“To fight for a woman, to threaten your elders here, you are utterly disrespectful and brazen.”
Tantai Ye glared at him, “Then tell me, Grandfather, what must I do for you to let me marry her?!”
The Old Master’s face darkened, “Absolutely impossible.”
Upon hearing this, Tantai Ye chuckled, a cold, chilling laugh.
“Since that is the case, do not blame me for being ruthless.”
With that, he turned and left.
After this commotion, the others dared not speak. Only the Old Master roared in anger.
“You dare!”
“There is nothing Tantai Ye would not do.”
“You–”
The Old Master’s face turned ashen with anger.
Seeing this, the others exchanged glances. They looked at the box of evidence and recalled Tantai Ye’s usual methods. Fearing he would actually act against them, they quickly tried to stop him.
In a noble family, pulling one thread could unravel the whole tapestry. If Tantai Ye truly acted ruthlessly, who knew how many dirty secrets would be exposed.
The Grand Elder, leaning on his cane, looked up. Seeing that the man was indeed leaving, he called out to stop him.
“Wait.”
Tantai Ye stopped and turned.
“Are you determined to marry her?”
‘Yes.’
Everyone else, “---”
The Grand Elder sighed, “She is unconscious, her life hanging by a thread. You still want to marry her?”
“Yes, she can only be my wife.”
Silence fell upon the hall.
The Old Master saw the Grand Elder nod at him helplessly, remaining silent.
The others seated no longer dared to make a scene. They all turned to look at the Old Master, awaiting his decree.
Tantai Ye’s expression softened slightly. He spoke,
“Grandfather, I truly wish to marry her.”
The Old Master was startled by the tone of his voice and looked up at him.
This grandson, unruly since childhood, had never spoken to him in such a pleading manner.
His heart trembled slightly, and his expression softened.
This was his most cherished descendant, valiant in battle and resourceful. With the Tantai clan in his hands, he would have the courage to face his ancestors after a hundred years.
Madam Yue Hua glanced at her son, then suddenly spoke to the crowd.
“I have met that woman several times. She has a gentle nature, is dignified and graceful. Apart from her low status, in all other respects, she is no less than the noble ladies of the capital.”
The others remained silent, not daring to speak rashly.
What they desired was a noble lady from a prestigious family to be the matriarch, upholding the honor of the Tantai clan.
But now, Tantai Ye was insistent on marrying that woman, even daring to oppose them, refusing to listen to the Old Master.
Anything they said would be futile.
This unfilial descendant, with his ruthless methods, would truly bring them down.
“A’Ye, let us meet halfway. Can she be a concubine?”
Hearing the Old Master’s words, Tantai Ye shook his head, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes, “She disdains marrying me. It is I who is taking advantage of her vulnerability.”
The others were displeased. Allowing her to be a concubine was a tremendous honor, yet she dared to show disdain.
“Grandfather, I only want her. In this lifetime, I only want her as my wife.”
The Old Master pursed his lips, glancing at Tantai Ye’s white hair. He then asked again.
“Do you truly have to marry her?”
“Yes, I must marry her!”
His voice held no hesitation. The resolve in his eyes clearly conveyed that he had decided on that woman, and it would not matter even if the entire clan opposed him.
The Old Master watched, a deep sense of powerlessness rising within him.
The eagle’s wings had grown strong; he could no longer control it.
“Very well, do as you wish.”
The Old Master gave up. The expressions of those in the hall became dazed; after causing such a stir, he had simply washed his hands of it.
Tantai Ye’s expression remained unchanged, showing no surprise.
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
“However, I must remind you, she is unconscious. We cannot afford to lose such face. The Tantai clan will not intervene.”
Tantai Ye was unconcerned. “Yes.”
Watching him truly turn and leave, the Old Master’s face darkened.
The others looked towards the main seat occupied by the elders. They began to clamor, discussing how they could possibly ignore Tantai Ye’s marriage, as it concerned the reputation of their noble family.
Tantai Lie and Madam Yue Hua were also displeased with the Old Master’s decision. If they did not intervene in their son’s marriage, what would that signify?
Madam Yue Hua gave her husband a look. He was immensely vexed but helpless. He nudged the people below to speak.
“Precisely. Third Master is right. If we do not intervene in A’Ye’s marriage, it will be a spectacle for other noble families.”
“Those shrewd individuals in the court will surely mock us. No matter how much we quarrel within the family, we must maintain appearances outwardly.”
At these words, the Old Master flew into a rage, slamming his hand on the table and rising.
“She is unconscious, how can we intervene?!”
“---”
The Old Master’s face was extremely ugly with anger. He took out a jade pendant and handed it to the person beside him, “Go to Penglai and invite Old Ghost.”
Old Ghost, a master physician, had lived in seclusion for many years. He was an old acquaintance of the Old Master. Years ago, it was declared to the outside world that he had died, yet no one knew he was still alive.
“Yes.”
“Ride swiftly and invite him with haste.”
The subordinate hurried away.
The Old Master looked at the silent Madam Yue Hua, his voice softening slightly.
“Since a marriage has been decreed, let us handle it gracefully. You go to the palace and seek favor from your aunt. See if she can accept her as an adopted daughter and grant her the title of County Princess.”
Madam Yue Hua hailed from the imperial clan and addressed the Empress Dowager as her maternal cousin.
Hearing the Old Master speak in this manner, everyone’s expression was varied.
It seemed they could not overcome the unfilial son’s will and had to agree.
Madam Yue Hua rose and respectfully replied, “Yes.”
----
After leaving the ancestral residence, Tantai Ye returned directly to the General’s mansion.
Inside the room.
Lan Mu Rou lay quietly on the bed, her pale, delicate face devoid of any color.
He strode over and sat by the bedside, touching the temperature of her body, which grew colder.
“Ying Yi.”
Hearing his voice, Ying Yi, who was guarding outside, immediately entered.
Tantai Ye asked, “Has it not arrived yet?”
“It has already passed the pass. Traveling at full speed, it will still require at least three more days.”
The General had instructed them some time ago to procure a warm jade bed from the Western Regions. They had searched for a long time before obtaining it. Due to the great distance, there were significant delays on the road.
Upon hearing this, Tantai Ye urged, “As quickly as possible.”
“Yes.”
With that, Ying Yi respectfully withdrew.
Tantai Ye went to wash up briefly and then handled some official duties nearby. The imperial physician visited Lan Mu Rou as usual. After observing her for a considerable time, he still shook his head.
“Continue feeding her the medicine. If she can still drink it, there is a chance she will wake up.”
Hearing this, Tantai Ye said nothing, having the physician withdraw.
In the dim room, only the night-shining pearls illuminated the surroundings, emitting a faint light.
He sat by the bed, silently watching Lan Mu Rou sleep deeply, without uttering a word.
After an unknown amount of time, he got into bed, tightly embracing her body, which was as cold as a corpse. He leaned down and kissed her lips.
He kissed her almost greedily, nuzzling into her neck and sucking.
She offered no response, remaining cold, and would no longer call out to him.
Tantai Ye bit her, licked her.
After a while, he raised his head, kissed her closed eyes, and murmured.
“When will you be willing to wake up?”