Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 36.2

Although no matter which side he chose, Gong Yu would likely be targeted by one faction or another.

“Father, I have developed feelings for Lady Dai and humbly request your blessing for our marriage.”

The emperor suddenly laughed and said, “Very well, but the Grand Tutor has been teaching you the classics. Wouldn’t rejecting his beloved daughter be a disregard for his dignity?”

Gong Yu felt that the emperor had simply shifted this difficult problem onto him.

“I am grateful for the Grand Tutor’s years of guidance and for his daughter’s affection.”

There was nothing else Gong Yu could say.

The Grand Tutor’s face was stiff with displeasure, and Gong Yu feared he might be ambushed the moment he stepped out of the hall.

Though visibly upset, the Grand Tutor still spoke courteously, “I hope the Ninth Prince will think twice before acting.”

The Chancellor Dai suddenly interjected, “Since the Ninth Prince has made his decision, why not let His Majesty set an auspicious date for the wedding?”

“Good, but I must discuss this further with Xiao Jiu.”

The hall returned to its initial tranquility until the morning court session ended, when Gong Yu was summoned to the imperial study by the emperor.

Left alone in the study, Gong Yu observed the furnishings until the emperor entered, at which point he quickly composed himself.

“Why did you choose Lady Dai, Xiao Jiu?” the emperor asked casually as he sat down, flipping through memorials.

Gong Yu replied, “I fell for Lady Dai at first sight and wish to marry her.”

The emperor sighed, furrowing his brows. “My original intention was to betroth you to the Grand Tutor’s daughter.”

“If you form a marriage alliance with the Grand Tutor, he will spare no effort to support you. Even if you do not ascend the throne, no one in the court would dare challenge you.” After saying this, the emperor set down the memorial in his hand. “Here is the imperial edict for the marriage. If you care about the bigger picture, write the name of the Grand Tutor’s daughter, Zhao Anyue.”

“Does Father not permit it?”

“It’s not about permission, but about what cannot be allowed.” The emperor’s eyes flashed with a murderous glint as he whispered, “Xiao Jiu, you are honest and kind-hearted, too pure and gentle to be a candidate for the throne. But if you marry the daughter of the Dai family, they will inevitably push you onto the throne, and you are no match for them. The Gong dynasty will fall into their hands.”

Gong Yu stared blankly at the blank space on the edict and shook his head. “Father, I cannot write another person’s name here.”

“Foolish! Do you truly believe Lady Dai has feelings for you?” The emperor knocked over a teacup beside him. “Such womanly compassion will only destroy the centuries-old foundation of the Gong dynasty.”

“Guards! The Ninth Prince has suddenly fallen gravely ill and must remain in the palace for treatment.”

The guards outside responded promptly. Gong Yu stared at the edict and asked, “What does Father intend to do?”

“Xiao Jiu, if you refuse to write the edict, I will execute your servants and attendants one batch at a time.” The emperor coldly gazed out the window.

Gong Yu turned to look outside and saw his servants, even the coachman and the elderly steward from his residence, restrained in the courtyard.

A guard wielded a long whip, lashing the servants in the front row. Blood soaked their clothes, and after just five strikes, one servant coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground.

It felt like a staged performance. Before Gong Yu could discern the reality of the situation, the guard calmly moved on to the next servant.

The elderly steward seemed too terrified to make a sound. Only then did Gong Yu snap back to reality and cry out, “Father, stop!”

“The old steward cannot endure such torture. If punishment is necessary, punish me instead!” Gong Yu pleaded in fear.

The emperor held his tea and looked at Gong Yu, saying, “Write the edict, and I will release your servants and attendants.”

Gong Yu shook his head. “I cannot.”

“Just yesterday, I told Ayan that if I obtained the edict today, I would show it to her immediately.” Gong Yu shook his head and murmured to himself, “Father, I cannot write another person’s name.”

“This unnecessary mercy will only cost more lives, Xiao Jiu. If you hesitate now, the consequences will be unimaginable.” The emperor frowned deeply.

“But these are human lives, Father.” Gong Yu tightly gripped his sleeve. “Moreover, I have already declared in the grand hall that I will marry the daughter of the Dai family. To change it now would be to go back on my word.”

The emperor shook his head. “Once the imperial decree is issued, what happens in the grand hall is still under my control.”

Tears welled up in Gong Yu’s eyes as he looked at the brush and ink laid out before him. “Father, it would be better to sentence me to death instead.”

“Nonsense!” The emperor’s breath grew heavy, and he slammed his hand on the table. “I will give you one last chance. Will you write it or not?”

“I will not write it.”

Outside, the crack of a whip immediately sounded again. Gong Yu watched as the old steward fell to the ground, a bloody lash mark across his back, and hurriedly cried out, “Stop! I’ll write…”

But the guard did not cease. The emperor took a deep breath, stood up, and waved his hand to signal a stop. Only then did the guard halt.

