"Zhou Hong, you saved me and pulled me out of misery. You are my benefactor, and my gratitude to you is beyond words. I am the ruler of a kingdom, and I keep my word. From today onwards, you are no longer my daughter's student, but her驸马 (fù mǎ - son-in-law of the emperor)." His Imperial Majesty said with a face full of gratitude.
Lu Qianqian's expression was slightly stunned, her emotions indescribably complex. Of course, she did not intend to resist her father. She had agreed to this matter. As long as someone could cure her father, she would marry him. Even if it meant giving her life, she would do so without hesitation.
Earlier, she had thought that even if the person who cured her father was an old man, she would still accept it. Now, Zhou Hong was a young and handsome man. However, what made her a little frustrated was that Zhou Hong was her student, a status that made her feel a bit awkward.
However, Zhou Hong smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty, but it's not necessary. The reason I came to treat you was not for the title of驸马. I only did it out of respect for our mentor's filial piety."
"How can that be? I am the emperor, and my words are as good as gold. If I go back on my word, won't people laugh at me?" The emperor seemed very resolute. Ever since he fell ill, he had been mocked by kings of other empires, who said he was "drinking and defecating at the same time, his reign is over," and so on. Therefore, his illness was well-known throughout the Tian Yang Continent.
Now that he had been cured, if he did not marry the princess to the one who cured him, wouldn't he be ridiculed by people from other empires, who would call him untrustworthy? How could any cultivators serve him in the future?
"Your Imperial Majesty, it's really not necessary. Lu Tutor is my mentor. How could I possibly become her驸马?" Zhou Hong was also very firm.
"So what if she's your mentor? I'll immediately ask Qianqian to resign from her position as a mentor at the Taigu Academy, and then she won't have that status."
"Please don't, there's no need to do it because of me."
"Alright, if you refuse again, it means you're too proud and don't think my daughter is good enough for you."
At this moment, Lu Qianqian's mood was also a little complicated. She could tell that Zhou Hong did not want to. She then tried to persuade him, "Father, since Zhou Hong is your benefactor, you shouldn't force him."
"This is not a matter of forcing or not forcing. It's about me as the ruler of a kingdom, whose words are as good as gold. What I say must be fulfilled. You two should not return to the Taigu Academy for now. Rather than choosing a day, let's strike today. Today, we will hold the wedding. After the wedding, you can go back if you wish, or stay if you don't." The emperor's tone was uncompromising. If they refused again, he would get angry.
Zhou Hong was speechless. If he had known he would be so unreasonable, he wouldn't have bothered to treat him. He had never met such a person who repaid kindness with enmity. Indeed, the imperial family was the most heartless.
"Guards." The emperor shouted.
"Your humble servant is here." A eunuch walked in.
"Immediately summon all the ministers to the imperial court. I have important matters to announce."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The old eunuch walked to the entrance of the grand hall and struck a bell.
This bell signaled the summons to the imperial court. Upon hearing the bell, the ministers residing in the imperial city would come to the court.
"Tutor Lu, what is your father planning to do?" Zhou Hong and Lu Qianqian stood on one side of the hall.
"What else can he do? My father is so happy now, he's definitely going to announce that his illness is cured, and by the way, he'll announce that he's taking you as his驸马." Su Dan Novel Network.
"Ah, how can this be? Once he announces it, it will be known to the world, and it will be impossible to take it back." Zhou Hong said with some frustration.
"Zhou Hong, my father seems determined to take you as his驸马. What do you think about this?" Lu Qianqian asked with a blush, lowering her head.
"You are my mentor. How can this be? I treated your father's illness not for this reason."
"I know that, of course. But regardless of the purpose, the result is the same. You seem quite resistant. You are indeed my good student, having no thoughts about your mentor at all." Lu Qianqian said with a wry smile. Even she had not resisted and was prepared to accept it, yet Zhou Hong was resisting so strongly, as if Zhou Hong was the one at a disadvantage.
"Tutor Lu, please don't misunderstand. I feel that I am not worthy of you. You are now a cultivator in the middle Nascent Soul stage, while I am still so weak. If the teachers and students of Taigu Academy knew about this, how embarrassing would it be for us in the future? By the way, Tutor Lu, what are your thoughts? Why didn't you resist?" Zhou Hong asked with some confusion.
"Although I also feel that our identities are not quite suitable, from another perspective, if an old man had cured my father's illness, I would have been betrothed to him just the same. And you are much better than any old man. In short, no matter who it is, if my father wants to take him as his驸马, I have no intention of resisting. Of course, if you really don't want to, I can help you talk to him."
"Mmm."
Lu Qianqian walked out, intending to persuade her father again.
"Qianqian, I know what you want to say. There's no need to waste your effort. My mind is made up."
Lu Qianqian sighed. She hadn't even spoken yet, and her father had already refused her. She could only look at Zhou Hong helplessly.
The emperor also looked at Zhou Hong and asked, "Zhou Hong, I still don't know where you are from, or who your family members are."
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I am from the Zi Xiao Continent. I have a very small family there, not worth mentioning."
"Zi Xiao Continent? A desolate place?"
"Yes."
"Then what reason do you have to refuse to be the驸马 of my peerless empire? I haven't even disliked you yet."
"This!"
"Alright, my mind is made up. Tonight, you must consummate your marriage. Once the ministers arrive, I will announce this matter."
"Your Majesty, if you really don't want to retract your decree, can you please not announce it?" Zhou Hong said helplessly.
"What do you mean?"
"You want me to be Tutor Lu's驸马, but can you not let it be known, at least not for now? I don't want the students and teachers of Taigu Academy to know, as it will only add to my troubles."
The emperor hesitated for a moment and said, "As long as you promise to get married obediently tonight, I can consider not publicizing it for the time being. We can announce it after you graduate from Taigu Academy."
"Alright." Zhou Hong could only nod helplessly.
Just then, figures were flying across the sky outside.
These figures rushing over were the ministers coming to court.
In just three to five minutes, hundreds of court ministers had all arrived in the grand hall. All these ministers were cultivators.
Zhou Hong was also a little surprised to see the hall filled with people in such a short time.
However, Zhou Hong immediately left through the back door. He didn't want the ministers to see him.
"Zhou Hong, you've really decided to marry me." After leaving the grand hall, Lu Qianqian said with a complex expression and a smile.