Fan Xian braced himself and said, "Your subject's sister Ruoruo-if she married, it would indeed be difficult for me, as her elder brother, not to favor her and lend a hand. But Ruoruo is not an object. She should not be fought over by the princes for their own interests."
He drew a deep breath.
"For the stability of the court, and to keep any rift from forming among the princes because of us siblings, if there is no other choice, Ruoruo can remain unmarried."
Emperor Qing gave a cold laugh.
He pointed at Fan Xian, a measure of mockery in his voice.
"Refusing to let your sister marry-you certainly are a loving and protective brother."
Fan Xian steeled himself and said nothing.
Compared with marrying either of those bastards, Zhou Cheng or Li Chengze, remaining unmarried was better for Fan Ruoruo.
With his modern mindset, so what if she never married? It would not stop her from falling in love and having children!
Hadn't the Eldest Princess Li Yunrui remained unmarried? Her daughter was already about to marry him!
Just as the atmosphere grew stagnant, Zhou Cheng, who had been silent for some time, finally spoke. His opening words were directed at Fan Xian.
"Marriage is one of the great matters of life. As her elder brother, how can you make such a selfish pronouncement?"
Fan Xian's eyes widened.
Selfish?
If you bastard hadn't suddenly declared that you wanted to marry Ruoruo, would I ever have said something as deserving of a lightning strike as refusing to let my sister marry?
Zhou Cheng ignored his glare and simply turned to Emperor Qing.
"Self-interest is unavoidable. We three brothers do not fear competition, only favoritism. I ask Father Emperor to allow the Fan family's daughter to choose her own marriage,