"That's the idea. Unless Lord Ruan does not think he can make a good husband for my daughter."
I smirked. "Of course, he will. Priest Luo will make a perfect husband for a very lucky woman. However, I don't think that your daughter is worthy of a fine man like him. He deserves someone better."
Shi Tengfei's face turned red. As the emperor, he was not used to being rejected or his family being insulted right before his face, but any word coming out of Ruan Yanjun's mouth was a bitter pill that he had learned to swallow since he was a young man.
A moment later, he cleared his throat again. "I understand Lord Ruan's predicament. I admit that my daughter has been spoiled. Her mother's untimely death was my fault, so I had probably pampered her too much just to ease my guilt. But if Lord Ruan thinks she's not worthy for a good man's wife, then we can probably remedy that. My daughter is very obedient. She will listen to me. I'll make her change her ways."
"Do you think you can change a person in just a few days?" I returned. "Shi Tengfei, your daughter is getting old. It will take you years to change her ways. She'd be a leftover woman before she matures."
"Lord Ruan, what I'm trying to say is that… we can arrange for Priest Luo and Xinnu to get married, and while in that marriage, I shall send someone competent to teach my daughter to be a proper wife."
I chuckled. "Shi Tengfei, you have not even met Priest Luo, yet it seems you've already made up your mind about this marriage. Why would you want a commoner for your precious daughter?"
"I haven't met him yet, but I've already looked into his person… and he's not an ordinary man."
I squinted. Although this man lacked confidence and was too soft for a leader, he was more clever than he seemed. He had probably found out the truth about Luo Fan, and that was why he was that enthusiastic to marry his daughter to him.
Who would not? If I also had a daughter, I would definitely marry her to Luo Fan, as well.
"I'm neither a parent nor a relative of his, so I'm not in the position to discuss his marriage."
"Then perhaps Priest Luo might want to entertain me as his audience?"
I smirked. This man who used to be a boy that I could just control with a flick of my finger was learning to outwit me. As the emperor, he was even willing to be the one to go to Luo Fan. "Priest Luo is preoccupied trying to find a cure for your dying son. Do not bother him with those matters for the time being."
"Don't worry, I will not. But my daughter is celebrating her twenty-first birthday in two days. I hope that Lord Ruan and Priest Luo will grace the occasion with their presence?"
"Tengfei, your son is dying and here you are throwing a birthday banquet?"
"It's not a banquet, my lord. It's just a simple celebration with only family members and close relatives. The occasion shall be held in the residence of my daughter's grandparents."
I sighed. "If that's the case, I have no objection. However, I will not be able to attend. Priest Luo requires some plants I have to assign people to look for them."
"Then perhaps Priest Luo might be able to lend a little of his time?"
"Like I said, Priest Luo is preoccupied trying to find a cure for your dying son. The crown prince's life is more important than your daughter's birthday celebration. Leave him be for now. And whatever you have found out about him, keep it to yourself. He is still not aware of anything about his real identity."
Shi Tengfei's jaw dropped. "He… he does not know?" he asked. He was about to say more but he suddenly sealed his lips tight.
I narrowed my eyes. I wasn't sure how much he had found out about Luo Fan, but I'd rather not discuss it. "Not a thing, and it's not yet the time for him to know."
After a moment of contemplating, he nodded. "I give you my word. The information stays with me."
I believed he would. For many years, Shi Tengfei had never once broken his word to me, not because he was trustworthy, but because he feared the consequences.