Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 421 I want to marry her, and her and her
Sheng Yuanyao didn't know what could change in just one night, and glared at him with red eyes: "Don't lie to me."

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"You've lied to me so many times, how many of those lies haven't you told me? You deadbeat murderer!"

“That’s Anuo…”

"?" Ah Nuo poked her head out of the house.

Sheng Yuanyao caught a glimpse of this, her face flushed, and she stomped on Lu Xingzhou's foot fiercely: "Let go!"

Lu Xingzhou didn't let go; instead, he hugged her tightly and whispered, "Some things may not go as I wish, especially since the emperor's thinking can be quite unpredictable... but I can assure you I will do my best. As for the Jiang family, it's really just a collaboration, there's no romantic interest involved, so you can rest assured."

"I'm not at ease," Sheng Yuanyao said resentfully. "You acted like you were being forced when you were with the Dragon Emperor, but what were you really like? Do you think I don't know? You rode the dragon more willingly than anyone else!"

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

The conversation couldn't go on, so Lu Xingzhou lowered his head and sealed her lips with his.

As if she had expected this, Ah Nuo covered the little pig's eyes and dragged it away.

Sheng Yuanyao stared wide-eyed, trying to push him away with both hands against his chest, but she gradually lost her strength as she pushed.

They kissed many times, but never had an excuse.

One minute she's under a spell, the next she's giving her brother a good time.

This seems to be the first time, without any reason, that a kiss between a man and a woman has taken place, without any brotherhood.

Upon thinking of this, Sheng Yuanyao's hand lost its strength and slowly softened, hanging down to his waist.

Feeling somewhat ashamed, all her previous self-deceiving words and actions collapsed under the impulsiveness of eavesdropping today. She wondered if Lu Xingzhou was laughing to himself.

Fortunately, Lu Xingzhou didn't seem to be smiling. He was very gentle, gentler than ever before.

Sheng Yuanyao stared at it for a long, long time before finally closing her eyes.

After an unknown amount of time, Lu Xingzhou gently separated them, embraced the somewhat weak Sheng Yuanyao, and whispered, "Wait for me."

Sheng Yuanyao bit her lower lip, didn't answer, and ran away.

I was yelling so loudly just now, I don't know if any of the neighbors heard me, it was so embarrassing.

So Lu Xingzhou didn't know before? He was just pretending to be dead?

What a scumbag.

…………

The next day, Lu Xingzhou went to work, and Sheng Yuanyao was also in her general's office writing the unfinished "Records of Encounters in the Demon Realm," but this time the pen tip hovered on the paper for a long time without writing a single word.

He activated his supernatural powers and kept listening to what was happening on Lu Xingzhou's side.

They said they'd wait one night, you damn liar! It's already early morning, everyone's at work, and there's still no sign of anything happening.

Just then, a eunuch rushed into the yamen: "His Majesty summons Physician Lu to an audience."

Lu Xingzhou stopped his meeting with his subordinates, stood up calmly, as if he had expected this: "Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Sheng Yuanyao was stunned. Did Lu Xingzhou predict what the emperor would do?
Little did she know that her father, who was attending court, was even more anxious than she was, as was Pei Chuyun's father.

The two faced each other in the classroom, each seeing the sheer pain in the other's eyes.

The two old men didn't say it outright, but in reality, they were already secretly competing with each other's daughters, seeing each other as rivals. Otherwise, why would Old Sheng have repeatedly encouraged his daughter to do this and that, and why would Pei Qingyan have invited Lu Xingzhou to dinner? It was all because they were afraid that the other party would beat them to it.

As a result, today in the imperial court, that bastard Huo Xingyuan, for some unknown reason, actually publicly stated that Lu Xingzhou had already established himself and was of marriageable age, and that ministers should not be allowed to be gossiped about whether he was being exploited by the Dragon Emperor, and so on...

Is this something you can openly discuss in the imperial court?
Who proposes marriage to a court official? Are you crazy?

It was Huo Xingyuan who brought this up, and everyone knew he was at least qualified to be called "father." Presumably, he was trying to reconcile with Lu Xingzhou and play the good guy.

