Published at 21st of July 2019 7:46 pm

Chapter 71: Forced Marriage (Part 2)

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

“What?” It was not Lou Xi Yan’s lowly called out, but it was rather Zhuo Qing who was sitting on the side. She remembered that Princess whom she had met for a glimpse, it would not make people to forget this beautiful girl, dignified, gentle and quiet, why did she want to kill herself?

Looking at Lou Xi Yan who was by her side, his face did not show any surprising look, he asked in a low voice: “Were Princess alright?”

“The palace maid discovered her early so she should be alright. The Imperial physician is still diagnosing her.”

Fortunately, she was alright, Zhuo Qing could feel that Lou Xi Yan took one relax tone, he knew the reason why the Princess tried to kill herself? Watching attentively at him with her eyes, Zhuo Qing asked: “Why did she try to kill herself?”

Lou Xi Yan lightly frowned but did not know how to answer. He did not need to guess to know why Xuan-er would try to kill herself. It was because of him, but he did not want Ling-er to misunderstand.

Thinking of that day at the Imperial palace’s main hall, that girl looked at her with her watery eyes, additionally, his expression at this moment, Zhuo Qing guessed and said: “Because you want to get married and the bride is not her?”

Lou Xi Yan still did not answer, only faintly said towards Jing Sa: “Prepare the chariot.”

“Yes.” Jing Sa bowed and went out.

Lou Xi Yan forced his body to stand up, merely this kind of simple movement, he was already out of breath. Zhuo Qing brought a clean clothing and handed it over to him, anxiously said: “You still want to go like this?” He even had a problem walking, how could he enter the Imperial palace like this, or that Princess was really important?

With Zhuo Qing’s assistance, Lou Xi Yan changed into a fresh greenish blue scholar garment. Seeing her uncomfortable heart, Lou Xi Yan was caressing her cheek, smilingly said: “An Imperial decree can not be disobeyed. I am alright, you do not need to worry.”

Forget about it, there was no need to bother with this desperate young girl! Looking at him gasping at the beginning when she was putting on his clothing, Zhuo Qing said: “How about if I accompany you, ok, I will wait inside the chariot to wait for you.”

Lou Xi Yan shook his head and answered: “You are already tired for the whole day today, rest properly at home and wait until I return. Ok?” He still could not be certain what the Empress Dowager want to do this time. He was afraid that it would harm her in this risky condition if he brought her along with him.

Lou Xi Yan’s gentle tone, his opinion was already conveyed very clearly, Zhuo Qing did not insist on it either: “Fine, you take care on your own.”

“Wait for me.” A light kiss landed on her eyebrow, Lou Xi Yan lightly scuffed on her nose, Zhuo Qing lightly startled for a moment, Lou Xi Yan already walked out of the inside of the room slowly when she recovered.

Zhuo Qing hurriedly followed him to walk out, Lou Xi Yan wore a neat clothing, pale complexion, it was difficult to cover up his exhaustion and went out of Lan Yue building. Lou Mu Hai was looking coldly one glance at Zhuo Qing who was on his back, he asked towards him: “Where do you want to go?”

Zhuo Qing’s face was gloomy, what was he staring at her for, it was not her who made Xi Yan to go out either! Not reasonable!

Lou Xi Yan did not answer Lou Mu Hai promptly, he rather turned around to Zhuo Qing’s side and said: “It is already late, you go to sleep first, ok.”

Lou Mu Hai’s gaze was colder and colder when he was glaring at her, Zhuo Qing nodded towards Lou Xi Yan peacefully and contentedly, she was not afraid of having eyes contests with anybody!

Walking to Lou Mu Hai’s side, Lou Xi Yan faintly answered with a sentence: “The Imperial decree from the Empress Dowager, I want to enter the Imperial palace.”

Xue Xian Xin did not understand and lowly called out: “Entering the Imperial palace now? This late, what has happened? What is going on calling somebody to enter the Imperial palace in the middle of the night? How is this not making people curious?”

