bayedsolid Chapter 200: One step ahead
Chapter 200: One step ahead
After the Minister of Personnel Chen Yihan and Luo Lingzhang entered the palace to meet the emperor, the news spread throughout the palace like a gust of wind, and finally reached Kunning Palace.
When Queen Li Qianwan heard this, she was so angry that veins in her temples bulged and throbbed! Her face was livid, her lips trembled, and sparks of anger flashed in her eyes.
She couldn't suppress her anger and threw the teacup in her hand to the ground. The teacup instantly broke into countless pieces and scattered on the ground. With the crisp sound of breaking, Li Qianwan roared angrily: "Who is Chen Yihan! How dare he be so bold and openly refuse the position of the prince's concubine! Who gave him such courage! I will never let him go easily!"
Li Mingfu, who was standing aside, had a gloomy face and echoed with a sinister look: "Does he think he can get away with it just because the marriage is arranged? It's just a pipe dream! Your Majesty, please rest assured, leave this matter to me! No matter what, Chen Manping will definitely become the prince's concubine!" There was a hint of determination and ruthlessness in his voice.
The prince said coldly, "Mother, father-in-law, it is not necessary to make Chen Manping a concubine! In my opinion, she is just a simple-minded, rude and wild girl. She is not of much help to me!"
After hearing this, Li Mingfu stroked his beard, smiled slightly, and said, "Your Highness, you don't know! The old Marquis of Jing'an Marquisate was the one who followed the late emperor to conquer the world! Apart from the deceased King Wu'an, his prestige is the highest among all the military generals! If Your Highness can become his grandson-in-law, wouldn't those military generals support Your Highness with all their strength for the sake of the old Marquis!"
The prince's face was so gloomy that it seemed like water could drip out of it: "Then we must get Chen Manping no matter what! It's a pity that she has been living in the general's mansion now, so we have no way to find an opportunity!"
The corners of Li Mingfu's mouth twitched slightly: "In three days it will be Luo Lingyue's coming-of-age ceremony! And we will definitely go to congratulate her!"
The Queen's eyes flickered a few times: "In that case, I will start preparing the gifts for Luo Xiaoqi's coming-of-age ceremony now! When the time comes, we can go together to join in the fun!"
On the second morning, the sun was shining brightly. Emperor Wen sat in the court, listening carefully to the ministers' reports on government affairs, and gave instructions and decisions one by one. After all the affairs were handled properly, Emperor Wen smiled with satisfaction, and his eyes swept across the room, finally landing on Luo Lingsong.
Luo Lingsong stood tall among the officials, his handsome face attracting everyone's attention. Emperor Wen smiled and said to him, "Luo Lingsong! I am very pleased that you have made great contributions in protecting the King of Qin this time. Tell me, do you have any wishes or rewards you want? As long as I can, I will satisfy you."
Hearing Emperor Wen's question, Luo Lingsong's face flushed. He took a deep breath and then replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, you are too kind! I dare not ask for a reward. I just want to ask Your Majesty to ask the Imperial Observatory to choose an auspicious day for me, because I hope to marry my fiancée Chen Manping. I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission!" After saying that, he lowered his head slightly to show his sincerity.
When Emperor Wen heard this, he couldn't help but burst into laughter: "So that's how it is! This is such a happy event! However, I heard that Chen Manping is a naughty wild girl, you will have to suffer in the future!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Lingsong raised a gentle smile: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, but I just like her wildness, which makes her different." His words revealed his deep love and doting on Chen Manping, which moved everyone present.
Emperor Wen was also moved by Luo Lingsong's sincerity and nodded readily, saying, "Okay! In that case, I will help you and order the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to select a wedding date for you as soon as possible. I wish you a long-lasting marriage and happiness!"
Luo Lingsong was overjoyed to receive Emperor Wen's approval, and he immediately knelt down and kowtowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace! I am grateful!" At this moment, the entire court was filled with a festive atmosphere, and everyone congratulated Luo Lingsong.
Emperor Wen turned to look at Ning Yuan, the director of the Imperial Observatory, and asked, "My dear Ning, is there a suitable auspicious day for marriage in the near future?"
Ning Yuan thought for a while and replied, "Your Majesty! According to my observation of the celestial phenomena, this year is the most suitable day for Prince Xiao to get married!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Wen couldn't help but smile and said, "That's great! Then let's schedule Lord Luo's wedding on this day! I wonder if Lord Chen is satisfied with this arrangement?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Yihan stepped out, knelt down and kowtowed respectfully, and then replied: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace! Thank you for your kindness and for granting my daughter a marriage. This is an honor for me and my daughter!"
After retiring from court, the Crown Prince and Li Mingfu ran into the brothers Luo Lingsong and Luo Lingzhang in the palace corridor.
The crown prince raised his lips slightly, but the smile did not reach his eyes: "Congratulations to Fourth Young Master Luo! It's a pity that the wedding is scheduled for three months later. Before the wedding day, is it too early for this crown prince to say congratulations?"
Seeing the prince's words full of sarcasm, Luo Lingsong was immediately furious and wanted to rush forward to argue with the prince. However, as soon as he made a move, he was stopped by his brother Luo Lingzhang.
Luo Lingzhang took a steady step forward, protecting his brother behind him, and then he said slowly: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I hope that Your Highness the Crown Prince can come and have a drink of wedding wine. I think the General's Mansion will be very lively on that day. After all, the Luo family will not only marry a new bride, but also a daughter! Therefore, please prepare two gifts in advance, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Facing Luo Lingzhang's dignified response, the prince stared at him closely with his dark eyes, which seemed to be surging with undercurrents. After a moment, the prince said coldly: "Then I wish you all the best!"
Hearing this, Luo Lingzhang's jade-like face remained indifferent: "Thanks to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, I hope everything can go well. In this case, I will not bother Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince any longer. Goodbye, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince." After saying this, he bowed slightly as a farewell to the Crown Prince.
The prince shook his sleeves vigorously, snorted coldly, and then left the place with Li Mingfu.
The two of them were silent along the way and soon returned to the East Palace. After entering the room, Li Mingfu spoke first: "Your Highness, why bother with them!"
The prince was still furious. He gritted his teeth and said viciously, "The general's mansion is full of Chu Chengjin's lackeys from top to bottom! Sooner or later, I will catch them all in one fell swoop!"
After hearing this, Li Mingfu raised his lips slightly, revealing a sinister smile: "If we want to eradicate the General's Mansion, we must first get rid of Luo Lingzhang, the thorn in our side! But now we need to wait for the perfect opportunity..."