“I have no objections, I shall leave all the arrangements to you, Emperor Father.” Pei Wuchen closed his tired eyes and told himself, she’s no longer here anymore. I might as well just marry someone else who knows me well and can bring some benefits to my position as the Third Prince of the Cloud Water Nation.

“Hahaha excellent! I will give a reply to the Valley Master and ask him to bring Feng Wan'er to the capital as soon as he can! You’ll get married right away as soon as the seer matches your birth characters with each other! [1] The sooner the better!” The old emperor gave a hearty laugh as he replied to Pei Wuchen. The Cloud Water Nation will finally be able to obtain the support of the Phoenix King Valley!

...

“WHAT?!?! That good-for-nothing Pei Wuchen actually agreed to get engaged to Feng Wan'er?” Pei Rumo straightened up in his seat when he heard the news.

I thought that I was the Prince who was the most similar to the old emperor. As it turns out, Pei Wuchen shares more similarities with him...

Both of them are equally cold and heartless. Nothing matters to them more than benefits...

“Actually Pei Wuchen is the true definition of emotionless and uncaring.” Pei Rumo snorted.

He stood up and made his way to the door after speaking.

“Your First Highness, where are you headed to? Do you need me to prepare a horse for your trip?” His bodyguard hurriedly asked. Pei Rumo seemed to have lost all the energy in him after returning from the Desolate Region. He hardly ventured out of his study, and it looked like his soul had already left his body. He had become a shell of his former self, only leaving his study for meals and to sleep.

“Prepare the horse carriage for me and be quick! I am going to the palace.” Pei Rumo barked out his order.

It was not the role of the bodyguard to question his intention of going to the palace, however, he felt glad that Pei Rumo was finally willing to leave his study for once.

Pei Rumo thought, if I can’t be together with Bai Luochu, I will just have to find another way for us to be together, by hook or by crook!

He felt as if he was going insane! To think that he would even dare to come up with such a crazy plan!

What if someone finds out? Is it even worth it!? These were the thoughts that raced through his mind.

Pei Rumo was questioning himself whether it was worth it to destroy his reputation, forsake his future, just to be with Bai Luochu.

But he had already chosen his answer the moment he stepped out of his study.

It was worth it. Just like how Pei QIngfeng willingly accompanied Bai Luochu in the ruins to wait for aeons to pass, he could also sacrifice everything just to give her a place to belong to, when she returned from the ruins.

In his many years of existence, Pei Rumo finally lost his cool. He ordered the horse carriage to speed to the palace, not caring whether he would get charged for reckless riding.

Upon reaching the Palace Gates, he handed over his waist token and raced to the Throne Room.

“Your Majesty, His First Highness is coming to see you to discuss some important matters.” De Quan relayed the news to the old emperor.

Upon hearing that Pei Rumo had come to see him, the old emperor furrowed his brows and a weary look formed on his face.

What is he here for... I already have a big headache from figuring out how to bury the hatchet with the Phoenix King Valley, and now he wants to add to my stress?!

After being in deep thought for a long while, the old emperor nodded his head to allow Pei Rumo to enter. He told himself, if Pei Rumo’s purpose of coming here was to report an unforeseen event or a military plan gone wrong, it would be worth my while to have a proper discussion with him. Maybe he could even help me solve a problem or two!

However, it didn’t occur to him that Pei Rumo would be the problem itself.

“Long live Your Majesty!” Pei Rumo greeted.

Why is he acting so respectful right now? Is he trying to soften the blow of some devastating news? The old emperor thought to himself.

His heart nearly leaped out of his chest. According to what he knew, Pei Rumo never treated him so formally. Although the First Prince always abided by the formalities, he had never spoken to him with such thorough ceremonial greetings before. The old emperor instantly knew that Pei Rumo wasn’t there to deliver good news.

“It has only been a few days since I sent for you to rest and recuperate, why are you here? Don’t tell me that you’re that eager to take my place as the Emperor?” The old emperor quipped. He felt that he would be too blunt if he directly questions Pei Rumo’s intention of showing up.

Pei Rumo looked up and glared at his Emperor Father.

The tension in the atmosphere was becoming unbearable and De Quan broke the silence by saying, “First Prince, please speak up if you have any matters to report. His Majesty is getting tired!”

Pei Rumo said, “Emperor Father, I humbly request a favour from you. Please agree to my request.”

There was no immediate reply and silence hung in the air for a long time.

The old emperor narrowed his eyes and a frown formed on his face.

What on earth are you going to ask me to do? I have already rewarded you well enough... Are you going to ask for the throne?!

However, he realised that Pei Rumo was not a person who would go after the throne while he was still alive. After considering it for a moment, the old emperor replied, “Aren’t you going to tell me your request first? I can’t agree to something that will harm my Cloud Water Nation!”

Pei Rumo chuckled to himself as he knew what was going on in the old emperor’s mind. He knew that if he told the old emperor what he truly wanted to say, he would no longer receive his Emperor Father’s favor. However, there was no point delaying the inevitable.

“I heard about Pei Wuchen’s engagement to Feng Wan’er. Since I am your eldest son, you can’t leave me behind. I hope you can agree for me to take Luo Chu as my consort.”

It seemed like a reasonable request when it came out of Pei Rumo’s mouth.

However, it seemed as though a bomb went off in De Quan’s head and the old emperor remained rooted to his seat.

“Your First Highness! How dare you bring that up?!” De Quan chided. He did not account for the fact that Pei Rumo was a terrifying beast in hibernation right now. When Pei Rumo flared up, his anger was enough to flip the heavens.

The old emperor was shocked beyond comprehension. He raised his eyebrow in disbelief and asked, “What did you just say? Who did you request to be your consort?”

1. BLIP: Chinese people believe in matching their eight “birth characters” too see if they are compatible for each other. Google it for more info :)