Chapter 143: "I Cannot Decree a Marriage.
Beyond the food and drink, the most anticipated part of the victory banquet was, of course, the bestowment of rewards for meritorious service.
Every meritorious deed was recorded in a ledger. While rewards for common soldiers could be decided with the signatures of Li Wei and the Ministry of War, those honored at the victory banquet were individuals who had accomplished great feats and were due for promotion in rank and title.
The list of merits was verified by Li Wei, sent to the Ministry of War to determine suitable promotions, and then presented to the Emperor for the imperial seal.
For those present, the rewards were announced on the spot. For those who couldn’t attend, the Ministry of War would dispatch someone to deliver the news to the border.
Two individuals among them stood out. The first was Marquis Pingchuan. Many didn’t know what he had done, yet he had somehow landed a seat at the table reserved for those with meritorious achievements.
Marquis Pingchuan: ’Heh, how embarrassing for a guy like me to be at this table. My apologies, my apologies.’
Marquis Pingchuan had only been responsible for transporting supplies. As for his reward, he was merely given some gold and silver, along with a pair of precious porcelain vases. However, as a Marquis, he was already entitled to a seat here.
Though it was only money, Marquis Pingchuan was quite satisfied. ’Just tell me, did I contribute or not?!’
With his son and daughter both present, his appearance here as their father hadn’t brought any shame upon them.
The other person was Ye Shao, the grandson of Duke Liang. Everyone had assumed he was just there to coast and collect military honors, yet his name appeared on page after page of the merit registry.
Had it been any other general, people would have suspected them of currying favor with Ye Shao out of fear of the Duke Liang Mansion’s influence. But this was Li Wei.
Li Wei was famous for his uncompromising integrity, despising evil as if it were his mortal enemy. Furthermore, with the Emperor’s backing—having brought down so many powerful families—why would he fear the powerless Duke Liang Mansion?
Besides, the moment Ye Shao stood up, everyone could sense the aura about him—he was a man truly baptized in the blood of the battlefield.
Li Wei didn’t hold back his admiration for Ye Shao. "From the moment he reached the battlefield, he volunteered for the vanguard. He charged at the forefront of every battle, displaying peerless valor. There is not a single exaggeration in the records of his achievements."
Ye Shao stepped forward to express his gratitude but did not immediately rise. "Your Majesty, this subject boldly requests an imperial edict for a marriage."
He had finally revealed his true purpose. And the person he wished to marry was known to all.
Xiao Yang wasn’t surprised. Her gaze slowly drifted over to Song Qingyi. The younger woman seemed to sense what was coming; she grew flustered and shot Xiao Yang a helpless, pleading look.
Xiao Yang withdrew her gaze. "I cannot grant this marriage."
Ye Shao looked up. "Why, Your Majesty?"
His eyes held the wariness and suspicion one would show a rival in love.
The Emperor was clearly a woman, yet his sense of being threatened wasn’t diminished in the slightest.
Xiao Yang found his reaction amusing. "You don’t seem very confident, General Ye."
She toyed with an empty wine cup. "Family background, appearance, ability... you lack none of them. If you like a girl, just go and court her openly. Why resort to using an imperial edict to force her hand?"
Ye Shao pressed his lips together. The Emperor’s words weren’t malicious, but they weren’t complimentary either. It felt as if she was looking down on him.
"I only wished to use my military achievements to properly and honorably ask for her hand."
Xiao Yang stated it plainly, "That’s not asking for her hand. That’s coercion."
Xiao Yang continued, "If you want me to grant a marriage, go confess your feelings yourself. When the young lady agrees, come before me together. I will naturally bless two people in love."
Ye Shao was left speechless, and then had to endure her teasing. "If you don’t know how to court a lady, you could ask me to teach you."
Ye Shao: "..."
’I refuse to admit I’ve lost to a woman like her.’
"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Majesty, but I can handle it myself."