Even if you were a good person, would Lu Xingzhou even acknowledge you? Wouldn't that only make him angrier?

Before Huo Xingyuan could finish speaking, Pei Qingyan stepped forward to object: "Your Majesty, Lu Xingzhou is not a relative of the emperor. How can marriage be discussed in the court? If Marquis Zhenyuan truly cares about the young man, he should discuss it behind closed doors. Bringing it to the court is treating politics like a joke!"

Sheng Qingfeng secretly gave a thumbs up.

Old Pei is reliable!

Huo Xingyuan said leisurely, "Prime Minister Pei, are you unaware that the relationship between Lu Xingzhou and the Dragon Emperor is widely rumored? Whether this matter is true or just idle gossip, we should not allow our young ministers to be subject to such discussions. We should quell public opinion. By bestowing a marriage upon Lu Xingzhou, we can both silence the gossip and extinguish the Demon Emperor's hopes, achieving two goals at once."

Sheng Qingfeng stepped forward: "Why take rumors so seriously? People are saying that Marquis Zhenyuan beat his illegitimate son to death, but he hasn't cared about it all these years."

Huo Xingyuan didn't even blush: "This discussion is also related to this, which shows that I am not completely indifferent."

Pei Qingyan said calmly, "Does the person involved know this? Marquis Zhenyuan should not act arbitrarily."

"Alright, what's the point of arguing?" Gu Zhanting stopped them from his throne. "If that's the case, let's summon the parties involved and ask them."

Pei Qingyan's heart skipped a beat. She and Sheng Qingfeng exchanged a glance, both secretly thinking that something was wrong.

You actually called the parties involved in this mess? It seems the emperor really intends to grant the marriage; otherwise, he should have just scolded Huo Xingyuan for messing things up.

What's going on? Why isn't there any word of it? Not long after, Lu Xingzhou entered the hall, bowed deeply, and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Gu Zhanting said, "Lu Xingzhou, the Marquis of Zhenyuan intends to arrange a marriage for you. What is your opinion?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "That depends on whose relative they are talking about."

Lu Xingzhou was certain of two things from the very beginning:
First, Huo Xingyuan wouldn't risk a falling out with Lu Xingzhou over Jiang Yuan, whom he didn't really want. Instead, he would be happy to use this incident to "reconcile relations" and make everyone happy.

Secondly, as long as he and Gu Zhanting are not yet "family," Huo Xingyuan cannot simply push Jiang Yuan to him. If he wants to do so, he must first involve Shen Tang. Involving Shen Tang will allow Lu Xingzhou to "forgive and forget," and the Huo family will then suddenly become the emperor's father-in-law. Huo Xingyuan will definitely spare no effort to promote this matter.

Since a princess's marriage has been involved, it's no longer a matter to be discussed behind closed doors; there's a high probability it will be discussed publicly in the imperial court.

As expected, everything proceeded as predicted, and Huo Xingyuan was even more anxious than he was.

However, it's hard to say what Gu Zhanting is thinking. He might not necessarily want me to arrange a marriage with Shen Tang. He gave me a stage to build momentum and even bestowed the title of Danxia. His original intention should have been to deliberately sow discord between me and Shen Tang and create a rift between them. It's unlikely that he would change his mind after Huo Xingyuan said a few words.

These things are uncertain; it depends on what Gu Zhanting specifically thinks. The emperor has always been somewhat conflicted about his daughters; who knows if he might genuinely want to bestow a marriage upon them?

But there's still a high probability that something unexpected will happen.

Huo Xingyuan was asking, "Does Xingzhou have someone he likes?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, "As long as I like it, is that enough?"

Huo Xingyuan said, "Xingzhou is a dashing man, young and already holding a fifth-rank official position, in charge of a department, with a promising future. What young lady would refuse him?"

“That’s hard to say…” Lu Xingzhou said, “Since it’s been brought up in the imperial court, then at least His Majesty’s approval is needed.”

Gu Zhanting could see through the young man's ulterior motives and said calmly, "Go ahead and say it."

