“Let me ask you something. Will you not regret your decision in the future?” The old emperor asked. He was sure that the First Prince had knocked himself silly, otherwise, he wouldn"t have made such an out of place and ridiculous request.

Pei Rumo nodded his head without a hint of hesitation.

“Do you even comprehend the implications of choosing a dead woman as your consort?!” The old emperor scolded Pei Rumo, in the hopes that he would come to his senses.

Pei Rumo merely nodded to express his confirmation.

Of course he knew what implications were in store for him.

His actions would prove that she would be the only lover he had in this lifetime. He did not care whether she was dead or not and he wanted to give her the t.i.tle of being a consort. However, Bai Luochu was the fiancee of his brother, which would definitely be a cause of gossip.

He also considered the fact that if he were to take a dead woman as his consort, no other minister would dare to marry their daughter over to him. Thus, there would be no way to use the familial relations with the other ministers to gain power in the court. He also knew that in doing so, he would effectively be reducing his chance of taking over the throne.

But all these didn"t matter to Pei Rumo. To him, the only reason that he was able to be the man he was today, was because of his birthright and the fact that he had been living in the shadows of his Emperor Father and Empress Mother.

“Since you"re so insistent on it, I have no choice but to give in to your demands. However, I will only do so on one condition.” The old emperor sighed in defeat.

What else could he do? After all, Pei Rumo was his own son! How could he not agree to what his son wanted, after seeing him on the brink of madness?

“Emperor Father, please tell me the condition.” Pei Rumo said. He felt a huge burden lifted off his chest. He felt that as long as the request was something that he could do, he wouldn"t hesitate to agree.

“If any other prestigious family of equal standing were to request for you to marry their daughter, you cannot refuse their offer. That is my only request. One more thing. Even if I agree to your request, your Empress mother would not.”

That was the final concession that the old emperor was willing to make, if Pei Rumo were to disagree, there would be no room for further discussion.

Pei Rumo nodded his head in agreement. To ensure that the old emperor kept to his promise, he requested, “Please write it down in an imperial edict.” Once the imperial edict was issued, he would no longer be afraid of the old emperor going back on his word.

“You are a smart boy.” the old emperor snorted. It was a mere verbal agreement, but his son was impatient to make it contractual.

"Go back and wait, this is an imperial decree. I still need to discuss the specifics with the Grand Master.” The emperor replied with a hint of annoyance in his voice, as he waved Pei Rumo away.

Pei Rumo took his leave without saying a word. He knew that once his father gave his word, his promise would not be broken.

As the old emperor watched the First Prince take his leave, he continued to remain in a trance-like state. He thought to himself, when I first became the emperor, my father was suspicious of my every action. I"m treating them the way my father treated me...

As princes, they were used to getting what they wanted. HIs eldest son making a big commotion to get what he wanted came as no surprise to him.

“De Quan, go and fetch the Grand Master. I want him to write out an imperial decree.” the old emperor declared.

De Quan stood rooted to the ground, with a troubled look on his face. “Your Majesty, do you really intend to allow Luo Chu to be the First Prince"s consort?”

The old emperor furrowed his brows and a look of doubt formed on his face. De Quan was never the sort of person who would dare to question my orders...The old emperor thought to himself

De Quan noticed that the old emperor was staring at him with a doubtful look on his face and he knew that he had to explain himself. “I just feel that even though Luo Chu used to be the pride of the capital, It does not hide the fact that she is dead. If the First Prince were to take her as a  consort, it would create obstacles for the royal family.”

The old emperor thought to himself, I was bold enough to allow Pei Wuchen and Feng Wan"er to get married. If I allowed Pei Rumoo to choose Luo Chu as his consort, the commoners will definitely gossip!

“I have already accounted for that. Just do as I ordered.” The old emperor said as he sent De Quan off. Afterwhich, he slumped back onto his Dragon Throne and closed his eyes.

“Yes, your Majesty, I shouldn"t have spoken out of line. I will go and fetch the Grand Master now.” De Quan replied. 

The old emperor wasn"t a simpleton. He had weighed the advantages and disadvantages of Pei Rumo"s request and the only reason that he agreed to it was because it would be beneficial to his plans in the long run. If it wasn"t beneficial, he would have never agreed to Pei Rumo"s request, even if he were to act pitiful.

A royal marriage was not a small affair, much less a marriage between a bride from the Phoenix King Valley of the Three Great Immortal Sects. The capital was plastered with news of the union.

The notices that were written were full of praises for the union between Pei Wuchen and Feng Wan"er. However, the news did not come as a surprise to the subjects in the capital. They already had a feeling that there would be a union between Pei Wuchen and Feng Wan"er when the Phoenix King Valley came to attend the empress" longevity banquet.

However, the news that the First Prince would be taking Luo Chu as his consort came as a shock to them.

“What on earth is going on? Isn"t Luo Chu already dead!?”

None of them understood the meaning between the second news.

“That being said, even if it was being done to make up to her, Luo Chu was supposed to be the fiancee of the Third Prince! Why is the First Prince getting married to her?” The gossip between the people of the capital started.

The news spread like wildfire. People in inns and tea houses were adding their own interpretation to the story. They made it seem as if the happenings in the palace were the result of love and revenge between the princes.

In the morning, Pei Wuchen had gone to a temple on the outskirts of the capital to receive some blessings. He only heard the gossip in the evening, when he arrived back in the capital. He jostled through the crowds to see what was written on the noticeboards. 

“Your Highness, on top of spreading the news of your union with Feng Wan"er. the old emperor has decreed that the First Prince will be taking Luo Chu as his consort.” A servant announced to Pei Wuchen.

His eyes widened in shock as he thought to himself, what the h.e.l.l is going on?!

Emperor Father would never allow such a thing to happen! It is absurd for him to make such a request! Hasn"t he always been the obedient one?! How can he ask for such a ridiculous request?! Pei Wuchen thought to himself. 

“They"re all going crazy!” Pei Wuchen muttered as he ordered his carriage driver, “Change of destination! We are going to the First Prince"s residence!”

...

“Your Highness, the Third Prince is here to see you.” a bodyguard announced.