Chapter 117

Chapter 117

Jiang Cihe then recounted Meng Shuping's strategy to Emperor Qianyou in detail. Upon hearing it, Emperor Qianyou was greatly impressed, laughing heartily, "So that's how it is!"

That rascal truly knows how to vex people. Entrusting this matter to Meng Shuping was indeed the right choice.

Recalling his earlier promise to reward Meng Shuping, Emperor Qianyou pondered for a moment before suddenly asking, "Beloved Minister Meng, how old are you this year?"

Meng Shuping was bewildered but answered honestly, "Your Majesty, I am sixteen and will soon turn seventeen."

Emperor Qianyou asked with interest, "Has your family arranged a marriage for you? Or is there a girl you fancy?"

Meng Shuping's eyes widened in surprise, "No, there isn't, but..."

*Is he actually thinking of arranging a marriage for me?*

Jiang Cihe cast a fleeting glance at Meng Shuping before calmly looking away.

A smile crept onto Emperor Qianyou's face. "How about I bestow a marriage upon you?"

Meng Shuping immediately shook his head, "No, no need! I'm in no hurry!"

*I'm just a kid, and he already wants me to get married? Besides, who would want the Emperor to set them up? If it doesn't work out, I can't just break it off—that would be a slap in the Emperor's face. How frustrating would that be for a lifetime?*

*Whoa! I get it! Is he trying to use my marriage to balance court influence? Am I that important?*

Emperor Qianyou's lips twitched. What was wrong with him arranging a marriage? Others would jump at the chance. Besides, Meng Shuping was overthinking it—even if he wanted to balance court influence, he wouldn't rely on Meng Shuping.

He beamed, "Why aren't you in a hurry? Many sons of other beloved ministers were already engaged at your age. If you don't settle early, all the good girls will be snatched up."

Meng Shuping thought indifferently, *So what if they're taken? They're just a bunch of little brats. I'm not interested.*

He inadvertently glanced at Jiang Cihe and met his calm gaze. Meng Shuping paused for a moment and blurted out, "Then why hasn't Your Majesty arranged a marriage for Prince Zhao? He's even older than me!"

*His own son is still single, and he's trying to set me up? He's too nonchalant, isn't he? No wonder Jiang Cihe hasn't married yet.*

Emperor Qianyou glanced at Jiang Cihe, "He has to be willing first. I can't force him."

Meng Shuping couldn't help but retort inwardly, *So you're forcing me instead?*

Emperor Qianyou took offense. What did he mean by "forcing" Meng Shuping? What was so bad about marriage? He tried to persuade Meng Shuping and make him understand the benefits of marriage, "Think about it—after you marry, you'll come home to hot meals every day, and there will be someone to chat with and keep you company. Isn't that better than returning to an empty house?"

Meng Shuping muttered softly, "But I already have hot meals when I go home now!"

*You've given me so much work—I'm dead tired. When I get home, I just want to lie down quietly. Who wants to chat? Besides, with so many cooks and maids at home, it's not like they're just slacking off. If I'm bored, can't I just go out with my buddies to eat, drink, and have fun?*

Emperor Qianyou choked on his words but persisted, "You're living in the Earl's mansion now, but what about when you eventually set up your own household? Who will manage the household? Don't you need a capable wife to help you?"

Meng Shuping rebutted inwardly, *I can't just marry someone to make them work, can I? Hiring a steward would do the same thing!*

*Wait, no—with my meager salary and no rewards or anything, how many years would it take for me to afford a house in the capital? It's bad enough if I have to live a rootless life alone, but dragging someone else into it would be downright immoral!*

Emperor Qianyou felt pricked by Meng Shuping again. It sounded as if he were being stingy. So what if he was stingy? He refused to give up, "Don't you want a child to carry on your bloodline?"

Meng Shuping mustered his courage and said, "Your Majesty, I'm still a child myself!"

*Carry on what? His family has a throne to inherit, but I don't. What, should I have a child to inherit my meager possessions? I don't even have enough money for myself, and now you want me to share it with someone else? Does he think my life is too comfortable or something?*

Jiang Cihe couldn't help but laugh. It really could be called "meager possessions."

Emperor Qianyou was left speechless. If he didn't want to marry, fine, but why bring him into it? What was wrong with his family having a throne to inherit? But then, on second thought, perhaps Meng Shuping was still too young and not yet interested. Maybe he would change his mind in a few years?

Thinking this, he regained his composure, "Since Beloved Minister Meng doesn't want to marry now, how about you tell me when you're ready, and I'll arrange a marriage for you?"

Seeing that Emperor Qianyou had finally given up, Meng Shuping breathed a sigh of relief and said quickly, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

*That day will never come!*

Emperor Qianyou: "..."

This kid shouldn't speak so definitively. He refused to believe Meng Shuping would never marry!

After finishing this topic, Meng Shuping suddenly remembered that Emperor Qianyou had said last time that if he handled the matter well, there would be a reward. So he cautiously said, "Your Majesty, there's one more thing."

