Si Junlin was now extremely polite to General Su, for he was still bothered by his slip of the tongue in the court the other day.
"Today... it's a day to console the meritorious officials. In this battle, the marshal has made outstanding contributions. How about I send someone to call him back for a reward?" Logically, with the emperor saying such a thing, General Su had no reason to decline. However, now that he knew Si Junlin's intention, he felt rather hesitant.
Although Si Junlin had made the southern border a vassal state of the Jin Kingdom during his personal expedition, General Su had witnessed his actions over the years. While Si Junlin could be regarded as a decisive and capable emperor, he was by no means a good husband.
Moreover, Wan'er had once been the queen. It was Si Junlin himself who didn't cherish her, which only brought her more sadness. There was no need for such a thing to happen again.
Besides, the imperial consort selection was approaching. Soon, the harem would be filled with thousands of beautiful women. If Wan'er were sent into that "pit of fire" again, wouldn't it ruin her life?
"Why doesn't Your Majesty go to the Gu Mansion in person since both the marshal and the deputy marshal are there?" General Su Yu, who had always been like a matchmaker between the two, couldn't bear to see Si Junlin return empty - handed.
General Su felt annoyed and glared at his son, but he had no choice.
When Si Junlin rushed to the Gu Mansion without stopping, he saw such a scene: Su Wan'er and Gu Jingtian were fencing in the small backyard. They seemed to be discussing the deficiencies in each other's moves.
"I haven't practiced swordsmanship for a long time. If it weren't for Brother Jingtian's guidance, I would have really let my sword skills go to waste. Only when I showed my sword skills today did I realize how rusty I was," Su Wan'er said.
"The marshal has even conquered a whole southern border country. Why should you be worried about being a bit rusty in swordsmanship?" Gu Jingtian said to her with pride in his eyes.
"Even if one has conquered a country, swordsmanship should not be neglected," Si Junlin interrupted after dismissing his attendants.
Their simultaneous act of saluting seemed to irritate him.
"Get up. I wonder if the marshal is free now after practicing swordsmanship. I have something important to discuss with you."
"Then I won't disturb Your Majesty and the marshal. I'll go and prepare some refreshments," Gu Jingtian said tactfully and left. Even though he knew what Si Junlin wanted to say to Su Wan'er, he believed that Su Wan'er would never enter the palace again.
"The marshal seems to have had a very peaceful time these two days since you came back," Si Junlin looked at her, with a glimmer in his eyes that made Su Wan'er feel uncomfortable.
"Naturally. The army has returned victorious, and I've laid down the burden of the marshal. Now I'm reunited with my family. Of course, I feel at ease." For some reason, although Su Wan'er had been named a female general by the former emperor long ago, she had rarely met the emperor. So, subconsciously, she thought that a subject should be in awe when meeting the emperor.
However, in these days, she seemed to see the emperor every day, but she never felt afraid. Instead, she had an indescribable sense of familiarity. And subconsciously, she felt that she didn't need to be overly polite to him.
"The marshal is really at ease. But I've been very uncomfortable these days," Si Junlin said.
Su Wan'er gave him a strange look and thought for a while before asking, "May I ask if Your Majesty's discomfort has something to do with me? Otherwise, why would you come here?"
"It does have something to do with the marshal. I think it's better to be straightforward with you about some things," Si Junlin thought that originally he just had a strange interest in Su Wan'er, but in these days, he had heard so much about their past. How could he just let it go?
"Your Majesty, just give your order. I'll listen," Su Wan'er said. Since ancient times, if the emperor wanted a subject to die, the subject had to obey. What couldn't he say straightforwardly?
"You must participate in the imperial consort selection."
It was a joke. Perhaps this was the only thing that even the emperor couldn't force a subject to do.
"May I ask Your Majesty the reason?"
Si Junlin found he couldn't say it out when the words were on his lips. It was simply nonsense. Could he tell Su Wan'er that because she had once been the queen, she still had to be the queen now? Apparently, Su Wan'er didn't seem to know about this. Wouldn't she think his words were nonsense?
"Your Majesty, it seems that you already know that I can't participate in the imperial consort selection. Then I'll be straightforward. Indeed, I just found out that I have a betrothal when I got home. It's the order of my parents and the matchmaker's words. I'm afraid I'll get married to Brother Jingtian before the imperial consort selection. By then..." Su Wan'er smiled slightly and gave Si Junlin a seemingly innocent look, but in fact, she was very pleased in her heart. "Naturally, I won't be able to participate in the selection."
Just now, Brother Jingtian had told her that the reason the emperor wanted her to participate in the selection was to check and balance the Su family. Now even the daughter of the Su family could take on the responsibility of the marshal and command the Su family's army at will. How could the emperor not be wary of this? If the merit was too great and overshadowed the emperor, it might not be a war between other countries and the Jin Kingdom, but an internal strife in the Jin Kingdom that would bring down the Si family.
Su Wan'er asked herself that with the education she had received from the Su family since childhood, she had no ambition for the royal power at all. Moreover, seeing the country prosperous and the people living in peace and contentment, which Su family member wouldn't be happy? How could they scheme to seize the royal power?
However, such a thing was very difficult in all dynasties. It was hard to be a loyal subject, and serving the emperor was like being with a tiger. If the Su family and the Gu family joined hands, although Gu Jingtian was alone, the position of the deputy marshal was also very important. Thinking about it this way, it would be more beneficial for her to participate in the selection.
"You're going to marry him?" Si Junlin's eyes widened suddenly. "No! I won't allow it."
Su Wan'er smiled again. "Your Majesty, even if you're the Son of Heaven, you have no right to interfere in the weddings and funerals of the common people. May I ask why you won't allow it?"
"Su Wan'er! You must participate in the imperial consort selection. I can't explain the reason to you now. But if you don't enter the palace, not only I but also you will probably regret it later."
"Really? Your Majesty's words are really unclear," Su Wan'er said.
"Su Wan'er, I'm not joking with you. If you enter the palace, I can immediately make you the queen, even without participating in the selection with others."
As soon as Si Junlin finished speaking, Su Wan'er felt a sharp pain in her forehead. Hearing the word "queen" was like a sharp knife stabbing into her heart. For some reason, some pictures seemed to flash in her mind.
"Wan'er, are you okay?" Si Junlin subconsciously reached out to catch her. It seemed that this action didn't need his reaction at all. Su Wan'er actually fell straight into his arms.