dognovel Chapter 288 Resistance
Chapter 288 Resistance
In the spring of Cangling Kingdom, the sunlight poured down on the majestic palace without reservation, and the glazed tiles shimmered with dazzling light.
Inside the imperial study, flowers bloomed in abundance, but Cui Zhihao's mind was not on the beautiful scenery at all.
He was dressed in a plain-colored robe and stood tall and straight, yet he seemed out of place in this magnificent palace.
Choi Ji-ho was born into the Choi clan of Qinghe, which should have been an unparalleled honor, but now it has become a shackle for him.
The rise and fall of his family weighed heavily on his heart like a boulder.
Although he resolutely broke away from the family genealogy according to His Majesty's decree, thinking he could find freedom, he did not expect that the Cui family blood flowing in his veins would still be a thorn in His Majesty Shen Yuxi's heart.
Miss Shi, though an ordinary woman, was literate and had unique insights into poetry, literature, and classical texts. Her erudition amazed Cui Zhihao.
However, his identity still made His Majesty somewhat hesitant, and he even considered recruiting him. First, he bestowed countless rewards upon him, and then he proposed to arrange a marriage for him with a princess from the court.
Cui Zhihao understood that this arranged marriage was merely a tactic employed by His Majesty to firmly control him.
Although he has left the family, the Cui family's influence remains. His Majesty is wary of him, yet does not want to let go of this useful talent.
"Your Majesty, I understand Your Majesty's good intentions, but I have someone I love, and I fear that this would be unfair to the princess."
Cui Zhihao knelt on the main hall of the imperial study, his voice steady yet firm.
He raised his head and looked directly at Shen Yuxi on the dragon throne with a calm gaze.
Shen Yuxi frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. "Oh? You have someone you love? I'd like to hear which family's daughter has caught your eye."
Cui Zhihao took a deep breath and slowly said, "Miss Shi is not a citizen of my Cangling Kingdom. She is an ordinary woman who can read and write and is very knowledgeable. Her country must be much stronger than my Cangling Kingdom."
"I think we shouldn't interfere too much with Miss Shi's thoughts. If it backfires and Miss Shi leaves Cangling and returns to her homeland, wouldn't that be a great loss for Cangling?"
Shen Yuxi's face grew increasingly gloomy. He clenched his fists, his heart filled with apprehension towards the mysterious and powerful country behind Miss Shi.
"Hmph, so what? This is my Cangling territory, and my words are imperial edicts."
Cui Zhihao's heart tightened. He knew that His Majesty was already angry, but he did not regret saying those words.
He didn't want Miss Shi to get involved in the complicated court intrigues. She was simple-minded and not suited to living in the inner quarters and facing all the scheming and intrigue every day.
He didn't want her to be in danger because of him.
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that Your Majesty rescind your decree."
Choi Ji-ho kowtowed heavily again, his forehead hitting the ground with a dull thud.
He knew in his heart that disobeying the imperial decree might lead to utter ruin, but he had no other choice.
Shen Yuxi suddenly stood up and kicked over the table next to him, scattering the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone all over the floor.
"Choi Ji-ho, how dare you! Do you think that just because you've been removed from the Choi family genealogy, I can't do anything to you?"
Choi Ji-ho remained kneeling on the ground, his posture upright, showing no sign of backing down.
"Your Majesty, both thunder and rain are acts of divine grace. I am now alone and fear no punishment. I only beg Your Majesty to spare Miss Shi."
The atmosphere in the imperial study was tense. Shen Yuxi glared angrily, extremely annoyed by Cui Zhihao's defiance of the imperial decree.
However, he had to admit that his protection of Miss Shi made him more wary of Shi Wanxia.
He slowly sat down on the dragon throne, pondered for a moment, and said coldly, "Cui Zhihao, you may go back now. I will consider this matter further."
Cui Zhihao felt relieved. He knew that although His Majesty had not agreed, he had not pressed him any further for the time being.
He bowed respectfully and slowly withdrew from the imperial study.
Stepping out of the palace, Choi Ji-ho gazed at the sky, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He knew that this battle with His Majesty had only just begun. And the future of him and Miss Shi remained fraught with uncertainty and danger.
But as long as he can protect her, he will never back down, no matter how thorny the road ahead may be.
Back home, Choi Ji-ho went straight to the small pavilion in the backyard.
Miss Shi was already waiting there. When she saw him return, she quickly went to greet him.
"Brother Cui, did your meeting with His Majesty go smoothly?" Her eyes were full of worry.
Choi Ji-ho forced a smile. "Don't worry, it's just a small matter."
He didn't want Miss Shi to worry about him; he wanted to bear the infighting and dangers in the court alone.
Miss Shi seemed to see through his thoughts, and gently took his hand, saying, "Cui Zhihao, there's no need for us to hide anything from each other. If there are any difficulties, we'll face them together."
Cui Zhihao felt a warmth in his heart. Looking at the gentle yet determined woman in front of him, he secretly vowed that no matter what, he would protect her.
In the courtyard of the Prince of Xiang's mansion, a gentle breeze blew, and the copper bells under the eaves rang out with a clear sound.
Shen Yanchu stood with his hands behind his back, his posture upright, his face cold and stern, exuding an innate air of nobility.
Mu Yin stood respectfully to the side and reported in detail the news from the palace that Cui Zhihao had refused the marriage proposal.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yanchu's brows furrowed instantly, and a barely perceptible ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.
He never expected that His Majesty Shen Yuxi was so wary of Cui Zhihao that he even came up with the idea of bestowing a marriage upon him to win him over and keep him in check.
What infuriated him even more was that Cui Zhihao actually refused the arranged marriage, and the reason was likely because of Miss Shi.
"What a joke!" Shen Yanchu sneered inwardly. "Miss Shi is someone I've set my sights on. How dare Cui Zhihao covet her? He's courting death!"
At this moment, a bold idea quietly sprouted in Shen Yanchu's mind.
Since His Majesty also admires Miss Shi, and as a member of the royal family, why not take this opportunity to ask His Majesty to bestow a marriage upon me, making Shi Wanxia my concubine?
In this way, he could both put an end to Cui Zhihao's hopes and satisfy his own desires, while also using this opportunity to show his loyalty to the Emperor—a win-win situation.
The more Shen Yanchu thought about it, the more feasible the plan seemed. He was so excited that he couldn't contain himself and ordered his steward to prepare a carriage. He decided to go to the palace to meet the emperor immediately.
Inside the palace, in the imperial study, Shen Yuxi was engrossed in a mountain of memorials.
Yu Heng tiptoed in, his face beaming with smiles, and respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Xiang requests an audience!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuxi's previously calm expression instantly changed, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
What was Shen Yanchu doing here at this time? He had always known that his nephew was somewhat willful, but he was relatively cautious in matters of the court. This sudden request for an audience was truly strange.
However, Shen Yuxi still doted on this nephew quite a bit, and after a moment's thought, he quickly asked Yu Heng to bring him in.
Shen Yanchu strode into the imperial study. Upon seeing Shen Yuxi, he immediately bowed respectfully and said in a loud voice, "Your subject greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well!"
Shen Yuxi smiled broadly and gestured for him to stand up: "Zhizhou, no need for formalities. What brings you to the palace today?"
Shen Yanchu did not rise. Instead, he looked somewhat nervous and took a deep breath before speaking: "Your Majesty, I have come here today with a request. I hope Your Majesty will bestow upon me Miss Shi Wanxia as a concubine!"