Chapter 200: Taking Charge of Her Own Marriage (Part 1)

Chapter 200: Taking Charge of Her Own Marriage (Part 1)

Since the envoys from Zhu Xian and Dan Liang departed, Yun Lang seemed to have quieted down.

Internally, spring plowing had begun, crops were sprouting, and the people were well-fed and clothed. Bandits and rebels had been eradicated last winter.

Externally, the three major nations lived in harmony, with no smoke of war or bloodshed at the borders. The nation was peaceful and prosperous.

In such a tranquil country, the people did not worry about swords at their throats or news of their sons' deaths from the frontiers.

There was only an atmosphere of peace.

Yet, amidst this tranquility, within the imperial study, the imposing figure once again knelt, and once again, Emperor Yu helped him up.

"Old General, why do you kneel again? I said I would give you an explanation..."

"The Emperor is the ruler, and I am the subject. How can a subject not kneel before his ruler?"

General Su took a step back and knelt again.

He then took out an exquisitely crafted box from his sleeve.

The box had corners adorned with black iron and patterns of tigers and leopards carved into it.

"Now that the nation is peaceful and the people are well-fed, this old brute is no longer needed. Please take back this tiger token, Your Majesty."

"What is Old General Su doing?"

Emperor Yu's expression changed slightly.

"Sigh."

General Su sighed deeply.

"Your Majesty, my life is already half-buried in the earth, and I won't live for many more years.

I only have one granddaughter. If I must see her suffer, I would rather Your Majesty end my life now than endure seeing RAO being hurt repeatedly. It breaks my heart!"

With his strong hands, he pushed the tiger token forward a little more.

"Though I am a brute, I am not foolish. Why RAO has been harmed several times is clear since Your Majesty mentioned the marriage of the princes and RAO's age...

Your Majesty intends to grant a marriage between RAO and Prince Jiyue. I believe Prince Jiyue would be a good match, despite his poor health and lack of sight. But what matters most is mutual affection.

However, Prince Jiyue may not be fond of RAO, and I cannot bear to see my granddaughter suffer further.

All these troubles stem from this tiger token. RAO has been hurt multiple times, and I no longer seek any explanation. I only wish for my precious granddaughter to marry an ordinary person and live a peaceful life."

He bowed his head, making a loud thud.

"I beg Your Majesty to fulfill my plea and grant me this wish."

Silence filled the imperial study.

General Su bowed his head, holding the tiger token forward.

Emperor Yu remained silent, his face expressionless as he looked at General Su.

"Your Majesty, Prince Jiyue requests an audience."

It was only when Eunuch Yun reported that the silence was broken.

"Old General, let us talk while we stand. You are a loyal general who fought alongside my father to establish Yun Lang, and you are also my father's close friend and brother. I have always regarded you as an elder."

Once again, Emperor Yu bent down to help General Su up.

His expression softened.

This time, General Su stood up.

"Did Prince Jiyue disturb your conversation, Royal Uncle and Grandfather?"

Yun Jiyue entered at the right moment.

Eunuch Yun brought in two chairs.

"Prince Jiyue, what brings you here?"

Supporting General Su to sit down, Emperor Yu did not take the tiger token.

He glanced at Yun Jiyue and sat on the dragon throne.

"Royal Uncle, I am here regarding the engagement with Lady Ronghua."

Yun Jiyue also sat down.

"Lady Ronghua is lively and spirited. After spending time with her, I realize I am not suitable to be her husband.

Grandfather's love for his granddaughter is understandable, but my condition might burden Lady Ronghua. I beg your permission, Royal Uncle."

Silence fell upon the imperial study once more.

The air felt stifling.

Emperor Yu looked at Yun Jiyue. Though Yun Jiyue spoke calmly, Emperor Yu sensed his determination—he truly did not want to marry.

After a moment, Emperor Yu finally sighed:

"Very well. I thought Ronghua had liked Jiyue since childhood and suffered disfigurement because of him. I wanted Jiyue to marry her to fulfill her wishes, but I did not expect it to cause her suffering."

He then looked at Old General Su.

"Old General, you want Ronghua to be safe, and so do I. How could I not grant your request? Ronghua's marriage will be decided by you!"

Old General, you must choose a good husband for Ronghua. I treat Ronghua as my own daughter. If you don't choose well, not only will Ronghua be unhappy, but I will also be displeased with you."

The last sentence seemed like a jest.

"Old subject thanks Your Majesty on Rao'er's behalf. Old subject will definitely find a good husband for her. When the time comes, we'll need Your Majesty to oversee the matter so that the girl can have something to boast about."

Old General Su immediately stood up and bowed, without kneeling this time.

The tiger talisman was put back into his sleeve.

Emperor Yu also laughed.

His eyes softened once more.

Today, light rain fell, coloring the streets. The wheels of the Su family carriage left trails of water marks as it returned home.

"Father, did the Emperor really agree to let Rao'er choose her own marriage?"

This question came from Uncle Su the Third.

Hearing that Su Rao could decide her own marriage, the entire Su family still found it hard to believe that Emperor Yu had truly agreed.

"This is all thanks to Xiaoji."

Old General Su stroked his cherished beard, noticing the clear and unsightly scar on Su Rao's forehead, sighing softly.

"Xiaoji, that child, has a clear and perceptive mind. She must have known early on that Rao'er didn't want to marry him, which is why she made me return the tiger talisman to the Emperor.

I only have Rao'er as my precious granddaughter. As long as she is safe, I would do anything for her."

Everyone in the Su family understood the meaning behind these words.

Emperor Yu's decision to marry Su Rao into the royal family brought her nothing but repeated danger. After the third incident, he, who loved his granddaughter dearly, could no longer tolerate it.

If Emperor Yu still placed Su Rao in such danger, he would rather give up his life than let anything happen to his granddaughter.

"Father, although Rao'er's marriage issue is settled, what you said in the study might make the Emperor wary and remember this..."

Uncle Su the Second was still worried. Old General Su's actions were essentially threatening Emperor Yu with the tiger talisman and the entire Yunlang army.

"No worries, no worries. Everything is under control..."

Old General Su was not concerned at all, continuing to stroke his beard.

Seeing his mysterious demeanor, Su Rao slightly pressed her lips together.

Looking at Old General Su, after a moment, her bright almond eyes fell on Uncle Su the Second, who showed no signs of worry...

Su Rao knew it must be Xiaoji; Xiaoji must have planned something with Old General Su.

"Alright, alright, let's stop here."

Seeing Su Rao's contemplative expression, Old General Su shook his head slightly and became serious again.

"My precious granddaughter, tell me, do you still want to get married? If you don't want to, we won't. But if you do, Grandpa will find you a good husband..."

"Why not?" Su Rao smiled. "Rao'er wants to get married, Grandpa. I've already chosen someone..."

Only by getting married can she make the executioner on the dragon throne truly feel at ease about the Su family.