"If you marry him, you can resign yourself to being childless! When that happens, forget about being a loving couple. Without an heir to carry on the family line, you'll become the laughingstock of all of Chen Country. To think you'd use him to one-up me... how utterly foolish and ridiculous!"
Inside, the fragrance of tea wafted through the air.
Xiao Shen sat upright on one side of the tea table, his fingers resting lightly on the rim of his cup. His expression was as calm as still water, as if the fierce argument between Ji Xiaosong and Song Yuxi hadn't reached his ears at all.
But the slight tightening of his knuckles and the fleeting, imperceptible loneliness in his eyes betrayed the turmoil within his heart.
The Emperor took a light sip of tea, his gaze lingering on Xiao Shen's face for a moment before he sighed softly. "My dear minister, don't take those filthy words to heart. Although the Imperial Physician made such a diagnosis, the world is full of uncertainties. All hope may not be lost."
Xiao Shen lifted his eyes slightly, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint, self-deprecating smile. "Your Majesty, this subject is fine. The words of others are like passing clouds; I will not be bothered by them."
As he spoke, his voice was steady and calm, but the slight tremble of the sleeve hanging at his side clearly revealed the pain he was forcefully suppressing.
Outside, Ji Xiaosong's eyes were wide with fury. Like a fully ignited flame, she completely disregarded her composure and began punching and kicking Song Yuxi.
"General Xiao has risked life and limb for Chen Country, charging across battlefields and bravely slaying our enemies, only to end up being poisoned. What right do you have to stand here and mock him?"
Ji Xiaosong cursed, panting heavily.
"I, Ji Xiaosong, swear an oath here today! I am willing to marry Xiao Shen! Even if we truly have no children in the future, I will still walk hand in hand with him and stay by his side for life."
"I respect him for the man he is and admire his heroic spirit—something a despicable person like you could never understand. Did you think I would still want a heartless man like you? Marrying him is a thousand times better than marrying a faithless scoundrel like you who has no sense of honor or shame!"
Seeing Ji Xiaosong kicking and hitting Song Yuxi, Yue Niang scrambled forward, feigning anxiety. She tugged at Ji Xiaosong, pretending to break up the fight while actually trying to shield Song Yuxi. "Sister, please don't be rash!" she cried with false sincerity. "We can talk this through! There's no need to hurt each other!"
But with her feeble strength, how could she possibly hold back the enraged Ji Xiaosong? She was merely putting on a show.
Xiao Shen heard every single word Ji Xiaosong said.
The corners of his lips tilted up unconsciously, but as if afraid this hint of pleasure would be noticed, he slowly lifted a cup of steaming green tea. He lowered his head slightly, using the cup as a cover to take a small sip, but the smile and tenderness in his downcast eyes could not be hidden.
He had always been the one protecting others; he never expected that today would be the first time he was defended by such a delicate, gentle woman.
Although it was the first time he had met the Ji family's youngest daughter, his heart felt as if it had been seized by an invisible hand. It began to beat faster, like the thundering of war drums, and a sense of nervousness spread through his body. He could only use the act of drinking tea to temporarily conceal it.
No one noticed, except for the Emperor, who had been watching him the entire time.
The Emperor watched Xiao Shen's feigned composure and pondered internally.
He cleared his throat and spoke slowly, "My dear minister, it seems to me that the Ji family's youngest daughter is quite a spirited woman, and she holds a sincere heart for you. Though you face difficulties now, since she is not afraid, We believe this might be a fine match. You should consider it. Do not let a moment of stubbornness ruin a matter of lifelong importance."
Xiao Shen bowed slightly, his expression respectful yet firm. "This subject appreciates Your Majesty's kind intentions. However, this subject's body is afflicted with a potent poison, and my inability to have children is a certainty. How could I burden a woman from a good family like Miss Ji? This subject only wishes to dedicate the rest of my life to Chen Country, to protect our lands. As for romantic love, I dare not hope for it."
"Difficult, yes, but not impossible. My dear minister, you need not be so pessimistic. We can see that the Ji family's youngest daughter has a resolute character and a strong constitution. She will surely be able to bear you an heir."
