Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 326 Son-in-law

This is what Yuan Cuo and Chen Zhongyao said.

He said the same thing in court.

"Your Majesty is grateful for your kindness, but I am not an ungrateful person. As a son-in-law of the Liu family, even as a viscount, I should still live in the Liu family."

He said in a serious tone, "Besides, she is pregnant at the beginning of the month and is afraid of being frightened. An unfamiliar environment would make her feel uneasy. I will take my wife back to the Liu family to settle down."

Emperor Qi Xiao: "..." This time it was his turn to curse.

No one expected that His Majesty would praise Yuan Cuo's wisdom, bravery, and contributions to the Great Qi Dynasty at the start of the court session today.

However, Yuan Cuo immediately requested permission from Emperor Qi Xiao not to reside in the Viscount's mansion, and instead to wait until Liu Yuechu gave birth to her child before taking office!

"Ahem, Lord Yuan's love for his wife is well-known, but you still hold the position of Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. I've never heard of anyone giving up their post just because their wife is pregnant!" Wei Tianxuan had been looking forward to Yuan Cuo's return, but he never expected that although the man had returned, he would abandon his post?!

"Your Majesty's grace is boundless, but Lord Yuan cannot take advantage of this favor!" Left Chancellor Jiang Jiuwei said sarcastically, after all, his youngest daughter had not married Yuan Cuo, but instead married the playboy of the Right Chancellor's household.

He was furious no matter how he thought about it, and the sight of Yuan Cuo made him angry.

"Lord Yuan has made outstanding contributions. He went to the border alone to investigate, even though he knew his wife was pregnant. Now that he has returned with merit, you won't even let him rest? Even a landlord's donkey isn't treated like this." The Right Chancellor wasn't biased towards Yuan Cuo; he just wanted to criticize Jiang Jiuwei.

Jiang Jiuwei glanced at him sideways, "There are priorities. Is the foundation of the Great Qi less important than a woman giving birth?"

"Does the Left Chancellor mean that without Lord Yuan's intervention, the Great Qi is doomed?" the Right Chancellor asked in a low voice.

"You are so messy!"

"I'm being reasonable."

"Everything is up to His Majesty!"

Since the matter couldn't be resolved through arguing, the Emperor could only await His Majesty's decision. Emperor Qi Xiao subconsciously glanced at Prince Chun beside him, only to see that Prince Chun's face was bluish-purple and ashen, like that of a seriously ill patient. He was probably also choked by Yuan Cuo's self-proclaimed title of "son-in-law".

After all, he had always considered himself Yuan Cuo's biological father, never expecting his son to become a live-in son-in-law.

"Go back to the Liu family if you want. My Viscount's mansion isn't a piece of junk. If you don't live here, no one else will want you!" Emperor Qi Xiao couldn't help but complain.

"Yes, of course I want it. It's a reward that was supposed to come at the beginning of the month. I'm unlucky and have little fortune, so I don't dare to accept such a great favor right now. Your Majesty, please allow me to take my time and get used to this high position." Yuan Cuo's words made everyone want to hit him again.

What does it mean to have bad luck and little fortune?

If you didn't know before, that's fine, but Yuan Cuo did lose his parents when he was twelve and had to fend for himself.

But things are different now. There's Prince Chun standing there, wanting to recognize him as his own son!

If they had a father like Prince Chun, they would be happy to become self-reliant at the age of twelve and endure ten years of hardship.

Prince Chun's lips twitched; how could he not understand what he was saying?

"You may blame me if you wish, for I have indeed neglected the existence of a child like you. I will make it up to you in the future." He had been staring at Yuan Cuo ever since the court session began.

Yuan Cuo's facial features do indeed resemble that woman's.

His inner memories were stirred up again, which is why he hadn't said a word.

Yuan Cuo naturally denied it, saying, "Your Highness, I also heard about Prince Chun's search for his son in Huai Prefecture, but I really don't know any princess or any biological parents. Perhaps Your Highness has misunderstood."

