Chapter 144: Imperial Consort? My Daughter Is Unworthy!

The Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Several ministers stepped out, exchanged glances, and shook their heads.

The Emperor of Chu looked at Song Zhiyuan, who remained alone, and asked, "Do you think they will use the late Emperor to oppose the opening of this border market?"

Song Zhiyuan replied, "If the opening of the tea-and-horse border market benefits the country and the people, I believe the late Emperor would agree. Let them oppose it if they wish; Your Majesty is the Emperor, and your word is final."

That remark was truly shameless.

Yet the Emperor of Chu loved hearing it.

With no other ministers present, the Emperor leaned unceremoniously against the dragon throne, stroking his large jade thumb ring. "But they will still accuse me of unfilial piety, of defying the late Emperor's decree."

Song Zhiyuan countered, "The late Emperor closed the market during his reign, but it was not an imperial edict established before his demise. There is no question of defiance."

The Emperor of Chu let out a soft laugh.

"As long as Your Majesty achieves sufficient merit, the mouths of the world will naturally be silenced, let alone mere civil and military officials."

"I want to be an enlightened monarch, to pioneer a century of prosperity, to secure the Chu dynasty's mountains and rivers forever, and to expand our territory. For this grand ambition, Prime Minister Song, no matter how difficult the road ahead, I am resolved to carry it out," the Emperor said, looking down at Song Zhiyuan from his elevated position.

Song Zhiyuan raised his head, lifted his robes, and knelt. "Your subject swears to follow Your Majesty unto death."

"Rise," the Emperor said. "The weather is fine. Accompany me for a stroll in the Imperial Garden."

"Yes."

It was early summer, and the flowers in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom, with butterflies dancing gracefully.

Song Zhiyuan lagged a step behind the Emperor, walking slowly.

"It was your wife's birthday. I heard that the eldest and the others all went?" The Emperor stood with his hands behind his back before a clump of peonies, watching closely as a little bee toiled away collecting pollen from the blossoms.

Song Zhiyuan respectfully replied, "The First, Second, Third, and Fourth Imperial Princes all came, which truly gave my wife a fright."

"The Prime Minister's residence has become a popular place in the capital indeed," the Emperor said pointedly. "Not only my own princes, but other matchmakers must be about to wear out your threshold."

"Leaving aside the princes for a moment, my fourth younger brother and my second daughter are both of age for marriage. My mother even specially sought me out; she is very worried about my fourth younger brother's marriage, and the same goes for my second daughter. Therefore, matchmakers do come rather frequently."

The Emperor mused, "That daughter of yours is reaching adulthood this year, isn't she?"

"Her birthday is in November, so she will come of age this winter." Song Zhiyuan looked at the Emperor and said with a smile, "If Your Majesty knows of any fine talents, perhaps you might bestow a favor on my daughter and grant her a marriage?"

"Fine talents? Are there any talents more outstanding than my own princes?"

Song Zhiyuan's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly knelt. "Your Majesty, please do not tease your subject like this. That daughter of mine is willful, self-willed, arrogant, and domineering; she is unworthy of matching a prince."

"Get up quickly. Is there anyone who speaks of their own daughter like that? She is your own flesh and blood, after all," the Emperor said, speechless.

Song Zhiyuan said, "It is precisely because she is my own that I know her. With that temper of hers, how could she be worthy of being a royal wife? I am afraid she would offend people, and I would be left to clean up her messes."

"You make the imperial household sound like a dragon's pool and a tiger's den," the Emperor snorted. "Find someone you are satisfied with yourself, and I shall grant the marriage when the time comes."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your immense grace," Song Zhiyuan bowed deeply.

Turning a corner, an imperial concubine approached with her maids. Upon seeing the Emperor, she was startled for a moment, then quickly knelt to pay respects. "This concubine greets Your Majesty."

Upon seeing her, the Emperor simply uttered a command to rise, then looked at Song Zhiyuan. "That is all for today. You may leave the palace." He then said to the concubine, "Imperial Attendant Luo, accompany me for a walk."

"This concubine obeys the imperial decree."

Song Zhiyuan bowed respectfully, watched the figures walk away into the distance, wiped the light sweat from his back, and turned to leave.