SBCEJM -Chapter 92 The Emperor Bestows a Marriage? But I’m a Woman!

“Oh right, the Prince of Zhenbei isn’t getting any younger either. It’s about time you considered your lifelong marriage prospects.”

The moment Xiao Juechen said those words, the entire hall fell silent. Even the footsteps of the palace maids serving wine suddenly sounded unusually clear.

The smile on Feng Zexuan’s face froze.

【Holy crap! System, is the country seriously trying to assign me a spouse now?! What kind of absurd plot twist is this?!】

The system gloated happily:

【Host, you’ve struck gold! You’re basically the hottest catch in the empire right now!】

Looking at the smiling emperor seated upon the dragon throne, Feng Zexuan felt her scalp go numb.

“Your Majesty… this minister is still young and has no intentions toward marriage yet.”

“Not young at all.”

Xiao Juechen disagreed immediately.

“Eighteen is precisely the right age to establish both family and career. I know you devote yourself wholeheartedly to the nation, but only after settling down can you serve the country even better!”

Xiao Juechen rose from the throne, descended the steps, and patted Feng Zexuan on the shoulder.

He valued “Feng Zekai” highly—not merely because the young man was handsome, talented in both literature and martial arts.

More importantly, this person loved taking it easy and had no political ambition, making him the perfect imperial son-in-law.

“No matter. I’m only bestowing an engagement. If you want to delay the wedding, that’s acceptable too.”

Better to secure the marriage first, lest this fine cabbage get snatched away by some other family’s pig.

“My daughter Princess Anning is dignified and gentle, cultured and refined. Princess Mingyue is lively and radiant, possessing beauty capable of toppling kingdoms. Both are treasured jewels in my palm.”

【Honestly! Both of them sound amazing! Beautiful and outstanding—anyone would be tempted, okay?!】

Hearing that “Feng Zekai” was also attracted to his daughters, the emperor felt reassured.

He pressed on and threw out an even more irresistible bait.

“If you marry either one of them, I will grant you an additional five thousand households in fief income. Your princely estate shall also enjoy regulations equal to those of an imperial prince!”

The entire court collectively sucked in a cold breath at those terms.

This treatment was practically better than what an actual son of the emperor would receive!

【Host, isn’t the emperor offering way too much here?! Why not just agree already?】

【Did you forget?! I’m not actually me! If I marry a princess using this identity, my brother’s gonna hack me to death when he finds out!】 Feng Zexuan complained speechlessly.

The system continued coaxing her:

【But these are imperial princesses! Golden branches and jade leaves! If you don’t secure this opportunity for your brother now, there may never be another chance in his lifetime!】

【Ah! I almost forgot!】

Feng Zexuan slapped her thigh.

She raised her head and gave the emperor a shy smile.

“Your Majesty, your grace is as vast as mountains and seas. This minister is deeply honored. However, this concerns a lifelong commitment. Could Your Majesty allow this minister a little more time to think it over? I’ll give you my answer shortly.”

After hearing that inner monologue, Xiao Juechen felt rather confused.

What did she mean by “I’m not actually me”?

Still, judging by “Feng Zekai’s” reaction, he assumed the young man simply realized the marriage candidates were imperial princesses and had become so nervous and excited that he was speaking incoherently.

He nodded understandingly.

“Very well. I’ll give you time to consider it. But don’t keep me waiting too long.”

Seated among the officials and raising a cup in celebration with his colleagues, Chu Tiankuo suddenly froze mid-motion after hearing the Prince of Zhenbei’s thoughts.

He’s not actually him?

His brother?

In an instant, every previous clue connected together in his mind.

The marshal had once spoken of “curing her brother”…

Yet publicly, the family claimed there was only one younger sister…

And now there was this line: “My brother will kill me if he finds out.”

Chu Tiankuo’s expression changed.

He pieced together the earth-shattering truth.

The Prince of Zhenbei’s older brother was the real Feng Zekai…

Which meant the great marshal before him—the one who had expanded the empire’s borders and been granted the title of a non-imperial prince—was actually…

The Feng family’s daughter?

Chu Tiankuo’s hand trembled. Wine spilled from his cup, soaking the front of his robe.

Yet he noticed none of it.

He merely stared fixedly at that tall, straight-backed figure.

Having bought herself a little time, Feng Zexuan immediately pressed the “Bonded Voice Transmission” button on the system panel.

【Brother! Brother! Save me!!!】

At home, Feng Zekai had been studying when his sister’s panicked voice suddenly exploded inside his head, startling him so badly he nearly fell off his chair.

【The emperor wants to bestow a marriage on you! Princess Anning or Princess Mingyue—which one do you want?!】

【This is an emergency! Miss this chance and it’s gone forever! Hurry! Pick one!】

Feng Zekai was completely dumbfounded.

What?

The emperor wanted to arrange his marriage?

And he even got to choose?

Either Princess Anning or Princess Mingyue?

Was he dreaming?

Feng Zekai rubbed his temples hard before cautiously replying:

“Xuan’er… did you just say the emperor wants to… to arrange a marriage for me??”

【That’s right! My dear brother, hurry and choose one! They’re both beautiful like heavenly maidens!】

【And the emperor said he’d add five thousand households in fief income and elevate the prince’s estate to imperial-prince standards! This treatment is completely outrageous!】

【Do you know what that means? It means you’d become the emperor’s son-in-law!】

Feng Zekai laughed helplessly before turning serious.

“Xuan’er, reject it immediately! The emperor is arranging a marriage for you, not the real me! The real me is nowhere near worthy of a princess.”

【Brother, don’t belittle yourself! Once I get home, I can heal your leg!】

【Then we can switch back! You’ll still be the handsome and elegant Feng Zekai, more than worthy of a princess!】

Hearing that his leg might finally be healed, Feng Zekai fell into a daze.

Yet he still insisted:

“Xuan’er, refuse it. Marriage is too important to rush into, especially when this involves deceiving the emperor… We’ll discuss the rest after you return.”

【Fine then! Since you say so, I’ll reject it! But don’t regret this later!】

“Yes, yes. Don’t worry. I won’t regret it,” Feng Zekai said gently.

Feng Zexuan cut off the transmission, took a deep breath, and mentally prepared herself.

She bowed respectfully toward Xiao Juechen.

“Your Majesty, this minister has carefully considered the matter and feels that my virtue and abilities are too shallow. I am unworthy of the princesses’ noble status and would not wish to delay their bright futures.”

The court immediately erupted into an uproar, whispers spreading everywhere.

“What? The Prince of Zhenbei actually rejected His Majesty’s marriage decree?”

“Becoming the emperor’s son-in-law is an enormous honor! How could he refuse?!”

“Has the Prince of Zhenbei… lost his mind?”

The moment Feng Huai’an heard the emperor mention bestowing a marriage, he had already become extremely nervous.

He wasn’t worried about his daughter’s answer.

He was worried her inner thoughts might accidentally expose her true identity.

He felt as though a blade hanging above his head was swaying precariously.

Hurriedly stepping forward, he tried to rescue his daughter from the situation.

“Your Majesty, my son is still young and immature in his thinking. Please forgive him—”

“Minister Feng, don’t be so anxious.”

Xiao Juechen raised a hand to stop him, his gaze fixed intently upon Feng Zexuan.

There was confusion in his eyes, along with a trace of displeasure.

“I wish to hear the Prince of Zhenbei personally explain why he refuses my goodwill.”

Why?

Feng Zexuan screamed inwardly.

【Because I’m a woman, of course!】