"Is that so? That's rather interesting."
Murong Haoyue stared at Zhao Wenjun with a mischievous smile.
"You, you didn't mean it that way! I didn't say anything like that," Zhao Wenjun quickly shook her head.
"Hahaha! Wenjun, stop pretending! I know you like me!"
"Who, who said that! Crown Prince, don't talk nonsense!"
"Heh heh! I don't care! Whether you like me or not won't change our relationship. Now, we are engaged. Later, when you come of age, you will be this prince's woman!"
"You, you scoundrel!"
Zhao Wenjun glared at Murong Haoyue angrily and was about to run out, but Murong Haoyue grabbed her.
"Hey! Crown Prince, what are you doing?"
"Wenjun, have you forgotten that this is your home? If you don't agree with this prince, I'll tie you into the carriage and send you back to the capital!"
Zhao Wenjun was instantly speechless.
She hadn't expected her affections to be in vain!
"You, you're threatening me?"
"Yes!"
Murong Haoyue nodded without politeness.
"You..."
Zhao Wenjun was infuriated by Murong Haoyue.
"Wenjun, this prince is serious! We've been engaged for five years, and it's time for this prince to marry you!"
"I won't marry! I don't want to marry a fool!" Zhao Wenjun said stubbornly.
"Wenjun, why must you be like this? You know your status doesn't match mine, yet this prince simply likes you!" Murong Haoyue reached out and stroked Zhao Wenjun's soft hair, looking at her with adoration.
"But, I don't want to marry a fool either!" Zhao Wenjun turned away angrily, her back to Murong Haoyue, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Wenjun, don't cry."
"Who's crying? I'm not crying! Crown Prince, go away, I don't want to see you anymore!"
"Wenjun!"
Murong Haoyue reached out to hug Zhao Wenjun, but she dodged him.
"Don't touch me! I hate you!"
"Wenjun..."
"Hmph! I'm going home!" Zhao Wenjun said, then turned and ran out, weeping as she went.
Murong Haoyue stomped his feet anxiously on the spot.
"Wenjun, don't cry."
Zhao Wenjun ran fast and soon dashed out of the Prime Minister's mansion. She walked alone on the street, a tear rolling down her cheek.
"Wuwu! Why? Where am I worse than Zhao Wenling? Why doesn't anyone like me?"
A voice reached Zhao Wenjun's ears. She looked in the direction of the sound. Not far away, a group of beggars were arguing around a carriage.
"You stinking beggars, get lost, or I'll beat you to death!"
"Beat me to death? I'm not afraid of you! Come on, come on!" A beggar kicked another beggar in the backside, and the latter fell to the ground.
"Ah!" The beggar clutched his stomach and cried out in pain.
"Ah! My leg!" Another beggar also fell to the ground.
"You two fools! My leg, my leg is broken!" The injured beggar groaned in pain.
The other two beggars turned pale with fright.
"We, we'll compensate you, it's enough if we compensate you!" Said one of the slightly bolder beggars.
"Compensate? Is compensation enough? If you don't want your legs broken, get out of the way! If you dare to block the road and rob again, I'll chop you down with one sword!"
"We dare not, we dare not!" The two beggars quickly knelt on the ground.
"Hmph! That's more like it!" The injured beggar stood up, dusting off his clothes. "Let's go! We'll find a doctor first!"
A luxurious carriage stopped at the entrance of the Prime Minister's mansion. Prime Minister Zhao stepped out of the carriage.
"Greetings, Prime Minister!" A group of servants bowed and greeted him.
Prime Minister Zhao nodded and walked straight into the Prime Minister's mansion.
"Prime Minister Zhao is here!" As Prime Minister Zhao stepped into the hall, he heard a voice.
He frowned and looked up. He saw Murong Haoyue, clad in a blue robe, a jade pendant at his waist, and purple-gold boots, walking towards him, followed by two or three guards and maids, his demeanor extraordinary.
"Murong Haoyue? What are you doing here?" Prime Minister Zhao's face showed a hint of disgust as he asked coldly.
"Prime Minister, this prince is here to propose marriage," Murong Haoyue said calmly, with a gentle smile on his face.
"Propose marriage? Propose what? Has my precious daughter already been betrothed to you?" Prime Minister Zhao's face was filled with sarcasm.
"This prince knows that Wenjun has been avoiding this prince. This prince is here today to explain things to Wenjun and will not bother her anymore."
"Do you think that's possible? My Wenjun is so outstanding, and you don't like her? Are you even a man?" Prime Minister Zhao's words were full of contempt and mockery.
Murong Haoyue's expression darkened.
"Prime Minister Zhao, please mind your words! This prince is of royal blood, how can you insult me like this?"
"Hmph! So what if this Prime Minister insults you? Anyway, you princes are all greedy and shameless!" Prime Minister Zhao sneered.
"You, you..."
"Enough, you don't need to say these nonsense to me! This Prime Minister is here today by the Emperor's decree to bestow marriage upon you!" Prime Minister Zhao waved his hand impatiently.
"What? Bestow marriage upon this prince? Father Emperor? Father Emperor wants me to marry you?" Murong Haoyue's face was filled with shock. He really couldn't understand why Murong Haochen would suddenly bestow a marriage! And to have him settle his lifelong affair?
"Hmph! Indeed! Don't you believe it! I'll tell you, this is an imperial decree, and you have no right to refuse. If you continue to be unruly, don't blame me for being impolite!" Prime Minister Zhao's tone was filled with a strong warning.
"But, why did Father Emperor bestow this marriage?" Murong Haoyue's tone was full of confusion.
"This Prime Minister doesn't know either," Prime Minister Zhao shook his head and said, "However, I advise you to accept it obediently! If the Emperor finds out that you dare to disobey the imperial decree, you might anger His Majesty the Emperor."
Murong Haoyue's brow furrowed slightly.
"Don't worry, this prince will cooperate with you as much as possible."
"I hope you keep your word! No matter what, Wenjun will not be yours. You'd better be sensible!" Prime Minister Zhao snorted and flicked his sleeve, leaving.
Murong Haoyue watched Prime Minister Zhao's retreating back, a gleam in his eyes. It seemed that Murong Haochen had already learned of the affair between him and Zhao Wenjun. That was why he had thought of the bestowed marriage, to make him marry Zhao Wenjun. But he would not yield!
"Young Master, the Prime Minister has left. What do we do now?" A maid beside him asked.
"Return to the mansion!" Murong Haoyue commanded coldly.
"Yes, Young Master."