Chapter 86 "Proposing Marriage." (Second Update)...

Chapter 86: The Proposal ==

Gradually, Qin Jue and his entourage returned on horseback. Crown Prince Qin Jue led the way, riding a red-maned horse, and also reaped the most prey. The Emperor and Empress of Nanqiong were extremely satisfied with their son, Qin Jue. The Emperor of Nanqiong smiled and said, "Tonight, the emperor and his subjects will enjoy themselves together. My beloved ministers, you must all do your best."

During this hunting trip to Mount Li, only the Prince of Nan and Prime Minister Lu were present. The two of them naturally followed His Majesty's instructions, and all the ministers held Crown Prince Qin Jue in the highest esteem.

With the return of Qin Jue, the Prince of Xiang, and others, the atmosphere in the tent was finally less tense than before.

"Wanwan, don't you think Chu Yao's attitude today is strange?" In preparation for the bonfire feast that evening, Princess Weiyang pulled Su Wanyue back to the tent to change her clothes. Qin'er styled Su Wanyue's hair into a flying fairy bun and inserted two light purple tassel hairpins. Princess Weiyang was a little faster than Su Wanyue and came over.

Su Wanyue hadn't paid much attention yet. In fact, Su Wanyue and Chu Yao had always been at odds. The reason was that Chu Yao felt that as the heir of the Pingyang Prince's Mansion, he should be the center of attention, but in reality, he wasn't. Su Wanyue, on the other hand, had been allowed by the Emperor and Empress to frequently enter and leave the palace since childhood. He felt that Su Wanyue had stolen all his honors, so he harbored "hostility" towards her. Su Wanyue, being a straightforward person, reciprocated the same attitude she had towards him.

"Anyway, something just feels off." Princess Weiyang couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she felt that Chu Yao's gaze was a bit off today.

"His strange behavior has nothing to do with me."

"Indeed." Princess Weiyang didn't particularly like Chu Yao's arrogant attitude. She then remembered something else and winked at Su Wanyue, "Did Lu Qingchen say anything to Wanwan when he spoke to her today?"

Between Princess Weiyang and Su Wanyue, Lu Qingchen was clearly closer to Su Wanyue. This was the first time Lu Qingchen had come to Princess Weiyang to deliver a message, which really surprised Princess Weiyang. Princess Weiyang sighed and said, "Wanwan, I think the saying in the book, 'Countless young men bow down for a beautiful woman,' is true, because I think it describes you very well."

If half the girls in the capital wanted to marry Qin Jue, then half the young men wanted to marry Su Wanyue. When Princess Weiyang was a child, she was made to cry by a single sentence from Prince Xiang, who felt that Su Wanyue and Qin Jue were more like siblings. Of course, compared to Princess Weiyang, Qin Jue did indeed love his younger sister Su Wanyue more.

"My cousin is the most beautiful woman in the world." Su Wanyue smiled gently, her soft voice extremely pleasant to hear.

Upon hearing this, Princess Weiyang smiled broadly; she enjoyed being praised like this.

After Su Wanyue left, Xiao Yu was the first to leave, followed by Chu Yao and Lu Qingchen. Chu Yao was the slowest, and he leisurely strolled into the tent belonging to the Prince of Pingyang.

"Do you think she wants to marry Lu Qingchen?" Chu Yao's dark pupils were somewhat unfocused, and his voice was lazy. He was actually not bad-looking, but he had no manners, and his demeanor was like that of a spoiled brat. He wasn't in a good mood at the moment and looked a bit disheveled.

“Your Highness, Princess Zilu and Second Young Master Lu have always been very close. The Lu family has always been highly prestigious in our court. If Princess Zilu wants to marry Second Young Master Lu, it’s not impossible.” His attitude puzzled his personal guard. After all, the young master had never liked Princess Zilu and always went against her. Now, he was putting on a sad and heartbroken look, which made the guard suspect that he had been possessed.

Chu Yao was unusually bewildered. He particularly disliked Su Wanyue, disliking that although she was similar to him in many ways, she could get whatever she wanted, which made him feel uncomfortable. But behind these emotions, he had other thoughts. Suddenly, he felt enlightened and relaxed. He ordered the guards to prepare his horse, as he wanted to return to the capital.

