Chapter 468 Extra Story: Each Finds Joy in Their Own Way 11
The onlooking commoners couldn't help but point and comment.
"Tsk tsk, to think he's a heartless scoundrel, still shameless enough to ask his former fiancée to be his concubine. Disgusting!"
"Miss He simply has high standards, she's not blind. Look, she even rejected such a handsome young man."
"This married couple looks so plain, yet they think so highly of themselves!"
"..."
Amid the various discussions, Han Dong's face flushed even redder.
He only had scholarly knowledge, not good looks, naturally incomparable to that elegant young man. He felt he had completely lost face.
His wife, Madame Kong, said coldly: "That young man must be a male courtesan from the pleasure quarters. Otherwise, He Jingru would have married him immediately!"
Han Dong nodded: "Right, it must be so!"
Only by thinking this way could he feel somewhat better inside.
The crowd on the street gradually dispersed.
He Jingru's younger sister looked curiously at Chu Hongyu: "Who are you? Are you really my elder sister's suitor?"
Chu Hongyu closed his paper fan and said seriously: "Naturally."
He Jingru's face instantly turned crimson.
The younger sister propped her chin, suspicious: "Someone so handsome... Could he be a man from that kind of place..."
"Don't talk nonsense!" He Jingru scolded coldly. "Go wait for me at the teahouse ahead. I'll join you shortly."
Once her sister left, He Jingru curtsied and said: "Please forgive my sister's offense, Your Majesty. She is young and spoke improperly just now..."
"It's fine. I indeed didn't reveal my identity." Chu Hongyu used his folding fan to lift He Jingru's curtsying hand. "When you see me outside, there's no need for formal courtesies."
He Jingru nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty."
"No need to call me Your Majesty either." Chu Hongyu coughed lightly. "Have you heard about the Emperor's upcoming expedition?"
He Jingru bowed her head: "I heard from my father. Your... the expedition can boost morale and subdue the Northern Di. I believe it is a good thing."
"Oh?" Chu Hongyu felt somewhat frustrated. "Aren't you worried something might happen to me?"
Not knowing how to address the person before her, He Jingru could only vaguely say: "Young Master Huang ascended the throne in his childhood. At just eight years old, he achieved great accomplishments, truly earning my admiration. Over the years, he has worked diligently for the country and people, worthy of being called a wise ruler... In my view, Young Master Huang can devise strategies from a thousand miles away. Before making this decision, he must have been completely confident. This journey to the northern frontier will surely result in great victory!"
Chu Hongyu's lips immediately curved upward upon being praised by the one he loved.
He Jingru found it somewhat amusing.
The Emperor's temperament was rather childlike - he became happy as soon as he was praised. However, she hadn't exaggerated; this was truly how she viewed the Emperor in her heart.
"You're right. I am indeed completely confident. Within three months, I will surely return victorious!" Chu Hongyu made a gesture, and suddenly a black-clad figure appeared behind him.
He Jingru was startled.
Thinking it was an assassin, she prepared to rush over and protect Chu Hongyu.
She was just an insignificant woman, while the person before her was the Son of Heaven. If anything happened to the Emperor, the world would fall into chaos...
But then she saw the black-clad figure hand a box to Chu Hongyu before disappearing.
Chu Hongyu passed the box to He Jingru: "This is for you."He Jingru was somewhat dazed, instinctively accepting it before immediately tossing it back as if handling a hot potato: "I cannot accept rewards without merit, this commoner..."
"Just for those words you spoke earlier, believing I could achieve great victory, you deserve these things." Chu Hongyu opened the case. "Take a look, do you like them?"
He Jingru looked.
Inside the case were entirely women's jewelry - headpieces, hairpins, step-shakers, earrings, bracelets, thumb rings... a full case gleaming brilliantly under the sunlight.
Chu Hongyu said earnestly: "My previous words about making you Empress were sincere."
Suddenly, tears streamed down He Jingru's face.
Since her mother's passing and her fiancé breaking off their engagement, she had heard countless rumors and gossip, but she had never cried.
She had managed the household affairs for her father, raised her younger siblings, diligently operated the He family business, preventing the family from falling into decline...
When the three-year mourning period ended, she had already reached an advanced age for marriage. Her father sought matchmakers everywhere for her.
But many would refuse upon hearing she had been previously engaged, or that she was older. Those willing to consider were either widowers, of very low status, or the men had issues not fit for public discussion...
She never imagined someone would present her with a case of jewelry, as if offering their sincere heart.
She didn't know what the future held, but she was certain that this person before her, at this very moment, truly had her in his heart.
She didn't have an enviable family background.
Nor extraordinary beauty.
Not even any renowned talents.
His choosing her was truly because he firmly wanted her by his side.
Such sincerity, how could it not move one?
Such a person, how could one not be drawn to him?
He Jingru sniffled: "I'll accept these things."
"Ah, why are you crying?" Chu Hongyu became flustered. "Did I frighten you? I'm sorry..."
He Jingru said word by word: "I am willing to become your Empress."
"You..." Chu Hongyu hesitated. "You... wouldn't be doing this to spite your former fiancé, would you?"
"How could that be?" He Jingru suddenly laughed. "I stopped caring about that person long ago. None of my decisions have anything to do with him."
Chu Hongyu still seemed somewhat unbelieving: "Then why did you suddenly agree? Do... do you have feelings for me?"
"I have no reason not to have feelings for Your Majesty." He Jingru paused before continuing. "What I feel for Your Majesty is admiration, respect, and esteem - these feelings can easily transform into affection..."
Chu Hongyu was overjoyed.
He had never dared express his feelings before because he worried He Jingru hadn't forgotten her former fiancé.
So she had stopped caring about that person long ago.
If he had known earlier, why waste so much time...
He wanted to lift He Jingru up in his arms.
But feared being too forward.
He spun around happily on the spot.
Then directly ran off.
Leaving He Jingru alone where she stood.
"His Majesty actually still has such a childlike side!"
He Jingru couldn't help but laugh.
How could one person be both a wise ruler and a child? How could someone be both dignified and childlike?
"Elder sister, what are you laughing about?" Younger Sister He, having waited long without anyone returning, came looking. When she saw the case in He Jingru's arms, she immediately froze: "Heavens, these are premium emerald earrings, this is a pure gold step-shaker... these, these were all given to elder sister by that gentleman just now?"
He Jingru closed the lid of the case and softly acknowledged with an "Mm.""Elder sister, what exactly is his status? How can he be so generous? When will he come to our family to propose marriage?"
He Jingru shook her head.
Probably in about three months, when he returns victorious.
If after three months he still holds her in his heart, then this marriage would be worth looking forward to.
If after three months, there is no news at all... well, it wouldn't matter much—she wasn't new to heartache.
However, that very evening, the imperial edict arrived.
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