The Elderly Madam looked at the pale pink birthmark on Su Yue's shoulder, and her emotions suddenly became uncontrollable. "My poor granddaughter, you've suffered so much all these years, and my ill-fated Yun Er as well..."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became heavy, and everyone felt regretful when they recalled the once dazzlingly beautiful woman who had lost her life.
"Mother, please don't be like this. Little sister, if she knew you were like this, she would be heartbroken," Lady Liu advised, her eyes reddening.
"Grandmother, please don't cry anymore. It's not good for your eyes, which are already quite damaged. Wait... wait a while, and we'll bring Mother back home."
"Oh... oh... oh... my Yun Er, my poor daughter..."
It took everyone a long time to console the Elderly Madam before her emotions calmed down somewhat.
"Grandmother, you can't do this anymore. Your eyesight is already quite blurred, right? If you continue like this, do you still want to be able to see Yue?" Su Yue examined the Elderly Madam's reddened eyes, thinking of preparing some medicinal eye drops.
"Alright, Grandmother understands. Grandmother still wants to see our Yue, to see you get married and have children, and live a happy family life."
"Grandmother, you're thinking too far ahead. I'm only thirteen."
"Thirteen is not young. In the Capital City, most official families have already started considering matches for their daughters at thirteen. No, Elder Sister-in-law, from now on when you go out, you must carefully consider potential matches for our Yue and find her a good one. This task falls to you."
"Yes, Mother, your daughter-in-law will certainly look carefully and find the very best match for our Yue," Lady Liu immediately promised, thumping her chest.
"Mother, I think you don't need to look too far. No matter which family Yue goes to, you won't be at ease. It's better for her to stay in our own family. Don't forget, we still have three young men," Lady Li eyed Su Yue with interest, thinking that such a beautiful young lady should not be given away to an outsider when their own young men's ages matched perfectly with Yue's.
"Mother, what are you saying? Yue is my sister!" Su Qian turned red in the face.
"Not a blood relation, just a cousin. Cousins are considered family, what's your objection? Your cousin is so beautiful, what is there to object to?" Lady Li smacked him on the shoulder.
"Ouch, I'm not objecting! I just... Yue is like a sister to me."
"Haha, Qian is embarrassed. Second Sister-in-law, Qian is still young, why the rush? Our Yu is the perfect match for Yue. Yue, what do you think of your second cousin?"
"Oh, you two can't steal her from me. Our Yu'er is the oldest, so he should have priority."
At this point, Su Yue was at a complete loss for words.
The Elderly Madam, however, was quite pleased with the situation. "Yue, what do you think? Your three cousins are all quite good. You can choose whichever one you like."
Su Yue's mouth twitched involuntarily. Is this how Imperial Consorts are chosen?
"Well, Grandmother, and Aunties, all three of my cousins are good, but... I only see them as brothers. And also..."
"And also what? Yue, you don't seem to have taken a liking to any of them. Do you already have someone in mind?"
"No, no, I'm still young. What do you mean someone in mind? It's just that, as Grandmother must have heard from my third brother, I've been studying medicine with my teacher these past years. Actually, ah, cousins marrying cousins is not appropriate."
"Ah? How can that be? In the Capital City, there are many cases of cousins marrying."
Everyone was quite surprised, thinking that such close relations marrying was a good thing that strengthened family ties.
"Ahem! It's like this, children born from close relatives marrying have a higher chance of being unhealthy."
"Ah! We've never heard of such a thing before. No wonder, ah, do you still remember the Mansion of Duke Chen'en, Mother? The parents were cousins, and they had two children who were not well. One was weak from a young age, and the other was even mentally impaired."
"Yes, yes, if Yue hadn't mentioned it, we wouldn't have known."
"It's not that all children born from close relatives will necessarily be unhealthy, just that the probability is higher compared to non-relatives marrying."
Everyone's expressions turned solemn. "From now on, we must pay attention to this in our family. We absolutely cannot make this mistake, or else the children born will suffer misfortune."
"Yes, Mother."
"Yes, Mother."
"Yes, Mother."
At this time, the Emperor was hosting a banquet to welcome the Martial Duke back from the frontier, though his main purpose was naturally to see his own daughter.
The Emperor waited and waited, changing his robes several times. "Zhang Fu, how do I look in this robe?"
"Very good, Your Majesty looks dignified and imposing in this robe."
"Imposing? Will it not seem too unapproachable and scare her?"
"This......"
"Or perhaps this robe? No, perhaps I should just wear regular court robes, to seem more gentle."
"Your Majesty, this is still an official occasion, with all the civil and military officials present."
"I can wear whatever I want, who dares to object? How about this moon-white robe? Hmm, Su, how does this look?"
Su Chong inwardly had a hundred wild horses stampeding. You are the Emperor, you can wear whatever you like. He kept a straight face. "Your Majesty looks magnificent in any attire."
"No, this is the first time my daughter will see me. I must leave a good impression."
Su Chong thought silently, This daughter, you may not even be able to recognize her if you meet her.
......
Finally, when Su Huan and the others arrived at the palace to pay their respects, the Martial Emperor realized the person he wished to see was not present.
Su Chong looked at his excited father with a pained expression.
The Martial Emperor scanned the group of kneeling individuals several times, his rage building. But seeing his respected father-in-law among them, he did not dare speak further and could only suppress his anger. "Rise, Marshal. The journey must have been arduous."
"This subject has merely done his duty as a subject. I dare not speak of hardship."
"Good, good. This time, the Martial Duke has won another victory, bringing glory to our nation. You shall be rewarded!"
"Father Emperor," King Jing hastily interjected, "The Martial Duke has indeed achieved great merit this time and deserves to be rewarded. However, he is already a minister of the highest first rank. All that can be awarded now are material gifts."
The Martial Emperor shot him a glance. "Haha, well said, King Jing. The Marshal cannot be promoted further, but the Su family..."
"Your Majesty," Su Huan immediately interrupted, "This subject feels that after this campaign, my advanced age has caused some physical limitations. So upon returning to the Capital City this time, I do not intend to go to the frontier again."
As soon as Su Huan finished speaking, the civil and military officials began whispering among themselves.
"What does the Martial Duke mean by this?"
"Is he requesting to resign?"
"How can that be? He is at the peak of his power, and the Emperor values him highly. Why would he..."
......
Amidst the discussion, the Crown Prince was exceptionally pleased. The Martial Duke was retiring? Was he finally conceding weakness to the Crown Prince?
The Emperor observed the reactions of those present, his gaze inscrutable, leaving no one certain of his thoughts. "The Marshal is being modest. You are still hale and hearty, and I still rely on you."
"Your Majesty, you need not persuade this old subject. I have been a soldier for decades, and my body can no longer withstand it. To live a few more years and accompany my family, it is time for me to retire." Su Huan calmly stated.