Gong Yu felt his hand trembling as he held the brush, as if he had forgotten how to write.

Unnoticed, tears dripped onto the imperial decree. Gong Yu paid them no mind, only glanced at the edict, and as he reached out to press his seal, he turned his head to look at the old steward lying barely conscious outside.

The emperor, seemingly sensing Gong Yu’s surrender, sighed in relief and comforted him, “You stay in the palace for now. I will handle the rest…”

“Xiao Jiu!”

A loud thud echoed, startling even the guard beside them. The Ninth Prince, collapsed by the pillar, was covered in blood, no longer breathing.

Even the usually composed emperor panicked and urgently called out, “Quick! Summon the imperial physician!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The emperor then turned his gaze to the edict, lost in deep thought.

A group of officials posted the edict on the public notice board, and the commoners gathered around, murmuring:

“Hey, wasn’t the Ninth Prince close to the Dai family’s young lady? How did he end up engaged to the Grand Tutor’s daughter instead?”

“Who knows? How can we commoners understand the affairs of the imperial family?”

“Then the Dai family’s young lady will have to remain unmarried again.”

“How strange! I heard the Dai family’s young lady was very close to the Ninth Prince, and now suddenly it’s the Grand Tutor’s daughter.”

A gentle breeze swept through the courtyard. Dai Ru Yan held a vibrant red garment in her hands, while an elderly woman beside her sighed and said, “This red gauze is perfect for a wedding dress.”

Dai Ru Yan did not respond, only examined it carefully and said, “Then I’ll take this one.”

“Very well, this old woman will work day and night to complete this wedding dress for you, Miss Dai.”

Biyu hurried into the pavilion from outside, catching her breath as she approached and said, “Miss, the imperial edict has been issued.”

The elderly woman quietly withdrew. Dai Ru Yan turned to look at Biyu but noticed no one behind her and asked, “Then why hasn’t she come?”

“Miss…” Biyu pressed her lips together, timidly replying, “The imperial edict of betrothal states that the Ninth Prince is to marry… the Grand Tutor’s daughter, Zhao Anyue.”

Dai Ru Yan seemed dazed as she stared at Biyu and asked, “Where is she?”

Biyu took a few steps back and replied, “I heard she is still in the palace and has not come out.”

“Shall this servant go and inquire?”

As the words fell, the silent courtyard grew even quieter. Suddenly, the teacup and incense burner beside the low table crashed to the ground, the incense scattering like embers across the red sand.

Biyu, who had retreated to the side, looked in panic at Dai Ru Yan sitting there with an expression of extreme indifference, not daring to make a sound.

“Where is she?” Dai Ru Yan murmured softly, her eyes vacant.

Seeing her like this, Biyu replied fearfully, “This servant does not know. The spies sent to the palace have not yet returned with any news.”

Dai Ru Yan abruptly stood and walked outside. Biyu hurried after her with the shoes, saying, “Miss, don’t rush. Please put on your shoes first. If you wish to enter the palace, this servant will prepare the carriage immediately.”

“I want a horse,” Dai Ru Yan stopped and said, her gaze numb as she looked around the courtyard.

Biyu quickly set down the shoes and replied, “Yes, this servant will go at once.”

The horse swiftly galloped through the capital’s streets, Biyu struggling to keep up with Dai Ru Yan ahead. Just as they turned a corner, Dai Ru Yan suddenly halted again.

She then rode her horse toward the crowded area. The commoners gathered around the announcement wall quickly stepped aside.

Dai Ru Yan reached out and tore down the imperial edict, her eyes fixed on the words. Her previously indifferent and distracted gaze was now filled with pain.

Her pale fingertips clutched the edict tightly, as if trying to tear apart the lies written on it. Yet her eyes remained fixed on the handwriting, as though she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Moments later, she turned her horse around and headed straight for the palace.

Upon entering the palace, Dai Ru Yan was stopped. Prime Minister Dai frowned and said, “What has become of you?”

Dai Ru Yan stared blankly at him, then reached out and drew a guard’s sword, whispering, “Father, you went back on your word.”

“It was the Emperor!” Prime Minister Dai stepped back and said, “Everything was settled in the main hall. The Emperor took him to the imperial study, and immediately afterward, this edict was issued.”

“Where is Gong Yu?” Dai Ru Yan threw the sword aside and asked.

Prime Minister Dai seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “With your abilities, can’t you find that pretty boy?”

Dai Ru Yan let out a light laugh, turned, and left the palace path. Suddenly, a palace maid approached and said, “Miss Dai, the Empress requests your presence.”

“Very well.”

Biyu, who had been following closely, sensed a heavy aura of killing intent emanating from her mistress. She couldn’t help but wonder if Dai Ru Yan intended to kill that unfaithful young lord.

As they hurried into the hall with the palace attendants, the Empress stood before the tightly closed doors. Dai Ru Yan strode forward and asked, “Where is she?”

