Chapter 357: Chapter 357. Confrontation
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Because you’re in the royal family, the prince’s marriage is not something you can control. You can’t just marry Xiaoying. 1 don’t want my sister to share her husband with other women. If you want to be my brother-in-law, you must love her wholeheartedly and never have another woman in your life.”
Ji Shuisheng liked Yeluchun very much. He would be a wise ruler of a generation, but he would not be a good husband. Since ancient times, women who married emperors had spent their lives in a long wait.
Xiaoying was so innocent that she could not adapt to the complicated rules of the royal family and those women who would do anything to win favor.
“…. I’m afraid I have to disagree with this. Brother Ji also knows that the marriage of the royal family is involuntary. Still, 1 can guarantee that 1 will love Xiaoying for the rest of my life and not let her suffer.”
Ji Shuisheng’s words choked Yeluchun. He had never considered this point. It was normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. Now that Ji Shuisheng had suddenly brought it up, Yeluchun seriously considered this problem. He could only guarantee that she would be pampered for a lifetime.
“As long as you marry another woman, what right do you have to say that you won’t let Xiaoying suffer? Like your mother, wasn’t she once your Imperial Father’s favored concubine? The more favored she is, the more other women will think of ways to harm her. I won’t marry my sister into such a dangerous environment. Xiaoying can only marry into an ordinary family.”
Ji Shuisheng was resolute and even revealed the story of Yelu Chun’s mother. Because she was favored, she was poisoned by the empress, who was only a concubine. After being poisoned, she lost the love of the Emperor, who she could rely on.
Yeluchun was silent. Ji Shuisheng’s words left him with no excuse. He was most clear about the dangers lurking in the Imperial Family. He also clearly saw how Mother had lived for more than ten years. It could be summed up in one word-bleak.
Ji Shuisheng loved his sister and could not bear to let her suffer. Yelu Chun also could not bear to let the innocent Xiaoying repeat her mother’s mistakes.
However, he truly loved Xiaoying. He fell in love with her at first sight, and the moment he saw her in danger at the Azure Mountain Meet, his heart was burning with anxiety.
Yelu Chun felt he could do anything for Xiaoying, even if he had to go through a mountain of knives or a sea of fire. If he could see Xiaoying’s smile, everything would be worth it.
“Yeluchun, we can only be good brothers.”
Ji Shuisheng saw the struggle in Yeluchun’s eyes and said to him meaningfully.
What he meant was that marrying my sister was out of the question.
Yeluchun came over with joy but was doused with a bucket of cold water.
Before being sure he could give Sakura all his love, Yelu Chun could only endure the love in his heart.
“Alright, but can Brother Ji promise Xiao w.a.n.g not to get your sister engaged yet?”
Yeluchun felt bitter in his heart. He still wanted to lower his status and beg Ji Shuisheng for the woman he rarely had feelings for.
“I can’t promise you that. Xiaoying is already sixteen years old and has reached the age of marriage. If 1 meet a man who can give Xiaoying happiness, I naturally won’t ignore it.”
Ji Shuisheng didn’t want to give Yeluchun hope and secretly decided to cut off his chances of meeting Xiaoying.
Yeluchun was too outstanding, and Xiaoying would easily fall in love. As an older brother, he had to take precautions.
Yeluchun looked at Ji Shuisheng under the moonlight and was speechless for a long time. When he heard that Ji Shuisheng wanted to marry Xiaoying off, his heart felt like a knife was cutting it, and he wished he could die.
It had been more than twenty years, but this was the first time he had such a feeling. He wanted to fight for his happiness.
Yeluchun didn’t say anything else. It was useless to say anything more. Ji Shuisheng would never agree to let Xiaoying marry him. He could only work for Xiaoying. Ji Shuisheng loved his sister. If Xiaoying insisted on marrying him, he would agree.
After making up his mind, a determined light flashed in Yeluchun’s eyes.
“If you deceive Xiaoying, then we will no longer be friends but enemies of the two armies.”
Ji Shuisheng saw the expression in Yeluchun’s eyes and said the ugly words in advance.
Yeluchun didn’t expect Ji Shuisheng to be so ruthless.
“Brother Ji, is there a need? Are you going to stop Xiaoying from loving me?”
Yeluchun was very angry. He angrily questioned Ji Shuisheng.
“Xiaoying is innocent, but you’re not. You must have used some tricks to seize Xiaoying for her to fall in love with you.”
Ji Shuisheng knew Yeluchun too well and directly exposed his thoughts. Yeluchun glared at Ji Shuisheng, his deep eyes jumping with anger. He was a dignified king, yet he was called a scheming villain by Ji Shuisheng?
Yeluchun gritted his teeth and asked,
“A man is willing to put in effort for a woman, but it’s considered dishonest to you? Then did you also scheme against Su Qing?”
“Su Qing and I have developed feelings for each other over time. We appreciate each other and do not have any schemes. 1 can guarantee that I will only love Su Qing and never have a second woman by my side. Can you give up glory and wealth for Xiaoying?”
Ji Shuisheng glared at Yeluchun, comparing him and Su Qing to Xiaoying. There was no comparison at all. Two consecutive questions left Yeluchun speechless.
Power was the highest realm that a man pursued. A woman could have many in her lifetime, but there was only one chance to be the Emperor. Yeluchun’s heart wavered.
Ji Shuisheng’s expression darkened when he saw Yeluchun’s reaction. He looked into Yeluchun’s eyes with a burning gaze and ordered in a stern and unquestionable voice,
“If you can’t do it, stay away from Xiaoying.”
Yeluchun also glared at Ji Shuisheng. The two of them were at daggers drawn, and Ji Shuisheng’s heart to protect his sister was unwavering. In the end, Yeluchun was defeated. He smiled bitterly and said,
“… Alright, Brother Ji, I promise I won’t provoke Xiaoying before I can give only her my love.”
Ji Shuisheng looked at him deeply, and after confirming that Yeluchun was not lying, he nodded.
“Alright.”
“Let’s go. I’ll take you to see Su Qing.”
Yeluchun was in a bad mood and didn’t have any energy.
He had fulfilled someone else’s love and ruined his happiness with his own hands. His heart was filled with mixed feelings.
“Alright.”
Ji Shuisheng was different from the dejected Yeluchun. When he heard Su Qing’s name, he was in high spirits. His serious and cold face could not help but smile.
Seeing Ji Shuisheng’s agitated expression, Yeluchun’s mood worsened. He lowered his head and led the way, not even in the mood to ask about Ji Shuisheng and Saiya.
Why was Yeluchun here?
He was helping Su Qing find Ji Shuisheng on the streets. When he heard his soldiers say they saw Ji Shuisheng and Saiya enter the palace two days ago, Yeluchun came to find Ji Shuisheng.
Consort Li had sent people to guard the palace gates. As soon as Yeluchun arrived, he was called over by Mother. Consort Li told Yelvchun about Saiya forcing Ji Shuisheng to marry her and about the Emperor placing Ji Shuisheng under house arrest.
Consort Li was afraid that the Emperor would kill Ji Shuisheng in anger, which would be a disaster for Tartan, so she looked for her son to discuss countermeasures.
That was why Yeluchun went to see his father, especially reminding him that Su Qing had arrived in Ta City and was looking for Ji Shuisheng.
His words made the old Emperor change his decision and let Ji Shuisheng go.
Ji Shuisheng didn’t know what Yeluchun had done for him. His heart was on Su Qing, and he couldn’t wait to see her.. He hoped that Su Qing would listen to his explanation!