In the inner court of the imperial palace …
Long Tianba brought Yao Yue to the old emperor's sleeping quarters.
"Eldest Brother, Yao Yue, you've come!" When the old emperor saw Long Tianba and Yao Yue, he immediately greeted them warmly.
Long Tianba and Yao Yue did not dare to be arrogant. They immediately bowed and greeted the old emperor.
"There's no need for formalities. There are no outsiders here."
The old emperor said warmly. He then looked at Yao Yue and said, "Yao Yue, it has been two years since we last met. I didn't expect you to grow taller and more handsome. There's nothing I can say about your temperament."
"It's all thanks to Your Majesty's blessing," Yao Yue said humbly. He then continued, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. Your strength has reached a new level, and your lifespan is as long as the heavens."
"Haha, I didn't expect you to be able to tell that my strength has improved. You are indeed extraordinary. However, it's all thanks to you.
Without your Monkey Immortal Wine, it wouldn't have been easy for me to take this step. "
The old emperor laughed. He then asked, "By the way, do you have any more Monkey Immortal Wine? Hurry up and bring me two jugs. I've been drinking other wines for the past two years."
"Your Majesty, that's immortal wine. How can I have more?" Yao Yue said with a drooping face.
"You're really stingy. No matter what, I'm still your imperial grandfather. If you don't bring out one or two jugs of wine, I won't let Ruodie marry you," the old emperor joked.
Long Tianba said, "Your Majesty, don't make things difficult for him. That kind of rare immortal wine is indeed difficult to obtain. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so stingy."
Yao Yue nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes. Grandpas, you're right. If I get more Monkey Immortal Wine in the future, I'll definitely give it to you two grandpas first."
"Oh? You can get more Monkey Immortal Wine?" the old emperor's eyes lit up.
Yao Yue knew that he had let the cat out of the bag. He forced a smile and said, "Well, I … I can't say for sure."
The Monkey Immortal Wine needed to be brewed over a long period of time. How could he dare to say that the next time he went to Xiao Liuzi, he would definitely be able to get it?
"Brat, you are not honest. Anyway, I will remember this. In the future, you must at least get two jars of Monkey Immortal Wine as a betrothal gift. Otherwise, I will not let my precious granddaughter marry you!" The Old Emperor pretended to be angry.
Yao Yue took out a pot of Monkey Immortal Wine and handed it over to the Old Emperor. "Alright then, I will give this last pot of Monkey Immortal Wine to you, Old Emperor!"
Long Tianba's eyes flashed. He really wanted to snatch the Monkey Immortal Wine.
However, the old emperor had already hugged the Monkey Immortal Wine like it was a treasure. He laughed and said, "Haha, I knew you still had some left. As expected!"
Yao Yue looked at the Old Emperor and couldn't help but smile. He felt that the Old Emperor was really an adorable old man.
"Come, let's go to the pavilion to drink and chat!" The Old Emperor said happily.
The three of them walked to the pavilion together. There was already a young girl playing the zither.
The young girl had an extremely beautiful face. She wore luxurious accessories. Her purple-blue clothes outlined her devilish figure vividly. Her jade-like fingers danced non-stop, and notes filled with joy kept jumping out. She had a noble, elegant, and beautiful aura that overshadowed all the other beauties in the pavilion.
Yao Yue looked at the beautiful young girl. He didn't know why, but he felt nervous.
'Will she like being with me?' Yao Yue couldn't help but ask in his heart.
The young girl in front of him was the Imperial City's number one beauty, the Cymbidium Purpurea.
Her beauty was comparable to the moon and the stars. She was comparable to the queen of flowers. She was the target of countless handsome men.
Yao Yue might not have many feelings for her, but he did have a good impression of her.
After all, any man who saw such a beautiful woman would be moved.
Therefore, this was the reason why Yao Yue didn't reject this marriage.
To be able to marry such a beautiful wife was definitely the dream of any man.
Whoever rejected this marriage would have a screw loose.
Yao Yue didn't think that he had a screw loose.
When the Cymbidium Purpurea saw the Old Emperor, Long Tianba, and Yao Yue coming over, she walked out and greeted them, "Greetings to grandfather, General Long Wu, and General Yao."
"Ruodie, shouldn't you change the way you address General Long as Grandfather Long?" The Old Emperor said in a disrespectful tone.
The Cymbidium Purpurea made a face, but she still greeted Long Tianba, "Greetings to Grandfather Long!"
"Good, good. I'm very happy to have the seventh princess call me grandfather!"
Long Tianba was gratified. He then said to Yao Yue, "Yao Yue, this is the seventh princess. She was once a disciple of the Imperial Academy. I believe you have met her before."
Yao Yue stepped forward and replied, "I've known her for a long time."
"That's good. The two of you are now engaged. Yao Yue has already agreed. Ruodie, do you have any objections?" the Old Emperor asked.
The Cymbidium Purpurea revealed a shy expression and said, "I'll follow Grandfather's arrangements."
