Chapter 341 I Choose Both

Zhao State.

In previous elections, no one knew the result until the very last moment.

But the final candidate is none other than a few princes who serve as regents.

The four princes fought for nearly a year, but the winner in the end was the sixth princess, which was beyond everyone's expectations.

Although the people usually said that the Sixth Princess had the potential to be the empress, they had never really thought that what they casually said would actually come true.

Even the vast majority of court officials did not anticipate this outcome.

Those dozens of officials were so tight-lipped that they didn't reveal any information at all.

All along, everyone believed that the supreme position belonged to the Fourth Prince.

The one with the biggest gap naturally belongs to King Sheng.

After the election, within just two days, the Sheng Palace went from being bustling with carriages and horses to being deserted.

All the retainers and advisers left without a single one left.

None of the powerful officials who used to flatter him came to visit again.

In a deserted hall in Prince Sheng's Palace, Prince Sheng sat on a wide chair, staring blankly into space.

An old servant knelt in front of him and begged, "Your Highness, please eat something. You haven't eaten for two days. If you continue like this, your body will collapse..."

King Sheng did not speak, and there was no expression on his face, like a lifeless wooden sculpture.

The old servant advised: "Your Highness, now that things have come to this, you should stop thinking about those things. Even if you lose, you are still a prince of a country, and Her Majesty is your sister. Your status is still more noble than that of the other princes..."

"Go down."

King Sheng finally spoke, his voice was hoarse and no emotion could be heard.

The old man sighed and could only retreat helplessly.

Walking out of the hall and looking at the empty palace, he couldn't help but feel a sense of the fickleness of the world.

Inside the hall, King Sheng suddenly clenched his fists.

If there is no hope, there will be no disappointment.

He had never imagined that he could sit in that position, and even if he lost, he wouldn't think it was a big deal.

But he was so close to that position, so close that he could reach it easily!

She gave him hope herself, and destroyed his hope herself.

He never thought that the one who betrayed him would be his own sister!

At this moment, a vague voice suddenly came into his ears.

"Are you unwilling?"

King Sheng's body trembled, and he looked towards a corner of the hall vigilantly.

In the darkness, a figure slowly walked out. He was covered in a black robe, revealing only a pair of eyes. He looked at King Sheng and spoke again, "Your Highness, are you really willing to admit defeat just like that?"

King Sheng stood up, looked at him warily, and asked, "Who are you? How did you get in? What do you want to do?"

The man said slowly: "It doesn't matter who I am, and it doesn't matter how I got in. Your Highness just needs to know that I'm here to help you..."

If a mysterious person had broken into the palace in the past, he would have shouted for help.

But at this moment, King Sheng didn't even think about calling for help. He sat down again, leaned back on his chair, and asked, "Help me? The situation is already decided. What's there to help a stray dog?"

The man in black robe shook his head and said, "Is the situation already decided? Not necessarily..."

King Sheng smiled coldly and asked, "The election is over. Can you overturn the election results?"

The black-robed man said slowly, "Although the election results cannot be overturned, if there is another election, wouldn't Your Highness have another chance?"

King Sheng looked at him again.

The black-robed man continued, "The last path is now before your Highness. It depends on your choice..."

…

Princess Palace.

Li Nuo has not seen the Sixth Princess since she was summoned to the palace two days ago.

However, he was not worried that something might happen to her in the palace.

The Zhao State's election system was followed by every generation of emperors.

On the day after the election, the old emperor of Zhao issued an imperial decree, announcing to the world that he would hold a succession ceremony ten days later to officially pass the throne to Princess Zhaoyang.

This means that after the Holy Emperor more than a hundred years ago, Zhao State will soon have its second empress.

Ten days was enough to prepare for the succession ceremony, which was really rushed.

She must be very busy these days.

At this moment, inside the small courtyard of the princess's mansion, a middle-aged official looked at Li Nuo almost pleadingly and said, "Lord Li, I beg you, please give me a definite letter when you will return to Daxia, so that I can report to the court. Otherwise, I will be punished by the court when I return..."

Although nominally he was the chief officer of the Daxia delegation, Li Nuo had to obey all his arrangements.

But how could he dare to exercise his authority as chief officer against him?

Transfer orders from the three provinces were issued one after another, but he simply ignored them.

The empress who is about to ascend the throne in Zhao State is said to have secretly pledged her life to him. He was the one who supported her to become the empress. If he stayed in Zhao State, he would be second only to the emperor.

In fact, many times, he is even above that person.

From then on, all the officials of Daxia in Zhao State had to rely on him.

When they failed to put pressure on him, they started to embarrass innocent people. Li Nuo didn't want to implicate innocent people, so he thought for a while and said, "One month, at the latest, I will set off to return to Daxia..."

The Daxia official left with many thanks.

A moment later, several figures walked into the courtyard.

