Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 263: Stealing Another’s Love

What wholehearted willingness.

Just these four words surpass a thousand others.

Mrs. Pei wasn’t surprised or astonished. This grandson has grown up by her side, and she knows his temperament well. For him to say he is wholeheartedly willing illustrates his determination.

Perhaps he has always been indifferent towards marriage, or perhaps throughout these years, he’s only treated one woman well—Qu Fulan.

So now when he says he is wholeheartedly willing to marry her, the old lady accepts quickly. In her heart, she’d always considered Qu Fulan as belonging to her grandson, only thinking of her as an unexpected choice for the main wife.

Even though Heir Pei doesn’t need the support from his wife’s family, it’s still somewhat unprecedented to marry an orphaned girl.

Yet, the grandson wants the grand ceremony to escort her home as his bride, and the old lady will not block him.

This grandson is strong-minded, so blocking him wouldn’t work. Moreover, the old lady has always liked Qu Fulan, even though she doesn’t meet the requirements of a granddaughter-in-law, the key is her grandson likes her, which is most important.

The old lady sees her grandson’s deep regard and affection for Qu Fulan, yet she never thought he valued her more deeply than she imagined.

Pei Ji’an once said he wanted to marry Qu Fulan, and when the family did not strongly oppose, he revealed that they had already exchanged vows before Buddha, merely lacking official approval and the formal ceremony. This pre-emptive action proved more effective than being pregnant before marriage.

No doubt, matters involving Buddha are always sacred, especially when presided over by someone like Master Huideng.

To marry before Buddha is a joyous matter for all, which shows the two are perfectly matched and gain Buddha’s recognition.

Indeed, if Qu Fulan and Pei Ji’an’s fate were not compatible, Master Huideng, no matter how capable, could not unite them; it boils down to their fated compatibility allowing this union.

"You child, such an important matter and you mention it only now, a spanking is needed!" The old lady was both pleased and exasperated.

But the old lady knew that her grandson wished to demonstrate his resolve to marry, whether or not Buddha was involved.

Madam Pei was also happy, as she always liked Qu Fulan and enjoyed her cooking, hoping to live with her every day. Now that she has become their daughter-in-law, she will surely enjoy the benefits.

"This is good news; the wedding must be arranged quickly," Madam Pei immediately stated.

Marquis Pei was actually somewhat dissatisfied, especially after Master Lu mentioned many things about this girl, but since both the old and young ladies were agreeable, opposing them was unnecessary.

Thus, Qu Fulan’s concerns were indeed not problems in Heir Pei’s eyes. He was confident in their success and in resolving everything.

With the matters in Pei Mansion resolved, Heir Pei would next seek an imperial decree for marriage from the Emperor, ensuring the grandeur would not lack.

Court session.

Ministers were fiercely disputing some matter, causing the Emperor a headache, unsure how to decide, he glanced at a certain spot and spoke, "Pei, what do you think?"

Pei Ji’an, being named, seemed lost in thought, and the Emperor noticed his lack of response, raising a brow. This is indeed unprecedented, especially since Xiao took sick leave today.

So both attending ministers were out of sorts today. What has happened?

The Emperor suppressed his doubts, calling Pei Ji’an once again.

Pei Ji’an finally regained focus, seeing everyone’s curious gaze upon him, immediately lowered his eyes, stepped forward, and apologized before answering the Emperor’s query.

Indeed, some people managed to provide precise answers even if distracted, as Heir Pei responded to the Emperor’s question.

After the court session, the Emperor kept Pei Ji’an behind.

Inside the Imperial Kitchen, the Emperor set formalities aside and went straight to the point, "Speak, what happened, causing both of my major ministers, one to take leave, and the other to be distracted at the court session?"

The Emperor indeed didn’t believe Xiao’s leave was unrelated to Pei Ji’an.

"I wish to request an imperial decree for marriage from the Emperor," Pei Ji’an’s response was entirely off-topic.

The Emperor was indeed shocked; he expected a major issue but didn’t foresee this kind of major issue.

It was certainly a major issue, a matter of life. Reflecting on past palace banquets, situations of Pei Ji’an being pressured into marriage were recurrent, yet he always evaded with ease. Now, he’s actively seeking an imperial decree for marriage, which is truly... the sun rising in the west.

"So Xiao’s leave today is related to this matter; have you both fallen for the same girl?" The Emperor’s face was filled with curiosity.

Admittedly, the Emperor was fond of gossip, exceptionally keen about it.

Pei Ji’an’s expression briefly froze, indeed somewhat uneasy, and the Emperor knowingly raised a brow, as expected, and laughed heartily.

"Tell me, which family’s girl captivated my two major ministers?"

This question was tough to answer. If Qu Fulan is an orphan, discovering anything later would be deceiving the Emperor, a grave offense that no one could bear.

Speaking truthfully left uncertainty about the Emperor’s feelings regarding the daughter of a criminal official.

Of course, these are concerns for ordinary ministers, Pei Ji’an was not worried; after all, the Li Family wasn’t entirely eradicated, just male members exiled and female members enslaved. What future outcomes even the Emperor couldn’t control.

Thus, Pei Ji’an truthfully confessed and finally requested the Emperor keep it a secret, as he disliked people ridiculing her based on her identity.

The Emperor’s expression naturally gathered solemnity, reflecting deeply for a moment before speaking, "This Li Jirou is the one Xiao Shiqing exclaimed at a palace banquet, holding a pouch and claiming as his fiancée?"

Unquestionably, an Emperor’s mind is never simple, upon hearing of Li Family’s affairs, considering their residence, the Emperor recalled Xiao Shiqing’s past statements about an old fiancée.

"Pei, you are... you’re seizing another’s love," the Emperor summarized.

Pei Ji’an showed disapproval, "Emperor, it’s about one’s abilities; besides, after Li Family’s incident, she ended up in Pei Mansion. Isn’t such fate a divine gift?"

Indeed, otherwise, why wasn’t she sold into Xiao Family as a servant, perfectly pleasing Xiao Shiqing? Evidently, everything hinges on fate in life.

The Emperor was contemplative, but affairs of the heart are beyond his intervention. Crucially, the lady agreed, and the two had married before Buddha. What could he say?

"Marriage can be granted, but a title cannot," the Emperor declared.

Bestowing marriage is merely an imperial edict, an honor but without practical impact; seeking a title differs, as all ministers’ wives bear official titles.

Now, the Emperor’s refusal to grant a title is due to her being a criminal’s daughter.

"I understand," Pei Ji’an said.

The Emperor then recalled another matter, "I remember you once listed numerous conditions at a palace banquet for choosing a wife, those conditions were implausibly unique. Now does this Li Family girl meet all those criteria?"