Chapter 5: The End of Life

  Buzz buzz~~

  In the grand hall, a faint commotion suddenly arose. Sutu Minhui was shocked and lowered her head to look at Xia Tian, and for a moment, she had all sorts of thoughts and feelings in her heart.

  Zhaodian Emperor's eyebrows furrowed, his face even more displeased. Zhenfei observed his expression and leaned forward slightly, speaking softly: "One has looks, one has talent. As a woman, appearance is naturally important but literary talent cannot be lacking either. In my humble opinion, I fear that Miss Sutu and the Third Prince are more suited to each other."

  He let out a low hum, and Emperor Zhao Jian gazed at Xia Jingting with dissatisfaction. "Since you knew she couldn't speak, why didn't you say so earlier!"

  "I report to Your Majesty that my daughter's illness has not yet fully recovered, and the doctor also said it was only temporary. I know I deserve to die ten thousand times, but my daughter is my only legitimate daughter."

  Zhaodian Emperor knew he had two more daughters, and his mind had already made up its decision. At this moment, hearing him say so, he couldn't help but hesitate again. He turned his head to look at Yuan Longqiao standing beside him, and said with profound meaning: "Xiaosan, which of these two girls do you like? Since Xiaowu is not back yet, you can choose one first."

  The hall suddenly fell silent again. Some people were worried, some were nervous, some were secretly happy, some frowned, and others were confused, such as Xia Tian.

  Yuan Longqiao had been watching with a cold eye, and every move of Situ Minhuai and Xia Tian was silently observed by him. At this time, he hesitated for a moment, and only replied lightly: "The child listens to the emperor's father."

  Although this difficult problem has been pushed back, Emperor Zhaojian is clearly very satisfied with Yuan Longqiao's answer. However, the match between these two girls is not simple, one is the daughter of the current prime minister, and the other is the daughter of the General of the Guard. Looking at Xia Tian, although he was not very satisfied with this girl, it was not difficult to hear from Xia Jingting's words that he had a preference for this daughter. Political power and military power are both important, but if there is no military power in hand, everything else is futile. His gaze involuntarily fell on his third son, who was handsome and extraordinary, and after weighing the pros and cons in his heart, he finally made up his mind to announce: "I will take charge today and betroth Xia's daughter as the official wife of Ling Wang Yuan Longqiao, and betroth Sutu's daughter as the official wife of He Wang Yuan Longqi."

  Situ Bi's face suddenly turned pale, and Zhen Fei's complexion also changed in an instant.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Yuan Longqiao bowed to Emperor Zhaojian, his words still calm and unruffled, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

  "My daughter thanks Your Majesty." Minister Si's clever mind was filled with great joy, never expecting that the Emperor would actually betroth her to the Fifth Prince.

  Raising his head, Xia Tian only then discovered that there were still five young men standing on both sides of the imperial steps. The two people standing on the right side were older, one with a gloomy face and the other looking numb and expressionless. The big boy standing at the back on the left side looked to be the youngest, half-hidden behind someone else as if he was very shy. The young man beside him had an unruly attitude with a hint of mockery in his smile, while the person wearing blue brocade robes with jade belt and golden crown who stood before them was precisely the Third Imperial Prince Ling Wang Yuan Longqiao who had just spoken up.

  Xia Jingting was still kneeling on the ground and hastily thanked the emperor on behalf of Xia Tian: "I thank Your Majesty for my daughter's great kindness."

  "Cough! Let's calm down." Emperor Zhaojian rubbed his temples, looking somewhat exhausted.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Xia Jingting stood up, and Situ Minhuai also helped Xia Tian stand up at the same time.

  "My body is also unknown to be able to hold on for how long, today has already been granted marriage, first handle the marriage of Xiaosan. Wait until Xiaowu and Xiaogui come back and then handle Xiaowu's marriage. Take advantage of my good spirit, let's get everything done as soon as possible."

  "Your Majesty!" Zhen Fei said with a pout, "Why do you say such things again? Are you intentionally trying to make me sad? Your Majesty's good fortune is not to be spoken of in such a depressing manner."

  "Your Majesty has the protection of heaven and will surely live for a hundred years." Situ Xian cupped his hands in respect amidst the crowd.

