Crying While Filling the Pit I Dug - Chapter 60

“Father!” Xiao Chengqi’s voice echoed, “Please grant my wish!”

The Emperor continued on without pause, striding out of Sishui Hall.

Softly, Song Miaomiao called out, “Brother.”

Xiao Chengqi rose, settling beside Song Miaomiao’s bed, and fetched her a glass of warm water. “Sister, fret not for Yi Qing; he’s safe. Father cares for you and won’t harm him.”

“That’s reassuring.” She accepted the warm water, taking a sip. “Brother, do you truly harbor such strong feelings for Supervisor Gu?”

Song Miaomiao felt a twinge of concern. Xiao Chengqi had made a bold declaration before the Emperor. The more he favored Gu Jiaren, the more turbulent the latter stages of the narrative would be. The Princess, too, was depicted as ruthless. In this tale, love often led to heartbreak—those who loved each other couldn’t be together, and those together lacked love. For partners, enduring affection from an unrequited lover could lead to psychological torment.

If Xiao Chengqi’s feelings weren’t so intense, even if his wife harbored feelings for another, he wouldn’t suffer as much emotionally because he wouldn’t care as deeply.

Xiao Chengqi said frankly, “In life, there may be a thousand weak waters, but one need only savor a sip.”

(It was impossible to encounter many beautiful things in life.One only needed to grasp the same with your heart. Weak water here refers to beautiful things, and “three thousand” refers to the three thousand worlds of Buddhism, which implies a multitude and far-reaching meaning)

Hearing his words, Song Miaomiao felt that she committed a crime by creating this novel.

“I’ve harbored this feeling in my heart for as long as I can remember. I can’t explain it, but I’m drawn to this beautiful woman,” Xiao Chengqi confessed. “Perhaps it’s fate, or the will of the heavens. Sister, your determination has given me courage. Without witnessing your resolve, I might have given up. Your actions have clarified my feelings and strengthened my conviction to marry her in this lifetime.”

Why was he drawn to that woman? That was because she made it that way from the beginning. If it was fate, she could say that.

She would never dig a pit again, nor would she write abusive novels!

Concerned, she asked her brother, “But will Father agree?”

Xiao Chengqi took the glass of water from her hand and placed it on the table. “I’m not sure,” he admitted.

Song Miaomiao suggested, “Father had promised to arrange my marriage with Yi Qing after Abul leaves. What if we attempt another approach?”

Xiao Chengqi shook his head. “No, that trick worked once with Father, but it’s unlikely to succeed a second time.”

“Then what should we do?” Song Miaomiao inquired, searching for a solution.

Xiao Chengqi clenched his fists and said, “The first step is to mess up this marriage first. Since it was Abul who asked to marry, let him give up the proposal.”

Seeing Xiao Chengqi clench his fist, Song Miaomiao said, “Brother, what are your plans? Beat Abul so he won’t dare to ask for marriage again?”

Xiao Chengqi rolled his eyes, saying, “What’s going on in your head? Of course, it’s negotiating with him, and let him give up on his own initiative.”

Song Miaomiao said, “Negotiating? But what bargaining chip do we use in exchange? Brother, do you want to spend money to bribe him, or do you want to promise greater benefits in the mutual trade agreement?”

Xiao Chengqi looked at the plum blossoms outside the window, and several flowers had already bloomed, “None of them. Things like chips, of course, are what others lack; we will provide what we have. Abul’s crooked attack caught our weakness, and we must also find his weakness, and give him a helping hand when he is struggling.”

Song Miaomiao asked, puzzled, “His weakness is…?”

Xiao Chengqi smiled, “Abul is the eleventh son of the Tartar King, and he has seven elder brothers in front of him. The reason why he wants to marry someone from here is because he wants to find a backer. What he lacks is what I can give.”

Song Miaomiao nodded and said, “That’s good. What’s the second step?”

Xiao Chengqi turned his head to look at Song Miaomiao, saying, “The second step is to resolve Father’s worries. What Father is thinking about the most now is the matter of tearing up a marriage. We need to let him know that this is not the case. As for the marriage between Heng Zheng and Jiaren, many people know, so damage to reputation cannot be avoided. But as long as Father thinks that there is a more important thing than reputation, we can accomplish this.”

Song Miaomiao said, “How should we do this?”

Xiao Chengqi was silent for a while before saying, “Father can’t be moved by tricks, only love can move people.”

Song Miaomiao murmured, “Love?”

“Sister, you are not in good health. During this period of time, the Emperor will definitely visit you every day. You don’t need to mention our affairs. You can talk to him more about Mother.”

After Song Miaomiao sent Xiao Chengqi away, as he said, the Emperor visited her everyday. She refrained from mentioning the matter of the marriage proposal and instead focused on reminiscing about the deceased Empress.

However, each time, the Emperor seemed to avoid the topic, reluctant to delve into it.

Xiao Chengqi also visited several times, preoccupied with hosting Abul’s reception and negotiating mutual trade agreements. Time was scarce, but he reassured Song Miaomiao not to worry, informing her that Abul had agreed to his proposal.

Four or five days later, Abul departed for Northern Xinjiang, having finalized a mutual trade agreement with the country. He departed with many special products but did not take any woman with him.

Amidst this flurry of activity, after a heavy snowfall, Abul’s departure coincided with Song Miaomiao’s near recovery from her illness.

The Emperor, in the court hall, announced his decision to wed the Princess to Yi Qing. Additionally, he bestowed upon Yi Qing a grand mansion.

There was no mention of the marriage contract between Yi Qing and Gu Jiaren in court discussions, and congratulations abounded. Song Miaomiao recognized that all of this was a result of Xiao Chengqi’s efforts.

Yi Qing was relieved of his duties as chief guard and was appointed to the official position of Zhonglang General, a third-rank official. However, this also meant that Yi Qing would be departing from the court. Song Miaomiao realized she wouldn’t be able to see him until after their marriage.

Following her appointment as County Lord, Gu Jiaren had already left the court and returned home.

Xiao Chengqi informed Song Miaomiao that the marriage between him and Gu Jiaren would need to be planned gradually. They would discuss it further once the dust settled on Song Miaomiao’s and Yi Qing’s marriage.