âMu Yan! You are a son of the Great Wei Dynasty and also Zhaoâerâs cousin. Why donât you propose to her already? Your military campaignâwhich took you awayâhas left Zhaoâer with such deep concern!â
âImperial grandmother, Zhaoâer doesnât dare to disturb cousin. Cousinâs departure for war is a matter of great national importance. How could Zhaoâerâs trivial worries possibly justify interference? Zhaoâer is fine.â
Shen Yu stole a glance at Qin Muyan, then immediately shrank back into the imperial grandmotherâs arms, blushing with shyness.
Air, Qin Muyanâthis man made her fall in love at first sight, trapping her deeply in his allure.
Just the thought of marrying him, of becoming his Princess, made Shen Yu feel that all the hardships and sufferings of her earlier life were worthwhile.
But her quietly sent loving glances went unnoticed when they reached Qin Muyan.
The handsome features of Qin Muyan, marked by an aura of valor, were now cold and indifferent, âReplying to imperial grandmother, your grandson has been injured in the recent military expedition and has not fully recovered. It is not appropriate to discuss marriage now. Let us wait until your grandsonâs wounds have healed before we continue this discussion.â
âThisâ¦â
With those words, a heavy atmosphere fell over the great hall.
Qin Rulieâs gaze darkened, and the imperial grandmother became angry, âWhat? Have you not been injured less in wars before? Do you always need to be so fussy every time you return? The imperial grandmother sees that you are very well! You just donât want to marry Zhaoâer, is that it?â
Qin Muyan almost blurted out yes, but Qin Ge promptly knelt before the imperial grandmother, âEmpress Dowager, please calm your anger. Mu Yan did not intend to be disrespectful; he is willing to marry Zhaoâer! Itâs just that he cherishes Zhaoâer too much to bear her worries about his health. Regarding this marriage decree, if it really cannot wait, and if the emperor consents, we can draft the edict now. As his brother, I will express gratitude to the emperor and the Empress Dowager on behalf of Mu Yan.â
âMother!â
Qin Muyan approached her with furrowed brows, âYour son does not wish to marry her, does not wish to wed at all!â
He liked Su Yingxue. The one he wanted to marry was Su Yingxue alone!
This so-called cousin meant nothing to him at all!
âNonsense!â
Qin Rulie, who had previously shown him some protection, now lost his temper too, âIn the presence of the imperial grandmother, do you think you can defy her orders? Apologize to cousin Zhao Hua, and say that once you have recovered, you will marry her immediately!â
âImperial brotherâ¦â Qin Muyan clenched his fists in anger. Although there was over a decadeâs age difference between them, Qin Rulie had always been affectionate towards him, never forcing him into doing anything against his will!
But nowâ¦
Qin Rulie knew of his reluctance, but he revered their grandmother even more.
Under pressure from Qin Rulie, Qin Muyan had no choice but to kneel and say reluctantly, âYour grandson has been impolite. Regarding the marriage with cousin Zhao Hua, once healed from my injuries, I will reach a decision.â
âHmph!â The imperial grandmother clutched Zhao Hua protectively, âMy granddaughter is like a pearl cast aside. She is worthy of even the gods in heaven! If you donât want to cherish her through marriage, I am not even willing to give her to you! All of you, get out!â
âImperial grandmother, please donât be upset, take care not to harm your health.â
From within the arms of the imperial grandmother, Shen Yuâs face streaked with tears, her eyes full of resentment.
âWhyâ¦â
Why wouldnât Qin Muyan agree to marry her?
Even now, as Princess Zhao Hua of the Great Wei Dynasty, cherished by the imperial grandmother, he still didnât like her?
Who did he like, then?
The family banquet ended unhappily. Shen Yu stayed beside the imperial grandmother, dabbing her tears, with the imperial grandmother feeling both distressed and furious. Stubbornly, she insisted on finalizing the marriage between her and Qin Muyan, yet Qin Muyan stubbornly refused to acquiesce.
The old lady passed out several times from anger. The court physician was called, and the commotion lasted until midnight before it was finally quelled.
When Qin Ge returned to the princeâs mansion, he looked exhausted.
Qin Muyan also went sleepless through the night.