Murong Jin's breath hitched slightly, and he remained silent.
The Emperor massaged his temples. "You are still unwilling?"
To be honest, if it weren't for his mother's pressure, he wouldn't want to interfere in his ninth brother's personal affairs either.
After all, if it resulted in an unhappy union, it would damage the bond between them as brothers.
Murong Jin bowed. "No, your subject brother is willing to heed our mother's arrangements, but..."
He paused, then said slowly, "Your subject brother has one more request. Although the northern border is pacified, the war with the southern barbarians remains deadlocked. I have heard that General Mei Sheng is severely wounded, and the Chief Minister is managing the situation alone. Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to grant permission for me to lead troops to reinforce the south, to assist the Chief Minister in swiftly quelling the southern barbarians and protecting our Great Xia!"
The entire court was shocked. The Emperor couldn't help exclaiming, "You still want to go to the southern front?"
"Yes!"
Murong Jin lowered his head, his cold, hard profile resolute and unyielding.
He had already lost the person he loved most in this life; he would never find fulfillment.
Since that was the case, it was better to sacrifice himself on the battlefield to secure a better fate for more people.
Cao Yang hurriedly stepped forward from the ranks. "Your Majesty! Prince Qin has just returned victorious to the capital. The long journey was arduous; it is truly not suitable for him to rush off to the southern front again! Moreover, although General Mei Sheng has fallen, his only son, Mei Hexuan, is brave and skilled in warfare. He is currently serving under the Chief Minister and can compensate for his father's absence. I beg Your Majesty to let Prince Qin rest for a while and await the Chief Minister's news of victory!"
Prince Yu also said, "Indeed, Ninth Brother, you've just returned and want to leave again. Aren't you afraid of upsetting our mother?"
Murong Jin was silent.
The Emperor said, "Ministers Cao and Prince Yu are absolutely right. Leave the southern matters to the Chief Minister; you need not worry about them anymore! By the way, you haven't seen our mother since your return. You should first go to the Palace of Compassion and Peace to pay your respects to her!"
Murong Jin had no choice but to assent.
Palace of Compassion and Peace.
Empress Dowager Su saw her youngest son return and wept tears of joy. "Good, good, good. This old one always said my Jin'er is blessed by fortune and would surely be safe. You have finally returned unharmed..."
Murong Jin said guiltily, "Making Mother worry is this son's unfilialness."
"Enough, now that you're back, let's not speak of such things. By the way, has your elder brother mentioned the matter of starting a family to you?"
Murong Jin did not speak.
The Empress Dowager's voice suddenly turned sharp. "You still cannot forget that woman?"
Murong Jin's expression darkened. He answered honestly, "Mother, this son will never be able to forget her in this lifetime, and therefore does not wish to delay anyone else..."
"So you plan to never marry?"
Empress Dowager Su's eyes turned cold, wishing she could tear Chu Ruoyin to pieces.
What sin had she committed? Her nephew was harmed by someone named Chu, and now her son is bewitched by someone named Chu.
Could it truly be that the Chu family is their curse?
Murong Jin did not speak, which was tantamount to confirmation.
Empress Dowager Su took a deep breath. "Very well, Jin'er. You are still young, so you speak of a lifetime. How about this: This old one has already summoned the Jiang girl to the palace. Go and meet her first. If you are truly unsatisfied, there is also the legitimate daughter of the Earl of Nanping, the granddaughter of the old Marquis Qingfeng... If all else fails, even the gentle and clever Princess Roumin brought back by the Noble Consort Dowager will do. Take your time choosing; there will surely be someone to your liking."
Murong Jin wanted to say something, but the Empress Dowager had already closed her eyes, giving him no chance to speak.
Imperial Garden.
All the way there, he was thinking about how to politely decline. But when he caught sight of that figure in lake-green palace attire, he couldn't help blurting out, "Ruoyin!"
Amidst the sea of flowers, the graceful figure seemed flustered, turning her head hastily. "Ah! Your Highness, Prince Qin!"
Jiang Yi blushed, lowering her head in shy embarrassment. A flicker of disappointment passed through Murong Jin's eyes...
