Chapter 331: Kneeling to Plead, the Emperor’s Rage

Dean Chen’s expression was grim. The Prime Minister’s residence was one thing, but the royal family—and the Crown Prince, no less—was another. The most troublesome of all, however, was Consort Yuan.

Hailing from a family of alchemists, she was known for her ruthless methods. She was not someone to be trifled with.

Xiliu Yuan’s brow furrowed slightly.

Elder Gu was so shocked he opened and closed his mouth several times without a word coming out. ’What is going on?’

The Zhan and Qian families were also stunned into silence by the sudden imperial marriage decree.

The entire palace hall fell silent.

It took the Beili Emperor a long moment to react, but the words had already been spoken. Who could have thought that one little girl was connected to four major families? If he were to betroth Ye Qianning to the Gao family...

Wouldn’t that mean Prime Minister Gao would become related by marriage to all four of them? Unacceptable.

The combined power of the Zhan, Qian, Gu, and Xiang families was not to be underestimated. Anyone who gained the support of these four would surely be able to achieve great things.

All things considered, betrothing her to the Crown Prince was the more advantageous choice.

"Your Majesty, you absolutely must not!" Xiang Minghou rose to his feet and stepped forward, his resonant voice shattering the hall’s silence.

"And why not, Beloved Minister Xiang?"

"Your Majesty, my young daughter is still a child. It is far too early to arrange her marriage," Xiang Minghou said, kneeling.

"Just as Prime Minister Gao said, a few years will pass in the blink of an eye."

Prime Minister Gao was practically seething with rage. ’How dare the Emperor mention me?’

The Emperor had clearly said he would arrange a marriage for his son, but at the last moment, he betrothed her to the Crown Prince instead. He had played him for a fool, causing him to lose face completely in front of all the civil and military officials, as well as the envoys from the three kingdoms.

He was now beginning to suspect that Xiang Minghou and the Emperor had conspired to make a fool out of his Gao family.

"Your Majesty, my daughter has only been in the Capital City for a little over a month. She knows nothing of the rules and etiquette; she is truly not suited for the Imperial Palace."

"The child is still young. In the future, during her breaks from the academy, she can be brought into the palace for the Empress to personally instruct her."

"Your Majesty, my daughter suffered for many years while living astray. I truly do not wish for her to be shackled by etiquette. I implore Your Majesty to retract your decree."

The Beili Emperor frowned, a hint of anger suppressed on his face. "Beloved Minister Xiang, are you attempting to defy an imperial edict in public?"

"I implore Your Majesty to retract your decree," Xiang Minghou said, kowtowing.

A dark look settled in Ye Qianning’s eyes. She utterly detested imperial authority; even this vast Imperial Palace filled her with disgust.

"Our word is law. There is no reason to retract it. Withdraw."

"Your Majesty, if you do not agree, then this subject will not rise." Xiang Minghou remained motionless.

Fury surged within the Beili Emperor. In front of the envoys from the three kingdoms, he dared to be so defiant! "Xiang Minghou, do not think your military achievements give you the right to be so insolent."

"This humble servant would not dare. I only ask that Your Majesty, on account of this humble servant’s tireless devotion to Beili, retract the marriage agreement."

"Our Crown Prince is exceptionally intelligent! Is he not a worthy match for that country girl of yours?" the Beili Emperor roared, slamming his hand on the table.

Consort Yuan, Sang Qi’s mother, stared at the chubby child beside Dean Chen, her beautiful eyes radiating a faint killing intent. ’How could my son possibly marry someone like that to be his Crown Princess Consort?’

"Your Majesty, it is this subject who is unworthy of Your Majesty’s great favor."

"Our mind is made up! Beloved Minister Xiang, say no more. Now get out!"

"I beg Your Majesty to retract your decree." In that moment, Xiang Minghou felt a pang of regret. ’The children of officials have no control over their own marriages.’

’Being bound to such a status is like being placed in shackles. Pangtuan is still so young; she shouldn’t have to bear this.’

"Xiang Minghou, if you don’t get out right now, We will have your head!" the Beili Emperor thundered, now utterly enraged.

Although Prime Minister Gao had been terribly humiliated, watching this scene unfold brought him some relief.

Defying an imperial edict was a capital offense, punishable by beheading.

Xiang Minghou remained unmoved, his stance resolute.

The Beili Emperor was trembling with rage. "Guards! Drag Xiang Minghou out of here—"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger," Elder Gu said, rising and stepping forward.