Qi King: "Oh?"
Bi Mugen: "Sir Su is the biological father of Miss Su. Although Miss Su is not being wronged now—of course, this is what Your Highness believes—wouldn't it be better for Master Su to come forward and warn the Crown Prince, so that the Crown Prince will dare not say such things about Miss Su anymore?"
"Then, Miss Su, she will be satisfied in both public and private."
The King of Qi felt it was right and then grasped a new skill, tea talk.
The Su Mansion.
Su Shao Xian listened to the seemingly caring words of the King of Qi, but actually hurtful ones, and he wishes he could send him away immediately.
But!
Su Shao Xian had to hear it out, for he sensed something was amiss.
He had lived for decades, not like the young King of Qi who thought that protecting the Crown Prince meant living well, and it could be necessary to do so.
Su Shao Xian narrowed his eyes slightly, and the Crown Prince's words sounded like he had a grudge against Su Jun.
Could it be that daughter is telling the truth?
Su Shao Xian really wanted to ask someone, but it's a pity that there are no one to solve the puzzle now. Even if Su Jun were here... Young, can she distinguish between love and hate?
It's a mistake!
Su Shao Xian had assigned maids to Su Jun in the past, and every elder nursemaid around Su Jun should actually be able to tell whether the Crown Prince is feeling jealous or favoring Lady Zhang.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for informing me. It's getting late, so I won't be able to extend the invitation for you to dine."
Qi King: ????
Fortunately, he knows Su Shao Xian's temperament and didn't expect to get a meal here anyway.
"Su Da Ren is being polite, is there anything I can do for you?"
Su Shao Xian smiled and said, "I dare not trouble the king."
He didn't know the King of Qi's intentions before, but today he finally detected the clues.
What kind of sharp-witted person he is, before he just thought that both of them were young and didn't understand, but now what kind of person the King of Qi is?
And what kind of temperament?
He actually behaves so courteously at the Su Mansion, listens to his cold words without dismissively leaving, and instead assumes the demeanor of a junior...
His knee-son only has one daughter.
Qi King made a gesture of a junior, Su Shao Xian jumped up from his chair in surprise.
"In the future, whenever Master Su has something to do, feel free to give me the order. I have a few plum trees with white hearts that bloom beautifully in my garden. I can have them transplanted over here later, is that alright?"
While delivering precious gifts, the tone is cautious and respectful, as if afraid that Su Da Ren might refuse.
Su Shao Xian paused for a moment, and in the past, the daughter's most desired plum trees with white hearts were now being presented before him.
The King of Qi couldn't send these into the palace as it would be too obvious. He only hoped to compensate for Su Jun's childhood regrets.
In the end, Su Shao Xian still refused.
"Your Highness, the past cannot be pursued. You are still young, one year away from being an adult, and you should look forward."
Qi King sighed and said, "I only know that time doesn't have the ability to reverse itself, and people cannot return to their youth."
No matter how many years are left, the person who accompanies him through the most innocent and helpless period of his childhood is Su Jun.
Su Shao Xian watched the desolate back as King Qi walked away, twisted his beard, and sighed deeply, "Fated sin, fated sin, we were wrong, everything was wrong!"
If he knew back then...
Su Shao Xian's back, which had been straightened, bent down. He knew there was no way to change it.
The Crown Prince's deep affection, and the emperor's royal decree for marriage... The Su family had no right to refuse!
If they refuse, then Su Jun will never be able to marry anyone else, and no one dares to marry the Crown Prince's lover, which would only make things worse.
If the emperor had decreed a marriage for someone else, even the third prince, Su Shao Xian would have had the ability to refuse. But it was particularly the emperor's beloved son and the future emperor of Dali...
From the moment the Crown Prince knelt in front of the Qianqing Palace, Su Jun's destiny was sealed.
Throughout his life, Su Shao Xian has experienced countless storms and waves. Upon realizing that his most beloved child's life was on the wrong track, he couldn't help but change his expression.
