And Chen Xiaobei had made it clear earlier that he had long wished to cancel Huang Ying's state funeral. Now, it seemed, he had to trade a dead person for a living one.
With this thought, Xiao An's smile vanished. He stared at Chen Xiaobei. "Chen Xiaobei, retract your earlier words about the acupuncture. Do not proceed with Huang Ying's state funeral. You may leave."
This...
Before Chen Xiaobei could speak, Fang Zheng became agitated. This was a golden opportunity to rescue Liu Runan! Chen Xiaobei's refusal to marry Liu Rumei had jeopardized it. This was not what Lin Laishi had said! He quickly spoke up again.
"Wait a moment, Chen Xiaobei, you cannot leave yet."
"His Majesty the Emperor said just now that if you agreed to one thing, he would release Liu Rumei. You personally pledged that you would do anything, even ascend to the mountain of knives or descend into the sea of fire."
"However, His Majesty has neither asked you to ascend the mountain of knives nor descend into the sea of fire. He merely asked you to marry Liu Rumei, and yet you are dithering. As the saying goes, a gentleman's word is as good as four horses. Your prevarication, is this the conduct of a true gentleman?"
Xiao Jingyun also instantly understood Fang Zheng's intention. They were trying to force Chen Xiaobei's hand. To put it another way, if Chen Xiaobei agreed to his father, he wouldn't be able to go back on his word. This was indeed a good opportunity.
He immediately picked up on Fang Zheng's words and continued, "Minister Chen, since you have agreed to this matter, you cannot go back on your word. As the Prime Minister just said, even if you do not wish for a grand ceremony, as long as Old Marquis Liu Xiangnan consents, a quiet wedding would be acceptable. Rest assured, Your Imperial Father will not be stingy with rewards."
Chen Xiaobei naturally understood Xiao Jingyun's implication. It meant that he should quickly agree. The state funeral would be called off, and the Emperor would not grandly marry off Liu Rumei. They could then quietly take Liu Rumei away and rescue Liu Xiangnan and his family first.
His objective had been largely achieved. As long as things were kept quiet, he could accept both these matters. He could then arrange a peaceful separation with Liu Rumei later, and they could go their separate ways.
"Very well. Since Your Highness the Crown Prince has spoken, I shall agree."
To be honest, Chen Xiaobei turned to look at Xiao An again, then, lifting his robes, knelt down. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting my wish."
Although he couldn't marry Liu Rumei with great fanfare, which would diminish the effect of humiliating Liu Xiangnan, it was still his daughter marrying a mere villager.
As long as this matter spread, his objective would be achieved.
With this thought, Xiao An nodded. "Very well, then it shall be as you wish. After your ritual at the altar concludes, I shall issue a decree for your marriage to Liu Rumei."
Chen Xiaobei kowtowed to express his gratitude and left the palace. As he walked out, he began to ponder. Huang Ying's body had not yet been buried, and he was already accepting the Emperor's arranged marriage. This would likely not sound good when it spread. Therefore, he had to explain certain matters to Shen Ziyan and the others first. This was not his original intention.
Returning to the altar, Chen Xiaobei first explained the situation to Cui Hongyu. After listening, Cui Hongyu frowned.
"His Majesty is most disrespectful. Sister Huang Ying's body has not yet been buried, and you have no intention of marrying?"
"Indeed, I see that too. In truth, His Majesty does not care who marries Liu Rumei. His original intention was to humiliate Liu Xiangnan, to completely bring Liu Xiangnan down from his pedestal. From then on, he would have no place in the army. This way, Xiao Jingyun can thoroughly take control of the army after his enthronement!"
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Cui Hongyu was also helpless. But this was the reality.
It was a reality they could not change. After all, Xiao An was the Emperor.
Xiao An held the power of life and death. If Chen Xiaobei did not agree, Liu Rumei could not be saved.
After a long while, Cui Hongyu let out a long sigh. "So be it. When Sister Ziyan arrives, I will personally explain this matter to her."
They discussed their plans, and in the blink of an eye, the day passed. The next morning, as dawn broke, Chen Xiaobei opened his eyes. He didn't know when he had fallen asleep.
He looked at Cui Hongyu beside him, leaning against him, also half-asleep. Chen Xiaobei felt a pang of heartache. He got up, called for the leader of the Vermilion Bird Gang, and asked them to escort Cui Hongyu back to the inn to rest. He then set off for the altar outside the west gate.
After Cui Hongyu returned yesterday, she had temporarily assigned two people from the Vermilion Bird Gang to guard the place. Truthfully, their presence or absence didn't matter much. As long as the tiger was leashed, it didn't matter if no one was guarding it.
Assigning guards was merely a show of force. Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, the two Vermilion Bird Gang members guarding the altar quickly stood up and paid their respects.
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand. "Alright, you two may go and rest. Another pair will come to relieve you when the sun rises. Just hold out today."
The two men waved their hands. "Chief Chen, please do not be so polite. Our Gang Leader La Duo instructed us to guard here diligently. Do not worry, we only stayed up one night. This is nothing."
Chen Xiaobei knew well that for people like them, who were accustomed to living on the edge, not sleeping for one night, or even two or three consecutive nights, was nothing. They were used to it.
Chen Xiaobei nodded and was about to speak again when he saw a commotion in the distance, with people approaching.
Judging by their attire, they were ordinary commoners. These commoners were gathered by the river, pointing at the water.
It was clear they were discussing the disappearance of the fish schools. Perhaps after seeing the fish schools gathering and swirling for so many days, the sudden calm was something they were not yet accustomed to.
Someone took out fish food from his sleeve and sprinkled it into the water. However, after a long wait, only one or two small fish, less than three inches long, leaped out of the water, then quickly swam away into the distance.
Seeing this, the commoners suddenly became excited. After much gesturing, an older-looking man suddenly took the lead and knelt down with a thud, muttering incantations at the river.
Chen Xiaobei watched this scene and couldn't help but chuckle. He had set up an altar for three days, dealing with this celestial phenomenon, and now they were kneeling by the river? Hadn't his efforts been in vain?
Fortunately, someone finally came to their senses and pointed at the altar not far away, saying loudly, "Thanks to the two immortal maidens performing the ritual, otherwise we would not have this peaceful world we have now."
"Yes, yes, it was the two immortal maidens. We must go and kowtow to the immortal maidens."
As they spoke and chattered, they headed towards the altar. Chen Xiaobei's heart stirred. He suddenly pulled over the two guards beside him, gave them some instructions, then turned and hid in a concealed spot.
The group of commoners soon reached the foot of the altar. Someone stepped forward and said to the soldiers guarding outside, "We wish to kowtow to the two immortal maidens above. Please grant us convenience."
The guarding soldiers looked at the commoners and sighed. "You are too late. The two immortal maidens you speak of have already left. They are not here."