I Want to Stay and Take Care of You
Xiao Zetian stepped forward, shielding Su Li behind him, and coldly said to Princess Mingyu, "Your Highness, you rashly fled the capital, causing great worry to both the Emperor and your own father. If your health has recovered, please return to the capital as soon as possible."
"You... General Xiao, as soon as I heard you were injured and ill, I came all this way to see you, regardless of everything else. And now... why are you trying to send me away the moment I arrive?" Princess Mingyu's face flushed red, tears welling in her eyes, looking extremely aggrieved and hurt.
Princess Mingyu was naturally beautiful, and such a delicate and charming beauty speaking with such sorrow would have melted any man. Yet Xiao Zetian remained indifferent, as if seeing not a noble beauty but a stone, devoid of any emotion.
"Your Highness, you flatter me. I am but a general of the Jin Dynasty, unworthy of the concern of the Princess of Chu. It would be best if Your Highness stopped acting like a child and returned to the capital promptly," Xiao Zetian said firmly.
Princess Mingyu suddenly stepped forward, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Xiao Zetian. "General Xiao, I... I won't leave! I'm worried about your injury. I want to stay and take care of you!"
The moment Princess Mingyu said this, Su Li's expression darkened sharply. What did this mean?
Seeing Su Li displeased, Xiao Zetian grew even more annoyed at this stubborn little princess. "My injury will be taken care of by my wife. Your Highness is of noble status and should not concern herself with such laborious matters. Moreover, if the King of Chu finds out that his precious princess is being treated like this in Jin, it might cause displeasure. Tomorrow, I will send someone to escort you back to the capital."
"I won't leave!" Princess Mingyu went mad upon hearing Xiao Zetian mention "my wife." She rushed forward, grabbing Xiao Zetian's arm. "General Xiao, isn't your wife supposed to be me? The emperors of both countries have privately agreed to marry me to you! The Princess of Chu marrying the Jin Dynasty's war god general is a perfect match, a match made for the ages!"
"Your Highness, please stop this nonsense! There is no betrothal between us. I am already married—A Li is my wife," Xiao Zetian frowned, extremely impatient.
"No, I'm not the one making a fuss, you are!" Princess Mingyu tugged on Xiao Zetian's sleeve. "Though no imperial decree has been issued, the marriage between us is known by both kingdoms. Xiao Zetian, you cannot marry anyone else. That village girl is of lowly birth and unworthy of you!"
"Princess Mingyu!" Xiao Zetian took a deep breath, shook off her grip, and said angrily, "Do you not understand my words? There is no betrothal or any other relationship between us! I am already married. There are thousands of fine men in Jin Dynasty; Your Highness can find another suitable match. I already have a family and am not a candidate for a political marriage. Please understand."
Tears streamed down Princess Mingyu's face as she turned to look at Su Li, her gaze filled with hatred. Why would Xiao Zetian rather marry a village girl than marry her, the proud Princess of Chu?
Princess Mingyu suddenly remembered hearing that Xiao Zetian was saved by Su Li when he was in trouble. Could it be that Xiao Zetian married Su Li out of necessity?