Liang Zhe was so angry his face turned red, but with Emperor Delong present, no matter how furious he was, he couldn’t strike Liang Zhe. He could only glare at Luo Huan with murderous eyes, clenching his fists tightly.

Lianpin and Concubine Kang exchanged glances, both seeing a gleam of light and excitement in each other’s eyes.

“Your Majesty!”

They actually called out simultaneously, both stepping forward in unison.

Concubine De smiled charmingly, “What’s this about?”

Lianpin spoke first: “Your Majesty, since Scholar Liu and this subject’s cousin both wish to break the engagement, forced melons are not sweet, and marriages that don’t succeed but create enmity are even less beautiful. This subject is Shuying’s elder sister, so let me make this decision for her and request the cancellation of this engagement. This subject has overstepped – please forgive me, Your Majesty!”

Emperor Delong’s expression was indifferent as he said: “This is your family matter – handle it as you see fit.”

Lianpin felt slightly reassured and turned to look at Qin Shuying, saying: “Shuying, since Master Liu already has connections with Miss Luo and Miss Yun, it’s good that you can see the difficulties involved. With so many people as witnesses today, Scholar Liu’s word is his bond – let this marriage be cancelled. I’m sure Lord Liu will have no objections. Rest assured, after the matter with the Liu family is concluded, I won’t ignore your marriage prospects and will certainly select a good match for you.”

Qin Shuying nodded gratefully: “Thank you, Your Ladyship.”

Concubine Kang was eager to speak, so Concubine De asked: “Concubine Kang, what do you have to say?”

Concubine Kang said: “This subject only feels that Master Luo spoke reasonably. Seventh Miss Qin entered the palace because of Fu’an, and with such an incident occurring, this subject feels uneasy. Since Young Master Liang saved Seventh Miss Qin, this could be considered a rare predestined connection. With the man unmarried and woman unwed, and their families being well-matched, this subject dares to seek a favor for Seventh Miss Qin!”

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other, but Concubine Kang’s words were indeed reasonable and appropriate.

Liang Zhe was somewhat stunned and said loudly: “How did this get dragged back to me?”

After all, Concubine Kang was an imperial concubine, so he didn’t dare say things like “I’ll beat whoever mentions it,” but beyond the surprise on his face was added anger and embarrassment.

Lianpin instinctively wanted to refuse: “No…”

But she looked at Liang Zhe, then at Qin Shuying. After looking back and forth several times, her expression suddenly changed from cloudy to clear, and finally to delight as she said: “…Sister Concubine Kang, you’ve finally said something sensible. Young Master Liang is handsome and talented – it wouldn’t be a loss for my cousin to marry him.”

Concubine Kang smiled somewhat awkwardly, “I just hope Sister Lianpin won’t blame me. After all, it was my inadequate handling that caused Seventh Miss Qin to lose her marriage with the Liu family. If I don’t make amends, wouldn’t I be wasting your affection for me? Your Majesty, how do you think I’ve done as a matchmaker?”

Emperor Delong looked at Liang Zhe, then at Qin Shuying, and said to Liang Zhe: “In matters of marriage, I naturally must hear Guard Liang’s thoughts as well.”

Liang Zhe had been indignant just moments before, but hearing Emperor Delong’s words, he was stunned. His face instantly turned completely red as he said somewhat uncomfortably: “Your Majesty, this humble minister will follow Your Majesty’s wishes entirely.”

After speaking, he immediately turned his face away, seeming both embarrassed and somewhat shy.

Emperor Delong actually laughed, though he wasn’t in a hurry to make a decision.

At this moment, Fourth Prince arrived upon hearing the news. Seeing Liang Zhe’s discomfort, he said: “Father Emperor, may your son also ask Guard Liang a few questions?”

Emperor Delong nodded.

Fourth Prince asked: “Guard Liang, you said earlier that whoever dares use this life-saving favor to threaten you, you’d beat them every time they mentioned it – is this true?”

Liang Zhe instinctively waved his fist, looking at Luo Huan as he said: “Of course it’s true.”

