1508 I Want You To Swear
As a matter of fact, Lil Qi was twenty-nine—only fourteen years older than Ji’er. Although he was indeed much older than her, he was not an “old man”, as Father had called him.
Wasn’t Father the old man here?
Lu Liangwei glanced at Chu Qi sympathetically as well.
She knew that the Emperor would use the subject of age to criticize Chu Qi—in fact, he was one step away from calling him a shameless b*stard.
If Long Yang had not been the Emperor, her father would probably have jabbed a finger in his face and called him a shameless b*stard too.
The Emperor had brazenly insisted on marrying her back then, but now that someone was asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage, he started making a huge fuss about age.
Had he forgotten what had happened in the past?
However, despite Lu Liangwei’s sympathy for Chu Qi, she was not in a hurry to stick up for him.
Although she believed in Chu Qi’s character, marriage was no child’s play.
She still wanted to see how serious Lil Qi was about Ji’er.
If he could not even withstand this bit of criticism, he would be unable to convince her that Ji’er would be happy after marrying him.
Chu Qi did not refute Long Yang, nor did he show any indignation or anger. He lowered his head and said in shame, “You’re absolutely right, Your Majesty. I’m not worthy of Princess Ji’er, but I still wish to marry her. I hope you can grant me her hand in marriage.”
Long Yang opened his mouth to say something cutting, but Lu Liangwei laid a hand over his and spoke before he could. “Lil Qi, we understand that you wish to marry Ji’er, but I want to know what brought you to this decision in such a short time. Are you serious about it, or are you giving in because you couldn’t make Ji’er change her mind?”
Chu Qi raised his head, his expression earnest and without any trace of frivolity. “I’m serious. I’ve decided to ask for Princess Ji’er’s hand in marriage and not anyone else’s because… because… I’m in love with her.” His entire face was crimson when he finished, and he balled his hands into fists at his sides, feeling utterly mortified.
It was embarrassing for him to say something like that in front of other people, but he had to say it.
He needed to let the Emperor and Empress know about his feelings for Ji’er.
Lu Liangwei was amused to see him blush furiously after saying those words.
She could not blame him for that, though. Despite his age, he lacked experience as he had never fallen in love with a girl up until now.
However, his reaction satisfied her.
The Emperor may be a little bad-tempered right now, but he had always been a man of moral integrity and fidelity, so it was only natural that the child he had raised would turn out the same.
Ji’er would definitely be happy if she married a person like him. She would not have to suffer, nor would she have to worry about Lil Qi fooling around with other women.
That trait of his reassured and satisfied her.
As a mother, she just hoped that her daughter could marry a good man and live a married life free of sorrow and misery.
Although Lil Qi was much older than Ji’er, she had never found that a problem.
Since marrying the Emperor, not only had she been showered with love, but the Emperor had also never made her unhappy. Despite his regality, he had always indulged her every whim.
She had spent half of her life in bliss, so she hoped her children could live the lives they wished for in happiness as well.
If she had to be honest, she was more than glad to have a son-in-law like Lil Qi. Therefore, she gave her approval before Long Yang could speak. “Lil Qi, I agree to grant you Ji’er’s hand in marriage. However, you have to swear that you’ll treat her well forever. You’ll have to make her happy and never make her sad, and you’ll have to indulge her and be patient with her.”
Long Yang frowned at her and said unhappily, “Why did you agree so soon?” He refused to let Lil Qi off the hook so easily.
