bookcurios Chapter 111 Discussion?
Chapter 111 Discussion?
Inside the inn.
The warm sun shines obliquely, and two cups of fragrant tea on the wooden table are emitting wisps of hot steam.
Su Hu, Marquis of Jizhou, and Ji Chang, Marquis of Xibo, sat opposite each other. They raised their glasses and sipped from time to time, talking about the past and the present. The atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious.
Just as the two were chatting and laughing, there was suddenly a burst of hurried footsteps and noise outside the mansion, breaking the quiet atmosphere.
Faintly, someone could be heard shouting:
"What a great joy... I am so honored... The king has issued an order..."
The voice became clearer and clearer, but also more and more excited, filled with irrepressible joy.
Su Hu frowned slightly, with a hint of displeasure on his face.
He put down the teacup in his hand, turned his head and looked outside the door, trying to figure out who was so rude and dared to make such a noise in front of his door.
At this time, an official in black official uniform, with a joyful smile on his face, hurried in.
He shouted loudly as he walked, and his voice echoed in the empty courtyard, sounding particularly harsh.
Seeing this, Su Hu frowned even more. He stood up and asked in a deep voice:
"Who are you? Why are you making so much noise here?"
The official was intimidated by Su Hu's momentum and immediately stopped, bowed hastily, smiled, and humbly replied:
"Reporting to Lord Su, I am the Senior Official You Hun, and I am here to convey the King's will. I apologize for disturbing you, Lord Su, and I hope you will forgive me."
When Su Hu heard the words "the king's order", he was startled. He didn't know why the king of Shang suddenly sent someone to convey his order.
"So it's Lord You. Since you are following the king's order, please read out the decree."
Although Su Hu's voice was still low, it was less sharp and more respectful.
Seeing this, You Hun immediately straightened his posture and said loudly:
"The king has ordered that Jizhou Marquis Su Hu be summoned to the palace to meet the king immediately!"
As You Hun's voice fell, Su Hu looked puzzled and asked:
"Master You, do you know why the king has summoned me to an audience at this time?"
When You Hun heard Su Hu's question, a big smile appeared on his face.
He took a step forward, got closer to Su Hu, and said mysteriously:
"Marquis Su, it's a good thing. The king has always valued you, and this summons must be for important matters. Please follow me into the palace now. The king is waiting for you in the palace."
You Hun’s words made Su Hu even more confused.
Seeing Su Hu lost in thought, Xibohou Jichang stepped forward and patted his shoulder, saying calmly:
"Brother Su, since the king has summoned you, you should follow Lord You as soon as possible. Don't keep the king waiting too long."
Su Hu came back to his senses, nodded slightly, took a deep breath, calmed his inner turmoil, turned to Ji Chang beside him, with a hint of apology in his eyes.
"Brother Ji Chang, the king has summoned you suddenly, I'm afraid I have to leave." There was a hint of helplessness in Su Hu's voice.
Ji Chang nodded slightly to show his understanding:
"Brother Su Hu, the king's business is more important, you go now. When you come back, I will have tea and chat with you."
"Okay, then I'll go first!"
After saying that, he turned to look at You Hun and said bluntly:
"Thank you, Lord You, for leading the way!"
"Lord Su, you are too polite. It's my duty." You Hun said with a flattering look on his face, his eyes full of awe and flattery for Su Hu.
He knew that if Su Hu's daughter Su Daji entered the palace to serve the king, then Su Hu's status would also rise, and he would be someone he could not afford to offend.
Then, You Hun turned around and led the way, and Su Hu followed closely behind him. The two left the post station one after the other and headed towards the palace.
……
The Shouhuang Palace is magnificent and majestic.
At this moment, Emperor Xin was leaning on the dragon couch with his eyes slightly closed, enjoying the meticulous service of the palace servants massaging his legs and back.
Fei Zhong on the side talked endlessly to him about the deeds of Su Daji, the daughter of Su Hu.
His words were full of praise for this beauty, as if every detail of Su Daji was full of endless charm.
As Emperor Xin listened, a hint of interest flashed in his eyes, as if he could already imagine what the beauty looked like.
Just as Fei Zhong was telling the story excitedly, footsteps were suddenly heard outside the hall.
Then, a palace servant walked in quickly, came to the front of Emperor Xin, bowed deeply, knelt on the ground, and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty, Jizhou Marquis Su Hu and Zhong Daifu You Hun are already waiting outside the palace, waiting to be summoned by Your Majesty!"
Seeing this, Fei Zhong quickly stopped talking, for he knew that the king had developed a strong interest in Su Daji.
So he quietly stepped aside, ready to welcome Su Hu's arrival.
Emperor Xin slightly opened his eyes, his gaze was like a torch, he sat up straight, and spoke in a low and powerful voice:
"pass!"
Upon hearing this, the palace maid hurriedly bowed and agreed, then turned around and walked away quickly.
