Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 919 Bestowing Marriage (4)

Chapter 919: Chapter 919 Bestowing Marriage (4)

Chu Heng had never spoken these words to Emperor Huian before. As he gazed upon his father’s pale complexion, the resentment that had just begun to form in his heart gradually dissipated. He was well aware that being born into royalty meant there was often no choice; there had been only one emperor since ancient times who abolished the harem and solely favored the empress, and that was Emperor Taizu from the previous dynasty.

Looking at his son, a spitting image of his wife, Emperor Huian masked the pain in his eyes and said with a heavy gaze, "I promise you! But you must also promise me that if he ever develops a disloyal heart, you must not show mercy."

A glimpse of joy flitted across Chu Heng’s face as he solemnly said, "Your Humble Son promises you!"

...

There was a lotus pond in the Prince’s Mansion, filled with verdant lotus leaves and blooming pink flowers in their prime, but Xiao Ruiyuan and Yan Junyu, standing by the pond, had no mood to admire the swaying beauty of the lotuses.

Yan Junyu looked at Xiao Ruiyuan and frowned, "What exactly does The Emperor intend?"

Xiao Ruiyuan shook his head and said in a grave voice, "The Emperor’s heart is unfathomable; I am not quite sure either. My cousin seems to know but is unwilling to discuss it with me."

Upon hearing this, Yan Junyu’s frown deepened and after a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Aside from this matter, has The Emperor shown other unusual behaviors?"

Other behaviors?

Xiao Ruiyuan thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered something that had happened recently, "Not long ago, The Emperor intended to arrange Princess Ruining’s marriage to Xiao Ruiqing, but my cousin stopped it."

Yan Junyu was very familiar with the old affairs of Lord Wei Yuan House and knew that Xiao Ruiqing coveted the title of Lord Wei Yuan. When he heard that Emperor Huian had even considered arranging Princess Ruining’s marriage to Xiao Ruiqing, his eyes twitched fiercely.

Seeing his reaction, Xiao Ruiyuan’s expression grew somber, "What are you thinking?"

Yan Junyu took a deep breath, glanced around to make sure no one could overhear their conversation, then walked up to Xiao Ruiyuan and said in a low voice, "If I am not mistaken, The Emperor has probably started to guard against you."

Xiao Ruiyuan’s complexion changed abruptly, his eyes flickered uncertainly, and the chill surrounding him grew heavier.

In the air, the fragrance of lotus blossoms lingered. At this moment, the refreshing scent seemed to stagnate, and the lotus flowers that had been swaying in the wind also became quiet.

Yan Junyu sighed, patted his friend’s shoulder, and comforted him, "This is just my speculation. No one knows the truth. Don’t jump to conclusions."

Xiao Ruiyuan’s complexion changed abruptly, his eyes flickered uncertainly, and the chill surrounding him grew heavier.

In the air, the fragrance of lotus blossoms lingered. At this moment, the refreshing scent seemed to stagnate, and the lotus flowers that had been swaying in the wind also became quiet.

Yan Junyu sighed, patted his friend’s shoulder, and comforted him, "This is just my speculation. No one knows the truth. Don’t jump to conclusions."

Xiao Ruiyuan shook his head, his low voice carrying a hint of weary hoarseness, "Apart from the reasons you’ve mentioned, I can’t think of any others."

He had joined the army at thirteen and fought on the battlefield for nearly ten years. If at first it was for training, to grow stronger, then from the moment he first killed an enemy who had breached the city walls and tried to harm a child, his understanding of military service changed, and he deeply etched the duty to protect his country into his heart.

He couldn’t remember how many battles he had fought, how many injuries he had sustained, and how many times he had nearly died on the field of battle. Everything he now possessed, he had fought for with his life, sword by sword, never once harboring rebellious thoughts, only the wish to protect everything he held dear.

The irony of past accolades was now painfully clear!

Yan Junyu looked at his weary friend and inwardly felt it was unjust. After so many years of friendship, he understood well that the person before him was not one to covet power, nor did he have intentions of rebellion. However, over the years, his achievements were enough to warrant a marquisate, yet he was not granted the title solely because he bore the name of Prince Weiyuan’s Heir. And his influence in the military far surpassed any longstanding generals in the court.

Even though he had returned his military seal, a single call to arms from him would have many followers in the military. And with the Crown Prince’s trust in him, his future prospects could only improve. The Emperor probably feared that the Crown Prince relied too heavily on him, which could give rise to inappropriate ambitions, hence the precaution, Yan Junyu thought.

Although he now understood the reason, Xiao Ruiyuan still harbored many unanswered doubts and asked Yan Junyu, "I can comprehend The Emperor’s intent to use Xiao Ruiqing to check and balance me, but why doesn’t he want me to marry Yanyan? Wouldn’t the Mo Family, having no significant backing, align more with his wishes?"

This was the part he found most perplexing!

Yan Junyu was equally at a loss about this and speculated, "Perhaps The Emperor already has a suitable candidate in mind, maybe the daughter of one of his trusted ministers."

With the daughter of a trusted minister by his side, even the slightest hint of disloyalty would be easily detected.

Xiao Ruiyuan pondered for a moment and felt this reasoning was plausible, and his heart grew colder toward Emperor Huian’s actions. Even if he harbored no disloyal intentions, he wouldn’t want his confidante to have a disloyal heart. Fortunately, he had met a woman he liked, and just as fortunately, the woman he liked returned his affections.

Yan Junyu, unaware of Xiao Ruiyuan’s inner thoughts, saw the relaxation in his expression and inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Just pretend you don’t know about this matter. With your cousin shielding you, The Emperor won’t rashly arrange a marriage for you. Judging by your cousin’s stance just now, he seems prepared to confront The Emperor to the very end; maybe he really can secure an imperial marriage decree for you two."

Xiao Ruiyuan nodded slightly but said nothing.

If in the past there was an Imperial Edict for marriage, he would have been very happy, but now that he knew Emperor Huian’s thoughts, he no longer harbored any expectations...