Madam Yan's Matchmaking Pavilion for Men

62 Force Them to Accept Him, Too Sly

Yu Huang Rong opened his eyes and looked at her dejectedly. "What way would that be?" If they could think together and maybe come up with a way to make it work, he'd gladly take that even if it was complicated or dangerous for him. He just didn't want Zhang Shi Lan to get hurt.

"Aren't you friends with His Majesty? Then ask him to issue a decree."

Yu Huang Rong stared at her in stunned silence. That's ... That really was a very simple way. As the emperor, Luan Xin naturally had the power to decree a marriage. Even their families wouldn't be able to say anything and could only bow their heads and accept it. "If it's so easy ... Why haven't we done that from the very beginning?" Actually, why hadn't Luan Xin proposed this as soon as he told him about Zhang Shi Lan?

Madam Yan crossed her legs and raised her brows at him. "Do you really need to ask that? Have you forgotten what I told you in the beginning? Even if His Majesty decreed it, that just means that your families will allow Zhang Shi Lan to marry you. Your family would still insist that you marry a second wife. They still wouldn't treat him well enough. Is that what you want for him?"

Yu Huang Rong lowered his head and furrowed his brows. No, naturally, he didn't want that. "But they think of him better now. Maybe ... it could work out?" After all, they hadn't originally known him. Taking in an unknown man as your son's wife was one thing. Taking in a person you held in high regard and accepting him should be easier.

Madam Yan didn't say anything. This General Yu, he was obviously smart enough to understand the situation himself. He didn't need her to point these things out. He was just clinging to his hope.

Yu Huang Rong also kept quiet, slowly thinking things through. "Even if they don't accept him immediately, isn't there the chance that they'll do so in the future? As long as Zhang Shi Lan is able to make a good impression ..."

Madam Yan gave him the time to think things through before she leaned forward, crossing her arms on the table. "Yes, there is a chance for that to happen and it is something that I'm counting on. But you also know how long that will take. With you not here in the capital, Scholar Zhang would have to suffer quite a bit first. But I guess both of you might prefer that over putting him in danger.

"Unfortunately, you seem to have forgotten one thing: For rendering meritorious service in fighting back the enemies on two sides of the country three decades ago, General Yu, Yu Bao Tong, was rewarded by the late emperor. What was it that he got as a reward back then?"

Yu Huang Rong's eyes widened imperceptibly. "The late emperor promised him one favor. Even exempting somebody from death wouldn't be asking too much. You think that my father would use that favor to oppose this decree?"

Madam Yan leaned back, not needing to nod. What else would the General use it for if he hadn't done so in three decades? He didn't expect anyone from his family to rebel anytime soon, did he? "That is to say, His Majesty issuing the decree would be an easy way but it is one that could be countered just as easily. You have to force your family to accept Zhang Shi Lan as your partner. Otherwise, there is no way this will work out."

"Hence the ambush."

Madam Yan nodded and motioned with her hand. "It's actually simple: Your family is indeed used to you getting into dangerous situations. That is also one of the reasons why they want you to marry. But ... It would be different if they are afraid that this danger is not coming from our Chen country's enemies this time. If they are afraid that the danger was actually coming from somewhere above ..."

Yu Huang Rong furrowed his brows. "You want to pin this on to His Majesty's head."

Madam Yan shrugged her shoulders. "Your father may have that favor from the late emperor but do you think he would be willing to use that just to exempt you from marrying somebody if he is afraid that the emperor might already be out for your life? I don't think so."