Xu Buyue also looked seriously at Song Yinghuai.
This morning when she entered the palace with her father and brother, Empress Ma mentioned to them her intention to match her with Song Yinghuai.
Both their families were from military backgrounds. Xu Ying and his son highly respected the God of War of Daye, so they had no objections.
When Xu Buyue heard it was Song Yinghuai, she immediately acquiesced.
She had grown up in military camps and was very familiar with Song Yinghuai's name.
At the age of fourteen, he led the Yan Army to block the Tartar Army outside the border. He had twenty - two battles with the Tartars, seven of which were victories against the odds, becoming a teaching example in the Daye Army.
Although he was defeated in the last battle at Lake Nawuer, it didn't affect his status in Xu Buyue's heart.
Any general knew that there was no such thing as an undefeated general in the world.
Especially when there was a hindrance, the Crown Prince, acting as a supervisor in the rear of their army.
Xu Buyue thought that if she were to marry in this life, Prince Yan Song Yinghuai would be her best choice.
But now, this best choice clearly wasn't very willing.
No, he was extremely resistant.
He even risked the condemnation of the world and interrupted the reading of the imperial edict.
Xu Buyue's eyes dimmed as she glanced imperceptibly in the direction of the catalpa tree.
Everyone in the capital probably knew that Song Yinghuai treated Caiyu differently.
But no one expected that the dignified Prince Yan would risk his life to stop the imperial edict for a maid.
Had Prince Yan's love for that maid reached such an extent?
What on earth was he going to do?
Facing hundreds of pairs of eyes, Song Yinghuai knelt on the ground silently.
He had interrupted Father - in - law Cen just now because he had caught a glimpse of Caiyu's empty and listless eyes. She looked so dejected and dispirited, as if she had fallen into winter, out of place with the warm summer.
She didn't cry, but Song Yinghuai felt as if tears had flowed into his heart.
It broke his always - rational line, and he stopped the reading without thinking.
He felt that if he didn't stop it, this girl might leave him without looking back once she left the palace.
Song Yinghuai took a deep breath, lowered his eyes slightly, and looked at Empress Ma:
"Mother, I saw that you seemed unsteady just now. I thought your body couldn't take it, so I blurted it out in a moment of urgency... How do you feel now, Mother?"
Empress Ma's eyebrows were kind and clear. She looked down at the child she had raised with her own hands, feeling helpless.
Everyone could see that she had been holding on during the whole banquet.
It was just that Song Yinghuai chose this moment to be "urgent". Couldn't she tell what he was thinking?
She just didn't understand why Song Yinghuai would risk preventing the arranged marriage.
Xu Buyue was the most suitable woman for him in Daye.
Apart from making up for something, there was also a bit of her own selfishness—
She knew that Song Yinghuai was an arrogant person by nature. He had endured for many years because of family affection and kindness.
But the Crown Prince was incompetent. Sooner or later, he would force Song Yinghuai to rebel.
If he had to rebel, then let it go smoothly and reduce the process of life - and - death struggles between brothers.
This could at least reduce some hatred.
Moreover, the Xu family's daughter would be grateful for her match - making. With the background of the Xu family, if she spoke up, Song Yinghuai, as her husband, would at least leave a good life for the Crown Prince!
But...
Song Yinghuai refused.
Was he rejecting her good intentions or because of the woman under the catalpa tree?
Empress Ma sighed silently. "I'm not seriously ill... Shouldn't Xuan Yao listen to the rest of Father - in - law Cen's imperial edict?"
She still hoped that Song Yinghuai would accept this marriage.
After all, he should understand that no matter how much he liked Caiyu, Caiyu couldn't be the principal wife.
It was common for men to have concubines. If he married the Xu family's daughter, Caiyu could still stay by his side, couldn't she?
She would ask for the status of a side concubine for Caiyu. It would be a win - win situation.
This should be the best arrangement!
Anyone could understand the benefits.
"Mother." Song Yinghuai's cheekbones were tense, showing his stubbornness and unyieldingness. "I think the most urgent thing is to send Mother back to the palace to rest first. If Mother's illness worsens because of such a small matter of mine, I will never be able to atone for my crime!"
This meant he was going to reject it completely!
