Ch69.1 - My Marriage with His Highness

The emperor glanced at Jian Mei’s dismissive expression and suddenly became intrigued, as if he were about to tease a child. Smiling, he asked, “What if my son is successful and rich?”

Jian Mei considered it for a moment before replying, “I still wouldn’t like him.”

The emperor raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Why not?”

Jian Mei frowned slightly, looking genuinely indignant. “Because if he’s really successful and rich, then why would he let you fall so seriously ill without even paying for your treatment? I don’t like people like that.”

The emperor hadn’t expected Jian Mei to have such high expectations for someone who admired him.

The child was surprisingly earnest. After a moment’s thought, the emperor smiled and said, “Well then, what if he’s successful and also willing to cover my medical expenses? Would you consider him then?”

“Huh?” Jian Mei looked slightly puzzled, as if he hadn’t expected the emperor to ask that. But he quickly shook his head. “No.”

This time, the emperor was genuinely surprised. “Why not?”

Jian Mei paused before responding candidly, “Why would I? I don’t even know him.”

Why would you be with someone you don’t know?

His logic was so straightforward that no one could refute it.

But for the people of Stan Star, marrying into nobility—especially the royal family—had nothing to do with love or compatibility. A single marriage could elevate an entire family’s status overnight. How many truly knew Lu Xingwang? Yet countless people admired his noble bloodline and exceptional abilities. No one cared whether they were a good match or if they even knew him—only the benefits of the marriage mattered.

The emperor hesitated before bursting into laughter. “I give up. You win.”

Jian Mei blinked in confusion, unsure how he had won. He wasn’t even sure what the contest had been.

But he didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he got up and went to check on the medicine brewing in the backyard. Later in the afternoon, when he had some free time, he planned to teach the emperor the Five Animals Play. Now that winter had set in, he couldn’t go outside in the cold wind. A bit of indoor exercise would do him good.

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Jian Mei replied softly, “It’s not really my doing. His illness is rooted in his heart. As long as he doesn’t overwork himself and avoids excessive stress, he should gradually recover.”

Imperial Concubine Xi’s smile slowly faded.

Everyone knew how much hardship the emperor had endured over the years, but who could truly share his burden? To ascend the throne as the Son of Heaven was to walk an inevitably lonely path.

Sometimes, she wondered if not having children was actually a blessing. Had any imperial child ever truly been happy? Take Third Prince Lu Xingwang, for example—envied and admired since childhood, yet was he truly happy? No one could say for certain. Perhaps, in the near future, he would inherit the throne. But would that bring him joy? Or would he be doomed to the same isolation and loneliness as the emperor?

He was a rational child—far too rational. But wasn’t that even more pitiful? To live an entire lifetime without love—was that a blessing or a curse? One day, for the sake of political alliances, he would likely marry a noblewoman and make her his empress, just as the emperor had done before him. He would lie beside a woman he didn’t love, spending his days entangled in endless schemes and power struggles. Could a life like that truly be enviable?

Imperial Concubine Xi let out a sigh and murmured, “You’re right. Perhaps living a quiet, secluded life in a small town like this isn’t so bad after all.”

Jian Mei couldn’t explain why, but he suddenly felt as though she seemed a little sad.

Just then, Imperial Concubine Xi’s gaze fell on his wrist. “Why don’t you have a communication terminal?”

Jian Mei blinked. “Huh? What’s a communication terminal?”

Imperial Concubine Xi paused. She assumed life must have been hard for him and that he simply couldn’t afford one. She shook her head lightly. “It’s nothing.”

Since she didn’t explain further, Jian Mei didn’t push the issue. But after returning to the residence and spotting the young master reading, he leaned in and asked quietly, “Young master, what’s a communication terminal?”

The young master was surprised that he didn’t even know this.

“It’s a wristband people use to access the internet and communicate with others.” Seeing that Jian Mei truly had no idea, the young master opened his own terminal and waved him over. “Come here.”

Jian Mei scooted closer.

With a tap of an unknown button, a massive holographic screen instantly flashed to life in midair. Jian Mei watched in awe as the high-tech interface flickered through countless pages of information. When the young master casually opened a section for new literary works, the system neatly categorized content into different display modes. Clicking on an animated image brought up a striking 3D projection—two fire-elemental priests locked in battle, their flames drifting through the air so realistically that it felt like they radiated heat.

“Wow!” Jian Mei gasped.

The young master chuckled. “A communication terminal can do a lot—browse the web, contact people, that sort of thing.”

Jian Mei blinked. So… wasn’t this just a really fancy phone?

It looked cool, so he asked, “Can I buy one?”

The young master hesitated. “Well… technically, yes…”

Jian Mei waited expectantly.

“You could get a basic model, but it wouldn’t have as many features as mine,” the young master explained. “And it might come with fewer permissions.”

Jian Mei frowned. “Because it’s expensive?”

The young master gave a small nod. “My model costs around 1,000 gold coins, and since I have divine power, I get access to extra features.”

1,000?!

Jian Mei was stunned. No wonder he and Xiao Ban didn’t have one!

“Never mind, I suddenly don’t want it that much anymore.” Jian Mei wiped his face. “Thanks, young master. I’ve calmed down now.”

His reaction was so endearing that it made people want to dote on him.

The young master said gently, “If you really want one, I can buy it for you.”

Jian Mei had been raised never to take advantage of others or accept charity. He shook his head politely. “Thank you for your kindness, young master, but I don’t really need one right now. 1,000 gold coins might not mean much to you, but for me, it’s a fortune. I wouldn’t feel comfortable accepting such an expensive gift.”

The young master sighed. “What if I count it as an advance on your salary?”

“……”

Advance salary?

Jian Mei hesitated, then did a quick mental calculation—and immediately panicked. He only earned five gold coins a month, while a communication terminal cost 1,000. How many years would he have to work to pay that off?

Just the thought alone made his legs go weak. He quickly shook his head. “Young master, please don’t advance my salary. If I owe that much, I won’t be able to sleep at night.”

The young master chuckled at his reaction.

Pingping’s mother’s smile took on a hint of mystery. “They say that in the past, unmarried young men and women would secretly hide a piece of candy inside one of the danguo they made. If the person they gifted it to happened to bite into the one with candy, it meant they were destined to be together—forever blessed by the heavens.”