The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 35: The Forced Marriage by a Troublesome Adoer

Chapter 35: The Forced Marriage by a Troublesome Adoer

Even from a distance, Nanli couldn’t help but be slightly stunned.

No wonder Emperor Muwu doted on Concubine Li so much. It would be difficult for any man to resist such a stunning beauty.

Nanli narrowed her eyes and asked, "Brother, have you seen Concubine Li before? Is she always like this?"

"I have seen her a few times, and she has always looked like this since the first time I saw her," Chu Ye lowered his voice and said, "I heard she has some secret beauty regimen that many girls are eager to learn, but no one has been able to find out."

Nanli tugged at the corner of her mouth and averted her gaze.

Concubine Li started her performance, and soon the stage was filled with melodious singing.

Nanli, who had an interest in traditional things, focused on watching the performance attentively, while Chu Ye sitting beside her was becoming restless.

"Little sister, I need to take a break," Chu Ye stood up, and Concubine Li, with her sharp eyes, noticed and smiled, "I heard that Prince Chu just broke off his engagement with Miss Xiao, is that true?"

Chu Ye wanted to deny it, but Nanli tugged at his sleeve, and he helplessly said, "Yes."

Instantly, the gazes of many noble ladies burned like flames.

Chu Ye felt uncomfortable being stared at. Concubine Li’s smile deepened as she said, "Well then, today I want to play the role of a matchmaker."

She beckoned to a woman beside her. The woman was dressed in a light pink embroidered butterfly dress, meticulously adorned. She was Li Miaorong, the legitimate daughter of the Lord of Qingguo.

Li Miaorong’s appearance was average, but her skin was as delicate as her aunt’s, as if it could be broken with a gentle touch. She walked out, her brows slightly furrowed, but she stole a glance at Chu Ye, unable to hide her shyness as her cheeks turned red.

Nanli noticed a faint resentment lingering around her, and couldn’t help but sigh.

No wonder she hadn’t been able to see her earlier; it turned out that her aunt, the esteemed concubine, was waiting for her.

Concubine Li continued, "Prince Chu is a talented individual, and he is a perfect match for my niece. Today, I shall take charge and bestow marriage upon you two."

As an unmarried man and an unmarried woman, coupled with Concubine Li’s high favor in the harem as the second-ranked concubine, she indeed had the authority to bestow marriage.

The noble ladies present were already consumed by jealousy, their eyes turning red.

Lu Yanyan gritted her teeth in particular.

Chu Ye was outstanding and had a promising future, while Li Miaorong was merely born into a good family. How could her appearance and talent compare?

It was all because she had a good aunt.

However, Chu Ye’s expression changed. He said, "Miss Li is both beautiful and intelligent, and she deserves a better husband."

Li Miaorong suddenly raised her head, staring at Chu Ye with a hint of resentment in her eyes. Being rejected publicly, many noble ladies couldn’t help but cover their mouths and laugh.

Concubine Li’s face darkened. "Prince Chu is an excellent match for my niece, and they are well-suited."

Just then, a eunuch bowed and announced, "The Emperor has arrived."

Emperor Muwu, dressed in a yellow dragon robe, entered the Feng Yue Pavilion, and everyone hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects.

Emperor Muwu helped up Concubine Li and spoke softly, "Why do you look so upset, my dear? Who has angered you?"

Concubine Li put on a look of grievance. "It’s all because of Prince Chu. Miaorong has admired him for a long time and has deep feelings for him. Who would have thought that Prince Chu would reject the marriage arranged by this concubine and make excuses?"

Emperor Muwu felt distressed for Concubine Li and turned to look at Chu Ye with some displeasure. "Prince Chu, it is your good fortune that Concubine Li arranged this marriage for you. How dare you casually make excuses?"

"I dare not," Chu Ye lowered his head, his brows furrowing.

Emperor Muwu said, "Marrying the Lord’s legitimate daughter is a great honor for you. If you are unwilling to accept the marriage arranged by Concubine Li, then I shall arrange it myself. Are you willing?"