After a while, a steady and powerful sound of footsteps came closer and closer, accompanied by the slight friction of robes, and Su Hu's figure appeared in the Shouhuang Palace.
Afterwards, he was followed by the senior official You Hun, who was there to convey the imperial edict.
Su Hu straightened his court robes, looked straight ahead, neither humble nor arrogant, with a respectful yet dignified smile on his face.
When he came before Emperor Xin, he bowed deeply and said in a loud and clear voice:
"Jizhou Marquis Su Hu, I pay my respects to the king!"
Emperor Xin nodded slightly, his eyes stayed on Su Hu for a moment, and he said slowly:
"My dear, please don't be polite. Get up!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After saying this, Su Hu bowed in thanks, stood up, and stood in the center of the hall.
"I summoned you here today to discuss something with you!" Emperor Xin said bluntly.
Su Hu heard this, with a puzzled look on his face, and said:
"Your Majesty, please speak!"
Emperor Xin raised a smile and said softly:
"I heard that you have a daughter named Su Daji, who is extremely beautiful and talented. She is the apple of your eye and you love her very much."
Su Hu's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. He originally thought that Emperor Xin summoned him to discuss the affairs of Jizhou, but he didn't expect the topic to suddenly turn to his daughter Su Daji.
He couldn't help but feel uneasy. Could it be... Could it be that Emperor Xin had some plan for his own daughter?
Su Hu's face showed a mixture of shock and complexity. He lowered his head slightly, trying to hide his uneasiness, and replied respectfully:
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. Although my daughter Daji is somewhat pretty, she pales in comparison to the beauties in the palace."
Emperor Xin waved his hand, seemingly not noticing Su Hu's nervousness, and signaled Su Hu not to be modest. He continued:
"I am interested in your precious pearl. I wonder if you can let her enter the palace and keep me company?"
When Su Hu heard this, the uneasy feeling in his heart burned like a ignited flame, getting stronger and stronger.
He knew very well that it was not easy for a woman to enter the palace. She would have to face complicated interpersonal relationships, power struggles, and endless loneliness and solitude.
What's more, his daughter Su Daji had already been engaged to Bo Yikao, the son of Ji Chang, the King of Xibo. The marriage between the two families was not only a respect for each other's families, but also a good wish for the future of the two children.
How could Su Hu easily send his daughter into a palace full of unknowns and dangers to serve the almighty king?
So Su Hu took a deep breath and tried to calm his inner turmoil. He raised his head, looked at Emperor Xin firmly, and answered respectfully:
"Your Majesty, I appreciate your kindness. But my daughter Daji has already made an engagement with Bo Yikao, the son of Xibohou Jichang. This has spread throughout Jizhou and is known to everyone."
He paused for a moment and continued:
"I dare not go against the promise between our two families, and I do not want my daughter to be involved in the disputes in the palace. I hope the king can understand my difficulties and revoke the order."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xin frowned slightly. He did not expect Su Hu to reject his request so directly.
I never expected that the Marquis of Jizhou and the Marquis of Xibo would form an alliance. How could this be possible?
Marquis of Jizhou was the leader of the 200 princes in the north. He had always been suspicious of Marquis Jichang of Xibo, and at this moment, his grudges were further deepened.
But he quickly regained his composure and said with a smile:
"My dear minister, what you said is very true. I cannot force you to do anything. But I admire Su Daji's talent and beauty. So, I want to ask Su Daji to come to the palace. I want to see her. Is that possible?"
Su Hu felt even more conflicted when he heard this. He understood what Emperor Xin meant, but he also knew that once Daji entered the palace, it would inevitably cause some unnecessary speculation and rumors.
What's more, the marriage between Daji and Bo Yikao was a major event between the two families, and he could not violate it easily.
However, he had already rejected Emperor Xin once. If he refused again, it would be too disrespectful to Emperor Xin.
So, Su Hu took a deep breath again and answered respectfully:
"Reporting to the king, my daughter Daji is still young and has never experienced the red tape of the palace. I am afraid that she will be inconsiderate and anger the king."
"Besides, my daughter has already been engaged to Bo Yikao. If I enter the palace at this time, it may cause misunderstandings and disputes between the two families. I hope the king can understand my difficulties and revoke the order!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xin's expression suddenly darkened, and a hint of displeasure and coldness flashed in his eyes.
As a king, he has always been accustomed to others' obedience and awe of him. However, today he was rejected again and again by his minister Su Hu, which was undoubtedly a provocation to him.
Emperor Xin's gaze lingered on Su Hu for a moment, as if he was examining this minister who dared to challenge his authority.
He spoke slowly, his voice revealing a bit of coldness:
"Su Hu, why do you reject my requests so many times? What is your intention?"
Su Hu felt uneasy when he heard this. He took a deep breath and replied respectfully:
"Your Majesty, I dare not!"
Emperor Xin frowned and said in a deep voice:
"It's settled now. Go back and send a message to Jizhou immediately, asking Su Daji to enter the palace!"