klisemfg Chapter 359 I grant your request!
Chapter 359 I grant your request!
"Indeed, Miss Ling is the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Ling. She has a kind and gentle nature and has even been on the battlefield. She is truly a woman who is no less capable than any man."
The King of Chu had been on the battlefield the whole time. If he married Miss Ling, they would surely have more to talk about in their daily lives, unlike women raised in seclusion who lack foresight.
The Empress smiled. She had met Ling Qian'er yesterday. This girl was not only dignified and polite, but the gifts she gave were also very touching. She was clearly a smart girl.
Not to mention Ling Qian'er's mother, whom she had known for many years. The Ling family had guarded the border for the court for many years, and their reputation was well-established.
Not only that, Ling Qian'er's father is also a general who has made great military achievements. As long as Jun Ting marries her, the Ling family will definitely support him.
Compared to the Song family, they undoubtedly provide greater assistance.
The emperor glanced at Chu Junting; clearly, neither he nor his mother had mentioned this matter.
Jun Ting has always been tight-lipped about such important matters.
"King of Chu, do you favor the girl from the Song family?"
The emperor spoke calmly, his dignified face revealing no emotion, and his thoughts remained unfathomable.
Chu Junting did not hide anything, "Yes, Father."
"Your subject and Ruozhen are of one mind, and I do not want to marry anyone else but her."
"King of Chu!"
The Empress couldn't help but get anxious when she saw that Chu Junting still wouldn't change his mind.
"Your Majesty, don't listen to his nonsense. He's completely bewitched by Song Ruozhen's seductive tricks!"
If Song Ruozhen, a woman who had broken off an engagement, knew any manners, she should know what kind of person she was worthy of and what kind of person she was not good enough for!
If the King of Chu were to truly marry her, it would only harm him!
The Emperor chuckled lightly, "I find that Miss Song to be dignified and polite. Even if the engagement was broken off before, the fault does not lie with her. Why should the Empress hold such a grudge?"
"Your Majesty, you are unaware of the truth. As a woman, I am most aware of the schemes of women who want to climb the social ladder. She is now using all her tricks to seduce the Prince of Chu, and the Prince of Chu is blinded to think that she is the best."
After a while, the King of Chu will realize that they are not a good match at all!
On the contrary, Miss Ling, who has known Jun Ting since childhood, is a much better match in terms of social standing; they are truly a match made in heaven!
The Empress's attitude was firm, and her words implied that Ling Qian'er was far superior to Song Ruozhen.
"Mother, Ruozhen is never the kind of person you're describing. Don't use words like 'vixen' to insult her."
Chu Junting's face was stern, and his voice was firm: "From beginning to end, it was I who liked her, but she rejected me from the start because she felt our statuses were incompatible."
It took me a lot of effort and scheming to get this chance. I had never liked any girl before, until I met Ruozhen.
She's intelligent, rational, and incredibly talented. I would never marry anyone but her!
The Empress had heard Chu Junting mention these things before, and she was furious. His status was so much higher than Song Ruozhen's, yet he still had to go to great lengths to win her favor!
Most importantly... he actually dared to say such things in front of the Emperor!
He didn't even care about the emperor's opinion for the sake of a woman!
"Listen to what you're saying!" The Empress's chest heaved with anger.
However, Chu Junting did not see any problem with it. "The Song family has always been loyal to the court. General Song died on the battlefield, and General Song's fate is now unknown. Now, Song Yanzhou and Song Yi'an are both doing their best to serve the court."
Not to mention that the Gu family are also pillars of the state, so Ruozhen's status is not in question.
"Father, I only want to marry Song Ruozhen. I will not marry anyone else but her. I hope that you will grant my request."
Chu Junting knelt down solemnly. He had originally planned to ask his father, the emperor, for a marriage after the flood was over.
After all, Ruozhen's consent is required first.
He had tried to ask her last night, but Ruozhen did not agree. However, his mother suddenly brought up the matter today, and he had to express his feelings first, lest his mother play matchmaker again.
He really didn't want to upset Ruozhen again because of this.
Looking at Chu Junting's solemn and earnest appearance, the emperor recalled that before the empress arrived, he had said that he wanted to ask for a favor after the flood was over.
It seems that this favor must be a marriage decree.
"Jun Ting, you have done everything very well over the years and have never caused me any trouble."
"I am aware of Song Ruozhen's character, and I know that you two are deeply in love. Since you wish to marry her, I grant your request."
Upon hearing this, the Empress's eyes widened in surprise. "Your Majesty!"
"Empress!" The Emperor's face darkened, and he rebuked her with his imposing authority and displeasure, "As the mother of the nation, you should set an example in everything you do. Now you keep using the word 'vixen,' such vulgar words actually came from your mouth. You should reflect on your actions!"
"Do you think I don't know what gift the Ling family gave you yesterday? It was one thing to try and betroth Tang Xuening to the Prince of Chu before, but now you've already started matchmaking after just a few whispered words! Do you know how big of a mistake you've made!"
The Empress's face turned deathly pale, her eyes widening in horror. "Your Majesty, the Ling family did indeed send me a gift yesterday, but it was just a bracelet..."
"A bracelet?" The Emperor chuckled sarcastically. "Do you know how much that bracelet is worth?"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I did this not because of the bracelet, but because I truly believe that Ling Qian'er and the King of Chu are a good match."
Back when the two children were still young, Madam Ling and I jokingly said that when they grew up, we would arrange their marriage.
Now, Ling Qian'er has grown into a graceful young lady, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and skilled in horseback riding and archery. She is a rare and outstanding young lady from a prominent family.
"The King of Chu is my child; I would never harm him!"
"By allowing the King of Chu to marry her, you are harming him!" the emperor said sternly.
Chu Junting's eyes were filled with complex emotions. He had sent a message last night, informing his mother not to have too close a relationship with the Ling family.
He had given her warnings before, and she always believed them after receiving the messages. But this time, she completely ignored them.
When the Empress met Chu Junting's gaze, she couldn't help but recall the message he had sent her yesterday. She assumed that Junting didn't want her to interfere in his marriage.
Now, she suddenly realized that things were probably not that simple!
"Guards, escort the Empress back to the palace!" the Emperor said coldly.
"Chen and concubine retire."
The empress turned pale and dared not utter another word, quickly retreating.
"Father, regarding the matter of bestowing a marriage, I would like to request permission after I have finished dealing with the flood."
Chu Junting bowed respectfully, "Your subject has learned that General Song may still be alive. After resolving the flood in the south, he will go to the border area to gather more information."
In fact, he and Ruozhen had considered this plan before, but General Song had not sent a message to the capital, probably because he was worried about alerting the enemy, so they held back for the time being.
The situation is becoming increasingly complicated, and they must be careful when they go there so as not to arouse suspicion.
"Since you have a plan in mind, I grant your request."
The Emperor agreed, thinking that once the matter was settled, it would be easier to deal with the Empress Dowager, so that she wouldn't constantly complain that he didn't take the Prince of Chu's marriage to heart.