Although the court officials were somewhat confused and could not figure out what the others were talking about, the Minister of Rites had already stepped out and wanted to say something like it was against etiquette or something like that.

But at this moment, the King of Chu spoke.

"Since all of you have no objections, then this matter is settled."

His voice was neither loud nor soft, but it carried a firmness that brooked no argument.

The Minister of Rites had no choice but to retract his foot silently.

"Father!?" Chu Hong cried out in frustration. Instead, he was given a few words of warning by the Emperor.

"You go with me. Your first priority is to protect your sister's safety. Stay out of other people's business. Don't cause any conflict with the Qin imperial family and ruin the important work."

What he meant was that it was your sister's private affairs and you should mind your own business.

When you arrive in Daqin, you must not make things difficult for Qin Yuan or go against him.

Chu Hong clenched his fist unwillingly, and finally bowed and said, "Your son obeys your order."

Xie Yunqi also bowed at the right time and said: "I will do my utmost to protect the territory of Great Chu and wait for the princess's triumphant return."

The court meeting, which was full of undercurrents, came to a temporary end, and the court officials bowed and took their leave and dispersed.

Chu Hong deliberately walked at the end, wanting to warn Xie Yunqi.

"Xie Yunqi, I'm warning you, before my sister goes to Qin, you better behave yourself!"

Xie Yunqi nonchalantly straightened his robes and raised an eyebrow to ask him, "Your Highness, what you said is quite incoherent."

"Stop pretending to be confused!" Chu Hong took a step forward.

"Don't think I don't know what you're up to, but my sister is currently engaged to the Qin Empire. If you keep pestering me like this, aren't you afraid that it will get out and ruin my sister's reputation?"

"If word of this reaches the Great Qin, and they think your sister is morally flawed, then the marriage will be cancelled. But it will also incur the wrath of the Great Qin, and make your sister a laughingstock. Can you bear this responsibility?"

After hearing this, Xie Yunqi laughed softly, his laughter full of sarcasm.

"Your Majesty, instead of warning me, you should take care of yourself first."

Chu Hong's face darkened: "What do you mean?"

Xie Yunqi raised the corners of his lips slightly, and said meaningfully: "It's a long journey to Qin. Your Highness and I have been together day and night, but you must remember to abide by your duties and not overstep your bounds."

When Chu Hong heard this, his face turned a little ugly.

"Stop slandering the prince and my sister."

"I am only reminding you kindly. After all, if your Highness, your 'brother,' does something inappropriate, compared to an 'outsider,' and word of it gets out, it will only give rise to more suspicions, won't it?"

Chu Hong's pupils shrank, his hands clenched unconsciously, and his jawline was stretched straight.

"It's not your turn as a subject to worry about my affairs."

After saying that, Chu Hong led the way out of the hall, his back still showing some lingering anger.

——

After the court meeting ended, Chu Qingluan began to prepare for his trip to Qin.

She immediately notified Zhixia and asked her to go along. Zhixia understood the importance of the matter and nodded in agreement, quickly getting involved in the preparations. She helped with the inventory of accompanying paperwork, arranging escorts, and preparing gifts from various countries.

Chu Hong was also busy. He personally went to the Royal Guards to select hundreds of elite soldiers to accompany him and trained them repeatedly. At the same time, he also arranged doctors and prepared sufficient medicinal materials.

Whenever night falls, Xie Yunqi will appear in the princess's residence and have a "candlelight night talk" and "in-depth communication" with Chu Qingluan.

In his words, "Your visit to Daqin will take at least a month, and at most two or three months. You must make up for the time we spent together."

Chu Qingluan: "We haven't finished talking about the serious matter yet."

"We can talk about business during the day. Now it's night, it's time to talk about our business..."

As she spoke, her lips were blocked. The candlelight in the study flickered, illuminating the intertwined figures of the two. It was as if she wanted to pour all her longing for the next period of time into these nights together.

…

Soon, ten days passed in a flash, and on this day, Chu Qingluan and Chu Hong finally set off for Daqin.

On this day, the Vermillion Bird Gate of the Great Chu Imperial City was wide open, with flags fluttering and ceremonial guards like clouds.

Chu Qingluan, wearing a gilded palace dress with phoenix patterns, stood in front of the canopy carriage, with the wedding procession stretching for miles behind her.

Eight hundred imperial guards led the way, thirty-six black-armored guards provided close protection, and there were nearly a hundred ceremonial officers, maids, and accompanying officials.

Behind the team, there were fully loaded ceremonial cars.

The people had heard the news early on and stood on both sides of the street, kneeling to see them off.

Xie Yunqi was at the head of all the officials, and he personally saw them off with all the other officials, gazing at the ceremonial procession that was gradually moving away until the last flag disappeared at the end of the official road.

This scene reminded him of the time when Chu Qingluan returned to Beijing from Jiangnan.

At that time, she returned from the unfaithful man with a heart full of scars.

But now, she has to embark on a long journey again for the sake of another man's engagement.

Xie Yunqi's eyes darkened slightly, and his knuckles tightened unconsciously.

He recalled last night, when they had been intimate, and Chu Qingluan leaned in his arms, saying slowly, "When the affairs of Daqin are settled, it will be time for you and me to get married."

Xie Yunqi remembered that when she said this, the light in her eyes was brighter than the stars in the sky.

She said that she would announce to the world that Xie Yunqi would also be her, Chu Qingluan's, husband. Together with Qin Yuan, one civil and one military, they would assist each other, equally superior.

At that time, Xie Yunqi felt his heart pounding, and his heart, which had been lonely for more than twenty years, suddenly beat faster at this moment.

It seemed like it was about to jump out of my chest.

Xie Yunqi withdrew his gaze, closed his eyes, and a determined smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

It seems that it is time to start preparing. He also wants the whole world to know that Xie Yunqi likes Chu Qingluan.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!