Yun Xiao did not fear him, tilting her head to face him, and stated firmly, "Yes, I am threatening you. If you are unwilling, so be it. I will not marry."
Both wore expressions of equally resolute determination. One for love, the other to help him fulfill their shared aspirations. Love resided in each other's hearts.
However, everyone wished to uphold their principles. Finally, Shangguan Yin straightened his body and spoke slowly, "As you wish. Regardless, I will give you time to consider. The sixth day of the first lunar month is the deadline. Whether you marry or not, give me your answer."
With that, he turned and left abruptly. Shangguan Lin, recovering from his astonishment, quickly caught up with his imperial brother. Before departing, he cast a glance back at Yun Xiao. This woman, what could he say about her?
Yun Mo was nearly scared to death by his daughter. He had already rushed outside to see the Emperor and Prince Shangguan off the gates of Prince Yun's manor.
Here, Yun Zhen and Wan Wan were flanking Yun Xiao, cornering her.
"Miss, you've gone too far. How could you say such a thing to the Emperor? Who would agree to that?"
"Yes, Xiao'er, political interference is forbidden in the inner court. Do you think what you've done is excessive?"
Yun Zhen also disagreed, staring at Yun Xiao.
Yun Xiao's lips curved into a smile, showing no sign of compromise. If Shangguan Yin didn't agree, she wouldn't marry. Was he just a man? Was he just an emperor? Did losing her virginity mean she would compromise so easily? Dream on, Shangguan Yin, Yun Xiao scoffed inwardly.
At this moment, Yun Mo returned, taking Yun Xiao's hand and speaking earnestly.
"Xiao'er, don't be foolish. You've finally found someone who deeply loves you. Don't do anything rash. The Emperor will cherish and love you. Why must you leave the palace and go to the common folk?"
"Father, don't you know what kind of person I am? Must I obediently stay in the palace and never leave if I marry the Emperor? If that's the case, I'd rather not marry and wander the jianghu for life."
Her words fell like thunder, and she turned and left the main hall.
Her firm words were unyielding. Since she had spoken thus, Yun Mo and Yun Zhen knew she would not change her mind. He knew his daughter's personality well.
Wan Wan chased after her, and they returned to Yuxuan together.
In the main hall, Yun Mo and Yun Zhen exchanged worried glances, their hearts heavy.
"What is this all about?"
"Yes, I'm really afraid Xiao'er will ruin everything."
Yun Zhen sighed but could say no more, only wondering if the Emperor would ultimately compromise. Otherwise, it would be truly difficult.
Yun Xiao returned to Yuxuan. Wan Wan tried to persuade her, but she paid no heed. Finally, Yun Xiao coldly warned, "If you say another word, I will have you removed from my side."
Wan Wan dared not say more, pouting. However, after a moment, she stopped being upset because Yun Xiao retrieved the Bieyao Qin, a gift from the Empress Dowager during their time in Xiliang, and presented it to Wan Wan.
Wan Wan was immediately touched beyond words, having completely forgotten about Miss's marriage. She lovingly caressed the Bieyao Qin, truly a famous instrument. It was smooth and delicate, like jade, and its strings were as fine as a cow's hair, yet strong and resilient.
"Thank you, Miss. Thank you, Miss."
"You, I am hungry. Are you not preparing dinner?"
Yun Xiao reached out and tapped her head. The two of them laughed, seemingly forgetting the issue of marriage.
Within the imperial palace, however, it was a storm of ice and fire.
In Qingxiao Palace, Shangguan Yin, clad in white, sat high on the dragon throne, silent for a long time. His god-like face was cloaked in an aura of coldness, colder than the winter outside the hall. A chilling aura emanated from him.
In the resplendent hall, the eunuchs and palace maids standing at the four corners dared not utter a word, not even daring to breathe heavily.
The Emperor was clearly in a foul mood; it was best for them to be cautious.
Fu Hai secretly speculated if this matter was related to that Miss Yun. He had accompanied the Emperor to Prince Yun's manor that evening, and his master had seemed very happy. How could he have changed so drastically just moments after leaving the manor?
Shangguan Yin's sharp, cold, and imposing glazed eyes swept over the people in the hall. He waved his hand, "All of you, withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty," all the eunuchs and palace maids breathed a sigh of relief and quickly retreated outside the hall to guard.
Silence descended upon the grand hall. Shangguan Lin sat below, and seeing his imperial brother's displeasure, his heart also grew heavy. He couldn't help but speak.
"Imperial brother, what do you think of this matter?"
He knew that his imperial brother would not refuse to marry Yun Xiao. They loved each other so much; this was merely a lover's quarrel.
However, Yun Xiao's idea was truly astonishing to the world. A Empress not only desired freedom to enter and exit the palace but also wished to conduct imperial tours on behalf of the Son of Heaven. This was probably unprecedented, both in the past and the future. This woman's mind was indeed different from ordinary people.
"I will never agree to her demands."
Shangguan Yin spoke with profound inscrutability. On his exquisitely perfect face, his eyes were as deep as a cold abyss, as dark as cold stars, and as frigid as ice jade.
His words were unrefusable. Shangguan Lin nodded in agreement. The inner court had always been forbidden to interfere in politics. Even if his imperial brother loved Yun Xiao, he should not violate the ancestral traditions.
As Shangguan Lin contemplated, the Emperor's distant and indifferent voice came from above.
"Do you know how worried I would be in this palace if a woman were to go out and handle affairs? How could I be at ease?"
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Prince Shangguan's eyeballs nearly fell out. Did it mean that their thoughts were not the same?
His imperial brother seemed to be worried only about Yun Xiao's safety, not her desire to meddle in politics. The more he thought about it, the more he sweat. He cautiously probed.
"Is Imperial Brother afraid she will be in danger?"
"Isn't that so? Since she is married to me, I don't want her to face even the slightest danger. If she were to conduct imperial tours on my behalf, how much danger would await her? How could I put her in harm's way?"
As Shangguan Yin spoke, his tone softened immensely. He even sighed, his solitary and aloof posture shifting slightly. A warmth like a gentle breeze surged into his beautiful, ink-like eyes.
Shangguan Lin below wanted to faint. In the end, he realized that these two were simply the same kind of people, and their thoughts were different from ordinary folk.
He had thought his imperial brother was angry because Yun Xiao wanted to meddle in politics. It turned out that he was merely concerned about his Empress's future safety and couldn't rest easy, not because of the rule against political interference in the inner court, or anything like that. It was truly infuriating.
Shangguan Lin stood up abruptly, his face grim. He cupped his hands and said, "Imperial brother, your subject is tired and will return to rest."
"Wait a moment. Help me do one thing."
Shangguan Yin narrowed his eyes, a hint of evil charm flickering within them, and quickly said, "I know the ministers have already made their intentions clear, wanting me to take concubines. You can do some maneuvering."
Hearing his imperial brother say this, Shangguan Lin understood his intention. He simply wanted to provoke Yun Xiao, make her jealous, and then have her marry him.