Chapter Seventy: A Hot Potato

Huo Lin accepted the golden goblet with his slender fingers, his face still displaying an air of imperial majesty.

[Tsk, I don't want to drink. I'm already dizzy from being so busy, and I still have to squeeze in time for social engagements. I'm annoyed, and the consequences will be severe!]

[And is this princess's eye twitching? Why is she blinking so much?]

[And those nail polishes, painted so red, they make her look like a female ghost.]

Jiang Huan almost choked on the walnut kernel, and clicked her tongue in surprise.

But I felt somewhat relieved.

After all, a straight man is better than a "central air conditioner" (meaning someone who is nice to everyone).

"Your Highness is too kind." Huo Lin raised the golden goblet, symbolically touched his lips to it, and then put it down. "I appreciate the sincerity of the Northern Desert."

This was not the result Ayina wanted. A hint of resentment flashed in her eyes. Just as she was about to say something, the Northern Desert Grand Preceptor suddenly stood up, his black robe standing out conspicuously in the lamplight.

"Your Majesty," the Imperial Advisor's voice was hoarse like sandpaper, with a heavy foreign accent.

He bowed and said, "Princess Ayina is the pearl of my northern desert. She has come here with the heartfelt wishes of my king."

"My king wishes to present this pearl to Your Majesty, so that from now on, the northern deserts and Daliang may share peace and prosperity."

He deliberately slowed down his speech, emphasizing the words "dedicated to His Majesty" with exceptional clarity.

For a moment, the hall fell into a subtle silence, and even the music stopped playing.

Consort Jia tightened her grip on the handkerchief, her sharp gaze sweeping over the dazzling fiery red figure before lowering her eyes to stare at the exquisite pastry plate in front of her, as if flowers were blooming on it.

The other concubines conveyed their silent worries through their eyes.

Everyone understands that the fewer people there are, the less competitive the pressure.

What's more, the harem was already overgrown with weeds, and now a princess is coming?

The Empress Dowager sat upright on the other side of Huo Lin, slightly behind him, her eyelids lowered, as if she were an old monk in meditation.

She neither agreed nor disagreed, leaving people guessing what she was thinking.

Huo Lin seemed not to have heard the Imperial Advisor's suggestion at all, and slowly picked up a walnut and peeled another one for Jiang Huan.

The Grand Preceptor's brow furrowed even deeper. He stepped forward and spoke with a more forceful tone.

"Your Majesty, the princess is of noble birth, representing the sincerity of our Northern Frontier and Great Liang in maintaining eternal friendship. If the princess could stay by Your Majesty's side and serve Your Majesty, it would surely enhance the friendship between our two countries..."

"Your Excellency is mistaken," Huo Lin finally looked up at the Imperial Advisor, interrupting him.

"Friendly relations between the two countries depend on political stability, social harmony, and mutual benefit, not on marriage alliances. Besides, the princess is of noble birth and high status; how could she be subordinate to anyone?"

The Imperial Advisor was taken aback, his face turning somewhat grim, but he still refused to give up.

“Your Majesty, the princess admires Your Majesty’s divine power and is willing to do so.”

The atmosphere froze for a moment, like a taut bowstring.

Just then, a voice rang out, breaking the silence.

Prince Huo Cong of Nanjun rose gracefully and bowed to Huo Lin and the Imperial Preceptor respectively.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Preceptor is of utmost sincerity, and the Princess is of unparalleled beauty. I believe that if the Princess were to marry into our Great Liang, it would not only fulfill the wishes of the King of the Northern Desert, but also allow the Princess to enjoy a life of honor and privilege in our Great Liang. It would be a win-win situation."

"I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully and not waste this blessed marriage."

His words were impeccable, as if they came entirely from a sincere heart dedicated to sharing the emperor's burdens.

Huo Lin turned to look at the Prince of Nanjun with a calm and unfathomable gaze, yet his eyes were piercingly cold.

"The Prince of Nanjun is so enthusiastic, could it be..."

He paused deliberately for a moment, then continued slowly.

"...Is the Prince interested in the Princess? If so, I would be so kind as to grant them a marriage."

Huo Lin's words fell like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

The smile on the Prince of Nan's face froze instantly, and a trace of astonishment flashed quickly in the depths of his eyes.

But after years of court audiences, his loss of composure was only momentary.

"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation."

He took a half step back, bowed deeply to Huo Lin, and bent his waist extremely low.

"I have only reverence for Your Highness, and have no improper thoughts whatsoever."

"What I just said was all for the sake of Your Majesty's country and the well-being of the people of both nations. Her Highness the Princess is a pearl of the northern desert, with an unparalleled noble status. Only Your Majesty's majestic and elegant appearance makes her a suitable match for you."

His tone was earnest, and his posture was extremely humble.

The author vividly portrays the helplessness and fear of having one's loyalty misunderstood, yet between the lines, the author once again firmly establishes the princess as someone only worthy of the emperor.

This response was undeniably brilliant.

This not only cleanly and efficiently cleared her name, but also saved the day, and cleverly pushed the hot potato back to Huo Lin.

Everyone in the hall, whether they were members of the imperial family, ministers, or concubines, looked at the Prince of Nan with a deeper meaning in their eyes.

This prince is no pushover.

Beside her, Ayina's face, hidden beneath her veil, was already ashen with rage.

She had never been so humiliated. All the young men of the northern deserts wanted to win her favor, but the emperor and the prince were just passing the buck to each other.

She is a princess, of noble status, when has she ever suffered such injustice!

The Imperial Advisor was also momentarily speechless at this sudden turn of events, and his expression became even more unpleasant.

Huo Lin looked at the Prince of Nan's "trembling with fear" yet "utterly loyal" appearance and sneered inwardly.

[Ha, they're all old foxes, no need to hide their nine tails when pretending with me.]

"You've mastered the art of using minimal force to achieve maximum effect, but unfortunately, I'm not fooled by it."

[Trying to annoy me? Not a chance!]

Huo Lin stopped looking at the Prince of Nan and gave the Grand Preceptor no more chance to speak.

He calmly picked up his wine glass and gestured slightly towards the direction of the Northern Desert delegation.

"Alright, a few jokes are fine, but the marriage alliance is a matter of national dignity and should not be taken lightly. It requires careful consideration."

"Today is a day of celebration, let us not let these formalities spoil our enjoyment. Ladies and gentlemen, please drink this cup to the brim and celebrate the diplomatic relations between our two countries!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he was the first to drink the wine in his glass in one gulp.

"Let's celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations!"

The ministers and concubines echoed in unison, their voices resounding throughout the palace and dispelling the invisible glint of swords that had just appeared.

Looking at Huo Lin's all-encompassing and unquestionable demeanor, the Imperial Advisor knew that he had completely lost the battle today.

He suppressed the frustration and anxiety in his heart and stiffly raised his glass in return.

Ayina was so angry that her whole body turned cold. She almost gritted her teeth, maintaining her last bit of composure, and retreated to her seat.

The moment she sat down, her veil heaved violently, and her eyes, burning with anger and resentment, were like those of a hawk locking onto its prey, fixed on Huo Lin.

What a brilliant and mighty emperor, all he has is a handsome face.

However, the tougher the bone, the more flavorful it is to gnaw on.

Sooner or later, she'll make Huo Lin kneel at her feet and beg for mercy!