Chapter 15: If You Push Me Any Further, I Will Marry Qin Hao
“Father, I have wonderful news that you will surely like,” Li Qingyao said as soon as she sat down.
“I have news about your mother and me that you will also find pleasing,” Emperor Xuande added, waiting for Li Qingyao to settle before speaking.
He didn’t even ask the palace maids to pour tea; instead, he personally and indulgently poured a cup for his daughter, letting her take a sip to calm her hurried steps.
“Father, please let me speak first,” Li Qingyao said with a hint of coquettishness, swallowing her tea.
“But Father is also eager to speak first,” Emperor Xuande smiled, trying to claim the chance to speak.
Empress Xiaoyuan laughed aloud. “I see no use in you two competing; why don’t you speak together?”
“Your mother and I want to choose a husband for you.”
“I’ve found a better method for disaster relief,” the emperor and Li Qingyao spoke simultaneously.
Then both froze.
“Father, what did you say?”
“Qingyao, what did you say?”
They spoke in unison again.
Noticing her daughter’s words, Empress Xiaoyuan’s smile faded, and she waved to the palace maids nearby.
The maids understood immediately, taking all serving attendants out and closing the door behind them. The guards around withdrew more than ten meters away, patrolling, forbidding anyone from approaching.
“Father, what I say is true. I’ve found a method; look here,” Li Qingyao said excitedly, pulling out a smoothed-out paper, the creases still visible from being gripped tightly.
Emperor Xuande took it and opened it.
He wanted to see what brilliant idea could have excited his daughter so much.
“What beautiful handwriting, I’ve never seen anything like it,” the emperor praised upon first glance.
Then he read the contents carefully.
As time passed, his expression grew serious, his gaze intent.
After the span of a tea cup, he took a deep breath.
“Qingyao, this is not your handwriting. Whose is it?”
“Father, impressive, isn’t it? It’s written by the person who answered my couplet,” Li Qingyao’s eyes shone with excitement.
“The beggar you mentioned in the hall today?”
“Yes, him. When he came, he looked truly miserable, as thin as any beggar.”
“But Father, you shouldn’t praise me first. This is the talent I have discovered.”
Li Qingyao smiled as she spoke, like a child seeking affection.
This was a side she only showed to those closest to her.
“A good daughter. Such talent—when will you introduce him to me?” Emperor Xuande asked.
Without hesitation, Li Qingyao refused outright, “No, Father. You cannot take him away. This is my discovery, not yours.”
The emperor smiled, but a subtle change flickered in his eyes.
Only Empress Xiaoyuan noticed and teased indulgently, “Qingyao, the whole empire belongs to your father. Are you really afraid he’ll steal your talent?”
Li Qingyao fell silent.
Emperor Xuande said nothing, simply gazing at his remarkably gifted daughter.
After a moment, Li Qingyao sighed, “Father, may I leave this person to my eldest brother?”
At these words, Emperor Xuande and Empress Xiaoyuan exchanged a deep glance.
The subtle change in the emperor’s eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a flash of anger.
“Your eldest brother is a fool. He never thinks about state affairs and only likes to fool around with those literati,” Emperor Xuande said, his frustration clear, embodying the stern father.
“Even now, he makes his own sister worry about his crown. I think he shouldn’t be crown prince.”
The emperor’s anger grew, his tone harsh.
Empress Xiaoyuan poured tea to calm him.
Emperor Xuande drank it all at once.
Then, indulgently, he said, “Still, my good daughter cares for her father.”
“But if you want to leave this person to your eldest brother, have you investigated his identity?”
Li Qingyao smiled, “Father, he has only just begun to show some ability. I want to see what else he can do.”
“At present, he is a strategist in my household.”
“If he is truly talented, we can investigate later.”
“I came to tell you first. Tomorrow at court, I will present this method.”
“That way, the soldiers in the north will have better military supplies.”
“And we won’t have to worry about retreating to the southern border come winter.”
Emperor Xuande nodded, agreeing with his daughter’s view.
After discussing these important state affairs, the emperor returned to the previous topic.
“Qingyao, your mother and I have chosen a husband for you. Is there anyone you fancy?”
Li Qingyao’s body trembled.