"Furthermore, Mrs. Ji has borne multiple children, so We imagine her daughter will be fertile as well. My dear minister, you are single-mindedly devoted to the country, sparing no effort. Such a wonderful match is truly made in heaven. Do not refuse it any longer."
After speaking, the Emperor summoned a palace attendant.
"Convey Our decree. Go quickly to the Ji and Song families to announce it. Since Song Yuxi is so desperate for an heir and does not care who bears him one, We shall bestow upon the Song Family one hundred concubines."
"As for the woman outside who has coupled with Song Yuxi without a matchmaker, she shall also enter the Song Family. However, the Ji family's youngest daughter possesses both fine character and appearance. She is pure-hearted and resolute, a worthy match."
"Today, We specially bestow her in marriage to the National Guardian General, Xiao Shen. Wedding preparations are to begin at once, without delay. Furthermore, We gift the Ji family's youngest daughter one thousand bolts of brocade, one hundred bushels of pearls, and ten thousand taels of gold as her dowry."
The Emperor had issued his decree. Xiao Shen knew the imperial will could not be defied, yet he didn't feel the slightest bit of resistance in his heart.
The bitterness and loneliness that had long lingered in his heart seemed to have been gently swept away by a cool breeze.
What's more...
He quietly moved closer to a crack in the window, his gaze precisely capturing the slender figure who was fighting and fuming on his behalf.
He saw Ji Xiaosong's delicate brows furrowed in anger, her words sharp. Her charming appearance was like that of a small, fearless beast that had been provoked, baring her fangs and claws at Song Yuxi.
A glint flashed in Xiao Shen's eyes. The corners of his lips turned up unconsciously as a smile spread from the bottom of his heart.
"Your Majesty, since I have received your imperial grace and been granted the Ji family's youngest daughter as my betrothed, this subject must naturally do everything in my power to protect her..."
Before he could finish, the Emperor immediately understood his meaning. He waved his hand and said with a smile, "Go on. A weak woman is no match for Young Master Song."
Xiao Shen bowed slightly to the Emperor, then walked steadily toward the door.
At that moment, Song Yuxi, beaten into a state of humiliated rage by Ji Xiaosong, raised his hand high and viciously swung it toward her face.
Xiao Shen's eyes turned cold. He moved as fast as the wind, instantly flashing before them.
Just as Song Yuxi's hand was about to strike, Xiao Shen's iron-like arm shot out, clamping down on Song Yuxi's wrist like a pincer.
Song Yuxi felt a powerful force wash over him. His wrist was gripped so tightly he couldn't move it an inch.
He turned his head in alarm and met Xiao Shen's cold, grim face.
Xiao Shen's eyes were like cold stars—icy and deep, as if they could see right through him.
The oppressive aura, forged in countless life-and-death battles, bore down on Song Yuxi like the weight of a mountain.
Song Yuxi's face went deathly pale. He could truly feel the killing intent radiating from Xiao Shen—an aura that could only be honed by wading through mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Although he was unwilling to back down, his body trembled uncontrollably under Xiao Shen's powerful presence, all his previous arrogance gone.
Ji Xiaosong had already closed her eyes, bracing for Song Yuxi's slap, but she hadn't expected the sudden turn of events.
She opened her eyes and saw Xiao Shen's resolute profile. A warmth spread through her heart, and a sense of security washed over her.
'He's here, he's here! He's come to save the damsel in distress! La la la~'
Rongrong sang an off-key song, overcome with cheer.
'Song, the Emperor just decreed your marriage to Xiao Shen. The imperial edict will definitely arrive this afternoon.'
'I would've never guessed. Xiao Shen doesn't show anything on his face, but he came to protect me the moment we were betrothed.'
Ji Xiaosong lowered her head slightly, her shoulders trembling. To Xiao Shen, it looked as if she was desperately trying to suppress her fear and anger.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed her hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes, her knuckles white from the force. Her body also seemed to be trembling uncontrollably.
"Miss Ji, don't be afraid. I'm here."
That one comforting phrase was all Xiao Shen could manage after a long, awkward pause.
Song Yuxi slowly recovered his composure. Suppressing the fear in his heart, he asked, "General Xiao, what is the meaning of this? This is a squabble between me and my fiancée. What right does an outsider like you have to interfere?"