Chapter 464: The Honored Guest of Luocheng
Hearing these words, Ye Lu could no longer remain calm.
With a loud thud, he dropped heavily to his knees before Ye Junshuo’s desk!
That was not even the worst part—he even crawled on his knees, his face full of despair, moving toward Ye Junshuo’s feet. He clung tightly to Ye Junshuo’s legs, buried his head against them, and wailed loudly!
“Father Emperor! I lost my mother consort at a young age—how can you treat me like this? I am alone and helpless, only you care for me! How could you bear to send me to suffer such a fate? What if I get caught in a snowstorm and freeze to death? Father Emperor, you would be heartbroken! Please, I beg you, have mercy on me!”
Ye Junshuo had seen Ye Lu act shamelessly before, but never to this extent.
Caught off guard by Ye Lu’s sudden embrace and wailing, Ye Junshuo lowered his gaze and saw that Ye Lu’s face was actually streaked with real tears. His heart softened slightly.
“Enough, enough! Get off of me!”
With that, Ye Junshuo used his internal force to lift his shameless son off the ground.
Ye Lu sniffled, looking at Ye Junshuo with a pitiful expression, tears still streaming down his face without saying another word.
Seeing this, Ye Junshuo let out an exasperated sigh and pushed him away, putting some distance between them. He sat back down on his dragon throne, feeling thoroughly annoyed.
“Father Emperor, I understand your concerns, but I have no other choice—that’s why I came to you for help. Please, Father Emperor, see if there’s a way to dissolve this marriage in a dignified manner.”
Ye Junshuo sighed.
“You! … Ah, forget it. You were raised by Consort Qing, and I know how she treated you. Your elder brothers have always cared for you, and I have never expected you to be like them. I only wish that you would cause less trouble and keep the ministers from constantly complaining to me—that would already be a blessing.”
The emperor’s usual dignified expression softened as he gazed at his son. For a fleeting moment, it was as if he could see the face of his long-lost beloved through Ye Lu.
“Ah, I thought you had grown up, but it seems I was naive.”
With that, Ye Junshuo rose from his seat and walked toward Ye Lu.
“Father Emperor, the woman I love is no ordinary person. With her temperament, she would never be content being a mere concubine. I truly have no choice.”
Hearing his son’s words, Ye Junshuo felt even more exasperated.
“So, you truly have someone in mind? Haha, that woman must be quite skilled to have you so captivated. Now I am curious—just whose daughter is she?”
Ye Lu knew he was making things difficult for his father, but there was no other solution—only his father could resolve this predicament.
“Father Emperor, you have several other sons to share your burdens. To you, I will always be the youngest.”
“But you must understand—this marriage was personally requested by Prince Zhan Nan. Everyone knows how much he treasures his daughter. If I propose annulling the engagement, not only would I offend Prince Zhan Nan, but I would also lose face in front of my ministers.”
“Be reasonable—it’s just a marriage. If you have a woman you truly love, you can marry her as well. I will grant you the marriage.”
“Father Emperor, she doesn’t even know about my feelings yet. As long as this engagement remains, I cannot confess my love to her.”
Hearing this, whatever little fatherly love Ye Junshuo had felt was immediately replaced with anger!
His expression darkened as he returned to his dragon throne, glaring coldly at Ye Lu.
“Hah! You think I don’t know? That woman from Luocheng, the wild land? Hah! She is merely the descendant of a condemned criminal from the Lanyue Dynasty—a mere bandit who seized land for himself! What, does she dream of becoming Princess Lu?”
Ye Lu, who had been hoping to win his father’s sympathy, suddenly froze upon hearing those words. His expression changed instantly.
“Father Emperor, how do you know about this?!”
“Hah! You’ve traveled to Luocheng several times this past year. Do you think I wouldn’t notice? If you want to make that woman a concubine, I won’t object. But if you expect her to replace Xiahou Yuanwei, that will never happen!”
“Father Emperor, she may not even like me! You’re getting angry way too early.”
“Sigh… In truth, I only wish for you to have a safe and peaceful life. This marriage with Prince Zhan Nan’s daughter might not actually be good for you, but since he personally requested it, how could I refuse? If any of your brothers had this opportunity, they would jump at the chance. But you? You treat it as a curse.”
At this, Ye Junshuo sighed again.
“Fine. If you truly don’t want this marriage, you’ll have to handle it yourself. But I have one condition—Xiahou Yuanwei must be the one to break the engagement. Prince Zhan Nan must not be offended.”
Hearing this, Ye Lu was overjoyed!
He rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Ye Junshuo in an excited embrace, barely stopping himself from planting a kiss on his father’s face.
“Father Emperor, I knew you cared for me the most! I swear, I will handle this without causing you trouble!”
After Ye Lu left the imperial study in high spirits, Ye Junshuo sat at his desk, his face gradually clouding with helplessness.
“I truly only wish for you to have a peaceful life…”
A few days later, the tightly shut gates of Luocheng welcomed an esteemed guest.
Upon learning of the visitor’s identity, Yu Haojie was utterly stunned.
“Prince Zhan Nan of Dongfeng Kingdom?!”
“Yes, City Lord. His attendants have delivered a formal letter of visitation—please take a look.”
The subordinate respectfully presented the letter. Yu Haojie quickly opened it, while Yu Luo leaned in to read as well.
As they read on, father and daughter became more and more serious.
“Could this be Ye Lu’s doing? But that doesn’t make sense. Ye Lu is a prince—how could he command Prince Zhan Nan? And if Ye Lu had recommended him, he would have come together with him.”
Yu Haojie murmured to himself while Yu Luo was equally puzzled.
“This is the first time our city has ever received a minister from a foreign nation. I don’t think this was arranged by Ye Lu. But whether this visit is a good or bad omen remains to be seen. I think we should invite him in first.”
Hearing Yu Luo’s words, Yu Haojie nodded repeatedly.
“Yes, yes! But should I personally go to greet him?”
Yu Haojie hesitated, uncertain about the proper protocol. He turned to his daughter for advice.
Yu Luo thought for a moment before standing up.
“He has been courteous enough to send a formal letter, and his status is no small matter. We cannot afford to be disrespectful. Father, let’s go welcome him together.”
(End of Chapter 464)