She knew this day would come but hadn’t expected it so soon.
Yet she did not want to marry.
Once she married, she would no longer have the chance to attend court.
In the capital dynasty, women had no precedent for official positions.
Her ability to participate in politics as the eldest princess was due to the emperor’s favor and the ministers’ affection for her.
Thus, they tolerated her unruly behavior.
But unexpectedly, her decisive political actions after entering court unsettled the entire civil official group.
“Father, may I improve the soldiers’ conditions first before marrying?”
“And I know you value generals.”
“Yet the powerful clans prevent large reforms, so I can do this on your behalf.”
“No one will quarrel with a princess who is about to marry. May I?”
Li Qingyao’s voice was soft, tinged with a plea.
More indulgence shone in Emperor Xuande’s eyes.
Among all his sons, none understood him.
Only this daughter truly did.
Yet as a father, Emperor Xuande would not let her take the lead.
Qingyao was still too young. If she angered the civil officials’ interests,
many ministers would submit memorials demanding he select a husband for her.
According to royal tradition, Qingyao was indeed of marriageable age.
“Qingyao, let your mother choose for you,” the emperor insisted.
Li Qingyao took a deep breath, her gaze resolute.
“Father, I need one more year—no, half a year.”
“If you must choose a husband, I’d rather marry Qin Hao.”
“A fool, but at least he’d give me more autonomy.”
“...”
“Achoo!”
Qin Hao rubbed his nose.
What’s wrong? A cold?
The clothes Old Brother Wu gave him were quite warm; he shouldn’t be catching a cold.
He must be hungry, too weak.
That rumbling in his stomach was constantly urging Shen Hao to hurry toward the brightly lit Wind and Moon Pavilion ahead.
Upon arriving at the entrance, Shen Hao was struck by the dazzling splendor.
Though ancient times relied only on candlelight,
to illuminate a three-story building so brightly, with the outside well lit as well, there must be hundreds of smokeless, odorless candles inside.
Such special candles cost five hundred copper coins each.
Just one night’s lighting bill at the Wind and Moon Pavilion would cost three hundred taels.
Considering the level of spending inside, the prices must be extremely high.
No wonder the capital was said to have eighty percent of its residents unqualified to enter the Wind and Moon Pavilion.
Qin Hao admired silently; no wonder it was the most luxurious brothel in the capital.
Just as Qin Hao was about to enter, a young servant stopped him at the door.
“Pay first,” the servant said.
Qin Hao only then noticed that the talented visitors had to pay before entering.
He had to pay five taels just to get in!
Qin Hao stood still.
How careless.
He wanted to enjoy a free dinner but hadn’t expected an entrance fee.
But this was no problem for Qin Hao.
He coldly glanced at the servant. “You’re blind! Tonight, all the courtesans belong to me. When the time comes, I’ll pay you; you won’t even dare to take it.”
“Truly no sense at all. Get out of the way. I’ll pay after I’m done.”
The servant was stunned.
He really didn’t know Qin Hao.
But seeing Qin Hao’s domineering manner, he dared not argue.
No servant would dare offend any young master who frequented the Wind and Moon Pavilion.
Just then, someone behind sneered, “Such arrogance! Claiming the courtesans as yours. So you want to be the champion among all the talents tonight?”
“Do you really have no respect for us Qingqiu young masters?”
Qin Hao turned to see three approaching men.
The leader in the middle wore elegant blue robes, exuding an extraordinary presence.
Many scholars nearby respectfully made way, seemingly clearing a path for him.
Clearly, this was the Qingqiu young master.
Judging by the glances around, he held considerable prestige in the capital’s literary circles.
Qin Hao rolled his eyes at the foolish scholars who stirred trouble just for his words.
The three approached with pride and restrained anger.
Clearly, their intentions were hostile.
Seeing their faces, Qin Hao was speechless.
The guy was just hungry and broke, wanting a free meal—was it really that difficult?
At the same time, Qin Hao thought silently,
He had just narrowly escaped death and finally caught a breath.
The three of them better not provoke him, or he wouldn’t hesitate to teach them a lesson.
But obviously, they couldn’t hear Qin Hao’s thoughts.
As the three drew closer, one spoke...
...