“I have no misunderstanding. The doctor who delivered you, the midwife, and all the witnesses have been found. You may not believe me, but you must take their words to heart.” Prince Chun’s eyes were full of loving kindness, but also filled with heart-wrenching guilt.

Yuan Cuo said in a serious tone, "I hope Your Highness will not take offense at my presumptuous words. If I don't even trust Your Highness, why should I trust those strangers?"

“Even if my biological parents are someone else, it is reasonable for me to investigate personally.”

Prince Chun choked. What kind of logic is this?

Emperor Qi Xiao looked at it for a while and was quite pleased. "Alright, on this joyous occasion, this matter can be postponed. You must inform everyone of the specific situation in Huai Prefecture. I am very curious to know if it has the strength to fight against Chu!"

Chen Hongwu had already sent an urgent message to the palace: the State of Chu had invaded. Emperor Qi Xiao only regretted that the mineral vein had not been discovered sooner; otherwise, with its fully equipped military, the State of Chu would not have dared to act so brazenly!

Yuan Cuo replied seriously, "No."

"Even if it's fully equipped?" Emperor Qi Xiao felt like he was about to have a heart attack.

“But it’s not complete right now.” Yuan Cuo spread his hands helplessly. “The timing, location, and people are not in sync. After all, forging weapons takes time and money. This is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Your Majesty, please do not act rashly. Please think it over!”

Yuan Cuo's honest advice was hard to hear, but his attitude pleased the other officials.

"Your subject agrees with Lord Yuan's opinion, but everything still needs to be discussed further!" the Right Chancellor said.

"Actually, we could try it with a small force."

"That's a human life."

"But Lord Yuan is not a soldier, so his judgment on this matter may not be accurate."

"..."

The ministers then began to discuss the matter extensively.

Yuan Cuo stood to the side, bored out of his mind. Every now and then he would steal glances at where the sun had risen outside the palace. He was really hoping that His Majesty would announce the end of the court session so he could go home.

Emperor Qi Xiao finally lost confidence after being talked to, and summoned the officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works to the Imperial Study to announce the end of the court session.

Upon hearing those two words, Yuan Cuo seemed about to run away, but Prince Chun stopped him, saying, "Shall we talk?"

Yuan Cuo let out a hiss, but still nodded.

The two of them walked outside the hall and stopped together.

"What do you want as compensation? I sincerely want to recognize you back into the royal family. You are a royal descendant of the Great Qi, and you shouldn't be wandering outside." Prince Chun's words were ambiguous, and he didn't specify whose son Yuan Cuo was.

Yuan Cuoduan looked up to Prince Chun, but he did not show the respect that a junior would show to a senior.

He was slightly taller than Prince Chun, and they had similar builds. Even Prince Chun's robes were similar in style to his.

“There’s no need. I’m living a very good life and have no desire to curry favor with the royal family,” Yuan Cuo said earnestly.

"You hate it that much? Yet you're still making contributions to the Great Qi." Prince Chun deliberately probed, "Even doing exceptionally well, better than all the royal offspring."

“It’s not that I’m good, but that they are bad,” Yuan Cuo said seriously. “Besides, I’m not doing this for the Great Qi royal family, but for my wife, children, family, and all the people of the world.”

Prince Chun chuckled, "Your ambitions are grand, but I fear you may lack the strength to achieve them."

"Having traversed countless mountains and rivers, fought alone in a desolate city, under a waning moon over a barren hill, I have found a place for the Great Qi to protect itself. Why should I fear the turbid currents of fame and reputation?"

After saying these four sentences, Yuan Cuo cupped his hands in greeting and left alone.

Prince Chun trembled all over, his lips shaking, as he spoke the words he had carved on the stone tablet!

"Your Highness!"

Urgent news!

Mr. Fu Yue arrived quickly!