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Chapter Twelve Marriage Decree

The emperor's worries, Song Song also pondered over on the way home.

In his last life, Li Xiao eventually obtained the title of emperor. This represented that he wasn't a man who'd willingly submit to others. Song Song acted in accordance with Li Xiao today was a little because he felt that Li Xiao was using this matter to test the emperor's attitude.

At the moment, the emperor likely believed that Li Xiao had really given up on becoming the ruler, but in reality, this was only Li Xiao's plan to make progress through pulling back.

The Emperor's health was getting worse and worse by the day. But he had been a benevolent ruler and a kind father. Li Xiao really wasn't a rebellious and disobedient son. Therefore he's waiting and hibernating, pretending to have no interest in the throne. All because he didn't want the emperor to spend the last of his days worrying about an internal strife between his sons.

Li Xiao suddenly spoke up, interrupting Song Song's train of thought: "How confident is Song-er on this matter?"

Song Song considered slightly: "Half, half."

This might as well have not been said.

In the end, he didn't dare to say too much on sensitive topics like politics, even in front of Li Xiao. Compared to being devoted wholeheartedly, talking without holding anything back and telling each other everything, Song Song much more preferred to treat Li Xiao with mutual respect. Song Song understood very well how to be content with the situation.

Li Xiao's smile slowly withdrew.

Song Song was sensitive to his dissatisfaction, just managed to throw over a glance, when he was suddenly hooked around the waist and yanked over.

Song Song instantly felt awkward.

To be honest, before when he actively teased and flirted with Li Xiao, it was all because of his little inner motive. When he focused on that target, he completely overlooked the process. But now that the objective was completed, and maybe the little guy was already in his stomach, he suddenly realized that this action seemed a bit too intimate.

Although this was what he thought, he didn't say it outloud, but instead obediently allowed himself to be held.

Li Xiao wrapped his arms around Song Song's waist asking, "You don't want the emperor to grant us permission to marry?"

What kind of talk was this?

Song Song replied: "I naturally think the same as your highness"

This answer was very clever. It doesn't agree or disagree, just said: same as whatever Li Xiao wants. It was hard to pick out any issues with such an answer.

Li Xiao, however, looked unhappier. His long eyebrows furrowed and he suddenly reached out and pinched Song Song's cheek, making him hiss in pain. He dumbly covered the area, thinking about what sentence he said that accidentally made Li Xiao unhappy. Then, his thoughts turned in another direction---

So under normal circumstances when Li Xiao got angry, he liked to pinch people's faces? This was much better than when he goes berserk and starts cutting people.

Somewhere else, madam Song just got off the carriage and returned to her courtyard when Song Shi who was laying on the bed yelled; "Did mother see that bastard today?"

"I did." Madam Song helped him lean against the headboard.

Song Shi instantly became excited: "So he received punishment?"

Even if he didn't see it personally, just hearing about it would make him happy.

Unfortunately, madam Song's expression turned displeased. She said, "Those rumours from outside weren't baseless. The mad king really spoils him rotten, going as far as to accompany him today. He even brought him to see the emperor to ask for an imperial edict for marriage."

Song Shi's face instantly turned green, voice turning high pitched, the injury on his chest even started hurting more. "Marriage?! He's going to get married to the mad king?!!"

"Don't worry, don't worry." Madam Song hastily calmed him. "Just relax. The emperor wouldn't really allow them to marry. Originally if this matter happened outside, then it would have caused a disturbance but then pass on its own. Now that it was brought to the attention of the emperor himself, we probably don't even have to do anything, his majesty will personally ruin him."

Song Shi replied uncertainly: "With the mad king alive, will he tolerate the emperor killing Song Song?"

"Even if the emperor doesn't order for his death, he still would probably order him to return here." Madam Song patted his head saying: "Today when the emperor left, he even examined Song Song one more time, clearly to remember him specifically. In any case, as long as Song Song had no status, sooner or later, he'll die."

"But if the mad king protects him"

"He can protect him once, but can he protect him for a lifetime?" Madam Song laughed coldly: "You didn't hear the rumours outside. Even if Song Song managed to survive the first time, he definitely won't be able to survive the 15th time. Even if he doesn't return, sooner or later, he'll die in the mad king's hands."

"But he already lived with the mad king for over half a month, yet nothing has happened."

Just at this moment, a maid brought over medicine. Madam Song took over to feed it to him "Your aunt already told me today not to worry about it. Even if he survives everytime by some lucky fluke, eventually, the mad king will grow tired of him."

Song Shi finally felt relieved by her words and drank his medicine. "Anyways. The day is long. Even if he doesn't get killed by the mad king, I will definitely kill him myself!"

Outside, Song Ge quietly listened for a while then walked away with a solemn face.

While the talk outside circulated about how lucky Song Song was to be able to stay alive for so long next to the mad king, the news of the marriage edict spread outward from Li Xiao's estate.

Instantly, the entire capital exploded.

"I heard the mad king went personally to request for the edict. This action seems quite thought provoking."

"He and the emperor have a close father and son relationship. For him to willingly withdraw a step, it's a good thing."

"Now the crown prince can rest easy"

This talk came from the more politically aware passerbys, but the capital didn't allow anyone to criticize the emperor. Therefore, this kind of talk can only be discussed in private. What's being circulated more openly was still rumours about Song Song.

