The Guangwu Emperor was seething with anger.
If he didn't insist on announcing the imperial edict, he would feel extremely humiliated.
If he did insist, he was a bit afraid that his dragon throne might suddenly tip over next.
When Xu Buyue spoke up, his first reaction was that this girl was going to throw a tantrum.
Instantly, he felt a splitting headache and replied feebly,
"What do you want to say, Yue'er?"
Xu Buyue's voice was clear and resounding, far more sonorous than that of ordinary women.
"Since I was a child, I've seen my parents deeply in love and respectful to each other. My father, a noble duke, has reached the pinnacle of his official career. But just like Your Majesty and the Empress, they met when they were still in humble circumstances. They got to know each other, fell in love, and then got married naturally..."
"With the four of you as role - models, I've always yearned for the same kind of relationship."
"I don't need a forced marriage. If I take a fancy to a man in this lifetime, I'll take the initiative. I'll get along with him first, let him know my good qualities, fall in love with me, and then everything will happen naturally. What do you think, Your Majesty and the Empress?"
Xu Buyue's ideas were extremely shocking at that time.
Since ancient times, marriage had always been arranged by matchmakers.
Which girl would not shy away blushing when it came to her own marriage?
Only this princess who grew up in the military was high - ranking and powerful, unafraid of rumors, and bold - tempered. That was why she dared to talk about love openly, and no one dared to refute or laugh at her.
The Guangwu Emperor knew that Xu Buyue was giving him a way out.
Naturally, he was very pleased in his heart. The Xu family was truly his most loyal and trustworthy subject.
Even the daughters of the Xu family were so considerate.
It was a pity that his two sons were both disappointing. One was not up to par, so Xu Buyue didn't take a fancy to him. The other was too arrogant. Although Xu Buyue liked him, he refused to accept her.
The Guangwu Emperor glanced at Empress Ma and asked, "What does the Empress think?"
Empress Ma nodded slowly. "Since the princess has her own ideas, it's okay to do as she wishes. Young people should be given more opportunities to get along. Everything will work out in the end. We don't need to rush."
The way out was right at his feet.
The Guangwu Emperor naturally had to take it.
He glared fiercely at Song Yinghuai. "Fine! Today is your mother's birthday banquet. I won't punish you too severely. Since Princess Nan'an wants to get along with you first, I'll give you time to think it over."
"You won't return to Yan until next month. Spend these days getting along well with the princess. See for yourself whether the woman your mother has chosen for you is worth it or not!"
Before leaving, the Guangwu Emperor earnestly said again, "Don't let your mother down!"
The Emperor and the Empress left early, but the birthday banquet continued.
This night was full of intrigue. The Prince of Yan was released from restrictions, and Princess Nan'an almost got engaged to the Prince of Yan.
Such a startling turn of events made many court officials rush towards Song Yinghuai with their wine cups.
Song Yinghuai wanted to go under the catalpa tree to say a few words to Caiyu, but the crowd separated them. Her look towards him seemed to be across the stars and the sea.
Caiyu's heart was in turmoil. She couldn't tell whether she was extremely excited or extremely complicated.
Her mind was full of thoughts. Countless ideas flashed through her mind.
First, when she heard that Song Yinghuai was going to be bestowed a marriage, she was filled with indignation.
Then, when Song Yinghuai interrupted Eunuch Cen's announcement of the imperial edict, her heart was like a raging sea, unable to calm down for a long time.
Next, Xu Buyue's mediation made her despair.
Princess Nan'an was really a wonderful woman.
She was resolute, upright, daring to love and hate, and considerate.
She came from a prominent family. Her father was ranked first among the six dukes, and her three elder brothers were all important court officials.
Even when the Lan family was at its peak, Caiyu couldn't compare with such a woman.
Such a woman was so good that no man in the world could refuse her.
Why would Song Yinghuai refuse?
Even if he refused for the time being today, the Emperor and the Empress had clearly said that they should get along.
During this period, she could imagine that Xu Buyue would soon be by Song Yinghuai's side.
What about her...
What should she do?
She had originally planned to find a chance to save her younger brother, clear the Lan family's name, and create a good future with Song Yinghuai.
However, an imperial marriage order caught her off guard and left her in a daze.
