Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 918 Bestowing Marriage (3)

Chapter 918: Chapter 918 Bestowing Marriage (3)

Watching his suddenly illuminated cousin, a trace of amusement flashed in Chu Heng’s eyes. Determined to settle his cousin’s marital fate today, he ignored Emperor Huian’s darkening expression and continued, "Father, Hanzhang has been born and has faced death on the borders for many years, contributing greatly to the prosperity of Great Chu and showing unwavering loyalty to your humble son. Moreover, Hejia has cultivated high-yield rice, an achievement beyond measure. She also disregarded her safety time and again, venturing into the mountains to seek medicinal herbs to save your humble son’s life. Do all their deeds not merit your granting of a marriage decree?"

Emperor Huian, disregarding the kneeling Xiao Ruiyuan, glanced displeasedly at his son, who was defying him, and said sternly, "The disparity in their social standing is too great; who knows if it will not lead to endless strife in the future? My hasty grant of marriage would only result in creating a resentful couple. In my view, it would be more appropriate to bestow a noble lady on Hanzhang as a wife."

Chu Heng knew this was just an excuse his father used for not wanting to grant the marriage, so he retorted, "Matching doors and equal households is important, but not absolute! Emperor Taizu of the previous dynasty came from a World Family and yet married a fisherman’s daughter as his Empress. He abolished the harem for her and cherished only the Empress all his life, becoming a eternal love story. This has nothing to do with matching doors and equal households."

This well-reasoned speech left Emperor Huian speechless, glowering at Chu Heng. He was quite irritated. Was it his excessive indulgence that had emboldened his son to so openly defy him for the sake of an outsider?

Filled with concern, Xiao Ruiyuan and Yan Junyu sensed Emperor Huian’s anger. Xiao Ruiyuan could never understand why Emperor Huian was preventing him from being with the one he loved, but he did not want to cause discord between the father and son of the imperial family because of his own affairs.

Chu Heng shook his head slightly at his two cousins, indicating it was alright, and seeing that Xiao Ruiyuan was about to say something, he interrupted, "The Duke and His Majesty have important matters to discuss; you two go for a walk outside."

Xiao Ruiyuan swallowed the words he was about to speak, exchanged a glance with Yan Junyu, and both turned to look at Emperor Huian. Seeing that Emperor Huian did not object, they could only bow and retire, walking out of the dining hall filled with worry.

After they left, Liang Gonggong and two guards also stepped out, leaving only Chu Heng and Emperor Huian in the room.

The father and son faced off for a long time, neither willing to compromise, and Chu Heng gradually lost his patience. He spoke coldly, "Father, there is something I have always concealed from you, which is that Hanzhang has already become engaged to Miss Mo, and the betrothal was made in the presence of your humble son and several hundred villagers. If you do not want your humble son to be labeled as a wife-stealer in the future, then please bless them."

Emperor Huian, who had not been aware of this affair, stood up in shock at the news, glaring angrily at Chu Heng, "Are you out of your mind? Have you forgotten what I told you?"

Seeing that Emperor Huian was truly angered, Chu Heng’s mood, conversely, improved. He leisurely picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup of tea, and after a moment’s thought, decided to pour one for Emperor Huian as well. Handing it over with both hands, he said earnestly, "Father, I have not forgotten, but regardless of whether the event you mentioned happens, even if it one day becomes reality, do you really believe I have no solution? I understand Hanzhang better than you do. Any man in the world may betray me, but he surely will not!"

Having said this, Chu Heng paused, then with a twist in his tone under Emperor Huian’s unconvinced gaze, he continued, "There are many girls in Jing City with better family backgrounds, more charming and intelligent than Miss Mo, but Hanzhang’s heart belongs solely to Miss Mo! Such affection, I cannot comprehend, yet I cannot help but think—if Father had been devoted to Mother alone and the harem had been clean and pure, perhaps Mother would still be alive, and I would not have had to endure over twenty years of illness..."

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