flstandardbreds Chapter 139 Chen Xiuming's eyes were filled with disbelief
Chapter 139 Chen Xiuming's eyes were filled with disbelief
Gao Xian coughed lightly, his expression changed slightly, and he glanced at everyone before saying in a deep voice, "Is there any way to resolve this matter?"
Lin Qing hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "In my humble opinion, we need to find the person whose fate clashes with ours and break the established connection between them in order to appease the wrath of Heaven."
At this moment, someone in the crowd whispered, "I heard that Minister Jiang's eldest daughter is engaged to Lord Chen's son... Could these two people who are incompatible be them?"
These words seemed to awaken everyone, and all eyes involuntarily fell on Jiang Yunzhu and Chen Xiuming.
Many people in the capital knew about their engagement, and they all remembered it at this moment.
Jiang Yunzhu pretended not to know, but bit her lower lip slightly, as if she was also flustered.
Chen Xiuming was slightly taken aback, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. He was about to speak when the person next to him secretly tugged at his clothes.
Gao Xian's gaze also fell on the two of them, his eyes revealing a hint of inquiry: "Is this true?"
Upon seeing this, Chen's father quickly stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, my son and Miss Jiang are indeed engaged, but this marriage was arranged by the elders of both families. I never expected things to turn out this way..."
Lin Qing frowned slightly, calculated with his fingers, and his expression became more and more certain: "Your Majesty, it is precisely because these two people's fates clash that if they are forced into marriage, it may bring disaster."
“If it is a sign from the heavens…” Gao Xian’s face turned gloomy.
After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke: "For the sake of the country and its people, let's cancel this engagement."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunzhu pinched her palms hard to keep herself from laughing out loud.
Just as my cousin said, her wedding with Chen Xiuming has indeed been called off!
Upon hearing the Emperor's personal order, Shen Xingjian immediately relaxed.
He maintained his calm and composed demeanor, only slightly lowering his eyes to conceal the fleeting glint in them.
Ever since he learned of their engagement, he felt as if a boulder was pressing on his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.
But now...
Shen Xingjian glanced up at Jiang Yunzhu and saw that she looked normal and did not seem sad about the cancellation of the wedding. He was overjoyed.
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiuming's face turned red with anger, veins bulged on his forehead, and his eyes were filled with disbelief and rage.
Wasn't the Emperor supposed to bestow a marriage upon us tonight? Why has he now cancelled the engagement?
How can this be!
Jiang Yunzhu belongs to him, and she can only marry him!
He suddenly took a few steps forward, completely disregarding that he was in front of the emperor and the strange looks from the crowd, and shouted loudly, "Your Majesty, how can you take Lin Qing's words seriously!"
"My marriage to Jiang Yunzhu was arranged by both families since childhood. We are well-matched and have a good relationship. How can it become unsuitable because of this vague and ethereal celestial phenomenon?"
Chen Xiuming's voice became somewhat hoarse with anger.
His actions stood out starkly in the otherwise quiet banquet hall, where only whispers remained. Many people were taken aback by his reckless behavior and gasped in surprise.
He turned and glared fiercely at Lin Qing, pointing his finger at him and gritting his teeth, "You old man, are you just spouting nonsense and making up such absurd reasons to ruin my plans! What do you mean by clashing fates? I've never heard of such nonsense before. Why should you cancel it just like that!"
Upon seeing this, Chen's father turned pale with fright and hurriedly stepped forward to pull him away, scolding him in a low voice, "You unfilial son, stop talking nonsense! How dare you be so insolent before the Emperor! Do you have a death wish?"
But Chen Xiuming was blinded by anger and wouldn't listen to any advice. He forcefully shook off his father's hand and continued shouting.
"I don't care, I will never agree to cancel this engagement. Jiang Yunzhu and I are engaged, she is my betrothed, how can she be taken away so easily!"
Lin Qing frowned slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes. "Since Young Master Chen doesn't understand, I will explain it to you."