She couldn't think about it.
Once she did.
It was like an invisible rope was tightening around her throat. The more she struggled, the stronger the suffocating feeling became. She was completely lost and panicked.
A big hand hooked her little finger from behind, interrupting her wild thoughts and making her almost suffocating feeling ease a bit.
Caiyu turned around and saw Sheng Jiangli again.
Sheng Jiangli drove the other servants to the other side. Only the two of them were left under the catalpa tree.
He secretly hooked his finger around Caiyu's little finger and gently pinched it while smiling wickedly. "What? Are you worried that the future Princess of Yan won't tolerate you?"
"No!" Caiyu's already gloomy mood became even gloomier when he asked. Angrily, she shook off his hand and said, "Who is the future Princess of Yan? It's not even settled yet! Besides, if he marries a princess, I'll ask for redemption. The princess will be afraid of me threatening her. She'll be eager for me to leave the palace. Anyway, I won't take that kind of humiliation!"
Sheng Jiangli's eyes lit up. "Redemption is good... I'll start saving silver from tomorrow!"
Caiyu:??
"What does it matter to you?"
Sheng Jiangli said seriously, "How much silver did you sell yourself for as a servant? I'm thinking about how to earn enough silver for your redemption... Oh, right."
Sheng Jiangli smiled with his eyes and eyebrows. "I'll also save some betrothal gifts. How much silver do I need to marry you?"
Looking at Sheng Jiangli's smiling face, Caiyu was so angry that her teeth itched. For a moment, she forgot her heart - breaking sadness and just wanted to punch him.
"The servant is very valuable. It might cost 50,000 taels of silver!"
Sheng Jiangli gasped. "50,000 taels... I've never bought such an expensive servant. With this price, I could buy a herd of desert female camels... I'm finished. I'll be penniless."
Caiyu couldn't help laughing. All her bad moods were gone.
Song Yinghuai stood in the distance, watching Caiyu's face turn from dejected to smiling suddenly. Her eyes were bright and shiny in the moonlight.
He tightened his grip on the teacup in his hand. A sour feeling filled his chest.
He felt inexplicably flustered and lost.
It was his fault.
He had made Caiyu sad, but it was another man who had cheered her up.
He could do nothing.
Even though his emotions told him that he should step forward to stop them from staying together.
But his reason told him that if he separated them, the smile on Caiyu's face would disappear.
And he couldn't bear to see Caiyu sad and desperate.
The Kings of Zhou and Qi, who were always unconcerned about court affairs and bored, surrounded Song Yinghuai.
Seeing Song Yinghuai absent - mindedly dealing with the court officials, King Qi, Song Yongzhen, pushed through the crowd and quietly came under the catalpa tree.
He happened to hear Sheng Jiangli and Caiyu talking about the redemption.
Song Yongzhen stared at the girl's beautiful side face and listened to her proud asking price. The more he looked, the more he liked her.
How could there be such a proud servant girl in the world?
She actually rejected the general's proposal to marry her.
It was so interesting!
Song Yongzhen suddenly said, "Isn't it just 50,000 taels? I'll pay the silver. Miss Caiyu, come with me!"
Caiyu:??
Sheng Jiangli:...
Sheng Jiangli silently glanced at Song Yongzhen. "Your Highness, King Qi, you should at least say hello when you come."
Song Yongzhen said innocently, "I heard that you're very skilled in martial arts. I thought you would know I was approaching!"
Sheng Jiangli: "... I'm always fully focused when courting a girl. I don't pay attention to other sounds."
He had been careless.
Just now, when he heard that Lan Jinshu had the idea of redemption, he was so overjoyed that he really forgot to pay attention to the surrounding movements.
Fortunately, they hadn't talked about the Lan family's affairs just now.
Song Yongzhen coughed and looked at Caiyu eagerly.
"Miss Caiyu, I've taken a fancy to you. I want to ask my fourth brother for you... Don't worry, I have silver. 50,000 taels is just a small amount."
"I can take it out right away." Song Yongzhen took out a stack of silver notes from his bosom like a magician and waved them in front of them. "Miss Caiyu, don't consider General Sheng anymore. He's too poor to keep a slim beauty."