Song Yun Chu snapped back to reality, feeling utterly bewildered.
[What kind of twisted logic is the Dog Emperor using? Wasn’t he the one who had feelings for Jiang Rumin? Why is he trying to push her onto me now?]
[If Jun Tianyi, that Dog Scumbag, would just admit he’s developed feelings for Jiang Rumin and can’t bear to call off the engagement, the Dog Emperor probably wouldn’t make things too difficult for him. But given this Dog Scumbag’s hypocritical, stubborn nature, what if he doesn’t object… Would I have to defy the imperial decree on the spot?]
[Dog Emperor, you really know how to put me in a tough spot.]
Hearing Song Yun Chu’s internal cursing, Jun Li Luo felt inexplicably pleased.
Jun Tianyi, however, furrowed his brows slightly.
He originally held no grudge against Song Yun Chu, but now he felt displeased.
Everyone in the imperial court knew that Song Yun Chu was notorious for being ruthless and unscrupulous. He had gained his current prominent status by supporting the emperor’s rise to power. This scoundrel usually acted arbitrarily, even persecuting loyal ministers and forming secret factions, yet the emperor trusted and valued him immensely.
Although Jiang Rumin had many flaws, she was still his fiancée. If she were to end up with Song Yun Chu, it would undoubtedly be like throwing her into a pit of fire.
Thinking this, Jun Tianyi voiced his objection, “Your Majesty, this might be inappropriate…”
Song Yun Chu breathed a slight sigh of relief.
[That’s right, stop being stubborn now. Quickly persuade the Dog Emperor to retract his decree. Don’t drag me into your messy, tragic romance with Jiang Rumin.]
“What’s inappropriate?” Before Jun Tianyi could finish, Jun Li Luo interrupted nonchalantly, “Royal Uncle, you just said that you and Jiang Second Miss are deeply in love. If Jiang Eldest Miss marries someone else, it shouldn’t affect you, right? Unless… Royal Uncle also has feelings for her?”
Just as Jun Tianyi was about to respond, a slender figure suddenly burst into the room, catching everyone’s attention.
The newcomer wore a light pink wide-sleeved silk skirt, with willow-leaf eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, her face as beautiful as a lotus flower. It was Jiang Second Miss, Jiang Yuxi.
She went straight to Jun Li Luo and knelt down. “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This is all my fault. My improper words and rash actions led to Lord Shen and His Highness coming to blows. I beg Your Majesty not to punish them.”
Jiang Yuxi’s appearance made Song Yun Chu’s heart sink.
[Oh no, here comes another crazy woman. In the early stages, the Dog Scumbag truly regarded Jiang Yuxi as his beloved. With her here, he probably won’t admit he has feelings for Jiang Rumin.]
Jun Li Luo looked at the woman full of self-reproach, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes.
This woman had been eavesdropping outside the door for quite some time. She knew perfectly well that the fight between Jun Tianyi and Shen Yue had already been resolved, yet she barged in pretending to be unaware.
She was worried that Jun Tianyi would honor his engagement with Jiang Rumin. Now that there was a chance to get rid of Jiang Rumin, how could she let it slip?
By appearing, she was reminding Jun Tianyi—your beloved is here, so don’t say anything that might upset her.
Sure enough, upon seeing Jiang Yuxi, Jun Tianyi immediately softened his expression and bent down to help her up. “Yu Xi, I am discussing matters with His Majesty. Why did you barge in at such a time? This is rather improper of you.”
“It’s fine,” Jun Li Luo said lightly. “Seeing how frightened she looks, she must be worried that Royal Uncle will be reprimanded by me for fighting with Lord Shen. Her concern has made her act rashly. She did it for Royal Uncle’s sake, so I won’t blame her.”
Jun Li Luo said leisurely, “Jiang Second Miss has arrived at just the right time. Though you and Royal Uncle are deeply in love, he is bound by an engagement and cannot make you his Principal Wife—what a pity. Today, I shall take it upon myself to bestow you upon Royal Uncle as Prince Yi’s Principal Wife. What do you think?”
“This…”
Jiang Yuxi struggled to suppress her excitement and joy, her face showing surprise before she spoke with a hint of difficulty, “Your Majesty’s gracious match is something I am immensely grateful for, but how could I possibly take my elder sister’s position as Princess Consort?”
Song Yun Chu lowered her gaze to observe her.
【Not bad acting, but still falls short compared to the Dog Emperor.】
【How strange. In the original story, although Jiang Yuxi received endless favor, her status remained only that of a Concubine. The position of Principal Wife she desired was never granted to her, and the Dog Emperor hardly had any interaction with her.】
【Where exactly did things go wrong?】
Song Yun Chu couldn’t help but fall into thought.
It seemed that ever since she saved Jiang Rumin, the plot had started veering in a strange direction.
If Jiang Rumin didn’t marry Jun Tianyi, then subsequent events would inevitably deviate significantly from the original story.
Would this turn out to be a good thing or a bad thing?
“This is a favor I bestow upon you; there is no need for you to feel guilty. As for your elder sister, I shall betroth her to Minister Song. Minister Song is a man who cherishes the fairer sex and will surely treat your sister well.”
As Jun Li Luo spoke, he glanced up at Song Yun Chu. “Yun Chu, are you so overjoyed that you’ve forgotten to express your gratitude?”
【I’ll thank your uncle. You’ve tossed me a hot potato and you’re quite pleased about it, aren’t you?】
Song Yun Chu even began to suspect that Jun Li Luo was deliberately trying to oppose her.
But upon brief reflection, the Dog Emperor shouldn’t be able to tell that she intended to distance herself from Jiang Rumin. After all, in his eyes, her act of helping Jiang Rumin fend off the assassins was nothing short of cherishing a beauty.
Now that the Dog Emperor had publicly bestowed the marriage, if she were to refuse this “favor,” it would be equivalent to publicly humiliating the emperor, making her, the favored minister, appear ungrateful and openly contemptuous of imperial authority.
The Dog Emperor had always been petty-minded, and she didn’t want to give him another reason to hold a grudge. So, she replied with a smile, “I am, of course, deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s generosity. However… does Prince Yi truly have no reservations about parting with Eldest Miss Jiang?”
Song Yun Chu turned to look at Jun Tianyi. “Your Highness, if you are unwilling, this humble official would not dare to snatch away your beloved.”
【You worthless scoundrel, still keeping your mouth shut? If you don’t dare to admit it, you deserve the fiery pursuit of your beloved later—being cremated on the spot wouldn’t even be enough for you.】
Jun Tianyi met Song Yun Chu’s gaze and felt that her eyes seemed somewhat hostile.
Did this damned traitor harbor some inexplicable animosity toward him?