Chapter 101: Breaking the Promise of Marriage Part 1
“Hahahaha! Brother Lin, congratulations! My son and I hurriedly came here, so we were not able to prepare any gifts, please don’t take offense.” Ye Wei said as he approached. He cupped his fist into the other hand with an incomparably sincere smile. Ye Wuchen, who also had a face full of smiles, approached Lin Zhan and humbly gave his courtesy.
“Hahahaha!” Lin Zhan similarly laughed openly, “What are you talking about, brother Ye? I’m already very glad that you are able to attend. No offense was taken. Please, come inside.”
If they were not known for opposing each other with equal harshness, everyone would have thought them close friends. As expected of big families, even their skills in pretending were outstanding. Though, from their laughter, it was definitely faked.
“General Ye and there’s… Young Master Ye. Please come in.” Lin Xiao greeted in a refined and courteous manner. But when he mentioned the “Young Master Ye”, his voice sounded noticably strange. Under exquisite adornment, Lin Xiao was as handsome as a jade tree, anywhere he stood he surely attracted the attention of a lot of women.
“What a perfectly attractive young man.” Ye Wuchen gave Lin Xiao a compliment that was once a word of praise that he himself had been called.
“Master Lin, congratulations. Hoho, congratulations!” Ye Wuchen lowered his intonation on purpose, and laughed a bit strangely.
Master Lin’s heart suddenly jumped, and at the same time, he became even more worried. Forcing a smile, he avoided Ye Wuchen’s gaze as he walked to the front hall. What a nobleman feared the most was a “nasty person” who would rob them of someone they cherished the most by using even the foulest of means. The saying that “a nobleman would not take away other person’s love”, if reversed, would imply that not being a nobleman meant that one would take away another’s love”. Or rather, someone who would steal another person’s love was definitely not a nobleman.
Ye Wei and Ye Wuchen took their seats with some guests who were dressed as scholars. These highly respected elders showed off their modest attitudes and consulted with Ye Wuchen about literature and painting ideas. One by one, they turned towards Ye Wei to exclaim in admiration, saying that for the Ye Family to have produced such an outstanding genius showed that he heavens cared deeply for the Ye Family. Most of them were fathers who were being pressured by their daughters to shamelessly approach him in order to market their daughters.
The one that had left a strong impression on him was the one who nearly knelt down before him—General Zhuge. Zhuge Wuyi was once a subordinate of General Ye Nu. He was personally led by Ye Nu before so his most respected person was naturally Ye Nu. He had a high prestigious name among the military troops. His daughter’s name was Zhuge Xiaoyu. Based on his words and sullen face, his daughter had publicly announced that she would marry no other man aside from Ye Wuchen. Whenever he was home, she would use the highest decibel her voice would go to continuously pressure him to go and propose marriage. Even though the Ye Family had already sent word to turn down her request gracefully, she still refused to give up. General Zhuge was having a hard bearing this hardship and was thereby speechless. Furthermore, Zhuge Xiaoyu had also proclaimed that she would personally go visit the Ye residence after a few days.
A love-struck fool… this was a widespread occurrence common among female living things throughout the entire world. Ye Wuchen’s face was full of objections. Such kinds of love-struck fools were “chasing after the stars” and their behavior would gradually diminish as time passed and if they were to continuously meet with cold waters.
Though, he would quickly realize that he had underestimated the level of Zhuge Xiaoyu’s persistence. It was as if he could gain a goddess of military troops who could kill thousands with just a single snap of her fingers; everywhere she went, enemy troops would be terror-stricken at the news of her presence.
Zhuge Xiaoyu would be in her chambers. Like many other youthful women, she would be overcome with boredom while drawing the figure of her prince charming. Her painting skills were probably miserable…….
“His Imperial Majesty has arrived! The Empress has arrived!”
The announcement surprised the entire room. The people in the hall stood up one after another, leaving their seats to proceed to the center of the hall to welcome the Emperor. When Long Yin led a dignified and beautiful woman dressed in a phoenix suit, the people in the hall immediately knelt down and roared, “Long live His Majesty the Emperor. Long live the Empress.”
Inside the very wide guest hall, only Ye Wuchen remained standing. He only slightly bent his waist towards the direction of Long Yin and saluted, like a crane in a flock of chickens, obviously standing out from the crowd.
The middle aged woman beside Long Yin automatically saw him, a surprised look and glamour had flashed through her eyes. The personality traits and imposing manner that this person displayed indistinctly surpassed her nephew, Lin Xiao. He remained calm under the current situation, causing her to disregard his actions. Although she had never met Ye Wuchen, how could she not have heard the rumors about him? She made a rough guess of the situation then shouted angrily, “How dare you? Seeing His Majesty and I arrive but you do not kneel!”
Ye Wuchen naturally knew the person’s identity…… Empress Lin Xiu, Lin Kuang’s daughter, and Lin Zhan’s younger sister.
Ye Wuchen smiled and answered, “Ye Wuchen greets the Empress. My teacher has instructed so. Please forgive me for not kneeling to welcome you. His Majesty has already granted me exemption from kowtowing.”
“Hoho! Empress, this is the bubbling Wuchen of the Ye Family that every person in the palace is talking about. He is our Tian Long Nation’s so-called number one outstanding talent and number one gifted scholar. I have given him special permission of not needing to kowtow to anybody.” Long Yin said nodding. Lifting his hand, he smiled and said, “You may all rise, I’ve come here today because of the marriage between the Lin and the Hua families, don’t be too courteous.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” they rose and tidily returned to their seats. Lin Xiu stole a few glances at Ye Wuchen, but said nothing further.
