His Heart Already Belonged to Another — He Simply Didn't Know What Was Good for Him
His Heart Already Belonged to Another — He Simply Didn’t Know What Was Good for Him
Emperor Yu took the initiative to speak, intending to select one of his daughters to form a marriage pact with Tuo Ba Xiaoyao.
In his eyes, although Tuo Ba Xiaoyao was young, he was mature and steady, bearing the look of someone destined for great things.
Judging from how he had kept a low profile all these years, hiding his talents and biding his time, it was clear enough that he was no simple character — not the impatient sort who treated fame and fortune as everything.
On top of that, with Gu Changge putting in a word from the side, Emperor Yu found himself quite tempted for a moment.
He had no shortage of children. Besides his eldest daughter Yu Feiya, he had several other princesses who were also outstanding in talent and stunning in appearance, each a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.
If he bestowed a marriage, he could also win over the minister Tuo Ba Yuntian in the process — truly killing two birds with one stone.
“Haha, but for this sort of thing, we still need to hear the opinion of the person involved.”
Emperor Yu laughed heartily, his gaze turning toward Tuo Ba Xiaoyao with appreciation.
“His Majesty Emperor Yu speaks truly. However, I imagine this Third Young Master of the Tuo Ba household would not refuse Your Majesty’s kindness.”
Off to the side, Gu Changge was dressed in white, spotless and unmatched, transcendent and otherworldly, with the graceful bearing of an immortal.
He sipped his wine leisurely, lowering his gaze from time to time, a gentle and refined smile always playing at the corners of his mouth — causing many of the heaven-blessed maidens present to steal glances at him, faint blushes rising on their faces.
He seemed entirely removed from the mortal world, like a mere outsider watching some trivial little matter unfold.
The many Young Prodigies present all cast envious and jealous looks at Tuo Ba Xiaoyao.
If he could truly marry a princess and cling to the thigh of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao would never have to worry about the rest of his life.
Even the Tuo Ba household behind him would enjoy endless riches and glory, its power rising another step higher.
What had he done to deserve this?
In the eyes of many, if Gu Changge hadn’t suddenly added that one remark, Emperor Yu likely would never have bestowed the marriage at all.
This filled them with boundless envy and jealousy — why could they never encounter such good fortune?
Tuo Ba Qiongling and Tuo Ba Qingyu, who had previously heard Tuo Ba Xiaoyao say that Gu Changge would harm him, were now utterly baffled.
If Gu Changge meant to harm Tuo Ba Xiaoyao, then why would he arrange a marriage? After allying with the imperial family through marriage, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao would naturally be more valued and appreciated by Emperor Yu — it was all benefit and no harm.
If Gu Changge wanted to move against Tuo Ba Xiaoyao in the future, wouldn’t that only become more difficult?
And just as everyone’s thoughts churned, the man in question, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao, finally spoke.
He had calmed himself. Raising his head to look directly at Emperor Yu’s face, he weighed his words before politely declining: “Tuo Ba Xiaoyao thanks His Majesty Emperor Yu for his kindness. But my heart already belongs to another. If Your Majesty bestows this marriage, I fear I would only wrong that princess.”
“I humbly accept Your Majesty’s goodwill in spirit.”
He knew full well this was Gu Changge’s scheme, but he had no other choice — he could only risk provoking the imperial wrath and refuse.
No matter the reason, he could never accept this marriage.
If Emperor Yu bestowed a marriage, it would surely be with some other daughter, not Yu Feiya. And apart from Yu Feiya, his heart had room for no one.
What?!
At those words, the great hall fell silent for a moment.
When they came to their senses, everyone’s eyes went wide, all wondering if their ears had deceived them.
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao had actually refused Emperor Yu’s bestowed marriage?!
Where did he get the nerve?
They simply couldn’t believe it. Was this Tuo Ba Xiaoyao truly a fool or just pretending to be one — to refuse Emperor Yu in front of everyone, at a moment like this?
Where was Tuo Ba Xiaoyao placing Emperor Yu’s dignity? Did he not understand what benefits this marriage alliance would bring him?
Everyone found it unbelievable. Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s second elder sister and fourth younger sister also went pale in an instant, deeply worried.
Perhaps the only person present who wasn’t surprised was the Eldest Princess, Yu Feiya.
