Chapter 63 Agreeing to Choose a Crown Princess

Chapter 63: Agreeing to Choose the Crown Princess

In May, flowers bloom, grass grows, and orioles fly.

The court was still fiercely contested, with officials from both the Shen faction and the Lin faction suffering losses.

The policy essay Luo Yunchen had written for Su Zheng sparked debate in court and garnered attention from many officials.

Especially the newly appointed officials held great respect for the nearly invisible Crown Prince of the Dayin dynasty.

In their impression, the Crown Prince was humble and low-key, seemingly mediocre and useless, but in reality, he possessed deep insight and great wisdom.

Thus, although Su Zheng was not present at court, his legend had already spread there.

As a result, the ministers' attention gradually turned to the Crown Prince of Dayin.

They realized that the Crown Prince, whom they had nearly forgotten, was now well past the age of fifteen (coming of age) and had reached the age for marriage.

Many ministers submitted memorials suggesting that Emperor Yuanjing should arrange a marriage for the Crown Prince.

Emperor Yuanjing summoned Su Zheng to Zhongkun Palace to discuss the matter with the Empress and Su Zheng.

The Empress naturally supported it, perhaps using the selection of the Crown Princess to win over certain factions, and said with a smile: "To be honest, Your Majesty, I've privately been asking around about many suitable young ladies, hoping to find a virtuous and kind Crown Princess for Zheng'er in the future!"

Emperor Yuanjing laughed heartily: "Haha, then have you chosen any, Empress? Which family’s daughter catches your eye? Does Zheng'er have any preference?"

"There are a few young ladies who seem promising, but I haven't mentioned it to Zheng'er yet. After all, I have only seen their portraits, and their talents and characters are based on hearsay. Without seeing them in person, I can't be completely at ease."

"What does the Empress think?"

"I suggest we hold a flower-viewing banquet in the palace. Then we can invite the young ladies over, and I can see them in person. That way, Zheng'er can also take a look."

"Let's do as the Empress suggests." Emperor Yuanjing nodded in agreement and then looked at Su Zheng: "Zheng'er, do you have anything to say?"

(No, thank you.)

Su Zheng ducked his head a little, pretending to be shy: "I will follow my imperial father and mother's arrangements."

Back at the Eastern Palace.

As soon as Su Zheng entered the hall, he was pinned against the palace door by a force.

A familiar scent enveloped him, and a barrage of kisses overwhelmed his senses.

His breathing grew heavy and labored.

Luo Yunchen slowly released Su Zheng, allowing him to breathe freely again.

But his lips hovered just above Su Zheng's mouth, almost touching, their breaths mingling.

He ran his fingertip gently over Su Zheng's lips, Luo Yunchen's voice ethereal and gentle, giving it an eerie, unreal quality.

Like a devastating storm was brewing beneath all that tenderness: "A Zheng, I missed you so much. Good A Zheng, tell me, what did the Emperor and Empress say to you? Tell me, A Zheng?"

Su Zheng had only learned about the selection of the Crown Princess from Emperor Yuanjing today.

But he was sure Luo Yunchen had found out through other means much earlier.

He knew about it but didn't tell me—so why is he asking me now?

Su Zheng pushed Luo Yunchen away with some effort, straightened his clothes, walked into the hall, and said casually: "Nothing much. They said in a few days they want to choose a Crown Princess for me."

Luo Yunchen watched Su Zheng's back, standing still.

His hands behind his back clenched into fists. Luo Yunchen spoke: "And how did A Zheng reply? Did you agree?"

"Of course I agreed. I have no reason to refuse, do I?"

"Heh." Luo Yunchen chuckled softly, walking step by step behind Su Zheng: "Then what about me? A Zheng is going to marry someone else—are you abandoning me?"

Su Zheng didn't turn around, saying calmly: "The Crown Prince always has to take a Crown Princess. You as well, whether as the heir or in the future... you will always have to have offspring."

But Luo Yunchen only persisted: "Is A Zheng really going to discard me?"

Su Zheng rubbed his forehead and turned around: "How am I discarding you? I won't marry the Crown Princess immediately. You can still live here. By the time I marry her, you might have already returned to Beiyuan. If you're unhappy with me sharing a palace with someone else, I can promise that I will only have the title of husband and wife with the Crown Princess, without any physical relationship. Is that alright?"

Not only is he still poisoned and incapable, but even if he were cured, he wouldn't want to.

Bringing a woman into the picture would just mean trouble down the line.

If the Crown Princess were someone he got along with, he might consider making her an ally.

When he eventually stepped down from power, he would try to find a way out for her to live peacefully.

But if the Crown Princess didn't click with him, then sorry—it's every man for himself.

"No!" Luo Yunchen's voice rose sharply. "I forbid it!"

Husband and wife?

How could A Zheng become husband and wife with someone else!

Just the title of 'husband and wife' makes me crazy, makes me want to kill!

Su Zheng's temples throbbed. The little wolf is about to go crazy again!

Just as Su Zheng was racking his brain trying to figure out how to talk to the little wolf, a voice from outside asked if they should serve the food.

Su Zheng quickly answered, "Serve it," and then said gently, coaxing him: "Let's eat first, and we'll talk after, okay?"

"Alright," Luo Yunchen said, nodding and glancing toward the hall entrance with a flicker in his eyes.

He agreed so readily that Su Zheng was stunned for a moment, and shot him a suspicious look.

Luo Yunchen's expression remained unchanged, a gentle smile hiding a dark, obsessive craziness.

It seemed he really planned to settle things after dinner.

Su Zheng didn't dwell on it, turned and walked over to the round table.

Xiaoyunzi had the servants lay out the food and closed the hall door behind them as they left.

Su Zheng felt Luo Yunchen step up behind him, told him to sit down and eat, and reached for his chopsticks to start eating.

But the moment his hand started to rise, something grabbed it.

Then, Su Zheng's hands were bent behind his back, and something wound around his wrists—smooth and cool against his skin.

Su Zheng struggled for a moment and realized his hands were tied. He couldn't move at all.

Su Zheng was furious: “Luo Yunchen, what do you think you're doing! Let go of me!”

Luo Yunchen sat on the stool next to Su Zheng, cupped Su Zheng's cheek with one hand, and said gently: “Naturally, A Zheng has been too disobedient and must be punished.”

*Punish you, you zombie!*

Su Zheng wanted to swear!

Su Zheng forced himself to stay calm and said, “Didn’t we agree to eat first?”

“We’ll eat. I’ll feed A Zheng.”

“I don’t need you...”

“No. This is a punishment for A Zheng, punishing A Zheng by not letting him use his hands to eat.”

Su Zheng was initially puzzled, but soon understood Luo Yunchen’s meaning.

Luo Yunchen picked up a piece of meat and brought it to Su Zheng’s mouth.

He wasn’t about to refuse food right in front of him, so Su Zheng opened his mouth to accept the bite.

But just as Su Zheng leaned in, Luo Yunchen redirected his chopsticks and popped the food into his own mouth!