Chapter 313: I Disagree (Fifth Update)

Chu Liuyue had never seen this man kneel before.

In the eyes of outsiders, he was the frail Prince Li, gentle, refined, and indifferent to worldly strife.

But she knew that he possessed overwhelming strength and decisive ruthlessness; he was a supreme and noble powerhouse!

A man like him would never bow his head to anyone.

Yet now, for her sake, he knelt so decisively.

All just to seek a legitimate marriage contract.

Chu Liuyue felt as if something was overflowing in her heart, leaving her limbs numb and her mind spinning in a daze.

Everything around her became blurred, leaving only the silhouette of that one man becoming increasingly clear.

He wore white robes, stained with blood.

Those terrifying wounds stretched across him, a shocking sight to behold.

Yet his back remained straight, as if he could always shield her from the wind and rain.

He had left so many wounds upon himself without hesitation, yet he could not bear to let even a single drop of blood stain her.

He said.

That his admiration for her was true.

He said.

That he would hold one person's hand and grow old with that one person.

He said—

Chu Liuyue’s eyes reddened slightly, and something solid within her heart seemed to quietly shatter.

She suddenly thought that if she had not experienced that heart-wrenching betrayal in her past life, if she had not been reborn, she might never have met Rong Xiu in her entire life.

If Rong Xiu was the compensation Heaven had given her, then she was finally willing to accept all the pain she had endured in the past.

Some scars never fade; once seen, they remind you of everything you suffered at that time.

But now, there was finally someone who could give her more joy, fill those regrets one by one, and grant her a future of peace and happiness.

This was perhaps her greatest stroke of luck.

Rong Xiu's words startled everyone present.

Emperor Jiawen almost doubted his own hearing

"You... what did you say!? You—you want me to bestow a marriage upon you and Liuyue?"

Rong Xiu nodded slightly, his expression calm and resolute.

This was clearly not a momentary impulse.

Emperor Jiawen opened his mouth, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two with a complex expression.

Rong Xiu actually had feelings for Chu Liuyue...

Though unexpected, upon closer thought, it made sense.

In terms of beauty, Chu Liuyue could certainly be described as a woman of peerless grace.

In terms of strength, Chu Liuyue had just taken two first places at the Qingjiao Assembly, making her an indisputable top-tier genius.

In terms of family background, although the father and daughter had completely fallen out with the Chu family, Chu Ning was now the Commander of the Imperial Guard, and Chu Liuyue was Ye Zhiting's only direct disciple!

No matter which aspect one looked at, Chu Liuyue was absolutely worthy of Rong Xiu.

Furthermore, this time, it was Rong Xiu who had taken the initiative.

For all these years, Rong Xiu had never asked for anything, yet this time! He was asking for a marriage contract!

Emperor Jiawen suddenly remembered that when he had previously asked Rong Xiu to choose a princess consort, he had refused for various reasons.

He hadn't realized it then, but thinking back now, perhaps he had already harbored this intention!

He actually hadn't seen it all this time...

However, after the initial shock, Emperor Jiawen's mind raced, and he suddenly felt that this was not a bad idea.

Rong Xiu was due to marry anyway, and someone as outstanding as Chu Liuyue—who could disregard danger to save him—was indeed the best choice.

His expression shifted slightly.

Rong Xiu's sudden request for a marriage contract caught everyone off guard.

Among the crowd, many women showed expressions of disappointment and regret.

"I didn't expect the woman Prince Li likes to be Chu Liuyue..."

"It's not that strange; after all, Chu Liuyue is outstanding in every aspect! Before, because she offended the Chu family and the Crown Prince, many people avoided her, but after the Qingjiao Assembly, the situation has long since changed! I heard several young masters from noble families wanted to come to her door to ask for her hand! But since Prince Li has spoken personally, others certainly won't have a chance..."

"Hmph, actually, aside from being somewhat exceptionally elegant, Prince Li isn't all that great in other aspects. Strength is everything; a sickly man like him isn't worth much!"

"Anyway, His Majesty holds Prince Li in high regard, so what if he's sickly? I think some people are just being sour because they can't have the grapes!"

"Don't talk nonsense!"

Standing in a remote corner, Situ Xingchen felt her hands and feet turn cold as she stared blankly at the scene in the distance.

The various discussions swirling around her entered her ears like daggers stabbing into her heart.

She was clearly uninjured, yet she felt a mysterious pain throughout her entire body.

When she had seen Rong Xiu suffer such heavy injuries earlier, her heart was full of worry, thinking she would go forward to offer some words of comfort later.

But now, her legs felt as if they were filled with lead, incredibly heavy.

She had heard everything Rong Xiu just said clearly!

—He actually said he admired Chu Liuyue!

He even took the initiative to beg for a marriage!

She had known Rong Xiu for so many years and had never heard him utter the word "beg."

Now, for the sake of a Chu Liuyue, he was actually willing to do this!

That cunning and insidious Chu Liuyue—just what was so good about her?!

Situ Xingchen clenched her hands into fists and shut her eyes tightly.

Chu Ning quietly walked to Chu Liuyue's side, casting her a questioning look.

—What on earth is wrong with Prince Li? Why did he suddenly ask His Majesty to bestow a marriage!?

He said he admired Yue'er—was it true or false? And did Yue'er like Prince Li?

Chu Ning's gaze swept over the two of them, feeling that her question was practically redundant.

If there truly were no intentions between them, how could they have come out of the Nine Nether Tower together?!

He had failed to notice it at all!

Emperor Jiawen looked at Rong Xiu, many thoughts flashing through his mind, but in the end, only Rong Xiu's final sentence remained.

He asked, word by word

"Have you set your heart on her?"

Rong Xiu nodded.

"I implore Imperial Father to grant this wish."

Emperor Jiawen then looked at Chu Liuyue

"Liuyue, what about you?"

Chu Liuyue took a deep breath.

"It is Liuyue's great fortune."

Emperor Jiawen fell silent for a moment before finally laughing

"Hahaha! Good! In that case, then—"

At that moment, a voice suddenly drifted from the distance

"Wait a moment! I do not consent to this marriage!"

(End of Chapter)