activa-t Chapter 539: A Forced Marriage
Chapter 539: A Forced Marriage
They walked into a bustling street lined with a dazzling array of stalls.
There are colorful sugar paintings, where the syrup magically transforms into various adorable animal shapes in the hands of the artists, attracting children to stop and watch.
There were also roasted chestnuts emitting an enticing aroma. The vendor skillfully stir-fried them, and the chestnut shells became shiny with oil, occasionally making a "crackling" sound.
Hongxiu, holding Fang Xiaoxiao's hand, excitedly pointed to a stall selling hairpins and said, "Xiaoxiao, look at that hairpin, it's so pretty, it suits you perfectly."
Fang Xiaoxiao looked in the direction she pointed and saw an exquisite jade hairpin lying quietly on the stall. The hairpin head was carved with a lifelike orchid, and the petals were delicate and smooth, as if they would fall off with a light touch.
Fang Xiaoxiao stepped forward, picked up the hairpin, and held it up on her head. Hongxiu nodded repeatedly beside her, "It's so pretty, let's buy this one."
Fang Xiaoxiao looked at herself in the mirror, wearing the hairpin, and smiled with satisfaction. She paid for it and carefully put the hairpin into her bag.
Next, they went to a fabric store.
The fabrics in the store are brightly colored and come in various textures.
Li Wan'er picked up a piece of pink silk, gently stroked it, and exclaimed, "This material is so soft, it would definitely look beautiful if it were used to make a dress."
Fang Xiaoxiao also came over and touched the silk. The smooth texture made her love it.
She imagined herself wearing a dress made from this fabric, and a smile involuntarily crept onto her face.
Hongxiu was selecting various colors of silk thread, preparing to create the most beautiful style for Fang Xiaoxiao.
After leaving the fabric store, their stomachs started growling.
A delicious aroma wafted from a nearby food stall. Following the scent, they found the stall filled with all sorts of snacks: golden and crispy spring rolls, soft and sweet osmanthus cakes, and fragrant beef patties.
Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up immediately. She, Hongxiu, and Li Wan'er each ordered a snack they liked and sat down at the stall to enjoy their meal.
Fang Xiaoxiao took a bite of the beef patty. The crispy crust and the tender, juicy filling melted in her mouth. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction and exclaimed, "It's so delicious!" Hongxiu and Li Wan'er couldn't help but laugh as they watched her wolf it down.
Fang Xiaoxiao, along with Hongxiu and Li Wan'er, thoroughly enjoyed shopping on the bustling street. Every delicious food and every exquisite little item made her feel the beauty of life. She kept comforting herself, trying to untangle her knot in her heart, and attempting to put the pain caused by Pei Yan behind her.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the palace was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Pei Yan was summoned to the emperor's study, and a bad feeling crept into his heart.
Upon entering the study, he saw the emperor sitting upright behind his desk with a gloomy expression, while Pei Zuo and Pei Changqing stood to the side with malicious smiles on their faces.
The emperor looked at Pei Yan with an air of authority and unquestionable resolve. He slowly said, "Yan'er, I have arranged a marriage for you. The daughter of the Duke of Qing is well-educated, gentle, and virtuous. She is a good match for you. This marriage is settled."
Pei Yan's heart jolted, and a surge of anger and despair welled up inside him.
He took a step forward, his face full of shock and resistance, and said in a trembling voice, "Father, I already have someone I love, and I cannot marry anyone else. I beg you to rescind your decree."
The emperor's face darkened instantly. He slammed his hand on the desk, the sound of which was particularly jarring in the quiet study.
"How dare you! Marriage is a matter of great importance, decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers. You cannot act willfully or recklessly. My mind is made up, and there is no room for discussion."
Pei Yan's hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles turned white, and his eyes were filled with pain and struggle.
He thought of Fang Xiaoxiao, and all the little things they had shared, and a surge of reluctance welled up in his heart.
“Father, I am deeply in love with Fang Xiaoxiao. If I were to marry someone else, wouldn’t that be betraying her and going against my own heart?”
Pei Zuo watched Pei Yan's pained expression from the side, secretly pleased with himself, but on his face he pretended to be heartbroken.
"Your Highness, do not be so stubborn. The Duke of Qing commands a large army, and a marriage alliance with him would greatly benefit the stability of our dynasty. As the Crown Prince, you should prioritize the greater good. What do personal feelings matter?"
Pei Changqing echoed, a sly glint in his eyes, "Yes, Brother Yan. Fang Xiaoxiao is just a woman, how can she be compared to the daughter of the Duke of Qing? If you refuse this marriage, wouldn't you be putting Father in a difficult position and making the entire court a laughingstock?"
