I Only Stomp on Weaklings

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

Chen Ming was about to kneel in thanks. The Emperor personally came to assist him, demonstrating such humility. Naturally, he should be perceptive and display the demeanor befitting a courtier.

Halfway through the bow, he found himself unable to complete it.

The elderly eunuch who had been following the Emperor spoke in a sharp voice, "His Majesty has kindly excused you from the bowing ceremony. Henceforth, do not repeat this mistake."

Although it was a reprimand, the tone was not harsh, more like a reminder.

Is this for real?

Chen Ming was somewhat surprised, thinking it was merely for show.

Politicians are all actors; can their words be taken at face value?

"Yes."

He lowered his head and replied.

The Emperor noticed he neither displayed shock nor trembled as though walking on thin ice. His demeanor was calm, and his words were cautious, which made the Emperor all the more fond of him.

Chen Ming felt uneasy under that heated gaze; could His Majesty have a penchant for that sort of thing?

It was his first time being stared at by a man in such a manner. If not for the person in front of him being the Emperor, he would have drawn his sword and cut him down.

The Emperor was unaware of his thoughts; he was currently eager to recruit talent and had encountered such an unparalleled military genius, of course, he must exhibit kindness and benevolence.

"Beloved subject, you achieved first place in this trial. Traditionally, you may request a reward from me—a Divine Skill manual, an Unparalleled Divine Weapon, or if you have someone you love, I can grant you marriage."

His words were not without purpose.

When Gu Xianyu reached the seventh level earlier, he discreetly sent the eunuch to investigate this person’s background and indeed uncovered quite a bit.

Among the findings was Gu Xianyu having once refused a marriage proposal, likely because he had someone he cared for.

The Emperor intended to use this opportunity to facilitate a union, assuming this unparalleled military talent would feel grateful.

At that moment, Chen Ming suddenly recalled the Eldest Princess’s proposal and hesitated.

Honestly, he hadn’t considered winning first place; that would attract too much attention. Taking third place seemed adequate, enough to satisfy the Gu Family.

Once the Gu Family’s surveillance relaxed, he planned to immediately break through to First Grade and leave quietly. He’d alter his appearance so the Gu Family would never find him again.

However, plans cannot keep pace with change.

Who could foresee encountering so many events during the trial, allowing him to be escorted all the way and clear it directly?

This attention was somewhat excessive; the Emperor personally came to assist him, gazing at him as if looking at a priceless treasure.

At this moment, in front of such renowned and powerful figures, telling His Majesty that he and his unwed concubine had already held a private ceremony—who knows how the Emperor would react?

The newly favored talent had made him a cuckold?

For an Emperor, such an insult might be intolerable, possibly prompting anger and secret retribution.

Chen Ming refused to commit such an offense.

This matter didn’t require him to reveal it. Surely, after the banquet, someone close to the Emperor would advise him on it.

Chen Ming pondered, forming an idea in his mind, "Your Majesty, I’ve always enjoyed sparring with others—"

Before he could say ’sparring,’ a voice interrupted him, "I have a matter to present to Your Majesty."

Is it Xia Shaowen?

Chen Ming immediately recognized the voice, feeling tense as he turned his head. Indeed, he saw Xia Shaowen rise and salute in this direction.

Damn it!

He already guessed what this opportunistic father-in-law was about to say.

The Emperor also turned to look at the speaker, seemingly tilting his ear to listen, smiling and saying, "Oh, it’s Gang Master Xia. By rights, I should call you uncle. No need for formalities; whatever the matter, wait until this is concluded before speaking."

Xia Shaowen said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, the matter I wish to discuss concerns this Gu Qi fellow."

"Oh?"

The Emperor glanced at Chen Ming, saying, "If that’s the case, proceed."

Chen Ming couldn’t help but want to cover his face; this Emperor truly lacked even basic vigilance.

At least, wait until everyone left, and address it privately.

Now, among the numerous courtiers present, who knows how many are waiting for a spectacle?

Xia Shaowen intended to escalate the matter, so without reservation, he loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty, concerning my daughter—"

"Cough, cough!"

At this key moment, two faint coughs came from behind the curtain of the dragon throne.

Instantly, the room became silent.

All courtiers looked behind the curtain and lowered their heads.

Xia Shaowen also swallowed his words.

The power of the person behind the curtain was evident.

A woman’s voice resounded, "Emperor, it’s getting late. Let’s conclude today’s banquet here. Let the ministers and nobility return home to rest. I am fatigued; we’ll discuss matters after everyone has left."

"I obey the Empress Dowager’s wish."

The Emperor respectfully replied, courteously seeing the Empress Dowager out.

Then, the elder eunuch at his side announced the end of today’s banquet, stating that the trial rewards and edicts would soon be delivered to their residences.

...

Chen Ming never expected that the one who would help the Emperor out of the predicament would actually be the Empress Dowager.

