Jiang Rumin raised her eyes to look outside the room. The newcomer was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, his handsome jade-like face showing no emotion, yet his dark pupils emitted a faint chill.
This warning-filled glance made her feel as if she had a fishbone stuck in her throat.
Before today, she had never met the Emperor, only hearing others mention that this new ruler was young but somewhat frail. He had not been favored by the late Emperor, but since all his brothers had perished, leaving no competitors, he became the sole heir to the throne.
He appeared kind-faced, yet his gaze was truly sharp. Jiang Rumin snapped back to reality and hurriedly bowed. “Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”
She had originally thought that Minister Song seemed approachable and might be persuaded to call off this marriage, but the Emperor’s earlier warning had set her heart on edge again.
Jun Li Luo walked with light, unhurried steps, passing Jiang Rumin and taking a seat by the table.
“I just approached and unintentionally heard that Miss Jiang seems to have some objections to my arrangements? Aside from his rank being lower than Royal Uncle’s, is Minister Song inferior in other aspects? He is my right-hand man, matched with you—does that truly disgrace you?”
Unlike the pleasant tone he used when speaking to Song Yun Chu, Jun Li Luo’s voice now, though even, was exceptionally cold.
Song Yun Chu watched from the side, raising an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.
[Hah, the Dog Emperor really knows how to put on airs and perfectly captures the aura of a superior.]
[Given his attitude, he probably isn’t very interested in Jiang Rumin at this stage; otherwise, he wouldn’t have pushed her onto me.]
[However, in the original story, the protagonist Jiang Rumin seems to have a natural talent for attracting male side characters. Even if the current events have deviated from the original plot, if the Dog Emperor and she become too connected, he might still go mad for her one day.]
Jun Li Luo heard Song Yun Chu’s thoughts clearly and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
He truly didn’t see anything special about Jiang Rumin.
She was good-looking, skilled in medicine, and according to Shen Yue’s intelligence, she was also virtuous.
But so what?
As the ruler, how could he neglect his vast kingdom for the sake of one person? Romantic feelings meant little to him.
He had tried to kill Jiang Rumin twice without success, as if this woman was fated not to die. Since that was the case, he decided to bestow her upon Song Yun Chu, thereby severing the “original” connection between himself and Jiang Rumin. After all, to be seen as a wise ruler by the world, he absolutely must not seize a subject’s wife.
Moreover, he also believed that Song Yun Chu could outmatch Jun Tianyi.
“Your Majesty exaggerates. In the marriage between Minister Song and your subject, it is naturally Minister Song who is at a disadvantage. How could your subject be worthy of being the Prime Minister’s wife?”
Jiang Rumin lowered her head, her tone tinged with a sigh. “Your subject does not wish to anger Your Majesty, but… your subject’s heart belongs to another. This would be unfair to Minister Song.”
“So, in the end, you still can’t let go of Royal Uncle.” Jun Li Luo said unhurriedly, “Royal Uncle is devoted to your sister. I have already granted their union, making your sister the Yiwang Consort. The Emperor’s word is final. If you insist on following Royal Uncle, you can only be a concubine. Would you rather be Royal Uncle’s concubine than the mistress of the Prime Minister’s residence?”
Jiang Rumin bit her lip. “Your subject…”
“Of course, Miss Jiang would not be so foolish.” Song Yun Chu quickly cut her off. “His Majesty’s word is not easily changed. If Miss Jiang continues to object, it would be disrespectful to His Majesty and discourteous to this humble official. At that point, it would not only be her alone facing His Majesty’s punishment—the entire Jiang family would be implicated. Miss Jiang has always been reasonable and would never displease His Majesty.”
As he spoke, Song Yun Chu cast a slightly warning glance at Jiang Rumin, who was still kneeling.
Jiang Rumin fell silent at once, offering no further opposition.
Song Yun Chu knew she had taken his words to heart and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Given Jiang Rumin’s personality, if she had a choice, she might indeed settle for being Jun Tianyi’s Concubine.
