Chapter 131 The Unloved Princess 6

After her stunning appearance at the birthday banquet, Princess Lingqiao, who had just returned to the imperial capital, quickly became the most dazzling pearl among the nobles in the imperial capital.

The imperial consorts of the Zhou Dynasty were not allowed to become officials, so ambitious sons of noble families all stayed away from unmarried princesses, fearing that the princess would take a fancy to them and ruin their chances of rising to a high position in the court.

But now, that group of self-righteous young men from aristocratic families seemed to have completely let go of all their previous concerns. After returning home, they begged their fathers and brothers at home all day long to ask His Majesty to marry Princess Lingqiao.

After all, the princess is already eighteen years old. She is a 16-year-old woman in Da Zhou, so it is time for her to get married at the age of eighteen!

It's a pity that His Highness has not yet left the palace to set up his own residence. Otherwise, through the pretentious banquets he attends on weekdays, he might be able to send a letter to meet the princess. Everyone felt regretful in their hearts.

In just one day, the palace attendants had completed all the matters related to the palace move. Surrounded by many servants, Nan Qiao arrived at Cuiwei Palace in the evening.

Cuiwei Palace is magnificent. In order to cater to the arrival of Princess Lingqiao, it has been specially decorated and many girlish items have been added, making it particularly exquisite.

The Internal Affairs Department quickly sent over the selected palace maids, and the originally empty palace was soon filled with people. However, due to the princess's instructions, most of them only stayed outside.

As night fell, the moonlight was hazy and filled with water. The dark sky was dotted with stars. There were ice basins in the four corners of the room, so it didn't feel hot, but Nan Qiao still opened the window and looked up at the starry sky.

The scenery was almost the same as the one she saw at Hanyun Temple, but she felt that it was not as beautiful as the one at Hanyun Temple.

Maybe it’s because it has been raining these days, even the stars seem a little dim.

Nan Qiao stared at the sky blankly, a hint of confusion in her bright eyes after removing the cold expression.

After all, the unknown is what makes people feel the most frightened.

Her thoughts flashed through her mind quickly, and finally her memory lingered on a few words the host had said to her before she left.

"......If Your Highness encounters any difficulties in the palace, you can try to find Prime Minister Lin in the court. Perhaps he can help Your Highness." The host cast a loving gaze on the woman in green, without saying whether the other party would be willing or not.

Lin Shoufu, Lin Qinghuai.

Lin Qinghuai could help her, and Nan Qiao calmed down her hesitant heart. She closed her eyes and tried hard to suppress the uneasiness in her heart.

*

The morning court session had just ended, and Lin Qinghuai looked at the background where the old emperor left, and the smile on his face faded a little.

After dealing with several princes who came forward, Lin Qinghuai walked out of the palace and returned to the carriage, looking a little gloomy.

He sat in the carriage, closed his eyes, seemingly resting, but his thoughts were flying all over the place.

It seems that he was thinking wrongly.

It seems that the old emperor no longer has that intention.

Maybe he just couldn't bear to let it go.

How could such a brilliant pearl that rarely appeared in the Great Zhou Dynasty in a hundred years be willing to marry a minister like him?

Lin Qinghuai suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes were dark, and after a while, he slowly exhaled.

Noticing that the carriage had stopped and the sound of horse hooves could be heard outside the carriage, Lin Qinghuai lifted the curtain and looked at the street outside the window.

Several soldiers, walking in an orderly manner and still smelling of blood, passed by the carriage.

There are also guards patrolling the imperial capital on a daily basis, but they have only been in the imperial capital for a short time and have never experienced a real war, so they are definitely not like the soldiers in front of them.

Someone has returned from the border.

Lin Qinghuai looked for a moment, then lowered the curtain as if nothing had happened. His expression remained calm, but his eyes hidden in the shadows flickered a few times.

Military power was something he had never touched in recent years...

*

"Princess Shang's father, are you kidding me?"

The tall young man grinned, his eyebrows flying into his temples, his slightly dark face was handsome and elegant, and he looked particularly nonchalant as he held a wooden stick in his mouth.

"Why did you suddenly come up with the idea of marrying me to the princess?"

The Marquis of Zhenbei's eyes flickered: "It's not your father's intention, it's His Majesty's intention."

Your Majesty's meaning.

The young man paused, a smile on his face: "What's the matter? Does our Majesty dislike me again?"

Could it be that he wants to marry the princess to him and take away his military power?

The Marquis of Zhenbei glared at his rebellious son, fearing he would say something outrageous. "What are you talking about? This is because His Majesty values our Wei family."

Thinking of Princess Lingqiao, whom he had met at the Wanshou Banquet, his expression became more serious: "If His Majesty allows you to enter the palace, remember to behave well and don't offend the princess!"

He knew his own rebellious son's character best. He was extremely arrogant. If he didn't warn him now, he might lose the daughter-in-law he had just got.

Wei Ce responded nonchalantly, but he was thinking in his heart, when did another young princess appear in the palace?

Aren’t those who have reached the age of 15 already married?

Tsk, I shouldn’t have come back.

*

"Wei Ce, the son of the Marquis of Zhenbei, a first-rank brave general..."

Lin Qinghuai looked at the information obtained by the secret guard, and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

It turned out that he was the general guarding the northern border.