“Are you angry because Luo Huan said this, or because you’d hit anyone who said it?”

Liang Zhe fell silent.

Though Fourth Prince was a military commander, he had a delicate mind. He smiled as he looked at Emperor Delong: “Father Emperor, Guard Liang and Master Luo have never gotten along since childhood. If Luo Huan says go east, he must go west; if he goes east, Luo Huan must go west. Your son thinks that when Luo Huan wanted Guard Liang to marry Seventh Miss Qin earlier, Guard Liang would certainly oppose it strenuously and refuse to marry her. But if Luo Huan said Guard Liang absolutely shouldn’t marry Seventh Miss Qin, Guard Liang would certainly act out of spite and insist on taking this marriage. Master Luo, Guard Liang – am I right?”

Luo Huan glared at Liang Zhe, and Liang Zhe glared back at Luo Huan.

Many people agreed with Fourth Prince’s words: “Fourth Prince is absolutely right – these two stubborn bulls… both have such obstinate temperaments!”

“Exactly! Fourth Prince has hit the nail on the head!”

Emperor Delong laughed heartily, not angry at all. These two tyrants were already famous in the capital, and Emperor Delong knew about their grudge.

Fourth Prince continued: “Earlier, your son was chatting with Guard Liang, and he was very grateful to Seventh Miss Qin for clearing his name at Guangbin Tower. He said Seventh Miss Qin was righteously spirited and a clear stream among the powder and rouge crowd. Your son has worked with Guard Liang in the Northwest for many years and has never seen him praise any young lady.”

Having said this, Fourth Prince closed his mouth and looked at Liang Zhe with meaningful eyes.

When Liang Zhe was looked at with that teasing expression, he simply didn’t know what to do. His hands waved in the air twice as he tried to say something, but after stammering for a while, he couldn’t get anything out.

He looked at Qin Shuying again, but she was looking down so he couldn’t see her expression.

When Qin Shuying’s head moved slightly, he seemed to receive a great shock, stepping back two paces as if Qin Shuying had discovered some shameful secret of his.

After a long while, he finally dropped a sentence under Emperor Delong’s smile: “Seventh, Seventh Miss Qin is clever, and I, I’m just a rough man. I, I’m not worthy of her. Your Majesty, this humble minister still has unfinished business – this humble minister takes his leave.”

Having said this, without waiting for Emperor Delong to speak, he actually fled like smoke.

Everyone was stunned. This fellow dared to just run away when disagreeing with the Emperor?

Lianpin also gaped for a long time before saying: “Outside rumors say Young Master Liang frequents pleasure quarters, but looking like this…”

She didn’t finish her words, but everyone understood.

Looking at Liang Zhe this way, he was clearly an inexperienced youth. How could he possibly be a dissolute young master who frequented pleasure quarters?

Emperor Delong laughed heartily again: “Beloved consort, you’ve misjudged! If Guard Liang were truly such a person, how would I let him enter the palace to guard you all?”

As he spoke, he glanced at Concubine De.

Concubine De smiled, but didn’t dare be careless in her heart. Though Emperor Delong’s words seemed simple, the deeper meaning behind them was difficult to fathom.

Concubine Kang said: “Your Majesty, it seems this subject has done quite well as a matchmaker!”

Emperor Delong’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

Concubine Kang knew that Emperor Delong wasn’t angry.

She smugly glanced at Lianpin: “Sister Lianpin, though younger sister’s handling wasn’t thorough, I’ve tried my best to find a good marriage for Seventh Miss Qin. Please don’t blame me anymore, sister.”

Lianpin glanced back unflinchingly, rolled her eyes, and said: “Your Majesty, since Scholar Liu and my younger sister’s engagement is dissolved, in this subject’s view, Scholar Liu’s marriage prospects might be somewhat difficult. With Miss Yun and Miss Luo as two noble concubines, Scholar Liu’s principal wife, if not a princess or county lord, probably no one would dare take that position. Today is a good day, and this subject humbly thinks that Princess Fu’an is intelligent and noble in status – marrying down to the Liu family would be most suitable!”