33 - Marry me

Chapter 33 – Marry me

A sichen later, Di Jing took his leave from the Emperor and left the Imperial Study together with Shangguan Yan while Qiu Dan continued to secretly protect him.

As he watched them leave, the Emperor said to Lu Gonggong who was beside him. “Xiao Luzi………”

(Xiao Luzi means Little Lu and it is common for eunuchs to be called in this way.)

“This slave is here.”

“What can you detect from Minister Di’s attitude towards Shangguan Yan?”

“Replying to Your Highness, Lord Di appreciates talent and places importance on Shangguan Yan.”

“Anything else?”

Lu Gonggong understood the Emperor’s intention and smiled. “Other than appreciating talents, he also has the heart to protect.”

The smile lines at the corners of the Emperor’s lips deepened. “So, you have the same thoughts as well.”

The Emperor must be joking!

Lu Gonggong knew that the Emperor valued Lord Di very much and said with a smile. “Your Highness, Lord Di is not young anymore.”

“That’s right, he’s already twenty-four. These years, he has been traveling from north to south for me, working tirelessly and never complained. Zhen ’s heart aches for him. Two years ago, Zhen asked him if there’s a girl he likes and wanted to arrange a marriage for him but he said he was not in a hurry and had no intention to marry. Today, as soon as he heard that she was summoned by Consort An, he had hurried over to my Imperial Study. Turning around, he asked me to help him snatch the person over and the reason he used was open and honest. When Zhen listened carefully to the case just now, every word was narrated logically and Zhen can’t detect any mistakes. If Zhen had not known beforehand that he likes the girl, they could have really fooled me.”

“The Emperor’s heart is as wide as the sea* . Lord Di was indeed a little too anxious. When this old slave went to Lotus Palace, Consort An had given orders to mete out punishment on Miss Shangguan but she did not show fear on her face and was very calm……a good match with Lord Di.”

The Emperor looked at Lu Gonggong. “Are you speaking up for Lord Di?”

“This old slave dares not.”

The Emperor smiled as he stroked the beard on his chin. “Since this Shangguan girl is so good and Zhen ’s son the Ninth Prince likes her, it is also possible for her to become Zhen ’s daughter-in-law.”

Lu Gonggong was shocked. The Emperor has always admired talents and knew that to expand her power, Consort An had the intention to establish a connection with Consort De by means of marriage with Cheng En Gong Mansion. To balance the power in the inner palace, the Emperor had also agreed with it.

Can it be that the Emperor also likes this Fifth Miss of the Shangguan Family and had changed his mind to let the Ninth Prince marry the Fifth Miss as his concubine?

It is not uncommon for princes to marry common women who have low family backgrounds as concubines. Just like Shui Shufei in the Ling Wang Mansion, who set a precedent for promoting a small concubine to a high-ranking concubine.

If this is the case, isn’t Lord Di’s effort similar to fetching water with a bamboo basket….. all for naught?

Lu Gonggong did not dare to speak anymore. He has been following the Emperor for so long and sometimes, he could not even guess the true intentions of the Emperor.

At the other end, Di Jing and Shangguan Yan took the soft sedan chairs to the palace gate before they transferred to a carriage.

“Come up.” He only said two words and then turned around to get into the carriage. He did not give her a chance to voice an opinion, so she could only follow him into the carriage.

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After the carriage started to move, Di Jing asked her directly……..

“Why did Consort An summon you into the palace?”

Shangguan Yan thought for a while and then very naturally told him the reason. After Di Jing heard, he pondered for a while and said to her. “Since Consort An had spoken today, you can’t get married to someone else. Otherwise, it would be tantamount to slapping her in the face and would be detrimental for the Pan Family.”

Without Di Jing’s reminder, Shangguan Yan also understood the implications.

“I understand.” Her tone and expression were calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

“If you can’t marry Pan Gongzi, will you feel sad?” When he asked this, his heart was tense but his tone seemed indifferent.

Shangguan Yan did not notice anything and only thought deeply about his words. She had never thought of this issue before and had always taken for granted that she would marry Pan Zeming. It was only a matter of time…….. But now when she realized that their marriage may be obstructed, she did not feel sad at all.

“As long as nothing happens to the Pan Family, it doesn’t matter if I marry or don’t marry into the Pan Family.”

Her reply was given readily without a trace of sadness and it made Di Jing’s taut nerves relaxed. He was most worried that there would be someone in her heart and if she has feelings for Pan Zeming, he would not know what to do. Now that he knows she could let go without even hesitating, he felt as if the big rock pressing on his heart had lifted, relieving the pressure.

“What about the Ninth Prince? You’ve slapped Consort An on the face today, so she won’t let this matter rest. For the sake of her dignity, she will definitely exert pressure in secret.”

Shangguan Yan nodded without trying to hide. “This is exactly what I’m worried about. To them, it’s only accepting a woman as a concubine and a favor bestowed upon me. If I refuse, it will be seen as I don’t know what’s good for me. Even though I have escaped this time, from now on the Shangguan Family is considered to have offended Consort An’s faction. For many years, my Father has been trying to avoid disputes and now it is tantamount to ruining the family with my hands.”

This is what truly makes her sad. What she does not want the most is to cause trouble to others. In the future, her Eldest Brother and Second Brother will not have it easy in the business arena.

“Regarding this matter……..it’s not like there is no solution.”

Instantly, her raised eyes lit up. “Does my Lord have a solution?”

Di Jing could not help but lower his eyes. Her eyes were too bright, making him feel guilty and his face heated up. Thinking of what he was about to tell her, he felt timid and nervous again.

He picked up the porcelain teapot at the side and poured a cup of tea for himself. Then holding up the teacup to hide his tense emotions, he took a sip of tea. After clearing his dry throat, he secretly took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

“How about……..how about marrying me?”

As soon as he said the words, silence descended in the carriage.

She stared at him in astonishment while he was still slowly sipping the tea from the teacup.

Only God knows that he is crossing a sea of flames at this very moment…….just like sitting on pins and needles.

The moment he spoke, there was no return path and he could not help but feel afraid.

What if she refuses, what should he do?

As long as she does not want to marry him, no one can force her. He had thought of numerous ways to force her to submit but in the end, he understood one thing. If she is unwilling, even if he marries her, he will only get an empty shell. So, he might as well find a way to make her marry him willingly.

Time passed slowly like it was a lifetime. It was so long that Di Jing did not know what he should do next, so he could only wait for her answer. He waited until his palms were sweating and on the surface, he still showed a calm appearance.

Shangguan Yan finally came back to her senses.

Did she hear him right? Did he ask if she wants to marry him?

“Are you joking with me?”

Di Jing was silent for a while and said slowly. “It’s not a joke.”

She was still in shock. “But……this doesn’t seem good.”

Putting down the teacup, Di Jing raised his eyes to meet hers and said seriously. “What is not good about marrying me? Since you don’t have anyone you like and you don’t want to be a concubine of the Ninth Prince, so you might as well marry me. I can protect you for life.”

She was shocked again and carefully studied his expression. He did not seem to be joking and his attitude was so serious that she could not believe it.

“But……you don’t like me.”

He lowered his eyes and said in a soft voice. “What if I tell you that I like you?”

“Ah?……..” She was shocked again.

What did he say? Did she hear it right? He…….he said he likes her?

His words shocked her.

He…….likes her?

She was stupefied.