As night fell, Mount Li stretched out to the horizon, dotted with starlight. The Emperor of Nanqiong was hosting a banquet outside his tent. The Emperor and Empress sat at the head of the table, with seats arranged on the left and right sides below. People arrived one after another. "Your Majesty," said the Crown Prince Chu's guard, "the Crown Prince Chu has important business to attend to and must return to the capital first."

The Emperor of Nanqiong knew that the Prince of Pingyang's son was always unreliable. He was probably out enjoying himself again. His Majesty had no time for such things tonight, so he waved his hand.

Eunuch Sheng quietly withdrew and sent someone to inquire whether His Highness Prince Bei Li had arrived.

Xiao Yu had already left the tent and strolled back and forth three times towards the corner near the banquet hall, as if taking a leisurely walk. Tonight, Princess Consort Su Qingqing was not feeling well, so only Su Wanyue and her father attended the banquet. From a distance, the Prince of Nan saw a familiar figure, and his brow twitched violently. "Your Highness Prince Cheng."

"Uncle Nan, Princess Zilu, what a coincidence." Xiao Yu smiled and said humbly.

Mo Yu, who was following behind Xiao Yu, twitched his lips. His master had walked back and forth in the same spot three times. What a coincidence!

"It is quite a coincidence." When it came to his daughter, the Prince of Nan was not ambiguous at all. He gave Xiao Yu a deep look and smiled elegantly, "Your Highness Prince Cheng, please go first."

Tonight, Su Wanyue wore a plain-colored top and a peach-pink brocade long skirt, with a light purple tassel belt around her waist. Her waist was slender, and her complexion was radiant.

While the Prince of Nan and Xiao Yu exchanged pleasantries, she stood obediently behind the Prince of Nan, without saying a word.

"Is she deliberately avoiding him?" Xiao Yu neither confirmed nor denied it, only raising his eyebrows slightly.

The banquet hall was already full of people, with a square grill and iron skewers for roasting meat in front of each person. Because Su Wanyue and her two companions arrived last, but because of their high status, they were seated below the emperor.

The maids rushed to help their mistress grill, but Su Wanyue and Xiao Yu both refused. Seeing their perfect understanding, the Emperor and Empress, seated at the head of the table, exchanged a glance, and the Emperor of Nanqiong asked with a smile, "I'm a little curious, what kind of woman does Prince Cheng like?"

Even if he had a suspicion, Emperor Nanqiong still wanted a definite answer. After all, Su Wanyue was not the daughter of an ordinary official's family. Even if the emperor granted a marriage, he would have to consider the thoughts and feelings of the Prince of Nan and his wife.

Bei Li's desire to form a marriage alliance with Nan Qiong was announced in the court long ago. His Highness Prince Cheng's visit to Nan Qiong must be for the purpose of marriage. Now that the emperor has spoken, everyone is curious about His Highness Prince Cheng's answer. Those with discernment can see Xiao Yu's feelings for Su Wanyue, while those without discernment naturally think that His Highness Prince Cheng will choose the most noble woman in Nan Qiong.

Xiao Yu's expression shifted slightly, his voice deep and resonant, "Intelligent and cunning, gentle and bright."

The crowd immediately stopped talking, forgetting even the roasted meat in front of them, and all perked up their ears. Wasn't this talking about their Princess Zilu of the Southern Prince's Mansion?

Lu Qingchen lowered her eyes, pretending not to hear. Qin Jue and Prince Xiang's gazes had already fallen on Su Wanyue. Su Wanyue herself was the most composed, softly asking the maid beside her which spices to put in.

The Emperor of Nanqiong smiled. "So, His Highness Prince Cheng has someone he loves?"

"Yes, I'm still trying to win her favor." Xiao Yu was handsome and had a smile in his eyes. As he spoke, he grilled the fish skewers in his hand. The fish skewers were fragrant and golden brown. Then, seemingly casually, he placed the fish skewers into Su Wanyue's celadon lotus bowl. Only then did Su Wanyue look up at him and softly say "thank you."

"Princess Zilu, you don't need to be so polite."