"Not going to speak for anything else, this bastard child of the Song family really has opportunity knocking at the door this year huh? It's already amazing that he could live in the mad king's estate for so long safe and sound, now he even obtained such a position."

"The mad king really is crazy. It's one thing to play with men here and there. But he actually wants to marry the Song family bastard and bring him home. Not even considering whether their status matches, simply the fact that this will be a long term thing is a little ...."

"I reckon the mad king doesn't plan to leave descendants. Just look at those girls in his backyard. I heard he never touched them."

"To be honest, if his highness wasn't harmed by villainous schemes, who knows how many families in the capital would be running to make marriage arrangements with him. Totally envious of this Song Song."

"If he weren't crazy, how could Song Song even have the chance? I actually think this bastard of the Song family is quite unfortunate this year. To have gained the mad king's interest and forcibly seized back to his estate was already bad enough. Now he even has to spend a whole lifetime bound to that person. Ai, if it's you, can you even sleep?"

Regardless of whether or not passer-bys can sleep or not, madam Song was the one who really can't sleep at all.

When all was said and done, Song Song belonged to the Song family. Even though Song Song wasn't home, the Song family must know about this matter and in order to get ready for the wedding as fast as possible. Therefore, not long after Song Song received the edict, the palace sent people to inform Song Guogong personally as well, afterall, it was considered marrying into royalty.

Madam Song had been sitting stiff and wordless since the palace eunuch arrived, and until the other left, she finally reached her last straw and, hand waving, broke a cup into pieces, screaming repeatedly:

"How can he! How is he worthy!!"

Song Guogong tried to comfort her: "This is a good opportunity for the entire Song family. It can't count as a bad thing."

He just finished speaking, madam Song's head nearly exploded. She said bitterly: "He's your flesh and blood. Of course you don't think it's a bad thing."

Song Guogong glanced at her once, knew that she was extremely jealous, purposely did not want to speak any more to her, and instead turned to Song Ge: "Since the emperor already passed the edict, then we must prepare well. Ge-er, you find some time to bring Song-er back.

(Note: wedding tradition is for the bride to stay in her family's house until the day of the wedding. Then the groom comes to pick her up and bring her to his house where the ceremony is held.)

"Ok."

Song Ge's expression was also very complicated. He looked at his mother, who could be considered a helper who pushed this matter into motion, and turned away resentfully.

Madam Song looked at the broken tea cup on the floor, her breathing gradually growing heavier, the burning fury making her chest visibly rise and fall. Her personal momo saw her expression and asked softly: "Madam, should we tell this matter to the little master?"

(Note: Momo is an elderly woman that serves aristocratic women. The direct translation I saw is wetnurse. Kinda like a nanny.)

"His injury still hasn't healed. Tell him for what? You want to kill him?"

Song Song wasn't aware of the rackus in Song Guogong's residence. After the gongong left, he held the imperial edict he received. Very quickly, he realised that he couldn't hold it in his hands forever, so he found a wooden box and placed it within. Li Xiao, who was sitting to the side, saw his 'tiny mouse hoarding food' behavior, and couldn't resist laughing. "Why are you hiding it?"

Upon hearing that laughter, Song Song suddenly realized that he seemed to have attached far too much value to this edict and stammering like a country bumpkin, he said: "This this is the imperial edict."

He never received an imperial edict before. He only saw others, who upon receiving one, treated it like treasure. There's even an imperial edict placed in the Song family ancestral hall. Since this was the first time he received one, he couldn't just place it randomly.

It was rare to see him so out of sorts, Li Xiao couldn't stop laughing. Song Song's face flushed red in response. Still holding on to the carefully locked box, he wasn't sure if he should hide it or put it down, until Li Xiao stood up to embrace him.

"What Song-er said is right. This is the imperial edict. It's the edict that allows us to marry. Of course we have to protect it well."

He took Song Song's hand and helped him place the box in the uppermost area of their wardrobe. Song Song even took a piece of clothes to cover it, like he's afraid someone will see it. Li Xiao lowered his head and saw his little serious expression, couldn't resist smiling and leaning down to kiss him on the cheek.

Closing the wardrobe door, Song Song made himself small to try to escape from under Li Xiao's arm. But he was stopped, held by the wrist and trapped against the cabinet, as the other man continued on to kiss him on the lips. Mouth and tongue invaded, Song Song could only lift his face and let out soft humming noises from his nose.

Finally released, Song Song's face was completely red. He grabbed and stopped Li Xiao's still moving hands, and found a not very smart topic: "I wonder when the Song family will send people here to bring me back."

Li Xiao, unperturbed, continued to kiss his cheeks, his behavior extremely intimate: "When they come, naturally there will be someone to receive them. Song-er doesn't need to worry."

Song Song backed up, his pretty eyes shined with a bit of bewilderment, and asked in a small voice: "Your highness how come you're suddenly so enthusiastic?"

Clearly when they first met, he seemed so indifferent and hard to tease.

Li Xiao was silent for a moment, looking at Song Song for a long while, before saying slowly: "This king also wants to ask, how come Song-er is suddenly so cold."

Clearly when he just entered the estate, he was passionate like fire.

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The author has something to say:

Song Song: You changed. You're not you anymore.

Wangye: ? You're one to talk?