It wasn't her!
But her silhouette bore a slight resemblance, no wonder Mother had chosen her...
Murong Jin stepped forward and cupped his hands in salute. "Miss Jiang, this prince was presumptuous. If you are unwilling regarding this marriage arrangement..."
"No! This subject's daughter is willing!" The young girl blurted out. Meeting his surprised gaze, she wished she could bury herself in the ground. "Y-Your Highness Prince Qin may not know... On the day you returned to the capital, this subject's daughter was among the crowd..."
Her voice was soft, her courage even smaller, but now she mustered all her resolve to say, "So, to be able to marry you, this subject's daughter is ten thousand times willing!"
Another foolish girl trapped by affection.
Murong Jin sighed inwardly. "But this prince's heart belongs to another. Would Miss Jiang not mind?"
Jiang Yi was taken aback. She lowered her head in thought for a moment. "But if Your Highness marries me, you will still treat me well, right?"
Murong Jin nodded. "Naturally."
Jiang Yi raised her small face, offering a shy smile. "If that is the case, then what is there for this subject's daughter to mind? Your Highness is like a deity descended to earth. To be able to marry you is already a blessing accumulated over three lifetimes for me..."
With things having reached this point, Murong Jin did not refuse again.
After all, she was already married to another.
Jiang Huaian had even come to see him today, clearly his suspicions not yet laid to rest.
If he himself got married, perhaps Jiang Huaian would be less wary? And perhaps her life would be a little easier?
Thinking of this, Murong Jin took half a step back and saluted with cupped hands. "Miss Jiang, this prince's heart is already locked away. If you still wish to marry, I will henceforth treat you with all the respect due to a princess consort. However, matters of husband and wife, I'm afraid..."
"Your Highness!" Jiang Yi guessed what he was about to say. Her small face flushed crimson, but she couldn't suppress a pang of shock.
Was that Lady Feng really so wonderful?
Could she make a prince of his stature remain chaste for her?
But the Empress Dowager was right: sincerity can move metal and stone. She believed that one day, she could move his heart!
"Jiang Yi is willing!"
With those four words, the matter was settled.
Chu Ducal Estate, Bodhi Courtyard.
Chu Ruoyan looked at Yan Wenjing standing properly before her and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Still unwilling to say? Your Sixth Uncle says Teacher Tang has complained to the estate..."
Yan Wenjing's small face paled with panic. He bit his lip. "I'm sorry, Third Aunt, but I can't just ignore Xue Silly Egg. He can't even see anymore!"
Chu Ruoyan raised an eyebrow. "So you've been sneaking over the wall every day to see Xue Baiqing?"
Yan Wenjing mumbled, "Yes... He can't see, and no one plays with him. Teacher said the Imperial College wouldn't accept a student who's gone blind either, so I just wanted to check on him... But lately, he doesn't seem to be there anymore..."
Chu Ruoyan's heart softened. She patted his head. "Baiqing was taken into the palace by Consort Xue. You probably won't be able to see him anymore."
Yan Wenjing was stunned for a moment, then slowly hung his head.
Seeing him wilt like a frost-bitten eggplant, Chu Ruoyan said, "But if you want to see him, your Third Aunt can try to think of a way."
Yan Wenjing immediately lifted his face. "I want to see him! I want to! Third Aunt, I'm his Boss Yan. I have to look out for him. What if he gets bullied in the palace?"
Hearing the words "Boss Yan," Chu Ruoyan was inexplicably reminded of the Heir Apparent.
Back in the day, the Heir Apparent had protected Yan Zheng in much the same way...
This father and son truly were cut from the same cloth.
"Alright, your Third Aunt will think of a way regarding this matter. But as for the Imperial College..."
Yan Wenjing hastily raised his small hand. "I won't sneak over the wall again, Third Aunt, I promise!"
Chu Ruoyan nodded, gave him a few more admonishments about his studies, and then had Matron Zhou see him out.
Just then, Chu Ruolan hurried in. "Eldest Sister, have you seen Second Sister? This morning she said she would buy medicine for Mother, so I sent Yuetao with her. But they still haven't returned!"
