GBP Chapter 320 Rejection of Marriage
Chapter 320 Rejection of Marriage
Chapter 320 Refusal of Marriage
As the eunuch's shrill voice rang out, "The Emperor has arrived!"
Everyone knelt down to pay their respects. After the emperor took his seat, the court meeting officially began.
At first, Choi Ji-ho tried to concentrate on listening to the ministers discuss the people's livelihood in various regions and the war on the border, but his thoughts kept wandering away.
Suddenly, the emperor's voice rang out: "Cui Zhihao, you are new to the court. Do you have any insights on this salt tax reform?"
Cui Zhihao snapped out of his daze, startled, and quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully as he said, "Your Majesty, I believe that salt tax reform concerns the people's livelihood and must be carried out gradually, without being hasty..."
He tried his best to keep his voice steady and to articulate his views clearly. Fortunately, he paid attention to these matters in his daily life, so he was able to speak quite eloquently.
The emperor nodded slightly, showing approval: "Hmm, what Minister Cui said makes sense. This matter will be discussed and promoted by you and the Minister of Revenue."
After thanking him, Choi Ji-ho returned to his original position and only then realized that his back was already soaked with sweat.
After finally enduring the court session, Cui Zhihao breathed a sigh of relief and was about to leave when he heard someone call out to him from behind: "Lord Cui, please wait."
He turned around and saw his uncle, Cui Zhe, and he was somewhat bewildered.
Cui Zhe's expression was calm, but his eyes revealed scrutiny: "Huai'an, I heard that you are about to marry into the Lu family. Congratulations."
Cui Zhihao's heart tightened, but he forced a smile: "Thank you, Uncle. This is all arranged by the family."
In the late spring of the capital, flowers bloom in profusion, yet they cannot conceal the lingering melancholy.
The majestic palace, with its vermilion walls and golden tiles, gleamed in the sunlight. At the palace gate, carriages of the powerful and wealthy streamed out one after another.
Choi Ji-ho walked out of the palace gates dejectedly, his mind still echoing with his uncle Choi Cheol's words that had extinguished his hope like cold water.
Cui Zhe could easily understand the implication in his words. However, that Miss Shi was someone His Majesty had taken a liking to. Even if she wasn't taken into the harem by His Majesty, she would be bestowed upon the Crown Prince or another prince.
His nephew and that Miss Shi were truly destined to be apart! Cui Zhe sighed helplessly and patted his shoulder.
"Huai'an, forget about that girl! You and she will not have a future together."
Upon hearing this, Cui Zhihao abruptly looked up at his uncle, his eyes filled with shock and confusion. Why would his uncle say such a thing? "Uncle, you..."
Before he could finish his question, Cui Zhe interrupted him.
"Huai'an, stop asking. It's getting late. Now that your parents have come to the capital and you've bought another residence, stay home and spend some time with them."
Choi Ji-ho didn't hear the answer he wanted, and he lowered his head in frustration, feeling utterly resentful.
He didn't want to break up with Miss Shi. All the little moments he shared with Miss Shi kept playing in his mind: her radiant smile when they first met, the laughter and joy they shared on their spring outing. Every scene was like a knife, cutting into his heart.
Seeing him so preoccupied, Cui Zhe felt heartbroken, but some things were destined to have no outcome from the very beginning.
The turbulent power struggles within the deep palace were far beyond the reach of a mere official's son. He could only sigh inwardly, hoping that time would heal his nephew's emotional wounds.
With a heavy heart, Cui Zhihao left the palace gate. As his gaze wandered, he suddenly spotted a familiar carriage. The carriage was exquisitely decorated, and the curtains were embroidered with delicate orchids. It was Shi Wanxia's carriage.
His heart skipped a beat, like a drowning man grasping at a straw, and without thinking, he ran quickly to the carriage.
"Miss Shi, I'm so sorry! I..."
His voice was choked with emotion, a thousand words stuck in his throat, yet he didn't know where to begin.
Shi Wanxia naturally heard Brother Cui's voice. She felt conflicted, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her clothes. After hesitating for a while, she slowly lifted the carriage curtain.
Her eyes were slightly red, and she forced a smile. "Brother Cui, since your parents have arranged a blind date for you, you should go and see it! After all, you can't disobey your parents' wishes."
Upon hearing this, Cui Zhihao's eyes reddened with anxiety. "Miss Shi, it's not like that. I never thought about going on a blind date. You're the only one in my heart."
"My parents...they have no idea how I feel about you."
Shi Wanxia gently shook her head, her eyes filled with sorrow.
“Brother Cui, some things are beyond our control. Besides, I have no intention of getting married. My fate is already bound by this palace.”
"Between you and me, there is a vast difference in our status, and there are many obstacles. You should just forget about me."
Choi Jiho's eyes welled up with tears. "No, I don't believe it! How can I give up so easily? Even if there are a thousand difficulties, I will stay with you."
He reached out to grab Shi Wanxia's hand, but Shi Wanxia instinctively shrank back.
"Brother Cui, please don't make things difficult for me."
Shi Wanxia bit her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know you're good to me, but we have no future. Go back, live a good life, and find a good person to be with."
Cui Zhihao lowered his hand helplessly. He knew that Shi Wanxia's mind was made up, and any further words would seem pale and powerless at this moment.
He gazed at Shi Wanxia as if trying to etch her image into his heart.
“Miss Shi, I swear I will marry no one but you in this life, and I will never let you down.”
Cui Zhihao's voice trembled as he finished speaking, then he turned and staggered away, his back view filled with loneliness.
As Shi Wanxia gazed in the direction he had left, tears welled up in her eyes and soaked her skirt.
The carriage curtain slowly fell, blocking her view and also severing the relationship that had ended without fruition.
The carriage slowly started moving, its wheels rumbling, carrying her away from the unfathomable palace. She was not a person of this era; she only wanted to go home.
When Cui Zhihao returned home, he locked himself in his room and stared blankly at the landscape painting he had painted with Shi Wanxia.
When his parents learned of this, they felt sorry for their son, but they were helpless and could only sigh in secret at this love that was destined to be unfulfilled.
A few days later, Cui Zhihao forced himself to go out. When he passed by the market, he saw a painting hanging on a stall selling calligraphy and paintings. The woman in the painting had a similar appearance to Shi Wanxia.
He involuntarily stopped in his tracks. The stall owner enthusiastically introduced the painting, saying it was painted by a mysterious woman who depicted herself.
Cui Zhihao was moved and bought the painting. He returned home and hung it in his study, gazing at it every day and thinking of Shi Wanxia.
One day, His Majesty suddenly summoned Shi Wanxia to an audience. Shi Wanxia was filled with trepidation, but after carefully dressing up, she went to the main hall.
She lowered her head, not daring to look directly into His Majesty's eyes.
His Majesty looked at her with admiration in his eyes and said he would marry her to the Crown Prince.
Shi Wanxia was startled. She knew this was an era where imperial power reigned supreme, but she was unwilling to accept it. She could only be herself.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty, for I cannot comply. I have no intention of getting married in my life, and in my country, monogamy is the norm."
"I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree. I have no desire to marry. I only wish to bring prosperity to the people of Cangling and to expand Your Majesty's territory."