When he returned here again, Zhao Zhiyi was wearing an outfit that Li Nuo had never seen before.

Her hair was piled high, the gems on her crown were dazzling, and she was wearing a red dress embroidered with exquisite and intricate patterns, looking solemn and gorgeous.

She was already very heroic, and this outfit made her look even more handsome.

Behind Zhao Zhiyi stood four female officials.

All four of them have the aura of a master.

Zhao Zhiyi looked back at them and said, "You guys wait outside."

An old woman shook her head and said, "I'm sorry, but your Majesty has ordered that we cannot leave your Highness more than three steps away."

Zhao Zhiyi's eyebrows showed helplessness. He could only look at Li Nuo and asked, "The emperor is hosting a banquet for all the ministers in the palace tonight. Are you and Miss Song going to come?"

Li Nuo waved his hand and said, "I am not an official of Zhao State, so I will not go tonight."

Zhao Zhiyi nodded. She knew that Li Nuo would not go, and this time she left the palace just to find an excuse to see him.

She had a lot to say to him, but she turned to look at the ladies behind her and finally just asked, "Are you in a hurry to go back?"

Li Nuo nodded and said, "Wait until you ascend the throne."

After receiving this answer, she temporarily put her mind at ease and said, "Well, then I will go back to the palace first. There are still many things to do before the ceremony..."

Not long after the Sixth Princess left, Li Nuo and Yi Ren also walked out hand in hand.

The situation has been decided and no one will try to win him over.

In principle, they no longer have to pretend to be husband and wife.

However, the two still maintained their previous tacit understanding.

Walking on the streets of Zhao State, Li Nuo saw many changes.

Ever since the Sixth Princess won the election, the streets of Zhao State have been decorated with lights and colors, truly celebrating together with the country.

Her popularity among the people is indeed unmatched.

What is certain is that if another general election were held now, she would definitely get more votes than the last time.

There were too many neutral courtiers who never thought they could vote for her.

The election has ended for two days, but people are still talking about it on the streets.

"The Sixth Princess really became the Queen. It's like a dream."

"Doesn't this mean that everyone will be able to afford medical treatment in the future?"

"The good days of the people are still to come..."

"The Sixth Princess has not yet married. Wouldn't her future consort be the Queen?"

"You could say that, but I don't know who has this luck."

"Could it be that the top scholar in six subjects in Da Xia?"

"Impossible. He is already a married man. Even if he wants to marry the Sixth Princess, it is not an easy thing. Moreover, the Sixth Princess is about to become the Queen. Do you think the Queen will share her husband with another woman?"

"That's right..."

…

Song Yiren was holding a basket in one hand and holding Li Nuo in the other. She listened to the discussions of the people in the market and suddenly looked up and asked, "If you knew both Song Jiaren and the Sixth Princess, which one would you choose?"

Li Nuo said without thinking, "Of course it's a beautiful woman."

Song Yiren said: "The Sixth Princess will be the Empress in the future. Not only is she as pretty as Song Jiaren, but she is also very skilled. Aren't you tempted?"

Li Nuo said decisively: "Don't move."

He only has a friendship with the Sixth Princess.

Maybe she is a little bit more special than ordinary friends. After all, she is the queen, and the queen that he supported himself. So he must have some special feelings for her in his heart.

Song Yiren asked again: "What if it's Song Jiaren and Li Anning? If neither of them has married you yet, who would you choose?"

Li Nuo thought about it seriously.

If we really put aside the issue of sequence.

Beauty and peace...

Just from the first impression, An Ning is more fragrant.

But he certainly couldn't tell the truth, otherwise he would offend her as well. Li Nuo shook his head and said, "I don't choose, I want them all."

Song Yiren pinched his wrist gently and said, "No, you have to choose one!"

Li Nuo said: "I don't choose, I just want them all."

Song Yiren snorted: "You are so greedy!"

Along the way, she did not ask the same question again until she returned to the small courtyard of the princess's mansion. She suddenly spoke again: "If Song Jiaren had not married you first, and you had to choose between her and me, who would you choose... I want to hear your true words."

She looked at Li Nuo, but Li Nuo did not answer.

She didn't force him, but went straight into the kitchen and said, "I'm going to cook..."

Li Nuo stood in the yard and thought about this problem seriously.

Although Jia Ren and Yi Ren look exactly the same, they have different personalities.

The beauty is introverted and reserved. Although she never expresses her feelings, she always protects him silently when he can't see her.

She is frank and straightforward, dares to love and hate, so why not like her?

Of course he chose to take them all.

Li Nuo walked into the kitchen and helped her prepare dinner.

At the same time, in the Zhao Palace.

Two to three days after every general election, a grand banquet would be held in the palace for all the ministers.

One was to celebrate, and the other was to allow the ministers to get familiar with the new emperor before the ceremony of succession.