  "Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!" The officials followed Si Tu Bo and shouted in unison.

  Emperor Zhaoqing smiled and waved his hand, turning his head to look at Zhenfei with a soft tone, "I won't say anything more."

  Zhen Fei smiled softly and said in a gentle voice: "Your Majesty, today's marriage arrangement for the two princes is a wonderful thing. Why not wait until the fifth prince returns and have both couples get married together? It will also be a great story to spread among the people."

  He shook his head, and Emperor Zhaojian's face was filled with a warm smile, but his eyes were shrouded in dark shadows. "The Grand Wedding of the Ling King will be held five days later, so let's start preparing at the Temple of Rites."

  "Yes." Someone among the officials bowed their head in obedience.

  Zhen Fei was again slightly embarrassed, her expression becoming increasingly uneasy.

  The last thread of hope in his heart was also shattered, and Situ Bi couldn't help but feel disheartened and cold. He secretly glared at Xia Jingting, lowered his head and remained silent.

  "Ordinarily, a doctor's skills are limited. Little Three, have someone give Xia Jia's maid a good examination." As for what Xia Tian said, it was unclear whether Emperor Zhaojian had any hidden resentment in his heart.

  "Yes, young one obeys."

  It was that calm and flat voice again, Xia Tian couldn't help but look at him. Xiao San, this person's name really... The corners of his mouth slightly curled up, and now that her life was no longer in danger, her spirit also relaxed a lot. At this moment, listening to Zhao Qian Di call Yuan Long Jiao "Xiao San", she only took the opportunity to mock him, forgetting that she would soon become the wife of this "Xiao San".

  Yuan Longqiao was also looking at Xia Tian, the two of them locked eyes for a moment... His shoulders tensed up, and the smile on Xia Tian's lips suddenly disappeared, his body slightly shrinking back. Those dark and apathetic eyes, cold and quiet, yet subtly revealing a strong sense of disdain, seemed to have merged the darkness of night into his pupils, deep and bottomless, with an undercurrent that was endless.

  The Marquis's residence.

  Situ Bi's fist heavily slammed onto the table, with intense anger flashing in his small eyes. "Min Hui is really too unreasonable, actually letting Xia Tian take advantage of her."

  "Teacher, don't be angry." Zheng Youhao carefully advised, "The young lady has done her best, but unfortunately the Emperor is biased towards General Hu, even if it's a mute girl, he would still want to marry her off to the Third Prince. But since things have turned out this way, getting angry and hurting yourself is also futile." He paused for a moment, lowering his voice, "Why not plan for the future instead?"

  He narrowed his eyes, clenched his jaw and turned his cheek but didn't turn around, still with his back to Zheng Yunho, asking: "How do you plan?"

  With a slight smile, Zheng Yungao calmly picked up a cup of tea from the table and took a sip before slowly saying: "Your Majesty has seven sons. The eldest son, Da Gong, is gloomy and ambitious, but his birth mother's status is too low, and Your Majesty attaches great importance to the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. The second son, Er Gong, is mediocre and unremarkable. The sixth son, Liu Gong, is timid and weak. The fourth son, Si Gong, has a mother of relatively high status, but he is arrogant and unpredictable, and Your Majesty dislikes him greatly. The third son, San Gong, and the seventh son, Qi Gong, were born to the previous emperor's empress, and thus were enfeoffed as Ling Wang and Jin Wang respectively. San Gong is mature beyond his years, and handles matters with stability and skill. It would be most suitable for Your Majesty to pass the throne to him, both emotionally and rationally."

  Heaving a deep sigh, Sito Xi regretfully said: "This is exactly why I hoped Min Hui could marry the Third Prince. Now, although I am the chief assistant of the imperial court and hold a high position, if His Majesty passes away and a new emperor ascends to the throne, my position may be shaken. If Min Hui marries the Third Prince, then in the future, I will be the father-in-law of the emperor, with a position above all others. But if Xia Jingting becomes the father-in-law of the emperor, holding powerful military forces in his hands, where would there still be room for me, Sito Xi, on this imperial court?"

  "However, Teacher, don't forget that there is still the Fifth Prince. If the one who ascends to the throne is the Fifth Prince, what should be done then?"