Lou Xi Yan did not explain, only lightly nodded towards Lou Mu Hai and walked out of the courtyard gate afterwards.

Lou Xi Yan already left, Zhuo Qing also turned around to face the nine zigzag bridge to prepare to return to Zhai Xing pavilion and wait the news from Lou Xi Yan, her feet still had not moved one step, Lou Mu Hai’s like heavy and deep thunder voice echoed from behind her: “You, come and follow me to the study room.”

Whom did he call out?

Zhuo Qing turned around blankly, Lou Mu Hai was already walking over to the direction of the study room. Xue Xian Xin’s face tilted to take a joy in calamity and delight in disaster and looked at her. Lou Xi Wu walked to her side, lightly patted her shoulder, her face was full of sympathy and she whispered to her ear: “Do not be afraid, his voice is a little loud, nothing more. You have my elder brother’s support, you will be alright.”

Zhuo Qing lightly knitted her eyebrows, she was not afraid at all but instead she had an interesting face, very good. Lou Xi Yan had not returned, she estimated that she would not need to sleep either, then would just go with him, ok.

Zhuo Qing unhurriedly went to the study room, Lou Mu Hai already waited for a moment, his face undoubtedly displayed his impatience.

Once she stepped into the study room, Lou Mu Hai did not give any round about either, directly asked: “Did you know the reason I asked you to come here?”

Zhuo Qing shrugged her shoulder and answered: “I do not know.” She was not a round worm in his abdomen. (It’s a saying that she’s not him so how can she knows what he thinks.

With regard to taking a concubine in this family matter, originally, a woman should be talking about this issue with her. Xi Yan’s mother was already passed away, Xian Xin also had that kind of temperament, although it was somewhat awkward, Lou Mu Hai said with a cold voice: “Since the Emperor has already bestowed you to Xi Yan, you are already Xi Yan’s woman, you will certainly have a position in this home. But the one most important thing is that you need to know your own position clearly. Do you understand?”

A good position ~~ Zhuo Qing answered: “Your meaning is that I should not prevent Xi Yan to take a concubine?”

“Xi Yan’s official wife should have been well matched in terms of social status as him, a woman who can help and benefit him towards his official career.”

As it turned out, she overestimated her own capabilities, the meaning of this person’s words was not that she would allow or not allow to take a concubine, it was actually that she did not have any qualification to be his official wife! Zhuo Qing coldly snorted: “So?”

He already spoke clearly like this, as far as Zhuo Qing was concerned, he did not have any high regard, Lou Mu Hai was more and more annoyed.

He did not say it? Well then, let her say it, Zhuo Qing’s hands were on her chest, coldly said: “So I should advice Xi Yan to take a wife who can give him the benefits in his official career to show my generosity and ladylike?”

Not knowing whether or not that he was accustomed to this type of arrogance or simply not paying attention to how Zhuo Qing was thinking, after he heard her words, Lou Mu Hai unexpectedly said: “It is good that you understand, Xi Yan likes you and you are clear about this, even if he takes an official wife, you do not need to worry that you will lose his favor either. With regards to Xi Yan and the Lou family’s concern, the Prime Minister’s manor needs a prominent social status for his official wife.”

She still believed that this father was simply thinking that she was not fit to be his son’s wife, as it turned out, she was not fit to be the Lou family’s Madam. Contrary to being angry, she was laughing, Zhuo Qing disdainfully answered: “If a man wants to rely on a political marriage to achieve his own’s higher goal, I do not want him even if you give me this kind of man. I do not know what you think of Lou Xi Yan in your heart, maybe the both of you merely fill your eyes with the benefits to expand your power like a piece of chess. However, he is the one person, the one man whom I love in my heart.”