Chu Ye couldn’t afford to offend the imperial authority, as he wanted to use this opportunity to draw out the person behind the curse, not actually break off the engagement with Wanyi. If he let the Emperor angry, the Anyang Marquis Mansion would face a calamity.

But then, a clear voice sounded, "Your Majesty, my sister’s engagement with Miss Xiao’s brother has not been broken off, which is why she rejected Concubine Li’s kind offer."

It was Nanli who spoke up.

Chu Ye’s heart was filled with worry.

The Imperial Concubine Li sneered, "Still not withdrawing the marriage proposal? I heard that the Xiao family girl has fallen ill, unconscious. The Marquis of Anyang has already come to cancel the engagement. If you don’t withdraw, does that mean you, Chu Ye, are willing to wait for a living dead?"

Upon hearing this, Nanli became even more certain that she was aware of the situation.

Chu Ye no longer feared and spoke loudly, "Indeed, when the Xiao family girl awakens, I shall marry her. If she remains unconscious for a lifetime, then I shall remain unmarried for a lifetime."

Emperor Muwu was about to sigh at his infatuation, but to his surprise, Li Miaorong was extremely embarrassed and glared at Chu Ye, "Chu Ye, she is now fat and unattractive, and she has fallen ill. Are you still obsessed with her? I offer you my sincere heart, yet you trample upon it, not even sparing a glance?"

Silence filled the hall.

Everyone knew that Li Miaorong had an average appearance, yet she had long been infatuated with Chu Ye.

Lord of Qingguo had even come to propose a marriage for his daughter, but Chu Ye had decisively refused and instead sought to marry Xiao Wanyi.

Unexpectedly, Li Miaorong still clung to Chu Ye’s heart.

Chu Ye hesitated and said, "Miss Li, my heart is only captivated by Wanyi. I can only disappoint your affections."

Li Miaorong burst into tears.

Noble Imperial Concubine Li felt great pity and said, "Prince Chu, you can take both as equal wives, treating them fairly. There have been precedents for such arrangements."

"Yes," Emperor Muwu nodded.

"In this way, we can fulfill your desires." Chu Ye furrowed his brows.

His heart belonged to Xiao Wanyi, how could he possibly treat them equally?

It would only ruin Li Miaorong’s life.

"Your Majesty, it’s not..."

"Big Brother doesn’t want to take concubines," Nanli spoke loudly, staring at Li Miaorong.

"Marrying Miss Li is also out of the question."

Her eyes were sharp, and Li Miaorong was taken aback.

The Noble Imperial Concubine Li, unable to bear it any longer, stood up angrily and said, "Outrageous! Even if you are the mother, Madam Shen, you must not defy the will of royal authority. You, someone who just returned from the countryside, know nothing of propriety, yet you repeatedly refuse!"

Chu Ye was shocked, "Please calm down, imperial concubine."

Even Emperor Muwu was somewhat annoyed.

This Sixth Miss really didn’t know her position, and he couldn’t understand why his Ninth Brother was interested in her.

However, despite the thunderous anger, she showed no signs of panic, but rather a hint of courage.

He composed himself and said, "We will overlook your lack of manners since you have just returned to the capital. Chu Nanli, do you still want Xiao Wanyi to become a concubine while Li Miaorong becomes your wife?"

Nanli understood Emperor Muwu’s meaning.

If she continued to defy, Xiao Wanyi could only become a concubine.

Although Chu Ye felt uncomfortable, for the sake of the Chu family and his sister, he could only reluctantly express his gratitude.

However, Nanli said, "If it were any other girl, our Chu family would comply, but Li Miaorong is absolutely not allowed to marry into our family."

Li Miaorong became furious, "You lowly wench, when did the Chu family become yours?"

Chu Ye’s face darkened. With just three words, he would never marry Li Miaorong in this lifetime, even as a concubine!

The Imperial Concubine Li, realizing her niece had misspoken, quickly intervened, "Prince Chu, Rong’er was momentarily confused. This matter should be decided by you and your parents, but not your younger sister."

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