Thinking Too Much — Throw Him in the Dungeon
Thinking Too Much — Throw Him in the Dungeon
“Young Master Changge, why concern yourself with such a trivial matter? Yu Lie, why haven’t you come to toast Young Master Changge yet?
If you have the chance in the future, you must associate more with Young Master Changge. You and Young Master Changge are similar in age, yet the gap between you is like a chasm between heaven and earth. If you could reach even one-tenth of Young Master Changge’s level, I could entrust Great Yu to you with peace of mind.”
At the head seat, Emperor Yu’s expression quickly recovered. After all, he was the ruler of a Celestial Dynasty. A smile immediately appeared on his face as he changed the subject, gesturing for the Second Prince Yu Lie to come forward and offer a toast.
“Yes, Father Emperor.”
Yu Lie knew this was an opportunity to get closer to Gu Changge. A humble smile appeared on his face as he walked over as instructed, wine cup in hand, looking exceptionally handsome, striding with the bearing of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, his demeanor noble and dignified.
This attitude was a complete contrast to the cold arrogance he had shown toward Tuo Ba Xiaoyao.
“Yu Lie toasts Young Master Changge.”
“Please, Second Prince.”
Gu Changge smiled and nodded, then seemed to think of something and said with great interest, “Speaking of which, I’m actually a bit curious. What kind of woman could be worth this Third Young Master of the Tuo Ba household refusing His Majesty Emperor Yu’s kind intentions?”
His words stunned everyone present.
It would have been fine if he hadn’t mentioned it, but once he did, everyone present couldn’t help but grow curious.
To put it nicely, it was refusing a kind offer; to put it bluntly, it meant he looked down on those princesses.
Emperor Yu’s expression also stirred with interest. Now that it was mentioned, he was a bit curious too. If Tuo Ba Xiaoyao couldn’t give a proper explanation, he would charge him with the crime of deceiving the emperor.
“Now that Young Master Changge mentions it, I would like to know as well,” he said with a smile, nodding.
Gu Changge smiled. “How about this — if the woman this Third Young Master of the Tuo Ba household fancies is a woman of Great Yu, why doesn’t Your Majesty grant them a marriage?
It just so happens that the earlier matter was somewhat rash, so this can serve as an apology to the Third Young Master of the Tuo Ba household.”
Emperor Yu didn’t know why Gu Changge valued Tuo Ba Xiaoyao so much, to the point of even offering an apology.
But since Gu Changge had said so, how could he refuse? He immediately spoke up and asked Tuo Ba Xiaoyao again.
After all, this was just a trivial matter — a single word from him would settle it.
“What do you think? If the woman you fancy is one of my Great Yu’s people, then I shall make the decision and grant you two a marriage,” Emperor Yu asked, his gaze carrying authority.
“It must be because Young Master Changge cherishes talent. Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s performance at the Hunting Event caught Young Master Changge’s eye.”
“Indeed. Everyone has heard that Young Master Changge is considerate of his subordinates and fiercely protective, treating his followers extremely well.”
“How is this kid so lucky, to be so highly regarded by Young Master Changge? One marriage grant wasn’t enough, and now there’s a second.”
Seeing this scene, many ministers speculated, their hearts filled with envy and jealousy.
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao looked at the smiling Gu Changge, and that familiar bone-chilling feeling washed over him once again. His expression turned faintly ugly, his fists clenched tight.
He knew Gu Changge definitely had no good intentions.
Whether it was the earlier marriage grant or the current questioning, on the surface it was all for his benefit, but in secret it was meant to incur Emperor Yu’s wrath and estrangement.
Gu Changge must have guessed his relationship with Yu Feiya, which was why he deliberately said this.
Every sentence hid murderous intent, leaving him no way out. It was truly hateful beyond measure.
Facing Emperor Yu’s question, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao took a deep breath and answered once more, “Reporting to Your Majesty Emperor Yu, the one Xiaoyao fancies is actually Princess Yu Feiya, no one else.”
He spoke boldly and directly, without any attempt at concealment.
And as he spoke, he even looked toward Yu Feiya above. Seeing the seemingly astonished expression on her face, he couldn’t help but sigh softly.
If not for Gu Changge’s scheming, he wouldn’t have wanted to lay things bare at this moment.
But this was fine too. Saying it in front of all the ministers would help pave the way for his next move — blocking the marriage alliance between Great Yu and the Eternal Overcast Kingdom.
Even though after today he would thoroughly offend Emperor Yu to death, destroying many of his previous plans, there was no other way.
Gu Changge had cornered him completely, leaving him no other choice.
“Are you speaking the truth?” Emperor Yu’s face darkened once more, his voice suppressing rage.
