Chapter 208

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Yan Si, upon hearing these words, showed not the slightest intention of retreating, and immediately said: "Then I trouble Your Majesty to issue an edict dispatching someone to invite the Empress here; this humble one is willing to wait here a short while."

He cupped his fists with both hands, saluted the Emperor respectfully, yet the determination in his eyes had not weakened in the least.

At this moment Shangguan Peilin cursed inwardly: "This ignorant little brat, it seems today there is no escaping no matter what!"

However, on the surface he still maintained the composure and majesty befitting an Emperor, and unhurriedly instructed the eunuch beside him: "Go quickly and invite the Empress, and by the way have Yu'er come along as well."

The eunuch standing to the side hurriedly bowed to receive the order, answered "Yes!", then hastily withdrew from the Imperial Study and swiftly arranged manpower to go to the rear palace to summon the two masters.

Time passed minute by minute, the entire Imperial Study fell into a stretch of silence, only Yan Si's slightly tense yet expectant heartbeat clearly audible. Finally, after everyone's anxious wait, the Empress entered the Imperial Study with graceful steps.

And unexpectedly, Shangguan Xingyu had actually arrived earlier, sitting quietly to the side, her beautiful eyes shifting as she secretly glanced at Yan Si from time to time, a faint blush unconsciously rising on her pretty face.

The moment Shangguan Xingyu stepped into the room, she keenly sensed an unusual atmosphere pervading the surroundings. However, the lofty Emperor did not speak, merely gesturing for her and Yan Si to take their seats first and wait a moment.

Shangguan Xingyu pondered inwardly, recalling Yan Si's earlier words, she could roughly guess the reason for this summons. Thus she could not help but cast a glance at Yan Si beside her, her eyes seeming to say: "Hey, you fellow really have some ability!"

And Shangguan Peilin, seated on the Dragon Throne, took all this in. He was already displeased by the interaction between the two, and now felt they actually dared to exchange meaningful looks so brazenly before him.

For a moment Shangguan Peilin's mind raced, pondering what pretext to find to punish this ignorant Yan Si.

Just as Shangguan Peilin was racking his brains, suddenly a sharp, piercing male voice resounded through the entire palace: "The Empress arrives——"

Following this announcement, the Empress, clad in magnificent court attire, appeared before everyone with myriad grace. Behind her closely followed eight well-trained palace maids, their steps light, neat and orderly as they followed.

The Empress slowly pushed open the heavy gate of the Imperial Study and entered elegantly. The few palace maids outside the gate stood respectfully waiting in place. Upon entering, the Empress saw the several people inside at a glance.

She first bowed gracefully toward the Emperor seated above, saying softly: "This subject wife pays respects to Your Majesty." Shangguan Peilin nodded slightly, replying: "Mm, the Empress has come, quickly take a seat."

The Empress raised her eyes and saw Shangguan Peilin's face gloomy like the sky before a storm; her heart couldn't help but skip a beat: "Could it be that shop ran into some trouble? But why is Younger Brother not here?"

Thinking thus, the Empress felt her thoughts increasingly tangled like hemp, completely unable to sort out a clue. While bitterly pondering the reason, she slowly sat down.

Once the Empress had just settled, Shangguan Peilin cast his gaze toward Yan Si and said in a deep voice: "Repeat what you said just now! Now everyone is gathered, do not conceal anything."

Yan Si had already spoken once before; at this moment he was no longer afraid. He abruptly stood up, facing the Emperor and Empress, his voice clear and resonant: "Your Majesty, Empress, this humble one boldly begs you two elders to bestow a marriage contract between this humble one and the Eighth Princess."

The moment these words fell, the entire hall instantly fell into dead silence, so quiet a needle dropping could be heard clearly. Shangguan Peilin stared wide-eyed, looking at Yan Si in disbelief, roaring inwardly: "Does this brat even know what nonsense he is spouting? How dare he be so audacious!"

The Empress, on the other hand, first froze, then her face swiftly revealed surprise and joy, thinking inwardly: "Oh my, never expected these two actually already had a secret affair, truly unexpected! But it's good too; if Yan Si can become my son-in-law, that's a son-in-law counting as half a son, truly a great happy event!"

At this time Yan Si stood in place, seeing everyone silent, his heart couldn't help but pound: "Why is no one speaking? Is it agreement or refusal? Give a definite answer! Or are they going to drag me out and beat me to death with random sticks?"

And Shangguan Xingyu also glared at Yan Si coquettishly, muttering: "Fine fine fine, you've got guts, daring to say such words before so many people, A Ren't you afraid Father will really make a move to teach you a lesson?"

After a brief silence, time seemed to freeze, the atmosphere somewhat heavy and awkward. Finally it was the Empress who broke the silence first; she smiled, cast her gaze toward Shangguan Xingyu, and asked softly: "Yu'er, what do you think of this person Yan Si?"

Shangguan Xingyu never expected Mother Empress to ask her so directly, couldn't help but freeze slightly, but quickly recovered, face red as she replied shyly: "Replying to Mother Empress, Young Master Yan — whether character, ability, or appearance — is outstanding; this daughter admires and appreciates him very much."

Although Shangguan Xingyu spoke rather implicitly and tactfully, how could the Empress not understand her meaning? The Empress rejoiced inwardly; from her daughter's words she had already heard that "I am willing"!

The Empress coughed lightly, then turned to look at the Emperor, smiling: "Your Majesty, look, since these two children are mutually in love, we cannot be the villains who separate lovers, right? This subject wife now likes this child Yan Si more and more."

However Shangguan Peilin at this moment was furious, thinking inwardly: "I called you here originally to make Yan Si that fellow retreat knowing the difficulty, who would have thought you would so easily stand on their side!"

Seeing the situation gradually spiraling out of control, Shangguan Peilin knew deeply that if he did not speak now it would be hard to conclude.

So he pondered for half a day, barely squeezing out a sentence: "This matter still needs to ask your Emperor; as long as he nods in agreement, everything is negotiable."

Who knew that upon hearing this, Yan Si actually couldn't help laughing out loud, and immediately replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, before coming here, our Emperor has long been aware of this matter!"