Chapter 78

The first year of Kaichong, Guyu.

Spring rain drizzled continuously, pattering gently.

Early in the morning, the air was filled with the damp, earthy smell of soil.

The gentle breeze and fine rain caressed one’s face, indescribably tender and peaceful.

Unfortunately, the atmosphere in the Taihe Hall during the morning court session today was not as gentle and calm as the weather outside.

The civil and military officials lowered their heads, their eyes filled with shock.

The reason was that at the end of the court session, the one-year-old Empress sat at the head, and the attending eunuch Dai Ban read out a marriage decree.

The Mingde Long Emperor was to be married to the current Prime Minister Liu Changning.

As soon as the imperial edict was issued, the civil and military officials were in an uproar.

The Long Emperor sat beside the young Empress, playing with a strand of her hanging hair. She glanced sideways at Prime Minister Liu standing in the front row and raised an eyebrow, asking, “Why hasn’t Minister Liu accepted the edict yet?”

In those unfathomable ink-black eyes, it was hard to distinguish between grace and intimidation.

The civil and military officials had only one thought in their minds: This is coercion… using power to pressure someone.

The Long Emperor had always disliked Prime Minister Liu. A few years ago, she had demoted Liu to Jiaozhou because Liu had refused marriage in front of the Empress.

Now, Prime Minister Liu was constantly being harassed by the Long Emperor in court, and every time they confronted each other, it would result in a bloody storm.

The ministers present were not fools. Although the edict was bestowed by the Empress, what would a one-year-old child know about marriage?

It was clearly the Long Emperor’s intention, probably wanting to use the marriage refusal incident to teach Liu a lesson again…

Minister Liu’s abilities were respected by all the court officials. Such a talented statesperson, if removed by the Emperor’s schemes… it would be…

Almost all the ministers’ eyes focused on Liu Changning.

Some elder statesmen couldn’t wait to step forward and advise.

“Your Highness must not do this. Minister Liu has devoted herself wholeheartedly to the Golden Phoenix Dynasty. How can you force her into marriage…”

“We beg Your Highness to retract this order. Marriage cannot be a jest. Men and women should marry of their own accord. Your Highness and Minister Liu are… unsuitable.”

“We implore Your Highness to reconsider… Minister Liu is a pillar of the state. You must not dishearten such a talent.”

…

Before the person in question could speak, the ministers were already anxiously jumping up and down.

Pei suddenly stood up, slamming a palm hard on the imperial table, sweeping a glance over the instantly silenced officials.

He coldly snorted, “Are the ministers feeling wronged for Minister Liu? What’s wrong with marrying a man like me? Which aspect of my appearance or status is not worthy of Liu Cangyun?”

As he spoke, he walked to the front of the hall and said sternly, “I have devoted myself wholeheartedly all these years. Assisting two generations of Empresses, half my youth buried in the court. Now I merely want to find a place to belong. Yet you ministers repeatedly accuse me. Is it that I’m unworthy, or that you have ulterior motives and don’t want me to marry?”

At these words, all the civil and military officials lowered their heads. Even the censors on the side didn’t dare to make a sound.

Although Long Emperor Pei Yuanshao’s private conduct was questionable throughout his life, as a man, he had suppressed rebellions, managed the court, assisted the Empress, and made indelible contributions to the stability of the Golden Phoenix Dynasty.

It was precisely because of his service to the country that he, as a man, had not yet married. Now, no one dared to marry the Long Emperor, who had enormous power and a naturally unrestrained nature.

How could they have any reason to criticize?

This was indeed the reason, but for a divine figure like Prime Minister Liu to marry the Emperor, it was truly a pity…

The officials buried their heads, not daring to speak.

Pei Yuanshao’s ink-black eyes swept over the faces of the ministers one by one, finally landing on the woman standing tall in front of the hall.

He deliberately snorted coldly, mocking, “Prime Minister Liu, do you think the same? Do you want to refuse marriage for a second time in front of the court?”

As the threatening words fell, the coldness and pressure emanating from his body were fully released, and the temperature in the entire hall seemed to drop several degrees.

The civil and military officials trembled, shrinking their necks like quails.

They could only sigh. The Emperor was not playing by the rules. If he wanted to marry, he should just marry, but why involve the Prime Minister? Alas… when men become vicious, women are often helpless. The two of them had deep grudges in the past; today’s matter probably wouldn’t end well.

While the officials were feeling sorry for the unfortunate Liu Cangyun, they didn’t know that the two people confronting each other in front of the hall were exchanging tender glances in mid-air under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Liu Changning’s eyes were filled with a hint of doting smile. She had wanted to marry him openly and honorably, but he insisted on slandering himself.

No wonder he had been so affectionate yesterday, giving her everything she wanted. It was all for this pre-emptive strike today.

She lowered her eyelids, playing along with her bewitching lover’s act.

Bowing her head in respect, she said, “Your Highness, please reconsider. This humble minister…”

“You’re unwilling?”

The Long Emperor interrupted her words, neither lightly nor heavily, playing with the jade ring on his hand, saying coldly, “Let me advise you, Minister. Learn from past lessons, don’t be stubborn to the point of breaking.”

Liu Changning’s eyes were filled with a hint of teasing, and for some reason, her mind suddenly filled with yellow waste.

She lowered her head, her gaze lingering on the place where his two legs were wrapped in the red robe.

Her eyes deepened, and she said in a deep voice, “If Your Highness can’t bend, this minister will bend…”

The civil and military officials raised their heads in surprise, completely bewildered. This… they had thought it would be a confrontation, a battle of words. Who would have thought Minister Liu would compromise so easily?

Pei Yuanshao crossed his legs and walked back to the head of the hall. A gentle breeze passed by, lifting the hair by his temples, his round earlobe flushed red.

He glared at the woman bowing her head in front of the hall, his chest rising and falling, her lips clearly bearing a teasing smile.

—

The teahouses in Jinling City never lacked for scholars and literati.

The incident of the Emperor forcing the marriage of Prime Minister Liu had just occurred in the morning court, and by the afternoon, it had spread throughout the streets and alleys of Jinling City.

At the Guiyun Teahouse.