Chapter 95

Chapter 95: A Sword Thrust Towards Ming’s Throat

In the imperial court, everyone held a piece of paper in their hands.

On the paper was written the content of Ming’s memorial.

After everyone had finished reading the thousands of words penned by Ming, they couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath.

It seemed as if the entire hall grew colder.

This “Refusal to Marry Memorandum” stirred up a sea of emotions among the officials, portraying an image of someone who didn’t want to be tied down by family and sought to build achievements without any worries.

“Why do I refuse marriage?”

“I am doing it for the nation!”

“Can I forsake the greater good for personal happiness?”

Moreover, if something were to happen to me, wouldn’t the princess just end up widowed?

Let’s put the engagement aside. Once I’ve driven back the Northern Wilderness and slain ten thousand demons, I will return with a grand procession to marry the princess!

In Ming’s “Refusal to Marry Memorandum,” there was a blend of romanticism from both a scholar and a general.

Is this really a fourteen-year-old?

This is a classic scholarly warrior!

“What do all of you think? Should we grant or not grant this marriage?” The Emperor of Wu looked troubled.

The Emperor glanced over: “Minister Ma, what exactly are you congratulating me on?”

Though the Zhuangyuan has never met the princess, doesn’t he know that Yunfei, an ordinary person, ranks thirtieth on the Red Beauty List? If Yunfei is like this, how could the princess be any less?

The military officials, looking at this poem, couldn’t help but grip the white paper tightly!

We, the military officers, are not skilled in words, unable to express our feelings.

Why?

Isn’t it obvious to everyone in the court that although the Emperor appears troubled, he’s secretly delighted?

That damn Wang Changqing.

What His Majesty desires most is Ming’s character!

“Your subject also congratulates Your Majesty!” Minister Ma An stood up and bowed.

And this Ming directly expressed everything we wanted to say and do!

What a magnificent poem this is!

Indeed, many military officials newly transferred to the court wished to return to the frontier to fight enemies again.

“Your subject congratulates Your Majesty, who shall achieve a timeless tale of harmony between ruler and minister!” Ma An’s voice echoed throughout the hall.

Compared to staying in this boring court, isn’t it far more exhilarating to fight enemies on the frontier?

“Congratulate?” The Emperor laughed a few times, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, “Minister Wang, what exactly do I have to celebrate?”

As Wang Changqing’s expression fell, many people looked at him.

You constantly impeach others, biting anyone you see!

Now, why are you so good at flattering?

“Oh?” The Emperor sat up curiously, “Minister Ma, what do you mean by that?”

Wang Changqing straightened up, his tone light-hearted: “Your Majesty’s affection for the Zhuangyuan is known throughout the land, and your regard for him is clear to all. How could the Zhuangyuan be a foolish person? Doesn’t he know how to follow Your Majesty’s wishes to ascend to great heights?

‘At night, lying awake listening to the wind and rain, dreams of iron horses crossing frozen rivers come.’

Because of this refusal to marry, Ming has shown even nobler qualities!

This shows that Ming does not easily become lost due to power.

Your Majesty obtaining such a minister is a blessing for the Wu Kingdom and for Your Majesty!”

How could the Zhuangyuan not know what marrying the princess implies?

But the Zhuangyuan is not attracted by Your Majesty’s favor nor captivated by the princess’s beauty; he only wants to drive out the northern barbarians and slay demons in the south for our Wu Kingdom.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!” At this moment, Chief Censor Wang Changqing stepped forward, bowing deeply to the Emperor, looking very excited.

“Replying to Your Majesty.”

Ma An straightened up.

“In the past, Emperor Liang Wen of the Liang Kingdom invited Chen Mi out of retirement. Chen Mi wrote a ‘Crime Book’ requesting to care for his old mother, and Emperor Liang Wen readily agreed, creating a timeless legend.

Emperor Wei Ming of the Wei Kingdom granted a title to General Tang Wei. General Tang Wei inscribed a ‘Ten Words Book’ on a beam, expressing his pursuit of the Dao, and Emperor Wei Ming approved. Ten years later, when the Wei Kingdom faced difficulties, Tang Wei broke through ten thousand armies with his sword.

Today, the Zhuangyuan’s ‘Refusal to Marry Memorandum,’ not greedy for beauty, not infatuated with power, demonstrates a heart devoted to serving the country, invoking the blessings of literary fortune. If Your Majesty approves, once the Zhuangyuan builds achievements and earns fame, marrying the princess would surely become another timeless tale.”

As Ma An’s words settled, many court ministers sighed inwardly.

Damn!

How did this guy say everything I wanted to say?!

The Emperor nodded: “How do all of you feel about this? Should we grant or not grant this marriage?”

The Deputy Director of the Secretariat quickly stepped forward: “Your Majesty, this memorandum clearly outlines the Zhuangyuan’s aspirations. Your Majesty should approve it.”

“I agree!”

“I agree!”

All civil and military officials concurred.

Some of the rough military officers genuinely wanted the emperor to approve Ming’s refusal to marry; they didn’t want such a fine young man to stay in the capital forever.

However, those educated civil officials saw through it—originally, the emperor intended to approve Ming’s request, seeking to create a timeless reputation, but needed a way out.

Could they not give the emperor this way out?

“Good!”

The Emperor nodded.

“Since all of you feel this way, if I don’t grant his wish, it would make me appear wrong.

Bring forth the decree.”

In the main hall of the Xu Family’s front courtyard,

The master of the Xu household and his wife were present.

They sat on the side, not daring to utter a single word.

On the two main seats at the front of the hall sat the elderly lady of the Xu family.

The old lady smiled, her wrinkles bunching together.

A young maiden dressed in a white floor-length gown embroidered with pink patterns stood before them, her wide sleeves adorned with a long purple gauze.

Her slender waist was cinched with a purple silk sash studded with jade embroidery.

Her jet-black hair was tied with a pale purple ribbon, a few strands gracefully falling over her shoulders, accentuating her skin which was as delicate as a cicada’s wing, her face unadorned yet refreshingly beautiful.

Many people couldn’t help but stare.

How could there be such a beautiful maiden in the world?

Beside the maiden stood two palace maids, one holding a long sword, the other a lute.

Phoenix looked at this noble maiden and couldn’t help but sigh, “What a beautiful girl, why won’t my son agree?”

True, her demeanor seemed a bit cold.

From start to finish, she hadn’t smiled once.

“Old Patriarch, Princess, the fifth young master has arrived.” A servant entered the hall and announced.

In an instant, the longsword slipped from the palace maid’s arms.

Before anyone realized it, the aloof princess already had the sword pointed at Ming’s throat.