On the military field, Cheng Chen wanted Zhangsun Wuji to fulfill his promise and kowtow to him as his master. As soon as he said that, Zhangsun Wuji's expression instantly distorted, and he gritted his teeth so hard that they made cracking sounds.
All the civil and military officials looked at each other, not knowing what to say. Li Er and Zhangsun Wugou both frowned, revealing a troubled expression.
Zhangsun Wuji was the prime minister of the current dynasty, and he was an extremely important official. It was too embarrassing for him to kowtow to an eight-year-old child.
Li Er also had to consider the impact. If this spread, it would damage the face of the imperial court.
Zhangsun Wugou didn't want to embarrass Zhangsun Wuji too much. No matter what, she was still a member of the Zhangsun Clan, and Zhangsun Wuji was also her biological brother.
"Your Majesty, we should consider this matter carefully.”Zhangsun Wugou looked at Li Er, and a pleading look flashed across her beautiful eyes. She wanted Li Er to step forward.
Li Er indeed wanted to step forward, but he hadn't thought of how to deal with it. If he directly announced that the bet was invalid, Cheng Chen would definitely not let it go.
In his dilemma, Li Er saw Cheng Yaojin. The monarch and his subjects looked at each other. Li Er gave him a look, and Cheng Yaojin immediately understood.
He nodded, walked to Cheng Chen's side, and whispered,""Son, you've already been in the limelight today. His Majesty has also decreed that Princess Changle be betrothed to you.”
"I think we should forget about the matter of acknowledging him as our master. Zhangsun Wuji is after all His Majesty's brother-in-law and the Empress's elder brother. If we let him lose too much face, His Majesty and the Empress will lose face as well.”
When Cheng Chen heard this, he raised his eyebrows." Father, you're wrong. I didn't gamble with them. They were willing. I fought one against four and won fair and square. Why don't you want him to fulfill the bet?”
" This..." Cheng Yaojin was rendered speechless by Cheng Chen's words. Indeed, Cheng Chen had won fair and square. There was no excuse at all.
" But…" Cheng Yaojin wanted to persuade him again, but Cheng Chen didn't listen. He walked directly to Zhangsun Wuji and asked coldly,""What's wrong? Could it be that Lord Zhangsun wants to go back on his word?"
"Hehe, you're the prime minister of the current dynasty. If you don't even have this little bit of credibility, how can you help His Majesty consolidate the country in the future?”
When Zhangsun Wuji heard this, his face instantly turned ashen. He gritted his teeth so hard that they were about to shatter.
"Cheng Chen! Don't go too far. With my father's status, how can he kowtow to you and acknowledge you as his master!”Zhangsun Chong shouted angrily," It's just a joke, and you took it seriously!”
"Loser, you have no right to speak to me!”Cheng Chen rolled his eyes at Zhangsun Chong before looking at Zhangsun Wuji again.
"A joke?" Cheng Chen sneered." Lord Zhangsun, if I lost today, would you treat it as a joke? Will I be exempted from the punishment of kneeling for seven days and seven nights?”
Zhangsun Wuji glared at Cheng Chen and gritted his teeth.""Definitely not!"
He had suffered such humiliation. If he really won, how could he avoid Cheng Chen's kneeling punishment? At that time, he might even feel that the punishment was too light!
"Haha, good!" Cheng Chen laughed loudly." Lord Zhangsun is quite honest. In that case, please fulfill your promise."”
Faced with Cheng Chen's aggressiveness, Zhangsun Wuji had no other choice. If he didn't kneel, this matter might become a laughing stock for him.
If he kneeled, he would lose face this time. If he didn't kneel, he would lose face for the rest of his life. After weighing the pros and cons, Zhangsun Wuji could only go all out.
" Alright…" Zhangsun Wuji lifted his clothes and was about to kneel.
"Wait a minute!" At this moment, Zhangsun Wugou spoke. She looked at Cheng Chen, her beautiful eyes flashing with a pleading look.
"Cheng Chen, for bengong's sake, please spare Minister Zhangsun this time, alright?”
Li Er also spoke up." Cheng Chen, Minister Zhangsun Aiqing is, after all, the prime minister of the current dynasty. He is the face of the imperial court. If this matter spreads, I'm afraid it will damage the dignity of the imperial court.”