Zhenbei Marquis Mansion.

The son of the Marquis of Zhenbei.

Even though the Marquis of Zhenbei had retired, he had held military power for generations and held a high prestige within the army. Given the old emperor's temperament, he probably wouldn't tolerate such a situation.

It's worth trying to get in touch with such a person.

Putting down the pleats in his hand, Lin Qinghuai curled the corners of his lips slightly, as if remembering something. He took a piece of paper from the desk, picked up a pen and wrote on the blank paper.

*

"letter?"

Nan Qiao put down the book in her hand, turned sideways and looked at Jintang who was leaning over and talking to her quietly, and said in surprise.

Jintang nodded uneasily. After all, no one would feel calm if they woke up early in the morning and saw a letter that appeared out of nowhere at the bedside.

"Let me see."

Jintang hesitated a little, but still took out the letter.

Nan Qiao took the letter and saw the six words marked on it: "Personally from Princess Lingqiao."

Nan Qiao frowned, her expression slightly cold. She opened the sealing wax on the letter cup and took out the letter with her bare hands.

Nan Qiao read the words on the letter quickly at a glance, and took in the signature at the end of the letter. He was silent for a moment and quickly put the letter away.

After instructing Jintang not to spread the news, Nanqiao went to the lamp and burned the letter ashes.

If such a letter is left behind, it will be easy for others to find fault with it.

The burning flames reflected her face. Nan Qiao looked at her in a daze. Her heart, which had been hanging like a rootless duckweed, finally felt a little more at ease.

She turned sideways again and looked at Jintang, who was a little dazed, and her expression softened a little.

She didn't want to know how the letter was delivered.

She also didn't know what price she would have to pay for the other party to lend a helping hand.

She just wanted to know whether the other party could really protect her and Jintang as the letter said.

......

"Your Highness, Princess Loulan has sent someone to deliver something again today."

Jintang walked into the inner room and said to Nanqiao.

Nan Qiao continued turning the pages, saying, "Then accept it and put it in the warehouse." After a pause, he added, "Then go to the warehouse and prepare another gift to send over."

Although I don’t know the purpose of Princess Loulan’s repeated gifts, it’s always right to return the favor.

His eyes fell vaguely on the words in the book, and Nan Qiao suddenly felt a little sad.

She had never been this kind of person before.

Even if one has a cold personality, one always feels anticipation when receiving gifts from others.

Instead of guessing other people's intentions all day long like we do now...

This wasn't like her at all.

Thinking of this, Nan Qiao felt a little depressed.

Even though her life in Hanyun Temple was poor, she was surrounded by people she was familiar with who protected her.

Unlike this palace, even though it was renovated magnificently, it was a place she was not familiar with and the people there were unfamiliar to her.

I'm so tired.

*

After resting at home for a few days, it was finally time to go to the palace to meet the emperor.

Wearing armor or carrying swords was not allowed in the palace, so Wei Ce could only enter the palace in casual clothes.

After all, he was the son of a powerful noble who had been spoiled in the imperial capital for more than ten years. Even if he had stayed in the frontier for a few years, his dignity would not be easily erased.

Ignoring the nagging of the Marquis of Zhenbei all morning, Wei Ce wore a jade belt and a brocade robe, a jade crown on his head, and galloped on his horse with his black hair flying, looking both noble and unrestrained.

He doesn't look like a disciplined general, but rather like a noble young man from a wealthy family dressed in fine clothes and riding a horse.

One is not allowed to gallop into the palace. Wei Ce handed the horse to the servant following behind him, glanced at the palace gate, and came to the imperial study under the guidance of the palace attendant.

Looking at Wei Ce, the young and famous man kneeling on the ground, a trace of fear flashed in the old emperor's eyes.

As usual, the old emperor bestowed the reward. With a kind smile, he praised the emperor for a few words, and finally said, "Recently, a few orchids have been transplanted in the imperial garden. Your father has asked me for this several times. It's a good opportunity for you to come to the palace in a few days. You can choose two to take out of the palace later."

Why did he need to go there in person to appreciate the orchids? The old emperor clearly had other intentions.

Wei Ce seemed unaware of anything, he just lowered his hands and bowed, accepting the order.

Looking at Wei Ce's tall figure as he left, the old emperor felt a hint of satisfaction in his heart.

He was a king who maintained the status quo. Even though he was a little wary of the military power in the other party's hands, he knew the overall situation.

The son of the Marquis of Zhenbei guards the northern border and the border of the Great Zhou, preventing the Northern Di from invading the heartland of the Central Plains. This line of defense is of vital importance to the Great Zhou, and even he cannot move it easily.

He is both civil and military, good-looking, and holds military power. There have been no romantic affairs reported about him in recent years. He is indeed a good candidate for a husband.

*

Even though he already knew the old emperor's intention, Wei Ce was still feeling a little impatient.

He was used to the battlefield, and he knew from a young age the torment of staying alone in an empty house waiting for her husband to return, just like his mother, so he never thought about getting married.

Knowing that he might not have much time left in the imperial capital, he still wanted to marry his daughter to him. Could it be that the old emperor really disliked Princess Lingqiao and wished she would stay alone?

Wei Ce thought a little badly.

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Please prepay!!

There's still one chapter I have to catch up on, I'll try to update it today!