As it turned out, speaking about love did not seem to be that difficult, Zhuo Qing did not expect that she would blurt it out herself, her mood was extremely good. Voluntarily ignoring Lou Mu Hai whose face was already like lightening flashes with thunder rolls (extremely angry), Zhuo Qing with a clear voice smiled and said: “I think you are probably misunderstood, the character that I lack the most is to be a virtuous and warm person. My man can only have me as his wife. Do not even say about taking a concubine, even an occasional cheating is entirely not allowed!”

“Impudent! A jealous woman does not fit to be a wife, if you obstinately persist in going about things the wrong way, I can only drive you away from the Prime Minister’s manor ultimately.” This woman was really pampered by Xi Yan until she was undisciplined and out of control!

“You do not need to worry about this for me. If Lou Xi Yan has a second woman, you do not need to drive me out but I will go on my own.” If she was saying things again, this person would probably have a stroke, right. Shrugging her shoulder, Zhuo Qing smilingly said: “I think we do not need to continue speaking, the time is already late, you should rest early!” She should still have an upbringing and manners towards him.

Finished speaking, Zhuo Qing turned around and left the study room. “You will do harm to him.”

There was appear to be a warning sigh that was muttered to himself irresolutely that made Zhuo Qing’s back was stiffed, but it was only for a very short time. Without turning her head around, Zhuo Qing took a step to leave steadily as before. ********

It was already zhishi (between 11 pm-1 am), the inside and outside of Xia palace was still brightly lighted up, the palace eunuchs and palace maids were kneeling on the ground, but the quietness made people to suffocate. The heavy atmosphere did not need to enter the inside, as it was already imprinted deeply.

Lou Xi Yan just entered the inside of the palace hall, just saw the West Empress Dowager, Yang Zhi Lan and the Emperor sat on the first seat at the palace hall. Yan Hong Tian’s complexion was malicious so it was difficult to recognize if he was happy or angry, the Empress had an anxious face and kept looking at the outside of the palace hall continuously. Catching the sight of Lou Xi Yan’s entering, Yang Zhi Lan was secretly relaxed.

Walking to the middle of the palace hall, Lou Xi Yan kneeled down on his one knee to pay respect: “Chen Lou Xi Yan pays respect to the Emperor, long live, long live, long, long live. May the Empress Dowager has good fortune and peaceful.”

“You may rise.” Seeing clearly that Lou Xi Yan did not have any color on his complexion (very pale), Yan Hong Tian frowned and said: “Bestow to be seated. How is it that you complexion looks so bad?”

Secretly recuperating from his breathing, Lou Xi Yan faintly answered: “Many thanks for the Emperor’s concern, Chen is alright. Not knowing what matter actually happens that Chen has to enter the Imperial palace very late at night?”

Yan Hong Tian had not spoken yet, the West Empress Dowager lowly sighed and said: “Xi Yan ah, calling you to come this late, Aijia is also forced to do it and without any choice.”

“Xuan-er, this child is just stubborn! She only likes you from childhood, you know about this too, you want to get married now, how can she accept it?”

“The Empress Dowager’s words were too serious.” She already invited the Emperor to come, he was afraid that she would not give up if she did not reach her purpose tonight.

Lou Xi Yan asked: “Is the Princess’s health good?” He could say that he watched Yan Ru Xuan to grow up, if she really had any mishap, he could not bear it either.

He could ask like this, in other words, he had known Xuan-er’s matter about trying to kill herself . The West Empress Dowager had a worry appearance on her face, originally she still took good care of her proper face, but now, her appearance was completely tired. No longer trying to avoid the topic, Yang Zhi Lan said: “She just woke up at last, Aijia is worry, that child is still taking things too hard to do foolish thing. Aijia has requested you to come today, just want to discuss this with you, Xuan-er’s feeling towards you is very deeply rooted, how do you see it?”

Xuan-er was her only daughter, she would definitely help her to get it as long as she wanted anything!

Lou Xi Yan kept silent, Yan Hong Tian did not speak harshly either, the inside of the main hall was quiet for a very long time, the West Empress Dowager finally spoke out her purpose tonight: “Aijia will just betroth her to you today, good or not?”

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