No title, no marriage? Do you think I'm some kind of lapdog?

"You...you..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingyue's face instantly turned ashen.

"I want you..."

Little did she know that before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Eunuch Gui, who rushed over in a hurry:

"Oh, my young master, you've finally arrived! Please come with us!"

He wiped his sweat and continued.

"Don't keep His Majesty waiting!"

"Otherwise, even ten heads wouldn't be enough to chop off..."

Just as Eunuch Gui was about to pull Su Chuang to run quickly toward Emperor Wu's location, he was stopped by someone.

Su Chuang happened to witness a scene that left him speechless. It turned out to be Ye Qingyue, who was angrily pulling on Eunuch Gui and preventing him from leaving.

He sneered inwardly.

This woman is truly short-sighted and brainless, she has a death wish, daring to cause trouble right under Emperor Wu's nose.

"Eunuch Gui! You said His Majesty is here! Quickly take me to see him!"

"I have important information to report!"

Ye Qingyue said with conviction.

"General Ye, please have some self-respect."

"If we disturb His Majesty's presence, you, as a marquis... may not be able to bear the consequences."

Eunuch Gui's face immediately turned cold. He snorted and a commander of the Imperial Guards knocked Ye Qingyue aside.

Fortunately, Yue Xinyang reacted quickly, preventing Ye Qingyue from being embarrassed.

"Your Highness, let's go quickly!"

"I'm worried," said Eunuch Gui.

"OK!"

Su Chuang responded and followed in Gui Gonggong's footsteps.

His gaze, however, swept over Ye Qingyue's face, which was contorted with anger, without revealing any emotion.

Jump around, make a scene, let's see how many more days you can keep this up.

"You! You all!"

Ye Qingyue stomped her feet in anger, but it was no use.

"Grandpa Gui!"

"We really have important business to discuss with the Emperor!"

Yue Xinyang shouted loudly, but Gui Gonggong did not stop.

"Xinyang, what should we do? Grandpa Gui is ignoring us."

"It's alright, don't worry, I have a plan!"

Yue Xinyang pulled Ye Qingyue into his arms and gently comforted her.

……

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Su Chuang, along with Yue Fei, paid homage to Emperor Wu.

He caught a glimpse of Gui Gonggong whispering in Emperor Wu's ear.

Although I couldn't hear the content clearly, I could guess that it was about Ye Qingyue's stupid thing just now.

Sure enough, Emperor Wu's originally calm expression seemed to darken slightly.

"Rise!"

Emperor Wu glanced at Su Chuang indifferently and spoke slowly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Su Chuang stood up, intending to step aside, but then heard Emperor Wu continue:

"Su Chuang, I've heard that you've severed ties with Ye Qingyue."

"yes!"

"In that case, let's not meet again!"

"To avoid gossip, you understand?"

Emperor Wu spoke earnestly and meaningfully.

"Your Majesty understands."

Su Chuang bowed his head in response.

He was also slightly shaken:

Why did Emperor Wu suddenly inquire about his private affairs?

Is it concern?

Or should we give them a good talking-to?

"What do you think?"

Just as Su Chuang was deep in thought, he suddenly smelled a fragrance.

As he slowly raised his head to search for the source, he discovered that there was a woman dressed in green standing next to Emperor Wu.

The other woman had flowing hair, was stunningly beautiful, and wore a veil!

He only revealed a pair of eyes as clear as a cold pool.

The woman paused slightly when her gaze fell on Su Chuang.

"Princess Ruxue?"

Su Chuang recognized it, but his memory of it was somewhat hazy.

"Um…"

Princess Ruxue nodded gently, her fingertips brushing against her wrist.

Upon closer inspection, a red string was tied there, and hanging from the string was half of a blood-stained jade pendant.

She vividly remembered the night of the palace coup ten years ago, when Su Chuang's father, Su Zhenbei, fought his way out of the encirclement despite being seriously injured.

He then brought her back to the Duke of Xin's mansion from a corner of the Imperial Garden.

She still remembers that when she was a child, Su Chuang gave her a blood-stained jade pendant to cheer her up.

Without hesitation, I cut it in half and gave her one piece.

From then on, Lin Ruxue's heart was filled with the image of Su Chuang.

It's just that Su Chuang himself didn't know that.

"Little Gui, the auspicious time has arrived, we can begin!"

Emperor Wu took a sip of tea and spoke slowly.

"Here you go!"

Gui Gonggong ascended the high platform and proclaimed in a loud voice:

"His Majesty has decreed—the auspicious hour has arrived for the coming-of-age ceremony for Su Chuang, the heir apparent of the Duke of Xin!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent.

Su Chuang's gaze swept across the crowd, taking in the various expressions on their faces.

