The national teacher was left speechless. Judging from the attitude of General Su, it seemed that he was really determined to betroth Su Wan'er to Gu Jingtian.
Si Junlin was naturally quite displeased at this moment. Did it mean that Su Wan'er already had an engagement? In a fit of pique, he blurted out, "In our Great Jin, the marriage rituals are extremely cumbersome. From the betrothal to the three - gifts and six - betrothals and finally to the wedding, there are so many rules. A mere betrothal is nothing. Moreover, the Su family is a military family. If there is no one from their family in the palace, it would seem that the imperial grace is not sufficient and the loyal officials are being treated unfairly."
The national teacher frowned beside him. He had guessed that whenever it came to matters concerning Su Wan'er, the emperor would lose his wits. Now, even before regaining his memories, he was speaking so carelessly in front of the court. If he remembered in the future, God knew what big trouble would occur.
"Your Majesty, today's ancestor - worship ceremony is on the schedule. Your Majesty might as well end the court session early and go prepare, so as not to miss the auspicious time," the retired prime minister, a disciple of the national teacher, immediately echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty. This time our army won a great victory with few casualties. This is also thanks to the blessing of our ancestors. The ancestor - worship is of great importance."
Only then did the tense atmosphere between the emperor and General Su ease a bit.
The national teacher knew very well that this matter could not be debated in the court, otherwise, the friendship between the two would be damaged.
The ancestor - worship was just a routine. Si Junlin was extremely absent - minded.
"Your Majesty, you still need to climb the highest steps and insert the last three incense sticks yourself. Your Majesty?" the Taoist priest specially invited to conduct the ceremony reminded.
Si Junlin seemed to be in a daze. He didn't respond even after being called several times.
"Your Majesty, it's time for you to offer incense in person."
"Fang Xi, prepare the horse. After the ceremony, I'm going to the Su Mansion to console the marshal and the generals of the Su family."
Fang Xi had long noticed that the emperor had been acting strange all morning. Now he finally understood the root cause. It turned out that the emperor was still thinking about the marshal.
"Yes."
Si Junlin was about to leave the palace alone on horseback. Fang Xi thought he still hadn't learned his lesson and had forgotten the incident when he was captured by the assassins from the Southern Border. So he reminded him, "Your Majesty, please let us accompany you. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens again like last time, it won't be good."
"Last time?" Had he ever left the palace alone before? Si Junlin subconsciously tried to recall, but then remembered that he had lost a period of his memory, so he wasn't surprised.
But Fang Xi thought he had simply forgotten because too much time had passed.
"Your Majesty is really forgetful. Last time it was also because of the marshal... You two were captured together. If the secret agents hadn't arrived in time that day, Your Majesty would have been in great danger. So it's better for us to accompany you today."
"Really?" Si Junlin was slightly stunned. There was such a thing? He had left the palace alone for her? No, he had been so cautious as the crown prince, and in these decades, he had never made such a mistake. How could he have lost his composure like this? Such things were absolutely not allowed to happen in his eyes. He was an emperor and couldn't have any weaknesses.
"Then you can follow me. I won't ride the horse anymore. Prepare a sedan chair for me." Since it was a major event to console the generals, it was not something that couldn't be made public. Since he was going to the Su Mansion on official business, he might as well bring all the proper ceremonial guards.
"Yes." Fang Xi was even more puzzled. Just now the emperor was so impatient, and since the court session ended, he had noticed that the emperor had been in a bad mood. Now he wasn't in a hurry anymore? The Su Mansion was indeed in the capital, but it would take at least half an hour to carry the sedan chair from the palace to the Su Mansion.
"May I ask if Your Majesty needs to bring any rewards?" With such a grand show, it would surely be known to everyone in the capital. The Su family had made many contributions, and this time two of the generals were seriously injured and poisoned by the Southern Border's Gu. According to the etiquette, rewards were surely necessary for such a consolation.
"It's so troublesome. By the time you're ready, who knows when it will be." Si Junlin became impatient again.
Fang Xi was at a loss. They had even changed the horse to a sedan chair, and now the emperor was complaining that they were slow. So should they be fast or slow?
"However... if people know that Your Majesty is going to console the generals but brings no rewards at all, won't it make people in the capital talk? They might think that there is something wrong with the Su family or the marshal."
Si Junlin frowned. Why was it so troublesome? "Then you prepare here. I'll go first. It doesn't matter if the rewards come later."
"Your servant obeys the order." Fang Xi quickly told the people behind to carry the sedan chair over.
On the way, Si Junlin naturally found that the sedan chair with all the ceremonial guards was extremely slow. He asked Fang Xi twice where they were and why they hadn't arrived yet.
"Your Majesty, we've just reached Zhengan Street. We still need to pass through two more main streets and four or five alleys to get there."
Just like this, they openly passed through the main streets and alleys in the capital. In front, the servants were shouting, "The imperial carriage is coming. Make way—"
Si Junlin originally didn't want to make such a big fuss. This was clearly making everyone in the capital know that he, Si Junlin, was going to console the generals. Then it would be difficult for him to talk to Su Wan'er privately when he got to the Su Mansion.
"Fang Xi, what are they shouting in front? Tell them not to shout like that. It gives me a headache."
Fang Xi was even more embarrassed. "Your Majesty, this is the rule. If we don't shout like this, what if someone accidentally bumps into Your Majesty? That won't be good."
"My people have always lived in peace and contentment. Besides, how many blind people are there in the capital? With so many people passing by, can't they see? Why do they have to shout for people to make way?"
"Your servant... will tell them to stop." Having no other choice, Fang Xi could only go and stop them.
Finally, they arrived at the Su Mansion. Si Junlin practically jumped out of the sedan chair and rushed in directly.
The servants of the Su Mansion hurriedly ran to report so that someone could come out to greet the emperor. But unexpectedly, when Si Junlin reached the main hall, General Su and his wife had just managed to tidy themselves up and come out.
Si Junlin scanned the hall. Everyone knelt down to pay their respects, and he personally helped them up. But he still didn't see Su Wan'er.
"General Su, you may rise. How is the madam?"
"I'm really honored to be remembered by Your Majesty. Our Great Jin and Your Majesty are blessed with boundless good fortune, and I'm naturally in good health." The madam bowed again. Si Junlin, with the intention of consoling the injured generals, exchanged some polite greetings. But when he found that Su Wan'er still didn't come out, he finally couldn't hold back his impatience. "May I ask General Su, isn't the marshal here?"
"Your Majesty, my daughter officially stepped down from her post today. She really doesn't deserve the title of marshal. She has gone to General Gu's mansion to discuss some minor matters today."