shengxia a little surprised, but even the people who were secretly observing were very surprised.
After all, no matter how much they respect their husbands, they would never do such a thing to lower their own status.
Xia Yanjing didn't care about their gazes. He picked up the dishes while secretly observing Shengxia's preferences. However, he only found out that Shengxia didn't like to eat fatty meat, and he couldn't see anything else for the time being.
Shengxia was surprised that Xia Yanjing was willing to go to such lengths for his future, but he would not refuse. After all, he never thought that boys were inferior to men.
For a moment, the only sounds that could be heard in the hall were singing and dancing, and everyone's eyes were fixed on Shengxia and Xia Yanjing.
Everyone looked at Xia Yanjing's intoxicated face, and even the old fox Zhao Xiang could not see any element of acting. Sheng Xia seemed to be accustomed to Xia Yanjing's behavior. After this scene, everyone believed it to 80%.
Feeding my wife makes me happy. This is a scene I have thought about many times before. When I think of it, I can’t suppress the smile on my lips.
Xia Zhiyong looked at Xia Yanjing with satisfaction. He didn't expect that his illegitimate son was so powerful and could marry such a powerful son-in-law to their Xia family.
In Xia Zhiyong's opinion, Xia Yanjing was just pretending to be nice for the sake of his own future. After all, he usually wouldn't even look at a guy like that.
If Xia Yanjing was not after power, he really couldn't imagine what Xia Yanjing was after. Shengxia didn't have any of the gentleness and consideration of a brother. Anyway, he wasn't going to marry her, so Xia Zhiyong wouldn't care about anything else.
Xia Zhiyong planned to promote Hong Xi to the position of concubine after the palace banquet. If others knew that Xia Yanjing's biological father, who married the general, was still a little servant, it would be a real disgrace to the marquis's mansion.
Xia Yanjing kept picking up food for Shengxia, and Shengxia couldn't refuse for a moment. After all, this was indeed a good way to dispel everyone's doubts, but he really couldn't eat anymore.
"Mr. Xia, I can't eat anymore. You don't have to help me serve the food." Shengxia looked at her stomach and had to politely stop him with a smile.
"Okay, okay." Xia Yanjing saw Shengxia smiling at him, so he naturally did everything. This was the second time Shengxia smiled at him tonight. Is it finally my turn for beautiful love? Xia Yanjing thought secretly in his heart.
The emperor picked up his chopsticks, and everyone followed suit. After observing for a whole night, the emperor was already 90% convinced.
"It's getting late. To celebrate the barbarians' surrender and Lord Sheng's upcoming wedding, I've decided to take a day off tomorrow. I'm tired, so enjoy yourself."
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