Since the situation has already occurred, there's no choice but to continue moving forward.
*
Qi King rode out on his horse, and when he arrived at the Zhengyang Gate, he found that the streets were lit up with bright lights and bustling with people, a lively scene.
He suddenly realized that the year-end was near. The nighttime curfew was lifted before the New Year's Eve, which was the time for families to gather and enjoy the bright lights.
But, his Qi Mansion would never welcome a mistress again.
The King of Qi suddenly didn't want to return to his mansion. He found a tavern and booked a private room, where he began to drink alone.
He felt too low and dishonest, cursing as he drank. After two years in the army, he had learned many curses, and he was no longer the courteous gentleman that Su Jun had known.
The King of Qi cursed himself, cursing that he had harbored expectations when he heard the Crown Prince's words, expecting the Crown Prince to dislike his consort, expecting that he had obtained a legitimate reason to reclaim Su Jun.
He violently slapped himself.
"Chu Han, Chu Han, remember, she is not the kind of person you can desire. Do you want her to become as tarnished as you? Gossip is feared, and she should be envied by all, not married to you and become the subject of others' mockery..."
He seemed to be laughing, yet crying at the same time, speaking words he didn't believe in, trying to suppress his desires.
"What can you offer her? She will be the queen, the most prestigious woman in the world..."
"I can give her the position of the empress. I will give her everything she wants..."
"Slap—!"
The loud slap interrupted his fantasy. No, it's not right...
If Jun Jun marries him, nothing will change, and only a tarnished name will be added... The Crown Prince loves her, the Crown Prince has always loved her.
A series of screams and cheers erupted outside. King Qi, in a daze, walked out of the private room and realized that a story teller had arrived at the tavern, and he was just narrating the part where the Crown Prince proposed to Su Jun.
King Qi leaned against the door and sat down, with one leg bent and his index finger and thumb holding the wine jar. A strand of hair in his crown fell down, covering half of his face. There was a drop of tears that rolled down his chin, but it was hidden by the wine.
It's a delusion.
Everyone knows that the Crown Prince has been kneeling for hours, begging to marry Su Jun.
No one knows that that night, King Qi also kneeled to ask for marriage with Su Jun.
The Crown Prince kneels inside the Qianqing Palace, the land dragon heating the floor, and the warmth scorching people. King Qi kneels outside the Qianqing Palace, where on a winter day, the cold wind and snow slices against people, almost removing a layer of skin.
The Crown Prince knelt for half an hour, which was unheard of for someone who always looked down on others. Everyone believed in the Crown Prince's sincerity, and the emperor smiled and agreed to his request.
King Qi kneels outside the hall and stays up all night, contracting a disease at such a young age. His knees will always ache during the cold months of winter.
But the emperor didn't believe his sincerity, only seeing it as his scheme.
King Qi, or rather, he was then still the Third Prince. At the age of seventeen, he had not entered the royal court. His mother had died early, and he had no adoptive mother; his relationship with his maternal family was distant. At this time, seeking to marry Su Shao Xian's precious daughter seemed to be a sinister intention.
King Qi bowed heavily, with blood spurting out, "Your Majesty, I am truly sincere. Please grant my request. I have played with her since we were young."
The emperor interrupted him, "You cannot use Su Jun's kindness as an excuse for your greed. Stop being so shameless and repulsive!"
"Then ask the Emperor to let her choose!"
The blood stains the marble tiles like gold, and King Qi feels dizzy. He doesn't know how he managed to keep standing until now.
The emperor sat high above, King Qi could not see his expression, but he could hear the emperor's cold voice, "The Crown Prince is the only son of the Queen Consort, well-versed in both literature and martial arts, talented and learned. His identity is noble. Su Jun would certainly choose the Crown Prince."
"I can grant you this request."
King Qi, however, seemed to have fallen into an ice cave. He was afraid.
The emperor's intention was too clear, Su Jun chooses him, not the Crown Prince... The emperor would not tolerate that.
