A model marriage

Emperor Jinyuan felt immensely pleased at the sight of the censors and other officials left without a leg to stand on or a word to say.

He glanced sideways at Xiao Yu, a hint of pride appearing on his face.

That's my imperial brother.

He stunned the whole room.

Finish them off!

That'll teach them to act so smug and give me heart palpitations!

His eyes curved with delight, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly. He was clearly in a fine mood.

Picking up where Xiao Yu had left off, he replied, "Brother, you've asked exactly the right people. These gentlemen are famous throughout the capital for their model marriages."

"Take Censor Lu here on your left. He and his wife have been just as devoted to each other for over a decade, practically inseparable. He has never taken a single concubine, and they have had five sons since their marriage!"

The chief censor's face filled with pride at these words.

His wife was naturally the finest woman in the world.

"Oh?"

A trace of puzzlement appeared in Xiao Yu's eyes.

He looked at Emperor Jinyuan. "Elder Imperial Brother, you know I've been exceptionally gifted since childhood. While cultivating under my master on Spirit Mountain, I learned not only swordsmanship but also the divination arts..."

Then he changed tack. "But, Elder Imperial Brother, I just performed a divination for Censor Lu."

"The reading showed that he was destined to have no sons... Could I have calculated it wrong?"

The moment Xiao Yu finished speaking,

a deathly silence fell over the Imperial Study.

He tried to salvage things. "Perhaps... I really did get it wrong."

[As if.]

[None of Censor Lu's children are actually his.]

[If I'd really performed a divination, there would have been room for error. After all, my cultivation is still insufficient.]

[But I used the magical treasure, the Heaven and Earth Mirror! It can see the past and know the future, and now it's become my heart.]

[If I wanted to know, I could even find out in advance what underwear Censor Lu will wear tomorrow!]

Censor Lu coughed. That was entirely unnecessary...

Emperor Jinyuan felt awkward too.

Why bring up underwear out of nowhere...?

After all, Censor Lu was a respected veteran who had served two emperors.

He still deserved to be left with some dignity.

"What utter nonsense."

He shot Xiao Yu a meaningful look. "Apologize to the censor at once." Soothe his wounded heart a little...

Xiao Yu caught his hint and indicated that he understood.

He said to Censor Lu, "Censor Lu, it doesn't matter that your children aren't yours. They don't all have the same father, either... Does that make you feel a little better?"

Thud!

At those words, Censor Lu's blood surged to his head. His eyes closed, and he collapsed to the floor!

"Censor Lu!" The director of the Directorate of Astronomy, who stood closest, hurried to help him up.

Emperor Jinyuan hastily ordered, "Someone! Take Censor Lu to the Imperial Medical Bureau for treatment at once!"

After Censor Lu was carried away,

"You-you really will be the death of me!"

Emperor Jinyuan looked at Xiao Yu in exasperation. "I told you to comfort Censor Lu, not send him off on the spot!"

What man could withstand hearing that he'd been cuckolded so many times?

Turning to find the director of the Directorate of Astronomy and the minister of rites still there, he paused.

Then he abruptly asked, "What are you two still doing here?"

The director of the Directorate of Astronomy and the minister of rites exchanged a glance. Censor Lu was down; only they remained. They had to hold firm.

Fortunately, unlike Censor Lu, they knew their wives well enough. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

The director of the Directorate of Astronomy stepped forward. "Your Majesty, regarding the appointment of the Empress-"

"Brother."

Emperor Jinyuan immediately introduced him to Xiao Yu. "This is the director of the Directorate of Astronomy, Director Yin Huizhou. He and his wife are also a perfect match, the envy of everyone!"

"You should ask him for some advice!"

With that, he returned to the dragon throne and began drinking tea.

Yin Huizhou had complete confidence in his wife and felt no panic whatsoever.

She loved him so much.

How could she possibly betray him?

He met Xiao Yu's scrutiny with a resolute gaze.

