Chapter 176 - 174. Di Shang’s Proposal

Third-person POV

Hong er tapped her finger on armrest whilst pondering Di Shang's proposal of marrying Meiyun. She unconsciously glared at Di Shang who was kneeling in front of her with eyes full of doubt. Huayun poured a cup of hot tea for Hong er while Meiyun massaged her shoulder to calm her down.

Hong er: "Ben Gong trust you will treat her benevolently as your pair. But Meiyun is one of Ben Gong's closest friends and you can say we are literally sisters. So it will be hard for Ben Gong to have her leave Ben Gong's side."

Meiyun snorted internally and glanced at Di Shang's calm expression.

Di Shang: "I planned to marry Meiyun in 8 months, therefore, I pleaded Your Majesty Empress to at least approve our engagement."

They could clearly hear Di Shang's sincerity in his voice. He bowed to Hong er once again and hoped that she would approve. Hong er glimpsed at the smiling Meiyun and she herself also smiled happily. But she wanted to test Di Shang so Meiyun wouldn't be sad after she marry to him. Her happy face changed into fierce and intimidating.

Hong er: "Ben Gong definitely won't doubt Di family because of the friendship of our father and Ben Gong could feel the enthusiasm of Madam Di to have a descendant. But what makes you so rushed to marry her? What makes her so special that the mighty General Di has to bow his head just for a servant?"

Hong didn't mean to look down on Meiyun's status and Meiyun also understood what Hong er trying to do. It didn't take Di Shang 2 seconds to reply to Hong er.

Di Shang: "If Your Majesty Empress telling me to say the reasons why I love Meiyun then it will take a month. I am aware of her status as a servant and didn't mind it at all because what I love about her is her personality, not her status or her wealth.

The reason why I am so rushed is that I am afraid that this beautiful lady would get stolen by someone who is cowardice and valued his pride more than her."

Hong er: "Hoo~ It seems like you are referring to someone."

Then a loud voice of an eunuch made them pause.

Eunuch: "His Majesty Emperor arrived."

. Weisheng walked in with the Qi brothers behind him. Meiyun was quite perplexed by Qiyi's gaze that he directed at Di Shang and her. Hong er quickly rose from her seat and bent her knees to greet Weisheng

Hong er: "Your Majesty Emperor, are you finished with the morning court?"

Weisheng: "En."

Weisheng took her and guided her to sit beside him.

Weisheng: "May Zhen ask what are you doing here, General Di?"

Di Shang: "I am here to ask for Meiyun's hand in marriage."

Weisheng: "So what Zhen's wife says?"

Weisheng glanced at the smiling Hong er and she nodded at him. Qiyi's eyes widened when he saw Hong er approved Di Shang's proposal but before he could voice out his opinion, Weisheng's hand stopped him.

Hong er: "What do Your Majesty Emperor think about this?"

Weisheng: "Since Meiyun is your servant, it should be you who decides. But Zhen prefers Meiyun stays beside Zhen's Empress as she is trusted and very capable in protecting Zhen's Empress."

Di Shang: "This can easily be done, Your Majesty Emperor and Empress."

Di Shang spoke and gave Weisheng a meaningful glance. Weisheng unnoticeably nodded his head and turned away.

Weisheng: "Beloved Empress, I have to go again. Sorry."

Hong er: "En."

Hong er smiled lovingly at Weisheng and waved her hand. Weisheng stopped at the exit and looked at the Qi brothers.

Weisheng: "Only Qier follows me. Qiyi, clear up your misunderstanding."

With that, Weisheng left coolly with Qier. Di Shang also bowed to Hong er and excused himself after smiled softly at Meiyun. Meiyun mouthed 'See you' to Di Shang and smiled brightly while watching him exit the hall.

Di Shang didn't even spare a glance to Qiyi and brushed past him. Hong er nudged Meiyun's arm and glanced at the standing Qiyi.

Hong er: "Go talk to him."

Meiyun: "En."

Meiyun went to his side and tapped his shoulder. Qiyi turned around and stared at the woman that he neglected. Meiyun saw his sad eyes and worriedly asked him.

Meiyun: "What's wrong? Hey hey hey, why don't we talk outside? It is inappropriate to talk leisurely in front of Her Majesty Empress."

Qiyi: "En."

They bowed to Hong er and went outside of the hall.

Meiyun: "Now, is it okay if you tell me what's the matter?"

Qiyi didn't reply and only stares at her worried face. Meiyun knitted her brow and sighed.

Meiyun: "Fine, if you don't-"

Qiyi: "Do you like me?"

Meiyun was caught off guard by his question and couldn't answer him for a while.

Meiyun: "Yes."

Qiyi: "Th-"

Meiyun: "I did."

Qiyi was at a loss for words, she used past tense to reply to him. He snorted and stared at her in disbelief.

Qiyi: "Can't you give me one more chance?"

Meiyun wasn't stupid, by the sentence that he threw at her, she immediately realizes that he likes her. But right now, the man that filled up her heart with happiness is Di Shang.

Meiyun: "I did like to but have you ever give me a chance to love you?"

Qiyi: "I'm sorry. I didn't know about your feelings."

Meiyun: "It's not that you don't know but it is you who refuse to acknowledge it."

Qiyi was stupefied by the revelation. It was him who kept on blaming other people for his own mistake.

Meiyun: "I'm not mad. It is me who decided to love you, don't blame yourself."

And he didn't expect that it would be her who consoled his broken heart but her next words made him feel guilty and dissatisfied.

Meiyun: "You should find someone better than me and have a happy married life. The one who will protect you and care for you with her whole heart. And I hope we can still be buddy, it is very fun to have you as a friend."

Meiyun tapped his shoulder and left with a free smile on her face. His expressionless face and with his death eyes made him look extremely pitiful. He leaned on the wall beside him and a smile filled with sadness displayed on his lips.

Qiyi: "Sadly, there is no woman who would love me like you did."

.

.

Weisheng and Di Shang sat across each other and leisurely sipped their tea. Qier was waiting outside and left them alone in the room to discuss about Di Shang's another proposal. They didn't feel awkward or unpleasant as both of them were men of few words. But since Di Shang was more generous in spitting out words, he started the conversation with a few words.

Di Shang: "Your Majesty Emperor, I want to make a deal."

Weisheng: "What?"

Weisheng asked him nonchalantly. Di Shang slid a wooden box that was sealed with a high casted magic seal. He positioned his palm above the box and the seal was broken.

Di Shang: "This scroll contains everything that is necessary and this plan has been approved by my father. If Your Majesty Emperor interested, give us a notice."

Weisheng: "En."

Weisheng nodded his head. Di Shang rose from his seat and bowed to Weisheng.

Di Shang: "Well then, I excuse myself."

Di Shang walked out of the room. Weisheng opened the unsealed box and took out a quite amount of paper inside of the box. He read a few pages and smirked, then he saw a few words that were recently written on the last paper.

'It is a surprise'

Weisheng leaned his back on his chair and sighed. It seems like he had to keep a few secrets from Hong er.