Chapter 170: Misfortune, what a beastly bully (2/2)

“Father, if the emperor tries compromise this time, what happens in the future? Besides, the Duke of Qin might not even agree! Should news of this spread, where is the Duke of Qin supposed to show his face? What about the self-respect of our Tianning Country?”

Mu Qingwu was very indignant. He knew that Western Zhou’s emperor had made this move in retaliation for the failed marriage alliance. Just because of Princess Rongle’s selfishness, Western Zhou’s emperor was going to treat the long-term cooperation between their countries as child’s play?

Or perhaps, Western Zhou’s emperor had second thoughts about their alliance, and wanted to use this as an excuse to display his views?

Mu Qingwu was too busy to consider things from all angles. These were topics for the imperial strategists to ponder over. He only knew that if the emperor compromised this time, it’d be showing weakness to Western Zhou!

“Hush! That’s enough!” General Mu knitted his brows as he hauled Mu Qingwu far away from the study. “Qingwu, you have to remember how an official conducts himself in court! And also, don’t bring up the Duke of Qin so often before the emperor!”

Everyone knew that the emperor valued the Duke of Qin, but used caution against him more. The general’s estate held military power in their hands, but the last thing they could do was get too close with the Duke of Qin.

“Father, even you’re…” Mu Qingwu stopped himself as he saw His Highness Duke of Qin come from one side to head towards the study. He was about to walk over when his father suddenly spoke.

“His Majesty’s long decided in his heart. It’s not use coaxing him further. We’re going back!” So speaking, he forcefully pulled Mu Qingwu away.

Long Feiye glanced at the Mu father and son pair, fully aware of the circumstances. His face was expressionless as he entered the imperial study. Inside, the express reports from the borders were still spread across the table. Emperor Tianhui was facing a map on the wall, his hands folded behind his back as his fingers twisted together. Long Feiye picked up a memorial to the emperor and glanced at its contents before tossing it on the table.

“Imperial Brother summoned chendi so urgently here. Is anything the matter?”

“Read those reports,” Emperor Tianhui said coldly.

“I’ve read them,” Long Feiye replied immediately.

“How did you see things?” Emperor Tianhui asked.

“Imperial Brother should seek out General Mu and the Ministry of War for military affairs. Chendi has never understood such things,” Long Feiye was still very calm.

Suddenly, Emperor Tianhui broke out into laughter. “True enough. How could Zhen forget? The Duke of Qin never participates in military matters.”

“If there’s nothing else, chendi will take his leave first,” Long Feiye actually dared to say such things out loud.

And yet, Emperor Tianhui only stated, “Eunuch Xue, proclaim the imperial edict!”

Imperial edict?

These were nostalgic words. About half a year ago, he and his brother had been the only ones in this study when Emperor Tianhui told Eunuch Xue to read the edict that gave him a deadline to marry Han Yunxi. Today, history was repeating itself.

Eunuch Xue walked out timidly and read from the imperial decree. This time, Emperor Tianhui wanted Long Feiye to marry Western Zhou’s Princess Rongle. Not only that, he wanted Long Feiye to lead the wedding procession and hurry into Western Zhou to beseech her hand in marriage!

An emperor’s orders couldn’t be disobeyed, an imperial edict couldn’t be defied.

In the end, one was a sovereign and the other, a subject.

Defying an imperial decree was a heinous crime!

When Eunuch Xue finished reading the edict, Emperor Tianhui slowly turned around to look at the Duke of Qin, who was kneeling one-legged on the ground. A mocking smile rose to his lips.

Long Feiye, you refused the toast, but now you’re forced to drink a forfeit.[1] Don’t blame Zhen for being merciless. You had no choice when you married Han Yunxi, so it’ll be the same thing this time as well!

“Duke of Qin, you still haven’t accepted the edict yet?” Emperor Tianhui asked, amused.

Unexpectedly, Long Feiye stood up and said coldly, “Imperial Brother, this is impossible for chendi!”

If he married Han Yunxi because he agreed to compromise, then it would be the only compromise he made in this life!

-o-

[1] refused the toast…forced to drink a forfeit (敬酒不吃吃罚酒) – jingjiu buchi chifajiu, to hesitate to do something until forced to do even more.