Chapter 6 Father-in-law
"Will you still keep saying that the engagement was just a joke? Could it be that the Grand Commander of the Five Military Commandery, the hereditary Duke of Wei, General Cao Meng, is just a powerful villain who turned his back on his promise?"

Every word Wang An said was truly eye-opening, merciless and heart-wrenching!

Cao Meng wanted to refute but Wang An took the upper hand, so now nothing he said would be right.

Did he deny all of Wang An's accusations and make it clear that even if the late emperor were still in power, he would still insist that it was just a joke?

Please, if the late emperor was still in power, Wang An would be the crown prince and the future emperor of Daliang. Who could refuse such a good thing as marrying his daughter to him as the queen?
Even if Cao Meng dared to say it, no one would believe it!

Instead, people would think that Cao Meng is being stubborn and telling lies against his conscience.

Does that mean she should admit that she denied the engagement because Wang An lost his position as crown prince?
Wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting that he is an ungrateful, powerful villain, and the kind of villain who is shameless and takes it for granted?

Perhaps there were some officials in the court who were so shameless and did not care about their reputation, but it would never be Cao Meng, who was a duke for generations and commanded a million troops.

He dared to bear this infamy, and the illiterate soldiers under him dared to spit on him in secret. Who would sincerely follow a powerful villain to fight for their lives?
Cao Meng sneered angrily, "I've always heard that His Royal Highness Prince Xin is gentle and modest, but I didn't expect that he could be so sharp-tongued!"

"cut!"

Wang An snorted coldly, not giving Cao Meng any face at all, and repeatedly questioned the core argument: "I am just heartbroken for the late emperor's mistrust. I pity my orphan and widow, and everyone wants to step on me!"

Shen Shao Zhuye cried out at the right time, "My late emperor, why did you abandon me and my widowed mother?"

This miserable appearance immediately caused the court officials to be unable to bear it anymore, and they all came forward to impeach Cao Meng.

Gao Jin was the most vehement among them. "Your Majesty, I think Cao Meng is disloyal and unrighteous and has a lack of personal morality. If he continues to serve as the Grand Commander, it may be difficult to convince the people. Please remove him from the post of Grand Commander!"

"I second the proposal!"

"Your Highness Ye believes that Duke Cao is not fit to lead an army!"

"You...you guys!" Cao Meng looked at the excited officials and suddenly felt a little confused.

He is a hereditary duke with a large army under his command. Not only can he act arrogantly, but he is also the object of everyone's flattery. How come he has suddenly become despised by everyone?

General Cao Meng turned to Wang Hongyuan for help, hoping that he could stabilize the situation in time and refute the impeachment of these ministers.

However, just one glance and Cao Meng felt a chill all over his body and woke up.

Wang Hongyuan was seen sitting high on the dragon throne. Not only did he not intend to speak to Cao Meng, but his face looked a little agitated, as if he was really thinking about how to remove Cao Meng from office.

Cao Meng immediately realized that the Cao family was in a high position of power in Daliang. In fact, Wang Hongyuan had long been wary of him. It was only because of the power of the Cao family and Cao Meng's cautious behavior that Wang Hongyuan did not catch him.

They have never been allies who can stand back to back, but are instead full of suspicion.

The Duke of Wei's Mansion has served in the Five Military Commandery for generations since the founding of Daliang, and three generations starting from the grandfather have held the position of Grand Commander.

If he died so inexplicably, he would have died unjustly!

Thinking of this, Cao Meng immediately realized which was more important between his daughter and the position of Grand Commander, and said unexpectedly: "My colleagues, please listen to me!"

Seeing everyone looking at him, Cao Meng changed his solemn expression and said with a smile: "Why do you need to be so excited, my colleagues? In fact, I didn't say anything!" All the officials were stunned. Thinking back, Cao Meng did not seem to have said much. Why did they suddenly criticize Cao Meng?

However, Wang An jumped out again, "The Grand Commander denied the engagement and asked the Empress Dowager where the prince was. Has he forgotten everything?"

All the ministers suddenly understood and started to point fingers at Cao Meng again.

Cao Meng held his breath for a long time before he resisted the urge to strangle Wang An. He forced a smile and said, "Your Highness, you have misunderstood. Back then, the late emperor and I seemed to be on the same age. To be honest, we were better than brothers if not brothers!"

"Not to mention that there is an engagement, even if there is none, I will do my best to make it happen! I just didn't mention it myself because I was worried that Your Highness would not like my daughter's stubbornness. The reason why I denied it flatly was just to see if Your Highness was determined to get married, so that I could feel at ease to marry my beloved daughter. I hope Your Highness and the Queen Mother will forgive me if I am disrespectful!"

Wang An blinked and said innocently, "So, I have wronged my father-in-law?"

"Pfft" Shen Shaozhu couldn't help laughing and quickly covered his mouth again.

A pair of phoenix eyes looked up and down at Wang An in astonishment, wondering if her son, who had always been cowardly, had become wise after dying once?

Not only did he dare to criticize Cao Meng in public, but he also forced Cao Meng to compromise.

He even directly called Cao Meng "father-in-law" to confirm the marriage.

With such a smart and brave person, I can feel more at ease when I go to Jizhou.

Cao Meng heard the laughter, and the corners of his forced smile twitched, but he forced himself not to look at Shen Shaozhu, and said in a friendly manner: "Of course! It's just that His Highness is about to go to the vassal state, and I'm afraid there won't be enough time for this marriage..."

Seeing that Cao Meng seemed to be delaying, Wang An interrupted him and said, "I have known your daughter for a long time. Besides, since you are about to be enfeoffed, I think it is better to keep it simple and get the marriage done today!"

"This... is too hasty!" Cao Mengmeng widened his eyes.

We have been in spiritual contact for a long time. Have you seen my daughter?
Shen Shaozhu immediately agreed, "My greatest wish is to see my son get married with my own eyes. Please grant my wish, Grand Commander!"

After saying this, she looked at Baiguan and Wang Hongyuan again. Baiguan saw that the Empress Dowager's eyes were red, and thought that after Wang An went to the fiefdom, unless something unexpected happened, the mother and son would never have the chance to see each other again in this life.

It is natural for a mother to want to see her son get married with her own eyes, so they all agreed.

Wang Hongyuan felt a little annoyed. He should not have been moved by the minister's impeachment of Cao Meng. This made the old fox see the danger and he decisively sided with Wang An.

Seeing the support of the ministers, in order to maintain the image of a wise ruler, Wang Hongyuan could only pinch his nose and say: "It is human nature for the Queen Mother to say this. Duke Cao, you... you have no objection, right?"

Cao Meng's smile was uglier than bitterness, "Your Majesty... has no objection!"

Wang Hongyuan nodded and said reluctantly: "In that case, the Ministry of Rites will take care of this matter."

At last, he suddenly showed a strange smile and urged: "Be sure to get married within three days and go to the vassal state as soon as possible! It's almost the time for autumn harvest, Prince Xin must hurry to Jizhou and take charge of the defense!"

"Retreat!"

Shen Shaozhu, who was originally full of joy, suddenly had his smile frozen on his face.

(End of this chapter)