readytorunbook Chapter 321 Confession
Chapter 321 Confession
"I didn't realize that Luo Xiaoran and the emperor's uncle were so in love with each other?"
After turning these words around on his tongue for a few times, Emperor Tianqi finally spoke them to Luo Xiaoran in a sarcastic tone.
Emperor Tianqi did suspect that Prince Yan was interested in Luo Xiaoran, but Prince Yan directly proposed Luo Xiaoran to be his Princess, which was beyond his expectations.
Pretending not to notice the scrutinizing gaze from Emperor Tianqi, Luo Xiaoran was as quiet as a chicken, wishing she could disappear on the spot.
孽 孽!
The maid became the princess, Chen Ji, you are so bold to say that!
The calmest person present was Chen Ji, who brought up the matter.
He looked serious and upright, as if he had not noticed the misbehavior of Luo Xiaoran and Emperor Tianqi, and repeated:
"I am attracted to Luo Xiaoran and would like to marry her as the Princess of Yan. Please grant my approval, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Tianqi then slowly turned his gaze towards Chen Ji and laughed dryly:
"It's not that I don't allow it. Uncle, you know that only the Grand Empress Dowager can decide your marriage. Although I am the emperor, I can't violate the ancestral etiquette, right?"
Chen Ji was not surprised to hear Emperor Tianqi's answer. If it wasn't for the purpose of preventing Luo Xiaoran from becoming Chen Lingyi's maid, he would never have done such a reckless thing.
Chen Ji secretly glanced at Luo Xiaoran and saw that there was no bad expression on her face, so he breathed a sigh of relief.
"At the age of the emperor's uncle, he should indeed appoint a princess to expand the royal family. However... Luo Xiaoran's status is too low, and the Empress Dowager may not agree."
Emperor Tianqi pondered.
"There are many noble ladies in Kyoto who are of matching status. I have been stationed in the northern border for many years. I wonder how many noble ladies are willing to marry in this bitter and cold place in the north?"
Chen Ji retorted without any hesitation.
"The emperor's uncle is of noble status. It is a blessing for a noble lady from Kyoto to become the consort of the Prince of Yan. Who would dare not to do so?"
"What's the point of saying yes on the surface? If your heart is not sincere, why would I marry these noble ladies who say one thing and mean another?"
……
Chen Ji and Emperor Tianqi discussed the topic of "whether Luo Xiaoran is qualified to be the Princess of Yan" enthusiastically.
Luo Xiaoran stood to one side, keeping a fake smile on her face, but she was cursing inside.
After a while, the matter finally came to an end.
“Since the emperor’s uncle is truly determined to marry Luo Xiaoran as the Princess of Yan, I will bring Luo Xiaoran into the palace and meet the Grand Empress Dowager to make my case. With me lobbying her, I’m sure the Grand Empress Dowager will not easily refuse.
Once the uncle has dealt with all the miscellaneous matters related to the border trade, he can return directly to the capital to marry the Princess of Yan."
After Emperor Tianqi said this, Chen Ji's face, which had been calm throughout, finally darkened.
Chen Ji glanced at Luo Xiaoran, meeting her equally furrowed brows, and said coldly:
"I heard that the Empress Dowager has been bedridden for several days. I will never let the future princess disturb her."
"Uncle, what you said is wrong. The Grand Empress Dowager is your biological mother, so it is reasonable for her to worry about your marriage. Even if she is not energetic enough, the Empress Dowager can help as your sister-in-law. Don't refuse!"
The content of Emperor Tianqi's words was still soft, but anger was already written on his jade-like face. He was obviously irritated by Chen Ji's repeated defiance and evasion.
Chen Ji, however, acted as if he hadn't seen it, without blinking, and only uttered four words in a resounding voice:
"I disagree!"
"boom--"
Emperor Tianqi slammed the table with his hands, his eyes red.
"Is the emperor's uncle going to disobey the order?"
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Luo Xiaoran couldn't help but become nervous as well.
"that……"
Chen Ji and Emperor Tianqi looked at him at the same time. Luo Xiaoran retracted her raised hand and looked serious.
"Your Majesty, can I talk to His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan alone?"
Emperor Tianqi also realized his own gaffe. At this stage, he absolutely could not ruin his relationship with Prince Yan.
Luo Xiaoran handed him a step at this time. He calmed down for a moment and then went down.
He waved his hand and let the two of them go down.
After coming out, Luo Xiaoran moved closer to Chen Ji and muttered softly:
"Why did you quarrel with the Emperor? He also wants to save face! The situation in Kyoto is already unfavorable to you. If you quarrel with the Emperor again, it will only make the situation worse!"
Luo Xiaoran recalled what Wei Lin said, that the five major families in Kyoto both relied on and were wary of the northern border.
Emperor Tianqi's attitude towards the North is ambiguous. Don't let today's events push him towards the five major families.
Chen Ji listened to Luo Xiaoran's half-complaining and half-caring words, and the annoyance he had just felt during the confrontation with Emperor Tianqi was instantly wiped out.
He blinked uncomfortably, and tried with a little nervousness:
"I asked the Emperor to make you the Princess of Yan without his permission. Do you blame me?"
Luo Xiaoran paused, looked at Chen Ji from the side, with a half-smile in her eyes.
Chen Ji clenched his hands tightly at his side.
“You know, I want to avenge Niu Dan and Uncle Li, and today’s incident is an opportunity.
However, you have your reasons for not letting me get close to Chen Lingyi.
It's just that I used the excuse of 'Princess Yan' in front of Tal before. He is a young master of Beiyi and can't care about so many things. Now that the emperor knows about it, how will the matter end? "
Although she was angry, Luo Xiaoran suppressed her dissatisfaction and decided to discuss with Chen Ji what to do next.
But Chen Ji obviously hadn't thought about it that much, his voice was a little hoarse:
"If I say that I really want to marry you as my concubine, would you be willing?"
Luo Xiaoran: ...Chen Ji is crazy?
She wanted to laugh it off and skip the topic, but Chen Ji's eyes were too serious. His eyes, which used to be stern, were now filled with tenderness, and she could not escape it.
"Hey--"
Luo Xiaoran lowered her head and sighed deeply. When she looked up again, her entire face seemed to be wearing a mask, keeping people at a distance.
"Your Highness may have forgotten that I am a person who has resurrected from the dead. Isn't that taboo, Your Highness?"
Chen Ji's pupils shrank slightly, as if he had not expected Luo Xiaoran to be so straightforward, but he was silent for a moment, and then slowly replied:
"Of course I won't be shy about you. I'm just afraid... you from the future will dislike me in this era."
Luo Xiaoran didn't know how to respond to this.
To be honest, she felt comfortable getting along with Chen Ji, but she really didn't feel that he liked her.
Therefore, faced with his sudden confession, Luo Xiaoran was very flustered.
But she quickly calmed down, sorted out her thoughts, and continued:
"But in your era, as the emperor said, my status is not worthy of you."
Hearing Luo Xiaoran say this, Chen Ji thought that she was also interested in him, and suddenly a huge joy surged in his heart:
"As long as you are willing, I will definitely marry you as the Princess of Yan, and I will never break my promise!"
Seeing the handsome face of King Yan sincerely making a promise, Luo Xiaoran was somewhat tempted no matter how hard-hearted she was. Unfortunately...
“Your Highness, I have heard about your deeds in protecting the northern border. I also learned some things about your mother from Huineng, so I have some understanding of you.
But do you understand my past?"