Secret Report from the Imperial Court

Xiao Zetian exchanged a glance with Lingdang, sighed softly, then stretched out his hand, palm open to reveal a small rolled-up piece of paper.

"This is a secret report just received via carrier pigeon. My lady, you read it yourself," Xiao Zetian said.

Su Li's heart skipped a beat as she looked at the tiny scroll. Putting on a calm expression, she took it and unrolled it. Seeing the contents, her heart trembled.

"The Emperor already knows I am alive. Our spy in the court sent this message first, saying the Emperor plans to issue an edict summoning me back immediately. Once I return to the capital, I will be granted a title and a marriage..." Xiao Zetian stepped forward, taking Su Li's hand.

Su Li's face turned pale, her hands trembling as she tried to pull her hand away from Xiao Zetian. But he gripped tighter. After several attempts, she failed and, lips pale, asked, "W-When do you plan to return to the capital?"

Xiao Zetian's dark eyes locked onto hers, his voice low, "I have no plans to return yet. My lady, I never want to hide anything from you. As soon as I received this report, I told you. Please trust me. I'll find ways to delay the Emperor. Also, Prince Ling has already returned to the court. He has long been scheming to marry Princess Mingyu and won't give up. I will maneuver behind the scenes to facilitate their union."

"But if the Emperor issues an edict summoning you, won't refusing to return be considered defying the Emperor?" Su Li worried aloud.

"If the edict is already issued, defying it would be difficult. But since it hasn't been issued yet, there's still room to maneuver. I've arranged in the capital to spread news that I am severely injured. Before the Emperor issues the edict, I will submit a petition citing my injury as reason to remain in Qingmiao City to recover. Though the Emperor wants me back soon, he can't openly pressure me when he believes I'm incapacitated," Xiao Zetian explained.

"But won't doing this cause trouble for you? What if the Emperor grows displeased with you?" Su Li anxiously grasped Xiao Zetian's wrist.

A warmth flickered in Xiao Zetian's eyes as he gently pulled Su Li into his embrace. "I knew it. It's always you who cares for me. You worry first about whether I am alright."

Su Li blushed slightly and pushed him away. "You sweet-talk me again. Who knows if the edict will come tomorrow and you’ll leave me to return to the capital immediately."

"I wouldn't dare leave," Xiao Zetian shamelessly hugged her again. "Once the marriage between Prince Ling and Princess Mingyu is settled, I'll set off. When I return to the capital, I'll bring my lady with me to meet my parents and show them the wife of the Marquis of Weiyuan's heir."

Joy lit up in Su Li's eyes. Which woman wouldn't want her beloved man to bring her home to meet his parents? It was a sign of his recognition of her.

But would the Marquis and Marchioness of Weiyuan, Xiao Zetian's parents, accept a country farmer's daughter-in-law?

"What kind of people are your parents? Do you think they won't like me?" Su Li asked.

"They..." A shadow flickered in Xiao Zetian's eyes. "They are very strict with me, probably because I am a boy. They have always had high expectations, hoping I would succeed. But you are a girl, so it's different. My mother has always wished for a daughter by her side. When you marry into the Marquis of Weiyuan's household, my mother will definitely like you."

Su Li felt somewhat reassured and murmured, "I hope so..."