Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Does His Majesty not want face?

“Ming is guilty, but I cannot accept the decree for now.”

Xu Ming’s voice wasn’t loud, yet it clearly echoed throughout the entire courtyard.

In an instant, everyone stood frozen in disbelief, staring at Xu Ming.

Many even thought they had misheard.

Xu Ming…

Refused His Majesty’s arranged marriage?

No way!

What gives you the guts to do that?!

This is a royal proposal! Are you really not afraid of losing your head?!

“Ming, what are you saying?” The old lady from the Xu household was extremely worried, her cane tapping incessantly on the ground.

“Ming, do you know what you’re doing?” Xu Shuiya’s expression turned serious.

“Ming…you…” Xu Zheng pointed at Xu Ming, stuttering.

This event shocked them beyond measure.

Though Princess Zhao Wen has always been secluded in the palace, few have seen her appearance.

“Lord Wei, our Ming is young and doesn’t understand the gravity. Please sit down first. Chun Yan, why are you standing there like a statue? Hurry up and serve tea to Lord Wei!”

Xu Zheng quickly approached, wanting to teach his stepson a lesson.

The others who were kneeling became confused—should they continue kneeling since Xu Zhuangyuan refused the imperial decree?

With such a prestigious background, how ugly could Princess Zhao Wen possibly be?

Why did you decline?

“Ming…”

If you defy the imperial order, Ming will lose his head!

Wei also doubted if he had heard correctly.

Zhuangyuan Lang, for Qin Qingwan, you’re just a ripple in the long river of life.

That shouldn’t be.

Under normal circumstances, shouldn’t Zhuangyuan Lang be grateful and thank the Emperor?

How could you refuse?

Could it be because of Qin Qingwan?

But Qin Qingwan has already become a celestial being with a thousand-year lifespan. What relation does she have with you?

None of them could fathom why Xu Ming would reject the marriage.

Xu Shuiya reacted first, quickly pulling Wei to sit down.

Besides, His Majesty is so handsome, and Princess Zhao Wen’s late mother was the first beauty of Wu Kingdom, even ranking 30th among beauties as a mere mortal! Can you imagine how beautiful she must be?

Isn’t blowing out candles all the same?

Although Xu Zheng knew he had never cared about Xu Ming and held an indifferent attitude toward him because he had many sons, he was still the father, right?

Wei couldn’t think of any reason for refusal either.

Chen Suyan gently pulled her son’s clothes, worry evident in her expression.

“Zhuangyuan Lang, what exactly did you just say?”

But so what?

Even if she’s incredibly ugly, so what?

Chen Suyan hoped her child would marry the girl he likes.

But this is defying the imperial order!

“Ming, you can’t do this! Quickly tell Lord Wei you’re confused, otherwise, you’ll lose your head!” Xu Zheng stammered, trying to assert “fatherly authority.”

However, when Xu Zheng approached Xu Ming, the aura of authority and martial artist’s blood Xu Ming exuded made Xu Zheng immediately shrink back.

“Nephew, you must carefully consider this. For ordinary people, this is something they dream of but cannot achieve!” Qin Ruhai also stepped forward to persuade kindly.

Actually, Qin Ruhai felt that Xu Ming hadn’t let go of his daughter.

If his daughter hadn’t joined the Heavenly Profound Gate, if she weren’t a divine body,

Xu Ming’s current status to marry Qingwan would make him wholeheartedly agree.

But things are different now.

Even though you, Xu Ming, are the Zhuangyuan, even though you’ve achieved three consecutive top scholar titles, even though your poetic talent is renowned across the land, you’re still just a mortal.

Qingwan might visit only a few times, then sever worldly ties. As her father, I’ll have to pretend she doesn’t exist. Why are you still so deeply attached?

Zhao Wenshan stepped forward and asked, “Younger cousin Xu, are you sure about this? This is defying the imperial order…”

As the Zhuangyuan, refusing marriage won’t result in decapitation; otherwise, the emperor would have no way to explain to the nation.

Otherwise, if news spreads that “the Wu Kingdom emperor killed his own Zhuangyuan because the arranged marriage was rejected,” Wu Kingdom would lose face worldwide.

Still, Xu Ming is “defying the imperial order,” and doing so in front of so many people.

“On the day of your success, I offered my only daughter to you, and you still refuse? Am I supposed to have no face?”

There must be an explanation given to the emperor.

Looking at everyone, Xu Ming calmly said, “I will certainly provide an explanation to His Majesty.”

Xu Ming bowed respectfully to Wei Gonggong, “Lord Wei, could you wait a moment while I write a memorial to His Majesty?”

Wei’s mouth opened, then slowly closed. He sighed deeply, “Of course, this old eunuch will wait here for Zhuangyuan Lang, but please reconsider carefully.”

“Thank you, Lord Wei.” Xu Ming straightened up and looked at Zhao Wenshan, “Uncle, do you happen to have a memorial paper on you?”

Xu Ming asking Zhao Wenshan wasn’t intentionally showing disrespect to the Xu family.

Rather, both Xu Zheng and Qin Ruhai hold minor positions, their ranks too low. They would need to apply for memorial papers at the Ministry of Rites.

Xu Shuiya, as Lord Xu, indeed has sufficient rank, but his generation is too high. Asking him wouldn’t be proper etiquette.

“I don’t have any on me, they’re at my residence,” Zhao Wenshan revealed a difficult expression and looked towards Xu Shuiya.

Xu Shuiya hesitated but finally nodded, “I have some memorials.”

“Trouble you, Master,” Xu Ming bowed respectfully.

“…” Xu Shuiya sighed helplessly and could only take Xu Ming to his study.

Xu Pangda and Zhao Wenshan followed, while others, though curious about what Xu Ming would write, stayed behind to comfort Wei Gonggong.

“I’ll grind the ink for my fifth brother.” Xu Pangda rolled up his sleeves, his chubby hands carefully grinding the ink for Xu Ming.

Though Xu Pangda also pitied his fifth brother, he respected whatever decision Xu Ming made.

“Thank you, Fourth Brother.”

Xu Ming nodded, picked up the brush.

Zhao Wenshan spread out the rice paper for Xu Ming.

“Lord Wei, forgive my Ming. He’s young and ignorant.”

“Yes, Lord Wei, despite being the Zhuangyuan, Ming still has much youthful impetuosity.”

“Lord Wei, rest assured, we will surely talk some sense into him.”

In the courtyard, Xu Zheng and others kept speaking nicely, secretly slipping silver notes to Wei.

Previously, Wei would accept the silver, but at this critical moment, Wei quietly pushed it back.

“Alas, our Zhuangyuan Lang truly is… Hmm?”

Just when Wei couldn’t help but complain,

Wei suddenly stood up.

Above the Xu residence, scholarly qi gathered, gusts of bookish wind swept towards the study, filling ten miles with the fragrance of literature and ink.