Chapter 146 The King of Nanzhao and Huaibei Arrives

No matter which country's royal family is involved, they cannot avoid fighting, and fighting usually means killing each other to the death.

The wives and concubines in the harem served the same man, but because of their interests, they became enemies from the day they entered the palace.

From the day they were born, the royal brothers stood on the opposite side in various places.

They clearly share the same father's blood, but self-interest can make people lose their humanity and turn them into enemies.

Yan Jinyue understood what he was saying and knew that he was speaking from the heart.

However, human nature cannot withstand the test of time.

When young, one's appearance and figure are pleasing to the eye, and feelings can last for several years. However, after aging and fading beauty, it is already an excellent outcome if love can evolve into familial affection. More often, it leads to mutual dislike and hatred.

The risks are even greater when traveling alone to a foreign country.

Yan Jinyue remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "If I marry you, will Yong Kingdom and Xiling become related by marriage?"

Ling Yumo said, "The Prince of Yan saved my life. Even if you are unwilling to marry me, as long as I am here, Xiling will always be an ally of Yong."

Ling Yumo seemed to know what she was thinking and told her with a firm answer that she was never a pawn in maintaining relations between the two countries.

Yan Jinyue said "Oh," and then added, "Then I still won't agree—"

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly felt dizzy and was pressed down on the soft bed. A handsome and delicate face appeared before her eyes. Ling Yumo stared at her intently, his eyes deep and piercing, making Yan Jinyue blush and her heart pound.

“You…” She swallowed hard, looking at him nervously, her tone fierce, “What do you want to do? Don’t be rude to me.”

"You said you liked me, and you can't go back on your word." Ling Yumo leaned closer to her, staring at her pink lips, his throat bobbing twice. "If you don't believe me, I can make a contract guaranteeing that if I ever marry another woman in this lifetime, may I be struck by lightning—"

Yan Jinyue quickly covered his mouth: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Ling Yumo took her hand and gently kissed it. Yan Jinyue seemed to have been burned and tried to pull her hand back, but she was powerless to do so.

Men are naturally stronger.

Ling Yumo was a martial arts practitioner, and with a light grip, it was as difficult for her to break free.

Yan Jinyue angrily said, "Let me go."

Ling Yumo looked down at her and asked, "Will you marry me?"

The two were so close that their breaths mingled, so close that they could clearly see each other's eyelashes and stare directly into each other's eyes.

Yan Jinyue was somewhat flustered.

Ling Yumo's gaze was so deep at that moment, like a bottomless abyss, that it made her dizzy.

She turned her head away hastily: "Marriage is a major life event, it should be decided by parents and matchmakers, I... I can't make that decision..."

Ling Yumo chuckled softly, the laughter escaping from his throat.

Just as Yan Jinyue was about to ask him what he was laughing at, she suddenly felt a heat on her eyes. Ling Yumo gently kissed her eyes, like a warm breeze brushing against her eyelashes, hot and itchy, making her tremble involuntarily.

“I will propose marriage to your father,” Ling Yumo said in a low voice, “but not now. I need to return to Xiling first and come in person as the Crown Prince of Xiling to propose marriage.”

Yan Jinyue remained silent, her long eyelashes drooping, displaying a quiet and acquiescing demeanor.

After the talks, Ling Yumo stayed at the princess's residence for two more days.

Before leaving, Ling Yumo spoke alone with Yan Cang for an hour.

They were both reluctant to part.

Ling Yumo promised, "There will still be some mess to clean up after I get back. Once I've ensured that Xiling is safe—at most three months—I will definitely come to Yong Kingdom to propose marriage."

He will clean up all the messes that need to be cleaned up, nip all potential problems in the bud, and then marry Jinyue in a grand and glorious manner.

I will never let her be bullied in the Xiling Imperial City.

...

Early July, the hottest days.

The King of Nanzhao Huaibei and his wife, along with their envoys, arrived in Yong Kingdom, where Emperor Zhaode ordered a banquet to be held in their honor.

The Ming emperor, accompanied by the Minister of Rites, went out of the city to greet them.

At noon, the group entered the palace and arrived at the main hall. After exchanging pleasantries, they took their seats in turn.

The King of Huaibei of Nanzhao was brave and strong, and his military bearing was immediately apparent.

His princess was gentle and easygoing. The long journey and her worries about her daughter in recent days had made her look a little haggard, but her dignified and unyielding demeanor when she spoke inspired respect in everyone.

Everyone took their seats one by one.

Emperor Zhaode asked Prince Ming, "Is Miss Xue still at Prince Ming's residence?"

Yan Yang nodded: "Your Majesty, I will send someone to invite her over immediately."

Having said that, he instructed his trusted aide to return to the Prince Ming's residence and bring Miss Xue back.

"Ziying was tricked and taken to Yong Kingdom. Fortunately, His Highness Prince Ming of your country rescued her. I will never forget this kindness." The King of Huaibei stood up and bowed deeply to Prince Ming. "If His Highness Prince Ming ever asks for anything in the future, as long as it does not involve treason, I will do my utmost to help you even at the cost of my life."

The Prince of Ming bowed and said, “Your Highness, there is no need to be so polite. It was the general of Yong Kingdom who brought Miss Xue here. Although Pei Yi’an has been executed, Yong Kingdom still has a responsibility to protect Miss Xue’s safety.”

Emperor Zhaode nodded involuntarily.

Yan Yang is usually unreliable, but he's speaking like a proper person right now.

Is this the difference between a father and a future father-in-law?

“Yan Yang is right.” Emperor Zhaode looked guilty. “It was my oversight that the general I trusted was colluding with the Crown Prince of Nanzhao. I failed to discover his wolfish ambitions, which led to the murder of the little princess. If it weren’t for the chance to save the little princess, we wouldn’t know how to explain it to the Prince of Huaibei.”

He continued, "These past few days, the young princess has been staying at Prince Ming's residence to recuperate from her injuries. Now that her injuries have improved considerably, the two have developed some feelings for each other..."

Emperor Zhaode hesitated to speak: "Although my son is a bit old, he has always been abstaining from women and has not even had a concubine. He is absolutely chaste. If the Prince of Huaibei does not mind..."

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Huaibei immediately understood his meaning.

He turned to look at King Ming Yanyang.

The son of an emperor, his status was impeccable. He was tall, handsome, and had a refined demeanor. He was dignified and polite, and seemed as sunny and energetic as his name suggested.

The most important thing is to avoid women.

If a man can go more than 20 years without taking a concubine—the only explanation, apart from a physical problem, is that he has strong self-control and not much interest in women.

If it's the latter, then he's very likely to respect and cherish his wife in the future, and there won't be too many messy women in his backyard.

He was about to speak when he heard a woman's voice behind him: "But I heard that Sister Xue has already been taken by another man... Hmm, can she still marry His Highness Prince Ming?"

Upon hearing this, the air in the hall suddenly froze.

Everyone had different expressions, but their eyes all fell on the woman who had spoken.

Yan Yang narrowed his eyes, looking at the woman who spoke: "May I ask who this young lady is?"