"Your Majesty, do you mean that because my father took all the blame and was killed by unknown black - clothed men during his exile, and the rest of the Wei family was also wiped out, General Long An thought that it was his fault that I lost all my family? He knew that I didn't like Zian, but still wanted me to marry Zian because he wanted to give me a new family and become my family. Is that right?"
Wei Shuxuan's understanding was exactly what Emperor Jinzheng meant. He nodded appreciatively, "Exactly. You're quite quick - witted. Long An is actually a bit awkward. He doesn't know how to show his concern for others in a straightforward way. He just stubbornly orders you to do things, which makes others feel uncomfortable. But actually, he means well. It's just his way of showing concern."
How awkward! But then again, if she could become Uncle Ge's family in some other way, would that mean she didn't have to marry Zian?
Seeing the little smile on Wei Shuxuan's face, Emperor Jinzheng found it quite amusing. "Your plan to win Long An over is quite a difficult one. How about I help you? But I'll decide the compensation for you. What do you think?"
"Of course, there's no problem with that!" If she could get Uncle Ge to give up the marriage contract, she'd agree to whatever compensation Emperor Jinzheng offered. This marriage contract had been binding her, and the most annoying thing was that she couldn't persuade Uncle Ge to cancel it.
"Well... that's roughly what happened. I didn't tell you because I thought you might not agree..."
Hearing Wei Shuxuan's explanation, Xin Zizhao felt relieved, and most of his annoyance faded away. "Do you know how the Emperor is going to help you cancel the marriage contract?"
"I don't know. But actually, I have my own idea. I just don't know if His Majesty will do as I say."
"What's your idea?"
Wei Shuxuan leaned closer to Xin Zizhao and whispered in his ear, "Actually, it's..."
After she finished speaking, she looked at Xin Zizhao. Xin Zizhao thought for a while. "Do you think this will work? Won't General Ge cause a fuss?"
"I think... he won't?" Wei Shuxuan had always been afraid of dealing with old people like this. They were so stubborn and thought they were always right. Uncle Ge wasn't stupid; he was just too stubborn.
"Who knows? You know General Ge's personality."
Xin Zizhao curled his lips slightly. Why did Wei Shuxuan feel like he was deliberately scaring her?
"Don't think about it. Let's go back to Fenghe Hall first."
Not long after Wei Shuxuan and Xin Zizhao left, someone came to report to Emperor Jinzheng in the Full - Moon Garden. "Your Majesty, General Ge Zian is here to request an audience."
"Okay, let him in."
Ge Zian walked in and bowed to Emperor Jinzheng. "Greetings to Your Majesty."
"Get up. Sit over there."
"Yes."
Emperor Jinzheng asked the little maid beside him to make a cup of tea for Ge Zian. "Zian, what do you think of your marriage contract with Shuxuan?"
Ge Zian didn't know why Emperor Jinzheng was asking him this, but he still answered honestly. "Your Majesty, although the old saying goes that marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers, Zian believes that if two people don't like each other, then this marriage doesn't really make sense."
"Hahaha, Zian, your thought is the same as Shuxuan's. Let me ask you," Emperor Jinzheng squinted at Ge Zian. "Do you like Shuxuan?"
Ge Zian never expected Emperor Jinzheng to ask him such a question. He was completely stunned. "Your Majesty... why are you asking this question?"
"I'm just curious. Think it over carefully and then answer me."
Emperor Jinzheng stood up and gently tapped the table beside Ge Zian. In fact, Ge Zian had thought about this question before. After much thought, he only had brother - sister feelings for Wei Shuxuan, and there was no romantic feeling.
"Your Majesty, I only have brother - sister feelings for Xuan'er. As for romantic feelings, I don't have such thoughts."
"Oh? If Long An asks you to marry Shuxuan, will you agree?" Emperor Jinzheng gave him a hypothetical question.
"... Yes, because it's my father's order."
"Hahahahaha, if Shuxuan hears this, she'll scold you to your face," Emperor Jinzheng found this scene very amusing. "But Shuxuan said she doesn't want to marry you and she doesn't like you. Since you don't like her either, why force yourself?"
"Your Majesty... I..." Ge Zian never expected Wei Shuxuan to say such things to the Emperor.
"I understand. Since Long An is the obstacle to canceling your marriage contract, I'll play the bad guy. I might even be scolded by Long An."
"Your Majesty..."
Emperor Jinzheng looked at Ge Zian. "Zian, I know all about your business with Ruo Ling. Ruo Ling likes you so much. She used to be most afraid of studying, but recently she told me that she wants to study with Master Qiu. I was quite surprised!"
He patted Ge Zian on the shoulder. "If you really don't like Ruo Ling, don't keep her waiting. Make it clear. Well, I've said what I wanted to say. You can go back. By the way, I'll visit your family in a few days."
"Your Majesty, are you going to see my father?"
"Yes. I know Long An's personality very well. He definitely won't come to the palace. I have to go out. I haven't seen him for a long time."
Ge Zian looked at the white hair hidden under Emperor Jinzheng's black hair. Come to think of it, the Emperor was about the same age as his father. He didn't expect the Emperor to be so old.
"I understand."
"Go back."
In Fenghe Hall, Wei Shuxuan was boredly looking at Xin Zizhao's medical books. Seeing Chief Eunuch Li walking quickly past the door, she called out to him. "Chief Eunuch Li, where are you in such a hurry to go?"
"Miss Wei, I'm going to the kitchen to prepare the snacks for His Majesty to eat on the way."
"On the way? Where is His Majesty going?" Wei Shuxuan immediately became interested.
"He said he's going to visit General Ge. He wants to take some of the pastries they used to like. Now the only cook who can make those pastries is the one transferred to our kitchen. So I'm in a hurry to go to the kitchen and ask the cook to prepare them."
"Visit General Ge? Could it be for..." Wei Shuxuan's eyes lit up.