Willing to die for a Dog Scumbag—how pathetic. Now that the Dog Emperor has bestowed this marriage, even if only for the sake of my reputation as Minister Song, I cannot allow this pair of resentful lovers to remain entangled. Otherwise, outsiders will laugh behind my back, saying I wear a cuckold’s horns.
If the Dog Scumbag and Jiang Rumin each marry someone else, could all those messy affairs that follow be avoided? But today, the Dog Scumbag clearly seemed reluctant to let this girl go. It was Jiang Yuxi’s appearance that forced him to make a choice. Even if I can persuade Jiang Rumin, the Dog Scumbag might not give up.
As Song Yun Chu pondered this, his thoughts suddenly shifted, and he looked toward Jun Li Luo.
Dog Emperor, you’re really cunning, aren’t you? Do you dislike me so much that you want to use this marriage decree to stir up jealousy in the Dog Scumbag and make him teach me a lesson?
On one hand, you want me to serve you diligently; on the other, you find someone to suppress and deal with me, all while pretending on the surface to have a good relationship with me. Even a plastic bag isn’t as good at pretending as you are.
It’s a shame all your brothers are dead. Otherwise, I’d really want to quit and find a new boss—surely that would be more promising than sticking with a jinx like you.
While cursing Jun Li Luo inwardly, Song Yun Chu forced a smile on his face. “Your Majesty, Miss Jiang is still injured. Perhaps she should not be kept kneeling any longer?”
Jun Li Luo also smiled faintly. “Indeed, rise.”
This fellow is indeed sharp—he guessed that I intended to stir up conflict between Jun Tianyi and him.
But he only guessed half of it. What I truly want to deal with is Jun Tianyi. Song Yun Chu, as a pawn, is still quite useful for now. How could I bear to discard him?
Although “plastic bag” and “quit” are new terms he hasn’t heard before, from Song Yun Chu’s angry mood, he could guess that Song Yun Chu very much wanted to follow a new master. Unfortunately, there are no suitable candidates left now.
Jun Li Luo has no surviving brothers. If Song Yun Chu wants to be a high-ranking official, he has no choice but to follow him. Even if he is used or disciplined, he can only endure it.
At most, he can vent his anger by cursing a few times in his heart.
Jun Li Luo realized that he had grown accustomed to Song Yun Chu calling him “Dog Emperor” in his heart every day.
“This subject… thanks Your Majesty for your grace.” After hesitating for a long time, Jiang Rumin finally expressed her gratitude to Jun Li Luo and slowly stood up.
She could not anger the Emperor. She could not let her personal desires implicate the entire household. Even though her heart still held Jun Tianyi, for now, she could only express her gratitude and think of a solution later.
“I have been out for quite some time and should return to the palace. Miss Jiang, rest well. The marriage decree will soon be delivered to your residence. Yun Chu, let us go.”
“We respectfully send off Your Majesty.”
After watching Jun Li Luo and Song Yun Chu walk away, Jiang Rumin completely collapsed onto the ground, his face filled with distress.
…
The next day after the morning court session, as usual, Song Yun Chu was summoned by Jun Li Luo to the Imperial Study to share the burden of government affairs.
After reviewing many official documents in a row, none of which were particularly urgent matters, Song Yun Chu took a short break and began pondering other things.
【It’s almost mealtime. What will lunch be today? That Drunken Sweet Shrimp from the day before yesterday was truly excellent. The Dog Emperor also ate quite a bit of it. The only benefit of being around the Dog Emperor is probably that his imperial meals are better than the food in my residence.】
Jun Li Luo glanced at Song Yun Chu.
This fellow is thinking about food again. I never realized before how much this guy is obsessed with fine cuisine.
Craving Drunken Sweet Shrimp, is he? It seems he’ll have to give orders that shrimp won’t be served for lunch from now on.
Just as he was thinking this, the chief eunuch came to report, “Your Majesty, Consort Li has personally brought some pastries and is waiting outside. What would you like to do…?”
Hearing the words “Li Fei,” Song Yun Chu’s gaze flickered slightly.