Chapter Nineteen: Defying the Imperial Edict

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Seeing Fusu staring fixedly at his granddaughter, Wang Jian’s expression darkened. “Ruonan, go back inside.”

“Your grandfather still has matters to attend to.”

Wang Ruonan cast a suspicious glance at Wang Jian, then a curious one at Fusu before walking straight into the Marquis of Wucheng’s residence.

Only after she had disappeared did Fusu finally look away.

Wang Jian was even more displeased.

He suddenly felt as though a pig had taken advantage of his precious cabbage.

“Your Highness, you should be returning now,” Wang Jian reminded him.

“Ding!”

“Congratulations, Host! You have triggered a hidden quest: persuade Wang Jian to accept this marriage alliance. Reward: a complete set of modern papermaking techniques, along with a compendium of famous masters of regular script!”

Fusu’s eyes trembled slightly.

Papermaking techniques…

A compendium of famous masters of regular script!

His heart gradually began to race. This was a magnificent invention capable of overturning an entire era. With papermaking, there would be no need for so many cumbersome bamboo slips, and costs would be greatly reduced.

And there were the regular-script styles of numerous masters, such as Wang Xizhi, Ouyang Xun, and Liu Gongquan…

It could be said to be the culmination of the evolution of regular script.

Fusu was tempted.

He realized that he had no choice this time. Either he succeeded and claimed the reward, or he failed and received nothing.

Very well.

For the sake of having a beautiful wife in the future—and being able to enjoy writing regular script on paper—he had to succeed!

Thus, Fusu glanced at Zhao Gao beside him and asked, “Eunuch Zhao, why did you come here?”

Zhao Gao froze.

Only then did he remember. “To proclaim the imperial decree and finalize the marriage.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” Fusu urged.

Zhao Gao glanced at Wang Jian, whose face had already turned livid with rage, and said hesitantly, “Marquis of Wucheng, what do you think of this…”

“Exterminate all three clans,” Fusu reminded him at precisely the right moment.

Zhao Gao shuddered in fright and immediately hurried into the residence.

Wang Jian glared fiercely at Fusu. “Shameless scoundrel!”

Then, with a cold snort, he followed inside.

The servants of the household noticed Zhao Gao and hurried over to bow.

Wang Jian’s grandson, Wang Li, was practicing martial arts in the courtyard. The moment he saw Zhao Gao, he too bowed and said, “Greetings, Eunuch Zhao.”

Just then, Fusu entered from outside.

Wang Li turned and bowed to him as well. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Fusu glanced at Wang Li and saw that he was broad and powerfully built, his bare upper body covered in tightly packed muscle.

He could not help feeling a little uneasy.

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This future brother-in-law looked like someone he could never beat!

Just then, Princess Huayang received the news and came forward with the women of the household.

When Fusu saw Huayang, he immediately smiled. “Elder Sister, it has been so long!”

Seeing him, Huayang’s eyes filled with delight. “Little Brother, you have grown up!”

“Is Father… Father doing well?”

“Ever since I left the palace, I have not seen Father,” Huayang said, her eyes filled with both longing and helplessness.

Fusu maintained a calm expression on the surface, but inwardly he was filled with complicated emotions.

An old bull devouring tender grass!

Huayang was in the prime of her youth, yet for the sake of a political marriage, she had been married to the old man Wang Jian.

It was true that Wang Jian’s military achievements were unparalleled.

But he was simply too old.

And now, whether Qin Shi Huang had done so intentionally or otherwise, he had once again betrothed Wang Jian’s most beloved granddaughter to Fusu.

What a tangled and complicated web of relationships!

“Father is well. He often speaks of you. When I have the time, I will take you into the palace to visit him,” Fusu said, lying without the slightest change in expression or breath.

Huayang smiled.

She knew that Fusu was merely comforting her.

Some time ago, Huayang had heard about what had happened to Fusu. It seemed that her younger brother was not living a particularly happy life in the palace either.

“Ahem, ahem!”