Lu Xingzhou bowed deeply and said, "When I was at Danxia Mountain, I fell in love with Shen Tang, the sect leader of the Tianxing Sword Sect, and wished to be husband and wife."

The only sound in the court was gasping for breath.

The so-called unknown identity of Shen Tang is just that—unknown to the general public. Those qualified to stand in the court, how many of them are unaware of it? The ministers who just moments ago found it utterly absurd to discuss Lu Xingzhou's marriage here now understand perfectly well that this is the place to discuss it.

This guy is going to marry a princess!
Only Pei Qingyan and Sheng Qingfeng had faces as black as the bottom of a pot.

If you let Lu Xingzhou say it himself, he can only say it's Shen Tang, otherwise he'd be unfaithful and heartless.

But something's not right... Logically speaking, Gu Zhanting wouldn't agree to something like this so easily. We're all seasoned veterans; who doesn't know that Gu Zhanting intends for Lu Xingzhou to establish his own household? Pei Qingyan was just talking about this with her son a few days ago! How come she's married off like this now?
But Gu Zhanting said, "Shen Tang is merely the master of a third-rank sword sect, living in a remote rural area. You, my dear minister, have a bright future ahead of you, and I'm afraid you are not a suitable match for him."

Everyone looked sideways.

Are you kidding me? Your daughter is not good enough for... uh, no, this is the first time Gu Zhanting has publicly denied Shen Tang's identity.

It means that if you two want to be together, that's fine, but on the condition that you give up your princess status and your right to inherit the throne.

Lu Xingzhou also had a hint of anger in his eyes. He had originally wanted to give them a piece of his mind in public, but the old man had so ruthlessly distanced himself from the situation.

But it doesn't matter. At least it's laid the foundation for her to be recognized. Everyone present isn't an ordinary person; they should know the truth perfectly well. Even if Gu Zhanting doesn't acknowledge it, it doesn't matter. Someone will acknowledge it when you're dead.

So he answered calmly, "As long as it's her, no matter her status, whether she's a princess or a beggar, Lu Xingzhou is determined to marry her."

The censor Xiao Ting and others all showed joy, and they had already prepared their reports to write to Shen Tang.

Gu Zhanting added, "If that's what you think, what about her?"

Lu Xingzhou said decisively, "She is willing."

Gu Zhanting finally revealed a smile: "Since that's the case, I will grant your request and bestow upon you Shen Tang, the sect leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect, as your wife. Do you have anything else to say?"

Lu Xingzhou said calmly, "Then I will certainly bring it up."

"explain."

"I have been through thick and thin with Prime Minister Pei's daughter Chu Yun and Chief Sheng's daughter Yuan Yao. Our bond is deep and we wish to marry each other."

A buzzing sound rippled through the court. Gu Zhanting looked bewildered, while Pei Qingyan and Sheng Qingfeng remained expressionless.

Huo Xingyuan hadn't expected Lu Xingzhou to pull this stunt, and his mouth remained agape for a long time.

You son of a bitch, you just asked for the princess's hand in marriage, and now you want to marry two more? Don't you have any dignity as the emperor? What kind of prince consort can have a harem?
And do you think Pei Qingyan and Sheng Qingfeng have no pride?

These are all top-tier big shots with such status and influence, all giving you their daughters in marriage. Who do you think you are, to be so arrogant!
But Gu Zhanting quickly realized that this kid wasn't stupid; he had come prepared.

Didn't I already distance myself from being a princess? Then there's no way to use Lu Xingzhou's disrespect for the royal family as an excuse now. I said he was just a "mere third-rank sect leader from the countryside," so what does it have to do with Gu Zhanting if Lu Xingzhou wants to marry a few more women?

As long as the Pei and Sheng families are willing, this matter is settled!

Pei Qingyan and Sheng Qingfeng also realized what was going on. The two old foxes were both stunned. What should they do now?
reject?

Should my daughter fight me when she comes home?

agree?

In front of so many people, where can I put my face?

Just then, an announcement came from outside the hall: "The Imperial Preceptor requests an audience."

The two old foxes simultaneously let out a long sigh of relief. "Good!"
(End of this chapter)