Chapter 8 (1/2)
Chapter 8: Jealous Rufeng [R18]
”Your Majesty!”
”Royal Brother!”
An expressive looking man dressed in a golden robe promptly replied in the same manner.
Xu Rui gestured with his hand, ”Forego the formalities! One is my blood younger sister while the other is my childhood friend and brother-in-law so there is no need.”
Ji Rufeng held on to his wife and smiled, ”It is unavoidable”
Xu Rui noticed his good friend was likened to a ray of lovely spring suns.h.i.+ne and that his character has even softened a little. He jokingly teased, ”I am the one who is making a fuss. It is so good to see that you two are so courteous with each other.”
Ji Rufeng was aloof and expressed his thanks instead, ”Rufeng must also thank your majesty for observing the favour of the late Emperor.”*
*TL-note: Rufeng is referring to the marriage to Xu Mo pre-arranged by the late Emperor.
The two good friends conversed back and forth while Xu Mo was left awkwardly on the side.
When they all sat down, it was lunchtime and the benevolent Emperor permitted them to eat with him.
……
The benevolent Emperor raised his eyebrow, ”The proposed coequal husband* is an outlaw.”
*TL-note: Equal in ranking as Ji Rufeng.
”Yes.” Ji Rufeng calmly continued, ”The name is Yunfu and has been an acquaintance of the princess for a while. He has also been treating the Princess' illness so he is not exactly an outlaw.”
”Oh! Let's hear about it.” He exclaimed with some interest.
”He is considered a hermit and likes to lead a simple life.”
Xu Mo continued to quietly eat the delicious fine food before her. Although it was normal to share wives in the Jing Kingdom, all future husbands whether equal or lower in rank had to be approved first by the foremost legitimate husband who dealt with it overall.
The benevolent Emperor listened to the praises and felt he did not need to be too concerned. But for someone without any background and was to become the coequal husband then it did not seem appropriate. It was for the Princess after all, ”What about as a side husband.”*
*TL-note: Like a male concubine.
Her heart tightened at this and slowly looked up but it was not her place to say anything. Although Yunfu did not care about t.i.tles, this would be a great disservice to him.
Ji Rufeng as if he felt her inner struggle became bitter and only began to speak after a long while, ”He and the Princess have shared sufferings together. It would seem meagre to establish him only as a side husband.”
The benevolent Emporer let out a sigh as they both had a peculiar expression on their faces, ”So be it, let him be a coequal husband!”