Ning Ruan retreated outside, letting out a long sigh. It was strange that despite the emperor doting on Chu Yuan, they always fought when they met.
After she left, Chu Yuan looked at Chu Yun Zheng, sarcasm in his voice: “Your Majesty said you would remove her criminal slave status. Are your words not worth anything?”
Chu Yun Zheng, recalling how he spoke to Chu Xiang with more respect, asked: “Must you speak to me like this?”
In the dim light, Chu Yuan noticed the white hair at his temples and felt a twinge of sadness, turning his head in silence.
Chu Yun Zheng saw this and felt somewhat comforted, realizing that Chu Yuan still cared for him. He sighed and explained, “I’ve removed her criminal slave status, but she was a criminal slave. That removal is just for show. Should I pretend she has a noble background? I’ve investigated her character; she is narrow-minded, arrogant, and not a suitable match for you. With your attributes, I want to find you an unparalleled principal consort.”
“In my eyes, she is unparalleled,” Chu Yuan replied softly.
“No, everyone in the capital knows her past with Liu Yi. Marrying her will make you a laughingstock,” Chu Yun Zheng insisted.
Chu Yuan shrugged off the concern: “So what? As long as I like her and she’s willing to marry me, I don’t care about the past.”
“Foolish! If a woman’s heart is not with you, what’s the point?” Chu Yun Zheng countered.
Chu Yuan hesitated, then said quietly, “My father never regretted marrying my mother. From what I know, my mother loved him too.”
“Nonsense!” Chu Yun Zheng burst out, cursing.
He slammed the table, roaring at Chu Yuan: “Who allowed you to call him your father? What relationship do you have with him? I am…”
He didn’t finish the sentence, just breathing heavily and staring at Chu Yuan with a mix of hatred, anger, and helplessness.
Chu Yuan looked at him with an indifferent smile, softly saying, “Your Majesty doesn’t dare to continue?”
“What do I not dare to say?” Chu Yun Zheng immediately retorted.
“Then say it to me,” Chu Yuan continued smiling, his gaze icy cold.