This was different from the rumors.

It was said that at the court, the Emperor’s faction and the Empress Dowager’s faction fought fiercely, almost to the point of life and death. Yet, at this moment, the Empress Dowager not only refrained from trampling the Emperor, but actively sought to protect his dignity.

At least from the surface, these two indeed appeared to be a loving mother and filial son.

One must say, this Empress Dowager indeed had an extraordinary breadth of mind; political struggle was political struggle, yet she maintained the royal family’s dignity.

After all, if the matter was revealed publicly, it wouldn’t only embarrass the Emperor, but the entire Great Jin royal family would likewise lose face.

In the end, only the Emperor, Chen Ming, and the Xia Shaowen family remained in the grand hall.

Even the Eldest Princess had left.

When she left, there was clearly some regret on her face.

Chen Ming noticed it and thought, rumors were really unreliable; the Emperor’s own sister should have shared the same heart, yet hoped for her brother’s embarrassment.

Instead, it was his stepmother, an apparent enemy, who helped him.

Even if the Emperor were somewhat slow-witted, he had sensed something by now; his expression was no longer as relaxed as before, becoming much more serious, "Gang Master Xia, if you have matters, you may speak now."

Xia Shaowen said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, my daughter had already married Gu Family’s Seventh Son several months ago. Therefore, I beseech Your Majesty to make a decision for my daughter and grant them marriage!"

The Emperor’s face twitched violently, his hand slightly trembling under his sleeve; even though he was mentally prepared, this news still hit him with a massive impact.

The concubine he was about to wed had actually married someone else?

And the person she married was the unparalleled general he had just favored, whom he planned to cultivate and employ to resolve future northern border turmoil as a key minister?

The others all watched the reactions of this supreme man of Great Jin.

Madam Xia was deeply anxious, tightly holding her daughter’s hand.

At this moment, Xia Mudan had no thoughts; she just dumbfoundedly stared at Chen Ming. She had once thought she would never see him again in her life.

Unexpectedly, fortunes turned, and there was a new opportunity.

Facing the moment, she was not afraid; at worst, it was just death. On the road to the underworld, with her parents and him together, what was there to fear?

Xia Shaowen was the most assured as he understood men, he was gambling whether, for a monarch of a nation, a princess’s granddaughter mattered more or an unparalleled general mattered more?

Chen Ming was thinking, in case the Emperor turns hostile, how to escape?

He wasn’t worried that the Emperor would immediately drag them out and execute them; this Emperor had some dignity, at most he’d wait until the storm passed and make him disappear quietly...

"There’s such a matter?"

The Emperor tried hard to remain calm, yet his slightly trembling voice betrayed him, showing his extreme emotional unrest, "Why did no one inform me?"

His voice was somewhat chilly; at this moment, he finally had the demeanor of a supreme sovereign.

"It was this servant’s neglect, please Your Majesty punish me!"

Behind him, the old eunuch knelt down, prostrating himself, not daring to argue.

The Emperor was so furious he wished he could flay him.

This matter, this close attendant undoubtedly knew and yet hid it from him. Nearly today his face would have been utterly humiliated before all the courtiers.

No—

The Emperor realized his dignity was already lost; even if they weren’t present, would they be unaware of this matter?

In the eyes of those ministers, he had probably already become a laughingstock.

Thinking of this, the Emperor felt dizzy, his rage so intense that he fainted.

"Your Majesty!"

The old eunuch, with agility unjustified by his age, caught the Emperor and shrieked, "Quick, summon the imperial physician!"

Then, carrying the Emperor, he vanished from sight.

This left Chen Ming and the Xia Shaowen family standing in the vast hall, looking at each other.

No way, did he really just faint?

This mental fortitude was truly poor.

For a moment, Chen Ming didn’t know what to say.

Then he thought, it might also be an act, since he hadn’t yet decided how to deal with the matter, he might as well feign unconsciousness.

That’s really hard to judge.

The Emperor might be wearing some artifact that blocks Divine Sense, making it impossible to assess his physical condition.

Moreover, using Divine Sense to probe the Emperor is itself a hugely disrespectful act.

Chen Ming looked at Xia Shaowen and said, "Gang Master Xia, isn’t this move too risky?"

Xia Shaowen said softly, "Seventh Son, the ruler’s mind is hard to fathom. If we don’t bring this matter to light during this opportunity, who knows whether His Majesty would develop other thoughts. Such as pretending ignorance, first welcoming Yan’er into the palace, using her to control you?"

Damn!

Chen Ming, startled by his analysis, was slightly shocked.

It’s not to say it’s impossible.

Emperors, these creatures, it is not strange what kind of things they might do; it is the art of the Emperor’s heart, with no regard for human feeling.

An old ginger is spicier.

Xia Shaowen made things clear, leaving no room for the Emperor to play dumb.