"In the sky, the constellations correspond to the nine provinces of the earth. For example, the area where Tengwang Pavilion is located corresponds to the constellations Wing and Chariot. Your and Miss Jiang's fates correspond to two constellations in the sky right now. These two constellations are in conflict and will clash, indicating that your union will inevitably cause trouble, which will be detrimental to both your family and the country."
"Furthermore, the recent lunar phases are disordered, which is an omen of bloodshed and disaster. The fact that your engagement is in trouble at this time is precisely due to the influence of this lunar phase. If you do not follow the will of heaven and force the marriage, there is a risk of bloodshed and disaster befalling your family in the future. Can you bear this responsibility?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Jiuwei couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly.
No wonder Lin Qing was able to become the Chief Astrologer.
Even casual, nonsensical remarks can sound so eloquent.
Even she almost believed it.
Lin Qing's words were reasonable and well-founded, leaving Chen Xiuming speechless for a moment.
But he was still very unwilling and wanted to speak again.
Gao Xian was furious when he saw that Chen Xiuming was still not restraining himself and was so presumptuous.
"How dare you!" He slammed his hand on the armrest, his voice booming like thunder, echoing throughout the entire banquet hall.
This instantly made the already tense and oppressive atmosphere even more somber.
"I am here, how dare you be so insolent, disregarding my and the Imperial Observatory's words? Do you really think I won't punish you?"
Upon hearing the reprimand, Chen Xiuming froze, realizing just how outrageous his actions had been, and turned deathly pale with fright.
With a thud, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.
His voice trembled as he pleaded for mercy: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me! This humble servant... this humble servant acted rashly in a moment of panic and lost his sense of proportion. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy!"
Gao Xian remained unmoved, glaring angrily at him and rebuking him: "You have studied for so many years, you should know the etiquette between ruler and subject, know when to advance and retreat, and understand the principles of things. Today, however, you openly questioned the Imperial Observatory in front of everyone, roared before the emperor, and disrupted my banquet. If I do not punish you, how can I convince the people!"
After saying that, Gao Xian said coldly, "Guards, drag Chen Xiuming away and make him kneel outside the palace. For the next few days, he will be punished to continue kneeling in the bustling streets of the capital for a whole month."
“From 7 AM to 7 PM every day, let everyone see the fate of those who disregard the law and have no manners!”
At Gao Xian's command, the guards immediately stepped forward, swiftly pinned down Chen Xiuming, and dragged him away despite his cries and pleas for mercy.
Jiang Yunzhu saw Chen Xiuming being dragged away.
Her lips curved slightly upward, revealing a small dimple on her cheek.
The anger I've been feeling these past few days seems to have found an outlet, and I feel much better now.
Even as Chen Xiuming was dragged away to be punished, the atmosphere at the banquet remained heavy and oppressive.
At that moment, a tall figure stepped out from the crowd.
Shen Xingjian stood tall and firm as he arrived at the center of the hall. He respectfully bowed deeply to Gao Xian and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to ask for your permission."
When Gao Xian saw that it was actually Shen Xingjian, his eyebrows twitched slightly.
Shen Xingjian, a military officer personally promoted by him, trained the Imperial Guards extremely well.
He repeatedly offered to reward him, but Shen Xingjian declined each time.
But now he actually has something to ask of himself.
Gao Xian looked slightly surprised, but also inquisitive, and asked, "What do you wish to report, my dear minister? Please speak freely."
Shen Xingjian raised his head, looking at him with a firm and sincere gaze, and said, word by word, "Your Majesty, I have long admired Miss Jiang. Now that her engagement has been called off, I humbly request Your Majesty to grant me this marriage, so that I may have the opportunity to care for her for the rest of my life and protect her."
After saying this, he kowtowed deeply again.
Shen Xingjian's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a huge uproar at the banquet.
People cast a variety of complex glances, including those of surprise, curiosity, and envy, and began whispering and discussing among themselves.
Madam Shen, who had been watching the commotion, was suddenly stunned.
what's the situation? !
Why did her son suddenly request the emperor to grant him a marriage decree?
Qin Jiuwei was also stunned.
She opened her mouth.
How come she didn't know about this?