Can Only Tell the Truth - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The Old Emperor stroked his beard and said in surprise, “Everyone says the young lady of the Yun Family is the hardest girl in the capital to marry off. How is it that two outstanding men like you are fighting over her?”

My father had already wiped cold sweat from his brow a few hundred times. At those words, he rose shakily to his feet again.

I hurried to refuse, but a large hand instantly clamped over my mouth.

“What else are you going to say?” Lin Zhi threatened.

His palm was a little rough, scraping uncomfortably against my face, and it was so hot that my cheeks burned. I was too flustered to even dare breathe.

“General Lin, is it appropriate to lay hands on someone in front of all these people?”

Shen Xian’s icy voice sounded from the side. Mortified and anxious, I slapped Lin Zhi’s hand away and blurted, “Your hand is scratchy.”

Lin Zhi’s teasing expression instantly darkened. Just then, a voice came from the dais. “If you had to choose between the two, Wanwan, which one would you pick?”

Asked by the emperor so suddenly, I didn’t have time to react. I only heard my own voice say, “Shen Xian, obviously. My mother said that when choosing a husband, I should find someone I can keep under control. Shen Xian is so weak, I could subdue him with one hand.”

…

Good. Shen Xian’s face went dark too.

The emperor burst into laughter. My father stood to the side, dumb as a wooden chicken, utterly devastated in the wind.

Thank you. Please hand me a knife. I’d like to end myself.

My face was deathly pale, while the two men beside me looked black as ink. The oppressive atmosphere nearly crushed me to the floor to beg for mercy.

My father was the first to recover. “Nonsense! Apologize to the Heir at once! The Heir is a man of great understanding and principle. You cannot joke around so carelessly!”

Then he stepped out and knelt, looking heartbroken. “Your Majesty’s wish to choose a husband for my daughter is a blessing. It is only that my daughter is playful by nature. If she has offended the Heir and General Lin because of this, I hope the two of you will be lenient in your blame. This subject will certainly discipline my daughter properly and give everyone an explanation.”

I knew I had committed a disaster of cosmic proportions. Shen Xian looked sickly and as if he would crumple at a touch, but he was the most black-bellied of them all. Lin Zhi, meanwhile, commanded heavy troops and enjoyed the emperor’s deep trust. I had offended both of them in one go. There was no place for me in the capital anymore!

Soulless, I bowed deeply to Shen Xian and pressed my lips tight, not daring to speak another word.

Shen Xian smiled faintly. As I straightened, he said in a low voice, “Don’t be afraid.”

I was shocked. This guy was being this gentle today?

I bowed to Lin Zhi too, but before I could bend all the way down, he helped me up.

“Scared already? Back when you fought me in the street, you were never afraid.”

My face turned ashen, and I had no desire to argue. If I opened my mouth, this farce would never end.

That old emperor watched with a smile. After a long while, he pinched his beard and said, “If this dispute cannot be settled, why not marry Yun Wan to the Crown Prince? Though the Crown Prince is a bit older, he has a steady and dependable temperament. If Yun Wan marries into the Eastern Palace, she can bring it a little more laughter.”

“Absolutely not!”

“Absolutely not!”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

The three of them spoke in unison. I did not, because my mouth had been covered again.

This time it was Shen Xian. His hand was softer, with delicate skin, and very fair.

Realizing what was going through my mind, I shook my head. Shen Xian removed his hand and said, “This subject has admired Yun Wan for a long time. Just now, she already chose me. Even if she is to keep me under control, I am willing.”

The moment he said that, the entire banquet erupted.

Heir Shen, whose brilliance was renowned throughout the capital, was actually lowering himself for the capital’s number one wastrel?

Lin Zhi swept his gaze across my face. “This subject thinks it would be better to let Yun Wan decide for herself.”

In an instant, everyone’s eyes turned to me.

I wanted to pretend to faint. My knees buckled, and I was nearly halfway to success, but I didn’t fall.

Because Lin Zhi, standing beside me, caught me. Through gritted teeth, he said, one word at a time, “It’s fine. Say it.”

I wanted to die.

Rather than choose one and offend the other, I might as well offend both.

I blinked.

“I’ll take them all, then!”