She stood quietly in attendance behind Emperor Yu, only lifting her head to glance at Tuo Ba Xiaoyao the moment he spoke his refusal.
In certain respects, she understood him even better than his own parents did.
“Xiaoyao, you...”
Tuo Ba Yuntian, who had been brimming with delight and drinking with several colleagues beside him, now stared with wide eyes. The wine cup in his hand fell to the floor with a clang, and even his voice trembled.
He had never imagined that Tuo Ba Xiaoyao would actually refuse.
In his view, there was no reason whatsoever to refuse. From then on, he too would be kin to the imperial family, his status even more illustrious than before.
Yet Tuo Ba Xiaoyao had refused. His vision went dark, a breath caught in his chest, and he nearly fainted dead away.
Emperor Yu was also taken aback, clearly not expecting Tuo Ba Xiaoyao to refuse him in front of all his ministers.
The smile swiftly vanished from his face, and his voice carried an air of authority: “Are you saying you look down on this Emperor’s daughters?”
Compared to his earlier warmth, Emperor Yu now exuded a terrifying pressure.
The assembled ministers trembled, hastily rising from their seats and prostrating themselves on the ground, begging Emperor Yu to quell his anger.
Anyone with eyes could see that Emperor Yu was truly enraged.
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s expression shifted slightly, then returned to normal. Neither servile nor overbearing, he said, “His Majesty Emperor Yu misunderstands. Xiaoyao does not look down on the princesses in the slightest. It is only that my heart belongs to another, and truly has no room for anyone else.”
“The princesses are all peerless beauties, rare in this world. Were it not for this reason, Xiaoyao would be overjoyed beyond measure.”
Every word of this was true, without the slightest falsehood.
He had already made up his mind: even at the cost of offending Emperor Yu, he would make his position clear today.
“This guy is still hung up on Imperial Sister.” Yu Ming saw through Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s intentions at once and couldn’t help but sneer.
Beside him, Yu Lie’s face was calm as still water, and he said little.
As the future heir of Great Yu, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s public refusal of Emperor Yu’s bestowed marriage today made him feel that imperial majesty had been provoked.
Already holding little goodwill toward Tuo Ba Xiaoyao, he now found the man increasingly displeasing to the eye.
“Hmph. This Emperor can see you wouldn’t have the guts for that. Every one of this Emperor’s daughters is a peerless beauty of the mortal world. Since your heart belongs to another, this Emperor naturally will not force you against your will.” Emperor Yu snorted coldly. Though displeased, he did not continue his rage.
Though the matter had cost him face, he would not blame Tuo Ba Xiaoyao too harshly for it.
Only, from this day forward, for Tuo Ba Xiaoyao — and the family behind him — to receive his rewards and favor would become ever more difficult.
The many ministers were silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to utter a word.
Although Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s explanation was reasonable enough, in their eyes it was utterly foolish.
“This matter arose from my own rashness, and it has caused His Majesty Emperor Yu displeasure.”
“Had I known earlier that the Third Young Master of the Tuo Ba household’s heart lay elsewhere, I would never have proposed this marriage.”
At this moment, Gu Changge sighed softly, seeming somewhat helpless, and spoke with a faint air of apology.
At his words, the anger on Emperor Yu’s face dissipated. He waved a hand and said, “Young Master Changge, what are you saying? How could this matter be blamed on you? You meant well.”
The remaining half of the sentence — “It’s just that this Tuo Ba Xiaoyao doesn’t know what’s good for him” — he did not say aloud, but all the ministers understood his meaning perfectly well, and they couldn’t help but cast pitying, schadenfreude-laden looks at Tuo Ba Yuntian.
Just moments ago they had been burning with envy and jealousy of him. Yet in the blink of an eye, the fat meat delivered right to his mouth had not only been spat out — he’d even complained that it tasted bad.
The consequences of this went beyond merely provoking Emperor Yu’s wrath and being cold-shouldered from now on — he had likely also offended Gu Changge without even realizing it.
The glory of the Tuo Ba household would likely never return after this day.
Tuo Ba Yuntian’s face was clouded with gloom, his whole demeanor utterly dejected, sighing endlessly in his heart.
In front of everyone, he couldn’t very well rebuke Tuo Ba Xiaoyao. He should have been happy about his son’s hidden strength — yet now, he couldn’t feel the slightest bit of joy.