"Why don't we just forget about this matter? Or should we change the punishment?”
When Cheng Chen heard this, he smiled faintly." Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it's not that I'm calculative. I'm doing this to protect the court's face.”
"Oh?" Li Er was puzzled." What do you mean?”
"Your Majesty." Cheng Chen cupped his fists." The foundation of a country lies in one word, and that is trust!”
"If there is no faith, how can the world be loyal?”
"If you don't believe me, can the imperial court intimidate the country?”
"His Majesty has already made a promise that is worth thousands of gold and jade. The civil and military officials must keep their promises even more. Otherwise, how can the people of the world trust the Imperial Court and their parents?”
"Lord Zhangsun is the prime minister of the current dynasty, so he has to set an example for the officials to learn from.”
"Therefore, this subject's actions are to protect Lord Zhangsun's reputation and also to protect the face of the imperial court! Your Majesty, the Empress, please understand!"
Cheng Chen's reasonable and well-founded words made Li Er and Zhangsun Wugou speechless. They wanted to plead for Zhangsun Wuji, but they couldn't open their mouths.
As the emperor and empress, they could not possibly disregard the court's reputation for one person.
When Zhangsun Wuji heard this, he cupped his fists and said," Thank you, Your Majesty. This subject will die ten thousand times to thank the Empress for her favor. Since Cheng Chen said that this subject's kneeling can preserve the court's face, then this subject's kneeling is worth it!”
After saying that, Zhangsun Wuji turned around and faced Cheng Chen. He lifted his clothes and knelt down.
"Teacher, if you go up again, you will receive a bow from your student!”
Cheng Chen looked at Zhangsun Wuji's kneeling appearance, and the corners of his mouth curled up in pride.
He walked in front of Zhangsun Wuji and helped him up. At the same time, he whispered,"Lord Zhangsun, don't think that I'm heartless. The root cause is your aggressiveness!”
"Princess Chang Le has already verified that this matter has nothing to do with me, and she has repeatedly accused me of offending her. If I don't resist, won't I be imprisoned?”
"I've already shown you mercy by letting you kneel to me today!”
When Zhangsun Wuji heard this, he gritted his teeth." I've learned my lesson. However, don't be too pleased with yourself. This matter isn't considered a joke!”
Cheng Chen chuckled when he heard that.”
"If one doesn't have an opponent in their life, wouldn't it be too boring?”
"I only hope that Lord Zhangsun can be a little stronger. Otherwise, it won't be fun to win against you.”
Zhangsun Wuji narrowed his eyes." Don't worry, I won't let you down!”
"Alright, I'll wait for you!"
After the two of them finished speaking, Zhangsun Wuji flung his sleeves and returned to the civil officials.
At this moment, this farce could be considered to have come to an end.
Cheng Yaojin stepped forward and cupped his fists."Your Majesty, Empress, since Princess Chang Le and Cheng Chen have already been engaged, when will the wedding be held?”
Li Er and Zhangsun Wugou looked at each other. Then, Zhangsun Wugou said,"Minister Cheng, don't be anxious. Wait for BenGong and His Majesty to choose an auspicious day before marrying the two of them!”
"This is a major matter of the Great Tang, and Your Majesty and bengong must announce it to the world once again.”
"The Empress is right." Li Er smiled and said," I will announce it to the world as soon as possible.”
"No! I don't agree!"
At this moment, a beautiful figure suddenly rushed out and directly arrived in front of Li Er and Zhangsun Wugou.
"Imperial Father, Imperial Mother, Cheng Chen is your son's!”
All the officials were shocked and looked over. It was Princess Gao Yang, Li Shu!
What was going on?
There were even bridal snatchers in the current dynasty?
Why was today's matter so chaotic!
Cheng Chen was also stunned. Why was she here?
Li Shu turned to Cheng Chen and shouted angrily,""Cheng Chen, how dare you betray me? Have you forgotten our agreement?”
"We've gone through a marriage ceremony!”
What?
When Li Er and Zhangsun Wugou heard that, they were completely dumbfounded!
Gao Yang and Cheng Chen got married?
When did this happen!
"Cheng Chen, shouldn't you give me an explanation?”Li Er looked at Cheng Chen and shouted coldly.
Cheng Chen was on the verge of tears. Explain? Explain my ass!
I'll run away first…
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]