Chapter 596

Seeing Li Chen's indifferent expression, which didn't look like a joke at all and seemed to be just notifying him, Su Wenkang's heart was in a battle between heaven and man, and cold sweat almost soaked his inner shirt.

It was true that the Qinglin Kingdom repulsed the Holy See, but he knew better that if he offended such a high-ranking Holy See official to his face today, the consequences were definitely not something he, a Prime Minister, could afford to bear.

This young man's clothing and token—ordinary people might not know their value, but he held the position of Prime Minister and knew well what they represented; this was definitely a core power figure within the Holy See!

But if he agreed, where would his face as Prime Minister be? How would the civil and military officials of the whole court view it?

What's more, his daughter was a concubine personally appointed by the Emperor; if he went back on his word and broke off the engagement publicly, it would be slapping the new Emperor in the face!

By then, not to mention his position as Prime Minister, the entire Su family would likely face a disaster of extinction!

In a flash, countless thoughts had already flashed through Su Wenkang's mind.

He was an old hand who had been floating in the officialdom for many years, and his reaction was extremely fast; he instantly found a strategy to divert the disaster.

He saw him pile up a more respectful and even slightly embarrassed smile, bowing deeply to Li Chen, his tone earnest and helpless:

"For Lord Li to take a fancy to my daughter is truly my daughter's blessing and the supreme glory of my Su family. In terms of reason and emotion, this subordinate absolutely has no reason not to agree."

He made his posture sufficient, and then his tone cleverly turned, "It's just that my daughter has already received the Emperor's grace and will enter the palace to serve in a few days. This matter concerns the imperial order and the state's dignity; this subordinate is of low status and light weight, and really dare not decide arbitrarily. If you, Lord, can personally explain the situation to my Emperor and get the Emperor's approval, then this subordinate naturally... naturally has no objections and will immediately let Qing'er follow you, Lord."

These words both flattered Li Chen and perfectly transferred the final decision-making power and the huge pressure that came with it to the Emperor.

He extracted himself from the dilemma and turned it into a direct dialogue between the Emperor and the high-ranking Holy See official.

No matter what the result was, he had room to maneuver.

Hearing this, the playful smile at the corners of Li Chen's mouth deepened, as if he had seen through Su Wenkang's thoughts, but he didn't point it out, just nodded simply: "Okay, no problem, take me to see your Emperor now."

"Yes, yes, yes, this subordinate will lead the way for you, Lord," Su Wenkang responded hurriedly, secretly relieved in his heart.

Hua Rumeng, who was on the side, saw this and immediately stepped forward: "I'm going too."

Su Wenkang frowned, instinctively wanting to refuse his wife's participation in such a major event.

Li Chen had already spoken indifferently: "She is now a person who follows me in cultivation, so naturally she will go together."

"Follows you... in cultivation?" Su Wenkang was startled, his gaze scanning back and forth rapidly between his beautiful wife and this young and handsome high-ranking Holy See official.

An indescribable greenness of being betrayed instantly surged into his heart, but he forcibly suppressed it, constantly comforting himself in his heart: The Holy See's rules are strict; perhaps... perhaps it's just a normal relationship of following in cultivation, not as filthy as I thought. Yes, I must have thought too much!

With his status as Prime Minister, bringing a high-ranking Holy See official to request an audience, the Emperor naturally dared not be negligent.

Even though the new Emperor was currently playing and enjoying himself with his newly taken concubines in the harem—he had just ascended the throne not long ago and was at the time of being proud and indulging in sensual pleasures—the palace was full of beauties, and there were still countless ones waiting to be selected.

Hearing the urgent report from the attendant, although he was extremely impatient, he still got up, changed his clothes, and came to the imperial study.

As soon as the new Emperor entered the door, his gaze was first attracted by Hua Rumeng's mature and charming demeanor, and undisguised amazement and greed flashed in his eyes, almost forgetting the business at hand.