Ye Qingyue's face was the most interesting, a mixture of shock, resentment, and jealousy twisted together.

He sneered inwardly, but deliberately glanced in Ye Qingyue's direction, a faint smile curving his lips.

"Today, I will personally officiate the coming-of-age ceremony for Su Chuang, son of Duke Xin Guo, Su Zhenbei!"

"Bestowed the name: Zixian!"

Emperor Wu's voice was booming, and his eyes were sharp as he surveyed the entire audience.

"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

Su Chuang knelt to receive the imperial decree, but his mind was racing with calculations.

"Um…"

Emperor Wu waved his hand, and the capping ceremony officially began.

It took a full half hour to finally finish!

"Imperial edict has arrived!"

"Supreme Prince Su Chuang, heir apparent of the Duke of Xin, receives the imperial decree!"

After the crowning ceremony was completed, at Emperor Wu's instruction, Eunuch Gui immediately took out the imperial edict that had been prepared in advance from his bosom.

"Your subject receives the imperial decree!"

Su Chuang knelt down and bowed.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Because Duke Xin, Su Zhenbei, unfortunately died in battle while guarding the northern frontier, I am filled with unbearable grief every time I think of him!"

"However, fortunately, the Duke of Xin has a son who has reached adulthood. Therefore, his son, Su Chuang, is specially permitted to inherit the title of Duke of Xin. This is hereby decreed!"

Grandpa Gui read it aloud.

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Su Chuang bowed in gratitude again before slowly rising to accept the imperial edict, though he felt little joy.

Although he has obtained the title, the road ahead has only just begun.

"I intend to adopt you as my godson, but do not announce it."

Emperor Wu suddenly came to Su Chuang's side and whispered something in his ear.

"I understand, it's my honor."

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Su Chuang immediately realized what was happening and, not daring to refuse, bowed softly.

"Hmm... When we're out in public, we should still treat each other like ruler and subject."

Emperor Wu nodded.

"Here you go!"

"Your Majesty, I have a request..."

Su Chuang looked at Emperor Wu and suddenly spoke in a low voice.

"Speak, as long as it's not related to Ye Qingyue, I'll grant your request."

Emperor Wu seemed to have anticipated this.

"Yes, it definitely has nothing to do with Ye Qingyue."

Su Chuang said confidently.

"Your Majesty, look, all my savings have been emptied out by some ungrateful wretches."

"Now that you've inherited the title, you need to have some decent outfits when you go out for social occasions, otherwise you'll lose face."

"And I don't have any other hobbies, I just like money."

He raised his head, his smile shy yet his eyes clear, his voice not loud, but loud enough for the high-ranking officials in the front row to hear.

Furthermore, among them were several old ministers who had secretly funded Ye Qingyue, whose expressions immediately became quite interesting.

"...a reward of a thousand taels of gold."

After a moment of silence, Emperor Wu spoke slowly, his lips twitching slightly.

"Then thank you very much, Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will grace us with your presence for a meal at the Duke of Xin's residence. It's just a pity that we only have simple food and drink. I hope..."

Su Chuang said with a smug look on his face.

"Very well, I appreciate your kindness, but I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."

After saying this, Emperor Wu left without looking back, but before that, he called Eunuch Gui to his side and gave him a few instructions.

Su Chuang noticed that after hearing this, Eunuch Gui gave him a meaningful look.

There's another mission coming up.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

After Su Chuang finished speaking, his smile deepened as he turned to the ministers.

"I thank you all for your kindness in advance."

"Young man, I've heard His Majesty say that Lord Wang's Jiangnan brocade is excellent, and Lord Li's collection of fine horses from the northern deserts is also exceptional, as well as..."

"Ah... well, we have important matters to attend to, but please rest assured, Duke Xin, the appropriate gifts will be delivered to your residence immediately."

"Oh, I can't accept this. I thank you all very much, sirs."

"When I enter the palace in the future, I will inform His Majesty of the great favor shown to you all."

Su Chuang shouted loudly on purpose, his smile widening.

Several people were sweating and repeatedly said they dared not.

Su Chuang, however, began to make plans in his mind, thinking that he would definitely make a fortune today!

It's enough to keep the entire intelligence network in the capital working!

"Um, Duke Xin, His Majesty has issued a decree!"

With a smile, Eunuch Gui pulled Su Chuang to a corner, away from the crowd.

"His Majesty said that since you have accepted his money and become his adopted son in secret, you must do your job."

"You will represent His Majesty at the victory celebration banquet held tonight for General Ye Qingyue."

"Princess Ruxue will also be accompanying you!"

As he spoke, his voice gradually lowered.

"I've only heard that... three fierce border generals have returned from the North, all of whom are her former subordinates."

"Untamed and wild..."