High-class maid

Chapter 256 Choosing One Person to Be Loyal For Life

The Emperor's breath hitched. Why was this child so unpredictable? And who did he resemble?

"Where did I say something wrong? What do you want to do? Do you intend to marry her as your principal wife?" the Emperor asked.

“That’s right. I will be loyal to one person for life. I will only marry Xing’er and will never take a concubine in this life,” Song Wenyang said.

"No!"

The Emperor refused without even thinking.

Then, fearing that Song Wenyang would lose his temper, he explained softly...

"You will have more than one seventh-rank official position in the future. Your wife must be a young lady from a noble family. How can she, as a maid in the Minister's mansion, be worthy of the position of mistress of the household?"

Song Wenyang was not as lively as rumored. He was dejected, like a wilted eggplant, and had lost all his energy.

The Emperor couldn't bear to see him like this, so he stepped down from the dragon throne, gently patted Song Wenyang's shoulder, and then advised him...

"Make her your concubine, and I will give her the highest status. As long as she is sensible, I will guarantee her a life of wealth and honor."

"In the past ten years or so, only Uncle He has given me warmth. But Uncle He was killed in his home by bad people because of me. Xing'er is the second person to give me warmth. Every woman who approaches me has an ulterior motive, but only she is genuinely good to me."

"I studied hard to become the top scholar, so that one day I could propose to her in a grand and honorable way. But I never thought that even after becoming the top scholar, I still couldn't marry her."

After saying this in a dejected tone, Song Wenyang gave a self-deprecating laugh, looking extremely pitiful.

The emperor's paternal love was instantly ignited, and he began to reflect on whether he had made a mistake. He had never been with the woman he loved most in his life, and now his son was going to follow in his footsteps?

"Then let that woman meet me. If she is indeed of good character, then I will consider it."

"No need. It seems I am destined to live out my days alone. I will take up my post well and live as a solitary subject. I take my leave."

After finishing his speech, Song Wenyang indeed got up and took his leave.

"Hey, hey, you child, you haven't finished speaking yet, why are you leaving? If you beg me a little, do you think I won't agree?" The Emperor stretched out his arm and shouted at Song Wenyang's back.

Where the Emperor couldn't see, Song Wenyang smiled triumphantly, then turned away with a dejected expression and said...

"No need. I don't want her to suffer any injustice. Her family also doesn't want their daughter to marry into a wealthy family. Not all parents are willing to let their children marry into a wealthy family."

"What? Her family doesn't even approve of you? What's wrong with my son? Why would they despise you like this?" The Emperor was furious, but then felt sorry for Song Wenyang.

If he were his own son, a legitimate prince, would it be anyone else's place to despise him?

"Enough, enough, this humble subject takes his leave." After saying this, Song Wenyang turned to leave again.

"Don't!"

"They look down on you? I'll just have to grant you a marriage! You're a handsome and outstanding scholar, the Song family will be yours in the future, what woman wouldn't be burning incense in gratitude if she married you?"

The emperor's rebellious spirit was aroused; they looked down on Song Wenyang, but he insisted on bestowing a marriage upon him!

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, Song Wenyang immediately expressed his gratitude, as if afraid that the emperor would change his mind.

Your Majesty: I feel like I've been tricked?

"A marriage decree is certain, but you still need to bring her to me to meet her. After all, she is your future mistress of the house. It's not too much for me to see her, is it?" the Emperor said.

"Let me ask Xing'er for her opinion. If she agrees, I will bring her to see His Majesty." Song Wenyang did not rush to agree.

"People say that once you marry a wife, you forget your mother. You haven't even married her yet, and you're already siding with her in every way?" The Emperor felt like he didn't recognize Song Wenyang anymore. When had he ever seen him so considerate?

"Xing'er is the person who will be with me for the rest of my life, so naturally I must always be mindful of her feelings, respect her, and cherish her." Song Wenyang said with a sweet smile when he mentioned Shen Xing'er.

The Emperor couldn't bear to see him in such a worthless state. He waved his hand weakly and said to Song Wenyang...

"Go away, go away."

"okay."

Song Wenyang turned and left without a trace of regret.

……

Do you feel like you've been tricked?

"Have you heard? This year's top scholar is the eldest son of the Song family, who achieved the highest honors in all three categories!"

"How did you know? The results of the imperial examination haven't come out yet."

"My sister's aunt's daughter's godbrother is in the palace, and he sent out this message today."

"I've met this newly appointed top scholar. He's incredibly handsome and talented. Any young lady who marries him will be truly blessed."

As the customers of Jinxiufang strolled and chatted, Shen Xing'er felt as if she were frozen in place.

Song Wenyang passed! He really got his wish!

After vaguely seeing off the last group of guests, Shen Xing'er felt as if she had just woken up from a dream. She happily said to Wang Shi...

"Mother, Brother Song passed the exam! His years of hard work have finally paid off. Should I go and give him a congratulatory gift?"

"Are you overjoyed, girl? The news hasn't even spread yet, and you're already rushing off? Besides, what is your status now? Won't this just invite gossip?"

Wang slapped her and said.

"Yes, my daughter was too happy and forgot her limits for a moment," Shen Xing'er said, regaining her composure.

“However, it is truly a cause for celebration that Young Master Song has become the top scholar appointed by the Emperor. It is inconvenient for the two of us women to go to the Song residence. Let your father go and deliver the congratulatory gifts when he returns from Jiangnan,” said Madam Wang.

"it is good."

The next day, drums and gongs began to be heard in the streets. Song Wenyang, dressed in red, rode a tall horse and wore red flowers, and began his parade in the capital.

This was a long-standing custom in the Qin Dynasty, and no matter how embarrassed Song Wenyang was, he had no choice but to ride a horse around the city.

"Is this the top scholar chosen by His Majesty? He truly is a man of exceptional talent!"

"Yes, I heard he's not married yet. Your daughter isn't betrothed either, is she?"

Amidst the buzz of discussion, unbeknownst to Shen Xing'er, some people had already begun to covet her Song Wenyang.

In the capital city, in a private room on the second floor of a restaurant.

"Hmph, Scholar Song is riding high these days, the Second Prince must be overjoyed." The Crown Prince waved his fan resentfully, his eyes practically spitting fire as he looked at Song Wenyang.

"Your Highness, you've been out for quite some time now. Let's hurry back to the palace. If the Second Prince's men see you, they'll report you to the Emperor again," the advisor earnestly advised.

"Am I, the Crown Prince, afraid of a mere illegitimate son? Now his classmate has become the top scholar, while I have been sentenced to death by the Emperor. I'm afraid the Second Prince is riding high and has no time to care about me."

Just as the advisors were about to try to persuade him again, a bodyguard flew up behind the crown prince and whispered something in his ear.

The prince's eyes flickered with uncertainty as he spoke, and then, as if he had just heard something, his eyes widened suddenly.