When it is broken, it is broken.

Gongyi Xiu also smiled wryly and said, "But since the other party has extended an invitation with courtesy, it would seem impolite and unbecoming of a superior nation to refuse so directly."

No matter how barbaric and ferocious the Northern Qiang people were before, now that they have made the proper gestures and come to invite you with courtesy, it would seem petty and even mean to judge a gentleman by one's own petty standards if the Southern Dynasty refused outright.

Shangguan You was the head of the Shangguan family, a family of civil officials. For generations, they had enjoyed a life of luxury and were well-versed in diplomatic etiquette. How could he not understand this principle?

He reluctantly asked Consort Chen, "If we really have to agree, does Your Highness have a corresponding plan?"

This hot potato was then passed to the royal family, represented by Consort Chen. If they were truly to agree to Hulü Guang's marriage proposal, they would have to produce a princess no matter what. Whether chosen from the imperial clan or from a powerful family with the closest ties to the royal family, it would require Consort Chen's approval and the princess's consent. This alone would be quite difficult.

Since Shangguan You has raised this question, it means that the Shangguan family will never offer up their daughter to facilitate this matter.

Even Consort Chen's beautiful and gentle face showed a hint of hesitation. She looked at Mu Huaying and Sikong Zhao and said softly, "Now, not only is there no princess in the palace, but there are also no daughters of suitable age in the Xie family's clan. I am also very worried about this. If we really want to have a marriage alliance, we should start thinking of a solution immediately."

At this point, the ministers realized that the solution was to immediately select a suitable candidate from among the various powerful families and perform the ceremony of bestowing the title of princess.

But this matter is easier said than done. If one's family background is insufficient, the Northern Qiang will inevitably scoff at the idea of ​​the princess being too cheap; and if one is truly from a noble family, how could they easily send their important daughter away for a marriage alliance?

Given the close relationship with the royal family, the most suitable candidate for a marriage alliance would be a descendant of the previous Fei Feng, as the previous Fei Feng and Emperor Xie Lang were practically sworn sisters, a fact known to all. Back then, Mu Huaying was married into the Dongguang Marquis's household with the honors due to a princess, and everyone knew she was practically Xie Lang's sworn sister.

Consort Chen had no children, and neither Zhao Lingying nor Sikong Zhao were married, so they had no heirs. After all, the most suitable candidate was Pei Yu, the daughter of Mu Huaying.

At this moment, besides Fei Feng, the only person who could satisfy the Northern Qiang was Shangguan Yuqi from the Shangguan family. After all, the Shangguan family was the head of a century-old aristocratic clan in China. However, Shangguan You's attitude was very clear: the Shangguan family would not get involved in this matter.

The hall fell silent for a moment, and no one spoke.

Given the current situation, Pei Yu is clearly the most suitable candidate, while Shangguan You and Sikong Zhao, who are the most qualified to speak, cannot be mentioned.

Because whoever came up with this idea would inevitably offend her mother, Mu Huaying. Although Shangguan You wasn't afraid of Mu Huaying, since he had already stated that he would never hand over Shangguan Yuqi, he couldn't very well add fuel to the fire by specifically demanding that the Pei family offer up their daughter. As for Sikong Zhao, she and Mu Huaying were like sisters, and she had watched Pei Yu grow up. No matter how much the idea of ​​offering up Pei Yu might be in the best interests of the Southern Dynasty, she couldn't bring herself to say it.

This also shows that sacrificing others for the sake of the so-called big picture, this kind of generosity at the expense of others, is not the style of the strategists and officials of this dynasty.

Seeing that no one responded, Consort Chen sighed and slowly said, "I understand."

A Qiu was wondering how Consort Chen would handle this matter, because she herself would probably find it just as difficult. At this moment, she heard Consort Chen say, in her usual gentle tone, word by word, "In that case, we will decline the Northern Qiang's proposal."

Upon hearing this, the entire court exchanged bewildered glances. No one had expected that the first decision made by Consort Chen after assuming power in place of Xie Lang would be so resolute and decisive.

It is likely that such a groundbreaking and earth-shattering decision has never been made in the imperial court since ancient times.

They rejected a marriage proposal from a powerful neighboring country simply because they had no women willing to go for the marriage alliance.

Although both Shangguan You and Gongyi Xiu, who were on Xie Tiao's side, and the former Fei Feng, who stood with the royal family, were shocked and surprised by Consort Chen's proposal, their reactions were not too unacceptable. Many people were already whispering and talking amongst themselves, but no one raised any objections.

The current situation is caused by two main factors, as Shangguan You stated: the Northern Qiang's wolfish ambitions. Even if their so-called peace treaty were to be granted, it would be meaningless, and a woman's life would be lost in the process. This point has already reached a consensus among the officials.

Secondly, the political atmosphere created by Gu Yi since he took office is clean and pragmatic, focusing on the facts, doing what is feasible and rejecting what is not, and not doing pointless work for the sake of saving face.

Seeing that no one objected, Consort Chen said gently, "Since everyone has no objections, let's decide on this. We will directly refuse Prince Ning and inform him that our dynasty has no princess."

This reply simply stated the facts without any embellishment, demonstrating the Southern Dynasty's determination not to engage in any flattery or appeasement during these peace talks.

In short, if things don't work out, then war is the only option. There will be no wasting effort on maneuvering or stalling.

Ah Qiu remembered that Consort Chen had been a soldier. Although she was the gentlest and most approachable of the previous Flying Phoenix Four Guards, and usually appeared as a gentle and meticulous mediator, when she truly became regent, she handled important matters with decisiveness, clarity, and ruthlessness, which made people look at her with new respect.

But as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, another tension immediately tightened up.