Seeing the two of them reminiscing, Zhao Gao hurriedly reminded them, “Princess, Your Highness Fusu, shall I proclaim the imperial decree now?”

Fusu nodded.

Huayang cast a puzzled glance at Zhao Gao.

At once, Zhao Gao straightened his back and announced, “Is Wang Ruonan, granddaughter of the Marquis of Wucheng, present?”

Among the many women, the most striking young lady stepped forward and said, “This humble girl greets Eunuch Zhao.”

Fusu could not help looking over Wang Ruonan once again.

Tsk, tsk.

She really was something.

How many lifetimes of virtue had Wang Jian accumulated to have such an exceptionally beautiful granddaughter?

Zhao Gao glanced at Wang Ruonan and suddenly raised his voice.

“By imperial decree: Marquis of Wucheng Wang Jian has rendered outstanding military service, while Marquis Tongwu Wang Ben has performed meritorious service guarding the imperial city. Both are pillars of Great Qin!”

“Wang Ruonan is hereby bestowed as the principal wife of His Highness Fusu. The wedding shall be held on an auspicious day…”

Boom!

As Zhao Gao’s voice fell, the minds of everyone in the Wang family began to buzz.

Qin Shi Huang had arranged a marriage for Wang Ruonan?

And to His Highness Fusu at that?

Had the rumors from a few days ago not claimed that His Highness Fusu had behaved outrageously after getting drunk?

Huayang had also learned of the matter from Wang Jian. Her younger brother had only just committed such a grave blunder—how had Father suddenly arranged a marriage for him?

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Just as the atmosphere was turning unnaturally still, anger appeared on Wang Ruonan’s lovely face.

She had also heard about the absurd thing Fusu had done recently, and had even privately treated it as a source of amusement.

But now she had actually been betrothed to Fusu.

Did that not mean she had become a laughingstock herself?

“First Imperial Prince’s Consort, accept the decree and offer your thanks,” Zhao Gao said with a broad smile.

He was inwardly delighted.

This marriage would not bring the Wang family and Fusu closer together. If anything, it might drive them even farther apart.

Suddenly, Wang Ruonan lifted her head. Her expression was resolute.

“Please inform His Majesty that this subject’s daughter is unable to accept the decree.”

“How dare you!” Zhao Gao’s expression instantly darkened.

Putting on an icy demeanor, he said, “Wang Ruonan, are you planning to defy the imperial decree?”

“Yes!” Wang Ruonan slowly rose to her feet, her face filled with fury. “I am going to defy it!”

“Outrageous!”

Zhao Gao shouted harshly, but inwardly he was practically laughing with delight.

Everyone said that the Marquis of Wucheng’s granddaughter had been spoiled from childhood and was the apple of the entire family’s eye.

Now that this precious jewel was being taken away by Fusu, how could Wang Ruonan, who had never suffered such humiliation, possibly submit?

Everything was unfolding exactly as he had expected.

Wang Ruonan seemed to realize how grave a crisis her words might bring upon her family.

She immediately changed her wording. “Then I am willing to atone with my death!”

As she spoke, Wang Ruonan suddenly drew a saber from the guard beside her and moved to slash her own throat.

“No!” Huayang’s expression changed dramatically.

Wang Li rushed forward. “Don’t!”

Wang Jian lost all trace of his usual composure and restraint as he charged after her in panic. “Ruonan!”

However, the three of them were some distance away and could not reach her in time.

Seeing that Wang Ruonan was about to die before his eyes, Fusu—the closest to her—darted forward and seized the blade with his bare hand.

Blood immediately poured from his palm, flowing down onto the hilt and staining Wang Ruonan’s pale fingers.

Wang Ruonan froze.

Breathing in the sharp smell of blood, she looked at Fusu, who was baring his teeth in pain.

“Let go at once!” Wang Jian shouted as he came over.

Wang Ruonan immediately released the hilt, and Fusu threw the saber to the ground without delay.

Zhao Gao’s expression changed drastically. “Someone, quickly summon the imperial physician! Hurry!”