Chapter 41: Suitable for a Betrothal Gift <<<
The young man's face flushed instantly.
Seeing the three treasures beside him, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. It was like drinking ice-cold water on a scorching summer day, refreshing him from head to toe.
Looking back at Li Chen's figure, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Even in such a situation, the prince still stood up for me.
At this moment, Su Zhen'ting cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness, it's truly my fault as a father for not teaching my son well. Please don't take offense, Your Highness. My son absolutely has no disrespect in his heart, Pingbei, quickly kneel down and apologize! ?"
Su Pingbei gritted his teeth and knelt before Li Chen, saying: "Su Pingbei was rude to Your Highness, truly guilty. Please punish Su Pingbei as you see fit."
Li Chen ignored Su Pingbei and glanced at Su Zhening. The coldness on his face vanished instantly, and he smiled: "General Su is too polite. It was just a small matter after all, let's just forget about it."
Su Zhen Ting said with a smile, "Yes, yes, Your Highness is magnanimous."
The two chatted and laughed as they entered the main hall. Su Zhen'ting invited Li Chen to take a seat, and Li Chen readily sat down at the head of the table. He then said to Su Zhen'ting, "General Su, this palace has long admired the style of the God of War. This place is the former residence of the God of War. As a junior, I dare not be presumptuous, so I will be straightforward."
"I hope our conversations are more sincere and less insincere, like the scene at the door before. A military god's life is so bright and upright, these pointless probes are really boring."
Su Zhen Ting really didn't expect Li Chen to be so direct. He glared at Su Ping Bei, the one who had come up with the bad idea, with some irritation, and then smiled at Li Chen: "Your Highness being so candid with this general is truly an honor."
"Your Highness, please speak your mind. I will certainly know everything and tell you everything."
Li Chen took out a warm jade pendant from his bosom and placed it gently on the tea table. "Today, I am here by imperial decree to marry General Su's daughter, Su Jinpa, as the crown princess."
As soon as these words were uttered, the Su family erupted in an uproar.
Especially Su Pingbei, his eyes widened with disbelief.
So far, there has been no news that the Emperor Taixing, who is in a coma, ordered a marriage between the Crown Prince and Su Jinpa.
The sudden news has left the Su family shocked, with a clear majority opposing it.

Meanwhile, Su Zhenting stared intently at the jade pendant Li Chen had put down, a look of reminiscence and longing crossing his face as if he had recalled a distant memory.
"Your Highness, may I take a look at this jade pendant?" Su Zhetong asked.
Li Chen nodded and said, "It's alright."
Su Zheting reached out and gently picked up the jade pendant.
The Su family discovered that since the old patriarch's passing, even Su Zhen-ting, who had once been stripped of his rank by the emperor's wrath and almost lost his head but never changed his countenance, now had trembling hands.
Clutching the jade pendant tightly, Su Zhenting took a deep breath. His eyes were fixed on Li Chen as he said, "If she can marry the Crown Prince as his consort, it would be a blessing for Jinpa. I promise you this."
This statement completely enraged the Su family, who had been holding back their anger for so long.
Even with Li Chen present, several members of the Su family looked puzzled and confused, whispering to each other and casting glances at Su Zhetong.
Su Zheting, as if oblivious to his family's bewilderment, directly asked a question that turned the faces of his Su family members pale: "Your Highness, when will your wedding take place?"
They seem so eager to marry Su Jinpa to Li Chen.
It's not just that the Su family couldn't understand, even Li Chen was taken aback.
What magic does this cheap jade pendant of his own father hold? Or what agreement did the Emperor Taixing have with Su Zheting back then, to make him so devoted?
Suppressing the shock within, Li Chen said, "Since this is the imperial palace welcoming the crown prince's bride, one must follow the proper etiquette. The rites of holding the staff, issuing decrees, betrothal, inquiring about the name, offering auspicious items, accepting dowries, and announcing the wedding date, all must be followed according to the imperial protocol, without exception. However, since my father is ill now, I will follow the custom and invite the Empress Dowager as well as the royal relatives from the Zongrenfu to preside over the ceremony."
Su Zhen Ting, however, seemed not to care about these matters. He stared at the jade pendant in his hand and nodded, "Nothing amiss, everything shall be arranged according to protocol."
"After saying that, Su Zhen's handed the jade pendant back to Li Chen and said: "My daughter is currently at a poetry gathering outside. This subordinate can call her back, Your Highness could meet with my daughter, and this jade pendant can serve as a betrothal gift."

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