"A Defeated General"

"Grand General Gu Shang, Are you refusing a direct imperial order from the emperor, even for someone with your position and influence, that's still considered high treason against the empire.

Then if it's so, then I will personally lead my men, cut it off and offer your head to the emperor"

A voice bellowed through out the hall, and surprisingly, it was coming from the section where the military officials were seated.

Everyone couldn't help but sweat coldly even though they were surprised. The military officials were all supporters of Gu Shang, they had never imagined that the only ones with balls to stand against him in court, would be from his own supporters.

Don't forget that a while ago, they were proudly stating their achievements before them outside the hall, when asked by Gu Shang, like showing of to their idol.

But now one was threatening to present his head to the emperor, those swords wielding maniacs were indeed strange people.

But now what everyone wondered was, Was Gu Shang going to let this go? That little demon had killed all those who threatened him, what was he going to do now?

Gu Shang heard the voice but ignored it, he was a military person himself so he understood the military officials better than anyone else.

Military officials were always loyal to the emperor no matter what, the worst thing you could do to a military officials or soldier was not to murder their family before them, or torture them to death, the worst thing you could to them was to disrespect the emperor right before their eyes.

To be honest, Gu Shang would do the same if anybody had done that to the previous late emperor, who he swore his loyalty to. He looked at the emperor and shook his head.

To him, this current emperor was yet to prove that he was indeed a true dragon fit to sit on that throne.

The emperor was surprised to see this, he didn't think the military officials would be so faithful and loyal to him, he may have indeed mistreated them.

"Grand General! What do you mean by this? The emperor probed.

"Your majesty, what I mean to say is that, it won't be fit to bestow the princess hand in marriage to me because, I already have a first wife.

It won't be fit for the second princess to become a mere concubine to a lowly person like me, what would the other empires think of us?

The second princess is beautiful, bright, kind and smart, I've heard many would prefer her to be crowned crown Prince, but unfortunately, she's a princess.

Such a nobles woman should never be allowed to become a concubine, and she should be married to the one who will truly love and cherish her, won't you say?

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, the princess was a person of great virtue, it won't be wise for such a woman to become a concubine.

The military officials who had threatened Gu Shang earlier couldn't help but scratch his head before stepping back feeling embarrassed.

The emperor nodded, "That's indeed true, but who said anything about her becoming a concubine?" The emperor said with his upper lips slightly raised.

"Your majesty, I'm not quite getting what you are saying, I already have a first wife and even a second. I don't think there can be more than one main wife, can there?

Gu Shang asked, he didn't like where this was going.

The emperor ignored him and called out, "Third rank official, General Liu, step out.

The old master of the Liu clan stepped out and bowed to the emperor.

Gu Shang lifted his eyebrows to see where this was going.

"What do you think we should do about this?" The emperor asked.

The old master gave Gu Shang a wry smile before responding, "Your majesty. My daughter is ready to give up her position as the princess of the North, to the second princess.

It would truly be an honour"

The temperature in the imperial court room dropped the moment he said that, everyone in the court room began shivering as snowflake appeared in the atmosphere.

This wasn't the first time they've seen this and they couldn't help but wonder if this was a technique or some secret advanced skill, because they've never heard of any skill that causes the temperature to drop along with someone's else mood.

But right now they were freezing, only the emperor, prime minister, grand governor and first chancellor were safe.

That was because Gu Shang had deliberately excluded the emperor, the other three were all being protected by the aura of the chief eunuch.

"Father in law, I don't think you have the power to decide for Feifei!" Gu Shang said icily.

"Grand General, don't forget where you are!!" The chief eunuch rebuked Gu Shang.

Just then the eunuch outside announced, " Commander of the capital guards has arrived!"

A beautiful woman in scarlet armour walked into the court after the announcement, she looked bold and heroic. The official couldn't help but admire her, the temperature went back to normal the moment she walked in.

This woman was Liu Feifei.

She clasped her hands and bowed, "Greetings to the emperor, commander of the capital guards reports to your majesty!"

"Good, now rise!" the emperor was quite satisfied with this lass.

Everyone swallowed their their saliva when they saw this.

"What are you doing here?" Gu Shang asked in a soft tone, but he was met with silence.

"Commander of the Capital guards, will you give up your place as the first wife to the princess like the court demands?" The emperor asked without wasting time.

"You don't have to agree to this, If you are not willing to, you can refuse and I promise.... I'll protect you!" Gu Shang declared firmly.

Liu Feifei ignored Gu Shang for the second time, and only replied the emperor.

"Your majesty, I will faithfully oblige to your wishes, besides only the Second Princess is fit for such a worthy status. I'll be content with being the Grand General's third wife"

Liu Feifei responded with a bow.

"Feifei" Gu Shang muttered his eyes filled with disappointment.

"Then I guess it's settled then, I hope you don't have any objections now, do you?

My daughter would marry the greatest general in the entire empire, I'm sure that the world would all agree that it's a perfect match made by the heavens, wouldn't you agree?"

The emperor said with a smile. The Grand Governor plan was indeed a great plan, now Gu Shang is trapped with no way to escape.

The other official look on in glee, who would have thought that a woman could accomplish what they couldn't.

As men themselves, they understood that this was a blow to the young general.

When he appointment Liu Feifei as the Commander of the capital guard, he had added that, she would report to no one but him, but it may appears that he was awfully wrong, because his wife seems to take the emperor's word more seriously than he himself.

"Are you sure about this? Or do you need further deliberation with your husband? I don't mind that at all.

"Yes"

"No"

Both Gu Shang and Liu Feifei both replied at the same time, but Gu Shang was stomped once again.

"There's no further need for any deliberation, I'll follow the emperor's command and give up my position as the first wife" Liu Feifei replied firmly.

All the officials were enjoying the drama, Gu Shang nonchalant expression had completely changed, he was now looking stupified and they were enjoying it.

This was like the drama's that occurred in their harem's, but this was on an even grand stage.

"Grand General, do you still have any objections?" The emperor asked with a grin plastered on his face.

"No" Gu Shang said in a feeble voice, looking dazed, it was as if he'd lost his soul.

Gu Shang clasped his hands and turned towards the emperor in a dazed and defeated way, "I shall take my leave now" He said in a weak voice before turning around and walking past Liu Feifei feebly, without even sparing her a glance.

For some reason, everyone who saw Gu Shang lowly figure walk out the doors couldn't help but feel a bit of sorrow.

He looked like a really defeated General.

Liu Feifei turned to see this heartbreaking scene, she was never going to forgive herself.