The Prince Wants to Assassinate Me Every Day-Chapter 847 - 431: Xie Ruotong’s Refusal (First Update)
Inside the grand hall.
Song Yuanzhong and Ming Yufang were clearly oblivious to what was happening.
Yet, upon seeing Xie Ruotong and the Xie Family present, they began to harbor some thoughts of their own.
After teasing Song Yanqing for a while, Xiao Jinxing returned to the main subject, "Today, I’ve called Lord Song and Madam to the Imperial Palace primarily because Duke Xie came to see me early this morning, reporting that your son Song Yanqing had sullied their daughter’s—my General Xie Ruotong’s—honor yesterday."
"What?" Ming Yufang looked at the Emperor in disbelief, visibly agitated.
Song Yuanzhong hurriedly called out to Ming Yufang, then knelt on the ground with utmost respect, "My wife offended the Emperor; please grant your forgiveness, Emperor."
According to protocol.
No one else is entitled to speak unless the Emperor permits it.
"Please rise, Lord Song and Madam Song. Today I’ve called you here to assist in handling your family affairs; there’s no need for excessive courtesy," Xiao Jinxing spoke warmly.
"I am grateful for the Emperor’s grace," Song Yuanzhong and Ming Yufang stood up.
Xiao Jinxing continued, "Duke Xie came today to have me adjudicate fairly, seeking to see how Lord Song would explain matters to the Duke Mansion."
Song Yuanzhong acknowledged respectfully, "Emperor, regarding the matter between my son and General Xie, indeed, I am unaware of what transpired. My son did not inform me. If it truly happened that way, if my son tarnished General Xie’s honor, the Song Family will undoubtedly send a grand procession to marry General Xie."
"Song Yuanzhong!" Ming Yufang was evidently unwilling.
In front of the Emperor, she was also visibly agitated.
"Madam Song appears unwilling to be accountable." Xie Kangheng suddenly spoke up.
Ming Yufang, consumed with anger, replied, "Song Yanqing has been raised by me since childhood; as his mother, I am well aware of his character. He would never act inappropriately towards others; there must be some other hidden truth. Furthermore, everyone can see it clearly, including the Emperor—between Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong, who truly looked more bullied?"
Xie Kangheng fell silent.
He knew since yesterday that Xie Ruotong had forcibly approached Song Yanqing, but being refuted so abruptly by Ming Yufang left him feeling quite embarrassed.
"It was I who acted inappropriately with General Xie. Yesterday, taking advantage of General Xie’s unwell state, I engaged with her... intimately," Song Yanqing spoke, blushing slightly in front of everyone, "and the injuries on my face were caused by General Xie."
"Song Yanqing!" Ming Yufang was exceedingly angry.
"Mother, it is I who have wronged General Xie; I am willing to accept any terms proposed by the Xie Family." Song Yanqing clarified decisively.
Ming Yufang gritted her teeth.
Her son had publicly addressed matters to this extent, and speaking further was utterly futile.
She had imagined Song Yanqing would marry Xie Ruotong but hadn’t anticipated it reaching the Emperor’s attention.
Should the marriage be decreed by the Emperor, even if the two might lose affection, a divorce becomes impossible.
The more Ming Yufang contemplated, the deeper her anger went.
Yet she could only remain silent.
"Since Song Yanqing himself has admitted," Xie Kangheng sighed in relief, then turned respectfully to Xiao Jinxing, "we request the Emperor to grant justice to our Duke Mansion."
Xiao Jinxing nodded.
Thinking about how Song Yanqing had remained quiet recently, claiming to be unworthy of Xie Ruotong and intending to marry another, yet today, turned the Duke Mansion to threaten with forced marriage.
This strategy literally made him feel inadequate in comparison.
"The truth has emerged; Xie Ruotong’s honor was sullied by Song Yanqing, and the Song Family also promises a grand procession to marry Xie Ruotong. Then let me provide justice and decree a marriage for Xie Ruotong and Song Yanqing for both the Xie and Song families..."
"Emperor." Xie Ruotong stepped forward, kneeling and interrupting Xiao Jinxing.
Xiao Jinxing looked at Xie Ruotong.
The rest followed suit, watching her.
Xie Kangheng couldn’t help but tense.
He knew his efforts to force a marriage might fall through; relying solely on the Emperor remained his hope.
He contemplated, no matter how bold his daughter might be, she couldn’t possibly defy the Emperor.
In the end, he was mistaken.
Song Yanqing observed Xie Ruotong like this and mostly guessed her intentions, revealing unhidden disappointment.
"I do not require Song Yanqing to bear responsibility." Xie Ruotong stated bluntly, "Nor was it Song Yanqing who acted inappropriately with me; it was merely a moment when the impulses of both men and women overwhelmed, leading to actions forbidden by morality. Both Song Yanqing and I share fault, thus I need no responsibility from Song Yanqing; I would rather ignore those occurrences and plead with the Emperor for fulfillment."
"Once occurred, it remains; how can it be ignored?!" Xie Kangheng’s expression hinted at dissatisfaction, feigning severity, "Matters between a man and a woman, no matter consensual, always leaves the woman harmed; I will not allow you to be taken advantage of by Song Yanqing, nor will the Xie Family accept such treatment!"
"Father." Xie Ruotong argued directly with Xie Kangheng, showing no concern about being in front of the Emperor, "I have repeatedly asked not to be forced into marriage; I shall never marry—never again in this lifetime!"
"Letting it pass was feasible before; even if unwilling to marry, I had no leverage. But now, after Song Yanqing bullies you to such an extent, remaining unmarried and dismissing accountability is impossible for me; you seem intent on angering me to death." Xie Kangheng employed emotional manipulation, aiming for Xie Ruotong to yield.
"I have expressed that I no longer care." Xie Ruotong responded vexedly, unable to resist speaking out, "Before, wasn’t there an instance of cohabitation with Song Yanqing? Now we have shared a bed again, so what’s the dispute?!"
"Back then, you were a married couple; cohabitation was of course appropriate. But now you’re divorced; sharing a bed is undeniably his wrongdoing." Xie Kangheng was extremely agitated, "Initially marrying once, a second marriage appeared difficult; now compounded by Song Yanqing’s stain, future prospects to remarry seem impossible!"
"I have declared I won’t marry!" Xie Ruotong genuinely felt incensed enough to argue.
She pondered how often she must insist for them to accept—or perhaps, approve her decision. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
"That’s absolutely impermissible. Life demands wedlock; solitude forever is carelessness towards oneself and ingratitude to elders." Xie Kangheng fervently persuaded, having sought an imperial decree today with thorough preparation, "Should you decide upon lifelong singleness, I’ll perish right here before you!"
"Father, don’t corner me." Xie Ruotong replied subdued, evidently the peak of frustration-controlled honesty.
"Fine, Father shan’t corner you." Xie Kangheng unexpectedly relented.
Xie Ruotong frowned.
Xie Kangheng said, "You now command awe as the Great General, leading an army of tens of thousands; Father indeed cannot pressure you!"
Xie Ruotong bit her lip.
A sign she unmistakably heard Xie Kangheng’s sarcasm.
"Regarding your life decisions, Father won’t interfere henceforth; however you choose to proceed is your own." Xie Kangheng stated, "Yet still..."
Xie Kangheng turned and knelt before Xiao Jinxing, "Emperor, regarding my daughter’s situation with Song Yanqing, I cannot pretend it didn’t occur, I refuse to let it end unresolved."