A assessing look flickered through Xiao Yu's eyes.

Then his thin lips parted. "Madam Yin is indeed a good wife."

Yin Huizhou's smile deepened at those words.

He knew his wife loved him too much to ever carry on an affair behind his back.

"But, Lord Yin, there's something I don't understand."

Blinking his innocent eyes, Xiao Yu asked, "Since Madam Yin is so good, why are you secretly keeping a mistress outside your home?"

"And since you want a mistress, why did you keep refusing when Madam Yin offered to let you take a concubine? Why swear eternal devotion to her and say she was the only woman you would ever love? How does that make sense?"

Yin Huizhou's smile vanished instantly, and his face stiffened.

"I truly don't understand. Could you explain why, Lord Yin?"

As though he had not noticed anything amiss, Xiao Yu pressed for an answer. "Is it because you want the thrill?"

Meeting his innocent gaze, Yin Huizhou felt inexplicably guilty, cold sweat pouring down his body.

He could hardly tell the twelve-year-old Prince Yu, right in front of His Majesty...

that this was probably a flaw inherent in men.

They wanted to appear deeply devoted, the very picture of marital love, while secretly surrounding themselves with wives and concubines, sharing their affections with them all.

"No matter how sincerely some people act, they can never hide the unfaithfulness that clings to them."

With a child's uninhibited frankness, Xiao Yu said, "It seems men should marry virtuous wives, and women should keep their eyes open and marry good husbands!"

Yin Huizhou's face immediately turned the color of pig liver.

He hurriedly addressed Emperor Jinyuan. "Your Majesty, I suddenly feel a dull pain in my chest. Please permit me to withdraw and return home to rest..."

He truly had no face left to stay here any longer.

He had utterly disgraced himself.

Emperor Jinyuan did not make things difficult for him. "Go. Remember to stop by the Imperial Medical Bureau first and have a physician examine you. Do take good care of yourself."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I take my leave!"

With that, he scurried away in disgrace.

The minister of rites, the sole remaining official, stood in the middle of the room, trembling.

Emperor Jinyuan said, "You-"

"Your Majesty! I suddenly have an upset stomach and urgently need to relieve myself. Please permit me to withdraw!" the minister of rites immediately replied.

Then he made to leave.

Emperor Jinyuan said with apparent difficulty, "But regarding the appointment of the Empress..."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty! I will see to it that the investiture ceremony takes place on schedule, and there will be absolutely no mishaps on the day of the Empress's investiture!" the minister of rites promised.

Emperor Jinyuan's lips curled upward. "Then sorry for the trouble, my loyal minister!"

"It is my duty!"

"I shall take my leave!"

With that, he fled the Imperial Study.

He feared that if he left even a little too slowly, Prince Yu would expose him so thoroughly that he would not even have his underwear left.

Prince Yu was truly terrifying.

"Elder Imperial Brother, why were they all in such a hurry to leave? They didn't even stay to chat a little longer..."

Xiao Yu walked over as he spoke.

The corner of Emperor Jinyuan's mouth twitched.

Any more chatting, and even their underwear would be gone.

A man still needs a little dignity.

Dequan could not help snickering either.

Relying on their status as veterans who had served two emperors, these officials often gave His Majesty a hard time.

Especially over the appointment of the Empress these past two days.

His Majesty had been thoroughly sick of their pestering.

His temper had grown increasingly unpredictable, leaving Dequan on tenterhooks as well.

Fortunately, Prince Yu had come today.

"Tell me, what reward would you like today?"

Emperor Jinyuan asked Xiao Yu.

I am an enlightened ruler who rewards and punishes fairly, after all.

He helped me so much today. He deserves a reward.

"Anything at all?" Xiao Yu asked.

In an excellent mood now, Emperor Jinyuan replied, "As long as it's something I can give."

Xiao Yu answered without hesitation, "I want to leave the palace."

Emperor Jinyuan stiffened.

He immediately fell silent.