Chapter 116 - Jiang Ying Yue

When the general pulverized the elegant wooden table in front of him, Jiang Li laughed, finding the man's action suspicious and funny.

'How come the old guy just couldn't wait to reveal how much he wanted his unloved daughter to not rise in ranks?'

It was suspicious because he raised the villainess for sixteen or seventeen years and only just recently started showing extreme desire to see her dead or living in misery. 

'I don't believe this Marshal reached his current standing today through pure brawl. He must be quite smart.'

'If Rui Wang wants to dissolve the engagement, he must first get permission from the Marshal. After all, if someone like him protested, the Emperor will happily drag the matter out. This person must have not only consented but also extorted him. After that, he chased his daughter out. Then showed anger when I rescued her. Now, he appeared incensed because I said I want to make her a member of my household…'

The list would just leave one wondering why the marshal was very heartless to Jiang Ying Yue.

The most probable reason was that she was not only not this man's daughter, but a daughter of a mortal enemy. 

'After this audience, I'll check on Xun He and Mao Hong if they already completed my order.' Jiang Li felt a great urgency in his heart.

He badly wanted to establish a good information network that belonged to him. His ambition was not much. He only wanted the people working as his spies to be competent enough to not let even a single gossip from the capital escape their ears. 

'I need more information about her parents. I also need to always have a grasp of the leads' actions and whereabouts.' 

After musing about this, he went back to sizing up the marshal and openly admired how easily he wrecked the table. "Grand Marshal, I didn't know you're this powerful. And courageous."

He had long caught sight of the dark-faced Emperor standing in the entrance. The man dressed in a majestic purple robe had his right hand raised to the eunuch at the side, stopping him from announcing his presence yet. 

Jiang Ke did not reply and only continued glaring at the young general. 

Jiang Li lowered his head and pretended he noticed neither the sharp stares nor the person in the doorway. After clearing his throat, he told the expressionless fellow, "This Prince just couldn't help but say this. But what the Grand Marshal did to the table in the Emperor's audience hall, I'm afraid it is something This Prince would never attempt to do in this lifetime. I would have wanted to offer you a toast for that, but..."

His eyes went to the wreckage in front, then to the marshal.

He was impressed that there was still no change in Jiang Ke's face. If his sarcastic remarks couldn't make him change his expression, then how about the Emperor? Didn't he see the purple-wearing old middle-aged man to their left? 

'... His bravery is shocking.'

A second later, the eunuch finally announced the arrival of the son of heaven and Jiang Li was once again mindblown when he saw that the person was no longer having black lines on his face. 

"Greetings, Your Majesty." The two military officers stood up and lightly bowed. 

"Grand Marshal. Chen Wang. Zhen 1  is glad you two managed to make it here. Take a seat."

Both Jiang Li and Jiang Ke said their thanks to the Emperor in a respectful manner. Just like expected, the reason Jiang Li was summoned was because of his excessive action last night.

It seemed the old guy was quite competent because he could still chat amicably with them even while the maids and eunuchs were busily clearing the broken table, spilled drinks, and food. The Emperor was also aware of what to prioritize. He knew that the unauthorized moving of soldiers was a greater issue than the marshal's act of boorishness in the audience room. 

"Chen Wang, what do you have to say for your actions last night?"

Jiang Li lowered his head and mildly said. "This Prince is guilty. Your Majesty can decide on the punishment. This Prince is more than willing to atone for his crime."

By this time, the table and everything on it had already been replaced and no more outsiders were in the place. The emperor seated on the throne atop the elevated platform looked at him for a fairly long time then sighed. "Chen Wang, Zhen hopes you learned your lesson this time. You have truly disappointed Zhen this time. Thus, Zhen have no choice but to punish you. Eunuch Lin, come and bring a scribe here to help Us record a decree."

"Your humble servant complies."

Jiang Li quietly listened as his vacation was shortened into a week. He didn't protest. After all, the punishment was too light. It almost made him think the old dude was fond of him. 

"Chen Wang, you don't have any problem with that, do you?"

"No, Your subject doesn't. Your Majesty is wise," As he said this, the young man wanted to roll his eyes but restrained himself since that would mean going OOC.

The last time he did this to Lady Lu, the annoying remnant of the Original rendered him vomiting for three hours straight after he returned to the residence with the witch and Jiang Ying Yue.

He reckoned it was alright to go out of character in front of minor people, but if it was in front of those familiar with his character and temperament like his mother or the Emperor, it would spell getting in trouble with the Original.

"It's settled then. One week from now on, you'll go back to your post."

He was okay with that so he simply nodded. Done with the first matter, the Emperor turned to the silent Marshal sitting a meter away from Chen Wang and then addressed the matter about the poor table that he reduced into rubbles.

Jiang Ke was also punished lightly, only a reduced salary for the next six months. 

Jiang Li glanced once at the marshal. His lips were curled into a grin when he said, "Your Majesty, there is something Your subject wants to ask help for."

The Emperor nodded, "Let Zhen hear it then. As long as it is within Zhen's capabilities, Zhen will help."

Despite having a bad feeling in his heart, the Grand Marshal did not forget to flatter the emperor. "Your Majesty, you are the son of heaven. Even the wind and thunder will heed your command. There is nothing Your Majesty cannot do. " 

While the Emperor laughed, looking pleased with those praises, Jiang Li laughed due to the exaggerated words.

A few moments later, he bowed his head and straightforwardly said, "This Prince would like to request Your Majesty to bestow a marriage to him."

Pretending he didn't know who the only possible prospect was, the Emperor smiled. "It's easy. But may Zhen know first who the lucky young lady is?"

Jiang Ke's expression turned really awful. He saw that Chen Wang did not lift his head, but his eyes briefly turned to him and were laughing at him. 

"This Prince is hoping Your Majesty won't laugh." To the Emperor, this young general only appeared still lowering his head out of embarrassment.

Jiang Li watched as the Marshal balled his hands into fists. For some reason, he really liked annoying Jiang Ying Yue's father. Thus, he slowly enunciated, "It's the former Grand Marshal's first young miss."

...

A couple of moments later, the Emperor had to cut Jiang Ke's salary in half for a whole year for destroying another table. The angered the Grand Marshal was also scolded heavily by the Emperor, and the culprit who caused this only snickered from the side. 

'Not enough.' He was smiling at Jiang Ke but frost glazed his deep-set eyes.

'Next time, I'll make sure to show this guy why my former bandmates called me a petty bastard.' Emperors' way of addressing themselves