The Empress turned her head and smiled at Dai Ru Yan. “Ayan, you’ve arrived just in time. But I’m afraid she won’t be waking up anytime soon.”

Dai Ru Yan keenly sensed something amiss with the Empress and asked, “You know her identity?”

“Indeed,” the Empress replied, her eyes shifting slightly. “I suppose this is the reason you chose her, isn’t it?”

“Where is she?”

“I had her wounds bandaged. But the injuries are too severe. That child is too foolish—she threatened to kill herself by crashing into a pillar.”

Dai Ru Yan stared at the Empress in shock, her hand trembling as it clutched the edict. “Where is she injured?”

“She’s inside the hall. Go and see for yourself.”

The Empress watched quietly as Dai Ru Yan pushed open the tightly shut doors, then chuckled softly. A palace maid accompanying her whispered, “Your Majesty, why not take this opportunity to act?”

“Once a person has a weakness, all you need to do is exploit it, and sooner or later, they will fall.” The Empress turned around, tidying her hair as if reminiscing, and said, “But I never expected that Ayan would actually fall in love. She is truly a madwoman, after all.”

The palace maid looked at the Empress with confusion and asked, “Your Majesty, should we still be wary of Miss Dai?”

“Of course. I am not like those princes who were completely manipulated by her.”

The scorching sun beat down outside the palace hall. At that moment, Gong Yu felt a splitting headache and feared she might not survive.

She had only intended to bump into a pillar to knock herself unconscious, but she had misjudged the force and ended up with a deep gash on her head.

Perhaps due to excessive blood loss, Gong Yu couldn’t move at all. Her mind was foggy and dizzy.

There was no way to send someone to inform Dai Ru Yan that the imperial decree was fake. Dai Ru Yan might already be so angry that she would never speak to her again.

The more Gong Yu thought about it, the more distressed she became. Her eyes inexplicably reddened, and she tried to force herself to sit up.

But darkness clouded her vision, and she quickly stopped struggling, afraid that she might suffer from a concussion or some other lasting complication.

Anxious and agitated, the pain in her forehead intensified. Gong Yu closed her eyes, unable to hold back a groan of pain.

“Xiao Jiu.”

Dai Ru Yan’s voice suddenly sounded beside her ear. Gong Yu slowly opened her eyes and was surprised to see Dai Ru Yan standing by her side.

But Gong Yu, feeling utterly unwell, dared not move recklessly. Dai Ru Yan, however, remained calm and composed.

Gong Yu wondered if Dai Ru Yan might not have seen the decree and decided she must tell her about it.

“Ayan…” As she spoke, Gong Yu realized how weak her voice sounded, startling even herself.

Dai Ru Yan quietly watched Gong Yu, raising her hand to gently hover near Gong Yu’s cheek. Her fingertips hesitated, as if afraid to touch the wound, and she said softly:

“I just saw the wedding dress in the courtyard. The red veil is beautiful, and the tailor said it would look stunning as a wedding gown.”

Gong Yu vaguely noticed that Dai Ru Yan’s palm seemed red and swollen, though she couldn’t see clearly. Blinking, she tried to lighten the mood and said, “I… I want to wear a wedding dress too.”

“Nonsense.” Dai Ru Yan’s fingertips lightly brushed Gong Yu’s brow, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly as she said, “Xiao Jiu must play the part of the groom.”

“Alright.” Gong Yu smiled weakly, her face pale, and her eyes reddened as she replied, “Then I will surely be the most handsome groom in the capital.”

For once, Dai Ru Yan did not argue.

But she played along and said, “Indeed, Little Jiu must be the most handsome groom in the capital.”

The hall grew dimmer as dusk fell. Gong Yu’s headache worsened, making it difficult for her to speak, and even breathing became labored.

Suddenly, both fell silent, and the hall was enveloped in stillness. Gong Yu was extremely weak, only occasionally opening her eyes to check if Dai Ru Yan was still by her side.

Dai Ru Yan seemed to suppress her own breathing, her palm gently and cautiously touching Gong Yu’s cheek. The coolness of her skin no longer carried the warmth and fine beads of sweat it once had.

Gong Yu’s head drooped weakly as she breathed faintly, vaguely sensing Dai Ru Yan’s tender movements. She murmured softly:

“Ayan, don’t worry. These wounds may look frightening, but they don’t actually hurt much.”

“It’s just that our wedding will have to be postponed for a while. Father doesn’t approve of our marriage, but I’ll keep trying…”

As their lips met in a gentle kiss, Gong Yu tasted something very, very salty. But her eyelids were far too heavy, and she simply couldn’t muster the strength to open them again.

Yet, in her mind, she couldn’t help but think that Dai Ru Yan must have been frightened—after all, this world had no surgical procedures, and seeing such gruesome wounds must have terrified her.