That night, all that could be seen in the eyes of outsiders was His Highness Prince Cheng fawning over their Princess Zilu. The ministers had different thoughts, but in secret they were trying to figure out what the Emperor and Empress meant.

It seems that the royal family will arrange Princess Zilu's marriage.

Princess Weiyang glanced in this direction several times.

***

Before they knew it, it was midsummer. The sun grew hotter and hotter each day. In three months, Su Wanyue would be coming of age. She was the only daughter of the Prince of Nan and his wife, so the coming-of-age banquet would definitely be a grand affair. Su Qingqing was looking for someone to do her hair on the day of the ceremony when the Prince of Nan told her that he had something to discuss with her.

Su Qingqing asked him what it was about, and after he finished speaking, Su Qingqing looked surprised, "Does Master mean to choose a husband for Wanwan?"

The Prince of Nan then told Su Qingqing about how the court officials had been inviting him to dinner and tea recently. “There are so many talented young men in the capital, and quite a few of them have connections and entanglements with our Prince of Nan’s mansion. This one wants to marry Wanwan, and that one wants to marry Wanwan. Qingqing, what do you think we should do?”

“What Master said makes sense, but what if His Highness Prince Cheng of Beili also likes Wanwan?” Su Qingqing frowned slightly and asked.

A marriage alliance between two countries is no small matter. With Prince Cheng of Beili present, they certainly cannot rashly choose a husband for Wanwan, otherwise the Emperor and Empress would definitely have objections.

The Prince of Nan stroked her shoulder, his smile refined. “Bei Li didn’t specify that Wanwan should become the princess, did he? If His Highness Cheng really likes Wanwan, he will definitely go through the proper matchmaking process and personally propose marriage. Our Prince of Nan’s Mansion is not in a hurry.”

Having been married for over a decade, Su Qingqing had long since figured out the Prince of Nan's character and temperament. With just a glance or a word from him, Su Qingqing could understand what he was thinking. She found it somewhat amusing, "Then let's do as my husband wishes."

After an incense stick has burned, at the post station in the capital.

"Your Highness, I have heard that the Southern Prince's Mansion has already spread the word that it will be choosing a husband for Princess Zilu. Several families in the capital of Nanqiong have already sent matchmakers to their door."

"Go to the palace." Xiao Yu's vermilion brush swayed slightly. He straightened his dark robes, stood up, and although his expression seemed calm, a single drop of ink on the white paper on the table revealed his inner turmoil.

"What is the Prince of Nan's Mansion trying to do?" The capital city is only so big, and the news spread by the Prince of Nan's Mansion has even reached the Emperor in the palace, which displeases the Emperor.

At this moment, Eunuch Sheng ran in from outside, "Your Majesty, Prince Cheng has arrived."

"Please invite Your Highness Prince Cheng in."

"Why is Prince Cheng coming at this time?" As Xiao Yu walked into the hall, the Emperor of Nanqiong asked with a smile.

Xiao Yu's gaze was calm as he looked directly at the current emperor, his demeanor dignified. "The envoy who came to Bei Li earlier said that Nan Qiong wanted to form a marriage alliance with Bei Li. I already have someone in mind for this marriage."

"Oh, I don't know what King Cheng is talking about." Emperor Nanqiong sat up straight, pretending not to know Xiao Yu's meaning, but his tone was excited.

Xiao Yu said seven words.

***

Late at night, the Peony Garden was brightly lit with candles. Su Wanyue was leaning against the chaise longue reading a book when Qin'er added a robe for her and asked, "Princess, aren't you going to rest?"

"I'm not sleepy yet, you should go and rest first."

Qin'er thought for a moment and then smiled and said, "Then this servant will instruct the small kitchen to make some pastries and dew tea that the princess likes."

A strong wind seemed to blow through the window, causing the candlelight in the inner room to flicker. Su Wanyue blinked slightly, her expression calm. She turned another page of her book, and then a tall, elegant figure swung in through the window. Su Wanyue's slender fingers placed the book face down on the rosewood table, and she asked softly, "Isn't it inappropriate for His Highness Prince Cheng to sneak into a young lady's private quarters at night?"