USWHC -Chapter 527 The Rivers and Mountains of Daliang (Part 7)

“Beloved, you wouldn’t know, but at the court today, Minister Ji really drove Yelü Haonan up the wall! He was so furious he couldn’t say a word for ages. Haha, just thinking about it makes me happy! For someone so young to dare come to Daliang and show off his power—does he think no one can stop him here?”

Indeed, praising Ji Yi at this moment were not only Princess Lanyi, but also our Emperor himself. He held a bowl of ginseng tea in one hand, stroked his damp white beard with the other, and chuckled like a child.

Concubine Li giggled along, “I heard about it too. This Scholar Ji is truly talented—calm and collected, answering every question fluently, and he even left the Second Prince of Qi speechless. Now, who in the palace doesn’t praise him? It’s really satisfying!”

“People in the palace even say that anyone who marries such a talented man would truly be fortunate!” Concubine Li smiled teasingly and nudged the nearby young palace maids. The maids immediately blushed.

The Emperor, however, was momentarily stunned. “Minister Ji hasn’t married yet?” he asked in surprise.

“See? Even the Emperor doesn’t know, yet those young palace maids somehow found out!” Concubine Li laughed even more joyfully. “No, he’s still single! Everyone is watching now, wondering what kind of woman could marry a man like him!”

“Yes! The newly minted top scholar, also handsome—many girls must already be thinking of marrying him!” The Emperor couldn’t help but glance at the young palace maids before him. They were only twelve or thirteen, still mere children.

Seeing their shy expressions, the Emperor chuckled, “You girls! So young and already thinking of such things!”

“They’re just envious! Just imagine, when they grow up and leave the palace, Ji Yi’s children will probably be grown by then!” Concubine Li teased further, “But I wonder who will end up claiming such a good man!”

The Emperor paused at her words, murmuring lowly, “Claiming him?”

“Yes! A man may be heroic outside, but at home he listens to his wife. If she says go east, he won’t dare go west,” Concubine Li said with a coquettish smile. “Of course, this doesn’t include Your Majesty. If Your Majesty says I should go east, I would never go west!”

“I heard many families are now competing to marry their daughters to him!” Concubine Li pouted playfully. “Look, my useless brother already came begging the Emperor to decide for him! My niece is of marriageable age too, but she hasn’t found a match yet!”

But just as she finished, the Emperor let out a cold laugh. “She actually has good taste. There’s no one she dares not to imagine!”

Concubine Li had been smiling expectantly, thinking it was just a top scholar—she was only here to praise him. She believed that as soon as she spoke, the Emperor would immediately grant a marriage.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor’s expression suddenly darkened. He coldly spat out words and rose as if about to leave.

What was going on? Concubine Li was momentarily terrified, but only for an instant. She quickly chuckled and leaned in again. “But I already told my useless brother, Ping’an is still young. There’s no need to rush her marriage!”

Concubine Li’s ability to shift with the wind was indeed strong; seeing the situation worsening, she immediately changed her approach. Yet no matter what she said, the Emperor remained unmoved. His face was grim, and he said coldly, “Ping’an isn’t that young anymore. Don’t be too picky. Just find someone for her to marry, so she doesn’t end up an old maid. Your brother would cry again!”

This was clearly disdain for Princess Ping’an! Concubine Li looked at the Emperor in surprise. Did he think Ping’an wasn’t worthy of a poor scholar? She couldn’t help but sneer inwardly—marriage would still be Ping’an’s decision to marry down, after all!

Then the Emperor asked the eunuch beside him, “What day is it today?”

“Your Majesty, it’s the first day of the month,” replied Eunuch Wei softly, secretly glancing at the stunned Concubine Li.

The Emperor muttered to himself, “Then today I must go see the Empress!” and then loudly commanded, “Proceed to Kunning Palace!”

Concubine Li froze in surprise. The Emperor was angry! The first and fifteenth of the month were usually the days he stayed at Kunning Palace, but for years he hadn’t followed that schedule. Why suddenly today? Clearly, he was using this as an excuse to act!