Chapter 48: We Need the Young Master’s Cooperation

Chapter 48: We Need the Young Master's Cooperation

You'd think after all that, Li Ruoyao would've finally given up.

But nope—this girl was stubborn as a mule and flat-out rebellious. The more people told her she couldn't, the more she dug her heels in. She even took it all the way to the Prime Minister.

She announced she wanted to marry Sang Yu.

She swore she'd marry no one else, kicking up a fuss every single day and turning the whole house upside down.

The Second Madam was livid, cursing out the murderer every day. She couldn't believe Li Ruoyao still wanted to marry the guy—and was even sticking up for the eldest son. She cursed even harder, wishing she could wipe out the whole lot of them.

The First Madam, trying to protect her own son, fought right back.

Three women, one big drama—they stirred up so much trouble the Prime Minister couldn't catch a break. The Old Prime Minister wished he never had to go home, flat-out not wanting to face any of them.

Li Ruoyao had been spoiled rotten since she was little and was the Prime Minister's favorite, so she did whatever she wanted.

Eventually, word even reached the Emperor that the Prime Minister's daughter was raising a stink every day about marrying the Prince of Nanxun, demanding the Prime Minister fix it.

The Emperor waved a hand, all casual: "My dear minister, since your daughter's so taken with this Sang Yu, why not..."

"Your Majesty!"

The Prime Minister knelt down with a thud, hastily explaining: "Your Majesty doesn't know this, but my daughter already has a marriage contract. She's just young and flighty, momentarily led astray. I'll make sure to handle this properly."

The Emperor's gaze lingered on him for a long moment before he looked away and said flatly: "Fine, then. In that case, I won't issue any decree. Handle your own household affairs."

"Yes."

On his way back from the palace, the Prime Minister was at his wit's end.

He also knew who Sang Yu really was. The Emperor had no idea he'd already figured it out. If his daughter married Sang Yu, she'd get dragged into the mess.

The Emperor had plenty of princes. Sure, the Fourth Prince was gone, but there were still several more.

Marrying an emperor's son wasn't exactly a great deal.

And an illegitimate son with no real standing? Even more out of the question.

But where the hell was he supposed to find someone with a marriage contract?

The Prime Minister kept sighing. Suddenly, the sedan chair lurched, snapping him out of it. He lifted the curtain. "What's going on?"

A servant reported, "Prime Minister, there's a ruckus up ahead blocking the road. Let me go grab the troublemakers."

"Forget it."

He looked ahead. A gang was robbing traveling merchants in broad daylight, waving knives around. They looked like vicious, desperate thugs, completely out of their minds.

In the middle of it all, a young man in armor—totally fearless—grabbed a bandit's blade and took them all down in a few moves.

The court's rising star.

Lu Zhao.

Li Sheng narrowed his eyes, sizing up the agile young man from a distance. The longer he looked, the more pleased he was.

Now that's a spirited young man, full of fire.

Strong, handsome, and promising—a new favorite of the Emperor with a bright future ahead.

"Come."

Li Sheng waved his servant over, eyes still on the figure ahead, and said: "Take my card to General Lu's place. Tell him I'd like to meet tomorrow."

"Yes."

Target found, Li Sheng finally headed home, satisfied.

Now he just had to wait and see what Lu Zhao would do.

Li Ruoyao had no idea she was about to get set up. She was still in Li Zhiming's courtyard, hanging all over Sang Yu, begging him to play with her.

Sang Yu dropped a bombshell out of nowhere.

"Sang Yu doesn't like playing—unless it's in bed. And in bed, I only play with the Young Master."

Li Zhiming: "..."

Thanks a lot.

Li Ruoyao shot him a dagger of a glare, and Li Zhiming felt like he was sitting on a bed of nails. Even though he hadn't done anything, being stared at like that made him feel guilty as hell.

And why did he feel this weird, inexplicable guilt?

He couldn't call it out, couldn't contradict it without losing face and undoing all their hard work. So he had to play along with Sang Yu's dirty talk.

"That's right, young ladies shouldn't ask so many questions. Brother Sang Yu played hard last night and wore himself out, so he needs to rest now. You should head back to your own courtyard."

Li Ruoyao looked like she was about to cry, but she stubbornly refused to budge.

This girl... Did they need to lay it on thicker?

Li Zhiming thought, then turned his head and met Sang Yu's unreadable gaze, that weird smile still on his face, like he was cooking something up.

Creepy.

By the time Li Ruoyao finally left, it was already night.

Another exhausting day of dealing with all this crap.

Li Zhiming's back and waist were killing him. He'd finally gotten some peace and just wanted to hurry back to his room to crash.

Before he could even take a step, someone blocked his path.

Sang Yu stood in front of him, tugging his sleeve, dead serious: "Don't you think the young lady doesn't give a damn about us being like this?"

"Huh?"

"The young lady's head over heels for Sang Yu. How about I just marry her? It's normal for men to have a few wives and concubines. One more wouldn't hurt. Young Mas—"

"Hell no!"

Li Zhiming exploded, cutting off his scumbag speech. His face went red as he shot back: "Ruoyao's a good girl. She's always wanted one person, one love, for life."

Sang Yu shrugged, all casual: "But she won't give up on me. If I marry her, she'll be happy."

"No way—I've got a solution."

"Oh?"

Li Zhiming frowned, stomping around impatiently, unable to come up with any solution. Even after all that, she still wouldn't drop it, which means she flat-out doesn't believe it.

She doesn't believe there's anything weird going on between them.

Li Ruoyao might be childish, but she's sharp. She might actually catch on to what's real and what's fake.

As he was racking his brains, Sang Yu tilted his head and said, "Young Master, if you really don't want to, I've got a plan, but I'll need your help."

"Spit it out—what's the plan?"

Sang Yu didn't answer, but asked instead, "Would the Young Master be willing to cooperate with me?"

"Of course I am. I've gone along with you on everything already, what else could I refuse? Tell me quickly—the sooner she drops this, the better."

"A gentleman's word..."

"...is his bond!"

"Alright, lean in close, Young Master."

Li Zhiming leaned his ear in, and Sang Yu whispered a few words into it.

But before he even finished, the tips of Li Zhiming's ears were already bright red, his whole body felt like it was on fire, he didn't know where to look, and his hands and feet felt all clumsy.

Sang Yu, though, was totally unbothered, and after finishing, seriously asked him.

"What does the Young Master think? Only by going all out can we make the Young Miss give up for good."

Li Zhiming hesitated. He really couldn't...

"What, the Young Master can't even do this for the Young Miss? I'm the one making a huge sacrifice here. If the Young Master truly is unwilling, then I'll just have to go marry..."

"I'm willing!"

Li Zhiming shouted, resolved: "I'll cooperate with you, but when the time comes, I'll improvise. Even if it's just acting, I can't be made to look too foolish."

Sang Yu spread his hands: "As long as the goal is achieved, I don't care."

"Fine, then it's settled."

Li Zhiming really wanted to curse.

Troublesome.

If Li Ruoyao kept making a fuss and the Prime Minister really officiated the marriage, her life would be ruined. Sang Yu didn't like her at all, nor would he spare her life.