Chapter 117 - 102: All Good Things Are Seized
So be it.
The maiden suppressed her complicated thoughts and soon landed before the Imperial Palace. A new ruler brought a new atmosphere. The Fourth Prince, Su Luoqiu, had poured all his energy into rebuilding order in Upper Jade Capital. In the past six months, he had stabilized the situation remarkably well. Compared to the Second Prince, he had undoubtedly won more of the people’s hearts.
Su Youwan met with Su Luoqiu as the sun began to set.
The Fourth Prince was sitting wearily in his study and was startled to see Su Youwan.
"Elder Sister, why have you returned so suddenly?"
Su Youwan replied nonchalantly, "I was passing by and decided to check in. I see you’ve done a decent job, so that’s good enough."
Su Luoqiu, still a little shaken, could only say, "I’ve just done what needed to be done. The people of Upper Jade Capital should at least be able to get through the winter peacefully and have a good new year."
His words were eloquent, but seeing as he had indeed done a good job, Su Youwan didn’t bother to argue.
As long as the common people were free from worry, the Glazed Dynasty’s rule would remain stable, even with a new Emperor on the throne.
Su Youwan turned to leave. "I’m going back to my own chambers to rest. I’ll depart first thing in the morning."
The Emperor suddenly spoke up. "Elder Sister, do you know where Eldest Brother went?"
The Crown Prince had yet to return, which was a strange affair... though perhaps not so strange. After all, the Fourth Prince, Su Luoqiu, who had originally stood no chance and only gained the throne through luck, would naturally want to grasp the opportunity with both hands.
It hadn’t been long, but a whole batch of court officials had already been replaced. Su Luoqiu’s control over the court was now extremely tight.
Naturally, the Crown Prince wouldn’t dare to return.
The strange thing, however, was that despite Su Luoqiu sending out many people to make inquiries, there was no news of the Crown Prince whatsoever.
Even if he was too afraid to return, there should have been some word of him.
Where he had disappeared, who was the last person to see him—there should have been some explanation for all of it. But the Crown Prince had simply vanished without a trace.
Su Youwan shook her head, in no mood to get involved in her family’s touching tales of brotherly love.
"Don’t bother me with this. I’m going to rest."
Su Luoqiu gave a bitter smile, and then a thought suddenly struck him.
He said, "Elder Sister, when do you plan to marry that Young Master Lu? As your family, even though you probably look down on the things of mortals, we should at least make a proper gesture."
The Silver-haired Maiden, who was just about to leave, paused mid-step.
She turned, a thoughtful look on her face. "What makes you think I intend to marry Young Master Lu?"
Su Luoqiu asked in confusion, "Isn’t it a sure thing? Elder Sister, your personality is exactly the same as his. In my royal... in my opinion, you two should be a perfect match. Could it be that you don’t like him?"
Su Youwan shook her head, then nodded. "I don’t know what liking someone feels like."
Only then did Su Luoqiu remember that his Elder Sister was incredibly unfeeling—more so than someone who had actually taken monastic vows.
"These days, how many couples actually have feelings for each other before marriage? Feelings are something that develops after you’re married."
He had a point.
The decree of one’s parents and the word of a matchmaker were enough to bind two complete strangers together as husband and wife.
Su Luoqiu gave a bitter laugh. "For most people, it’s very difficult to marry someone they like. Besides, even if you fall for someone, who’s to say your heart won’t change? Feelings are the least reliable thing in this world. Liking someone for a year or two is one thing, but how could you possibly keep liking them forever?"
Liking someone is just a temporary phase.
In the end, it all degrades into habit.
And habit is the most terrifying thing in the world.
"Prince Pingyang and his wife had never met before their marriage, and their union is a happy one. You’ve even met Young Master Lu once. Besides, Elder Sister... you’re getting on in years, aren’t you?"
Su Youwan had no memory of anyone named Prince Pingyang.
To a Cultivator, Su Youwan was still just a fledgling, but for a Princess of the Dynasty, she had indeed reached a marriageable age.
Su Youwan’s gaze suddenly turned dangerous. "Fourth Brother?"
"Nothing, nothing," Su Luoqiu said with a sheepish laugh. "I just think you and Young Master Lu make a fine match, Elder Sister."
The maiden’s voice was cold. "Keep those thoughts to yourself."
Su Luoqiu’s intentions were as clear as day. He couldn’t borrow his sister’s power; the Compassionate Palace was transcendental and detached, located far away in the Black Realm. He couldn’t even use her name to intimidate others.
But if Lu Changyuan became his brother-in-law, people would have to show him deference for the sake of his connection. Wouldn’t his position as Emperor be perfectly secure then?
Su Luoqiu had seen with his own eyes when Lu Changyuan cut down Su Wuxiang with a swing of his sword. Having an absurdly powerful brother-in-law offered him nothing but advantages.
Su Youwan’s face was impassive. "You still haven’t explained to me what liking someone feels like."
Su Luoqiu’s expression crumpled.
How was he supposed to know what liking someone felt like?
As a Prince, he barely had time to think about women all day; he was too busy figuring out how to curse his eldest and second brothers to death.
So he gave the most textbook answer he could think of.
"It’s probably when... everyone else seems like an ordinary mortal, but the one person who catches your eye is different. That’s what you call ’liking.’"
The answer was as good as saying nothing at all, yet it was this very answer that sent Su Youwan deep into thought.
After a long moment, this Female Bodhisattva of the Supreme asked an utterly astounding question.
"But what if the person you like already has a wife and concubines?"
Su Luoqiu froze for a moment.
Then, in a tone of utter certainty, he said:
"Take him! The best things in life are taken by force."