Chapter 9, Arbitrary Actions

The King of Zhao is in control of the government, Your Majesty is constrained by him. I can do my utmost to assist you, however, there are certain matters for which I seek the truth, and I hope you will inform me honestly.

"Are you truly willing to lower yourself and become a concubine of the King of Chengdu?" I was astonished

Moments later, she took a deep breath and said: "Three years ago, in the outskirts of South City of Mount Tai, a commoner girl deliberately deceived her cousin and abandoned the Empress in the wilderness. It was the fault of the commoner girl, who acted recklessly. I earnestly request the Empress to forgive my transgressions"

The Yang family is a prominent aristocratic clan, and the Sun family is also a well-known noble lineage. Sister Rong would not wish to see the daughter of the Sun family humbled to become a concubine. I earnestly request Sister Rong to consider that we both share the Sun family bloodline and issue an edict for the King of Chengdu to take me as a secondary consort. Her eyes were filled with earnestness; in order to marry the one she loves, she boldly sought marriage. Her courage and determination are something I cannot compare to.

The incident from over three years ago is etched in my memory, and I will never forget it in this life.

"I haven't done anything..." A hint of panic flashed in her eyes, and her pupils darted around.

"The King of Chengdu has a queen and concubines, but I do not mind; as long as I can marry the King of Chengdu, I will not care about anything else." Sun Yu knelt before me, looking up earnestly as she pleaded, "I kindly ask you, elder sister, to grant me the favor of a marriage with the King of Chengdu."

Wang Sima Ying of Chengdu, younger brother of Emperor Sima Zhong, was the sixteenth son of Emperor Wu. In the tenth year of the Tai Kang era (AD 289), he was granted the title of King of Chengdu

"Sun Yu, should you not address me as 'Your Majesty'? In my presence, what should you call yourself?" I slammed the table, my demeanor fierce yet my heart timid

At that time, I was sixteen years old. Sun Hao and Sun Yu came to visit Taishan South City and planned to go on an outing in the countryside. Unexpectedly, she secretly devised a scheme to trick my cousin into returning to the city first, leaving me alone in the countryside. I could not find my way back to the city, and it started to rain. By the time it was dark, I still had not returned, so I could only rest for the night in a thatched hut in the wild

I ask: "Does your father agree? Can your grandfather consent?"

I never expected that, in that thatched cottage, my innocence would be destroyed by a nine-foot-tall outlaw with a pair of white eyebrows

Sun Yu bowed and said: "I implore you, elder sister, to grant me this favor"

I lowered my brows in contemplation, the striking visage of Sima Ying and his profound black eyes emerging in my mind, as if I could hear the music that resonated in my heart and caused me pain

I sternly questioned: "In May of this year, when I returned to Luoyang, what else did you do?"

"In that case, you may leave," I said coldly

When did Sun Yu meet Wang of Chengdu? Was it also on the day of his grandmother's sixtieth birthday celebration that she fell in love with him at first sight?

What does Sister Rong want to know? Sun Yu's brows and eyes revealed a look of joy

I understand. She yearns for Sima Ying but has not yet disclosed this to her family. She asks me to issue a decree in the name of Sima Zhong to grant her marriage, and once the imperial edict is issued, the Sun family would have no choice but to comply. However, she does not realize that the Zhao King holds power in the court. If her father disagrees with her marrying Sima Ying as a concubine, he still has the means to retract that irrevocable imperial decree.

I attribute this account to that burly man, and even more so to Sun Yu.

Sister Rong, please do not be angry..." she said in panic

Sun Yu looked at me in astonishment, seemingly not expecting that I would suddenly turn against her with such ruthlessness, nor did she anticipate that I would bring up matters from years ago

Upon hearing this, her body trembled slightly, and she replied in a low voice: "This humble woman... On that day, I invited the Empress to visit the Jingu Garden, but we did not go in the end; it was my intention to do so."

I said calmly: "Wang Ying from Chengdu, twenty-one years old, already has a wife. Does your sister mind?"

She raised her head, her gaze slightly shifting, "If this matter... if Sister Rong could grant me this favor, I would be eternally grateful."

More than three years ago, you, I, and our cousin went on an outing to the countryside. What did you do? That incident from back then has been on my mind, and I want to hear her say it in person