Ye Shao ground out the words through clenched teeth. Being publicly mocked by the Emperor for not knowing how to court a woman was more than a little humiliating.
"How pathetic."
Hearing this, Song Qingyi whipped her head around. "Who are you talking about?"
Xie Liuzheng said, "Ye Shao, of course. He’s walked right into the Emperor’s clutches. He doesn’t stand a chance of turning this around."
’A simple-minded fool like him—excellent in every other way, but completely love-struck—is putty in the Emperor’s hands. It’s as easy as shaping dough.’
Xie Liuzheng cupped her face in her hands, a mischievous grin identical to the Emperor’s spreading across her lips. "I wonder who this girl he likes is. Oh, but this is going to be a great show."
She leaned toward Song Qingyi, her face alight with gossip. "You two are close. Do you know who he likes?"
Song Qingyi was visibly uncomfortable. "I... I’m not really sure..."
Xie Liuzheng remarked, "He’s kept it well under wraps, then."
Seeing how nervous Song Qingyi was, Xie Liuzheng "comforted" her, "Relax, it’s definitely not you. If it were, why would he have waited this long to confess?"
Song Qingyi’s expression soured. She forced a strained smile.
The system asked, confused, "Host, what are you doing?"
"That Ye Shao is the devoted second male lead! He’s supposed to be in love with the female protagonist. How could he like someone else?"
Xie Liuzheng replied with a look of profound wisdom, ’Love needs a little push. A simp can’t get their master’s attention just by fawning endlessly. It’s only when the master thinks their simp might start fawning over someone else that the fear of loss kicks in. That fear sparks possessiveness, and boom—that’s when love blossoms.’
System: "That’s a load of twisted logic."
Xie Liuzheng was smug. ’Hey, as long as it works. The second male lead needs to hurry up and sweep the heroine off her feet. Then the Emperor will be all mine.’
After a long pause, the system spat out one word: "Simp!"
-----
The music and dancing had begun, and Fang Ran grew anxious. "General, why... why wasn’t your name called?"
The Emperor had rewarded everyone else, but Li Wei’s name was conspicuously absent.
’Li Wei’s achievements were so immense. Could the Emperor have overlooked them?’
Li Wei wasn’t the least bit anxious. ’My accomplishments are clear for all to see. She might shortchange someone else, but never me.’
"Her Majesty likely has other plans. We’ll find out during morning court tomorrow."
Fang Ran glanced in Ye Shao’s direction, then turned back to Li Wei, her expression apprehensive. "General Li, what kind of person do you think I am?"
Li Wei was looking toward the Emperor and almost didn’t catch what she said.
"You are a woman of noble character, Miss Fang."
His compliment sounded a little stiff, and Fang Ran could tell. But it was a compliment nonetheless, which proved he didn’t dislike her.
After much hesitation, she finally spoke. "I am all alone in this world, with no family left. Even if Her Majesty were to name me a Commandery Princess, I would struggle to find my footing in the Capital City. I wish to serve by your side, General. I implore you to take pity on me."
This time, Li Wei heard her clearly. He’d had his share of women fawning over him, so he was able to face the situation with composure.
"Don’t be foolish. Her Majesty will surely see you are well cared for. The Capital is full of talented young men; you can take your pick."
"But none of them are you."
Fang Ran’s eyes filled with emotion. "When I was about to meet a terrible fate, you were the one who broke through the city gates and saved me. You’ve looked after me so well on our journey. I... I’ve long since set my heart on you..."
Li Wei frowned, his rejection cold. "I do not have those kinds of feelings for you. Marriage is not something to be trifled with."
But Fang Ran was prepared. "My family’s bones are not yet cold; they all sacrificed themselves for the nation. Now, I am left destitute and alone. Can you truly bear to watch me suffer humiliation in this world, General?"
With that, she rose to her feet, her expression one of grim determination. "Your Majesty!"
As the Emperor’s gaze fell upon her, she curtsied slightly. "General Li has asked to marry me, and I have accepted."