The atmosphere in the banquet hall suddenly became somewhat tense, even the musicians who were playing the ceremonial music instinctively stopped their instruments and looked towards Chu Mo.

Chu Mo was very ugly, and his smile made him look even uglier. Only his pair of eyes were exceptionally bright and pure. However, this purity was completely overshadowed by his unsightly appearance, noticed by no one except his parents and a few close relatives.

He stepped forward and first saluted the Emperor: "Your Majesty's favor overwhelms me with fear and trepidation."

The young man's voice was clean and crisp. It wasn't at all bashful as people imagined, nor was he servile and obsequious. He lifted his head and boldly looked at the slightly intoxicated face of the Emperor: "But I dare not accept."

Hu!

At that moment, both Chu Tianji and Ji Qingyu couldn't help but let out long breaths. Simultaneously, a feeling of desolation, sorrow, and heartache surged forth.

The child was wronged!

In front of so many people, he had to consider the Emperor's dignity. He didn't say reject, instead, he said dare not accept. One could imagine that at this moment, the child's heart must be full of grievances.

Why dare not accept? Because he cannot accept! Because even if he accepts, it would only be an insult to himself!

As a battle-hardened general, Chu Tianji's expression was very unpleasant at this moment. He lowered his head slightly, and his tiger-like eyes were glistening faintly. The veins on his hand, which was holding the chair, bulged.

The armrest of the hardened, exquisite wooden chair had already been crushed by his grip!

Turned to dust, scattered on the ground.

Almost no one saw this scene, but the few who did all felt a pang in their hearts. They all knew that the great general was feeling uncomfortable inside!

Ji Qingyu's eyes were slightly red, but she smiled as she looked at her son, feeling both saddened and proud of his understanding. What you see is just my son's unremarkable face and his frail body, but you don't see his proud heart!

The Emperor also couldn't help but let out a long breath, but upon casting a casual glance at Chu Tianji, his heart suddenly skipped a beat, realizing that his old friend was indeed feeling unwell. However, there were ways to remedy this situation.

If at this moment, any princess were to step forward and take the initiative to say she was willing to marry Chu Mo, this matter would smoothly pass by.

Although the Emperor was drunk and proposed this marriage on a whim, he wasn't just playing around. Leaving aside political alliances that could forge closer ties and ensure Chu Tianji's loyalty, he wasn't entirely uninformed about Chu Mo.

Even though the child seemed reclusive, with not even a single friend, in truth, this weak-bodied, unsightly young man was actually a child with inner qualities!

He was well-versed in classical texts and knowledgeable in various miscellaneous studies, young in age but truly scholarly.

In fact, if it weren't for his unappealing appearance, even if he were weak-bodied and unable to cultivate, he would definitely be a sought-after candidate for alliance marriage.

The Emperor's gaze swept over his young daughters.

The group of ten or so little princesses all kept their heads bowed tightly and none spoke!

Some of them who had hidden away before were already silently slipping out!

"This is really..." The Emperor truly felt helpless. He couldn't force a marriage. Although he had the power to do so, it would defeat the original purpose.

Just then, from the group of royal relatives, a young girl directly stood up. She appeared to be sixteen or seventeen years old, with cascading long hair over her shoulders, wearing a white dress. Her waist was slim, her brows like mountains, her eyes like water, and her skin fairer than snow. Absolutely a real beauty. Even a slight frown or smile could be captivating, and once she matured, she would undoubtedly be a peerless beauty of exceptional charm.

Her name was Xia Zhenzhen, the current Emperor's Ninth Princess. Throughout Great Xia, she possessed immense fame, and the suitors wanting to marry her were countless!

Whether they were princes or ministers, or from secular society, everyone was extraordinarily fond of the Ninth Princess. It's no exaggeration to say that the princess's popularity in the public completely matched that of the current Crown Prince!

Such a peerless beauty, her excellence was not just in her appearance. She was talented in arts and literature, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, gentle and virtuous. Moreover, she held an identity that was almost unknown. She was the last disciple of the world's strongest, the Sleeping Lotus Fairy!

The Sleeping Lotus Fairy is said to be a figure hundreds of years old, with eternal youth and unparalleled strength. Always a mysterious presence, her taking Xia Zhenzhen as a disciple surprised even the top elites.

This identity of Xia Zhenzhen was known by very few. But even setting aside this identity, in other aspects, she was enough to win the admiration of all men.

