Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 917 Bestowing Marriage (2)

Chapter 917: Chapter 917 Bestowing Marriage (2)

The three of them hurriedly stepped forward to perform the ceremonial greeting:

"Your Humble Son pays his respects to Father Emperor!"

"This humble official pays his respects to The Emperor!"

"Hengheng, there’s no need for such formalities!" Emperor Huian looked at Chu Heng with affection, his eyes sweeping over Xiao Ruiyuan and Yan Junyu, he said warmly, "You may rise as well."

"Thank you, The Emperor!" Xiao Ruiyuan and Yan Junyu got up and stepped back to stand behind Chu Heng.

Learning that the three were about to have a meal, Emperor Huian smiled at Chu Heng and said, "Add another set of utensils for me."

"Yes, Father Emperor!" Chu Heng responded, signaling a servant to prepare.

What was originally a harmonious atmosphere became somewhat awkward with the arrival of Emperor Huian. Xiao Ruiyuan and Yan Junyu felt quite uncomfortable, and after The Emperor started eating, they each scooped up a bowl of fish soup and slowly drank it.

Impatient with Liang Gonggong’s attendance, Chu Heng had no choice but to serve the dishes to The Emperor himself, so occupied that he couldn’t even tend to his own meal. By the time he managed to scoop up some soup for himself, only a shallow pool remained at the bottom of the full basin.

Seeing the two cousins buried in their soup, yet not touching any other dishes, Chu Heng grew even more curious about the special flavor of the fish soup. Learning that there were still two fresh fish in the kitchen, he decisively instructed the chef to make all of it into soup.

Soon, two large basins of fish soup were brought to the table, the aroma of fish instantly filled the entire dining hall. Even the nearly sated Emperor Huian noticed the peculiarity of the fish soup and asked with curiosity, "Is this a seafood delicacy?"

Seafood was nothing unusual in Great Chu, which lay along the coastline with many fishermen making their living by fishing. However, Jing City was too far from the coast, so by the time the fish were transported there, they were usually dead. The Imperial Palace could only enjoy some fresh seafood in winter, while in summer, they had to make do with dried products, which couldn’t compare in taste to fresh ones.

Chu Heng knew only that the fish had been sent by his two cousins, and he truly didn’t know what kind of fish it was, so he looked to Xiao Ruiyuan and Yan Junyu.

Xiao Ruiyuan stood up and gave a formal bow to Emperor Huian, saying, "To answer The Emperor, these fish are raised by the Mo Family and are just ordinary freshwater fish."

"Oh, the Mo Family raises fish? Was it Hejia’s idea then?" Emperor Huian smiled faintly, his meaning unclear as he said, "That girl is different from ordinary maidens. Having a fine Scholar Mansion to reside in, she prefers to stay in the village to farm. Could it be that she intends to marry a farmer in the future?"

Xiao Ruiyuan felt a twinge of unease at these words. The man before him was well aware of his affection for Yanyan, yet on the day of the New Year banquet, The Emperor had wanted to bestow a noble lady as his wife. Now he was saying such things, clearly harboring a different plan, and not wishing him to marry Yanyan.

Thinking back, his cousin had repeatedly insisted that he must not let The Emperor know about his engagement to Yanyan, and had urgently pushed for them to marry as soon as possible; Xiao Ruiyuan suppressed the urge to confess to Emperor Huian about his engagement to Mo Yan, and remained silent.

Yan Junyu also sensed trouble and seeing the Crown Prince cousin’s expression change slightly, knew there was something he wasn’t aware of, and his heart clenched for his good friend.

Although his good friend had won the heart of the woman he fancied, causing Yan Junyu both bitterness and envy, he was a forthright man who could not bring himself to steal someone’s love. He also hoped that these two people, who were very important to him, could grow old together. If anyone sought to tear apart this marriage, he was the first to disagree.

The atmosphere grew tense; Chu Heng’s hand tightened and then loosened under the table, loosened then tightened again. He forced a smile on his face, "Father Emperor is surely aware of Hejia’s mutual affection with Hanzhang. Hejia just came of age not long ago, and Your Humble Son had thought to ask you for a favor on their behalf, to bestow marriage upon them. I was so busy that I forgot! It’s best to choose a date right away. Why doesn’t Father Emperor grant them their marriage today?"

Xiao Ruiyuan’s eyes lit up, and without waiting for Chu Heng to give him a cue, he knelt on one knee, "This humble official earnestly requests that The Emperor grant this favor!"