Emperor Guangwu had endured for a long time and finally couldn't help getting angry again. "Fourth son! The Empress can spare the time for this sentence!"
"Father - in - law Cen, continue reading!"
He didn't believe that he couldn't arrange this marriage!
When the emperor got angry, Father - in - law Cen was so scared that he tightened his buttocks!
"Yes!" Father - in - law Cen continued to read with a forced smile. "Confer..."
Song Yinghuai lowered his head, and a flash of light appeared in his eyes. A silent finger - wind shot towards the table leg in front of Song Chengyuan not far from him!
There was a loud "snap"!
Song Chengyuan supported the table with one hand and fell to the ground along with the overturned table.
He let out a loud cry and looked extremely embarrassed.
Concubine Lü beside him was also affected. All the spilled wine on the table splashed on her skirt, and she jumped up with a scream.
Everyone:!!
Were they shocked?
Sheng Jiangli's Adam's apple rolled, and he silently put away the broken chopsticks in his hand.
He just couldn't bear to see Lan Jinshu suffering. He had planned to take a risk and hit the Crown Prince with a chopstick to cause some trouble and prevent the imperial edict from being read again.
However, Prince Yan was faster than him.
He had to admit that it was more convenient to break the table with finger - wind than hitting the back of the Crown Prince with a real object.
He never expected that Prince Yan would dare to take action again and again to stop it.
The broken wood in his palm almost pierced through Sheng Jiangli's skin.
A bitter smile appeared on his lips.
It seemed that Prince Yan's possessiveness towards Lan Jinshu was extraordinary.
Caiyu standing under the catalpa tree was also stunned.
She couldn't figure out whether it was a coincidence or someone was causing trouble.
But she had to admit that the Xu family's daughter was the best choice for Song Yinghuai.
So Song Yinghuai had no reason to reject the arranged marriage for her, right?
At this time, she happened to notice half of a broken chopstick sliding down from Sheng Jiangli's sleeve.
Caiyu:... So, did Brother A Li knock over the Crown Prince's table?
Father - in - law Cen: "..."
He should have checked the almanac today. It was not a good day to read the imperial edict.
Song Chengyuan lay on the ground wailing and shouted at the attendants standing beside him, "Are you all dead? Why don't you help me up quickly!"
The palace servants then suddenly realized and rushed forward to help the Crown Prince up in a hurry.
The Crown Prince was covered in soup and water. He looked extremely embarrassed.
Emperor Guangwu was so angry that his hands were shaking. "Crown Prince, what are you doing making a fuss?"
Song Chengyuan cried to Emperor Guangwu and Empress Ma, "Father, Mother, I'm not making a fuss... This table suddenly collapsed..."
As if thinking of something, he turned his head and pointed at Song Yinghuai and scolded, "Fourth brother, did you do this? Do you want to make me look bad in public?"
Song Yinghuai said calmly, "Your Highness, what are you talking about? I've been kneeling here without moving. How could I knock over your table?"
Song Chengyuan said, "Don't I know what's on your mind? You always look serious on the surface, but actually you're full of sinister tricks! I've suffered a lot from you... You don't admit it, right? Guards, search!"
"Search for the hidden weapon that knocked over this table!"
A faint smile flashed in Song Yinghuai's eyes.
His elder brother had made progress. He even knew to look for evidence.
It was a pity that there was no real object. Where could there be any evidence?
At the Crown Prince's order, everyone immediately lay on the grass and rummaged around in a hurry.
The entire imperial garden was in a complete mess.
The court officials were speechless at the more than a dozen palace servants crawling on the ground.
Father - in - law Cen standing on the steps of the dragon and phoenix throne looked hopeless.
Should he continue to read the imperial edict or not?
After such a commotion, Empress Ma really couldn't hold on anymore.
She knew very well that it must have been Song Yinghuai who caused the Crown Prince's accident just now.
She sighed silently, held Xu Buyue's hand beside her, and whispered apologetically,
"I was too hasty. I'm sorry for you..."
Xu Buyue held Empress Ma's cold hand back, with a firm and bright look in her eyes:
"Your Majesty, Yue'er understands your kindness. Let Yue'er handle the rest!"
She let go of Empress Ma's hand, suddenly stood up, and said, "Uncle Emperor, Yue'er has something to say."