Not only officials from the capital will be present at the banquet, but also dignitaries and royal family members.

Prince Shun came forward with his wine glass raised, smiled at Zhao Zhiyi, and said, "Sixth sister, congratulations."

Zhao Zhiyi also raised his glass in greeting and said, "Thank you, my royal brother."

Afterwards, Prince An and Prince Xiang, the two regents who lost the election, also came forward to express their congratulations.

This has also been the long-standing tradition of the State of Zhao.

Although the fight for the throne failed, the blood ties still exist.

Regardless of whether they are willing in their hearts or not, the princes who have failed in the general elections will congratulate the new emperor at the banquet.

Looking at another figure walking up, Zhao Zhiyi's expression was a little complicated.

She moved her lips and said, "Brother..."

Prince Sheng smiled and waved his hand, saying, "No need to say anything. At the beginning, I was a little angry. After all, you are my biological sister and the person I trust the most. However, I have thought a lot these past two days. The people like you so much. If you take the throne, it will be a good thing for the country and the people. Moreover, we have the same father and mother, so who will succeed to the throne, what difference does it make..."

He took the initiative to clink glasses with Zhao Zhiyi and said, "The past is the past. You must be a good emperor and don't let your brother down..."

After saying that, he drank the wine in his glass, then touched Zhao Zhiyi's head affectionately, turned and left.

This scene caught the eyes of the surrounding officials and caused them to murmur.

"I never thought that King Sheng would be so graceful."

"The Fourth Prince's generosity is indeed beyond my expectations."

"I thought he wouldn't attend the banquet tonight."

"After all, they are siblings. Since the result cannot be changed, we might as well accept the reality."

"This is the best possible outcome..."

…

After Prince Sheng congratulated the Sixth Princess, he walked over to the other three princes and toasted them one by one.

Several princes looked down on him before, but seeing how he was able to let go today, they began to think more highly of him.

This scene also changed the impression of King Sheng in everyone's mind.

When fighting for the throne, several people are rivals.

But after the election, they remained brothers.

This is in stark contrast to the princes of Daxia.

The two princes of Daxia conspired to kill the former crown prince, and forced the emperor to abdicate in the name of clearing the court of corrupt officials.

When they were fighting for the throne, they used every possible means and even wanted to kill their brothers who were born to the same father and mother.

Even when the princes of Zhao fought for the throne, they did so in an open and aboveboard manner and never resorted to dirty tricks.

Compared with Daxia, the royal family of Zhao could definitely be described as one in which brothers were friendly and respectful to each other, fathers were loving and sons were filial.

The officials of Zhao State also felt proud to be in such a country.

The banquet ended in a harmonious atmosphere, and many officials returned drunk. This was also one of the few occasions where officials were allowed to get drunk.

The second day.

Princess Palace.

Li Nuo sat up from the bed, turned his head to look, and saw that Yiren was still pretending to be asleep.

She would not wake up until he kissed her every day.

Li Nuo got up first and washed up. The woman on the bed opened her eyes a little and looked at his back in confusion.

Doesn’t he always kiss her gently every morning when he wakes up before washing up?

Did you forget today?

After Li Nuo finished washing up, she immediately closed her eyes when she turned around.

Li Nuo walked to the bed and sat down, looking down at Yiren's pretty face.

In a few days, the Sixth Princess will officially ascend the throne.

It wasn't long before they returned.

He and Yiren had been pretending to be confused for several months. The time was ripe and there was no need to pretend any longer...

Li Nuo leaned over and kissed her lightly on the face.

Yiren breathed a sigh of relief, this morning was finally perfect.

She waited for Li Nuo to leave as usual, then got up and washed.

But he kept sitting at the head of the bed, with no intention of leaving.

Li Nuo looked at Yiren who was pretending to be asleep, shook her shoulders gently, and said with a smile: "Okay, stop pretending to be asleep, I know you woke up a long time ago..."

Song Yiren's eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes and asked in confusion, "What are you doing?"

Li Nuo exposed her mercilessly: "Still pretending, do you really think I don't know the perception of the peak of the fourth realm, and that you kissed me secretly before..."

Song Yiren said angrily, "Stop talking!"

Li Nuo shrugged and said, "If you don't want to tell me, then don't tell me. Actually, I thought about your question all night and finally figured out the answer. Since you don't want to hear it, forget it..."

Song Yiren's eyebrows moved and she asked, "What's the problem?"

Li Nuo said: "You asked me, if the beauty didn't marry me, who would I choose between you..."

Song Yiren immediately sat up from the bed: "Who do you choose?"

Li Nuo looked into her eyes and said with a smile: "I still choose both..."

Song Yiren rolled her eyes at him and was about to say something when her beautiful eyes suddenly widened. After being stunned for a moment, they slowly closed again...

(End of this chapter)