I Want the Death-Exemption Gold Plaque

It's likely that their elders arranged the marriage between them years ago, but it was probably just a verbal agreement.

This marriage will definitely not be approved by the Grand Princess.

"Your parents are loving, but your grandmother has always been unwilling," the Emperor said. "... You must not harbor resentment towards your grandmother because of this. Even I was extremely reluctant when I heard that he was going to marry the Southern Border Princess."

Why?

They're enjoying their lovey-dovey time, and you demons and monsters just have to come and disturb them.

"Your father is handsome and charming. When it came time to arrange a marriage, the threshold of the Grand Princess's Residence was practically worn out by suitors. There were more than just one or two people asking me to act as their matchmaker."

The Grand Princess was overwhelmed by the choices and resolved to find a perfect lady for her son, one who was impeccable in all aspects, including music, chess, calligraphy, painting, virtue, appearance, speech, and skills.

And the result?

The son took a liking to the barbarians.

If this matter becomes public, the Grand Princess's Residence will become a laughing stock in the Capital.

"... Your father insisted on marrying your mother. Your grandmother was unwilling, but she couldn't persuade him otherwise; after your mother married your father, she fought alongside him and they lived a harmonious life."

At this point, Gu Yuanshi said, "Generally speaking, when a general goes to war, his family members are supposed to stay in the Capital. However, His Majesty is benevolent and has specially allowed the Marquis to bring his family along."

Gu Wanning thought to herself, "It is indeed quite good, but not that good."

After all, the Grand Princess is still in the Capital.

When it comes to being a hostage, a mother is more persuasive than a daughter-in-law.

Because you can replace your wife, but you can't replace your mother.

"Let's not talk about those things." The Emperor waved his hand.

Gu Wanning glanced at the Emperor's obviously pleased expression and silently thought, "Why are you so happy if I don't mention it?"

She discovered that the emperor seemed to particularly enjoy being praised for his tolerance and appreciation of talent.

"But this last time, because your mother was pregnant with you, she stayed in the Capital. It was also because she and your grandmother lived under the same roof, and the two had many conflicts."

Gu Wanning could imagine it.

Both of them are princesses, and both are very assertive. If they were under the same roof, wouldn't they cause a huge uproar?

"The two of them were arguing so fiercely that they even came to my attention. Your mother is also headstrong and willful; when I scolded her a few times, she tried to overturn the table. I didn't stoop to her level and just told her to go back and reflect on her actions."

Fortunately, he held back his temper; otherwise, the emperor would have felt somewhat uncomfortable after her death.

Gu Wanning thought to herself that compared to her own meek and submissive nature, Xu Weibei's mother was much more assertive.

She really is a princess who has been spoiled since childhood.

"Your mother left you behind and secretly went to the Capital to find your father. Your father probably said a few words to her because of this, and the two parted on bad terms. Your mother was very angry, but she didn't know that was the last time they would see each other..."

The Emperor sighed, "When the news of your father's death in battle arrived, your mother was heartbroken and soon passed away from grief. Your great-aunt strictly guarded against anyone mentioning the Southern Border in front of you, not wanting anyone to know that you had Southern Border blood. But really, what does it matter? The Southern Border and the Central Plains have been intermarrying for over a hundred years."

Gu Wanning thought that the Grand Princess must hate Xu Weibei's mother very much, so she wanted to erase her traces.

"Xu Weibei, you're not a child anymore. There are some things you shouldn't be kept in the dark about anymore. Besides, you're unwell. The Southern Border is skilled in witchcraft and medicine; let them take a look at you. For the sake of our kinship, they shouldn't hold back."

Gu Wanning said weakly, "Your Majesty, Yi Xiu has already refused."

"They refused?" The Emperor was somewhat surprised. "They refused to treat patients in Xu Weibei?"

Gu Wanning nodded and said truthfully, "Yiling offered to help, but Yi Xiu refused. I have no idea Central Plains."

"How could that be? In his letter to me, the King of Southern Border entrusted me with taking good care of Xu Weibei. How could he refuse to help?" The Emperor did not believe it.

"That's true. Why don't you, Your Majesty, talk to Yi Xiu about it?" Gu Wanning said shamelessly.

The Emperor pointed at her and laughed, scolding, "How could your father, such a serious and upright man, have given birth to a monkey like you? I don't know what Xu Weibei likes about you."

"Maybe he likes my thick skin," Gu Wanning said seriously, "You make up for what you lack."

Her self-deprecating humor successfully made the emperor laugh out loud.

Xu Weibei was somewhat taken aback by the sudden revelation of his background and remained silent for the moment.

Seeing this, the Emperor said to him, "You are Yi Xiu's cousin. You can go and ask him yourself later. There's no harm in you two having more contact. I believe that since the Southern Border is not easily controlled, the border should not be in chaos."

Gu Wanning couldn't help but think with a cynical mind that the Emperor's decision not to move Xu Weibei might not be without consideration for the Southern Border.

Xu Weibei holds dual significance for the Southern Border.

First, he is a skilled fighter and fearless in the face of war; second, he has blood from the Southern Border, and the King of Southern Border also cares about this nephew.

Therefore, with Xu Weibei, the Central Plains and the Southern Border could coexist peacefully.

Chapter 273 I Want Death-Exemption Gold Plaque

Gu Wanning always knew that the Emperor's amiable demeanor was conditional.

Useless people won't even get a glance from the emperor.

However, what she didn't expect was that Xu Weibei not only had his own abilities, but also the advantage of his social status.

Whether you count from his father's or mother's side, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

What's most precious is that everyone, from his father's side to his mother's side, still cares about him.

However, upon further reflection, this was largely due to Xu Weibei's own outstanding abilities.

Xu Weibei clearly had no prior knowledge of these things, so he remained silent after the Emperor finished speaking.

Gu Wanning also remained silent.

No matter who it is, being suddenly told about one's background takes time to process.

There was one thing that Xu Weibei found hard to accept: his grandmother and mother had once been irreconcilably opposed.

Emotionally speaking, both of them were the most important people to him.

The Emperor probably knew this too, so he sighed and said, "These are all old, trivial matters. Your parents have been gone for almost twenty years, haven't they?"