Ever since Ji Shisu had racked his brains to send her out of the Ji Mansion for her safety last time, Zhao Luochun had seen that his brother - in - law had truly fallen in love with Luoning.
"Sigh, Ning'er, the child is a major matter. No matter what you decide as a single person, big brother will support you. But now... sigh, big brother is not good with words. Anyway, I think it's better for you two to talk it out face - to - face."
Zhao Luoning looked dull, already immersed in her own world.
Zhao Luochun knew that no matter what he said now, she wouldn't listen. He raised his eyes and glanced at Mrs. Zhao.
Mrs. Zhao also shook her head, signaling him not to say any more.
Zhao Luoning always had her own strong opinions. If she couldn't figure things out herself, they couldn't persuade her.
Zhao Luoning shook her head and couldn't help sighing.
Zhao Luoning and Ji Shisu were a perfect match. One was handsome, elegant, and well - spoken. The other was a great beauty with both talent and looks.
They were in love with each other.
If such a well - matched couple didn't end up together, even God might not approve.
Fate really liked to play tricks. Only the two parties involved could make a decision on such a difficult problem.
Seeing Zhao Luoning frowning deeply with a troubled look on her face, Zhao Luochun felt helpless.
"Alright, I won't bother you anymore."
Zhao Luochun lifted his feet and left. When he got outside the door, he looked into the room through the window. He saw Zhao Luoning with her hands on her abdomen, leaning against the bedside, already lost in thought.
Sigh, he hoped his younger sister could figure things out.
...
The Imperial Garden of the Kyoto Palace
After dealing with a pile of miscellaneous matters regarding rewards based on merits in the court, the emperor hosted a banquet in the imperial garden to welcome Ji Shisu and Shu Danqing.
"Come, I'll toast you."
The emperor held up a full goblet of fine wine.
Although they had sworn brotherhood when they were unaware of each other's identities, this was the palace now. Moreover, they were in their official uniforms. Even if they were given the courage, they wouldn't dare to let the emperor toast them personally.
They quickly stood up, picked up their goblets, and declined.
"Your Majesty, you're being too kind. We don't dare."
"What's there to be afraid of? Publicly, you're the great heroes who saved the common people from the abyss. Privately, you're my good brothers who helped me achieve great things. This cup of wine is only worthy of you."
They used to be brothers and had enjoyed drinking together. Although Ji Shisu was still cautious, Shu Danqing had gradually relaxed.
Of course, Ji Shisu didn't dare to decline too much.
If the emperor had said so and they still didn't drink, it would really be a disrespect to the imperial edict.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Ji Shisu had something on his mind, so he didn't drink happily.
The emperor saw through his thoughts. He put down his goblet and said with a smile, "Lord Ji, I noticed you looked worried in the court. Do you have something on your mind?"
Ji Shisu put down his goblet and knelt on one knee in front of the emperor.
Everyone present was surprised by his action.
Only the emperor understood it well. He knew Ji Shisu couldn't hold back.
Smiling, the emperor didn't rush to help him up. Instead, he interrupted Ji Shisu's words.
"I know what you're going to say. Is it about your wife, Lady Zhao?"
Only then did Ji Shisu know that everything was already in the emperor's control. Since the emperor knew the ins and outs, he boldly said directly,
"I'm willing to give up my title and rewards. I only beg Your Majesty to grant us a new identity to start over."
Power and titles were just a burden to Ji Shisu.
As for the gold, silver, and jewels in the rewards, although they were valuable, the Ji Mansion was not a poor family.
Those things would just be piled up in the warehouse of the Ji Mansion and wouldn't be of much use.
Ji Shisu had already thought this through when he sent Zhao Luoning out of the mansion.
If he died on the battlefield, Zhao Luoning could escape death.
If he was lucky enough to return in triumph, he would use all his rewards to give her a "new look and a new life" and also give them a chance to start over.
The other two also chimed in, and they told the emperor one by one about the indelible role Zhao Luoning had played in this war. But the emperor just smiled. His mind was hard to fathom, and no one knew whether he would agree or not.
"Lord Ji, do you know that Lady Zhao has committed the crime of deceiving the emperor?"
The emperor said this with a fake smile.
It made everyone's hearts sink.
The happy mood of the gathering disappeared.
Anyone who knew Ji Shisu well knew that Zhao Luoning was more important than his own life to him.
No one knew what grudge the emperor had against Zhao Luoning.
Everything had been going well in the conversation, but when it came to Zhao Luoning, the emperor became so unreasonable.
"Your Majesty, please make a clear investigation. It was not my wife who committed the crime of deceiving the emperor. It was all my own idea. If Your Majesty really wants to punish someone, please punish me."
Ji Shisu's protection of Zhao Luoning was well within the emperor's expectation.
Even if the emperor really wanted to deal with Zhao Luoning, with such a wife - loving man around, he couldn't do anything.
Moreover, both Ji Shisu and Zhao Luoning had made military contributions. If the emperor really dealt with them, it would undoubtedly be a big obstacle to the benevolent governance he was promoting.
Not only would he lose the hearts of the people, but he would also surely be infamous for all time.
The emperor was naturally very clear about the stakes. If he really wanted to order Zhao Luoning's death, he would be reluctant.
Such an interesting woman, he really couldn't bring himself to do it.
He was testing, and Ji Shisu was taking a gamble.
Gambling that the emperor he had fought for was a wise one.
Gambling that his elder brother Bai still remembered their sworn - brotherhood.
But Shu Danqing didn't know what these two were up to. He knelt down beside Ji Shisu.
Both Zhao Luoning and Zhao Luojing were rare confidants to him.
When she walked in the world in the identity of Zhao Luojing, he had especially admired her talent.
Needless to say, now.
A woman with such talent.
He had truly admired her from the bottom of his heart.
"Alright, if someone who doesn't know sees you like this, they might think I'm an unreasonable tyrant. However, Lord Ji, the places that should be punished still need to be punished."
Ji Shisu took the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty is wise. In the future, I just want to be an ordinary couple with my wife. Please take back my military power and title."
Ji Shisu had made remarkable military contributions, yet he voluntarily asked to be relieved of his military power!
Was there anyone who regarded fame, fortune, and titles as nothing?
I'm afraid that if the people in the world heard this news, they would say that he was so infatuated with Zhao Luoning that he was a fool who only had his wife in his eyes.
But Ji Shisu knew very well.
He had stood up in the national crisis. There was no other way at that time.
The new emperor's foundation was not stable, and there were no available ministers in the court. Even if not for his elder brother, for the sake of the country, he had to stand up.
But being too outstanding was not a good thing.
When the emperor needed him, he was a sword to slay demons and monsters.
When the emperor didn't need him, he was a danger hanging over his head.
Since ancient times, once the cunning rabbit was dead, the hunting dog was cooked.