Seeing how exceptionally well Luo Xiaofeng treated him today, Ye Jingyu’s mind remained a complete blank. He had always firmly believed there was no such thing as a free lunch; he shared no kinship with Luo Xiaofeng, yet the man treated him so well—it could only mean villainy or deception...
“I am aware of the grievance between you and Qin Yan. His arrival this time is precisely to resolve that enmity through this marriage... Furthermore, I have already consented to this matter, so you need not argue further…” Observing Ye Jingyu’s expression, Luo Xiaofeng smiled faintly...
Catching the smile plastered across Luo Xiaofeng’s face, Ye Jingyu instantly grasped Qin Yan’s true motive. Qin Yan must have anticipated that Ye Jingyu would never agree to the marriage, thus proposing it to Luo Xiaofeng so that Ye Jingyu could defy the imperial decree and commit a grave offense...
But how could he possibly refuse this matter?
The moment he thought of Luo Ling’er still residing deep within the palace, the moment he recalled those bright, lively eyes, Ye Jingyu knew he would never forget them in this lifetime...
How could he possibly marry any other woman besides her?
“Your Majesty, please forgive this humble officer; I cannot agree...” With Luo Ling’er occupying his thoughts, Ye Jingyu disregarded the fact that he was addressing the ruler of a nation, and ignored Qin Yan’s scheme; he rose straight from his seat and spoke with utter seriousness...
Instantly, the entire Imperial Study fell silent. Nan Fengyun raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on Ye Jingyu filled with incomprehension...
The smile that had been on Luo Xiaofeng’s face vanished, replaced by a gloominess that deepened his features. His body subtly agitated, suggesting he was fighting to suppress a rising rage...
“Ye Jingyu, how have I treated you?” Luo Xiaofeng spoke, clearly forcing his words past gritted teeth...
“Your Majesty’s grace upon this subordinate is as heavy as a mountain; this subordinate has no means to repay it...” Ye Jingyu remained composed, neither subservient nor arrogant, his reply still measured and calm...
“A fine ‘no means to repay.’ You secretly disbanded the Iron Army and turned them into your private force—I did not fault you. You have repeatedly contradicted me to my face, and I admired your frankness, choosing not to punish you. And now, you even defy my wishes? Do you have any regard for me in your heart at all?” Luo Xiaofeng spoke coldly, his fury now completely unrestrained...
“Your Majesty, I—”
“If you refuse this marriage, I shall not hold it against you. However, the lives of those four thousand Iron Army soldiers you failed to bring back might not be spared...” Luo Xiaofeng coldly cut off Ye Jingyu’s attempted explanation...
“A sovereign’s word is not to be taken lightly, Your Majesty promised to spare them just now...” Hearing Luo Xiaofeng threaten the lives of the four thousand men, Ye Jingyu grew instantly frantic...
They were his very first contingent of strength, not to mention he had personally promised them a better future. Since Luo Xiaofeng knew they were alive, he naturally knew where they were. If Luo Xiaofeng truly had them executed, wouldn't Ye Jingyu be breaking his solemn vow to them?
“You know that a king’s word is binding. Can something I have already agreed to be retracted?” Luo Xiaofeng said coldly, the undeniable majesty of a ruler completely enveloping Ye Jingyu, pressing down on him relentlessly...
Only at this moment did Ye Jingyu fully comprehend that the man before him was the supreme sovereign of a nation, one capable of deciding the life and death of thousands...
As long as he remained within the borders of Shu Yun, he was subject to this man’s jurisdiction. All this time, Ye Jingyu had never truly respected the ruler; royal authority held little sway over him. But now, he finally understood what it meant to be the sovereign of a kingdom...
Looking into Luo Xiaofeng’s chilling gaze and feeling the overwhelming aura radiating from him, Ye Jingyu knew he had lost all right to speak on this matter, unless he possessed the power to challenge the entire Shu Yun nation...
Of course, Ye Jingyu had considered killing Luo Xiaofeng in his heart, but setting aside whether he and Hei Ming Shixuan combined stood a chance against the Emperor, the simple fact that this man was Luo Ling’er’s father made it utterly impossible for him to raise a hand...
“General Ye, His Majesty intends only goodwill; you should not decline this offer...” At this point, Nan Fengyun, who had been standing quietly behind Luo Xiaofeng, stepped forward to mediate...
“This General was ignorant and has offended Your Majesty; I beg Your Majesty to forgive my transgression...” Knowing he had provoked Luo Xiaofeng’s wrath today, Ye Jingyu understood that trying to change the Emperor’s mind was now impossible...
Seeing the previously convivial Luo Xiaofeng suddenly turn ice-cold, Ye Jingyu truly experienced what it meant to "accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger"...
“This matter is settled. In one month, on the sixth day of the sixth month, that will be the day you marry the daughter of the Marquis of Baiyun. You may leave now...” Luo Xiaofeng stated coldly, waving his hand dismissively without sparing Ye Jingyu a second glance...
“Your subordinate takes his leave...” Ye Jingyu inclined his head faintly, then pulled Hei Ming Shixuan’s small hand and walked towards the exit...
He was not someone who willingly submitted to being manipulated, even if the manipulator was the ruler of a nation, he would not yield...
Perhaps sensing Ye Jingyu’s distress, the usually talkative Shixuan remained silent. Only her pair of purple eyes constantly flickered towards Ye Jingyu’s melancholic face, her thoughts hidden from view...
Back in the Imperial Study after Ye Jingyu departed, Luo Xiaofeng settled back into his seat and let out a long sigh, as if shedding a tremendously heavy burden...
“I truly never imagined that I, the mighty ruler of a nation, would have to speak so pleasantly to a junior, only to have him completely disregard my goodwill...” Luo Xiaofeng sat back down and let out a cold snort, his face a mask of simmering indignation...
Nan Fengyun, standing behind Luo Xiaofeng, opened his mouth as if to interject something, but ultimately held his tongue...
“Were you able to discern the true strength of that little girl?” Luo Xiaofeng continued speaking...
“It is difficult to imagine...” Nan Fengyun immediately stepped forward and stated calmly...
“This young man is blessed by natural fortune, but alas, he is far too arrogant. Tell me, should I kill him or keep him?” Luo Xiaofeng, despite being a renowned wise ruler, felt that Ye Jingyu’s insolence was one thing, but daring to directly defy his imperial command was unbearable for any monarch... “Whether he lives or dies rests entirely within Your Majesty’s single thought; why ask this old servant?” Nan Fengyun, however, remained placid...
Hearing those words, the murderous intent in Luo Xiaofeng’s eyes immediately flared, his brows knitting tightly. Yet, after a moment, they gradually relaxed, and the killing intent slowly receded...
“I intend to unify the realm. If I cannot even tolerate someone of this caliber, how can I hope to manage anything else?”
“Your Majesty is sagacious...” Sensing the retreat of Luo Xiaofeng’s killing intent, Nan Fengyun finally breathed a sigh of relief...
“Sagacious, my foot. If I were truly sagacious, why would I have angered this boy over a mere secret manual?” Luo Xiaofeng shot Nan Fengyun a sidelong glance, then rose and walked toward the door...