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墨書 Inktalez
"Oh? Can you tell me who your savior is?"
Emperor Jing smiled as he looked at the woman kneeling before him, his curiosity piqued. It seemed he had completely forgotten about Pei Zhiqing saving the two young ladies yesterday, intentionally posing the question to draw out a name.
Gu Qingning slowly raised her head, glancing at Pei Zhirui beside her, who looked pale and as if he might collapse with a gust of wind. She closed her eyes briefly and spoke with difficulty.
"Is what His Highness the Ninth Prince said yesterday still valid?"
Instantly, all eyes in the imperial study turned toward the frail Pei Zhiqing, filled with a mix of surprise, anger, confusion, and joy.
"Of course it is valid."
This young girl had just declared her unwillingness to marry into the royal family, yet now she was pulling him out as a shield. If this girl was destined to be his Ninth Princess, then he could not fall behind; he certainly had to lend her a hand.
"Ninth Brother, what is going on here?"
Pei Zhirui was taken aback, his face shifting colors like ash in a pot. He couldn't lose his temper in front of their father and could only suppress his jealousy as he asked straightforwardly.
"Yesterday, I went up the mountain to pay respects to our mother and happened to encounter the Gu sisters who nearly fell off a cliff. I lent a hand to save them. The young lady from the Gu family is grateful for my help and wishes to repay me with her hand in marriage; I merely accepted it reluctantly."
Pei Zhiqing's lips curled slightly as he explained to everyone.
"The Ninth Prince is of noble birth and lacks for nothing; I have no way to repay him."
Since this man shamelessly wanted her to offer herself in return, she saw no reason to hold back. Seizing this opportunity, she proposed a marriage alliance to avoid further complications.
"Hahaha!" Emperor Jing laughed heartily three times and loudly praised Gu Changqing. "Gu Aiqing, you have a daughter! Since these two children are so fated, why not fulfill their wishes?"
"Yes."
Gu Changqing, completely bewildered, had never anticipated that things would unfold in such an unexpected manner, far beyond his expectations. Faced with the Emperor's inquiry, he could only nod in agreement in a daze.
Seated above Pei Zhiqing, Pei Zhirui gritted his teeth in hatred. A vicious glare flashed across his eyes; he never imagined that their trip to Foguang Temple would lead to such an outcome.
If he had known this would happen, he should have prevented Gu Changqing from finding an excuse to refuse the marriage proposal that day, which led to today's situation.
Now, seeing their father's attitude, any further objections would be futile. If he opposed now, it would surely invite their father's reprimand and make him think that he wanted to curry favor with Gu Changqing and win over the officials. It would be better to let it go for now.
Both children agreed, and I immediately instructed the Astronomical Bureau to calculate an auspicious date for their marriage, which would also relieve me of a lingering concern.
The delighted Emperor Jing did not notice Pei Zhirui; after allowing the kneeling Gu Qingning to rise, he promptly sent Eunuch Xu with his imperial edict to the Astronomical Bureau.
"Thank you, Father Emperor, for your support."
Seeing that the goal had been achieved, Pei Zhiqing did not wish to linger in the Imperial Study any longer. Citing her discomfort, she took her leave.
As Pei Zhiqing stepped out, Gu Changqing and his daughter also bid farewell to the Emperor.
Stepping out of the Imperial Study and watching Pei Zhiqing's slender figure fade into the distance, Gu Qingning stood still for a long time, lost in thought.
Gu Changqing silently accompanied his daughter, watching that gradually disappearing silhouette, and sighed softly.
"Qing'er, are you truly certain you want to marry His Highness the Ninth? He has been foretold not to live long; he is already of age. I worry that if you—"
The rest of Gu Changqing's words remained unspoken, but Gu Qingning understood what her father wanted to say.
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