Pei Yan felt a surge of hatred upon hearing their conversation.
He glared at Pei Zuo and Pei Changqing, "Stop pretending! You just want to use this to suppress me and satisfy your own ambitions."
Seeing that Pei Yan dared to be so presumptuous in front of him, the emperor could no longer suppress his anger.
"Shut up! Look at yourself! What kind of behavior is this? I'll ask you one more time: do you agree to this marriage or not?"
Pei Yan was torn between his love for Fang Xiaoxiao and his father's authority and the responsibilities of the royal family.
His body trembled slightly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Finally, he gritted his teeth, knelt on the ground, and said in a voice filled with endless sorrow, "Your subject... obeys the decree."
Pei Zuo and Pei Changqing exchanged a glance, both revealing smug smiles.
Pei Yan knelt on the ground, feeling as if countless knives were cutting into his heart. He knew that there was probably no possibility between him and Fang Xiaoxiao anymore, and all of this was caused by the cruel royal struggle and the oppression of imperial power.
Ultimately, Pei Yan had no choice but to swallow his anger under the emperor's pressure. His body trembled slightly, his fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turned white, and his face was full of pain and resentment.
"How can I just give up on Xiaoxiao like this? But my father's order is like a mountain, making it hard for me to breathe."
He was filled with despair, yet he had no choice but to accept this cruel reality.
Seeing that he agreed, the emperor said no more, turned and left, leaving Pei Yan alone to endure the torment in his heart.
After the emperor left, Pei Zuo walked slowly to Pei Yan with a faint smile on his face. A sly look in his eyes was visible as he thought to himself, "Look at you in such a sorry state, you still want to fight me? This is just a small lesson for you."
He said, "Brother, don't be so stubborn. Some things are beyond our control. You need to learn to assess the situation. In the current climate, a marriage alliance with the Duke of Qing would be beneficial to both you and the royal family."
As he spoke, he gently patted Pei Yan's shoulder, seemingly to comfort him, but actually with the air of a victor.
Pei Yan raised his head, glaring at Pei Zuo, his heart filled with anger and resentment. "Your hypocritical act is nothing but an attempt to humiliate me. When I get the chance, I will not let you off the hook!"
His eyes were filled with hatred, yet he was powerless to refute. He knew that Pei Zuo's words were nothing but boasting and kicking him when he was down.
But there's nothing he can do now; he can only swallow his humiliation and anger.
Seeing that Pei Yan remained silent, Pei Zuo decided not to make a fool of himself and turned to leave the room, leaving behind a faint echo of footsteps in the empty space.
After Pei Zuo left, Pei Changqing walked in with elegant steps, a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes flashed with a subtle calculation. He thought to himself, "Pei Yan is in such a sorry state now, it's perfect to make good use of him and put him to my own purposes."
He walked to Pei Yan's side and said softly, "Brother Yan, don't be angry. We're brothers, how could I not understand your thoughts? When I ascend the throne, won't the world be under my control? At that time, what difficulty will it be for you to be with Fang Xiaoxiao again?"
Pei Yan felt a complex mix of emotions as he listened to Pei Changqing's words.
He knew Pei Changqing was ambitious and that these words were just to win him over, but at this moment, in his despair, he grasped at this faint hope, "Is there really still a chance to be with Xiao Xiao? Even if I know he is using me, I would rather believe him."
He raised his head, looked at Pei Changqing with a hint of gratitude in his eyes, and said, "Second Brother, thank you for your kindness. I will remember it."
Pei Changqing was secretly pleased with Pei Yan's reaction, but he still maintained his gentle demeanor.
He gently patted Pei Yan's shoulder and said, "Brother Yan, think it over carefully. If we brothers join hands, this world will be ours sooner or later."
After saying that, he turned and left. As he reached the door, a cold smile appeared on his lips, full of smugness and contempt. He thought to himself, "Pei Yan, you are still too naive. Once I ascend the throne, how could I let you have your way?"
Pei Yan watched Pei Changqing's departing figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He knew he had fallen into a huge vortex, and the road ahead was full of unknowns and dangers.
But for Fang Xiaoxiao's sake, and for the love in his heart, he had to endure for the time being, waiting for that sliver of a possible turning point.
At this moment, his hatred for Pei Zuo and Pei Changqing grew deeper and deeper. He secretly vowed that one day he would make them pay for what they had done today.
In the room, only Pei Yan's lonely figure remained, appearing particularly desolate in the dim light.