"Your subject begs forgiveness but cannot yet accept this decree."
Xu Ming's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough to echo throughout the courtyard.
In an instant, everyone froze where they stood, staring at Xu Ming in disbelief.
Some even thought they must have misheard.
Did Xu Ming... reject the emperor's decree for marriage?
No.
How could you dare? This is a marriage decree from the emperor! Aren't you afraid of losing your head?
"Ming'er, what nonsense are you saying?" The elderly matriarch of the Xu family anxiously struck the ground repeatedly with her cane.
"Ming'er, do you even know what you're doing?" Xu Shuiya's face turned stern.
"Ming'er, you—you—" Xu Zheng raised a trembling finger to point at Xu Ming, stammering as he struggled to speak.
This event was simply too shocking for them.
None of them could have imagined that Xu Ming would reject the imperial decree of marriage.
After all, while it was true that very few had ever seen Princess Zhaowen in person due to her life in the palace, did it really matter? Even if she was supposedly hideous, so what?
Once the candles are blown out, aren't all women the same?
Besides, the emperor is so handsome, and Princess Zhaowen's late mother was once the most beautiful woman in Wu Kingdom, ranked as the 30th most beautiful mortal in the renowned Beauty List.
How ugly could the princess possibly be with such lineage? Surely not very.
And yet you turned her down?
"Ming'er..."
Chen Suya, kneeling on the ground to receive the decree, gently tugged at her son's sleeve, her face full of worry.
Chen Suya had always hoped her child would marry someone he truly loved.
But this—this was outright defiance of an imperial decree.
If defied, Ming'er could lose his head!
"Top Scholar, w-what did you just say?"
Wei Xun, the eunuch delivering the decree, doubted his own ears.
Surely not.
Even Wei Xun couldn't fathom a reason for refusal.
Under normal circumstances, wouldn't the top scholar be full of gratitude and bow repeatedly to thank the emperor? How could he refuse?
Could it be because of Qin Qingwan? But Qin Qingwan was already a member of the Immortal Sect, destined to live for millennia. What could she possibly have to do with you, the top scholar?
To her, you're nothing more than a fleeting wave in the river of her life.
"Lord Eunuch, um, our Ming'er is still young and thoughtless. Please, please, take a seat first. Chunyan, what are you standing there for? Hurry and serve Lord Eunuch some tea!"
Xu Shuiya was the first to recover, quickly pulling Wei Xun to a seat and trying to smooth things over.
As for the others still kneeling on the ground, they hesitated, unsure whether to remain kneeling or to rise now that the top scholar had rejected the imperial decree.
Xu Zheng hurried forward, intent on giving his son a stern lecture.
Though Xu Zheng had never really cared for Xu Ming—he had plenty of sons, after all, and why would he pay much attention to a mere illegitimate child?—he was still Xu Ming's father, wasn't he?
"Ming'er, listen, you can't do this! Quickly tell Lord Eunuch you were confused, or you'll lose your head!" Xu Zheng struggled to piece together a coherent reprimand, stammering as he went.
He had intended to assert his "fatherly authority."
But as he approached Xu Ming, the aura of strength and the imposing presence radiating from the young man made Xu Zheng falter.
"Young man, you really ought to reconsider this. For ordinary people, this is the kind of thing they wouldn't dare dream of!" Qin Ruhai, the father of Qin Qingwan, also stepped forward to advise him kindly.
In truth, Qin Ruhai believed Xu Ming hadn't let go of his daughter.
If his daughter hadn't joined the Tianxuan Sect, hadn't been born with an Innate Sacred Body—then, given Xu Ming's current status, Qin Ruhai would have fully supported the marriage.
But things are different now.
Xu Ming, even though you're the top scholar, even though you've achieved first place in all three imperial examinations, even though your poetic talent is renowned across the land, you are, ultimately, just a mortal.
Qingwan may not even visit us a few more times before she severs all ties to the mortal world. As her father, I've already resigned myself to treating her as though she's no longer my daughter.
So why are you still holding on so deeply?
Zhao Wenshan stepped forward and asked, "Xu Ming, have you truly thought this through? This is defiance of an imperial decree."
As the top scholar, Xu Ming wouldn't be executed for rejecting the marriage decree. After all, the emperor couldn't justify such an action to the people.
Otherwise, if word spread that "the Emperor of Wu executed the top scholar for rejecting a marriage decree," the empire's reputation would be in tatters.
Still, Xu Ming was defying an imperial order, and in front of so many witnesses.
I bestowed my only daughter upon you on the day you achieved top honors, and you dared to refuse? Do I, as Emperor, have no dignity?
Clearly, the Emperor would need an explanation for this.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xu Ming spoke calmly, "I will give His Majesty a proper explanation."
Xu Ming bowed respectfully to Wei Xun. "Lord Eunuch, may I trouble you to wait for a moment? I wish to write a memorial to the Emperor."
Wei Xun opened his mouth, then slowly closed it, letting out a long sigh. "Of course, I can wait here for the top scholar, but I implore you to think this over carefully."
"Thank you, Lord Eunuch." Xu Ming straightened and turned to Zhao Wenshan. "Uncle, do you happen to have any memorial papers on you?"
The reason Xu Ming asked Zhao Wenshan was not to slight the Xu family but because Xu Zheng and Qin Ruhai held insignificant posts, too low-ranked to carry such papers. They would have to request them from the Ministry of Rites.
Although Xu Shuiya, as the Duke of Xu, held a high enough rank, his seniority made it somewhat inappropriate for Xu Ming to request it directly.
"I don't have any with me, but there are some at my residence," Zhao Wenshan replied with a troubled expression, glancing at Xu Shuiya.
Xu Shuiya hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I have memorial papers."
"Many thanks, my lord." Xu Ming bowed again.
With a sigh, Xu Shuiya led Xu Ming to his study.
Xu Pangda and Zhao Wenshan followed, while the others, though curious to see what Xu Ming would write, stayed behind to console Wei Xun.
"I'll grind the ink for you, Fifth Brother." Xu Pangda rolled up his sleeves, his chubby hands meticulously working the inkstone.
Although Xu Pangda felt it was a pity for his fifth brother to refuse the marriage, he respected Xu Ming's decision no matter what.
"Thank you, Third Brother."
Xu Ming nodded, taking up the brush. Zhao Wenshan spread out the paper for him.
Back in the courtyard, Xu Zheng and the others hurriedly tried to mollify Wei Xun.
"Lord Eunuch, please don't be angry. Ming'er is still young and ignorant."
"That's right, Lord Eunuch. Even though he's the top scholar, Ming'er still has a youthful impulsiveness."
"Rest assured, Lord Eunuch, we will talk sense into him."
They discreetly tried to slip silver notes into Wei Xun's hands, but Wei Xun, who might have accepted them under other circumstances, quietly pushed them back this time.
"Sigh, this top scholar of ours really is... hmm?"
Just as Wei Xun was about to grumble, he suddenly stood up in shock.
Above the Xu residence, an aura of literary destiny began to coalesce. A gentle breeze, tinged with the essence of scholarly brilliance, swept toward the study.
The fragrance of ink and the aura of literary fortune spread outward, filling the air for ten miles.