If such a resolute attitude is adopted in response to Hulü Guang's visit, a major battle between the Southern Dynasty and the Northern Qiang will likely be imminent.

Compared to a princess's marriage alliance, this would actually have a greater and more profound impact on the military and civilians of both the North and South for generations to come. If anything were to happen to them, the peaceful situation that the Southern Dynasties had cultivated over several generations would be completely destroyed, and war would rage across Jiangdong, repeating the tragic scenes of the Central Plains in the past.

Since the founding of the dynasty, Grand Tutor Gu Yi has not only been diligent in governing the country but also emphasized military preparedness. Therefore, although the country is at peace, the training and recruitment of the Jianzhang Army and the stockpiling of provisions have never been relaxed for a moment. He has also maintained contact with Fan Ying in the Northwest and Li Chongyu in Shuofang, all in preparation for the Northern Expedition.

Gu Yi had always asserted that a war between the North and the South was inevitable. But with Gu Yi absent from court, Pei Yuanli deceased, and Xie Lang ill, this battle was suddenly looming ahead, catching everyone off guard.

At that moment, Madam Pei, Mu Huaying, suddenly spoke slowly, her voice low: "The Southern Dynasty is not without princesses."

These words were like a thunderbolt from the blue. The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a clamor. The discussion was not loud, but it never stopped.

"Where did my dynasty get a princess? Why have I never heard of her before?"

"That's impossible. If His Majesty had bestowed a title upon a princess, how could we, his subjects, not know?"

"Could it be... that His Majesty has other daughters outside the palace?" The person who spoke could only secretly peek at Consort Chen's expression, but could not discern any clues.

Even A Qiu was taken aback. Although she had only been in the palace for half a year, she had heard of all sorts of people in the palace. If there really was a princess, unless it was as the person above said, Xie Lang's daughter born outside the palace, she couldn't possibly have been completely unaware of it.

Even Pei Yu, who was subordinate to Shangguan You, looked at her with puzzlement, clearly because she had never heard her mother mention this matter before.

Only Consort Chen's expression remained unchanged, as if she was extremely patient in listening to Mu Huaying's explanation.

Mu Huaying seemed to have expected this. She coldly surveyed the entire room, and only after the voices had subsided did she slowly and deliberately say, "Our Southern Dynasty is not just the Dayan Dynasty. Before Dayan, there was the Qianhuan Dynasty. Dayan did not have an imperial daughter, but that does not mean the Qianhuan did not."

Her words plunged the room into a deathly silence once again.

Then came a much more heated and heated debate, with the voices growing louder.

Did the last emperor, Sima Yan, have a daughter? I don't recall any mention of that in historical records.

"The last emperor of the Former Huan Dynasty clearly died without an heir!"

"Thinking back on it now, it really is strange. The last emperor was in his prime when he ascended the throne, so why did he not have an heir after seven years on the throne? His harem was also very full, almost the largest in several generations!" said an old minister with gray hair, stroking his beard.

Another elderly minister, in his eighties, replied, "It is said that the last emperor hoped his eldest son would come from Empress Shangguan, so he suppressed his concubines and prevented them from conceiving. However, the empress also did not conceive for several years and died young, so the last emperor's reign ended without an heir." He sighed and said heavily, "This is also the reason for the downfall of the previous dynasty!"

Another person chimed in, "Indeed! Although the rebel army's entry into the palace caused the previous dynasty to fall apart, if the Sima family still had an heir at that time, the previous dynasty had lasted for nearly a hundred years and had been kind to both officials and common people. People missed the previous dynasty and would surely still support the Sima heir, so..." He stopped abruptly here. Because Consort Chen in the Golden Palace was glancing at him with a half-smile.

What he originally wanted to say was, "Then it wouldn't be the current Emperor who has obtained this throne." Of course, he swallowed it all back now and dared not utter another word.

A-Qiu knew that openly discussing the past affairs of the previous dynasty in court was already inappropriate, let alone commenting on the legitimacy and legality of the current emperor's ascension to the throne. Consort Chen merely glared at him, which was already extremely magnanimous.

But another thought lingered in her mind.

In the minds of these veteran officials, Sima Yan and Empress Shangguan had no heir. However, she knew that Empress Shangguan had once given birth to a son or a daughter. The current emperor, Xie Lang, also knew this.

So, if this child were still alive, the former officials and troops who supported the Former Huan dynasty would surely support him. Leaving aside others, at least the Four Stars of Heavenly Secrets, currently hidden in the palace, would certainly be on this child's side. Therefore, perhaps the Sima imperial bloodline would not be extinguished, and the Former Huan dynasty would continue its legacy.

None of this would have happened. And I wouldn't be standing here. These people before me—Consort Chen, Mu Huaying…—wouldn't be what they are now, and might not even be here.

Upon thinking of this, I suddenly felt that everything before me was like a dream, so unreal, and that I was in a fog.

It was the noise of the people around her that gradually brought her back to the world.

"Madam Pei said that there was a princess in the former Huan Dynasty. Is there any evidence? Could it be an imposter?"

Yes, Ah Qiu thought blankly. She only knew that the child Yan Xiu had given birth to was taken away by Xie Lang, but no one knew where it went, whether it was alive or dead. Ah Qiu didn't really believe Xie Lang's last words to Zhao Lingying either: she thought Xie Lang said those things to comfort Zhao Lingying so she could die without regrets.

At least he gave Zhao Lingying the white silk handkerchief woven by the girl, the one she had watched Xie Lang take from the Shaofu. If Zhao Lingying hadn't lost too much blood and her vision hadn't been blurred, she would have been able to recognize that it wasn't the local Taihu white silk, but rather leftover fabric from the last time the white silk dance dress was made, which was a tribute from her hometown of Wu.