He truly never imagined that Tuo Ba Xiaoyao would say the woman he fancied was the Eldest Princess Yu Feiya.
How was he supposed to take back the words he had just spoken?
The assembled ministers were also deeply shocked, eyes wide, momentarily unable to react.
At this moment, even Jia Luo, the Eternal Overcast Kingdom prince who had remained silent throughout the banquet, narrowed his eyes and looked at the standing Tuo Ba Xiaoyao.
His marriage alliance partner was the Eldest Princess Yu Feiya.
And now this fellow stood up and said such words — was he planning to compete with him?
Only Yu Feiya remained somewhat silent, her slender hands gripping her sleeves tightly, her heart far from calm.
“It seems Princess Feiya and this Third Young Master of the Tuo Ba household are quite close.”
At this moment, Gu Changge’s somewhat surprised voice sounded from the side, bringing Yu Feiya back to her senses.
“Why does Young Master Changge say that?” she asked, somewhat puzzled.
Gu Changge smiled. “From what I see, Princess Feiya doesn’t seem too shocked. Presumably, Princess Feiya has long known about Third Young Master Tuo Ba’s hidden depths?”
Seeing Yu Feiya fall silent, Gu Changge knew he had guessed correctly. He smiled nonchalantly and looked back at Tuo Ba Xiaoyao.
Now that things had developed to this point, he wanted to see how this fellow would wrap things up.
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao still wanted Great Yu Celestial Dynasty to be his final protective shield? He was thinking too much.
After today, even if Emperor Yu knew Gu Changge intended to seize the Sword of World Domination in Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s hands, he would turn a blind eye and not interfere.
So what if Tuo Ba Xiaoyao had extraordinary talent and limitless future prospects?
In Emperor Yu’s heart, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao was no longer the outstanding young talent he once was, but a foolish wretch who couldn’t read the situation and didn’t know how to appreciate favors.
It was impossible for him to fall out with Gu Changge over such a Tuo Ba Xiaoyao.
Because it wasn’t worth it.
“Reporting to Your Majesty Emperor Yu, every word is true.
The woman Xiaoyao fancies is none other than Princess Feiya.”
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao paid no heed to the expressions of those around him. He took a deep breath and spoke again.
Having lived a second life, he had spent his days cowering and full of misgivings. Today, he would be bold and heroic for once.
He also couldn’t bring himself to hide his feelings at a moment like this.
“Good, good, good — very good!”
Emperor Yu laughed in extreme fury, uttering the word “good” three times in a row. Golden light flickered in his eyes, containing visions of heaven and earth overturning.
Terrifying pressure circulated around him, causing the starry domains above the firmament to tremble.
Ten thousand stars swayed as if about to fall, while dreadful clouds rolled in, blotting out the sky and covering the sun.
This was the fury of a Celestial Dynasty’s ruler, directly affecting the changes in the starry domains within his territory.
Every emotion — joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness — was intimately tied to the Fortuity of this realm, influencing all things under heaven.
At this moment, throughout Great Yu’s territory, countless living beings and Cultivators looked up in horror, stunned by such a phenomenon.
Within the great hall, the many ministers trembled like sieves, prostrating themselves on the ground, not daring to raise their heads.
Tuo Ba Yuntian and the two daughters behind him all had deathly pale faces, frightened out of their wits.
Today, Emperor Yu had already flown into a rage twice, and this time was likely even more severe.
Knowing full well that Emperor Yu intended to marry Yu Feiya into the Eternal Overcast Kingdom, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao still spoke out so recklessly — wasn’t this a slap to Emperor Yu’s face?
And a slap delivered in front of all the ministers, no less.
Could Emperor Yu really honor the marriage grant he had promised earlier? That was obviously impossible.
“Very well. Then let me tell you this — it is impossible.
I will never grant Feiya to you. Give up on that idea. Since you are sincerely provoking me today...
Men! Take Tuo Ba Xiaoyao and throw him in the dungeon!”
Emperor Yu’s face was full of fury, his rage impossible to suppress. He barked the order, waving his great hand, having the guards outside the hall come in and drag Tuo Ba Xiaoyao away to the dungeon.
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao had long guessed this would be the outcome. He wasn’t surprised, his expression extremely calm.
Only when his gaze swept toward Gu Changge was there unconcealable hatred deep in his eyes.
Soon, the guards from outside the hall entered, wielding heavenly blades, Heavenly Daggers, and other weapons, and escorted Tuo Ba Xiaoyao away.
Tuo Ba Yuntian and the others had pale faces. Watching this scene, they didn’t dare utter a single word, let alone try to stop it.
The many ministers also felt a wave of lament. He could have remained a proud son of heaven, yet in the blink of an eye he became a prisoner — wasn’t this a fate of his own making?