Xiao Wang, dressed in an apricot-yellow python robe, rushed in hurriedly from outside the door.
There was an obvious veil of anger on his face.
It was evident that he had just returned to the Eastern Palace after court. Upon learning that Ruan Jiu had entered the palace, he rushed to the imperial study without even changing out of his court attire.
Xiao Wang glanced at Ruan Jiu kneeling on the ground.
What a good line about being well - matched in affection and unable to control oneself!
He had thought she was just sulking with him, but unexpectedly, she had come up with such a ruthless move.
Xiao Wang forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully to the Emperor.
"Your son pays respects to Father Emperor."
The Emperor's eyebrows relaxed. He looked at Xiao Wang with great interest. "You've come just in time. I bestowed a marriage on Jing and the daughter of the Zhao family yesterday. Today, the legitimate daughter of the Song family comes to the palace and says she and Jing have long been well - matched in affection.
I'm in quite a dilemma. Why don't you make a decision for me and see which family's daughter would be more suitable to be betrothed to A Jing?"
The Emperor leaned back, looking like he was watching a good show.
Everyone in the capital knew of the Crown Prince's feelings for the second Miss Song. Now, the second Miss Song had come to plead before him for Xie Jingchu.
Interesting. It was truly interesting.
Xiao Wang clenched his fists and said coldly, "In your son's opinion, everything should follow the order of precedence. Since the Zhao family asked for the marriage first, the daughter of the Zhao family should be betrothed to Lord Xie."
Although the Emperor was not shocked by Xiao Wang's words, he felt a bit unhappy in his heart.
Then he looked at Ruan Jiu and said, "What about you, the second Miss Song?"
Ruan Jiu had also expected Xiao Wang to make things difficult for her, but she was not afraid.
She replied neither over - bearing nor humble, "According to what the Crown Prince said, I and Lord Xie had mutual affection first, while Father Emperor's bestowal of the marriage came later. Then who came first and who came later in this case?"
"Song Qingyu, you!" Xiao Wang was instantly enraged.
But since they were in front of the Emperor, he had to take a deep breath to calm his emotions.
He raised his hand gracefully towards the Emperor. "Father Emperor, A Yu is just sulking with me. Don't believe what she says!"
Ruan Jiu immediately covered her mouth and exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, look at what you're saying. Isn't that saying I was just deceiving the Emperor just now? A Yu can't bear such a great crime!"
After hearing this, Xiao Wang glared at Ruan Jiu fiercely.
It seemed that she was deliberately opposing him today!
The Emperor looked at Ruan Jiu with a sharp look in his eyes. "But the second Miss Song, you and the Crown Prince have been childhood sweethearts. How come you suddenly have mutual affection with Jing?"
After hearing this, Ruan Jiu took out the excuse she had prepared long ago and calmly said, "Replying to Father Emperor, Your Highness and this subject's daughter only had childhood friendship. Although it was beautiful, it wouldn't last long.
Moreover, Your Highness has already married this subject's daughter's elder sister. Those childhood affections have long disappeared."
The Emperor half - believed her and continued to ask, "What about Jing?"
"On the day of this subject's daughter's son - in - law selection banquet, Lord Xie came to this subject's daughter's rescue in public. This subject's daughter fell in love with Lord Xie at that time. Later, in the hunting ground, this subject's daughter was chased by a fierce beast and sprained her ankle. It was also Lord Xie who appeared and saved this subject's daughter. This subject's daughter has no way to repay such kindness and can only marry him in return."
After hearing this, the Emperor smiled. "In this case, it seems I have no reason to refuse."
Ruan Jiu thought everything would go as smoothly as she had expected.
Unexpectedly, a hint of mockery suddenly appeared in Xiao Wang's eyes.
That look seemed to be saying to Ruan Jiu, Do you think you can get what you want like this?
Just then, Imperial Tutor Zhao rushed in in a hurry.
Following behind him was a beautiful young girl.
Ruan Jiu's eyes narrowed. This should be Imperial Tutor Zhao's niece, Zhao Shiliu.
Imperial Tutor Zhao knelt on the ground and shouted to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, this old subject has been diligent for decades and has never asked Your Majesty for anything. Now I just want to find a good marriage for the daughter of the Zhao family. Your Majesty, don't let this old subject down!"
After hearing this, the Emperor let out a heavy breath.
He had never wanted the Crown Prince to focus all his attention on the second Miss Song. Fortunately, the second Miss Song and Jing had mutual affection.
As long as the imperial edict was issued, the Crown Prince's thoughts could be cut off.
This Zhao Yuan, why did he come to stir things up now?
But Zhao Yuan's words were reasonable and well - founded, making it impossible for him to directly refuse.
What should he do now!
Lord Song on the side, after seeing Imperial Tutor Zhao come, wished he could bury his head in the ground.
Ruan Jiu frowned tightly and looked at Lord Song with a look of hatred for his lack of success.
Afraid that Lord Song would disrupt her plan, she quickly whispered in Lord Song's ear, "Father, if we can get Father Emperor to bestow a marriage on me today, doesn't it mean that your status in Father Emperor's heart is higher than that of Imperial Tutor Zhao? Let's see who dares to look down on our Song Prince's Mansion in the future!"
Hearing this, a glint flashed in Lord Song's dim eyes.
Then he immediately straightened his back and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, there are countless outstanding young men in our dynasty, but Lord Xie is the savior of my little daughter, and they are well - matched in affection. This is a gift from heaven!"
The implication was that if Imperial Tutor Zhao wanted to find a good marriage for the daughter of the Zhao family, he could choose other good young men.
But the savior of their Song family was only Xie Jingchu.
For a moment, everyone had their own reasons.
The noise made the Emperor's head buzz. He had no choice but to close his eyes and gently rub his temples.
Seeing this, Xiao Wang also frowned tightly.
If they continued to argue like this, there would be no result even if they argued until nightfall.
Judging from the Emperor's attitude, he obviously intended to betroth Ruan Jiu to Xie Jingchu. It was just that because of Imperial Tutor Zhao, a trusted official, he couldn't find a reason to refuse for the moment.
So, Xiao Wang said in a calm voice, "Father Emperor, your son has a good idea."
The Emperor opened his eyes. "What idea?"
"Since Lord Xie said before that he likes gentle and graceful women, and coincidentally, A Yu and Miss Zhao are both well - known talented women in the capital. Why don't we let the two of them compete in all aspects of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Whoever comes out on top will be betrothed to Lord Xie."
After Xiao Wang finished speaking, he didn't forget to glance at Ruan Jiu, raising his eyebrows slightly.
Ruan Jiu's heart trembled.
It was true that Song Qingyu was a talented woman in the capital, but she was Ruan Jiu!
How could she be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting!
Zhao Shiliu smiled gracefully. "I think the Crown Prince's idea is very good. I just wonder if the second Miss Song dares to compete with me."
Lord Song on the side also echoed repeatedly, "A Yu, quickly agree to her. Father believes you will surely defeat her!"
He had great confidence in this legitimate daughter he had carefully cultivated.
Ruan Jiu unconsciously tightened her fingers.
She felt a sense of helplessness as if an arrow was on the string and had to be shot.
After hesitating for a moment, she replied softly, "Okay, then let's set a three - day deadline. Three days later, we'll compete in public at the Chonghua Tower. But let me put it bluntly first. If anyone is absent at that time, it will be considered as giving up this marriage. How about that?"
"Okay, it's a deal!"
Ruan Jiu knew that Xiao Wang's idea was undoubtedly to make her back down.
However, since she had decided to overturn Xiao Wang's chessboard, she would no longer let Xiao Wang manipulate her!