Chapter 2: Refusal and Confrontation
Mo Shuihan looked up in surprise, bowing: “Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty. However, I already have someone I admire. I apologize for disappointing you and accept any punishment.”
The Emperor didn’t seem angry, asking with a smile: “Are you engaged?”
Mo Shuihan hesitated. Many people knew their circumstances, so they couldn’t lie: “Not yet engaged, but…”
“What kind of woman could possibly be better than a match the Emperor himself has chosen?” A voice interrupted.
Mo Shuihan looked up and saw that it was the Prime Minister, Xiao Yu Shou. They inwardly clenched their fists, suppressing their intense hatred.
The Emperor gestured to silence the Prime Minister and smiled at Mo Shuihan: “Don’t rush to refuse. I have a princess, my ninth daughter, whom I love dearly. She’s of marriageable age, and I admire your talent. I wish to make you her consort. What do you say?”
Mo Shuihan bowed their head, thinking quickly. Finally, they steeled themselves to refuse: “Your Highness is a precious princess and deserves the best husband. While I am not engaged, my heart belongs to another. I am unworthy of the princess. I beg you to withdraw your decree and find her a more suitable match.”
Prime Minister Xiao interjected: “Arrogant scholar! You’re overestimating yourself!”
The Emperor watched Mo Shuihan for a long while. Mo Shuihan remained kneeling, their back straight, their attitude respectful yet not submissive. Even facing the Emperor’s authority, they showed no fear or panic.
The Emperor suddenly laughed, stopping the Prime Minister: “Since the Top Scholar already has someone they admire, I won’t force the issue. Let’s forget about this.”
Mo Shuihan breathed a sigh of relief, thanked the Emperor, and stood up. They glanced at the still-furious Prime Minister, clenched their fists, and quickly regained their composure.
Although the Emperor dismissed the marriage proposal as a joke, the news couldn’t be kept secret, especially from the favored Ninth Princess. As soon as Mo Shuihan refused, the Princess received the news.
She was playing at Consort Chu’s palace when she heard the report and flew into a rage, smashing a cup on a purple sandalwood table: “That Top Scholar! It’s his honor to marry me, yet he dares to refuse! He’s made me lose face! I’ll show him!”
She ordered her attendants to find Mo Shuihan. Consort Chu was startled and quickly stopped her: “My dear niece, don’t cause trouble! Have you forgotten your recent confinement? You can’t get into trouble again so soon after being released.”
Song Xiangxue fumed: “It’s not my fault! That Top Scholar humiliated me! If I don’t get revenge, how can I survive in the palace?”
Consort Chu held her back, gently persuading her: “The Top Scholar’s refusal is his loss. He’ll regret it eventually. Why lower yourself by confronting him?”
Song Xiangxue broke free: “I can’t swallow this. Before he leaves the palace, I have to confront him!”
Consort Chu, unable to stop her, stamped her foot and ordered a eunuch: “Follow her! Prevent her from causing trouble!”
She then instructed a palace maid: “Quickly inform the Empress and have her delay the Emperor.”
After the palace banquet, the new scholars were to leave the palace and await their assignments. Mo Shuihan, anticipating a less desirable position due to their refusal, felt uneasy.
Feng Jingchen sighed: “Why did you refuse the marriage publicly? Your future is now uncertain!”
Cheng Yang added: “The Ninth Princess is a princess, beautiful and sought after. You’ve missed a great opportunity and many will now seek to take advantage of you.”
Mo Shuihan didn’t argue; if they had a choice, they wouldn’t have done this. But they harbored a dangerous secret – how could they marry the princess? If they married her, they would soon be imprisoned for deceiving the Emperor. They couldn’t die like that, not with their blood feud unresolved.
Feng Jingchen said: “Don’t lose heart. I’ll talk to my father; perhaps he can intercede on your behalf with the Emperor.”
As they spoke, a furious shout echoed behind them: “Mo Shuihan! Stop!”
They turned to see a young woman with many servants approaching angrily, surrounding them. Mo Shuihan saw the enraged woman – youthful and beautiful, her anger couldn’t mask her noble bearing.
Feng Jingchen recognized the Ninth Princess and bowed: “Greetings, Ninth Princess!”
Cheng Yang and Mo Shuihan followed suit: “Your servant, Mo Shuihan, greets the Ninth Princess.”
The Ninth Princess paused: “You are Mo Shuihan?”
Mo Shuihan looked up: “Yes.”
The Princess, taking in his handsome features, refined demeanor, and gentle manner, felt a sudden blush. Her anger subsided, her voice softening: “I just want to know why you refused.”
Mo Shuihan hesitated; their refusal already angered the Emperor, and now this confrontation. A wrong answer could bring serious consequences.
The princess saw his troubled expression: “Is it difficult to answer?”
Mo Shuihan sighed – their luck seemed terrible today.
“Your servant already has someone they admire. The Ninth Princess, a heavenly beauty, deserves the best man. I lack that fortune.”
The Ninth Princess tilted her head: “But you’re not engaged?”
“That…” Mo Shuihan struggled to find an answer.
The Ninth Princess approached, bending down: “Mo Shuihan, look at me properly. Am I truly unworthy of you?”
Feng Jingchen and the Princess’s servants were astonished: Was this really the Ninth Princess? When did she become so easygoing?
Mo Shuihan remained bowed: “Your Highness is heavenly; I am unworthy.”
The Ninth Princess stood, smiling proudly: “I’m giving you this chance.”
Mo Shuihan looked up in surprise: “Princess…”
The Princess, seeing his cold gaze, blushed slightly before proudly raising her head: “Mo Shuihan, I wish to marry you.”