Emperor Qianyou looked at him, "What is it?"

Meng Shuping gathered his courage and said, "You said last time you would reward me. You're not going back on your word, are you?"

Emperor Qianyou raised an eyebrow, "Of course not. Didn't I say I would arrange a marriage for you?"

Meng Shuping was utterly confused and said incredulously, "That's your reward?"

Emperor Qianyou smiled, "That's right!"

Meng Shuping was shocked, *No way, no way! Is he trying to save money by offering to arrange a marriage for me? And he calls himself an Emperor? How cunning!*

He took a deep breath, "Then can I exchange it for another reward?"

*What I need is money, not a wife!*

The smile on Emperor Qianyou's face deepened. Just as Meng Shuping thought he would agree, Emperor Qianyou said the next moment, "No."

Meng Shuping immediately became dejected, *I knew he was stingy. Can't he be a little more generous?*

Emperor Qianyou was speechless. He had only said there would be a reward, not what it would be. If Meng Shuping assumed it would be money, that was his own problem. But after teasing Meng Shuping so many times, he felt a bit guilty. So he said generously, "Alright, since you both handled your duties well this time, I'll reward each of you with a sheep."

Meng Shuping was delighted and immediately said, "Thank You, Your Majesty!"

*Even though he didn't reward me with silver, at least I got some of his 'wool.' That's progress! Sooner or later, I'll make him reward me with silver!*

Emperor Qianyou: "..." *Not a chance!*

After leaving the Emperor's presence, Meng Shuping guiltily avoided looking at Jiang Cihe. But after walking with Jiang Cihe for a long time without hearing a word from him, Meng Shuping grew worried.

*Oh no, oh no, oh no! Is he upset that I tried to shift the blame onto him earlier? But it's not my fault—there were only two of us in there. Besides him, who else could I have shifted it to?*

He glanced uneasily at Jiang Cihe and happened to meet his deep gaze. He instinctively looked away, *It's over, it's over. He's definitely angry. What should I do now? I didn't mean it!*

But as soon as he looked away, he noticed Jiang Cihe quickening his pace. He hurried to catch up and asked while jogging, "Jiang Cihe, why are you walking so fast?"

Jiang Cihe's voice sounded muffled, "It's nothing."

Meng Shuping grew anxious, *You're clearly in a mood, and you say it's nothing? I'm not stupid!*

He tried to change the subject, "When should we eat that sheep?"

Jiang Cihe replied with two words again, "Whenever."

Meng Shuping added, "I heard the Lantern Festival is especially beautiful. Shall we go see it together?"

Jiang Cihe said casually as he boarded the carriage, "Sure."

Meng Shuping's expression softened, and he quickly followed him, "Then it's settled!"

Jiang Cihe's lips curved, "Mm."

Meng Shuping sat beside Jiang Cihe and apologized sincerely, "Sorry, I shouldn’t have used you as a shield earlier."

Jiang Cihe stared at Meng Shuping for a few breaths, making him squirm. "Wh-what’s wrong?"

Then, he heard Jiang Cihe ask, "Do you want me to marry?"

Meng Shuping shook his head frantically, "No!"

Jiang Cihe leaned in with a smirk, "Then do you hope I never marry?"

Meng Shuping’s breath hitched, and he instinctively pressed against the carriage wall. "I don’t!"

*Dude, can you not get so close? Just because you're stupid handsome? Why didn’t I notice how good-looking he was before?*

*But does it even matter what I hope? It’s not like he’d stay unmarried just because I don’t want him to.*

Jiang Cihe settled back into his seat. "If you don’t want me to marry, then I won’t."

Meng Shuping’s heart jumped. It took him a moment to process the words. He glanced at Jiang Cihe in surprise. *Is he joking or serious? Probably just teasing me, right?*

*But why does what he said align so well with my thoughts? Could he actually read my mind? That jerk?*

Seeing Jiang Cihe’s expression remain unchanged, Meng Shuping decided he was overthinking it. *Whew, of course. Nothing that magical exists—just a coincidence.*

He forced a dry laugh, "Haha, really? That’s real bro loyalty."

*If it were anyone else, they’d have probably punched me by now.*

Jiang Cihe paused, then casually asked Meng Shuping, "You said earlier you’re in no hurry to marry. So when do you plan to get married?"

Meng Shuping looked confused. "I don’t have any plans."

Jiang Cihe looked at him seriously. "What if you meet someone you like?"

Meng Shuping shook his head immediately. "Not gonna happen. How would I even meet someone I like?"

*I don’t even want to be around strangers! Since coming to the capital, Jiang Cihe is basically the only person I’d call a friend.*

Jiang Cihe’s lips quirked briefly before he straightened them. "Then what kind of person do you like?"

Meng Shuping gave him a suspicious look. "Why are you asking?"

*Is he going to try to matchmake me too? No way, I don’t even know what kind of person I like!*