"Haha, I knew you wouldn't have any objections. Yao Yue is the youngest vice general in the history of our dynasty. He is a dragon among men. He is worthy of you." The Old Emperor laughed.
The Old Emperor had seen how extraordinary Yao Yue was. Now that two years had passed, Yao Yue's strength had become even more terrifying. His future was limitless.
The Old Emperor felt that Yao Yue had the potential to become an emperor in the future. That was why he was willing to marry his most beloved granddaughter to Yao Yue. His goal was to hinder Yao Yue's future.
This would not only benefit the Old Emperor, but also the Zi family's dynasty.
The Old Emperor's shrewdness was not something an ordinary person could understand.
The two of them chatted in the pavilion for about an hour before the Old Emperor and Long Tianba found an excuse to leave, leaving the two youngsters alone.
For a moment, Yao Yue and Cymbidium Purpurea fell silent. They did not know what to say.
The two of them looked at each other for a moment before drifting off in different directions. Both of their slightly blushed faces were adorable and pure.
Who would be able to appreciate such a pure and innocent appearance?!
In the end, the Cymbidium Purpurea was more open-minded. She broke the silence and said, "General Yao, are you planning to remain silent forever?"
Yao Yue scratched the back of his head and laughed dryly, "Princess, please don't tease me. I … I just don't know what to say."
"Hehe, are you feeling that everything is too sudden?" the Cymbidium Purpurea smiled.
"Yes, a little!" Yao Yue nodded his head honestly.
"Actually, I didn't expect things to turn out this way either."
The Cymbidium Purpurea sighed. She then looked at the golden carp in the lotus pond and said, "As a member of the imperial family, I seem to be doted on by everyone. However, when it comes to my marriage, I have no say in it. I have already accepted it."
Yao Yue could see the Cymbidium Purpurea's helpless and lonely expression. His heart tightened. He smiled bitterly and said, "If you don't agree to this marriage, I will ask the Old Emperor …"
Before he could finish his words, a burst of fragrance assailed his nostrils. A jade finger lightly pressed against his thick lips, stopping him from continuing his words.
"Can you listen to me first?" the Cymbidium Purpurea said. Her beautiful eyes were filled with tenderness.
Yao Yue nodded and did not say anything else.
"Originally, I was going to marry far away to the Wind Moon Empire and become a sacrifice for the empire. However, you suddenly rose up and actually gained my grandfather's recognition. Perhaps Grandpa Long had something to do with it, but you are indeed very outstanding. So, when my grandfather mentioned you to me, I agreed without hesitation!"
The Cymbidium Purpurea said. She paused for a moment before continuing, "I am very glad that he mentioned you. After all, we can be considered acquaintances, and I have a good impression of you. To be able to be together with a man I know and have a good impression of is probably a lifetime's dream. However, I have received such an opportunity, and I feel that I should cherish it. I wonder if you are willing to get along well with me."
The Cymbidium Purpurea's voice was like the cry of a spirit bird, filled with sincerity and emptiness.
Yao Yue's heart sped up when he heard that.
He had thought that the Cymbidium Purpurea despised him, but it turned out that she was also feeling helpless.
He suddenly had a strong urge to hold her in his arms!
The next moment, he put his thoughts into action. He pulled the beauty close to him into his embrace and said softly, "Being able to marry you is the greatest fortune of my life, Yao Yue!"
At this moment, the other shadow that originally existed in his heart quietly faded a little!
The Cymbidium Purpurea trembled slightly. She had not expected Yao Yue to hug her so directly. She wanted to push him away, but when she smelled the unique scent of a man and felt his true feelings, she could not bear to leave his embrace.
At this moment, Yao Yue was hugging the number one beauty of the Imperial Capital. He did not have any other thoughts in his mind. He only felt that it was a little unreal.
After a long time, the Cymbidium Purpurea struggled free from Yao Yue's embrace. Her face was as red as a peach as she said angrily, "Bad guy, how dare you touch me!"
Yao Yue looked at the Cymbidium Purpurea and felt that she was even more beautiful. He smiled faintly and said, "You are already my fiancée. What's wrong with me hugging you?"
"I'm ignoring you!"
The Cymbidium Purpurea said unhappily. She then asked, "Have you had a hard time in the past two years?"
Yao Yue shook his head and said, "There's nothing hard about it. In any case, cultivators like us find joy in the midst of hardship."
"That's true. However, there aren't many people as optimistic as you.
Moreover, you have only used two years to reach your current height. You have not let my eldest brother and I down! "the Cymbidium Purpurea replied.
When the Cymbidium Purpurea thought about how Yao Yue had only used two years to become a deputy general, she felt that her future husband was an extraordinary person. At the same time, she felt that he was worthy of her.
She did not care about his past and everything he had experienced.
She only wanted to be his little woman in the future!
"Yes. I have said that I will do my best to do it.
Although I can't become a general right now, Uncle Jiaohe and my third uncle are both great generals of the North and South. My grandfather and Grandpa Li are easy to talk to. As long as the First Prince needs them, I believe that they will not refuse, "Yao Yue said solemnly.