Lin Zhan stepped forward to bow and said, “We, the Lin Family are overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s favor to specifically visit our place to personally attend to my son’s affairs. Please be seated, Your Majesty. My father is, by chance, ill today and is not allowed to leave his bed. We beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Lin Xiao also stepped forward and said, “We are indebted to Your Majesty’s favor, Lin Xiao will be eternally grateful to your grace.”
Long Yin chuckled, “Your marriage was personally matched by me, I certainly cannot miss your engagement day.” He glanced at the surroundings and knitted his brows. “Oh? General Hua is still not present?”
“Your Majesty! This old man Hua has arrived!”
Long Yin had just dropped his voice when a very loud roar echoed from the outside hall, vibrating through the roof and causing dirt to pepper down. Even if Hua Zhentian had not announced himself, all of them would know the owner of the voice.
Hua Zhentian strode forward with his head up high and a high-spirited face. He fell on his knees, and roared, “Old Hua salutes Your Majesty and the Empress with a kowtow!”
“Please rise General Hua! Oh? Your daughter didn’t come with you?” Long Yin said.
Hua Zhentian stood up to reply, “Reporting to Your Majesty, my daughter has a natural disposition of fearing people. She is still outside, unwilling to come in.”
“Hahahaha!” Long Yin laughed heartily, “I had heard about your daughter’s character. But today is different, on her engagement day she must come see her husband. I feel so happy today, I will personally invite her in, hahahaha.”
After a few laughs, Long Yin seriously began to walk out.
Personally invite? They could hardly believe their ears. Before they could react in amazement, a roar resounded in their ears, “Your Majesty please halt your steps. Old man Hua…… your servant has something to say!”
Upon his remarks, Lin Xiao and Lin Kuang’s heart suddenly tensed.
“Oh? General Hua, there is no harm in expressing your thoughts.” Long Yin turned with a smile on his face. Clearly manifesting his good mood.
“Your servant will say it now. The reason I brought my daughter is not for the engagement, but instead in hopes that Your Majesty and the Lin Family can cancel the marriage.” Hua Zhentian’s expression did not change.
The entire hall immediately went silent as everyone held their breaths. This was really happening; the rumors were real…… But, easier said, would the Emperor and the Lin family really cancel the agreement? And how did the Hua Family come to this decision?
Some glances were aimed at Ye Wuchen, yet they found his face was undisturbed, and his posture was unconcerned.
The smile on Long Yin’s face had completely disappeared, as well as Lin Xiu’s beside him. Long Yin said with knitted brows, “General Hua, what did you say? Say it once more!”
“I’m requesting Your Majesty and the Lin Family to cancel this marriage agreement which had been set years ago!” Hua Zhentian said resolutely and decisively.
“Give me a reason!” Long Yin’s facial color grew darker and darker.
“The person my daughter loves is not the son of the Lin Family. I cannot go against my will and marry my daughter to someone she doesn’t like!” Hua Zhentian said.
Long Yin was so angry, but instead he laughed, “This is your reason? This marriage was an agreement between your daughter and Lin Xiao personally matched and witnessed by me years ago. If you intended to back out, why did you agree that time? I always admired your attitude of keeping your words, and doing everything that you have promised. If it is as you say, then that makes me feel so disappointed! A ruler cannot go back on his word, everything that I have agreed cannot be taken back. If you want me to cancel this marriage agreement, what will happen to my reputation? How about the reputation of the Lin Family?
Lin Xiu also said in an angry voice, “General Hua, my nephew is publicly regarded as the dragon among the people. His admirers are countless, in what way is he not a match for your daughter? How could you, Hua Zhentian, break the promise of marriage? How can your words be fair to His Majesty and Lin Xiao?”
Hua Zhentian lowered his head and said, “I certainly know that I was in the wrong, but only Your Majesty can cancel the marriage agreement. I’m willing to receive any punishment. Please grant my request, Your Majesty!”
Lin Zhan’s whole body trembled, and he rigidly ground his teeth to restrain himself. Since Long Yin was present, his only option was to seal his lips. The Lin Family had deliberately spread news of the engagement to all the people. Based on today’s outcome, they might be better off beating their heads with a rod.
“Then I’ll ask you which family’s young master does your daughter fancy!?” Lin Xiu asked in a heavy voice.
“It’s the son of the Ye Family!” Hua Zhentian said bluntly, “They have an affinity with each other. Although I really feel ashamed facing Your Majesty and the Lin Family, I only have one daughter. I really cannot bear to separate the two of them. So…”
“Then you have the heart to make me become someone who breaks promises?” Long Yin asked angrily.
“No! I really don’t have such intention. It’s all because of me, and the one who breaks promises is me alone. Please grant us this favor Your Majesty. I will be deeply grateful and forever remember your grace!”
“No need to say anything further.” Long Yin fiercely waved his hand, his tone slowed, “Ye Wuchen is indeed outstanding. An extremely rare talent throughout the world. It is quite normal for her to fall in love with him. This matter is the fault of your daughter. She already knows that she is committed yet she falls for another, this is simply a big mistake. If the marriage agreement is to be cancelled, then her reputation will surely be ruined! My own reputation will surely be ruined! You, Hua Zhentian, your reputation will be ruined. The Lin Family will be humiliated because of this. I will never agree!”
“Your servant… is requesting Your Majesty’s favor!” with a plop, Hua Zhentian kneels before Long Yin, his voice was still as clear as iron, and without the slightest degree of wavering.
“You!” Long Yin pointed at him angrily, so angry that he had become speechless.
Translated by: Fatty_Uncle
Edited by: seriouspotato and patrick_father_of_dragons