Over the years, those seeking betrothal from the Emperor were as numerous as the fish in the river, countless in number. But never had anyone succeeded. Even the Crown Prince of a neighboring country came to propose, without success.

Many said that the Ninth Princess Xia Zhenzhen was like a real fairy, untouched by worldly affairs, and that no young hero in this world was worthy of her.

Thus, although the Ninth Princess Xia Zhenzhen was already sixteen, she remained unmarried. It should be known that under normal circumstances, royal princesses usually had designated marriage prospects by the age of thirteen or fourteen.

Their marriages, in reality, were beyond their control.

The emperor was startled sober when he saw the Ninth Princess stand up, leaving his mind blank. He couldn't understand why Jiuer would stand up at this moment. Could it be that...

Thinking of this, the emperor didn't even dare to continue his thoughts. If it were so, today's event would be too grand!

The distinguished Ninth Princess, the most radiant flower of the entire Great Xia, a prodigy of exceptional talent. Taking a liking to the ugly young Chu Mo of the Chu Family... such a thing seems incredible just thinking about it. If it really happens, the emperor doesn't even dare to think about what Chu Mo's future would be.

He might not even live to the day of his marriage at twenty!

Because this would simply incite too much jealousy!

The others in the banquet hall were also stunned when they saw Xia Zhenzhen stand up.

Many young scions of noble families widened their eyes in disbelief, all frozen in place. Several young talents who considered themselves qualified to marry the princess stood up immediately.

A young man, appearing around eighteen or nineteen, with a tall stature and handsome look, exuded a manly aura. He was the youngest son of Liu Zhiyuan, a high-ranking official, named Liu He. In the entire Imperial Capital, he was known as the leader of the Five Young Masters.

The so-called Five Young Masters were the young scions of five top noble families, each possessing extraordinary abilities. These Five Young Masters were not some good-for-nothing playboys, but top-notch talents.

Some even predicted that in the future court of Great Xia, there would definitely be a place for these five individuals, and it certainly wouldn't be any inferior position!

Liu He liked the Ninth Princess and had been pursuing her madly, a fact known to many and not for just a day or two. Almost everyone in the Imperial Capital, from nobility to commoners, knew about this matter.

However, the Ninth Princess never gave Liu He the slightest chance. In Liu He's view, it was because he was not excellent enough yet, but as long as he became outstanding, one day he would surely win the heart of the Ninth Princess.

So all along, Liu He was not in too much of a hurry and didn't persist too much in this pursuit. He understood clearly that any exceptional woman wouldn't like self-righteous and pestering men. Being a true scholar, he wouldn't do such things.

But at this moment, he couldn't help it, because anyone slightly smart could see what the Ninth Princess intended to do.

"She wants to save the day!"

But the problem was, anyone could step in to save the day, but the Ninth Princess absolutely couldn't!

If you nod and agree to the marriage today, then this matter would truly be confirmed.

What kind of person is General Chu Tianji? Is he a harmless businessman? Can he be bullied easily?

Absolutely not!

He is the most outstanding general in the Great Xia Empire!

Bold and unparalleled, he has conquered vast territories for Great Xia, with military achievements so great they make anyone look up!

To marry into such a family, as soon as you nod, even if you are the most outstanding princess of the current dynasty, it becomes a done deal!

Who dares to back out? Even the emperor wouldn't dare!

Therefore, before Xia Zhenzhen opens her mouth, this matter must be stopped!

Liu He had a quick wit and was very smart. Before Xia Zhenzhen spoke, he already stood up and spoke, "Brother Chu Mo."

Chu Mo turned to look at Liu He, his pure eyes showing no emotion, as calm as the water deep in an ancient well.

This gaze gave Liu He a startle in his heart. He had heard about this ugly son of the great general in the past, but had never had any interaction, let alone understanding. Now seeing Chu Mo's eyes, Liu He, who was equally smart, suddenly felt that this matter might be a bit tricky.

But at this moment, the arrow was already on the bowstring, and had to be released. Having stood up, if he said nothing or didn't speak well enough, it would affect his own reputation.

So, Liu He's face first showed a slight smile to make his expression seem extremely sincere, and he said earnestly, "Brother Chu Mo, as your elder by a few years, there is something I wonder whether I should say?"

Chu Mo said nothing, still looking at him with a calm face.

This made the equally proud Liu He somewhat annoyed, thinking to himself: What do you mean? Looking down on me?

However, he showed no sign of impatience on his face.

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